Schisandra Information Schisandra magnolia vines (Schisandra chinensis) are very cold-hardy, growing best in USDA zones 4 through 7. As long as they go dormant in the fall, they can tolerate very low temperatures and actually need the cold in order to set fruit. The plants are vigorous climbers and can reach 30 feet (9 m.) in length. Their leaves are fragrant, and in the spring they produce even more fragrant flowers....

Planting Succulent Seeds Is it realistic to attempt succulent seed propagation? Let’s discuss the fine points of what is different about growing succulents from seed. Starting new succulents in this way is a slow process, but if you’re willing to devote the time and effort, it can be an inexpensive way to get unusual plants. Finding quality seeds that are properly labeled is of utmost importance. Many that write online about growing succulents from seed say they use local nurseries as their source....

Are Thai Peppers Hot? The fruit of the Thai pepper plant is indeed hot, hotter than jalapenos or serranos. To really appreciate their fiery flavors, consider their Scoville rating at 50,000 to 100,000 heat units! Like all hot peppers, Thai chili peppers contain capsaicin which is responsible for their tongue-tingling heat and can burn skin for up to 12 hours. About Thai Pepper Plants Thai chili peppers were introduced into Southeast Asia hundreds of years ago by the Spanish conquistadors....

Mulberry Trimming Proper mulberry tree pruning techniques depend on your landscape goals. If you want to create a shady spot that provides food and shelter for birds as well as biomass for your compost bin, only cut out small, dead, diseased, crossed-over and oddly oriented branches. In this case, mulberry trimming can be done every two to three years. If your primary goal is fruit production for human consumption, then mulberry trimming should be done every year to control size and to keep most of the fruit within easy reach....

Bromeliad Guzmania Plant Guzmania plants are perennial plants in the bromeliad family. There are over 120 different guzmania plants and all of them are native to South America. These tropical beauties are known as epiphytic plants and attach to trees with roots that never reach the soil. Striking bracts grow from the center of the plant and can be red, yellow, orange, or deep purple depending on the species. Leaves are thin and dark green....

Cold Hardy Cactus Desert cacti experience tremendous ranges of temperature. During the day temperatures soar over 100 degrees F. (38 C.) but at night the cold can approach freezing. This makes hardy cactus plants one of the most adaptive types in the plant kingdom. Many plants in the group are not only suitable for zone 7 but will thrive in those regions. Hardy cactus plants are found in the mountains of northern Mexico into the western United States....

Take a look at these ideas for planning an exotic garden in cold weather. Creating an Exotic Cool Climate Garden Foliage is all important in a tropical garden. Look for hardy “exotic” plants with bold foliage in a variety of colors, textures, and sizes. Include a variety of annuals in your display of hardy tropical looking plants. Add a water feature too. It doesn’t have to be big and “splashy,” but some type of water feature, even a bubbling bird bath, will provide authentic sounds of a tropical garden....

Picking Almond Nuts You probably think of almond fruit as nuts, but almond trees (Prunus dulcis) actually produce drupes. These drupes grow from the tree’s fertilized flowers and mature in autumn. The drupe has a leathery hull that surrounds it, giving it the look of a green peach. When the outer husk dries and splits, it’s time to start thinking about picking almond nuts. If you want to know when to harvest almonds, the drupe itself will tell you....

Kale, like many cabbage crops, is a cool season vegetable. As such, it is beneficial for the flavor to have a frost before harvesting kale. Planting at the right time will allow the plant to be of optimum picking size after frost. Baby kale leaves may be ready for harvest in as little as 25 days after planting but larger leaves will take longer. When to pick kale will depend on the use planned for the leafy green....

What are Hebe Shrubs? The majority of hebe shrubs are native to New Zealand. They range in size from small bushes that may grow about 3 feet (1 m.) tall to larger tree-like varieties reaching heights of up to 6 feet (2 m.). There are also both large and small-leafed types available. While evergreen in nature, their foliage provides year-round interest with additional colors in burgundy, bronze or variegated. Most hebes bloom in summer and last throughout fall....

My Vermicompost Stinks! When your worm bin smells bad, it’s easy to assume that you’ve really messed up. Although this isn’t an indication that everything’s well in the world of your worms, it’s not usually an insurmountable problem. There are a few common causes of rotten smelling worm bins. Food Look at what you’re feeding your worms and how you’re feeding it. If you’re adding more food than the worms can eat quickly, some of it is bound to rot and stink....

How and When to Prune Pistachio Trees According to California Rare Fruit Growers, initial pruning involves training the pistachio tree to a central leader with four or five primary (scaffold) limbs about 4 feet (1 m.) above the ground. The lowest branch should be about 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) above the ground. Plan carefully, as this will be the primary structure of the tree. For example, although the branches should be equidistant around the circumference of the tree, they shouldn’t be directly across from one another....

What Plants are Good for Making Tea? Although it is by no means comprehensive, the following is a list of plants that are good for making tea and which part of the plant to utilize: Mint — Leaves, digestive and calming Passionflower — Leaves, relaxing and soporific Rose Hips — Buds once the bloom has expired, boost of Vitamin C Lemon Balm — Leaves, calming Chamomile — Buds, relaxing and good for a sour tummy Echinacea — Buds, immunity Milk Thistle — Buds, detoxification Angelica — Root, digestive Catnip — Leaves, calming Raspberry — Leaves, female reproduction Lavender — Buds, calming Nettles — Leaves, detoxification Red Clover — Buds, detoxification and purify Dandelion — Root, blood tonic Linden — Flowers, digestive and calming Lemongrass — Stalk, digestive and calming...

Sure, you can buy fresh herbs for marinades at the grocers, but growing them yourself puts them quickly at your fingertips, and for a fraction of the cost since fresh herbs for meat and veggie dishes can be used throughout the growing season. About Herbs for Grilling Many people use a dry rub on their meats to flavor them when grilling. In a pinch, this imparts great flavor, but using fresh herbs for marinades and in a fresh herb dry rub really packs a punch....

Horsetail Plant Info To some people it is a nuisance; to others it is an interesting and ancient herb that has earned its rightful place in history, the medicine closet, and beauty products. Growing where other plants dare not, horsetail plant is a member of the Equisetum family and is closely related to ferns. Like ferns, horsetail plants reproduce via spores and they have a very deep rhizome system that can tunnel up to 3 feet (1 m....

Hoverfly Identification Hoverflies are also known as syrphid flies, flower flies, and drone flies. They are prolific pollinators and also feed on insect pests, specifically aphids. They will also feed on other soft-bodied insects such as thrips, scales, and caterpillars. Their name, hoverfly, is due to their unique ability to hover in midair. They can also fly backward, a feat that few other flying insects possess. There are several varieties of syrphid flies, but all reside in the order Diptera....

Do Flies Pollinate for Real? Bees don’t have a monopoly on pollinating flowers and responsibility for fruit development. Mammals do it, birds do it, and other insects do it too, including flies. Here are some interesting facts: Flies are second only to bees in terms of importance for pollination.Flies live in nearly every environment on earth.Some flies that pollinate do so for specific species of flowering plants, while others are generalists....

This tropical plant is perennial for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 and above but is widely grown as an annual in cooler climates. It works well in borders and flower beds, and smaller varieties look great in containers. Lantana thrives without a lot of attention, and when it comes to fertilizing lantana plants, less is definitely more. Read on to learn about feeding lantana plants. Should I Fertilize Lantana?...

How to Find a Landscape Designer The first step in choosing a landscape designer is determining your budget. How much money do you have available for this project? Remember that a well-designed and implemented landscape design can increase your property value. The second step involves making three lists. Look at your landscape. Create one list that contains everything you want to remove from your garden. Tired of that old 1980’s hot tub you never use?...

Joshua Tree Information The Joshua tree is the largest of the yuccas. It is an evergreen perennial plant that starts out as a stem-less rosette and gradually grows a thick trunk decorated by sword-like leaves. The leaves grow in clumps off a scaffold of open ranging branches. The effect is bizarre, yet picturesque, and is a hallmark of the Mojave Desert. Leaves are up to 14 inches (35.5 cm.) long, sharply tipped and bluish green....