How Much to Water Peonies The large, brightly toned flowers of peonies are unmistakable. Peonies grow in a variety of soils, but the one thing that can cause root rot is boggy, ill draining soil. This doesn’t mean peonies don’t need water. On the contrary, these perennial beauties need to be kept moist the first year, and mature plants need supplemental water frequently. Peony water needs depend upon your region but some commonsense info on how to tell when it’s time will keep your plants happy....

Diseases of London Plane Trees London plane trees are notable in their ability to withstand pollution, drought, and other adverse conditions. The first hybrid appeared in London in around 1645 where it quickly became a popular urban specimen due to its ability to acclimate and even thrive in the city’s sooty air. Resilient the London plane tree may be, it is not without its share of problems, specifically disease. As mentioned, plane tree diseases tend to mirror those that afflict its close relative the Oriental plane and American sycamore tree....

What is a Banana Trunk Planter? In many tropical regions, the production of bananas is a major industry. After the bananas are harvested from the central trunk of the tree, that section of the tree is then cut down in order to promote growth for the next crop. As a result, banana harvesting produces a multitude of plant waste. Inventive gardeners have started using these trunks as a sort of natural container garden....

Choosing Red Petunia Flowers Petunias come in a myriad of not only colors, but shapes and sizes and habits – from clumping to trailing. The abundance and choice of red petunia varieties is just as varied. Many petunia flowers that are red are particularly fragrant as well as attractive to hummingbirds and pollinating insects. Before choosing red petunias, you will want to consider whether you wish to plant grandiflora or multiflora varieties, or a little of both....

How to Make a Natural Flea and Tick Powder A natural flea remedy and tick deterrent is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. Start with diatomaceous earth. This is a natural powder that kills insects by drying them. It absorbs moisture readily, so avoid getting it on, near, or in the eyes, nose, and mouth. Mix diatomaceous earth with dry neem, a product made from a tree native to India....

How are Almond Trees Pollinated? Almonds are among the most economically valuable bee-pollinated crops. In fact, almonds are nearly 100% dependent on bees for pollination. If enough bees are present, 90 to 100% of almond flowers per tree can develop into nutlets (the first stage in nut development), but none will develop if no bees at all visit the tree. It’s not just honeybees that pollinate almonds. Almond pollinators also include bumblebees, blue orchard bees, and various other wild bees, and almonds serve as a valuable food source for these insects at a time when other flowers are scarce....

Of concern is also the amount of water and resources required to sustain the lawn. New grasses for turf, such as Danthonia poverty grass, have shown promise in all areas of concern. What is poverty grass? It is a native perennial oatgrass with excellent site, soil, and temperature tolerance. Danthonia spicata hardiness is extremely broad ranged, and the grass can be grown in all parts of the United States....

Prince of Orange Flower Info Although they may not be flashy, Prince of Orange scented geraniums have plenty to offer with glossy foliage and clusters of pale pinkish lavender flowers marked with purple veins. Blooming usually continues throughout the growing season. Prince of Orange pelargoniums are perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 and may survive zone 9 with winter protection. In cooler climates, Pelargonium Prince of Orange is grown as an annual....

Keeping Birds Away from Tomatoes It’s not always easy to keep birds, especially mockingbirds, from eating your ripening tomatoes. When you understand that birds occasionally eat these juicy fruits simply because they are thirsty, controlling this problem becomes a little easier. Placing a bird bath in the garden may be effective for keeping birds away from tomatoes. You can also go a step further and create an alternate garden specifically for the birds with bird baths, bird feeders, and plants (viburnum, serviceberry, coneflower) that birds can freely feed upon....

Prune Dwarf Virus Info Prune dwarf virus is a systemic viral infection. It is most prevalent in cherries, plums, and other stone fruits. Also known as sour cherry yellows, prune dwarf virus is spread by pruning with infected tools, budding, and grafting. Infected trees can also produce infected seed. Prune dwarf virus symptoms initially start with a yellow mottling of the leaves. After this, the leaves will suddenly drop. New leaves may regrow, but they soon become mottled and drop as well....

Should I Cut Back Mandevilla? This is a commonly asked question with a resounding, yes. Knowing when to prune mandevilla vines is key to continued health and vigorous blooms. Cutting back a mandevilla vine is best done in late winter or early spring, before the plant starts to produce new growth. Mandevilla vines put out new growth faithfully and quickly, and the summer’s flowers all bloom on this new growth. Because of this, cutting back a mandevilla vine drastically won’t hurt it or particularly affect its summer display, as long as you do it before it puts out its new shoots....

While summer blooming flowers are common, there is also an abundance of early spring flowering perennials that will add appeal before many other plants begin to grow. Cool season plants, such as Pulmonaria lungwort, are great options for gardeners wishing to kickstart their spring flower beds with a burst of color. To enjoy all this plant has to offer though, winterizing Pulmonaria adequately is important. Does Pulmonaria Bloom in Winter?...

Raspberry Horntail Information Raspberry horntail larvae are like teenagers running amok in your berry patch. While the parent is the originator of these pests, they have little effect on the berry canes. Controlling raspberry horntails begins with control of the adults, removal of host plants, and vigilance towards identifying infected canes. Host plants include wild brambles, caneberries (like raspberry and blackberry), and rose. Since control would start with recognizing the adults and preventing them from laying the eggs, identifying cues are useful....

Why Do Flowers Change Color? Ever notice that a variegated specimen stops producing the characteristic speckled colors? Or observed your hydrangea flowering pink one year, when traditionally it was a blue bloomer? How about a transplanted vine or bush that suddenly blooms in a different hue? These changes are common and may be the result of cross pollination, pH levels, or just a natural response to different environmental cues. When a plant shows change in color of flower, it is an interesting development....

Reasons for Dry Fig Fruit One of the more common reasons for tough, dry fig fruit may have to do with the weather. If you have had an especially long spell of excessive heat or drought, the quality of the fig fruit will be compromised, resulting in fig tree fruit that is dry inside. Of course, there isn’t much you can control about the weather, but you can make sure to irrigate more frequently and mulch around the tree with straw to aid in water retention and generally reduce environmental stress....

Red Raripila Mint Information Pollinated and extremely popular to bees and butterflies makes the red raripila mint extremely susceptible to cross-hybridization. Growing red raripila mint plants are, however, not attractive to deer, making them a nice addition to rural landscapes. Red raripila mint is also a great companion plant to vegetable crops such as cabbages and tomatoes as they act as a deterrent to troublesome insect pests. As mentioned, it may be a bit more of a challenge to obtain these plants in North America, but if one does obtain seed, be aware that this little hybrid is generally sterile and thus, the seed will usually not breed true....

Riverside Giant Rhubarb Info Rhubarb is a perennial that loses its leaves in the fall and then requires a winter chilling period to produce in the spring. Rhubarb can be grown in USDA zones 3 through 7 and tolerates temps as low as -40 degrees F. (-40 C.). All rhubarbs thrive in cooler temperatures, but Riverside Giant green rhubarb is one of the hardiest varieties of rhubarb out there. Like other types of rhubarb, Riverside Giant green rhubarb plants rarely suffer from pests, and if they do, the pests usually attack the foliage, not the stem or petiole which is the part we eat....

Growing Lilac from Cuttings Propagating lilac bushes from cuttings is tricky, but definitely not impossible. Take cuttings of lilac bushes from tender new growth in late spring or early summer. Mature growth is less likely to root. Take several cuttings to increase your chance of success. Take cuttings in the morning when the weather is cool and the plant is well-hydrated. Cut 4- to 6-inch lengths (10-15 cm.) of tender, new growth....

In this article we will take a look at rose midges. The rose midge, also known as Dasineura rhodophaga, loves to attack the new rose buds or the new growth where the buds would normally form. Identifying Rose Midges and Rose Midge Damage Rose midges are similar to a mosquito in shape, emerging from pupae in the soil, typically in the spring. The timing of their emergence is nearly perfect to the timing of the onset of new plant growth and flower bud formation....

Tips for Rain Boot Container Gardening Flowerpots are designed and constructed specifically for growing plants; boots are not. Making a recycled rain boot pot is easy but not as simple as just adding dirt and a flower. Follow these tips to make sure your plant will thrive in its unique container: Make drainage holes. The water needs to run through to avoid rot, so make some holes in the soles of the boots....