Ornamental Plume Grass Ornamental plume grass is a clumping plant that can grow 8 to 12 feet (2-3.5 m.) high with whip-like blades that are slightly serrated and sharp on the edges. The plant produces a feathery inflorescence from September to October which will persist often well into winter. The 9 to 14 foot (2.5-4.5 m.) tall flower can also be harvested for indoor arrangements. The decorative plume grass may spread to 5 feet (1....

With more and more natural land being taken from deer and in areas where population control is not practiced, deer can definitely become a nuisance. To create a completely deer-resistant garden is never 100 percent guaranteed, but the key to keeping Bambi and his clan at a distance lies in understanding which plants deer prefer and which they usually pass over. Deer Resistant Garden Plants Although the type of vegetation that deer prefer seems to vary somewhat between different parts of the country, it is still possible to identify deer-resistant garden plants that should be safe no matter where you live....

What is a Flame Tree? Also known as royal Poinciana or flamboyant tree, flame tree is one of the world’s most colorful trees. Every spring the tree produces clusters of long-lasting, orange-red blooms with yellow, burgundy, or white markings. Each bloom, which measures up to 5 inches (13 cm.) across, displays five spoon-shaped petals. Flame tree reaches heights of 30 to 50 feet (9-15 m.), and the width of the umbrella-like canopy is often wider than the tree’s height....

Garden Hose Information It may seem like a hose is just a hose. However, each spring, home improvement stores and garden centers fill aisles with different types of garden hoses. These hoses come in many different lengths, most commonly 25-100 feet (7.5 to 30 m.). Naturally, what length you need depends on what you are watering. If your garden is only 10 feet (3 m.) away from the spigot, it’s probably not necessary to buy a 100-foot long hose (30 m....

Types of Petunia Plants There are four main types of petunia plants: Grandiflora, Multiflora, Milliflora, and Spreading (Wave). All four are readily available in series, which are groups of plants with uniform size and flowering habits. The only varying characteristic is the range of colors of different petunia flowers within each series. Varieties of Petunias The oldest types are Grandiflora petunias, which were developed in the 1950s. Grandiflora petunia varieties boast blooms measuring up to 5 inches (12....

Outdoor Decorating Ideas on A Budget Old toys make great planters, and you can pick them up for next to nothing at thrift stores and yard sales. For instance, fill the bed of a toy dump truck with potting mix and plant it with succulents or colorful annuals. Metal or plastic lunch boxes work too. Similarly, old, rusty, or beat-up wheelbarrows or toolboxes make great upcycled DIY garden décor when planted in a variety of colorful flowers, along with trailing plants like bacopa or calibrachoa to soften the edges....

Jewelry for Plant Lovers A living plant necklace, bracelet, or ring is a truly unique gift for someone on your list who loves plants. You can follow these guidelines and get creative, using your choice of plants and bases for stunning jewelry. The best choices for live plant jewelry are air plants and succulents. An air plant, of course, doesn’t need soil. To keep it alive, you’ll just need to spritz it with water....

Feeding Pothos: Do Pothos Need Fertilizer? Potting soil often comes with fertilizer pre-mixed, so if the soil is fresh, you won’t need to worry about feeding pothos for about six months. After that, regular feeding will replace depleted nutrients. What Is the Best Pothos Fertilizer? It isn’t necessary to use a special pothos plant food and any good quality, all-purpose fertilizer will work. Water-soluble fertilizer is easy to use and it’s difficult to make a mistake, however, the amount suggested on the label is usually too strong and may burn your plant....

Microclimates and Trees There isn’t much one can do about the climate. If you live in a desert, the climate is virtually certain to remain hot and dry during your lifetime. That doesn’t apply to microclimates, however. While climate affects an entire region, a microclimate is local. The term “microclimate” refers to atmospheric conditions that are different in one area from those in surrounding areas. It can mean areas as small as a few square feet (meters) or it can refer to larger areas of many square miles (kilometers)....

Duckweed Information Duckweed is most often found in nutrient rich ponds, those where a buildup of leaves on the bottom creates stratification. Black, smelly ooze is a primary source of food for duckweed. Older ponds and those in quiet, undisturbed areas are likely candidates to need duckweed killer, as this is where the invasive, nuisance weed prefers to grow. Duckweed is often accompanied by a similar, smaller plant called watermeal. The two work together to cover susceptible ponds quickly when proper conditions exist....

Get started as early in spring as possible so you can harvest the cabbages before the peak of summer. If you live in a mild climate, you can grow a second crop in late summer for harvest in winter or spring. Read on for more Earliana cabbage info, and learn about growing this sweet, mild cabbage in your own garden. Growing Earliana Cabbage Variety For an early harvest, start seeds indoors....

Easter cactus is actually a jungle cactus, growing in its native habitat in the Brazilian rainforest. There it is usually found in the crotch of a tree limb, several feet above the ground. This puts the plant in a position to get no more than filtered light, as much of the sun is blocked by surrounding trees. In captivity, these plants are often placed in total darkness of up to 14 hours per day for several weeks to force blooms for the holiday....

What is an Arctic Ice Echeveria? Succulents are the perfect starter plant for the novice gardener in that they require minimal care plus they come in a dazzling array of shapes, sizes, and colors. Succulent gardens are all the rage and for good reason. Echeveria is a variety of succulent plant of which there are actually around 150 cultivated types and are native from Texas to Central America. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ is actually a hybrid produced by Altman Plants....

However, after heavy storms, you may see a significant buildup of snow bending over evergreen branches. It can be quite dramatic, with branches nearly touching the ground or bent back half way. This may alarm you. Has the snow and ice caused winter damage to evergreens? Read on to learn more about evergreen snow damage. Repairing Snow Damage to Evergreen Shrubs and Trees Every year trees and shrubs damaged by snow break off or become misshapen....

Do Beets Get Big? Beets are cool season veggies grown for both their roots and the tender young tops. They thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall and are perfect for not only large gardens but for those with smaller spaces since they require little room – with a spread of only 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) up to 12 inches (31 cm.). Beets do not get big, as the roots only get about 1 to 3 inches (2....

Fall Leaf Decorations The leaves of many trees turn red, orange, and yellow hues as summer yields to fall and their stunning colors make impressive fall leaf decorations. You can do something as simple as cutting a few tall branches and putting them in a vase on the dining table. Use a craft spray to preserve the foliage a few extra days. Alternatively, forget the vase and just set out sprigs of autumn leaves on the fireplace mantle or coffee table....

Fatsia Plant Info The common names Japanese aralia plant and Japanese fatsia refer to the same broadleaf evergreen, known botanically as Aralia japonica or Fatsia japonica. The plant features huge, deeply lobed leaves that grow to about a foot (30cm.) in width atop long leaf stems that reach up and outward. The plant often leans to one side because of the weight of the leaves, and it can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m....

When to Fertilize Plants Fertilizers contain the building blocks for foliar and fruit production, bloom formation, and root and general plant health. In poor soils, the treatment is essential for good plant vigor. The application of fertilizer may be from a soil drench, time-release granular formula, stakes, or foliar spray. Whichever method works best for you, the time of year for fertilizing is a crucial bit of information. Each plant is slightly different, but there is one overall rule for most plants....

Florasette Information Florasette tomato plants, also known as hot-set or heat-set tomatoes, were originally bred for greater heat tolerance, which makes them a great choice for hot or humid climates. They are also resistant to common tomato diseases, including fusarium wilt, tomato spotted wilt virus, and verticillium wilt. Nematodes also tend to steer clear of Florasette tomatoes. Florasette tomato plants are determinate, which means they will stop growing at maturity and fruit will ripen all at once....

How to Force Tulip Bulbs Forcing tulips starts with choosing tulips bulbs to force. Tulips are commonly not sold “ready to force” so you most likely will need to prepare them. In the early fall, when spring bulbs are being sold, purchase some tulip bulbs for forcing. Make sure that they are firm and do not have any blemishes. Keep in mind that larger tulip bulbs will result in larger tulip flowers....