Why Choose Drought Tolerant Landscaping? Drought-tolerant plants survive long periods of drought by storing water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. Many drought-tolerant plants have additional protection through a waxy coating that reduces evaporation or hairs on the leaf surface, which reflects some of the light thereby insulating the plant. Most plants that tolerate drought use several of these features to survive on low amounts of precipitation....

Plants for Good Luck and Health In the case of clover plants grown as plants for good luck and health, the grower is looking for Oxalis deppei or Good-Luck plant. Easy to care for, O. deppei can be grown as a houseplant or grown outside in partial shade during the summer months. Other Oxalis can be grown but they have three leaves rather than the lucky four, more commonly referred to as shamrocks....

How to Grow Plumeria Plants Although you don’t have to live in the tropics to grow plumeria in the home garden, you should be aware of its growing requirements beforehand. Often grown in the garden as an ornamental shrub or small tree, plumeria plants need to be grown in well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. They also need at least six hours of full sun. While the plants are fairly tolerant of both salt and windy conditions, they’re not tolerant of cold and must be protected....

How to Repot Plumeria Repot this small tree when it is dormant, in fall or winter. You can check the roots to make sure it is time to repot. If it has been over a year, you’re likely to see a rootbound plant. This limits health and growth. Check the root system by removing it from the container. Loosen the roots, removing old soil. If roots are spiraling around the plant, gently cut through with a single cut, using a sharp knife or pruners....

What is Pollarding? What is pollarding and how do you do it? When you do pollard tree pruning, you cut off the central leader of the tree and all lateral branches to the same general height within a few feet of the tree crown. The height is at least 6 feet (2 m.) above the ground so that grazing animals do not eat new growth. You also remove any lower limbs on the tree and any crossing limbs....

About Pink Rhododendron The rhododendron genus includes more than 1,000 species of plants native to many parts of the world. There is a lot of variety in the wild types. Those commonly used in North America are medium-sized evergreen shrubs with glossy, dark leaves and clusters of trumpet-shaped spring flowers. Enthusiasts have created all kinds of pink rhododendron bush varieties, from the palest buff to gorgeously dark pink rhododendron. Whichever variety you choose, your rhododendron will need some shade to grow well....

When to Divide a Tree Lily Bulb The best time to divide tree lily bulbs is in autumn, three to four weeks after blooming and, preferably, a few weeks before the first average frost date in your area, which allows time for the plant to establish healthy roots before the first cold snap. A cool, dry day is healthiest for the plant. Never divide lilies when the foliage is still green....

Chalice Vine Trimming Chalice vines produce huge, golden, bell-shaped flowers, each one up to 10 inches (25.5 cm.) long, with thick, leathery petals. The evergreen foliage is also heavy, each leaf some 6 inches (15 cm.) long. The vine grows fast in any soil with good drainage. As it gets longer, it can smother entire fences and weight down pergolas with vines that run to hundreds of feet. Chalice vine trimming may be the only way to keep the plant from becoming the garden bully....

When to Prune a Smoke Tree Trimming smoke trees can be done in late winter or very early spring. As a general rule, pruning smoke trees for shape is done in very early spring when the plant is still mostly dormant and the process will create less stress. Summer flowering trees such as smoke trees need to be pruned before flower buds have shown. The rule for pruning deciduous flowering plants states that if it flowers after June 1, like the smoke bush, you need to prune in early spring....

What Causes Purple Leaf Color on Hydrangeas? Purple leaf color on hydrangeas isn’t normal and may indicate fungal disease or simple environmental problems. Fungal Disease Purple spots on hydrangea leaves are a good indicator of cercospora leaf spot, a common leaf fungus in these plants. Plants are rarely killed, but spotted leaves may shed prematurely, weakening the plant and reducing viable buds. The small purple to brown spots usually start near the base of the plant, spreading outward and upward as water splashes the spores to other leaves....

Quaking Aspen Tree Facts Before planting a quaking aspen tree in your garden, you’ll need to understand the pros and cons of cultivated aspen trees. Some gardeners love them, some do not. Aspen trees grow very quickly and are very hardy. That means that you can “furnish” a new backyard in just a few seasons if you plant aspens. Aspens are small and won’t overwhelm your yard, and sometimes they provide nice autumn color....

Causes of Pepper Leaves Turning Yellow Pepper Plant Leaves are Yellow Due to a Lack of Water and Nutrients One of the two most common reasons for yellow leaves on a pepper plant is either under watering or a lack of nutrients in the soil. In both of these cases, pepper plants will also be stunted and will commonly drop the pepper flowers or fruit. If you think this is the reason your pepper plant leaves are yellow, increase watering and apply some balanced fertilizer....

Recognizing Alternaria of Watermelon Leaves Alternaria leaf blight is caused by the fungal agent Alternaria cucumerina, whose spores are carried on wind and water, when weather conditions become favorable for its spore growth. These favorable conditions are usually late spring to midsummer when cool, wet spring weather quickly turns to warm, humid, summer weather. Leaf blight of watermelons can overwinter in garden debris. As spring or early summer temperatures rise steadily between 68 and 90 degrees F....

In spite of the obstacles, July in the Northern Rockies is glorious, and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors and to take care of a few July gardening tasks before the weather turns cold in autumn. Here is your regional to-do list. July Gardening Tasks for Northern Rockies and Great Plains Gardens Water shrubs and trees during extended dry periods. Newly planted shrubs and trees should be watered regularly until the roots are well established....

Gardening in November is still in full swing, even though many of our vegetables, plants, and shrubs have stopped growing. There is the inevitable raking, still some mowing of the lawn, cutting back perennials, pulling annuals and more. Getting the garden tidied up will help prevent pest and disease issues in spring. Making a Regional To-Do List for the Midwest Gardeners in the Rockies may experience cold temperatures more quickly than those on the Plains, which means much of the cleanup may already be done....

Is Pumpkin Good for Wildlife? Yes, both the pumpkin flesh and seeds are enjoyed by a number of animals. It’s good for you, so you can bet all kinds of critters will enjoy it. Just be sure not to feed animals old pumpkins that have been painted, as the paint might be toxic. If you don’t want to attract wildlife, feeding animals old pumpkins isn’t the only pumpkin use after the fall season....

What is Ricing in Cole Crops? Cauliflower flourishes in temperatures of around 60 degrees F. (15 C.). Young cauliflower plants are extremely sensitive to stressors, whether they are temperature fluxes or irrigation issues. As with all plants, any extremes in their environment may result in a low yield, premature crop, susceptibility to disease, insect invasion, and many other disorders. Cauliflower especially, has a thin balance between leaf and head growth, making it vulnerable to a number of disorders including ricing in this Cole crop....

Will Spaghetti Squash Ripen Off the Vine? Well, the short answer is “yes” to the ripening of spaghetti squash off the vine. The longer answer involves a “maybe.” I’m not getting all wishy-washy on you. The fact is that the answer depends on spaghetti squash ripeness, or how mature the squash is. If the squash is green and soft, it is more likely to rot than ripen off the vine. If, however, there are hints of yellow and the squash appears to be full-sized and sounds solid when thumped, I would go ahead and try it....

Sedum ‘Dragon’s Blood’ Info A sedum well suited to USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8, Dragon’s Blood sedum plants die back during winter in colder spots but return with vigor to get going again in spring. New sprouts continue to spread, covering those sunny, poor soil areas as summer continues. Growing Dragon’s Blood sedum fills in between pathways, trails down walls, and covers rock gardens, combined with other spreading sedums or alone....

Can a Garden be Planted Over a Septic Tank? Gardening over septic tanks is not only permissible but also beneficial in some instances. Planting ornamental plants on septic drain fields provide an oxygen exchange and help with evaporation in the drain field area. Plants also help control erosion. It is often recommended that leach fields be covered with meadow grass or turf grass, such as perennial rye. In addition, shallow-rooted ornamental grasses can look particularly nice....