Info about Wood Sage Wood sage (Teucrium canadense) goes by many other names too, including Canadian germander, germander wood sage and wood sage wildflower. This germander is a perennial herb native to many areas of North America. Wood sage plants form a low-creeping groundcover that is native to the United States. Growing germander wood sage can often be found in shaded to partially shaded, moist areas such as along stream banks, lake shores, marshes, prairies, ditches, and pastures....

Growing a heliotrope plant brings satisfaction to the gardener, not only in its dense cluster of delicate flowers but in its delicious aroma. Some people claim it’s the scent of vanilla, but my vote has always gone to its common namesake, cherry pie. Heliotrope Flowers These sweethearts are temperate perennials usually grown as annuals, and growing a heliotrope plant will be an additional pleasure for those who live in places with hot, dry summers....

The average home interior is perfect for growing Cattleya orchids. There are just a few details to learn regarding how to grow Cattleya orchids; but once you master those, you will have a lovely and long-term addition to your home. Information About Cattleya Orchids are the largest group of flowering plants. Their presence is in most areas of the world, and they are highly adaptive as a species. Cattleyas are named for William Cattley, an English horticulturist from the 19th century....

Should I Prune My Tomato Plants? The answer to this question is actually a personal one. Some people assert firmly that pruning tomato suckers improves the production and health of a plant. Others claim that pruning tomato suckers damages the plant unnecessarily, opening it up to disease and doing nothing to actually help. So, scientifically speaking, who is right? A study at Iowa State University (PDF) published in 2000 showed that pruning tomato suckers sometimes made a difference and sometimes did not in terms of the size the fruit....

What are Parkland Roses? The Parkland Series roses are a group of roses that were created to survive the Canadian winters well. The Parkland Series of rose bush varieties were developed by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) at Morden Research Station in Manitoba. These rose bushes are indeed hardy but are said not to be as cold hardy as the Explorer Series of rose bushes, which were also created in Canada to survive the harsh winters....

About Jelly Bean Sedums Jelly bean plant facts indicate this plant is a cross of Sedum pachyphyllum and Sedum stahlii, As such, it’s another candidate for neglect and does best without too much attention. Six- to eight-inch (15-20 cm.) stems grow upward and lean when leaves weigh it down. Small yellow flowers appear abundantly in winter to spring during the early years of growth. Planting and Caring for Jelly Bean Plants Grow the sedum jelly bean plant in containers or plant it in the ground....

When to Pick Juneberries There’s a secret clue to juneberry harvest time. Have you spotted it? Juneberries tend to be ready to pick sometime around – wouldn’t you know it – June (or July) here in the U.S. Of course, the plants have a very broad range (across most of North America), so the exact time for harvesting juneberries varies somewhat. As a rule, the plants bloom in early spring. The fruit should be ready to pick 45 to 60 days after that....

Keeping Weeds Out of Lawn Areas Weeds can establish themselves in a flower bed rather easily due to the fact that there is relatively little competition. There is plenty of open area with freshly disturbed soil, which is perfect for weeds to grow. In contrast, weeds have a much more difficult time establishing themselves in a well maintained lawn due to the fact that the grass is so tightly packed and allows for little else to grow between the plants....

When Lantana Pruning Should Be Done? Some people believe you should be trimming lantana plants in winter, while others say spring. Basically, you should go with whatever timing works best for you; however, spring is always preferable. Not only do you want to remove old growth, but you also want to ensure hardiness throughout winter, especially in colder regions. For this reason, fall is definitely out when it comes to pruning lantanas, as this can make them more susceptible to winter cold and moisture brought about by any precipitation....

About Colonial Gardens The colonial garden of yesteryear was a celebration of heritage as plants made their way from the “old world,” to the “new world.” Colonial gardens were made by very practical colonists and as a result were designed around needs rather than aesthetics, though these gardens were still truly beautiful. Square or raised bed gardens were popular and often placed in close proximity to the home to allow for easy access....

Kaffir Lime Leaves The glossy, dark green leaves of the Kaffir lime tree are quite distinctive. Kaffir lime leaves look like two leaves joined together, as one appears to grow from the tip of the other. Kaffir lime leaves are most often used as an essential ingredient for flavoring many Asian dishes such as soups, curries, and fish. They can be used fresh off the tree or from dried leaves. Kaffir lime leaves can also be frozen to retain their freshness....

Planting Horseradish A horseradish plant (Amoracia rusticana) is typically grown from a root cutting. These can be ordered from a reputable nursery or you may be able to find someone locally who is raising horseradish and would be willing to share some of their horseradish plant with you. As soon as you get your root cutting in early spring, plant it in the ground. Dig a hole that is deep enough to stand the root up....

So now you might ask, “How do I grow parsnips?” How to grow parsnips – it isn’t much different from other root vegetables. They are winter vegetables that like cool weather and can take as long as 180 days to mature. They are actually exposed to almost freezing temperatures for about a month before harvesting. When planting parsnips, remember that cool weather enhances the flavor of the root, but hot weather leads to poor quality vegetables....

Identifying Slugs Slugs and caterpillars both eat cabbages and the key to protecting cabbages is determining which pest is destroying your crop. Slugs eat leaves using a raspy tongue with tough spots that rub against the leaves. This rasp makes the hole in your cabbage leaves wide next to the slug and the hole narrows as it moves away from the slugs. Choosing the Best Ground Cover for Protecting Cabbages Slugs do not like to crawl across anything too dry, which is one way you can keep slugs off cabbage....

What Is a Learning Garden? A learning garden is typically a school garden, but it may also be a community garden or even just a family’s backyard garden. Regardless of location and how many people are involved, gardens for education are outdoor classrooms, gardens designed specifically to get children involved and to teach them a variety of lessons. There are many lessons that can go into a learning garden. You can design yours to be focused on one or two, or on a variety....

How to Use Limestone in the Garden Limestone is a durable sedimentary rock with a pleasant white color that fits in well in many landscape designs. It is popular both in gravel and slab forms, and can be used for paths, walls, garden beds, accents, and more. The most common application of limestone in the garden is probably in making pathways. Crushed limestone gravel is relatively inexpensive and makes for an attractive, natural looking but durable walking surface....

What is Magical Michael Basil? Originally developed for ornamental use, Magical Michael basil plants have a compact bush-like shape and reach a consistent size at maturity. The aromatic green leaves are edible, although not as flavorful as other types of basil. The leaves can be used in flower arrangements for their beauty and fragrance. Here’s additional Magical Michael basil info: Life Span: Annual Height: 15 to 16 inches (38 to 40....

What is Malabar Spinach? Malabar spinach plants grow in India and throughout the tropics, primarily in the moist lowlands. While the dark green leaves resemble those of spinach, this is a vine type of plant that thrives in hot temps, even exceeding 90 F. (32 C.) Cool temperatures cause Malabar spinach to creep. It is grown as an annual, but grows like a perennial in regions that are frost free....

Matilija Poppy Planting Matilija poppy plants are native to California and are, therefore, a good choice if you’re looking for a local flower that can weather a drought or two. That being said, Matilija poppies are far from a sure thing in the garden. They are famous for being both hard to grow and invasive, and care of Matilija poppies can be tricky to figure out at first. They need full sun and prefer well-draining soil, but they will tolerate some clay....

How to Grow Mexican Sunflower Reaching no more than 6 feet (2 m.) and often remaining at just 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) tall, growing Mexican sunflowers can fill your wish for sunflowers in the garden. Consider planting Mexican sunflower as a colorful addition to the water-wise garden area. Let your kids help with the planting too, as seeds of the Tithonia Mexican sunflower plants are large and easy to handle....