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Growing Royal Raindrops Crabapples Crabapple ‘Royal Raindrops’ (Malus transitoria ‘JFS-KW5’ or Malus JFS-KW5 ‘Royal Raindrops’) is a newer crabapple variety valued for its tolerance to heat and drought and excellent disease resistance. Royal Raindrops flowering crabapple is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Mature trees reach a height of up to 20 feet. (6 m.). Plant this flowering crabapple tree anytime between the last frost in spring and about three weeks before the first hard frost in fall....

What are Seedless Grapes? If you’re concerned that seedless grapes are the result of some sort of genetic modification or weird scientific wizardry, you can relax. The first seedless grapes actually came about as a result of a natural (not laboratory-produced) mutation. Grape growers who noticed this interesting development got busy and grew more seedless grapes by planting cuttings from those vines. How does a seedless grape reproduce? The seedless grapes you see in the supermarket are propagated the same way – through cuttings that produce clones of an existing, seedless grape variety....

Does Phlox Need Deadheading? Phlox, with their airy foliage and bright blooms, have an added bonus. A sweet, heavenly scent. Phlox will reseed itself so there need never be a year without these lovely flowers. Deadheading phlox blooms will prevent much of that reseeding. Removing phlox flowers that are spent has this benefit and a few others as well. Some gardeners deadhead phlox flowers to confine the spread of the plant....

While not all of these species are commonly found in garden centers or online nurseries, many new species and cultivars are easily available. Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) are two of the most popular species of wisteria for the landscape. However, in this article, we will discuss the lessor known, Silky wisteria (Wisteria brachybotrys syn. Wisteria venusta). Silky Wisteria Information Silky wisteria is native to Japan....

When to Plant Snapdragon Seeds When planting snapdragon seeds, the optimum time to start snapdragon seeds indoors is about six to ten weeks before the last frost in spring. Snapdragons are slow starters that germinate best in cool temperatures. Some gardeners have good luck planting snapdragon seeds directly in the garden. The best time for this is after the last hard frost in spring, as snapdragons can tolerate light frost....

What You Need to Make a Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder Family friendly activities that also have beneficial impact on the local fauna are hard to find. Using bottles to feed birds is an upcycled way to keep birds hydrated and fed. Plus, you are repurposing an item that otherwise has no use except the recycle bin. A soda bottle bird feeder craft is an easy project in which the whole family can participate....

What is Southernwood Artemisia? Native growing southernwood herb plant can be found in regions of Spain and Italy and has since been naturalized in the United States where it grows wild. This member of Asteraceae is related to European wormwood or absinthe. Southernwood Artemisia (Artemisia abrotanum) is a woody, perennial herb with gray-green, fern-like leaves that, when crushed, emit a sweet, lemony aroma. This gray-green foliage is slightly haired, growing less so as the season progresses....

What is Star Anise? Star anise plants are fast growing evergreen trees, that occasionally grow up to 26 feet (6.5 m.) but usually smaller with a spread of 10 feet (3 m.). The fruit is a spice that smells a bit like licorice. The tree is native to southern China and northern Vietnam where its fruit is used heavily in the regional cuisine. The spice was first introduced to Europe in the 17th century and used whole, powdered, or extracted into oil....

Striped Maple Tree Information Not all maples are soaring, graceful trees with snow white bark. According to striped maple tree information, this tree is a shrubby, understory maple. It can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree. You’ll find this maple in the wild from Wisconsin to Quebec, from the Appalachians into Georgia. It is native to the rocky forests in this range. These trees usually grow from 15 to 25 feet (5-8 m....

Basil Growing Indoors Growing basil indoors is easy. Container grown basil should be planted in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Using the proper soil type is important in order to successfully grow basil inside. As basil is not tolerant of water stress, make sure pots provide adequate drainage. While the soil should be kept somewhat moist, it should never be soggy; otherwise, the roots will be prone to rotting. Basil growing indoors will require fertilizing....

What is Intercropping? Intercropping is a method of planting two or more crops in the same area rather than reserving the space for a single type of vegetable. Intercropping can include plants which are beneficial to each other, like the traditional “three sisters” method of growing corn, pole beans and squash together. When planted together, beans enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen. Corn provides a support for the beans to climb....

Cactus Root Knot Nematodes Nematodes feed on plant roots by digging into the root’s cell walls with a sharp, pointed feeding tool called a stylet. The puncture wound created by the stylet is usually more of a problem than the presence of the nematode itself because it creates an opening that allows bacteria and fungi to enter easily into the plant, infecting it from within. Root knot nematodes are a specific kind of nematode that feeds on roots and usually create telltale fleshy masses, or “galls” on the roots....

Recognizing Bean Plants with Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew stems from the funguses Erysiphe or Sphaerotheca. It actually doesn’t matter which fungus is causing the damage when your crop is at stake. Treating powdery mildew on beans from either fungus requires the same method. Early control is essential, as the fungus spreads rapidly in warm, moist conditions and can quite literally decimate your bean crop, so recognizing powdery mildew on beans can protect your crop and prevent the spread of this fungal issue throughout your other vegetables....

If you don’t know how to make tree coasters, keep reading and we’ll help get you started. Coasters Made of Wood The job of a coaster is to slide between a table and a hot or cold beverage. The coaster goes on the table and the drink goes on the coaster. If you don’t use a coaster, that drink may leave a circle mark that will mar your tabletop for a long time....

What is a Virginia Peanut? Virginia peanut plants do not bear “true nuts,” such as those that grow overhead in trees. They are legumes, which produce edible seeds in pods underneath the ground, so planting and harvesting Virginia peanuts are easy tasks for the average gardener. Virginia peanut plants are high-yielding, and they produce larger seeds than other peanut types. Virginia Peanut Information Virginia peanut plants produce peanuts after a unique life cycle....

What do heat zones mean? Read on for an explanation, including tips, on how to use heat zones when selecting plants. Heat Zone Map Info For decades gardeners have used cold hardiness zone maps to figure out whether a particular plant can survive winter weather in their backyard. The USDA put together the map dividing the country into twelve cold hardiness zones based on the coldest recorded winter temperatures in a region....

She came so close to not ever coming to be, as she was hybridized at the time of the World War II conflict. What many folks do not know is that Peace was named Mme A. Meilland in France, Gloria Dei in Germany, and Gioia in Italy. It has been estimated that more than 50 million of the roses we know as Peace have been planted all over the world....

What Does a Heat Mat Do? Most seeds germinate best in temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees F. (21-32 C.), although some, such as pumpkins and other winter squash, are more likely to germinate in soil temps between 85 and 95 degrees F. (29-35 C.). Many won’t germinate at all if soil temperatures fall below 50 degrees F. (10 C.) or above 95 degrees F. (35 C.). In many climates, temperatures aren’t consistently warm enough to germinate seeds, especially in late winter or early spring, prime seed starting times....

What is Nectar? Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by plants. It is especially produced by flowers on flowering plants. Nectar is very sweet, and this is why butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, and other animals slurp it up. It gives them a good source of energy and calories. Bees collect nectar to turn into honey. Nectar is more than just sweet, though. It is also rich in vitamins, salts, oils, and other nutrients....

Many of us start our day with some fruit. Fruit that is yellow comes in many forms and flavor dimensions. Some of our most popular foods are fruits, such as yellow tomatoes. These are common in savory dishes. But most fruits are sweet or tart and used fresh or as part of desserts. Learn about yellow fruit varieties and add this important category of food to your dishes. Which Fruits are Yellow?...