What is Bleeding Tooth Fungus? Picture a pale flesh dotted with deep pores seeping thick red fluid. Then turn the thing over and the base is studded with small, but nasty looking spines. Meet bleeding tooth fungus. Bleeding tooth fungus mushrooms are so called because they are a “tooth” fungus and the mushroom oozes a thick substance that looks like blood. In spite of the appearance, the fungus is not dangerous and, in fact, may have a host of health benefits....

What is Blue Yucca? Yuccas are classic examples of desert flora. They have spiked, slender leaves which can be painful if not approached with caution. Blue yucca is an especially attractive example of the form due to its colorful leaves. Compared to many plants, blue yucca care is a breeze, provided the plants are installed in correct soil conditions and sun exposure. Once plants establish, very little maintenance is necessary to keep this plant healthy and looking its best....

Bluebell Weed Control Spanish bluebells spread by roots connecting the bulbs underground. This allows them to fill in great swaths of land and take over an area. If they come in contact with native English bluebells, the Spanish version will cross pollinate and come up the next season as a hybrid plant, stronger than the original parent. With a plant this invasive, it’s important to dig out every bit to prevent it from spreading again next year....

How to Grow Bok Choy As a fall crop, bok choy care is simple. It can be direct-seeded ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.) deep in rich, fertile garden soil. In areas where rains create saturated conditions, good drainage is recommended. Fall crops can be planted in full sun. Planting bok choy in small batches every two weeks will supply a steady and continuous harvest. Planting bok choy for a spring crop is more challenging....

Bougainvillea Basics The bougainvillea plant is native to Brazil and introduced to Europe in the 19th century. The famous Kew gardens were instrumental in the propagation and spread of the plants. Trimming bougainvilleas yields cuttings that were rooted and grown on for new specimens. The startling colors of the plant are actually from bracts or modified leaves, not flowers as they appear. The best time to prune bougainvillea for cuttings is in late winter to earliest spring before new growth has flushed, but when bud nodes are swelling....

Read on for tips on how to stop brick heaving from happening. About Brick Edging Frost Heave Frost heave is caused when freezing temperatures cause moisture in the soil to turn into ice. The soil expands and is pushed upward. Brick frost heave is common in cold weather climates, especially in late winter or early spring. It’s generally worse when winters are exceptionally cold, or if the ground freezes suddenly....

Knockout Roses Turning Brown Developed by William Radler for its ease of growth, knockout roses are known for their supposed resistance to disease, pests, and environmental stressors. While the beauty of roses without any special care may sound like an ideal scenario, knockout roses are not without problems. The presence of brown spots on knockout roses may be particularly alarming for growers. Learning more about brown leaves on knockout roses and their cause can help gardeners to return their bushes to optimal condition....

These tough plants tolerate a variety of conditions and are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Find out more about butterfly bush planting and care. Butterfly Bush Planting Planting a butterfly bush in an optimum location minimizes the time you’ll spend on maintenance. Choose a sunny or partly shaded area where the soil is well-drained. Soil that is constantly wet encourages rot. When planted in good quality garden soil, a butterfly bush rarely needs fertilizer....

How and When to Plant Cactus Seeds Seeds form in blooms of the cactus. If you wish to attempt collecting them, remove flowers as they fade and place in a small paper bag. You’ll find the seeds when the flowers have totally dried up. You may also purchase seeds, as many are available online. Check to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable source. You want healthy, viable seeds to sprout....

What is Calabrese Broccoli Calabrese is an old-fashioned variety of broccoli renowned for its bluish green heads and multiple side shoots. It can be grown as an early spring or fall crop. Its flavorful five inch (13 cm.) central heads are ready for harvest in 60 to 90 days. This cool season member of the Brassicaceae family is thought to contain natural cancer fighting substances. Calabrese Broccoli Growing Info To prevent spring planted calabrese sprouting broccoli from flowering during summer harvest, start plants indoors six to eight weeks before the final frost....

Can I Eat Forget-Me-Nots? Yes, they are pretty with their sprays of tiny blue flowers, but I get so many of them invading the gardens, I tend to pull them out. I’m talking about ornamental forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica). Turns out, maybe I should think about harvesting and eating forget-me-not flowers because the answer to “Are forget-me-nots edible?” is yes. About Edible Forget-Me-Nots Ornamental forget-me-nots (M. sylvatica) are indeed edible. They grow in USDA zones 5-9....

About Eating Japanese Knotweed If you’ve ever wondered, “is Japanese knotweed edible,” then you’re not alone. There are actually a number of “weeds” that can be useful in this way. The stems of Japanese knotweed have a tart, citrusy flavor, much akin to rhubarb. Better yet, it is a rich source of minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese as well as vitamins A and C. Before you gather an armload of Japanese knotweed, however, it’s important to know that only certain parts are safe to eat, and only during certain parts of the year....

Carolina Moonseed Info The Carolina moonseed has several common names, including Carolina snailseed, red-berried moonseed, or Carolina coral bead. Except for the latter, these names are derived from the berry’s single distinctive seed. When removed from ripened fruit, moonseeds resemble the crescent shape of a three-quarter moon and is reminiscent of the conical shape of a seashell. The natural range of the Carolina moonseed vine runs from Southeastern U.S. states through Texas and northward into the southern states of the Midwest....

Writing with Bedding Plants Using flowers to make words involves planting colorful flowering plants, usually annuals, close together so that they resemble a carpet – which is why this method of planting may also be referred to as carpet bedding. Forming words with plants works best if you have a fairly large space too. This allows you the room to spell out a word, like a name, or even to create interesting shapes or geometric designs....

Celandine Plant Information Where does greater celandine grow? Greater celandine is a non-native wildflower that was introduced by early settlers into New England, primarily for its medicinal qualities. However, this aggressive plant has naturalized and now grows across most of the United States – especially the southeastern states. It thrives in rich, moist soil and is often seen growing in damp meadows and disturbed areas, such as along roadsides and fences....

When to Pick Cherries Both sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and tart cherries (Prunus cerasus) can be planted in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. The variety of the cherry tree, weather, and temperature all determine when cherry picking is nigh. To get the maximum production from a cherry tree, it should also be planted in moist, well-draining and fertile soil in a full sun exposure of at least eight hours a day....

Chili Peppers Not Hot You’ve heard the phrase, “Some like it hot.” They aren’t really referring to peppers, but the saying holds true anyway. The various levels of heat that develop in a pepper depend upon the amount of capsaicin. Chili peppers not hot enough for you may just be the wrong kind. Some chilies are quite mild such as bells, pepperoncini, and paprika, which are all low on the Scoville index....

How Chinese Privet Weeds Affect Native Plants Native plants are particularly important to wildlife, as they provide food and shelter for them and support beneficial insects, pollinators, and birds. These plants adapt to extremes of heat and cold while performing important functions in the ecosystem. Invasive ornamentals can edge out native plants with their aggressive growth and multiplication. Privet often escapes into pastureland, where it shades out grass and other grazing crops....

Effects of Chloride in Plants Chloride in plants comes mostly from rainwater, sea spray, dust, and yes, air pollution. Fertilization and irrigation also contribute to chloride on garden soil. Chloride is easily dissolved in water and enters the plant through soil and air. It is essential to the chemical reaction that allows the opening and closing of the plant’s stomata, tiny pores that allow gas and water to be exchanged between the plant and the air around it....

How to Fix Pollution in a City Garden Smog and ozone damage to plants is common in urban areas. In fact, the haze or smog often seen in many cities is normally contributed to ground-level ozone, especially in summer, and is made up of various pollutants. It is also responsible for coughing and stinging eyes, among other things, which many urbanites suffer from. As to gardening in areas with smog, it’s not so much about what’s in the air affecting our plants, but what’s in the ground where they grow....