Since the chocolate vine growth rate is so fast, it makes an excellent cover for arbors, trellises, pergolas, or fences. Growing chocolate vine produces edible seedpods that taste similar to tapioca pudding. If you wish to have fruit, you must plant more than one five leaf akebia vine. How to Grow Akebia Quinata Chocolate vine prefers a partially shaded spot in the garden. Although the plant will grow in full sun, it does best with protection from the afternoon heat....

Flushing During Flowering Flushing during flowering refers to a point in the flowering plant cycle where a plant is in full bloom. A plant’s flowering will typically have a predictable pattern. Many types of flowering plants will have all of their blossoms open at the same time and afterward will have one or only a few blossoms open sporadically throughout the season. The period when all of the blossoms are open is called a flowering flush....

Foliar Nematodes on Chrysanthemum What are foliar nematodes? They are tiny, unsegmented roundworms that swim in a film of water, according to pest information. Lesions appear and bottom leaves turn yellow and brownish, dropping when infected. Chrysanthemum foliar nematodes move up the stem, to higher leaves and the process continues. If you see this issue occurring on your mums, remove bottom leaves that are dying and avoid overhead watering. Treat healthy leaves that remain with a spray of insecticidal soap to decrease the nematode population....

Alcohol and Bulbs Homo sapiens aren’t the only life form that enjoys a tipple or two. Strangely, bulbs appear to produce shorter but sturdier stems when given a nip of vodka or even rum or gin. Keeping those leggy paperwhite bulbs upright might be as simple as getting out the shot glass. The science behind the trick is actually so basic even a garden writer can explain the benefits. Keeping amaryllis from flopping over may be accomplished with a slender stake or skewer but there is real evidence that forcing bulbs in alcohol can achieve the same effect....

What are Forest Pansy Trees? These are lovely small trees that work well in gardens and backyards. Forest Pansy redbuds offer lovely, shiny, heart-shaped leaves that grow in purple red. As they mature, they deepen to maroon. The chief attraction of the trees, however, are the brightly colored flower blossoms that fill their canopies in early spring. These rose purple, pea-like flowers are especially noticeable because they appear before the leaves emerge, not like that of other redbuds....

Wait! Back up! What is a forsythe pot? I’d never heard of one, never mind how to use a forsythe pot. I needn’t have worried. Forsythe pot basics are pretty straightforward and learning how to make a forsythe pot is easy. The results are rewarding and it makes a great project for kids. What is a Forsythe Pot? So, what is a forsythe pot? For me, an abysmal failure at rooting anything, these pots are a miracle....

Choosing Scented Flowers for Shady Spots Planting highly scented flowers can add a uniquely pleasant and unexpected detail to garden beds. Choosing plants that adapt to a wide range of growing conditions will help ensure that they thrive for several seasons. When choosing plants for the garden, the options are truly limitless. The same can also be said for fragrant flowers. While full sun locations are ideal for many annuals and perennials, growers with more challenging growing conditions, like shade, are often left in need of more information regarding shade tolerant fragrant flowers....

Cactus Frailea Information Rounded, flattish mounds of solitary to occasionally divided chocolate, purple-brown, or greenish brown Frailea make interesting contrasts to other succulents. This genus is named for Manuel Fraile, who once was in charge of the cactus collection of the United States Department of Agriculture. Growing cactus Frailea is not difficult, and these little plants are super starter plants for the novice gardener or just for someone who travels consistently but wants to come home to a living thing....

Tornado Proof Gardening You may be wondering how to protect your garden from a tornado or if it’s even possible. When homeowners decide to plant trees or a garden, they often choose plants based on fall color, flowering, fragrance, etc. By also considering a tree’s strength against raging wind, such as during a tornado, the homeowner can minimize storm damage. Here’s how: Research trees in your climate zone that are wind resistant....

People who attempt to grow plants in Las Vegas are confronted with oven-like temperatures, drying winds, minimal rainfall, and often poor soil. The rewards are mild winters, the desert vista, and the beautiful, endless sky. Read on to see what Las Vegas growing is like. About Las Vegas Garden Design Las Vegas garden designs are adaptable to the arid climate, often relying on indigenous plants or succulents. They are also shown to best benefit from carefully placed gravel, rocks, or natural stones....

Gardening in Stone Walls Living stone walls are commonly seen throughout Europe. In England, stone walls are considered the bones of the garden and are built with planting nooks for herbs or other plants. Planting flowers in a wall is an easy way to bring life to cold, dead stone and many plants will thrive in the unique microclimates of the wall’s crevices. Plants growing in these planting nooks will appreciate the moisture and cool soil that stones can provide in the summer months....

Gardening in Summer 2020 Unless you’re still sitting in front of reruns, it will come as no surprise that gardening in summer 2020 is a hot topic. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the virus, many people fear going to the supermarket or are concerned about food supplies which lead them to the logical path of growing their own fruits and veggies. Whether you are concerned about either of the above, spending this summer in the garden is the perfect recipe for shaking off the blues and boredom of isolation and social distancing....

Choosing a Garden Theme for Kids Kids not only enjoy plants with various shapes and colors but aromatic plants are pleasing to them as well. They also love touching soft, fuzzy plants and eating sweet, juicy fruits. However, always make sure your kids are aware of the dangers associated with poisonous plants and avoid them whenever possible. Adding features that create various sounds, such as water fountains and wind chimes, will also spark interest....

More senior home garden activities are being offered to elderly residents of retirement homes and nursing homes, and even to patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Read on to learn more about gardening activities for the elderly. Gardening Activities for the Elderly Gardening is recognized as an excellent way for older people to exercise. A large percentage of those over the age of 55 actually do some gardening. The lifting and bending can be difficult for older bodies....

Ginkgo Seed Propagation Ginkgo trees have elegant, unique leaves and are the source of important eastern medicine. Can you grow ginkgo trees from seed? You can, but you need to provide certain conditions to ensure germination. First, you need to source a female plant and gather some fruit. To increase the chances of success, acquire several. They look a bit like a small yellowish plum and, when ripe, will litter the ground around a mature female tree in October to November....

Where to Put a Berm in the Landscape Berms are mounds created by gardeners in a landscape. Sometimes called “earthworks,” they can serve practical or aesthetic ends. The best berm placement often depends on the purpose you want the particular berm to serve. For example, a berm that is intended to block the view of a compost pile must be located near that area. It’s also important to make sure you have enough room to construct a berm....

Desert Rose Seed Propagation The real trick to desert rose plant seed starting is to make sure that you start out with fresh seeds. Fresh desert rose plant seed will have a higher germination rate as well as a faster germination rate. Purchase your seeds from a reputable dealer or find an owner of a few adult plants (they need two plants to produce seeds) that can give your seeds straight from the plants themselves....

What is Anise Plant? Anise flowers are born in umbels like Queen Anne’s Lace. The seeds are the useful part of the plant and resemble caraway or carrot seeds. It’s easy to grow anise and the feathery leaves are borne on slightly purple stems. The plant, which grows just under 2 feet (60 cm.) tall, requires a warm growing season of at least 120 days. Anise is widely cultivated in many European and Asian countries but has not been an important crop in the United States....

Learn About the Caraway Plant The caraway plant (Carum carvi) is an herbaceous biennial that will mature to 30 inches (75 cm.) tall. The plant is only about 8 inches (20 cm.) tall in the first season with carrot-like foliage and a long taproot. By the second year, the plant will triple in size and the foliage becomes more feathery with stout stems. Tiny white flowers appear on the umbels, which begin in May and last until the end of summer....

What are Early Robin Cherries? Discovered by a Washington orchardist in 1990, Early Robin is a large yellow cherry with a reddish blush. This heart-shaped cherry has a sweet flavor that makes it an ideal choice for fancy desserts, or for snacking by the handful. Early Robin cherries are marketed as a type of Rainier cherry. They are sometimes known as Early Robin Rainier. When do Early Robin cherries ripen? Rainier cherries ripen in late spring through early summer....