Instead of dealing with potting soil and planters, why not find some herbs that can grow in water and set up a row of attractive vases on your windowsill? Stems of perennial herbs will grow roots in glasses or jars of plain water, adding to your kitchen décor as well as producing new leaves and buds for use in fresh dishes through the cold, winter months. Herbs That Root in Water Herbs that root in water and grow through the winter months are perennial herbs....

Growing Heritage Gardens As we become more aware of climate change and how it affects our health and food supply, we are more likely to consider heritage garden design. Often, ethnic gardening allows us to grow vegetables that aren’t available from large grocery chains. In the process, we become more aware of our unique traditions. A heritage garden is a form of living history. If you aren’t sure what to plant in your heritage garden, search for old gardening books, usually the older the better – or ask older members of the family....

Can You Grow a Horse Chestnut Bonsai? The simple answer is yes. Growing a horse chestnut as a bonsai is possible. To clarify, horse chestnut bonsai plants do require consistent attention, but then again, most bonsai do. Since these trees can grow quite tall, they take quite a bit of horse chestnut bonsai pruning and care. The upside to growing a horse chestnut as a bonsai is its easy availability in some regions....

Kikusui Asian Pear Info Asian pears are also often called apple pears because, when ripe, they have the crispness of an apple but the flavor of a ripe European pear. Asian pears (or Nashi) are pome fruits similar to apples, quince, and pears, but they differ in their temperature requirements. The Kikusui Asian pear tree needs 500 hours of chilling to break dormancy and force blooms. It is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 8....

Are Kohlrabi Leaves Edible? The avid home gourmet may well ask, “Are kohlrabi leaves edible?” The answer is a resounding yes. Although the plant is generally grown for the thick bulb, you can also take the smaller leaves that form when the plant is young. These are used much like spinach or collard greens. Kohlrabi greens are thick and taste best when cooked or steamed, but they are also eaten chopped in salads....

How to Grow Oregano Plant Growing oregano is easy. Oregano can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or purchased container plants. Seeds should be started indoors prior to your region’s last expected frost. There’s no need to cover oregano herb seeds with soil. Simply mist them with water and cover the seed tray or container with plastic. Place this in a sunny location such as a window to germinate. Oregano seeds usually germinate within about a week or so....

Seed Propagating Windmill Palms Every palm tree is different and their propagation methods and chances of success outside their native range will vary as well. Windmill palm propagation requires a male and a female plant to produce viable seeds. Short of lifting the plant’s skirts, it can be difficult to identify the plant’s gender without a professional. However, once blooming commences, the problem becomes more clear. Males develop huge yellow sweeping flower clusters that do not fruit, and females have smaller, greenish blooms that will develop into fruit....

Growing Perennials in Zone 5 While zone 5 is not the coldest zone in the U.S. or North America, it is still a cold, northern climate with winter temperatures that can dip down to -20 degrees F. (-29 C.). Snow is also very common in zone 5 winters, which actually helps insulate plants and their roots from the brutal winter chill. Regardless of this frigid winter weather, there are many common zone 5 perennials and bulbs you can grow and enjoy year after year....

Roselle Plant Care Native to tropical Africa, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is common in the tropics worldwide. It can be grown from seed in USDA zones 8 to 11, and as far north as zone 6 if it’s started indoors and then transplanted outside. Growing roselle plants from cuttings is another option, though the resulting plants tend not to produce as many flowers, which is what they’re often grown for… sort of....

Growing Star Jasmine Vine Gardeners in warm climates (USDA Zones 8-10) can grow star jasmine as ground cover, where it will overwinter. This is ideal, as star jasmine can be slow to grow at first and may take some time to get established. Once mature, it will reach a height and spread of 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.). Prune any upward reaching shoots to maintain an even height. In addition to ground cover, star jasmine plants climb well and can be trained to grow on trellises, doorways, and posts to make for beautiful, fragrant decorations....

I enjoy the beauty of wildflowers. I also enjoy various types of gardens, so one of my favorite flower gardens is our wildflower garden. Planting wildflowers is easy and learning how to care for a wildflower garden is enjoyable. How to Start a Wildflower Garden Our wildflower garden is in a raised bed, but you can also plant directly in the ground. The raised bed was built upon a 2-inch (5 cm....

What is Asian Woodland Peony? There are several types of shade tolerant peony. Woodland peonies (Paeonia obovata and Paeonia japonica) are among the most frequently available species to home gardeners. Both herbaceous species grow to reach approximately 2 feet (60 cm) in height at maturity. Rather than producing showy blooms, woodland peony plants offer a multitude of smaller, highly-fragrant single flowers. Their flower color range is also comparatively limited, opening in varying shades of white to blushed pink....

What is Guerrilla Gardening? There are many reasons that people take up the cause of guerrilla gardening. The activity is sometimes an attempt to increase urban green space for recreation. It can also provide spaces with edible plants for neighborhood use. Some gardeners simply do it to cover up unsightly areas or take back overly developed regions. It may even be a protest against inadequate government maintenance practices. Whatever the reason, creating guerrilla gardens is a satisfying activity that can be meaningful in many ways....

Habek Mint Information Habek mint (Mentha longifolia ‘Habak’) crosses with other species of mint easily and, as such, it often doesn’t breed true. It can vary greatly in height, although it tends to be a couple of feet (61 cm.) tall. Habek mint has a number of common names. One such name is ‘Bible mint.’ Since the herb is cultivated in the Middle East, this species is thought to be the mint mentioned in the New Testament, hence the name....

Kiwi, known as “Chinese gooseberry,” has grown wild in Asia for centuries in warm climates. Hardy kiwi plants (Actinidia arguta) present a great opportunity for cooler zone gardeners though. Although different from traditional fuzzy kiwi in size and characteristics, they are equally delicious and packed with nutrition. Hardy Kiwi Growing When you’re growing hardy kiwi plants it’s important to know about their basic needs and how to care for them....

When to Pick Scallions Scallions are typically harvested prior to the formation of the onion bulb. Generally, the younger the scallion, the milder the flavor. The exact time for scallion picking varies upon personal preference but is usually within about 60 days after planting. Scallions can be harvested several times throughout the season depending on their level of maturity, with most people harvesting them once they are at least a half inch (1 cm....

Eucalyptus Herb Information There are more than 500 species of eucalyptus, all native to Australia and Tasmania, ranging from small, shrubby plants that grow in containers to others that grow to great heights of 400 feet (122 m.) or more. Most are easy to grow in the mild climate of USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. You’re probably familiar with the aroma of eucalyptus oil, which is an important component in many common products such as cough drops, throat lozenges, ointments, liniments, and chest rubs....

Tips on Heuchera Winter Care Although most heuchera plants are evergreen in mild climates, the top is likely to die down where winters are chilly. This is normal, and with a little TLC, you can be assured that the roots are protected and your heuchera will rebound in spring. Here’s how: Ensure heuchera are planted in well-drained soil, as the plants are likely to freeze in wet conditions. If you haven’t planted heuchera yet and your soil tends to be soggy, work in a generous amount of organic material first, such as compost or chopped leaves....

About Hostas for Sunny Spots Newer hostas for sunny spots are appearing in the market with the claim of being hostas that tolerate the sun. Yet, there are hostas for sun that have grown for decades in many well-planted gardens too. These plants can grow happily in areas that make morning sun available to them. Afternoon shade is a necessity, especially during those hot summer days. Further success comes from consistent watering and planting them in rich soil....

Like all hydrangeas, popular panicle cultivars like Pee Gee and Limelight are fairly low maintenance in the backyard. However, pruning is recommended to keep them looking tidy and compact. Don’t do it wrong or you may lose all of the flowers for the year. Read on for tips on how to trim a hydrangea tree. Pruning a Hydrangea Tree Panicle hydrangea is a flowering shrub that, left to its own devices, will grow to 25 feet (8 m....