Japanese persimmon tree also goes by the name kaki tree (Diospyros kaki), oriental persimmon, or Fuyu persimmon. Kaki tree cultivation is known for its slow growing, small tree size and production of sweet, juicy non-astringent fruit. The growing of kaki Japanese persimmons was introduced into Australia around 1885 and brought to the USA in 1856. Today, kaki tree cultivation occurs throughout southern and central California and specimens are commonly found in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Southeast Virginia and northern Florida....

What is Katniss? Katniss plant (Sagittaria sagittifolia) actually goes by many names such as arrowhead, duck potato, swan potato, tule potato, and wapato. The botanical name is Sagittaria. Most katniss species have arrow-shaped leaves but in a few species the leaf is long and ribbon like. Katniss has white three-petaled flowers that will grow on a long, upright stalk. There are about 30 species of katniss. Several species are considered invasive in some areas so when planting katniss in your garden, make sure that you double check that the variety you have selected is not invasive....

Planting a Calla Lily in a Pot The calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) is not a true member of the lily or Lilium family. They are rhizomatous summer-blooming plants, which are commonly grown like other summer-blooming bulbs, such as canna or dahlia. Calla lily rhizomes, which look somewhat like small potatoes, are planted in spring after the danger of frost has passed. By growing calla lily in a pot, in some locations, they can be started indoors earlier than they could be started outdoors....

Kiwi for Cold Climates While the larger, oval, fuzzy kiwi fruit we find in grocery stores is generally hardy to zones 7 and higher, northern gardeners can grow smaller hardy zone 4 kiwi fruit. Often called kiwi berries because of the smaller fruits which grow in clusters on the vine, hardy kiwi offers the same flavor as its larger, fuzzier, and less hardy cousin, Actinidia chinensis. It is also packed with more vitamin C than most citrus fruits....

Tall Plants You Can Grow Indoors Fiddle Leaf fig – Fiddle leaf fig, Ficus lyrata, has been all the rage with its large, glossy foliage and dramatic presence. It is not forgiving to neglect or poor care, however. Be sure to give this plant plenty of bright light and proper watering for greatest success. Wipe the leaves down periodically to keep the leaves dust-free and clean. Weeping fig – The weeping fig, Ficus benjamina, is another plant in the fig family, but this one has gracefully weeping branching and smaller leaves....

Why Choose Grass Alternatives? Shade isn’t the only reason to choose lawn alternatives, although it’s a big one. When you try to grow grass in a shady area, you’re likely to end up with more dirt patches, moss, and weeds than grass. A shade garden just looks nicer. There are other good reasons to ditch the grass and choose a back yard or front yard shade garden: You won’t spend as much time—or any at all if you replace the grass entirely—on mowing the lawn....

What is an Heirloom Tomato? The strict definition of an heirloom tomato (or heritage tomato in the UK) is a tomato variety that has been open pollinated propagated for more than 50 years, but most people today consider any open pollinated (non-hybrid) tomato as an heirloom tomato. Heirloom tomatoes can be almost any color imaginable (including white and black), and many varieties have wild shapes, color combinations, and markings. You can get heirloom tomato varieties that are hollow inside, shaped like sausages, as small as your pinky nail, and even multi-lobed so they can be torn apart....

Environmental Causes of Lemon Leaf Problems Cold damage and improper watering, namely watering too much, are common environmental conditions that may lead to leaf drop on lemon plants. Cold damage – Citrus trees in general do not like cold or freezing temperatures. Hardier varieties are available, but cold damage, such as lemon tree winter leaf drop, is likely when temps drop to 28 degrees F. (-2 C.) for four hours or longer....

Lemongrass Tea Benefits The most common part of lemongrass used is the base of the stem, or white part. This can be chopped up and added to dressing, stir fries, soups, or stews. It also makes a great marinade for chicken and fish. You can use the green part in tea. It is great mixed with black or green tea or as its own tea. Don’t’ know how to make lemongrass tea?...

While you are looking at your options, consider Magenta lettuce plants. It’s a crisp variety with pretty, blushing leaves. For information about the lettuce ‘Magenta’ plant, read on. We’ll provide tips on planting Magenta lettuce seeds as well as Magenta lettuce care. What is a Lettuce ‘Magenta’ Plant? Some lettuce varieties are delicious, others are just plain lovely. Magenta lettuce offers both. It offers that crisp, crunchy texture you look for in a summer lettuce, but also attractive, bronze leaves loosely surrounding a bright green heart....

About Liberty Apple Trees A semi-dwarf hybrid, Liberty apple trees produce substantial crops in the home orchard or landscape. Resistant to apple scab and other diseases, Liberty apple growing provides big, red fruits that generally are ready for harvest in September. Many grow it as a replacement for the McIntosh apple tree. Caring for a Liberty Apple Tree Learning how to grow Liberty apples is not difficult. Once you plant your apple tree, keep it watered in well until it develops a good root system....

About Making Olive Oil at Home Commercially produced olive oil requires large, customized equipment but with a few investments, making olive oil at home is possible. There are a couple of ways of going about making oil from olives at home, but the basics of extracting olive oil remain the same. First you need to obtain fresh olives whether this is from your own olive trees or from purchased olives. Just be sure not to use canned olives....

How to Design a Mexican Herb Theme Garden The ideal shape for this garden is a square or rectangle, which will allow you to easily move through the garden while harvesting. The size of your garden can vary, but an 8 x 12 foot space is a nice size. Numero uno when designing a Mexican herb garden is to get it ready. The planning process begins in winter and spring with late summer into early fall being the best time to prepare the area for spring planting....

Mirrors for Garden Use Gazing balls and ponds are reflective surfaces commonly found in the home landscape. They impart a contemplative area on which the eye can rest and take in the garden’s beauty. The use of mirrors in garden design provides pretty much the same experience with the additional benefits of reflecting light to brighten darker areas of the landscape. You can use any form, from large ornately framed mirrors to small pieces mounted on a fence or a wall....

Mondo Grass Information Mondo grass can tolerate almost anything, including deer, but fails without adequate moisture. What is mondo grass? It is not a true grass, but it does have strappy leaves and a clumping habit. In summer it brightens up the area with lavender or white flowers that develop into glossy black fruit. Growing mondo grass is easy, as the plant withstands neglect in regions where plentiful moisture is naturally available....

When Do Chrysanthemums Bloom? One of the easiest, low maintenance plants is the hardy chrysanthemum. Mums are common nursery and gift plants and produce prodigious amounts of flowers in the later season when few plants are blooming. This attractive trait, along with the myriad of colors and forms of chrysanthemum flowers, enhances the popularity of this readily available plant. In most regions, mums will survive outside as perennials and bloom annually....

New England Aster Flowers A wildflower member of the Asteraceae family and native to the eastern and central United States, New England aster flowers are generally found in meadows and other moist, well draining soils. The New England aster plant has medium green to gray-green foliage with an odor somewhat reminiscent of turpentine when crushed. Don’t let the unpleasant aroma put you off, however. This plant provides stunning rose to lilac or deep purple blooms in mass plantings within native species gardens, low-lying areas, along roadsides, and around tree lines....

Regional To-Do List: Southwest Gardening in October Planting new perennials in October will give the roots time to establish before the cooler days of winter. Fall is also a perfect time to divide existing perennials that are overcrowded or unproductive. Toss out old, dead centers. Replant the divisions or give them away. Harvest winter squash, leaving 1 to 3 inches (2.5-8 cm.) of stem intact. Put the squash in a sunny spot for about ten days before moving them to a cool, dry spot for storage, but be sure to bring them in if nights are frosty....

Leaf Curl on Oleander When it comes to troubleshooting reasons for leaf curl on oleander, it’s important to start with the basics. For example, improper watering may be the culprit. During warm weather, oleander should be watered any time rainfall is less than an inch (2.5 cm.) per week. As a general rule of thumb, the shrub benefits from a deep watering once every three or four days. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which encourages weak, shallow roots....

Using Organic Fertilizer Fertilizer supplies for an organic garden begins with compost. Adding compost to any soil type increases the nutrient value and supports healthier plants. Most organic gardeners make their own compost using kitchen and yard waste, but it can be purchased at any good garden center. Ground cover crops can also be planted during the fallow season to be tilled into the soil in spring and can add many nutrients back into the garden plot....