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Growing Flamingo Cockscomb Flamingo cockscomb (Celosia spicata) is also known as celosia ‘flamingo feather’ or cockscomb ‘flamingo feather.’ Flamingo cockscomb plants are easy to grow as long as you provide them with well-drained soil and at least five hours of sunshine per day. Although celosia flamingo feather is an annual, you may be able to grow it year round in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. This plant doesn’t tolerate cold weather and is quickly killed by frost....

Chin Cactus Information Cactus collectors should have at least one chin cactus in their menagerie. Native to Argentina and certain other parts of SE South America, these varieties need some protection from searing sun and even do well in partial shade. They do have the same soil, water, and nutrient needs as their desert cousins. All in all, a very easy plant to grow with few specialized cultivation needs. There are about 50 species of chin cactus, many of which are available as ornamental plants....

What are Cloves? Clove tree uses range from basic gardening and landscaping uses to actually harvesting and cooking with your cloves. You can even use cloves medicinally. The clove tree, Syzgium aromaticum, is an evergreen tree that is native to south Asia. It requires a lot of water and warm temperatures. The actual clove from the clove tree is the unopened bud of the flowers of the tree. They are harvested before they bloom and then are tried....

Growing Evergreen Shrubs in Cold Climates Gardeners considering shrubs for zone 4 must be aware that USDA plant hardiness zones are simply temperature guidelines, and although they are helpful, they don’t consider microclimates within a zone, influenced by wind, snow cover, and other factors. Cold hardy evergreen shrubs must be tough and resistant to unavoidable temperature fluctuations that frequently occur in winter. A thick layer of mulch provides much needed protection to the roots during cold winter months....

What are Columnar Oak Trees? These unusual and attractive trees, also called upright English oak trees, were first found growing wild in a forest in Germany. These types of columnar oaks were propagated by grafting. Columnar oak tree growth is moderately slow and the trees grow up, not out. With these trees, you don’t have to worry about the spreading lateral branches you associate with other oaks. Columnar oak trees might grow to 60 feet (18 m....

Common Problems with Eucalyptus Trees Most eucalyptus tree problems occur when the tree is stressed. This can be the result of disease or insects. Diseases of Eucalyptus Fungi, in particular, find an easy foothold in trees already damaged by age or insects. There are several fungi that can cause eucalyptus tree diseases. The most common are presented here. Canker, caused by a type of fungus, begins by infecting the bark and proceeds to the interior of the tree....

Lily Plant Types Lily plant types can be divided into 9 basic categories, or “divisions.” Division 1 is made up of Asiatic Hybrids. These lilies are very cold hardy and often the earliest bloomers. They are usually 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) tall and produce unscented flowers in almost every color imaginable. Division 2 lily plant types are called Martagon Hybrids. These common lily varieties grow well in cool weather and shade, making them excellent for shady gardens....

Common Weeds Used as Beneficial Herbs There are a number of weeds used as beneficial herbs. Some of the most common ones include the following: Goldenrod – The commonly grown goldenrod is a natural occurring “weed” that has been used as an herb across the globe. Its genus name, Soledago, means “to make whole.” It was once used by Native Americans to cure respiratory problems. The plant has also been used for healing wounds, diabetes, and tuberculosis....

Turning units for compost allow you to mix up the compost, providing oxygen to all the little microbes and bacteria that are breaking it down. They also allow you to easily spread moisture throughout the bin, so you don’t have dry areas. It also increases the temperature, thereby enhancing organic breakdown. They can be difficult for some people to turn if they are heavily loaded but some barrel varieties are designed to be fairly easy to use....

If you live in the southwestern section of the country, you’ll find a large selection of conifers to choose from. There are even conifer plants for desert areas. Read on for more information about these southwestern conifers. Choosing Conifers for the Southwest Conifers can be beautiful specimen trees for landscape planting, but they also serve well in groups as privacy screens or windbreaks. It’s important to take care when selecting conifers for the backyard to ensure the mature size of the tree fits in the site you have in mind....

They can grow quite tall and, with good care and time, will become striking focal points in your yard or garden. North Central Coniferous Plants There are many different types of northern conifers to choose from when planning for your yard and garden. Here are some options for native species and non-native trees that grow well in this region: Concolor fir: Also known as white fir, this tree has foliage similar to that of blue spruce....

Container Gardening Design with Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers Container flower gardening need not be intimidating to those new to the garden world. In fact, a simple method for ensuring beautiful focal points in the home or garden includes the use of thriller, filler, and spiller plants. Thriller plants – Thrillers are the big, bold focal point of your container plant designs. This plant provides an eye-catching vertical element. Tall ornamental grasses such as purple fountain grass or Japanese sweet flag work well, but you can also use spiky blooming plants such as:...

Growing Cabbage in Pots Can you grow cabbage in a pot? Of course you can! Growing cabbage in containers is easy, as long as you don’t crowd them. Cabbage plants can get huge, growing as high as 4 feet (1 m.) and nearly as wide. Limit your plants to one per 5-gallon (19 L.) container. Your container grown cabbage will still grow planted closer together, but the heads will be noticeably smaller....

Read on for tips on how to make the best garden possible in your backyard. How to Make the Best Garden You want to have an impressive neighborhood garden, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone will take notice if you create a well-designed, eco-friendly garden that is maintained with integrated pest management principles. A few cool toys never hurt either. Building an enviable neighborhood garden starts with building a garden you love....

What is Curly Top Virus? Curly top virus can be found in over 44 plant families such as garden tomatoes, beets, beans, spinach, cucurbits, potatoes, and peppers. Sugar beets are the most commonly infected hosts, and the disease is often referred to as Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV). The disease is transmitted via the tiny sugar beet leafhopper and is most prevalent when temperatures are warm and populations of leafhoppers are greatest....

When Does Ornamental Grass Need Pruning? Several varieties of ornamental grasses, some tall, some short, are used to help design the landscape. Many have colorful seed heads that make them even more attractive. Regardless of the type, however, most will benefit from pruning in some manner. There are two seasons of growth for ornamental grasses, cool season and warm season. If you’re not aware of which type you’ve planted, just keep an eye on when the growth begins....

St. John’s Wort Pruning St. John’s wort is an undemanding shrub that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. If your shrub has fewer and fewer flowers every year, you may want to start pruning St. John’s wort. These are delightful plants to have in your garden: bright and colorful and easy-care. However, annual pruning is necessary to keep the St. John’s wort nicely shaped and full of summer flowers....

Reasons Why Daffodils Won’t Bloom Removing or folding leaves – Removing the foliage too soon after flowering last year can contribute to why daffodils didn’t bloom this year. Nutrients must be stored for daffodil blooms. These nutrients develop in the foliage after flowers bloom. Cutting down or folding the leaves before they have yellowed and started to deteriorate is a reason for poor blooms on daffodils. Planted too late – Bulbs that were planted too late in autumn or small bulbs may be the reason why daffodils didn’t bloom....

Damaged Plant Care Oh no, my beautiful coleus (or other favorite plant) is looking bedraggled! What can be done to perk up a stress damaged plant? Whether due to under or overwatering, sunscald, pests, or disease, inadequate fertilization or what have you, it may be advisable to retrieve a sample for diagnosis. Take the sample to a reputable nursery or contact your local Master Gardener chapter or extension service for a professional opinion and information on how to salvage your injured plants....

Do you find the idea of wanting to deadhead roses intimidating? “Deadheading” roses or the removal of the old blooms from our roses seems to generate some controversy, much the same as pruning them. On the subject of deadheading rose bushes, I recommend using a method that gives you the results you are looking for. Should someone tell you that you are doing it “all wrong,” do not immediately believe that you are....