Bushy Aster Information Bushy aster, also called American aster, is a native wildflower. It grows in the wild in New England down through the Southeast. You’ll find it on the coastal plains, as well as in woodlands, grasslands, meadows, and fields. In some states, like Alabama, bushy aster plants are most often seen growing in wetlands, like bogs and swamps. They can also be found on riverbanks and beside streams. According to bushy aster information, the shrubs grow to about 3 feet (1 m....

In general, they all like bright, indirect light, high humidity and fairly moist soil. Let’s take a look at different calathea plants that are available. Calathea Varieties Rattlesnake Plant, or Calathea lancifolia, is one of the most beautiful and easiest to grow types of Calathea. The leaves are narrow with beautiful darker green spots on the leaves. The undersides of the leaves are a maroon color. The species name lancifolia comes from the fact that this plant has lance-shaped leaves....

While calla lily is a relatively low-maintenance plant, it won’t tolerate excessively dry conditions or soggy, poorly drained soil. Read on to learn about calla lily water requirements. When to Water Calla Lilies Your calla lily’s watering needs depend on whether they are grown in the garden or in containers. Your current growing conditions, like the amount of light or soil type, should be factored in as well. How much water do calla lilies need in the garden?...

Chanicleer Pear Information Chanticleer (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’) is a cultivar of the Callery ornamental pear, and it’s a beauty. Callery Chanticleer pears have a growth habit that is neat and tailored with a slender pyramid shape. But when the trees flower, they are dramatic and stunning. This variety is considered to be one of the best Callery cultivars available in commerce. Chanticleer pear trees are thornless and can get some 30 feet (9 m....

Can Compost Get Old? Composting is easy, but it does require a certain adherence to a 60/40 formula of green and brown material. Neglected compost can fail to break down, lose nutrients and even get moldy. Reviving old compost takes a bit of effort but can result in fairly good material for use in the garden. As the cold days of winter come to a close, you may wonder, “is my compost dead....

Knowing this, you may wonder, “Can I plant rose of Sharon seeds?” Yes, as long as the plant is not considered invasive where you are or, in the very least, will be grown in an area where it can be appropriately managed. Continue reading to learn how to harvest rose of sharon seeds for propagation. Harvesting and Growing Rose of Sharon Seeds In late summer and fall, rose of sharon is covered in large hibiscus-like flowers that are available in many colors – blues, purples, reds, pinks, and whites....

Are Cremation Ashes Good for Plants? Can plants grow in human ashes? Unfortunately, the answer is no, not very well, although some plants may be more tolerant than others. Human ashes are also bad for the environment because unlike plant matter, ashes don’t decompose. There are a few other problems to consider when thinking about planting in cremation ashes: Cremation ashes may be harmful when placed in the soil or around trees or plants....

Can You Grow Beets in Containers? Absolutely, growing beets in containers is possible. Almost anything that can be grown in the garden plot can be grown in a container, given the proper nutrients and growing conditions. Beets (Beta vulgaris) are cool season veggies that are delicious both for their tasty roots as well as for their nutrient packed leafy greens. With their sometimes bright green to variegated foliage, often with red stems and veining, beets are a colorful vegetable to grow on the patio or lanai and the care of potted beets is simple....

Container Grown Peanuts Peanuts, scientifically known as Arachis hypogaea, are hardy in zones 6 to 11. They are in the legume family and classified as tropical plants. It is because of this that many people in cooler climates may wonder, “Can you grow peanuts in containers?”. Yes, but they do have certain requirements. As tropical plants, they thrive in heat, humidity, full sun, and moist but well-draining soil. These growing needs should be considered before attempting to grow peanut plants in containers....

Can You Grow Sesame in Containers? Yes, you can absolutely grow sesame in a container or pot. It is generally grown on a bigger, agricultural scale for oil, but sesame plants will take to a container as well and can be cultivated on a much smaller scale. Sesame is native to warm climates, so start your seeds indoors and don’t move containers outside until it is well into the 70s during the day (21 degrees Celsius and up)....

Facts About Chinkapin Trees Chinkapins are native to this country, growing naturally in the wild from New England to the Mexican border. As part of the group of white oaks, they bear very pale, white bark. Their trunks can grow to 3 feet (1 m.) in diameter. Chinkapins are not small trees, growing to 80 feet (24 m.) in the wild and 50 feet (15 m.) tall when cultivated. The breadth of the open, rounded canopy tends to approximate the height of the tree....

Moonflower plants (Ipomoea alba) are perennial vines in sub-tropical areas, but gardeners with cold winters can successfully grow moonflower plants as annuals. A member of the Ipomea family, moonflower plants are related to the sweet potato vine and the morning glory, with flowers that open in the late afternoon. Large, heart-shaped leaves further enhance the attractive moonflower vine. How to Grow a Moonflower Vine Moonflowers in the garden do not need much ground space, as they readily climb upward....

Devil’s Backbone Plant Info The scientific name for this plant, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, means foot-shaped flower. The plant is native to the American tropics but only hardy in USDA zones 9 and 10. It makes a superb houseplant with its 2 foot (61 cm.) tall stems, alternate leaves, and colorful “flowers” which are actually bracts or modified leaves. The leaves are lance-shaped and thick on wiry stems. The bract color may be white, green, red, or pink....

Additionally, they can survive low light levels, drought and have few insect problems. NASA research has even shown that snake plants are able to help keep the air inside your home clean, removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. In short, they are the perfect houseplants. Snake Plant Info – How to Grow a Snake Plant Growing snake plant from cuttings is relatively easy. The most important thing to remember is that they can easily rot, so a free draining soil needs to be used....

What is Holy Basil? Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), is closely related to the sweet basil used in kitchens around the world. It is a short-lived, woody, herbal perennial that grows best in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows well in containers for gardens too, and homes in colder regions. In India, holy basil is traditionally grown in containers in and around temples for the purpose of cleansing visitors. Holy basil plants are also important in Ayurvedic medicine and have been used for thousands of years....

What Causes Tomato Leaf Spots? Alternaria Alternata, or tomato early blight alternaria, is a fungus that can cause cankers and plant leaf spots on tomato plants. It normally occurs during hot weather when there has been a significant amount of rain and humidity. Plants that have been damaged are particularly susceptible to being infected by tomato early blight alternaria. When a plant is infected with Alternaria Alternata, it will normally appear first on the lower leaves of the plant in the form of plant leaf spots that are either brown or black....

Humans have used flora as interior decor for centuries. Around the 1850s, interior design began to drift away from cut flowers to plant like palms. Palm trees provide lush greenery and elegance in the home interior. A parlor palm is a classic example of Victorian home decor. During this period, plants were likely fertilized with organic food such as fish emulsion or bone meal. Today we have the added benefit of synthetic foods as an option....

Zone 4 Hostas When it comes to selecting hosta varieties for northern gardens, nearly any hosta is perfect. However, it appears that light-colored hostas are more susceptible to damage by frost. Here is a list of some of the most popular hosta plants for zone 4. Giant Hostas (20 to 48 inches (50-122 cm.) tall) ‘Big Mama’ (Blue) ‘Titanic’ (Chartreuse-green with golden borders) ‘Komodo Dragon’ (Dark green) ‘Humpback Whale’ (Blue-green)...

How Much Zinc Do I Need and Why Zinc deficiencies are common in vegetarians and vegans. That is because a plant based diet doesn’t allow for ingestion of zinc-rich animal products. Supplements are one solution, but the addition of certain vegetables for zinc can also increase levels of this mineral. Keep in mind that foods in the legume family may actually limit absorption, so if your diet is high in these, counter balance with other vegetable zinc sources....

Plants that Grow Next to Geraniums Companion planting with geraniums is so beneficial because they deter some very common and destructive pests. Geraniums are known to repel earworms, cabbageworms, and Japanese beetles. Because of this, the best companion plants for geraniums are those that are prone to suffering from them, like corn, roses, grapes, and cabbage. Scented geraniums are also believed to deter spider mites, leafhoppers and cotton aphids, meaning good scented geranium plant companions are almost any vegetable in your garden....