Weeping Cherry Info A weeping cherry tree is a small ornamental tree with a weeping, or umbrella form. The branches hang down dramatically, creating an elegant form much prized in landscaping. Weeping Pink Snow Showers (Prunus x ‘Pisnshzam’ syn. Prunus ‘Pink Snow Showers’) is just one variety of weeping cherry, but it is a showstopper. This variety will grow to about 25 feet (8 m.) tall and 20 feet (6 m....

What are Pea Shoots? Pea shoots come from the pea plant, usually the snow or sugar snap pea varieties. Some varieties favored by growers are Snowgreen, a short vine cultivar; Oregon Giant, a disease resistant bush snow pea developed at Oregon State University; and Cascadia. They are harvested as young 2 to 6 inch (5-15 cm.) shoots, including two to four leaf pairs and the immature tendrils. They may also include small flower buds....

What are Pear Slugs? Pear slugs, also known as cherry slugs, are not actually slugs at all. They are actually the larvae of the pear sawfly (Caliroa cerasi). This larva has a slimy, olive green, slug-like appearance in their first four instars. In these earlier instars, pear slugs are somewhat tadpole shaped with larger rounded heads and tapered bottoms. In their fifth instar, shortly before burrowing into the soil to form their cocoon, they take on a more caterpillar appearance with yellow to orange color and ten legs....

What are Purple Dome Asters? Also known as purple dome New England asters, these pretty perennials get their name from the compact mounds they form as they grow. If you’re looking for a clumping, dense perennial, this is a great option. Use purple dome asters as tight borders, massed in beds, in containers, and in naturalized areas. Purple dome asters grow up to about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm....

What Is a Bird of Paradise Shrub? The Gilliesii bird of paradise is a little tree that rarely gets above 15 feet (5 m.) tall. It is a standout for its attractive yellow or red flowers with long, eye catching stamen. It is so easy to grow that it has escaped gardens in the southwest and naturalized in states from California and Nevada to Oklahoma. If you are wondering whether the Gilliesii bird of paradise is related to the other plant commonly called bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), it is not....

What is a Native Plant Nursery? A native plant nursery specializes in plants that are native to a certain ecoregion. Native plants are those that evolved along with the wildlife, insects, and other life forms that occupy that area. People are interested in purchasing native plants not only because they’re beautiful, but because they offer numerous environmental benefits. Native plants are easy to care for, requiring very little water and usually no pesticides or chemical fertilizers....

What is Citrus Basil? Sweet basil is the variety of this herb that most people associate with it. It grows large, flat, green leaves and has a sweet aroma and flavor that is reminiscent of anise, yet totally unique. This is the typical culinary and Italian basil, and it’s great, but there are other options. Citrus basil (Ocimum basilicum citriodorum) is a group of a few varieties of basil that are notable for a mild citrus scent....

Desert Hyacinth Growing Info Desert hyacinth thrives in climates that receive as little as 8 inches (20 cm.) of water per year, usually during the winter months. Soil is usually sandy and salty in nature. Since desert hyacinth is unable to synthesize chlorophyll, the plant displays no green parts, and the flower extends from a single, whitish stalk. The plant survives by sucking water and nutrients from saltbush and other desert plants via a thin root extending from an underground tuber....

What is Honey Fungus? You see a cluster of unassuming mushrooms at most 6 inches (15 cm.) high and ¾ inch (2 cm.) across, but it’s what you don’t see that’s the mind boggling story behind honey fungus. The honey mushroom is actually the largest living organism in the world. What you see is only a very small portion of the actual size of the fungus. Honey fungus identification is made certain by what you don’t see beneath the soil surface and lurking inside infected trees....

What is Phoma Blight? Phoma blight disease is a fungal infection caused by various Phoma species. Infections by this fungus are most common in wet and cool conditions. It survives in soil and in the old plant debris that is under your plantings. The signs of a phoma infection include wilting, browning, and death of runners and entire plants. If it is phoma blight, you’ll also see dark brown to black lesions that girdle the stems....

What Type of Gardener are You? Don’t panic, there is no right or wrong answer. The beauty of gardening is that there is a place for everyone from the perfectionist to the newly initiated to the downright lazy. Your gardening personality is most likely an extension of your character traits, both good and bad, and shouldn’t be the same as the gardener next door. How boring life would be if we all gardened the same!...

Types of Trowels In general, a trowel refers to any small handheld tool with a specialized blade. Most gardeners are already familiar with traditional garden trowels, which are used for digging. However, several other kinds of trowel do exist for use in the garden, each with uniquely shaped parts that help us efficiently perform various tasks. Though you may not feel a need for the addition of these more specialized tools, strong well-constructed trowels can prove to be an invaluable asset over the span of their use in the garden....

White Spots on Mums Chrysanthemums are popular garden flowers. They are hardy perennials that thrive in mild or even cool climates. The species flowers are yellow, and the name comes from the Greek words for gold and flower. Today, however, chrysanthemum blooms come in a large range of shapes and colors including white, purple, and red. If you see white spots on mums that look like pale powder, don’t just hope they will go away....

Reasons Bee Balm Doesn’t Bloom Why won’t my bee balm flower? It may be due to one of a number of reasons. The most common problem is a lack of sun. Bee balm thrives in full sun, and most varieties need six to eight hours of sunlight per day in order to bloom well. Bee balm that doesn’t get enough sunlight is also often leggy looking. If your bee balm is showing both of these symptoms, try relocating it to a sunnier spot....

Why Tomatoes Split In many areas, tomato ripening coincides with the drier months of the year. A heavy rain following a dry spell results in plants uptaking more water. This water is absorbed into the fruit. The end result is fruit, such as tomatoes, splitting. If not caught early and harvested quickly, split fruit will begin to decay. Likewise, fruit which has cracked has a shortened shelf life. Whether you are a home gardener or a commercial grower, the end result is lower yields....

Winter Care for Mums The steps for wintering mums start when you plant them. Make sure that you plant your mums in well draining soil. In many cases, it is not the cold that kills mums, but rather the ice that forms around the roots if they’re planted in soil that collects water. Well draining soil is essential to successfully overwintering mums. When planting your mums, also consider planting them in a somewhat sheltered location where they will not be exposed to winter winds that can decrease their chances of surviving the winter....

Learn what can and what shouldn’t be planted with wormwood here. Using Wormwood for Pests Wormwood is an herb which is most noted for providing the classic flavor of vermouth. Its silvery gray leaves make an impressive impact against green foliage and bright flowers. The plant contains absinthin, which was once used to make a beverage by a similar name. There are many plants that grow well with wormwood but it should be avoided in the edible garden and among certain herbs....

Can you compost yard waste? Yes, you can compost yard waste together with kitchen waste as long as you look out for weeds and maintain a proper balance. If you are ready to use yard waste as compost, read on. Can You Compost Yard Waste? Composting is a win-win endeavor, ridding the garden of dead leaves and clippings while, at the same time, creating organic compost. While you can buy this product at the garden store, why not make your own for free by learning to compost garden waste?...

Yellowing Leaves in Watermelon Yellowing leaves on a watermelon plant can be signs of pretty serious problems that are hard to manage. When watermelon leaves turn yellow, you can eye these culprits: Nitrogen Deficiency – Both young and old leaves can show signs of nitrogen deficiency and may appear any shade of lighter green to yellow. This is common during both dry spells and when plants simply aren’t being fed enough....

Yellow Eggplant Fruit Most people think of large, waxy, purple fruits when eggplant comes to mind. Although many eggplants are purple, not every variety produces this iconic fruit color. Eggplant fruits can range in color from pale green to a deep purple that looks black, including many that appear in shades of yellow, or even white. If you’ve never grown a specific variety before, yellow could simply be the color of the fruit on your plant....