About Aleppo Pine Trees These tall pine trees grow naturally from Spain to Jordan and take their common name from a historic city in Syria. They only thrive in the United States in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. If you see Aleppo pines in the landscape, you’ll notice that the trees are large, rugged, and upright with an irregular branching structure. They can grow to 80 feet (24 m....

Steps to Improve Clay Heavy Soil A great many gardeners are cursed with clay soil, but if your garden has clay soil, this is no reason to give up on gardening or suffer with plants that never reach their full potential. All you need to do is follow a few steps and precautions, and your clay soil will be the dark and crumbly soil of your dreams. Avoid Compaction The first precaution you will need to take is to baby your clay soil....

These plants can’t overwinter in cold climates but in warm to temperate regions they will thrive and come back the following year with even more elegant lily flowers. Keep reading for some tips on the care of outdoor Easter lilies. Are Easter Lilies Outdoor Plants? Growing Easter lilies in the garden allows you to preserve the plant and its bulbs. The plant will gather more solar energy outdoors to fuel a future bloom and you can enjoy the attractive foliage....

Nuts or Seeds? In order to demystify the difference between nuts and seeds, we need a working definition. Here’s why it gets confusing. A nut is a one-celled, one-seeded dry fruit with a hard shell (pericarp). So we just mentioned it has a seed, so why isn’t it a seed? Well, for one thing, nuts tend to cling to their shells and only a nutcracker or mechanical equipment shall separate the two....

Symptoms of Asparagus Fusarium Crown Rot Referred to generally as Fusarium disease, asparagus crown rot, seedling blight, decline disease, or replant problems, crown rot of asparagus results in a decline in productivity and growth, signaled by yellowing, wilting, crown dry rot and eventual death. This soil borne fungus causes infected areas of the crown to turn brown, followed by rotting asparagus plants that rapidly die off. The stems and cortex are dotted with reddish brown lesions and when cut open, reveal vascular discoloration....

Fall Blooming Perennials When it comes to fall blooming perennials, you have an abundance of choices for every spot in your autumn garden. Russian sage – A tough plant, Russian sage is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, and produces masses of spiky bluish purple blooms with silvery foliage. Watch for hordes of butterflies and hummingbirds! Helenium – If you’re looking for a tall plant for the back of borders or flower beds, helenium reaches heights of up to 5 feet (1....

What is Cane Blight? Cane blight is a disease that affects brambles. It is usually caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria coniothyrium, a fungus that can also attack roses and rot the fruit of apple and pear trees. The fungus can live all winter long on dead canes. Spores formed on these canes cause infection when rain, wind or insects carries them into damaged areas or wounds on the canes. A bacterial form of cane blight also exists....

About Michelia Banana Shrubs Michelia banana shrubs are members of the Magnolia family, which is evident in the shape and form of their large blooms. The tree has glossy evergreen leaves and an attractive, rounded habit. The 3 inch (8 cm.) long leaves are slightly fuzzy, and buds and new leaves are covered in rusty toned fuzz. These aren’t its most spectacular attributes though. Wait until late spring when the one inch (2....

What’s Eating My Basil Leaves? Generally speaking, basil plant leaves are not susceptible to many issues as long as you rotate plantings and maintain hygiene surrounding the plant. That said, you may on occasion notice that something is taking a nibble or two from your soon-to-be pesto. What basil pests are capable of this relentless infraction? Let’s learn more about the pests associated with most basil leaf damage. Holes in Basil Leaves and Basil Pests When gaps or holes in basil leaves have been discovered, the time for action is now!...

Trees are typically sold in containers, burlap sacks, or as bare roots. This is an important consideration when planting them. Trees in containers should be carefully removed and inspected prior to planting. Check to ensure the roots are not rootbound and gently spread the roots apart. Burlap-wrapped trees should be carefully unwrapped, removing the burlap completely and gently separating the roots prior to planting. Bare root trees have no soil surrounding the roots as those in containers or burlap....

What is a Bible Garden? The birth of human beings is comingled with our connection to nature and our desire to bend nature to our will and use her bounties to benefit ourselves. This desire, combined with a passion for history and/or theological connection, may intrigue the gardener, leading him or her to wonder what is a bible garden and how do you go about creating a biblical garden? All gardeners know about the spiritual communion a garden provides....

Symptoms of Cole Crop Black Rot The bacterium that causes black rot on cole crops can stay in the soil for over a year where is survives on debris and weeds of the Brassicaceae family. Cauliflower, cabbage, and kale are the most affected by the bacteria, but other Brassica such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also susceptible. Plants can become inflicted with cole vegetable black rot at any stage of their growth....

How to Propagate Bougainvillea Plants Bougainvillea plants are commonly propagated by cuttings but seed growing is possible too. Propagation of Bougainvillea Cuttings The easiest of bougainvillea propagation methods is to grow it from cuttings. It can be done at any time of the year. To take a cutting from your bougainvillea, look for softwood. This is a part of the plant that isn’t brand new, but isn’t established and overly woody, either....

Brugmansia Information Brugmansias are commonly called Angel Trumpets. Brugmansias are frequently confused with or thought to be the same as daturas, which are also commonly called Angel Trumpets. This is an incorrect assumption though. Brugmansia and daturas are not directly related to one another (they are listed in two separate genus). The brugmansia is a woody tree, while the datura is an herbaceous shrub. The two different angel trumpets can be distinguished by the direction of the flowers....

Feeding Angel’s Trumpet Brugmansia is also known as angel’s trumpet because of the large drooping blooms. The plant can grow to a massive shrub in good lighting and, with good care, up to 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) tall. The blooms release an intoxicating scent in the night air, adding to their angelic mien. Brugmansia is a voracious feeder and thrives when fed frequently. Plant food enhances most plant’s growth by providing extra macro-nutrients not found in soil– nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium— which are commonly found NPK ratios on fertilizer products....

When to Water Brugmansia The frequency of brugmansia irrigation depends on a number of factors, including temperature, sunlight, time of year, and whether the plant is in a pot or in the ground. The key is to get acquainted with your brugmansia and it will tell you when it’s thirsty. Basically, water the plant when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch and the leaves begin to look a little wilted....

Worm Composting Bins for Home and Garden Vermicomposting is the term for worm composting bins. There are many types of worm bins for purchase, but you can also make your own worm bins. You can take advantage of the natural earthworms in your soil by building earthworm boxes. These are similar to vermicomposting bins, but have no bottom so the earthworms can burrow up into the organic refuse. Old wooden boxes with holes drilled in the bottom would also work for building earthworm boxes....

What are White Bumps on Tomato Stems? If you are seeing white growths or bumps on the tomato plant stems, all you are probably seeing are roots. Really. Bumps start out as hundreds of tiny hairlets protruding up and down the length of the stalk. These hairlets can turn into roots if they are buried in the soil. Above ground, they become nodules. These nodules are called root initials, adventitious roots, or tomato stem primordial....

What is a Cactus Longhorn Beetle? Cactus devotees and managers of cactus gardens may shudder when they see the cactus longhorn beetle. Do cactus longhorn beetles hurt cacti? The adult is not the destroyer of the plants, but rather its progeny. The insect’s favorite plants are those that are not densely spined but also haunt Cholla and Prickly Pears. If you see holes in the plant filled with a black substance, you may well have longhorn larvae inside your cactus....

Calla Lily Feeding at Planting Feeding calla lily plants at planting and again each spring can help promote huge blooms with more flower production. Avoid high nitrogen feeds that will encourage foliar development but reduces flowers. These South African natives are heavy water users and require plenty of the right kind of nutrients for maximum flowering and healthy growth. Some tips on how to fertilize calla lily will ensure beautiful flowers and erect, vigorous plants....