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Delphinium Companion Plants Depending on variety, delphinium plants can grow 2 to 6 feet (61 cm. to 2 m.) tall and 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) wide. Oftentimes, tall delphiniums will need staking or some kind of support, as they can get beaten down by heavy rains or wind. They can sometimes become so laden with blooms that even the slightest breeze or little pollinator landing on them can seem to make them topple over....

Desert King Melon Information Desert King is a variety of watermelon, a member of the Citrullus family. Desert King (Citrullus lanatus) is an open-pollinated, heirloom melon with a light pea-green rind surrounding the gorgeous yellow to orange flesh. Desert King watermelons produce 20 pound (9 kg.) fruits that are resistant to sun scald. This cultivar is one of the most drought resistant varieties out there. They will also hold for a month or so on the vine after ripening and, once harvested, store very well....

Dill Plant Types So what are some different varieties of dill? There aren’t too many varieties of dill, but here are some notable types: Bouquet is probably the most popular variety, grown for its fragrant leaves and seeds that are used in both cooking and pickling. Long Island and Mammoth are also both very popular, largely because they grow so tall. Both can reach five feet (1.5 m) in height and are excellent for pickling....

Diseases on Elm Trees There are several elm tree leaf diseases that cause spotting, discoloration, and defoliation. By the time the leaves fall from the tree, the spots have often grown together, and other discolorations have developed, making it hard to differentiate between the diseases without a lab test. Most elm tree diseases that attack the leaves are caused by fungi, but elm leaf scorch, caused by a bacterium, is a little different....

Are Fireflies Beneficial? Adult fireflies are very common in gardens. In fact, even those living in larger cities have likely encountered this insect as the sun has started to set. Adult fireflies are those which are most easily identified. More specifically, male lightning bugs are typically the ones seen flying throughout the garden. As they glow, they actively seek female bugs. The female will then “answer” with her own signal. Though adults are most common, larval fireflies also exist in the garden....

Dollar Spot Fungus on Lawns The fungus gets its name from the brown spots it causes in the lawn. They begin about the size of a silver dollar, but you may not notice them until they grow and spread into large, irregularly shaped areas. The spots resemble those caused by drought, but more water only makes the problem worse. The organisms that cause dollar spot fungus on lawns (Lanzia and Moellerodiscus spp....

What are Dyckia Plants? Dyckia are bromeliads sharing that group’s characteristic rosette shape. They are not technically succulents, as they do not store water in their leaves, but they do have similar thick, waxy foliage. Dyckia are xeriscape plants and can withstand long periods without moisture. The leaves vary from long and strappy to short and scalloped. All foliage is fairly rigid and may be smooth or serrated and a solid color or variegated or spotted....

Growing Early Red Italian Garlic Native to southern Italy, heads are large and, as mentioned, the Early Red Italian garlic plant is one of the earliest types ready for a late spring harvest. While this garlic variety will grow in less than ideal conditions, bulbs and taste are improved by growing in a sunny spot in loose, composted soil. Plant garlic cloves with the roots downward and cover with a couple inches (5 cm....

Eastern Red Cedar Facts Eastern red cedars (Juniperus vinginiana) are also known as juniper, savin evergreen, cedar apple, and Virginia red cedar. The trees are shaped like a pyramid or column with grayish to reddish-brown bark. The foliage is blue-green to green and needlelike. Female and male cones are borne on separate trees. Female trees have little blue balls adorning the branches – the fruit. Inside the fruit there are 1-4 seeds that are spread by birds....

Growing Plant Seeds With Kids Fun plants for children are fruits and vegetables, flowers and any uniquely shaped plant. Consider the weather and the zone you are in to ensure you choose good plants to grow from seed. Children will continue their interest in gardening if the first time is a fantastic success. Easy seeds for children are larger for little fingers to handle and germinate fast so there is less waiting time....

What are Essential Oils? Essential oils are extracts that are distilled from the bark, flower, fruit, leaves, or root of a plant. Most true essential oils are steam distilled, though in a few cases a process called cold pressing is used to extract essential oil from plants. Plants naturally contain essential oils for many reasons such as: to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects as protection or deterrent from pests, including rabbit or deer as protection against fungal and bacterial diseases to compete with other plants by releasing alleopathic essential oils into the garden....

Evergreen Shrubs for Privacy Hedges If your home is your castle, you might wish for some kind of a moat to secure your privacy. A privacy hedge is a modern equivalent and, if you select evergreen shrubs for privacy hedges, they do so much more than limit access. A hedge is a row of shrubs planted in a tight line that protects your home from the indiscrete glances of passing strangers as well as curious neighbors....

Steps for Fall Garden Clean Up When preparing a garden for fall, start by removing any materials used for supporting your plants, like bean stakes, tomato cages, or trellises. Clean all of these items by wiping them down or spraying them with a two to one solution of water and bleach. This will kill any diseases that may be lingering on the supports. The next step in cleaning the garden is to remove spent plant material from the garden....

Field Pansy Information The leaves of common field pansy form a rosette. They are smooth and hairless, with small notches around the edges. The flowers are a lovely, pale yellow or a deep violet, each with five petals and five sepals. The little plant rarely grows above 6 inches (15 cm.) tall, but it can form thick mats of vegetation in fields of no-till crops. It germinates in winter or spring, springing out of the ground so fast it has been nick-named “Johnny jump up....

The best time to fill uneven lawn low spots is during vigorous growth, which usually depends on the type of grass grown but normally during spring and summer. Should You Level a Lawn Using Sand? Sand is oftentimes used to level lawns, but putting sand on lawns can cause problems. You should never use pure sand to level a lawn. Most lawns contain a lot of clay, which already makes growing grass difficult....

Hardy in USDA growing zones 4 to 8, Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’ makes a fine statement as a specimen planting as well as for screening, mass groupings, or a hedge. It is perfect for cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and near ponds and water gardens. Flame Maiden Grass Info: How to Grow Flame Grass This naturally small-sized flame grass ‘Purpurascens’ is a low maintenance, clumping grass. Flame-grass care couldn’t be easier. Plant flame maiden grass in full to part sun in well-drained clay, loam, or sandy soil....

Fun Cacti to Grow Indoors Cacti are very popular houseplants because you can neglect them for a period of time and they will remain quite alive, if not really flourishing. They belong to a group known as succulents, which have fleshy stems or stems and leaves adapted for coping with water shortage. You can ignore these plants for a little while and not really harm them. True cacti don’t normally have leaves, but swollen green stems instead....

What are Garden Globes? Garden globes are believed to bring prosperity, health, good fortune, and protection from evil spirits. According to historical information, placing a garden globe at the home’s entrance will prevent a witch from entering. After the King of Bavaria decorated the Herrenchiemsee Palace with garden globes or gazing balls, they quickly become a common sight in European gardens. Garden globes also have a practical use and, when properly placed, allow the homeowner to see who is visiting before opening the door....

What Upper Midwest Gardening Looks Like in June By June in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa, the final frost has passed, and summer is in full swing. Temperatures are rising, the garden is blooming and growing, and it’s not so late in the growing season yet that drought has become an issue. Your garden to-do list in June will be long and varied. The most important thing to remember this month though is to get on top of chores....

What is Garden Texture? One of the most common elements of garden design to consider is the use of texture. While this term often relates to the tactile feel or surface of an object, in the garden, textures refer to the overall presence of the plant. Gardening with texture allows the grower to create plantings that are diverse and offers fantastic curb appeal. For some, terminology related to texture in the garden may be somewhat confusing....