There are plants with healing energy through their herbal qualities and oils, but also using live plants in hospitals brings a promise of life and renewal of hope. They soften the sterile white corners and naturalize what is otherwise a very unnatural experience, creating a sense of calm in patients and reducing their stress. These effects are a winning combination from which any patient can benefit. What are the Benefits of Indoor Plants in Hospitals?...

What is Dahlia Verticillium Wilt? Verticillium wilt is an opportunistic, soil-borne fungal disease that infects many types of plants, including species of flowers, garden vegetables, and trees. It exists in the soil as mycelia, which is the vegetative part of the fungus comprised of branching, thread-like white filaments. The fungus, Verticillium dahliae, infects the roots of plants where it plugs the water conducting tissue. Even though the soil is moist, water can’t reach the leaves and the plant exhibits signs of wilting....

How to Grow a Watch Chain Succulent Growing Watch Chain is similar to growing most succulent Crassula plants. Ease them into full morning sun when outdoor temperatures are at least 45 to 50 degrees F. (7-10 C.) at the coldest part of the morning. Some morning sun, even in the hottest part of summer, does not seem to damage this plant but is best combined with some type of shade. In hardiness zones 9a to 10b, grow Watch Chain plants outside as groundcover, where they may also become small shrubs....

Care of Fish in Water Features Taking care of fish in water features isn’t difficult, and it only adds a little time to your routine pond maintenance. Fish care in garden ponds usually consists of a suitable location and plants, feeding, and cleaning. Location and Plant Selection Choosing the right location cuts down on water feature fish maintenance and may prevent disappointment later on. Here are some things to consider when choosing a location: Fish need shady areas where they can escape the relentless heat in summer, but deciduous plants can choke the water feature with leaves....

Protecting Gardens Year-Round Each of the seasons bring a different opportunity for extreme weather conditions. Knowing your local weather patterns helps in planning and guarding against weather elements. Winter brings intense cold and heavy snows to many northern landscapes. In areas where winter weather is severe, using mostly cold hardy landscape plants can save you the time and hard work of replanting each spring. Plants that are more tender can be given extra insulation to survive low temperatures by heaping mulch over them in late fall....

Plants as Wedding Favors Miniature roses may cost a bit more than other wedding plant favors, but your guests can enjoy the blooms for years to come. Plant the roses in plantable peat or coir containers, then nestle the container into a small pot or cup. Tiny packets of wildflower seeds make adorable favors, and your guests can plant the seeds in the garden for years of enjoyment. Use a sewing machine to stitch clear cellophane or glassine packets onto colorful card stock or create your own decorative paper envelopes....

History of Weeks Rose Bushes Weeks’ Roses is a Wholesale Rose Grower here in the United States. The original company was founded by O.L. and Verona Weeks in 1938. The company was located in Ontario, California. Mr. “Ollie” Weeks was recognized for his excellence in the field of commercial horticulture and was a highly respected Rosarian. He and his wife, Verona, ran and grew the rose growing business into a multi-million-dollar enterprise that spread over 250+ acres....

Are Groundnuts Legumes? We have established that groundnuts aren’t, as their name would lead us to believe, nuts at all. So what are groundnuts then? Are groundnuts legumes? The groundnut, a climbing vine, is a member of the pea or bean family (Leguminosae) and distantly related to the soybean. It can be found from Ontario and Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the western prairies to the Atlantic coastline....

What are Hican Nuts? Here is some hican nut information in case you are asking “What are hican nuts?” Hicans are nuts produced from trees that result from crossing hickory and pecan nut trees. Hican nut trees fall into one of two categories – shagbark or shellbark – depending on whether the hickory parent was a shagbark or a shellbark. Generally, the shellbark X pecan produces larger nuts, while shagbarks produce more nuts....

What are Tree Berms For? A berm is a sort of basin constructed of soil or mulch. It serves to keep water in the right place to drip down to the tree’s roots. Planting trees on berms makes it easier for the trees to get the water they need. If you are wondering how to make a berm, it isn’t difficult. To build a berm, you construct a circular wall of soil that goes all around the tree trunk....

What Causes Peach Shot Hole Disease? Peach shot hole, sometimes also called coryneum blight, is caused by a fungus called Wilsonomyces carpophilus. The most common symptoms of peach shot hole fungus are lesions on the twigs, buds, and leaves. These lesions start out as small, dark purple spots. Over time, these spots spread and turn brown, usually with a purple border. Eventually, dark bumps will form in the center of each lesion – these release spores that further spread the disease....

Rust Spots on Bean Plants Rust spots on bean plants can look like a reddish brown powder. Sometimes these red-brown patches may have a yellow halo around them. Rust fungus can appear on the plant’s leaves, pods, shoots, or stems. A field of beans affected by rust fungus may look like it has been burned or badly scorched. Other symptoms of rust fungus are wilted foliage and small, deformed bean pods....

What is a Golden Willow Tree? European settlers brought white willow (Salix alba) into this country in the 1700’s, and over the centuries, it escaped and naturalized across the continent. Its bark is a dark tan color. One of the variations developed from white willow is the golden willow (Salix alba ‘Vitellina’). So, what is a golden willow exactly? According to golden willow information, it is a tree that looks like white willow but produces new growth the color of egg yolks....

What is a Purple Leaf Plum? Purple leaf plum trees (Prunus cerasifera) are small deciduous trees. Their habit is either erect or spreading. The slender branches fill with fragrant, showy flowers in springtime. The pale pink flowers develop into purple drupes in summer. These fruits are appreciated by wild birds and are also edible for humans. The bark is quite ornamental as well. It is dark brown and fissured. How to Grow Purple Leaf Plum Trees Purple leaf plums fit nicely into many backyards....

Red Buckeye Tree Growth What is a red buckeye tree? Red buckeye trees (Aesculus pavia) are North American natives from southern Missouri. They grow in USDA zones 4 through 8. For several weeks in the spring, the trees produce bright red panicles of tube-shaped flowers. The flowers have no real scent, but they are striking in color and very attractive to hummingbirds. Once the flowers fade, they are replaced by dry, round, orange fruits....

What is a Shield Fern? Growing Southern Shield ferns favor shaded to partially shaded areas of dripping limestone, canyons, low woods, stream banks, and swamps. Shield fern plants (Thelypteris kunthii) are known by several common names including river fern, Southern Maiden fern, wood fern, and Widespread Maiden fern. West of east Texas it is referred to as river fern as it is only found growing along or near water while east of central Texas, the fern is only found in moist wooded environments and is thus referred to as wood fern....

What is a Star Apple? If you look at pictures, you’ll find that this fruit is similar to a plum. When sliced in half, however, an unusual star pattern is visible in the center of the fruit, hence the name. This pattern makes the fruit popular for high-end desserts. The fruit is tasty, containing a milky juice used in smoothies and other culinary endeavors. Ripened fruit is yellow, golden, or purple on the outside, depending on cultivar....

What is Stone Fruit? The term ‘stone fruit’ sounds uninviting, but trust me, it contradicts the succulent, juicy fruit it’s actually in reference to. Stone fruit is the mantle under which tender fruit such as plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and cherries fall. What do all of these fruits have in common? Each has a hard pit or seed inside the otherwise wonderful flesh of the fruit. The seed is so impenetrable it has come to be known as a stone....

What is an Empire Apple? Empire apples were first developed in New York State (also known as the Empire State, hence the name) by Lester Anderson at Cornell University. In 1945, he first crossbred a Red Delicious with a McIntosh, eventually developing it into the famous Empire. With the sweetness of a Red Delicious and the flavor of a McIntosh, this apple is also a reliable producer. While many apple trees are somewhat biennial, putting forth a large crop only every other year, Empire trees produce consistently bountiful crops every summer....

What is an Equinox Tomato? Although tomatoes are sun lovers, there can be too much of a good thing. If temperatures regularly exceed 85 F. (29 C.) during the day and 72 F. (22 C.) or greater in your region, not every type of tomato will grow. It’s just too plain hot. That’s where growing an Equinox tomato comes into play. Equinox is a determinate, heat-tolerant tomato hybrid that sets fruit in spring and fall in warmer regions....