Indian Hawthorn Pruning When an Indian hawthorn branch is broken, it’s best to take care of the problem right away by cutting off the stem below the break. A clean cut heals quickly and is less likely to develop disease problems than a ragged break. If you are cutting near the branch tip, any stub of stem between the cut and the nearest bud will eventually die, so make the cut about one-quarter of an inch (6 mm....

What is Pumpkin Yellow Mosaic Virus? Several different types of pathogens are responsible for causing mosaic virus in pumpkin plants. Generally, these viruses are named for the first species in which they were identified. So even though zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was first isolated in zucchini plants, it doesn’t necessarily mean only zucchini can be infected by ZYMV. In fact, zucchini plants may not even be ZYMV’s primary host. Often, mosaic viruses can infect a wide range of plants, including weeds....

Effects of Red and Blue Light on Plants What we perceive as white light from the sun is actually made up of all the colors of the rainbow. The three major colors of light are red, blue, and green. We can tell that plants don’t absorb much green light because it reflects off of them and into our eyes, making them appear green. The fact that leaves don’t usually appear blue or red means that they absorb those parts of the light spectrum and use them to grow....

How Do I Get Rid of Lilac Bushes? Lilac shrubs reproduce by seeds, but they also grow new plants from suckers. Shoots grow from the roots parallel with the surface of the soil. As they go along, they send up sucker shoots. Each of these can grow into a new bush. A single lilac plant easily forms a grove of these shrubs over time. It may be the emergence of the grove that causes you to ask: “How do I get rid of lilac roots?...

What is a Reticulated Iris? Reticulated iris (Iris reticulata) is one of 300 species or so of iris flowers. It is native to Turkey, the Caucasus, Northern Iraq, and Iran. Reticulated iris flowers are small blooms of between 5 and 6 inches (13-15 cm.) in height. Each bloom has six upright petals called standards and three hanging petals, which are called falls. This iris is prized for its purple to blue, gold accented blossoms....

Rice, for example, can be grown successfully with careful planning and knowledge. However, many common issues which plague rice plants can lead to reduced yields, and even crop loss. One such disease, narrow brown leaf spot, remains troublesome for many growers. What is Narrow Brown Leaf Spot of Rice? Narrow brown leaf spot is a fungal disease that impacts rice plants. Caused by the fungus, Cercospora janseana, leaf spot may be an annual frustration for many....

There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when creating a rooftop garden. How to Make a Rooftop Garden First of all, find out how local ordinances, rental property rules, or home owner association regulations view a rooftop garden. Rooftop gardens may be prohibited or require special treatment and it is always best to know these things before you spend time and money. Second, get an architect or contractor involved as soon as possible....

Taking Cuttings from Rose of Sharon When to take rose of sharon cuttings is not complicated, as taking cuttings from rose of sharon bushes is easy and versatile. You can do it at almost any time of year and plant it in a few different ways. In early to midsummer, take green rose of sharon plant cuttings. This means you should cut the shoots from the bush that grew in spring....

What is Rosary Pea? Finding hardy, tropical vines with several seasons of interest can be difficult. In the case of rosary pea, you get delicate foliage, beautiful flowers, and interesting seeds and pods combined with a tough, no-fuss nature. In certain regions, rosary pea invasiveness has made it a problem plant. The plant is a climbing, twining, or trailing woody-stemmed vine. The leaves are alternate, pinnate, and compound giving them a feathery feel....

Planting Rosemary in a Pot Rosemary in a pot requires a good quality commercial potting mixture with ingredients such as fine pine bark or peat moss with vermiculite or perlite. Growing rosemary in a pot with a diameter of at least 12 inches (30 cm.) allows enough space for the roots to grow and expand. Be sure the container has a drainage hole because rosemary grown in containers will rot in soggy, poorly drained soil....

For those wishing to pollinate plants, you’ll have to wait for the scales to open (usually in late spring) to reveal the sweet-smelling pollen inside. Then, you can either wait for natural pollination through wind and bees to take place or remove the cone and gently shake it over the receptive female plant.

What is a Saprophyte? Saprophytes are organisms that can’t make their own food. In order to survive, they feed on dead and decaying matter. Fungi and a few species of bacteria are saprophytes. Examples of saprophyte plants include: Indian pipe Corallorhiza orchids Mushrooms and molds Mycorrhizal fungi As saprophyte organisms feed, they break down decaying debris left by dead plants and animals. After the debris is broken down, what remains are rich minerals that become part of the soil....

What are Scallions? Scallions are produced from specific cultivars of the bulbing onion and have a mild flavor. Are scallions the same as green onions? Yes, they are commonly called green onions; however, these plants are actually a cross of the shallot. Although sometimes marketed as such, the scallion is not the same as the leafy green top of the bulbing onion. It is the long, white shank that is used while the green part is often prepared as garnish....

Scarlet Flax Information Scarlet flax wildflowers are hardy, annual, flowering herbs. This attractive flower has five scarlet petals and stamens that are covered in blue pollen. Each flower lasts only for a few hours, but continues to bloom throughout the day. Scarlet flax wildflowers grow from 1 to 2 feet (0.5 m.) and last about four to six weeks, between the months of April and September. The seeds of the scarlet flax are shiny because the oil content in them is quite high....

What is a Seascape Strawberry? Seascape strawberries are small, herbaceous, perennial plants that grow to only 12-18 inches (30.5-45.5 cm). As mentioned, Seascape strawberries are everbearing strawberries, which means they produce their delectable fruit throughout the growing season. The plants bear large, firm, brilliantly red fruit in the spring, summer and fall. According to most Seascape berry info, these strawberries are heat tolerant and disease resistant as well as being prolific producers....

Solutions to the Challenges of Seaside Gardens Continuous wind and both the salt and sand it carries can easily damage nearby plants, especially if they are left exposed to these elements. The best way to protect the seaside garden is by creating windbreaks. Windbreaks can be constructed with suitable fencing or retaining walls as well as with native seaside plantings. Native plants, and those sharing similar traits, offer natural protection against the forces of wind and the harmful salt in which it carries....

Growing Roses in Zone 7 I often suggest growing roses to my landscape customers. This suggestion is sometimes met with great protest because roses sometimes have a reputation of being high maintenance. Not all roses require extra care though. There are six main types of roses for zone 7 gardens: Hybrid tea Floribunda Grandiflora Climbers Miniature Shrub roses Hybrid tea roses produce florist and show quality roses. They are the type that require the most care and maintenance but often offer gardeners the greatest reward....

While frequent planting of bulbs and annual flowers may become expensive, the addition of cold hardy perennials is an excellent way to ensure a beautiful floral display, while maintaining a modest garden budget. The perennial flower “shooting star” is an early spring, blooming wildflower that may be a perfect addition to growers’ wild landscapes. Keep reading for information on shooting star bloom time and see if this flower is a fit for your garden....

What are Silhouette Lights? Silhouette lighting in gardens is a form of outdoor garden lighting called uplighting. It is also a form of back lighting. It creates a focal point with a sense of drama and romance. Silhouette lighting techniques work well with shrubs and trees that have interesting bark and structure. On the West Coast, for instance, plants look stunning when silhouetted against a wall include: Large manzanitas Arbutus trees Agave...

Sky Blue Aster Information Fortunately, growing a Sky Blue aster doesn’t necessitate pronouncing the name (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense syn. Aster azureus), but you can thank botanist John L. Riddell, who first identified the plant in 1835. The name is derived from two Greek words – symphysis (junction) and trichos (hair). The rest of the rather unwieldy name pays homage to Ohio’s Olentangy River, where Riddell first found the plant in 1835. This sun-loving wildflower grows primarily in prairies and meadows....