Crepe myrtle is a long-lived, low maintenance tree having a very long blooming period followed by striking autumn foliage. With an extensive variety of crops in a range of sizes, shapes and colors, crepe myrtle, suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, provides almost endless possibilities for beautifying …
Wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are somewhat common lawn pest and difficult to control. Like the strawberries we like eating in the summertime, wild strawberries spread by stolons. Since it’s a perennial plant, it reseeds itself and new plants appear in spring. Small wild strawberry infestations can be mechanically controlled by hand-pulling the entire plant in …
The English hawthhorn tree (Crataegus laevigata) is native to Europe, India and northern parts of Africa, where it grows wild as a comparatively modest, low-branching and deciduous tree. The cultivar “Crimson Cloud” is an especially appealing variety of English hawthorn, named because of its abundant red blooms with white centres that cover the tree in …
The gardenia, a native of China, was cultivated for more than a thousand yearsago Planter John Ellis released the lovely flowering tree to colonial America in 1761, after an Asian trip. Named for his buddy, Dr. Garden, a Charleston physician, the blossom became a favorite for corsages due to its intense fragrance. Performing best in …
When daydreaming about their ideal garden, many gardeners likely picture fields of lush foliage dotted with colorful and fragrant flowers. A yard full of gravel and rocks is a sharp contrast and looks an unlikely spot to find a gorgeous backyard retreat. However, with the proper plants and a bit of creativity, rocks of all …
Composting takes more work than store-bought sulfur does, however compost in your stack is free — and you understand exactly what’s in it. Besides utilizing it as a soil conditioner in new gardens and lawns and also to replace lost nutrients on your vegetable garden in the close of the year, unwanted dress all of …
The exotic blossoms of an Asiatic lily (*Lilium* spp.) Makes it a focal point in the garden in the spring till midsummer. While Asiatic lilies are rather easy to grow and hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, they still have a couple issues. The actions taken to conserve an …
Strawberries (Fragaria spp.) Grow well in the superb drainage conditions of a backyard box. They thrive in either a little planting box which has bottom drain holes or at long rows at a raised bed that’s boxed sides. Many strawberry varieties grow in a broad range of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones. As …
Occasionally during garden chores, a C-shaped white grub is going to appear in the soil. These somewhat shiny, lotion- to white-colored insects have brownish heads and legs, with the end of the abdomen somewhat grayish. They’re immature forms of various scarab beetles, one of the largest families of beetles. They feed on decomposing organic matter …
Raised garden beds have a lot of things going for them, including better soil, less soil compaction and simplified maintenance. You can make them in just about any durable material, but timber is a common choice because of its natural beauty and durability. Any kind of wood will eventually decay, but some kinds are more …