What is Canistel? Canistel (Pouteria campechiana), commonly known as eggfruit, is a tropical fruit tree. Though the size and shape of this fruit can vary greatly from one tree to another, the most favorable trees produce large, sweet, yellow fruits with an oval shape. Having been most commonly compared to the texture of a hard-boiled egg (hence the common name), the roundish fruits are popular for their use in dairy recipes and other baked treats....

The foliage is also fragrant when crushed. Both the flowers and leaves are used to make potpourris; and in the past, they were used in dresser drawers and trunks to keep clothes and linens smelling fresh. Growing Allspice Bushes Growing allspice bushes is easy. They adapt well to most soils and thrive in a variety of climates. The shrubs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5b through 10a....

Catnip Companion Plants and Insects If you have ever watched a feline near a catnip plant, it is obvious the attraction is very strong. Not only is catnip useful in kitty-friendly gardens, but it also combats several common insect pests. Collard greens, for example, are one of many companions for catnip. The oils in the herb repel flea beetles and keep the greens free of their feeding damage. There are many other plants to grow with catnip that benefit from the pungent scent....

Why Grow and Harvest Catnip? If you have cats, you can simply buy catnip at the store, but when you grow it yourself, you know where it comes from and that it’s organic. It’s easy to grow and harvesting catnip is simple too. You can dry the leaves to use for cat toys, or let your cats try them fresh. Outdoor cats will also enjoy playing around the plants in the garden....

Why are Cats Attracted to Catnip? Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains nepetalactone, a chemical that attracts many cats, including tigers and other wild felines. Cats typically react by rolling or chewing on the leaves, or by rubbing against the plant. They may even get a little crazy if you have traces of catnip on your shoes. Some cats become super playful while others become anxious, aggressive, or sleepy. They may purr or drool....

Growing Bushes in Zone 5 Shade The Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zone system runs from icy zone 1 to sweltering zone 12, with the zones defined by a region’s coldest winter temperature. Zone 5 is somewhere in the cool middle, with lows between -20 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 and -23 C.). Before you head to the garden store to buy a bush, look carefully at the type of shade your garden offers....

When you see citrus bud drop, take a deep breath. It doesn’t necessarily mean that things are terribly wrong. It could mean that nature is doing its thing, but it may also mean that a change in cultural care might be indicated. Read on for the scoop on why citrus buds are disappearing. Citrus Tree Losing Buds If you aren’t new to citrus trees, you know that the fruit matures to a much larger size than a citrus bud....

Japanese Cleyera Information Cleyera plants are native to China and Japan, but they have become naturalized throughout the Southern United States. These semi-tropical plants can’t take repeated freezing, and they are rated for USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. New growth starts out red, gradually turning to an unusually dark green color. The glossy, evergreen foliage is attractive year-round. Although it is grown primarily for its foliage, the shrub also has fragrant, attractive, white flowers that bloom at the point where the leaves join the stems....

Identification of Common Coconut Palm Tree Insects There are a number of pests that frequent the coconut tree, causing considerable damage. Coconut scale insects and mealybugs are sap-sucking pests that feed on sap found in plant cells while excreting toxins from their salivary glands. Leaves eventually turn yellow and die. These coconut palm tree insects can also spread to nearby fruit trees and cause significant damage. Microscopic coconut mites will cause nuts to have a rough, corky texture....

Common Diseases of Kiwi Plants Below you will find some of the most commonly seen diseases of kiwi plants. Phytophthora crown and root rot – Soggy, poorly drained soil and excess moisture are to blame for phytophthora crown and root rot, a disease that is easy to spot by reddish brown roots and crowns. The disease is prevented by proper moisture management. Fungicides are sometimes effective. Botrytis fruit rot – Also known as gray mold, botrytis fruit rot causes mature kiwi fruit to become soft and shriveled with a gray growth that appears mostly at the stem end....

Two Common Diseases of Pawpaw Trees Powdery mildew usually isn’t deadly, but it can stunt growth of new shoots and will certainly affect the appearance of the tree. Powdery mildew is easy to recognize by powdery, whitish gray areas on young leaves, buds, and twigs. Affected leaves may take on a wrinkled, curled appearance. Black spot on pawpaw is recognized by masses of tiny black spots on the leaves and fruit....

Coneflower plants may actually display pink flowers, when the cultivar Echinacea purpurea ‘Pink Double Delight’ is planted. Growing Purple Coneflowers Purple coneflower plants grow best in poor or lean soil. Rich or heavily amended soil may result in lush foliage and poor flowering. When planting purple coneflower, locate them in a full sun area. Full sun is defined as at least six hours of sun each day. In more southern areas, morning sun may facilitate the best performance, with late afternoon shade protecting the plants from burning....

What are the Best Pots for Growing Strawberries in Containers? Strawberries, in general, are fairly easy to grow and there’s nothing like a fresh berry plucked off your own plant. The best pots for strawberries are those which are urn-shaped, punctuated with holes down the sides in variable areas. Even though the holes make the pot look like dirt, water or even the plant may fall out of them, these pots are perfect for growing strawberries in containers....

Is Tree of Heaven a Weed? You may wonder: “is tree of heaven a weed?” While definitions of “weed” vary, these trees have many weed-like qualities. They grow fast and spread quickly by suckers and seeds. They take over disturbed areas and shade out native trees. They grow where they are not wanted and are hard to get rid of. Although the lifespan of trees of heaven is not long, these trees dominate a site by their incredible ability to resprout....

Read on for some coral bark tree information. About Coral Bark Maple Trees Coral bark maple trees (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’) are Japanese maples with four seasons of interest in the landscape. In spring, its seven-lobed, simple, palmate leaves open in a bright, lime green or chartreuse color. As spring turns to summer, these leaves turn a deeper green. In autumn, the foliage turns golden yellow and orange. And as the foliage drops in fall, the tree’s bark begins to turn an attractive, reddish-pink, which intensifies with the cold weather....

About Costoluto Genovese Heirlooms Costoluto Genovese tomatoes are rich, meaty Italian heirloom fruits. Since these plants are open-pollinated, seeds from the plants can be saved each year and grown for generations. Their robust flavor is perfect for use on sandwiches and for fresh eating. However, these highly acidic tomatoes really shine when used for canning and for the creation of full-bodied pasta sauces. How to Grow Costoluto Genovese Tomatoes Once established, Costoluto Genovese care is quite simple....

Cranberry Cotoneaster Facts Cranberry cotoneaster plants are one of the low-growing cotoneaster varieties, rising only knee-high, but spreading three times that wide. The long stems grow in arching mounds and work well as groundcover. Additionally, they make one heck of an ornamental shrub. The leaves are small but an attractive, glossy green, and the shrubs look lush during the growing season. The flowers are tiny and pinkish-white. When the entire bush is in bloom, the blossoms are attractive, but even at their peak, the bloom is not dramatic....

What are Cremnophila Plants? Cremnophila is a genus of succulent plants that was proposed in 1905 by Joseph N. Rose, an American botanist. The genus is native to Mexico and has characteristics that once put it in the Sedoideae family. It has been moved to its own sub-genus because it has features that also place it with Echeveria varieties. There is one species that is available for cactus lovers. Cremnophila succulents are primarily small, desert plants that produce stems and flowers that resemble sedum....

Why is My Croton Losing its Color? Color loss of croton is common in winter and in low light conditions. Croton plants are native to the tropics, growing wild in Indonesia and Malaysia, and they do best in full sun or bright indoor light. Most often, croton plants with faded leaves are simply not receiving enough light. Conversely, some colors may fade if crotons are exposed to excessive direct light. Each variety has its own light preferences, so check whether the variety you have does best in full sun or partial sun....

Some sources say there are as many as 3000 varieties of bromeliads in general, with new ones discovered regularly. Not all are readily available, but many of the favorite types can be found for online ordering. Earth Star Info The Cryptanthus Earth Star is commonly referred to as the Starfish plant. Foliage of these plants is usually strap-like and brilliantly colored, often with lateral stripes in bright pink to red and various greens....