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Learning to force flower bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, and amaryllis can be an enjoyable undertaking while the day length is short. But one lesser-known plant, called the Lachenalia, is another winter blooming flower that may be an ideal addition to your indoor collection. What is Lachenalia? Lachenalia plants, also known as cape cowslip, are native to South Africa. Species of Lachenalia thrive in Mediterranean climates which do not receive frost....

Late Spring To-Do List After the initial excitement of finally getting outdoors has passed, growers often find themselves overwhelmed by garden maintenance tasks. However, the late spring to-do list can feel much more manageable when broken into smaller sections. The completion of late spring garden chores is an excellent time to make certain that the garden will be laid out as planned. The removal of weeds and old growth will make way for newly sown seeds and transplants....

Lavatera Plant Info Lavatera rose mallow (Lavatera trimestris) is an impressive, shrubby plant with rich, green foliage and 4-inch (10.2 cm.) blooms that appear from midsummer until the first frost. The satiny, hibiscus-like blooms range in color from pale pink to deep rose. This rose mallow is a Mediterranean native. However, it has naturalized and grows wild across much of the United States. The pest- and disease-resistant plant is a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies and various beneficial insects....

Leaf Drop on Boston Fern Even though it looks awful when leaflets fall from Boston fern plants, this symptom isn’t generally indicative of a serious problem. More often, the cause of Boston fern losing leaves is something in the care the plant’s receiving, and that can be changed overnight. Most often when leaves or leaflets yellow, dry up, and drop, it’s due to one of these common problems: Age of leaves – Older leaves will eventually dry and die....

What is Date Palm Leaf Spot? Any time your date palm develops circular or elongated, brown to black, potentially oily or water-soaked appearing spots, it’s a clear sign to pay attention. These spots are a clear indication that a fungal pathogen is feeding on the dermal tissues of your date palm. Although leaf spot symptoms can look really scary and explode out of nowhere, these diseases tend to be of very little consequence in the long term....

Gardening Tips for Spider Plants and General Spider Plant Care Caring for spider plants is easy. These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent candidates for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Provide them with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and they will flourish. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out some between waterings....

Leggy Nasturtium Seedlings and Plants Nasturtium plants come in two main types: vines and bushes. The vines can grow quite long, either up on a trellis or other structure or along the ground. The bushes are shrubbier, but they, too, tend to throw out some runners. Neither type of nasturtium has the most orderly growth, nor do they lend themselves to strict pruning and shaping. Think of nasturtium as a cottage garden or herb garden plant....

Can You Divide Lenten Rose? Hellebores form dusky bronze to creamy white blooms. They are native to central and south Europe where they grow in poor soils in mountain regions. These plants are very tough and need little care. They are hardy to zone 4, and deer and rabbits ignore them in favor of tastier treats. The plants can be a bit on the costly side, so knowing how to propagate hellebores can increase your stock without breaking the bank....

About the Lungwort Flower Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) gets its name from the fact that herbalists from long ago thought the leaves of the plant looked like a lung and therefore would treat lung disorders. The less-than-attractive name has stuck, but they also are referred to as Bethlehem sage, Jerusalem cowslip, spotted dog, and soldiers and sailors. Lungwort plants are most often grown for their interesting leaves, which are green with random white spots, looking as though someone liberally splashed bleach on them....

Though beautiful, live plants and fresh cut flowers can be expensive, and may not last as long as desired. Why not create Christmas paper flowers instead? Learning how to make Christmas flowers can be fun and still enhance the atmosphere of any celebration. How to Make Christmas Flowers The creation of flowers, such as poinsettias, out of paper is an interesting way to curate spaces during the holidays. In addition to serving an accent to home décor, flowers like DIY paper poinsettias are an excellent way to involve the entire family....

Growing Greek herbs were used fresh or dried in powders, poultices, ointments and tinctures to treat a variety of physical ailments. Medical issues such as colds, swelling, burns and headaches were all treated using Mediterranean herb plants. Herbs were often incorporated in incense and were the main component of aromatherapy oils. Many culinary recipes included the use of herbs and gave rise to the common practice of ancient Greek herb gardening....

Messina Peach Information Messina peaches were introduced by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University. Messina peach trees have earned good reviews for a vigorous growth habit and low susceptibility to bacterial leaf spot. Look for Messina peaches to ripen between mid July and mid August, depending on climate. Messina Peach Care Messina trees are self-pollinating. However, a pollinator in close proximity may result in a larger crop. Choose a variety that, like Messina peach, blooms relatively early....

What is Mexican Zinnia? What is Mexican zinnia? It’s an annual with daisy-like flowers in vivid orange, yellow, pink, or white. Mexican zinnia flowers bloom prolifically all season long in sunny locations. Mexican zinnia flowers are ideal for sunny locations in warm climates. These spreading zinnia plants make great groundcover in summers, but they are also bright and lovely in beds or pots. If you are wondering how to grow Mexican zinnias, the fact is, you can hardly go wrong....

Let’s learn about this Super Generation of monarch butterflies, who will live much longer and travel much farther than their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Over the course of the summer, several generations of monarch butterflies are born, gradually migrating north along the way. Come fall, however, the newest generation embarks on an incredible journey south, covering all the distance their ancestors have traveled — some 3,000 miles all the way to Mexico....

Centipedes and Millipedes Millipedes are normally dark in color with two pairs of legs for each segment of the body while centipedes are flatter than millipedes and have a set of well-developed antennae on their head. Centipedes can also be a number of colors and have a single pair of legs for each body segment. Millipedes generally move much slower than centipedes and break down dead plant material in the garden....

Molokhia Cultivation What is Egyptian spinach? It’s a plant with a long history, and molokhia cultivation goes back to the times of the Pharaohs. Today, it’s still one of the most popular vegetables in Egyptian cooking. It’s very fast growing, usually ready to harvest about 60 days after planting. If it goes uncut, it can reach as tall as 6 feet (2 m.) in height. It likes hot weather and produces its leafy greens throughout the summer....

Help, Why Isn’t My Abelia Flowering? Before we delve into why an abelia won’t flower, a bit of background on this perennial favorite is in order. Abelias are grown for their prolific and generally reliable long bloom time. The masses of pretty pink flowers at the end of arching branches make for a dramatic effect in the garden. The plant is naturally roundish in shape and works beautifully in a butterfly garden where it attracts insects to its sweet-scented blooms....

About Leaf Spot on Japanese Maple The good news is that when Japanese maple leaves have spots it is most often not a reason to be concerned. Leaf spots are rarely so serious that some method of control needs to be deployed. Generally, your tree will be happy and healthy if you provide it with the right conditions. This is a tough tree that resists most diseases. One of the most important things that your Japanese maple needs is rich soil that drains well....

How to Prune an Orchid Different types of orchids require different pruning methods. Use the orchid pruning tips below to keep your orchids looking good and healthy. Phalaenopsis Orchid Make sure you have super sharp pruning shears to use on your orchid. The sharper the shears, the cleaner the cut will be. A clean cut makes for a healthier orchid. While the orchid is still blooming, cut back the flowers that are fading....

What is Kelp Meal? Kelp seaweed is a type of marine algae, brown in color, and has a huge growth size. A product of our nutrient-rich oceans, kelp is often mixed with fish products and used as a fertilizer to encourage healthier plant growth, promote greater fruit and vegetable yields, and to overall enhance the general appearance of a garden or plant specimen. Organic kelp fertilizer is valued for its micro-nutrients as well as its macro-nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium....