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What is Echeveria ‘Chroma’? Chroma echeveria plants are hybrid succulents created in California. They are comprised of a small rosette of up to 3 inches (8 cm.) across, which makes them the perfect size for a take-away gift. Their diminutive size isn’t their only selling point; they also have lovely shiny, deep rose to maroon foliage that can complement the bridal party’s colors. Echeveria ‘Chroma’ Info From the Crassulaceae family, Chroma succulents are only cold hardy to 20 to 30 degrees F....

Unusual Edibles for Your Backyard Landscape Not all edible plants are easily recognized as vegetables; a good thing if you’d prefer to not have your neighbors come over and sample your produce! Some of the best and easiest to grow include the following unusual fruits and vegetables: Unusual Vegetables for the garden Tomatillo Arugula Malabar spinach Horseradish Garden soybean Shallot Romanesco broccoli Chayote Yacon Unusual Fruits for Gardens Currant Jackfruit Gooseberry Huckleberry Pawpaw Kiwi Persimmon...

Elderberry Types Recently, newer varieties of elderberries have been introduced into the market. These new elderberry bush varieties have been bred for their ornamental characteristics. So now you not only get the lovely 8 to 10 inch (20-25 cm.) blossoms and prolific dark purple fruit but, in some varieties of elderberry, colorful foliage as well. The two most common types of elderberry plants are the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)....

If you, like me, are one of the 40 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, then it’s helpful to know what the triggers for your allergies are so you have something to blame for the miserable sneezing and coughing fits that follow, and hopefully avoid. So, what are some plants that cause fall allergies? Read on to learn more about allergies in autumn. Ah-Ah-Ahchoo! About Pollen in the Fall Pollen, the common trigger of our seasonal allergies, originates from different sources depending on the time of year....

Growing Fatsia as a Houseplant In nature, these plants grow in shaded to partially shaded areas. It is important that you don’t give your fatsia too much direct sun. In most locations indoors, an eastern exposure window would work very well for these plants. This is not a plant to place in the sunniest window that you have; otherwise, the foliage will burn. This is one plant that isn’t too picky about the type of soil that it grows in....

They can also frequently be found in backyards and home landscapes. But these homeowners and gardeners may find themselves wondering: how much fertilizer does a pindo palm need? Keep reading to learn more about pindo palm fertilizer needs and how to feed a pindo palm tree. How Much Fertilizer Does a Pindo Palm Need? As a rule, palm trees do best with regular applications of fertilizer, and pindo palm fertilizer needs are no different....

When to Fertilize Pears Fertilize pears prior to bud break if possible. If you have missed your window of opportunity, you can still fertilize until June. Don’t apply pear tree fertilizer in the late summer or fall. If you do, the tree will likely produce a whole bunch of new growth which will then be at risk of damage due to frost. Fertilizing a pear tree will result in increased vigor, higher yields, and an increased resistance to pest and diseases....

Keep reading and we will answer your questions about fertilizing tomatoes. What is the Best Tomato Fertilizer? Which tomato fertilizer you use will depend on the current nutrient content of your soil. Before you start fertilizing tomatoes, it is best to have your soil tested. If your soil is correctly balanced or high in nitrogen, you should use a fertilizer that is slightly lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus, such as a 5-10-5 or a 5-10-10 mixed fertilizer....

What is a Kenya Hyacinth Snake Plant? This handful of a name refers to Sansevieria parva, most commonly known as Kenya hyacinth snake plant. This is a succulent that is hardy in the U.S. in zones 10 and 11, but for everyone else, it makes a great houseplant. Native to East Africa, flowering Sansevieria plants have narrow, spike-shaped leaves that grow between eight and sixteen inches (20.5 to 41 cm.) long....

Fast Flowers for Gardens Flowers that bloom quickly are the fastest way to put a smile on a gardener’s face. If you have a new garden bed, waiting for everything to arise in spring can be a clock watching game. Instead, plant quick growing flowers that give you beauty and fragrance with little waiting. Flowers that grow fast bring their color and form to decorate any part of the garden. The fastest flowers come from seed and are easy to plant and grow....

What is a Trifoliate Orange? Flying dragon orange trees are cultivars of the trifoliate orange family, also known as Japanese bitter orange or hardy orange. That doesn’t really answer the question, “What is a trifoliate orange?” Trifoliate is in reference to what it sounds like– having three leaves. So, a trifoliate orange is simply a variety of orange tree with foliage emerging in groups of three. This hardy specimen of trifoliate orange, Flying Dragon (Poncirus trifoliata), has an unusual, contorted stem habit covered with thorns....

Common Forget-Me-Not Problems A robust stand of forget-me-nots is a truly remarkable sight, but that picture perfect image doesn’t simply happen by accident. Awe-inspiring forget-me-nots are the product of a grower who is intimately familiar with the common problems with forget-me-nots, from fungal disease to pest insects. Although forget-me-nots are generally pretty tough once established in the landscape, that doesn’t mean that they’ll never have a problem. Luckily, most pests and diseases of forget-me-nots are pretty simple to control....

Creating a Fragrant Garden Plan Keep in mind when creating a fragrant garden plan that different scents appeal to different people. Fragrant garden plants and flowers work well in nearly any type of garden, and when mood-altering plants are chosen carefully, any garden can be a fragrant mood garden. The first step in designing a fragrant flower garden is choosing the best site. Generally, creating a private, enclosed place where the fragrance of your plants can be better appreciated is preferable....

What is Alcoholic Flux? Alcoholic flux is a stress-related disease that affects sweet gum, oak, elm, and willow trees. It usually occurs after a period of very hot, dry weather. The disease is caused by a microorganism that ferments the sap that seeps or bleeds from cracks and wounds in the bark. The result is a white, frothy ooze that has a sweet, fermenting odor similar to beer. Alcoholic flux is sometimes called frothy flux or foamy canker because of the white ooze that looks and feels like melted marshmallows....

What is Pythium Rot in Barrel Cactus? Pythium is an internal soft rot that affects cacti and many other types of plants. In barrel cactus, it occurs when conditions are moist, when the plant is too deep in the soil, and when the cactus sustains an injury. For this reason, clean sterile soil and proper planting methods must be observed to prevent the pathogen from invading your cactus. Once the plant has the disease, there is no effective pythium root rot treatment....

The fungus produces Fusarium wilt disease, which is also called “yellows.” This self-explanatory name indicates the major symptom of the disease. In crop and greenhouse settings, controlling Fusarium wilt is of primary importance, as it has the capacity to run rampant among closely grown plants. About Fusarium Fungus The fungus attacks plants in the nightshade family such as tomatoes and peppers. It is also found in greenhouse flowers and some trees....

What Does Garden Cress Look Like? Garden cress vegetables are interesting perennial mounding plants that came to the United States from China. Known also as Marathi or halim, garden cress is fast-growing and used as a leafy vegetable in salads or as a garnish. The plant can grow to 2 feet (0.5 m.) in height and produces white or light pink flowers and tiny seedpods. The bottom of the stem has long leaves and feather-like leaves are on opposite sides of the upper stalk....

Not sure how to get started? Read on for tips on gardening together. Gardening As A Couple: Plan Ahead Gardening requires careful planning, and gardening together adds a whole new dimension of things to think about. Don’t jump into couples gardening without talking it over first. It’s great if you discover you have a shared vision, but often, each person has their own ideas about purpose, style, colors, size, or complexity....

Gaura growing info says the wildflower was left in its natural, wild form until the 1980’s when breeders developed the cultivar ‘Siskiyou Pink.’ Several hybrids have since been developed to keep the cultivar under control and make it suitable for the flower bed. Gaura Perennial Care A tap rooted perennial, growing gaura plants do not like to be moved from place to place, so plant them where you want them to remain for several years....

How to Grow Geraniums Depending on where or how you grow geranium plants, their needs will be somewhat different. Indoors, geraniums need lots of light for blooming but will tolerate moderate light conditions. They also need indoor temps of around 65-70 degrees F. (18-21 C.) during the day and 55 degrees F. (13 C.) at night. These plants need to be grown in well-draining potting soil as well. When growing geraniums outdoors, they require moist, well-draining soil similar to that of indoor potting soil with equal amounts of soil, peat, and perlite....