About Lily Flowers Many plants with trumpet-shaped flowers are called lilies, but only those in the Lilium genus are true lilies. The most popular of these in the garden are Asiatic lilies and Oriental lilies. The number one spot probably goes to Asiatic lily flowers, recognizable by their upward-facing blooms on stalks that rise to 5 feet (a little over 1 m.). These hybrid plants come in many colors and often have darker “freckles....

When to Pick Basil Harvesting of basil can begin as soon as the plant has at least six sets of leaves. Thereafter, harvest basil as often as needed. Pick basil in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak freshness. How to Harvest Basil To harvest a small amount of basil, just remove a few leaves for use. Cut back whole stem for use in larger harvests. Cutting back entire stems will result in a bushier plant that produces more leaves too....

What are Crimson Glory Grapevines? Also known as Crimson Glory grapevines, the Crimson Glory vine plant is actually an ornamental type of grape. This variety is not bred for consumption by humans and should not be eaten. However, it does produce small fruit late in the growing season that’s especially attractive to birds and other native wildlife. This plant’s true ornamental value comes from its colorful and lively fall foliage. Often reaching lengths of 60 feet (18 m....

Common Jasmine Plant Leaf Problems Many species of jasmine are tough enough to withstand most diseases. Jasmine also tends not to suffer damage from insect pests. However, some diseases and pests can strike any ornamental shrub, and jasmine species are not completely immune. One fairly common problem that causes jasmine plant leaf problems is called leaf spot and it is caused by fungi. Look for irregular tan or brown spots, round or oval, that appear on the leaves in July or August....

Whorled Pogonia Information Isotria whorled pogonias come in two forms: the large whorled pogonia and the small whorled pogonia. The small whorled pogonia is considered rare, while the larger form of the plant is quite common. These woodland flowers thrive in shade, partial shade, or even fully shaded areas. They produce unique flowers that are not so much showy as just plain unusual. One strange bit of whorled pogonia information is its ability to self-pollinate....

Why is My Fountain Grass Browning? If you are unfamiliar with the types of ornamental grass, you may ask: “Why is my fountain grass browning?” Fountain grass is considered a warm season grass and it is natural for the previous season’s growth to turn brown at the end of the growing season. In most regions, fountain grass trimming is necessary to enhance appearance and allow spring growth to shine without a frame of dead blades....

Why is My Watermelon Hollow? Your watermelon is hollow inside. Why, you ask? It’s a good question and one that’s not exactly easy to answer. Agricultural scientists once believed that hollow heart was caused by irregular growth during key parts of the fruit’s development, but that theory is losing favor among today’s scientists. Instead, they believe that a lack of seed initiation is the cause of hollow watermelons and other cucurbits....

Many forms of blight, leaf spot, and mildew occur through the planting of contaminated seed. This is especially true of crops like tomatoes, peppers, and various brassicas. In recent years, many growers have turned to the process of hot water seed treatment as a means of prevention for these crop diseases. Should I Treat My Seed with Hot Water? Many organic and conventional gardeners may be left to ask, “Why soak seeds in hot water?...

About Wild Mustard Plants Mustard, Sinapis arvensis, is in the same family as cabbage, broccoli, turnips, and others. All wild mustards are edible, but some are tastier than others. Greens are most succulent when young and tender. Older leaves may be a bit too strong for some palates. Seeds and flowers are also edible. Flowers bloom from spring through summer. The little yellow blossoms have a unique shape, like that of a Maltese cross, a nod to their family name of Cruciferae, or cross like....

Growing Wildflowers in Zone 6 There are wildflowers for every region of the USDA map. If your garden is in zone 6, you’ll have a lot of options. This zone stretches across the U.S., including regions in Massachusetts and Connecticut, most of Ohio, and parts of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and stretching up to the interior areas of the Pacific Northwest. If you choose the right wildflowers for zone 6, enjoying them in your garden will be easy....

Wildlife Gardening for All Seasons A true four-season wildlife habitat is welcoming to all types of wildlife, not just bees, bunnies, and other cute, furry little creatures. Your garden will be home to an assortment of creatures such as butterflies, birds, bees, squirrels, chipmunks, turtles, frogs, toads, salamanders, groundhogs, deer, snakes, and all manner of insects. If you’re feeling a little hesitant about wildlife gardening year-round, remember that a diverse ecosystem is better, not only for wildlife, but for the environment....

Regional To-Do List: West North-Central Gardening Here are a few December gardening tasks for the northern Rockies. Give your houseplants a little extra love during December in the northern Rockies. Water them with tepid to avoid shocking the roots but be careful not to overwater. Most indoor plants are dormant during winter and may rot in wet soil. Move plants away from drafty doors and windows. Tap branches gently with a long-handled tool to remove heavy snow from evergreen shrubs and trees....

Winterizing Cyperus Papyrus Also known as bulrush, papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) is a dramatic aquatic plant that grows in dense clumps along ponds, swamps, shallow lakes, or slow-moving streams. In its native habitat, papyrus can reach heights of 16 feet (5 m.), but ornamental plants tend to top out at about one-third that height. Cyperus papyrus growing in warmer climates requires little winter care, although plants in zone 9 may die back to the ground and rebound in spring....

Why are My Fuchsia Leaves Turning Yellow? The most common cause of yellowing fuchsia leaves is inadequate watering. This can be due both to over- and under-watering. If leaves don’t get enough water, they can’t perform photosynthesis and they lose their healthy green color. If they get too much water, however, their roots get clogged and can’t supply the leaves with enough oxygen, resulting in yellowing fuchsia leaves. How do you know if you’re watering too much or too little?...

To help our visitors who are looking to start a vegetable garden, Gardening Know How has put together this guide of our best vegetable gardening articles that will help you start your own vegetable garden. Whether you have lots of space or only room for a container or two, whether you’re out in the country or nestled in a city, it doesn’t matter. Anyone can grow a vegetable garden and nothing quite beats harvesting your own produce!...

Flowering Vines in Cold Climates Gardeners tend to want variety in the landscape and it is tempting to purchase non-native flowering vines in summer. But be wary, these plants are usually reduced to annual status in colder climes where winter’s harshness will kill the root zone and plant. Growing hardy flowering vines that are native can reduce this waste and encourage wildlife in the landscape. Bougainvillea, jasmine, and passion flower vines are spectacular landscape additions, but only if you live in the correct zone....

Growing a Winter Vegetable Garden in Zone 9 Before choosing your zone 9 winter vegetables, you need to select a garden site and prepare it. Choose a site that has at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day with well-draining soil. If you are using an existing garden, remove all old plant detritus and weeds. If you are using a new garden site, remove all grass and till the area down to a depth of 10 to 12 inches (25-31 cm....

Pet owners and gardeners searching for the magic potion and “fix-it-all” for this problem often wonder how to keep a dog out of a garden bed. Their goal is to find a solution that will protect the tender shoots of their rhubarb, their sweet & juicy strawberries, and their fragile and rare plants they acquired by trading seeds with a fellow gardener living in New Zealand. As a vet and a lover of all living creatures, my first priority is the welfare of your dog; therefore, their safety becomes primary in making any recommendation for protecting your edible gardens from your dog....

Pruning Rhododendron Guide Although there is often little need for pruning rhododendrons, especially in naturalized settings, these shrubs respond well to the occasional trimming. In fact, excessive growth may require a heavy pruning. Trimming rhododendrons is typically done for maintenance, shaping, and rejuvenation– as is the case for overgrown plants. The most common type of pruning is maintenance pruning, which simply involves the removal of spent flowers and old, dead wood....

Nature Decor Ideas So how to bring nature indoors, you ask? One of the most common methods for bringing nature indoors is through the use of houseplants. Whether they take the form of lush foliage plantings, colorful flower arrangements, or even beautiful hanging baskets, houseplants in the home always bring you closer to the outdoors. With some imaginative planning, you can also turn nearly any window of your home into a lush green garden, be it with herbs, flowers, and foliage plants, or even cuttings....