What are Grafted Roses? Many of the rose bushes on the market are known as “grafted” rose bushes. These are rose bushes that have a top variety of rose that typically is not as hardy when grown upon its own root system. Thus, these roses are grafted onto a hardier rose bush rootstock. In my area of USDA Zone 5– Colorado, the bottom part of the grafted rose has commonly been a rose bush named Dr....

When do you Harvest Soybeans? If you’ve eaten at a Japanese restaurant you’ve likely eaten delicious edamame. Edamame is simply the Japanese name for edible soybeans harvested and eaten when still green rather than dry. Edamame is not only delicious but healthy — high in protein and containing phytochemicals. Knowing when to harvest edamame can be a bit tricky. Varieties of edamame are classified into maturity groups 0-8 based on their day length requirements....

Most Common Cabbageworm Pests The Imported cabbageworm (the larval form of the Cabbage White butterfly having white wings with one or two black spots per wing) is velvety green with a narrow, light yellow stripe down the middle of its back. These worms tend to feed closer to the center of the plant. Cross-Striped cabbageworms are bluish gray with numerous black stripes running cross-wise. A black and yellow stripe also runs along the length of the body....

Help, What’s Wrong with My Mountain Laurel? Identifying what is making your mountain laurel sick means examining its symptoms. If your laurel’s foliage has spots, the likely culprit is a fungal disease like leaf spot. There are at least a dozen fungal pathogens that cause leaf spot and to be really sure which one you may have, you would have to have the diseased area tested by a laboratory. Leaf spot is caused when trees are over crowded, shaded and in excessively moist areas....

Before you get too upset about a houseplant dropping leaves, keep in mind that a houseplant dropping leaves may not even be a problem. Even healthy houseplants drop leaves from time to time – especially the lower leaves. However, if leaves falling from houseplants aren’t replaced by healthy ones, consider the following possibilities: Environmental changes: Many plants are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment, including drastic differences in temperature, light, or irrigation....

What is a Tuber? The term “bulb” is all too often used to describe any plant that has a fleshy underground nutrient storage structure. Even the Meriam-Webster dictionary is vague on how tubers differ from bulbs, defining a bulb as: “a.) a resting stage of a plant that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds, enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves and b....

Yellow Varieties of Cactus Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii): This is a barrel-shaped beauty with a green body covered tightly with heavy gold-yellow spines. Blooms are golden as well. Golden barrel cactus grows easily indoors in a sunny or bright light situation. It is somewhat unusual to find cacti that are yellow with yellow blooms as well. Balloon Cactus (Notocactus magnificus): This multi-colored specimen features a definite yellow tint on the spiny ribs and on the top....

Blackberry Care and Conditions If your blackberries won’t ripen, a simple answer may be that your vines haven’t been given the right conditions or proper care. Blackberry vines need some organic material in the soil, space to grow, and a trellis or something else to climb for the best possible results. They also need a lot of sun, light, well-drained soil, and plenty of water. Blackberries especially need a lot of water while the fruits are developing....

Tips for Ordering Plants First, you have to decide what is important to you as a gardener. Ask questions. Do you only want organic selections? Do you want seeds that are part of the national seedbank? Do you want a company that gives back to community and global concerns? Is price your main concern? Many questions go into the decision regarding what company to use as your seed and plant catalog connection....

Pesticide Use Indoors Different products are for different things, and they might not each work on all plants. Some plants can be damaged by pesticides. These items should be listed on the bottle. It’s important to spray plants when you should, to avoid flowering times and when edible fruits are being produced. You should never spray your plants in bright, direct sunlight. All chemicals need to be stored in a dry place....

What is Grape Vein Clearing Virus? Over the last few decades, occurrences of vein clearing of grapes have appeared in the United States, across the Midwest and in parts of the South. Though the decline in health of grapevines with vein clearing virus may not be immediately noticeable, plant growth may become stunted over time. Additionally, grape clusters produced may be reduced in size, misshapen, or even have undesirable textures. One of the most noticeable and obvious vein clearing symptoms occurs in the veins of grapevine leaves....

About Vines in the West Vines serve so many purposes in a garden. You can find flowering vines that fill your backyard with a sweet fragrance, and you can also grow vines to cover a pergola or for shading a patio. Vines provide a vertical element in a backyard and can also cover up an ugly wall or unsightly building. The habitat value cannot be ignored either. Vines in the West provide food (in the form of pollen and berries) and shelter to birds, bees, and small mammals....

Weigela Issues Common problems with weigela include lack of blossoms, poor growth, foliage damage, and leaf yellowing. If an established shrub is not thriving like it once did, consider if the weigela plant care needs are being met. Check to see if the shrub was pruned at the correct time or if an unusually late frost has damaged new growth. Most importantly when you first notice problems with weigela, carefully check the shrub for signs of pests or disease....

What are Multi-Headed Tulips? Multi-headed tulip flowers are show-stopping forms mostly derived from single late and botanical flowers. These bulbs can be a bit difficult to locate, but it is definitely worth the effort since the plant produces many more blooms than traditional tulips. There are many lovely types of multi-headed tulips from which to choose. The expanded color display is eye-popping and most can be planted quite late and still expect a bloom....

What are Sea Grapes? A tropical tree found in the tropics, the sea grape plant (Coccoloba uvifera) is often used in ocean-side landscaping. Growing sea grapes can be found in sandy soil right on the beach and it produces clusters of fruit that resemble grapes. The tree tends to branch off into multiple trunks, but can be trained (pruned) to form a single one and its size can be maintained to that of a shrub....

Small Grain Information What are small grains? The term ‘small grains’ is generally used to refer to crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Small grain crops consist of plants that produce small, usable seeds. The role of small grain crops is extremely important for both large- and small-scale farms. In addition to grain production for human consumption, they are also valued for their other uses. Growing small grains is beneficial to farmers as a means of farm feeding, as well as in the production of straw....

What is a Calliope Eggplant? There are more types of eggplant than can be named. The Asian variety is usually slender, while the American type is a big, chubby fellow. African species are usually more rounded and it may be from these varieties from which Calliope hails. The fruits are fairly small, but the plant itself boasts a wonderful surprise, and Calliope eggplant uses are abundant. The plants from which we get the delicious fruit can be a bit nasty, often covered in spines or sharp hairs....

What is a Heatwave II plant? It’s a hybrid tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that likes it hot. Read on for more Heatwave II information and tips on how to grow Heatwave II in your garden. What is a Heatwave II Tomato? According to Heatwave II information, this cultivar grows perfectly well in intense summer heat. Even if your summer temperatures rise to 95 or 100 degrees Fahrenheit (35-38 C.), Heatwave II tomato plants just keep on growing....

What is a Mexican Yam? Mexican yam root is a perennial warm-weather vining plant with an enlarged tuberous caudex or stem. Each season, another tuber forms and sends up a deciduous vine with heart-shaped leaves. The vines die back during the cold season, but the “tortoise shell” caudex continues to grow as it sends up one to two new vines per year. The attractive tortoise shell-patterned caudex makes Mexican yam root a desirable specimen plant for warm coastal climates....

As a landscape designer and garden center worker, I often suggest smaller ornamentals for these situations. Newport plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Neportii’) is one of my first suggestions. Continue reading this article for Newport plum info and helpful tips on how to grow a Newport plum. What is a Newport Plum Tree? The Newport plum is a small, ornamental tree that grows 15 to 20 feet (5-6 m.) tall and wide....