What is a Strawberry Tree? The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is a charming shrub or small tree that is extremely decorative in your garden. It’s a relative of the madrone tree, and even shares the same common name in some regions. You can grow this plant as a multi-trunked shrub in a hedge or prune it down to one trunk and grow it as a specimen tree. Growing Strawberry Trees If you start growing strawberry trees, you’ll find that they have many delightful features....

Today, the plant is used primarily as an ornamental in the garden. Continue reading for more Adam’s needle information, as well as tips on growing Adam’s needle yucca plants. Adam’s Needle Information Adam’s needle plants are hardy in zones 4-10. They grow 3-4 feet (.91-1.2 m.) tall and wide. The common name Adam’s needle is derived from the plant’s long, sword-like foliage with sharp needle-like tips. These straps of foliage bear tiny thread-like filaments around their edges, which appear as if the plant is peeling....

Is African Tulip Tree Invasive? A cousin to the rambunctious trumpet vine, African tulip tree tends to be invasive in tropical climates, such as Hawaii and southern Florida, where it forms dense thickets that interfere with native growth. It is less problematic in drier climates like southern California and central or northern Florida. African Tulip Tree Information African tulip tree is indeed an impressive specimen with gigantic, reddish-orange or golden yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and huge, glossy leaves....

What is an Oriental Lily? Asiatic and Oriental are two of the most popular forms of true lilies available. Asian lilies bloom in June to July while Oriental bulbs start to appear in August. Both are quite easy to grow with thick, rigid stems, strappy leaves and showy flowers. Oriental lily cultivars, however, tend to have larger flowers. Orientals also thrive in cooler regions and can tolerate less than ideal soil conditions....

What is Barley Covered Smut? The fungal disease is actually called “covered smut.” When it attacks barley though, some refer to it as covered smut of barley or barley covered smut. Barley with covered smut is caused by the fungus Ustilago hordei. It has a significantly real and very negative impact on a grain crop. The covered smut fungus can be transferred to a barley crop by spores on the barley seeds, spores blown over in the wind, or spores overwintering in soil....

Anthracnose can cause poor fruit quality and production, and in severe infections, weaken or even kill canes. Dieback, cane spot, and gray bark are other names commonly used for blackberries with anthracnose. Symptoms of Blackberries with Anthracnose The first signs of a blackberry anthracnose infection will be in the spring, usually on the shoots of the new canes. Small purple spots will appear, which will increase in size, become oval-shaped, and eventually turn a gray or buff color....

The virus can affect more than 36 plant families, and cherry leaf roll symptoms and damage is different per group. Get some tips on recognizing and treating cherry leaf roll here. What is Cherry Leaf Roll? Cherry leaf roll virus differs by species in how they’re transmitted. For instance, birch and walnut trees may be infected through pollen whereas many other plants get the virus through infected seed. It first occurred in North America but is now widespread throughout the world....

What is Garden Fleece? Horticultural or garden fleece is a sheet of material that can be used to cover plants. It is similar to plastic sheeting that is often used for similar purposes, but there are some significant differences. Limitations of plastic sheets include that they are heavy and difficult to manipulate and that they tend to overheat during the day and fail to insulate enough at night. Using horticultural fleece as an alternative to plastic has become more popular with gardeners....

What is Halo Blight? Vegetable gardeners everywhere delight in the growing of beans. The sheer selection of color and variety is enough to make a plant lover squeal, adding in these plants’ uncanny ability to produce a massive amount of pods for their size is just icing on the cake. Beans are incredibly easy to grow for many beginner gardeners unless you run into problems like halo blight in beans. There are two major bacterial blights in beans that are worth noting, one of which is halo blight....

Lavender Hidcote Info Plants that provide outstanding color and scent, are edible, and attract pollinators are a win-win for the garden. Lavender Hidcote is one such beauty. It is also deer resistant, a bonus in certain areas of the country, and you can dry the flowers for long lasting, scented bouquets. Sunny, well-drained sites are perfect for growing lavender Hidcote. In a massed planting it makes an astounding display, but it stands out sweetly as part of an herb garden or even a mixed container....

What is Sugarcane Used for? Sugarcane is cultivated for its sweet sap or juice. Today, it is primarily used as an additive to foods but has was cultivated for use in China and India 2,500 years ago. Prior to the processing of sugarcane into the sugar we know today, uses for sugarcane were a bit more utilitarian; canes were cut and easily carried or eaten in the field for a quick burst of energy....

What is Vernalization in Plants? Vernalization is a process of going dormant in cold temperatures, which helps certain plants prepare for the following year. Plants that have vernalization requirements must be exposed to a certain number of days of cold temperatures below a certain threshold. The required temperatures and lengths of chilling depend on the plant species and variety. This is one reason gardeners need to choose plant varieties that are suited to their climate for the best results and the healthiest plants....

What is Wintersweet? Wintersweet shrubs (Chimonanthus praecox) are very popular ornamentals in their native land of China. They were introduced to Japan in the 17th century where the plant is called Japanese allspice. Wintersweet is also cultivated in Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Wintersweet is deciduous and, although considered a shrub, can grow into a rather small tree of around 15 feet tall (5 m.). It is known for flowering in the middle of winter in sites with appropriate wintersweet growing conditions....

Petunia Companion Planting One of the great things about petunias is that they are so diverse. Some varieties like “Wave” and “Surfinia” will trail out of a basket or creep along as a groundcover. Many grow straight up, but some get so top-heavy when they do this that they’ll cascade over the edge of a pot. Companion planting with petunias is often about picking a plant whose shape accents its shape....

Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are tender, warm season crops that need a lengthy growing season to develop. These veggies are native to Central and South America and important food crops for many countries there. In the United States, commercial sweet potato production is mainly in the southern states. Both North Carolina and Louisiana are top sweet potato states. Many gardeners throughout the country grow sweet potatoes in home gardens. Sweet potatoes are planted in early spring as soon as the soil warms....

Why is My Agapanthus Not Blooming? Dealing with non-blooming agapanthus plants can be frustrating. That said, knowing the common reasons for this can help ease your frustration and make for better blooms in the future. Timing – There’s a possibility that you’re simply being impatient. Agapanthus often doesn’t bloom the first year. Growing conditions – If your agapanthus doesn’t bloom, it may be craving sunlight, as agapanthus needs at least six hours per day....

How Do You Get Rid of Wild Strawberries Growing in a Lawn? So how do you get rid of wild strawberries? One of the best forms of wild strawberry control is prevention. A good, healthy lawn keeps weeds to a minimal. Wild strawberries thrive in moist soils. Therefore, improving any drainage issues and aerating the lawn when necessary will help reduce their appeal to your lawn. Watering infrequently will also help to slow its encroachment....

What is Woollypod Vetch? If you know anything about the vetch family of plants, woollypod vetch looks quite similar to other annual and perennial vetches. It’s an annual and a cool-season crop. Woollypod vetch plants are low-lying plants with stems that trail up to a yard. A climber, it will go up any support at all, even grass or grain stems. Most people growing woollypod vetch plants do so to use it as a legume cover crop....

Giving Container Plants as Gifts A plant is a great gift idea and a versatile one too. Just about anyone will be pleased to receive a houseplant, potted herb, or a plant that can go into the garden. Even friends and family who are not gardeners can enjoy a potted plant. A gift-wrapped plant is a rare type of gift that actually lasts. Depending on the plant type and how it’s cared for, a plant given to a loved one could last them for decades....

What is X Disease? Despite the name, peach tree X disease, also known as X disease of stone fruits, isn’t limited to peaches, as it can also affect nectarines and wild chokecherries, and has done extensive damage to California’s cherry crops. Although X disease of stone fruits was initially believed to be the result of a virus, experts have now determined peach tree X disease is caused by a tiny parasitic organism (X disease phytoplasma)....