About Red Fleshed Apple Trees Apples with red flesh inside (as well as out) occur naturally in some regions of Central Asia — basically crabapples. These tend to be too bitter tasting for consumption, so breeders decided to cross them with scrumptious, sweet, white-fleshed apples to produce commercially viable apples with red flesh inside. The creation of sweet tasting red-fleshed apple trees is not only a novelty to grow, but these red-fleshed fruits may have antioxidant properties as well....

Distinguishing Red Bird of Paradise from Mexican Bird of Paradise Tree Known as Mexican bird of paradise (along with many other common names), the red bird of paradise (C. pulcherrima) is oftentimes confused with the actual Mexican bird of paradise tree (C. mexicana). While both species are considered shrubs or small trees and both are evergreen in frost-free regions and deciduous in others, they are two different plants. Unlike the red bird of paradise, the Mexican variety has bright yellow flowers with long red stamens....

Redbud Tree Information The redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) is a member of the bean family and is known as a Judas tree because according to some, Judas Iscariot used a relative of the redbud to hang himself. This tree is an attractive ornamental tree that is native to the eastern United States but will grow in USDA planting zones 4 through 8. Mauve-pink blossoms greet the spring, lasting for two to three weeks and adding color to any landscape....

What is a Rhizomatous Begonia? There are around 1,000 species of begonia with about 10,000 cultivated cultivars and mutations. Amongst the major classifications are the fibrous rooted, rhizomatous, and tuberous rooted begonias. Rex begonias are herbaceous perennials in USDA zones 10 through 12, so they are more commonly grown as houseplants or annuals. While they do flower, they are grown more for their vibrant, textured leaves. In fact, they are also referred to as ‘fancy-leaf,’ ‘painted leaf,’ or ‘king’ begonias....

Soil preparation is best accomplished in autumn before planting the rhododendron in spring. When to plant rhododendron will depend on the USDA zone in which it grows. Growing rhododendron is an exacting task, but with the right soil and location, the rhododendron bush will provide an optimum performance. Unlike many blooming plants, rhododendron does not like full morning sun in winter and does best when planted in dappled shade on the north side of a building....

How to Keep Snakes Out of Garden A snake-proof fence is an effective approach in how to keep snakes out of the garden. Use ½ inch (1 cm.) wire mesh and design the fence so that 6 inches (15 cm.) is buried underground with 30 inches (76 cm.) above ground. Slant the above ground part of the fence outward at a 30 degree angle and place all supporting stakes inside the fence....

Also known as San Marzano sauce tomatoes, the fruit is sweeter and less acidic than standard tomatoes. This provides a unique balance of sweetness and tartness. They are widely used in sauces, pastes, pizza, pasta, and other Italian cuisines. They are delicious for snacking as well. Interested in growing San Marzano sauce tomatoes? Read on for helpful tips on tomato care. San Marzano Tomato Care Purchase a plant from a garden center or start your tomatoes from seed about eight weeks before the last average frost in your area....

Gladiolus Seed Pods Gladiolus seed pods occur after the flowers are spent. They are small and innocuous, and most gardeners don’t bother with them because glads grow so much more quickly from their bulbs. Starting gladiolus from seed is as easy as starting any other plant but the desired blooms will not come for many years. Far easier is to dig away some of the little bulblets at the base of the parent plant....

What is a Self-Cleaning Rose? The term “self-cleaning” rose refers to the varieties of rose bushes that require no deadheading or pruning to clean up the old blooms and get them to bloom again. This also means that self-cleaning roses do not develop rose hips. Since these self-cleaning rose bushes do not develop rose hips, they start to bring forth another cycle of blooms just as soon as the previous blooms start to fade or drop petals....

Planting Roses in Shade Planting roses in shade won’t work if the plants aren’t exposed to at least a minimal amount of sunlight. Some, like English roses, for instance, will manage with four to five hours of sunlight. Floribunda roses generally do well in partial shade rose gardens, although they may not produce as many blooms as they would in full sunlight. Climbing roses may receive additional sunlight through the top of the plant....

What is a Snofozam Tree? Snofozam, sold under the trade name of Snow Fountain, is a deciduous tree hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. With a weeping habit, Snow Fountain cherries are stunning in the spring, covered with their showy, brilliantly white booms. They are members of the family Rosaceae and the genus Prunus, from the Latin for plum or cherry tree. Snofozam cherry trees were introduced in 1985 by Lake County Nursery in Perry, Ohio....

Symptoms of Powdery Mildew of Southern Peas Powdery mildew affects a litany of other crops. In the case of southern peas with powdery mildew, the fungus Erysiphe polygoni is the culprit. This fungus appears as a tell-tale light gray to almost white powdery growth on the surface of leaves, pods, and occasionally the stems of the plant. New plant growth becomes contorted, dwarfed, and may yellow and drop. Pods are twisted and stunted....

Southern Tomato Gardening Successful tomato growing in southern regions depends a lot on the weather. They have a short season for growing tomatoes – from last frost to heat of summer. Once temperatures reach 85 degrees F. (29 C.) during the day and mid 70’s (21 C.) at night, tomato plants will start aborting the flowers. To combat the short season, it’s recommended that gardeners start their seeds earlier than usual, at about 10 weeks before the last average frost date....

What Causes Splitting Grapes? The exact cause of grapes that are cracking open is still under debate, but all camps seem to agree that it stems from irrigation, either an over abundance or lack thereof. While grapes will adapt to lower water conditions, yields will be reduced. Ideally, irrigation is essential for optimum production and quality of fruit. The timing of this irrigation is of primary importance. Grape skins that crack open may also be caused by diseases such as powdery mildew, or pests like the grape berry moth....

Choosing Perennial Plants for Summer Perennials are favorites with gardeners because they come back every year, they come in so many different varieties, they add interest to beds, and they are often native plants that support the local ecosystem. A downside is that perennials don’t always bloom for as long as annuals. Pairing the right plants together in beds can give you more continuous blooms, but you can also find summer blooming perennials that will give you longer-lasting flowers....

What is Swan River Myrtle? What is swan river myrtle? Its scientific name is Hypocalymma robustum. Although it is native to the southern tip of western Australia, it has been grown with success in most Mediterranean-type climates. In colder climates, it can be planted in a container and brought indoors for the winter. A relatively small shrub, it tends to grow to between 3 and 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) in height, although certain varieties can reach up to 12 feet (4 m....

Are Sweet Pea Blossoms or Pods Edible? Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) reside in the genus Lathyrus in the family Fabaceae of legumes. They are native to Sicily, southern Italy, and the Aegean Island. The first written record of the sweet pea appeared in 1695 in the writings of Francisco Cupani. He later passed the seeds onto a botanist at the medical school in Amsterdam who later published a paper on sweet peas, including the first botanical illustration....

Popular Fragrant Azaleas and Fragrant Rhododendrons

What are Arum Plants? While calla lilies, also known as arum lilies, have the same showy spathe as plants in the arum family, they are not true members of the Araceae group. However, since they are very recognizable plants, their appearance helps explain what arum members look like with exception to height, spathe colors, and leaf sizes. All types of arum plants are poisonous and may not be suitable in gardens with pets and children....

How to Keep Kangaroos Out of My Garden Kangaroos in the garden can cause significant damage, eating their way through a number of plants, from flower beds to fruit trees and more. In fact, there are few plants kangaroos don’t eat! That being said, their least favorite seems to be plants that are prickly or highly aromatic, but like deer in the garden, when push comes to shove, even these will not stop their insatiable palate....