Pink Hydrangea Bushes Though blue is the most common color, pink and white hydrangea varieties can also be purchased at garden centers and nurseries. When shopping for hydrangea bushes, its important to identify which type to plant. Hydrangea macrophylla plants can produce stunning pink flowers. However, this will only occur under ideal conditions. Macrophylla flowers are known to change color depending upon soil pH and the availability of aluminum. To produce pink flowers, garden soil must be alkaline....

Grass Seed Considerations Grass seed that grows slowly, thickens easily, and discourages weeds or other pests is important for a healthy lawn. Grasses vary in color, appearance, and growth habits. Determine how much time or money you are willing to spend on your lawn. Higher-maintenance grasses mean more work for you and less money in your pocket. The type of grass seed you choose should be determined by the growing conditions of your landscape....

Christmas cactus pruning is not just for large plants, either. Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small, will help it to grow fuller and more bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. So whether you are looking to simply reduce the size of your plant or are looking to make yours look even more beautiful, keep reading to learn more about how to trim a Christmas cactus....

About Clivia Lilies Clivia lilies (Clivia miniata) are also called bush lilies and kaffir lilies, although the latter name is not very popular, as it’s considered a derogatory and insulting word. Native to South Africa and part of the Amaryllis family, this plant does not tolerate frost. It grows in clumps and is a perennial that reaches heights of about 30 inches (76 cm.) when in flower. Clivia produces long, broad, evergreen leaves and pretty, lily-like flowers that are trumpet-shaped and that cluster together....

Cold Hardy Perennials Deer Don’t Like The following plants are generally deemed deer resistant perennials for zone 5 gardens: Bee balm – Also called bergamot and Oswego tea, bee balm produces vibrant, spiky flowers that attract bees and butterflies. It can also be steeped into a pleasant tea. Bluebell – Bluebell is a beautiful spring bloomer that that produces striking trumpet or bell-shaped blue flowers. Brunnera – Brunnera is a leafy shade plant that produces tiny, delicate, powder blue flowers....

Cole Crop Downy Mildew Downy mildew can affect any cole vegetable, besides broccoli and cabbage, such as Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. It is caused by a fungus, Peronospora parasitica. The fungus may start an infection during any point in a plant’s life cycle. Cole crops with downy mildew will show symptoms beginning with irregular yellow patches on leaves. These will then change to a light brown color....

Poinsettia Seed Pods The bright red “flower” of a poinsettia is not really a flower at all – it’s made of up special leaves called bracts that have evolved to look like flower petals. The real flower consists of the small, yellow parts in the center of the bracts. This is where the pollen is produced and where your poinsettia seed pods will develop. Poinsettias have both male and female parts and can either self-pollinate or cross-pollinate with other poinsettias....

So, what are the common insects in California gardens? Read on for information on regional pests, including both California garden pests and Nevada pests. California Garden Pests Insects are pests that threaten both California’s natural environments as well as homes, gardens, and agriculture. While the list of common insects that trouble California gardeners contains pests that also frequent other states, there are a few unique pests that may not be as common elsewhere....

What Grows Well with Jasmine? The best companion plants for jasmine are plants that have the same sun, soil, and irrigation requirements. When you begin jasmine companion planting, it’s important to identify your jasmine first. You’ll find some 200 varieties of jasmine plants available in commerce. Some are evergreen, some semi-evergreen, and some deciduous shrubs or vines. Most, but not all, prefer a sunny location, well-draining loamy soil, and regular irrigation....

What to Do with Sunflower Hulls Though extremely popular, it is likely that sunflowers have uses beyond what most of its growers may have imagined. Both the seeds and sunflower seed hulls have changed the way that many think about sustainability. Sunflower hulls, especially, are being used in new and exciting ways. Sunflower producing regions have long used discarded sunflower hulls in applications ranging from an alternative fuel to wood replacements....

Information About Fragrant Conifers While it is not always obvious, there are several conifers with a fruity fragrance. Not the same fragrance, but some as varied as pineapple and sassafras. Mostly it’s the needles that contain the secondary smell and must be crushed to get to the fruity fragrance. Others retain scent in their wood and you may not recognize it until you’re near one being sawed up. Sometimes, bark is the source of the smell....

What is a Corporate Garden? Just like it sounds, a corporate garden is an area dedicated to growing vegetables and garden-type fruit. This can be a green space located on the company’s property or it can be inside an atrium where vegetables have replaced the traditional snake plants, peace lilies, and philodendrons. Touted as a means to improve mental, physical and emotional health of employees, gardening at work does have its benefits:...

To Stake or Not to Stake a Leaning Tree Many arborists now believe that a tree grows best without staking, but there are circumstances where staking or guying is necessary to stop trees from leaning. Newly purchased saplings that have a very small root ball are not readily able to support the growth of the tree, thin stemmed trees that bend under their own weight, and saplings planted on an extremely windy site are all good candidates for staking to make a tree straight....

Whatever the reason, the decision to make a “fitness garden” will require thought and planning in order to be implemented successfully. Before starting your own garden gym, there are several considerations to take into account to determine whether or not this concept is the right fit for your yard. What is a Fitness Garden? While the concept of a gym in the garden may seem far-fetched to some, there are actually quite a few valid reasons that many grow to consider it....

Creepy Garden Info Okay, so Halloween only comes around one time a year, but even so you can keep the spirit of this festive holiday alive all year long by creating scary gardens using plants that conjure up creepy thoughts and spooky feelings. In addition to plants, there are a number of Halloween decorations or spooktacular accessories that can be added throughout the garden to make it as creepy as you want it....

Crepe Myrtle Information Crepe myrtle is a versatile plant with many ornamental features. The perennial tree flowers all summer long, producing showy flowers in white, pink, red, or lavender. Its exfoliating bark is also lovely, peeling back to expose the inner trunk. It is especially ornamental in winter when the leaves have fallen. Crepe myrtle leaves change color in autumn. White-blossomed trees often have leaves that turn yellow in fall, while those with pink/red/lavender blossoms have leaves that turn yellow, orange, and red....

Why are My Cukes Cracked? Cracking in cucumbers is an uncommon symptom that can occur in fruits that have been overwatered. Other common causes of cucumber fruit split are common plant pathogens — angular leaf spot and belly rot can both cause fruit cracking in cucumbers when conditions are right. Abiotic Problem: Irregular Irrigation Cucumbers that receive irregular watering or that have been exposed to erratic weather patterns where lots of rain fell all at once may develop long, deep cracks....

Cushaw Squash Plant Info Cushaw (Cucurbita argyrosperma) hails from the Caribbean and, thus, tolerates humid conditions. This squash is a green striped, crook-necked variety cultivated by Native Americans as a staple food. Fruit averages 10-20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg.), grows to 12-18 inches (30.5 to 45.5 cm) in length and is around 10 inches (30.5 cm.) across. The flesh is light yellow and the flavor is mildly sweet. Cushaw squash is also often referred to as cushaw pumpkin or in Appalachia, as the Tennessee sweet potato....

How to Trim Lemon Verbena The best time for cutting back lemon verbena is in spring, shortly after you see new growth. This is the main pruning of the year and will encourage new, bushy growth. Remove winter damage and dead stems down to ground level. Cut old, woody growth down to about 2 inches (5 cm.) from the ground. This may sound harsh, but don’t worry, lemon verbena rebounds quickly....

How to Use Mosquito Repelling Plants Most scientists agree that while repellent plants may have a tiny effect on flying insects as they sit in your garden or on the patio, they’re most effective when used directly on the skin. Therefore, when using a deterrent plant for mosquitoes, you need to harvest a handful of leaves and crush them, rubbing the crushed leaves on any exposed skin. The volatile oils in the foliage will leave their insect-repellent properties on your arms and legs, keeping the mosquitoes from biting....