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American Cranberry Viburnum Information The flavor and appearance of the fruit from highbush cranberry plants are a lot like true cranberries. The American cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) has tart, acidic fruit that is best served in jellies, jams, sauces and relishes. It is not very tasty raw. The fruit ripens in fall—just in time for the fall and winter holidays. Highbush cranberry plants are showy in spring when the flowers bloom against a backdrop of lush, dark green foliage....

How to Grow Anacampseros Anacampseros succulents are easy to grow, as long as you can provide the proper growing conditions. Healthy Anacampseros succulents are rarely affected by pests or disease, but they don’t tolerate cold weather. Raised beds work well and can make Anacampseros plant care easier. You can also grow these small plants in containers, but be sure to bring them indoors if you live north of USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11....

Annual Flowers for Iowa For Iowa gardens, you can hardly go wrong with these blooming annuals: Dahlia — The stunning variety of bloom shapes and colors is reason enough to grow dahlias in the garden. As striking as they are, they are also easy to grow, especially in containers. Zinnia — Another cheerful bloom is the humble zinnia. It doesn’t have as much variety as dahlias, but these flowers are attractive and easy....

Pruning Apple Trees Apple tree trimming is beneficial for several reasons: removing diseased or damaged limbs, maintaining a controlled height from which fruit may be more easily picked, developing a strong structure for fruit production, and encouraging new limbs. Pruning apple trees is essential to the overall health of the tree. The shape of the apple tree during the budding season and following winter will influence the number of flowers, and hence, the condition of fruit....

What is Arborsculpture? You may think that a living tree sculpture is an impossible dream, but professional arborists and eco-artists have perfected the techniques for centuries. Formal gardens of the past used to include many forms of plant training, from espalier to topiary. Tree training arborsculptures is simply a larger project using those techniques as well as grafting and pleaching. The finished project may take years or even decades, so it is not a task for the impatient....

Boll Weevil History The little gray beetle with the funny snout entered the United States from Mexico in 1892. From state to state, the early twentieth century saw the advancement of the boll weevil. Damage to cotton crops was widespread and devastating. Cotton farmers, who didn’t succumb to bankruptcy, switched to other crops as a means of staying solvent. Early methods of control included controlled burns to eradicate the beetles and the use of homemade pesticides....

Are Pesticides Bad for Plants? Are pesticides bad for plants? They certainly can be. Insecticide plant injury, or actually any kind of chemical plant injury, is known as phytotoxicity. Herbaceous plants are most vulnerable to pesticides. Woody plants tolerate them better, but new fresh growth can be damaged by these chemicals. Exactly how and to what extent you harm a plant with a pesticide depends on the type of chemical, the plant, and other factors....

Arizona Barrel Cactus Information Fishhook cactus displays thick, leathery, green skin with prominent ridges. Cup-shaped yellow or red flowers with reddish centers appear in a ring around the top of the cactus in spring or late summer, followed by yellow, pineapple-like berries. Arizona barrel cactus commonly lives 50 years, and in some cases, may survive for up to 130 years. The cactus often leans towards the southwest, and older cacti may eventually fall over if not supported....

Aspen Seed Propagation Most aspen trees cultivated for ornamentals are grown from cuttings. You can use branch cuttings or, even easier, root cuttings. Aspens in the wild produce new plants from their root suckers making it easy to “find” a new young tree. Aspen seed propagation is also common in nature. You can start growing aspen seeds in your backyard if you follow a few simple guidelines. When to Plant Aspen Seeds If you are wondering how to grow aspens from seed, you’ll need to learn what to do and what not to do....

Gardening for Kids with Autism Autism impairs communication and social skills. It may also cause several sensory issues, wherein an autistic individual may be over or under sensitive to external stimuli. Autism gardening therapy is an excellent way to tackle these issues. Individuals who have added anxiety created with sensory processing issues greatly benefit from autism gardening therapy. Many people with autism, especially children, struggle with fine motor skills such as zipping up a coat or using scissors....

For this reason, many are eager to learn more about the native wildlife which lives all around us, including insects, birds, smaller animals, and even the occasional predator. In doing so, however, it is our responsibility to practice safe wildlife viewing. Enjoying Wildlife in the Garden Enjoying wildlife in the garden, or any green space, will vary depending upon where you live. While the city offers an abundance of smaller creatures, those living in more rural areas will frequently see a greater variety of wildlife....

Planting Basil Seeds When it comes to planting basil seeds, make sure you’re planting basil seeds in an area where they will get six to eight hours of sunshine daily. The soil should have a neutral pH so that they have the best chance of growing. Simply plant the seeds in a row and cover them with about 1/4-inch (6.5 mm.) of soil. Once the plants grow to a few inches (5 to 10 cm....

What is Beargrass Yucca? Beargrass yucca looks similar to the common Adam’s needle yucca. To identify beargrass yucca vs. Adam’s needle, you just need to look at the leaves. Beargrass yucca has narrower leaves which are flattened and also bear a smaller flower. Yucca filamentosa, or Adam’s needle, is commonly misidentified as Yucca smalliana. Each is of similar size, but their leaf and flower characteristics indicate that they are different species in the same genus....

Annuals for Bees and Butterflies

Growing Orchids with Kids Learning how to grow an orchid with your child is easy enough with a bit of homework. Once you’ve gathered info about the best beginner orchids for kids, take your child on a shopping expedition and let him or her select an orchid. Help your child learn about orchid growing conditions, and how to choose the best spot for the orchid. Read the tag carefully and keep in mind that different orchids have varying needs for light and temperature....

Hops Plant Support Most hops are grown for use in making beer, but the cones can also be used in soap, condiments, and snacks. With their reputed mild sedative effect, hop cones are also used in making soothing teas and pillows while the post-harvest bines are often twisted into holiday wreaths or used to make cloth or paper. This multi-use crop needs some careful consideration and planning, as the plants can live for up to 25 years, a long-term garden addition that needs some serious hops plant support....

What is Crumbly Berry? Raspberries are actually a fruit composed of numerous clustered smaller fruits called drupes and include blackberry plants as well. When your berry has only a portion of the usual number, it is misshapen and devoid of juice and flavor. This is usually because the plant has contracted tomato ring spot or raspberry bushy dwarf viruses. As soon as you try to pick the affected fruits, they break apart....

Although Philodendron brandtianum works well as a hanging plant, you can also train it to climb up a trellis or other support. As an added benefit, silver leaf philodendrons help remove pollutants from indoor air. Read on and learn just how to grow Philodendron brandtianum. Philodendron Brandtianum Care Philodendron brandtianum plants (Brandi philodendron variety) are easy to grow and are suitable for the warm, non-freezing climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 9b to 11....

Keep in mind that most brightly colored houseplants need light to bring out the colors, so they may not be the best choice for a shady corner or dark room. On the other hand, beware of intense sunlight that can scorch and fade the leaves. If you’re looking for striking houseplants that make a statement, the following plants should pique your interest. Bright And Bold Houseplants Crotons (Croton variegatum) are brightly colored houseplants that are bound to stand out....

Tips for Growing Bulbine Flowers Native to South America, the graceful, flowering specimen was relatively unknown in the U.S. until tested and propagated by Proven Winners. In 2006, Bulbine was named plant of the year by the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association. Bulbine care is minimal and learning how to grow Bulbine is simple. Caring for Bulbine doesn’t require much effort and neglect doesn’t prevent the delicate blooms from rising 12 to 18 inches (30....