Apple Chilling Info So, you’re immersed in choosing bare root apple trees from a catalogue for your particular USDA zone and notice that not only is the hardiness zone listed but another number as well. In the case of apples, these are the number of apple chill hours needed for the tree. Okay, but what the heck are chill hours for apple trees? Chill hours or chill units (CU) are the number of hours when temperatures stay at 32 to 45 degrees F....

Baby’s Breath Problems Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is an herbaceous perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. It usually grows between 2 and 4 feet (60 and 120 cm.) tall with a similar spread. This plant has slender stems and narrow leaves, with showy white sprays of flowers. To keep baby’s breath plants happy, plant them in full sun in a site with good drainage. They need regular watering but will die if they get “wet feet....

About American Ginseng American ginseng is a native North American plant that grows in eastern forests. Originally used by Native Americans, ginseng root has a number of medicinal uses. It is especially important in traditional Chinese medicine, and the majority of harvested roots in the U.S. are exported to China and Hong Kong. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that wild ginseng is a $27 million per year industry. Very similar to Asian ginseng, American ginseng has been harvested and used medicinally for thousands of years....

Types of Willow Trees There are tree and shrub willows, all of which are characterized by their love for moist soil and their rangy, sometimes invasive root systems. You may even find a willow tree growing at the edge of a stream or river. Weeping and pussy willows are probably two of the better-known types of willow trees, but there are many others. Weeping willows – Weeping willows have graceful arching stems that dangle delicately and shiver in the breeze....

Help, There are Green Worms on Mint Plants! Mint should be grown in partial shade to full sun and is extremely hardy. It can survive temperatures down to -29 degrees F. (-33 C.). Believe me when I say that it can overtake a garden space unless it is controlled. Plant this aromatic herb in soil that is slightly acidic with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Even though it’s a tough plant, like all plants it may become afflicted with some sort of disease or pest....

About Zone 5 Gardens The average date of the last frost in zone 5 is around April 15. Most zone 5 gardeners tend to hold off until early to mid-may before planting vegetable gardens and annual beds. Most annuals and vegetables do very well in zone 5, as long as they are not hit by a late frost while they are young. Many tough zone 5 or above perennials can withstand a late frost, or will still be dormant in early spring....

Problems with Invasive Plants in Gardens What are invasive plants and where do they come from? Invasive plants are almost always transplants from other parts of the world. In the plant’s native environment, it’s part of a balanced ecosystem where certain predators and competitors can keep it in check. When it’s moved to a totally different environment, however, those predators and competitors are suddenly nowhere to be found. If no new species are able to fight against it, and if it takes really well to its new climate, it will be allowed to run rampant....

Flowers for Shady Gardens in Zone 9 Zone 9 is a great place for gardeners because of the warmth and sun, but just because your climate is hot doesn’t mean you don’t have shady patches. You still want colorful blooms in those areas, and you can have them. Here are some choices for zone 9 part shade flowers: Banana shrub – This flowering shrub will thrive in your shady garden areas and grow slowly to approximately 15 feet (5 meters)....

Screening Zone 9 Trees You can make your residence more private by planting trees to block the view into your yard from curious neighbors or passersby. Generally, you’ll want evergreen trees for this purpose in order to create a year-round privacy screen. You’ll have to select trees that grow in your USDA hardiness zone. If you live in zone 9, your climate is quite warm and the upper limit of where some evergreen trees can thrive....

10 Easy Cacti Gymnocalycium are among the easiest cacti to grow. The genus includes 70 species that are native to several countries in South America. These are also called Chin cactus and include the Moon cactus. Some are dwarfs and most form clusters as they grow. Mammillaria is the largest genus of the plant, with 170 types or more. Some estimate 200 to 300. Some are easy to grow but some are more difficult....

Top 10 White Perennial Flowers Achillea – Considered by many growers to be a wildflower, white yarrow blooms each season to offer highly ornamental clusters of small flowers. These white perennial flowers are also known to be resistant to both disease and insect pressure. Azalea – White perennials for shade are often much more difficult to find. However, azaleas adapt to these growing conditions quite well. Though typically seen in shades of bright pink and red, white azaleas come in both dwarf and tall types....

To use the USDA Alabama zone map, find the area of the state you live in, note the color and then check that color on the legend. This will be the planting zone you live in. This Alabama USDA zones map is based on the 2012 USDA map, where the USDA changed the current zones to reflect the warmer temperatures that have occurred due to climate change. Now that you know what your planting zone is in Alabama, you can use this to purchase plants....

Appropriate boxwood replacements come in different sizes and hues. Read on for tips on great plants to replace boxwood shrubs. Boxwood Replacements Boxwood is a fabulous shrub when you are creating a garden, easy-care and tolerant of sheering and shaping. It is not without issues though. Pests are one. First, there was boxwood blight, then the box tree caterpillar was found to be decimating these foundation plants. So, whether you are tired of boxwood or fighting boxwood pests, it may be time to consider boxwood alternatives....

Read on for information on different types and tips on ash tree identification. Types of Ash Trees True ash trees are in the Fraxinus genus together with olive trees. There are 18 types of ash trees in this country, and ash is a common component of many forests. They can grow into tall shade trees. Many offer nice autumn displays as the leaves turn yellow or purple. Native ash tree varieties include:...

Info about Growing Asian Pear Trees Asian pears are also called more specifically Chinese, Japanese, Oriental and apple pears. Asian pears (Pyrus serotina) are sweet and juicy like a pear and crunchy much like an apple. They can be grown in USDA zones 5-9. Trees are not self-pollinating, so you will need another tree to aid in pollination. Some cultivars are cross-incompatible, meaning that they will not pollinate each other. Check to be sure the varieties that you are purchasing will cross pollinate....

Autumn Fern Info and Growing Like all ferns, the autumn fern produces no seed and no flowers are required. Thus, ferns are strictly foliage plants. This ancient woodland plant thrives in partial or full shade and moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. However, autumn fern can tolerate short periods of afternoon sunlight, but won’t perform well in intense heat or prolonged sunlight. Is autumn fern invasive? Although autumn fern is a non-native plant, it is not known to be invasive and growing autumn ferns in gardens couldn’t be easier....

Autumn Gardening Ideas Gardening in autumn is a pleasure due to the cooler temps, but you need to plan ahead for truly spectacular flowering fall gardens. The following autumn gardening ideas will help you create a beautiful fall garden. When planning for a beautiful fall garden, start early. Your foundation plantings or trees and shrubs will form the backbone of the garden and will then be embellished with fall garden flowers, either annual or perennial....

Basil is a tender annual that will not survive in zones below USDA zone 10, but it grows beautifully as a summer annual in all zones down to 4. Basil is generally planted in May, but you can start it earlier indoors. The plant needs well-drained soil with at least six to eight hours of bright sunlight per day. The best growth is achieved with 10 to 12 hours of light per day, but this can lead to the plant drying out if it is potted....

Bladderpod is a California native that holds up very well to drought conditions and produces beautiful yellow flowers that last almost all year long. If you are looking for an easy-to-grow plant with low water needs and lots of visual interest, this is the plant for you. While it looks a bit like someone crossed an evening gown with something Dr. Seuss dreamed up, the plant also has elegant ornamental appeal and provides wild interest in the landscape....

What are Blueberry Maggots? Blueberry maggots are the larval stage of a 3/16 inch (5 mm.) long, black fly marked with black, horizontal bands across its wings. Maggots in blueberries are found across the eastern United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. Careful monitoring of your blueberry bushes for adults can aid in swift blueberry maggot identification. Adult flies appear in the summer, feeding for up to two weeks before they begin searching for mates....