Growing Oleander in Containers The fact that oleander is so popular throughout Europe – where in most parts it can’t survive the winter – should give you a clue to how easy it is to grow in a container. In fact, oleander is just easy to grow in general. When growing oleander in containers, it’s important to give them plenty of sun and adequate water. Although they can handle drought conditions when planted in the ground, container-grown oleanders should be watered frequently....

About Growing Cristalina Cherries Cristalina cherry trees were crossbred by Ken Lapins of the Canadian Summerland research station in 1967 and released by Frank Kappell in 1997. The registration rights for Cristalina cherry trees are valid until 2029. That means in order to propagate them, they must be obtained from McGrath Nurseries Ltd. in New Zealand or a licensed nursery that has obtained the rights of purchase. Cristalina cherries mature five to eight days before Bing cherries with a similar dark red-black appearance....

What are Carobs? Chocolate, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… and calories. Made up of about half fat, chocolate addictions (such as mine) beg for a solution. Carob is just that solution. Rich not only in sucrose but also 8% protein, containing vitamins A and B plus several minerals, and about one-third the calories of chocolate without the fat (yep, fat free!), carob makes an ideal substitute for chocolate....

Difference Between Catnip and Catmint Many people wonder what is the difference between catnip and catmint. While basically considered the same plant as they share many of the same characteristics, there are differences between the two species. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) has less ornamental value in the garden than its catmint (Nepeta mussinii) counterpart. Catnip is also found to be highly attractive to cats, with many of them exhibiting a naturally induced euphoria around the plant....

Is Catnip Winter Hardy? Catnip cold tolerance is pretty high and it grows well in zones 3 to 9. However, an unusually cold winter or colder climates can present a problem for catnip grown outdoors. If you want it to come back healthy and productive each spring, it may be necessary to provide some protection and extra care for catnip plants in winter. This is especially important if you live in the northern, colder areas of its growing region....

Thinning Cherry Trees When you thin a fruit tree, it accomplishes more than just giving the remaining fruit more elbow room. Thinning trees also prevents limb breakage, especially if you thin fruit from branch tips. It can also keep the tree producing year after year, rather than having a big set one year and hardly anything the second. Most fruit trees, including cherries, thin themselves; that is, they drop excess or damaged fruit before it matures....

Choosing Colorful Garden Plants Working in plant sales, I am often asked to suggest the best plants for color. I usually answer this question with other questions – like “Are you looking for color in a sunny location or in shade?” and “What colors do you feel most drawn to, and why?”. These are things to consider when picking out colorful garden plants. Additionally, garden color schemes can have various effects on the look and mood of the landscape....

Maintaining clean hands in the garden (without gloves), requires a bit of extra tender loving care, but it’s possible. Read on for tips for keeping your hands clean and avoiding dirty fingernails, no matter how hard you’re working in the garden. How to Avoid Getting Dirt Under Your Fingernails These hand care tips for gardeners can help alleviate common issues with dirty fingernails and other related issues that come from not wearing gloves:...

Selecting Zone 5 Rosemary Plants The following list includes rosemary varieties for zone 5: Alcalde (Rosemarinus officinalis ‘Alcalde Cold Hardy’) – This cold hardy rosemary is rated for zones 6 through 9, but it may survive the upper ranges of zone 5 with adequate protection. If you’re in doubt, plant Alcalde in a pot and bring it indoors in autumn. Alcalde is an upright plant with thick, olive-green foliage. The blooms, which appear from early summer to fall, are an attractive shade of pale blue....

Although these familiar cacti are traditionally available in shades of red, today’s holiday cactus varieties come in magenta, pink, and scarlet, as well as yellow, white, orange, purple, salmon, and apricot. Although all three are native to Brazil, Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus are tropical rain forest plants, while Easter cactus is native to Brazil’s natural forests. Different Types of Holiday Cactus The three types of Christmas cactus plants (holiday cacti) are primarily recognized by the time of bloom....

Garlic Companion Planting Companion planting is a great low maintenance, low impact way to improve the health and flavor of your garden. Mainly because of the tendency of some plants to repel certain pests, there are pairings you can make when you plan your garden that just work. Garlic, in particular, is something of a wonder plant that improves the quality and health of almost anything it’s planted next to. Garlic takes up very little space and can grow in most conditions, as long as it has full sun....

Growing Beer Ingredients in Planters: Hops Hops require a large container, so the roots have room to spread. Look for one with a diameter of at least 20 inches (51 cm.). Plan on one rhizome per container. You’ll also need some type of adjustable trellis to accommodate the vines as they grow. You can easily make a trellis with wooden stakes and twine. (Technically, hops produce “bines,” which attach themselves to a trellis with suckers and tendrils)....

Containers for Vegetable Gardens Before you win any blue ribbons at the county fair, you’ll need something to grow those veggies in, and luckily, just about anything will work. Clay or plastic pots, washtubs, trashcans, whiskey barrels, and buckets are just some of the things you can transform into a mini-garden. Depending on the space available and what you want to grow, your container can be anything from a 6-inch (15 cm....

A true cottage garden requires a bit of backyard, but even those without one can achieve the appealing look with a cottage garden in containers on a patio, front porch or balcony. Read on for information about container-grown cottage gardens and tips on how to grow a cottage garden in planters. Potted Cottage Gardens If you love the natural look of a cottage garden but just don’t have the time or space, you can start growing a cottage garden in planters....

Coral Champagne Cherry Information Nobody quite knows the exact origin of Coral Champagne cherries. The tree may have been a result of a cross between two selections called Coral and Champagne in UC’s Wolfskill Experimental Orchard. But that is far from certain. What we do know is that the variety has come into its own in the last decade, paired with rootstocks Mazzard and Colt. The cherry ‘Coral Champagne’ variety has gone from being relatively unknown to becoming among the most widely planted varieties in California....

When to Pick Corn Knowing when to pick corn is one of the most important factors for a quality crop. Corn is ready for harvest about 20 days after the silk first appears. At harvest time, the silk turns brown, but the husks are still green. Each stalk should have at least one ear near the top. When conditions are right, you may get another ear lower down on the stalk....

Succulent Container Ideas One of my favorite plant groups are the succulents because there is an endless variety of form, color and texture available in these easy-to-grow plants. Creating cunning vignettes with succulents adds even more charm to already charismatic plants. Creative containers for succulents highlight their allure and enchant the eye. Many unusual items make exceptional pots for growing succulent plants while providing a functional container. Look around your house and see what you can find that would make unusual containers for succulents....

Saving Crepe Myrtle Seeds The attractive seed heads that weigh down your crepe myrtle branches in winter contain seeds that wild birds love to eat. So, taking a few to increase your crepe myrtle seed collection will still leave them plenty. When should you start crepe myrtle seed harvesting? You’ll want to start saving crepe myrtle seeds when the seed pods ripen. Crepe myrtle trees flower in late summer and produce green berries....

When to Plant Crocus You should purchase your crocus bulbs in September or October but wait to plant them until soil temperatures are below 60 degrees F. (16 C.). As a general rule, crocus bulbs are planted in November. The crocus plant is hardy to USDA zones 3 to 8 but planting times will vary slightly depending when you receive your first freeze. The crocus bulbs should be in the ground before the first frost....

Companion Planting with Daffodils Companion planting is planting different plants near each other to enhance each other’s beauty, growth, and flavor or to protect each other from pests. Companion planting is also used to maximize space in the garden. Daffodils make great companion plants because they provide warm, sunny color in the spring, are easy to tuck in amongst already established plants, and deter pests. Daffodils bloom when many flowering shrubs and perennials are just waking from their winter dormancy....