Wisteria for Cold Climates Wisteria vines are quite tolerant of a range of conditions but most varieties do not perform well in zones below USDA 4 to 5. Zone 3 wisteria plants were something of a pipe dream as cold, extended winters tended to kill these temperate climate darlings. A chance hybrid found across the swampy areas of south central U.S. from Louisiana and Texas north to Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma, Kentucky wisteria is suitable for zones 3 to 9....

Can You Use Guinea Pig Manure? So can you use guinea pig manure as fertilizer in the garden? Yes, you can. These small rodents, along with other common household pets such as gerbils and hamsters, are omnivores, eating both plants and animal proteins (mainly from insects). That being said, those kept as pets are typically fed a plant-based diet with much of their proteins and minerals obtained from specialized food, often in the form of pellets....

Hardenbergia coral pea appears as a woody, climbing evergreen with dark green leather-like leaves blooming in a mass of dark purple blooms. Coral pea tends to be leggy at the base and profuse towards the top, as it clambers over walls or fences. In southeast Australia, it grows as a ground cover over the rocky, shrub filled environment. The moderately growing Hardenbergia coral pea vine is a perennial attaining lengths of up to 50 feet (15 m....

Fig Trees in Zone 5 Fig trees are native to regions with long growing seasons and hot summers. Experts name the semi-arid tropical and subtropical areas of the world as ideal for fig tree cultivation. Fig trees are surprisingly tolerant of chilly temperatures. However, winter winds and storms severely reduce fig fruit production, and a lengthy freeze can kill off a tree. USDA zone 5 is not the region of the country with the lowest winter temperatures, but winter lows average around -15 degrees F....

Growing Zone 6 Flowers Proper care for zone 6 flowering plants depends on the plant itself. Always read plant tags or ask a garden center worker about a plant’s specific needs. Shade-loving plants can be stunted or badly burned in too much sun. Likewise, sun-loving plants may be stunted or not bloom in too much shade. Whether full sun, part shade, or shade, there are choices of annuals and perennials that can be interplanted for continually blooming flowerbeds....

There are many suitable ground cover plants for hillside use. Steep hill ground cover can take the form of dense shrubs with deep roots for a forest look, to fast-growing ground covers for a sunny hill. When choosing ground cover for a hill, you need to use the same criteria as you do for flat land: sun, water and maintenance. The following lists should help you in choosing ground cover for a hill....

Do I have a Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus? Fall and winter bring out the Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus stock. While all typically bloom in the cooler seasons, they are not the same cactus. If you wonder, “do I have a Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus?” the question is a reasonable one. The Easter cactus is somewhat different from those two varieties. Differentiating among the three is relatively simple with a few tips....

About Homemade Herbal Salves The benefit to making homemade herbal salves is that you control the ingredients. Most herbal salves recipes call for two simple ingredients; beeswax and oil. Homemade herbal salves are semi-solid, making them an attractive option for carrying in a purse, pocket or first aid kit. They can be used to heal dry skin, chapped lips and diaper rash or treat rashes, sunburn, scrapes and cuts and even eczema....

Reduce the Need for Fungicide for Plants To reduce the need for using a fungicide for plants, it may help to select healthy, pest-resistant plants and practice good sanitation in the vegetable garden and flower bed. Keep plants healthy and their growing area weed-free to cut back on the need for fungicide for plants. More often than not, fungi are the result of pests in the garden. Sometimes, pest control for plants is as simple as a blast of water from the garden hose, knocking off aphids and other piercing and sucking insects....

In recent years, many growers have brought special attention to the needs of bees. Included in this are their need for shelter, nectar, and the often-overlooked need for water. Honeybee Bath Info The inclusion of a bee bath for gardens is an excellent way to ensure bee needs are being met throughout the growing season. Initially, some may find the concept of a honeybee bath to be somewhat silly. Like all animals, however, bees do need water in order to survive....

What Causes Sticky Plant Leaves? Most likely sticky leaves on indoor plants is a sign that you have an infestation of scales, tiny insects that latch onto your plant and suck out its moisture, excreting it as this sticky substance called honeydew. Scales won’t necessarily harm your plant, but a large infestation can stunt growth and the honeydew can get everywhere. It’s best to get rid of them if you can....

About Oakleaf Hydrangeas How you prune a hydrangea depends on the type, so it’s important to understand what you have. Hydrangea quercifolia is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern U.S. but hardy through zone 9. The easiest way to distinguish this hydrangea from others is by its leaves, which have a shape similar to oak leaves. Oakleaf hydrangea is also much larger than other types, growing to 8 feet (2....

How Much Water Do Poinsettias Need? When it comes to watering poinsettia plants, too much is just as bad as too little. The best way to determine if a poinsettia needs water is to feel the top of the potting soil, which should feel moist and cool to the touch. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Additionally, if the pot feels light as a feather when you lift it, the soil is too dry....

The very first step is understanding if you actually have a Christmas cactus. Easter and Thanksgiving cacti look deceptively similar. Click here to figure out which holiday cactus you have. How to Plant Christmas Cactus The Christmas cactus is easily propagated by cutting a short Y-shaped segment from the stem tips. Make certain, however, that the cutting is taken from healthy plant foliage only. Plant the segment approximately a quarter of its length deep in slightly sandy soil....

How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy If poison ivy has already made a home in your garden, you are probably looking for an effective poison ivy killer. Unfortunately, killing poison ivy is not any easy task, but it can be done if you know how to do it. The first thing you must decide is if you wish to use organic or chemical poison ivy control. Both methods of killing poison ivy are effective, but chemical poison ivy control will be quicker....

What is a Fungus Gnat? Fungus gnats may be confused with fruit flies. The difference between the two is evident upon close inspection. Fruit flies have bodies that are perfect miniatures of the house fly, while fungus gnats have long legs dangling from an elongated body, much like a mosquito. If you are still unsure what type of gnat you have, place potato slices on the surface of the soil of a potted plant....

Mowing stripes in grass is important for golf courses because the direction the grass is lying can affect how the ball rolls. Striped grass in home lawns is aesthetically pleasing but not necessary. The same holds true for sports fields. The creative striping is a true crowd pleaser, but it does not affect the playability of the field. Nonetheless, you might like to learn how to cut stripes in grass and be the envy of the neighborhood....

How to Start a Gardenia from a Cutting Propagating gardenias from cuttings starts with getting the gardenia cuttings. The cutting should be at least 5 inches (12.5 cm.) long and taken from the tip of the branch. Ideally, they will be softwood (green wood). The next step in starting gardenias from cuttings involves removing the lower leaves. Take all the leaves off the cutting except for the top two sets. After this, prepare a pot to root the gardenia cutting in....

Overwintering Garden Ponds The first order of business when preparing backyard ponds for winter is sanitation. This means removing any fallen leaves, twigs or other detritus from the pond. This prevents any injury to fish, if you have them, and will give you a head start on spring clean out. Too many decomposing leaves can lead to an altered pH and briny water. Most ponds don’t require a water change, but if the pond has an inch (2....

Signs of Hydrangea Botrytis Blight During cool, damp periods an opportunistic fungus may invade your garden. It is hydrangea gray mold, but it doesn’t confine itself just to that genus. Botrytis blight may also attack other ornamental plants. A hydrangea with botrytis will have its flowers attacked initially and as the disease progresses, the foliage will suffer. It’s important to your plants to learn how to diagnose and control this damaging disease....