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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden

Canadian Hemlock Varieties

The Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a native of the eastern sections of North America, occurring in the wild from southern Canada into the Appalachian Mountains as far south as northern Georgia. Thriving in moist, humid conditions between U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3

How to Preserve Peony Flowers

Use silica gel to preserve the summer's bounty of flowers, including the peony. This method of preservation eliminates any moisture that contributes to the deterioration of the flower, enabling the peony to retain its petals, color and shape for several years.The preserved flower, which serves as a

The Best Ways to Remove Mesquite Trees

Mesquite trees are an invasive plant that can be a small weed in your yard or an ugly, messy, harmful problem to take care of. Mesquite trees need to be removed because they use up valuable nutrients in the soil, take water from other plants and leave prickly thorns. These trees are difficult to rem

Liriope Varieties

Liriope, also known as lilyturf, is a member of the lily family that resembles a clump of grass. It has narrow, upright foliage and often is used ornamentally in shady gardens where true grasses won’t grow. All the varieties prefer moist soil to look their best but are drought tolerant once es

Why Do Seeds in the Garden Grow Just As Fast As a Transplant?

The seed vs. transplant argument among gardeners is almost as old as gardening itself. Many growers swear by transplants and just as many prefer to start all their plants from seed directly in the garden. Some amateur gardeners are puzzled by the phenomenon of plants started from seed directly in th

How to Get a Blue Girl Rose to Turn Blue

Though many plants declare to grow blue flowers, few really do. But one such true blue bloom is the Blue Girl rose. The Blue Girl is a hybrid tea rose. It is actually a silver, lilac-lavender color, yet it does turn gray-blue in color. The blue blooms are aromatic and have up to 40 petals. The singl

How to Plant Oxalis Triangularis

Oxalis triangularis is a deciduous ground cover with small flowers and clover-like leaves. It is known for its distinctive leaves, which look like three triangles joined at a center point. All Oxalis leaves are light sensitive, opening to receive sunlight and closing at night or when under shade--so

Is There a Way to Kill the Worms That Eat the Catalpa Tree?

The catalpa tree is a Southern native known for its large, shade-throwing leaves. The catalpa's ability to block the sun can take a big hit in the spring, however, when thousands of leaf-eating worms invade the tree and feast on its foliage. Catalpa owners have multiple options for killing the worms

Rare Plants in the Philippines

The Philippines have a variety of rare plants, including orchids.orchid image by pncphotos from Fotolia.comThe Philippines are home to a large and diverse group of plants. Much of the Philippines is covered in tropical rainforests with various epiphytes, vines and climbers. Orchids and...

When to Pick Oranges Before a Freeze

Because it is a citrus fruit, it is hard to imagine an orange surrounded by ice or snow. However, some species of orange are cold-hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, continuing to thrive even in subfreezing temperatures. The key to a successful orange harvest is understanding when your orange species wi

How to Keep Easter Lilies

With its dramatic, white, trumpet-shaped blooms, the Easter lily is a traditional gift around the spring holiday season; but unfortunately, the beauty of the Easter lily plant is short-lived. Take care of your Easter lily indoors until the plant begins to wither, then move the Easter lily outdoors,

How to Get a Privet Hedge to Grow Fast

Privet hedge is a beautiful ornamental shrub. It can be trained as a living fence, topiary, tree or left to its own devices it will grow into a huge shrub. Though naturally a fast grower, this plant can be coached into even faster vegetative generation. Its ability to grow fast and retain limb stren

What Type of Plants Are in the Ocean?

Oceans are huge habitats of exotic plant and animal life.peninsula image by timur1970 from Fotolia.comOceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface, according to NASA Earth Observatory. (Reference 3). Although the very deep parts of oceans have little or no plant life, the oceans in...

The Ranunculus Species

The genus Ranunculus, which contains about 600 species, is part of the larger Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. Ranunculus can be annual or perennial plants, with lobed, toothed or finely divided leaves. Many ranunculus, like the common buttercup are characterized by simple flowers and single-seed

What Causes Black Spots on a Golden Pothos?

With its vines full of heart-shaped, green and gold leaves, golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) adds interest to any living space. The plant shows off its form and colors best in a hanging pot or with the vines snaking across a shelf. Although typically considered a low-maintenance plant, golden potho

How to Transplant Pineapple Plants

The pineapple (ananas comosus) was spread to the West Indies by South American Indians before the arrival of Columbus, after which it was brought back to Spain and became a staple on sailing ships for prevention of scurvy. The pineapple was brought to England in 1660 and was being grown in greenhous

How to Test Soil With Rapitest

Rapitest is a product used to test the pH level of soil, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. These elements help plants grow strong and healthy by providing necessary minerals. If you are planning on creating an outdoor garden, it is a good idea to test the soil for these vital elements usi

How to Display an Oak Leaf Cluster

Few decorations are more colorful or bring a better autumn ambiance to your home than the reds, golds and oranges of oak leaves, which have changed color for the season. Fall leaves make a beautiful centerpiece or addition to a mantle or shelf. Displaying a cluster of oak leaves is inexpensive, simp

How to Identify Ohio Flowering Tree Species

Springtime in Ohio is a wonderful sight, with trees blossoming in colors of white, pink, yellow and red. There are dozens of varieties of flowering trees you might find in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. Learn how to identify many flowering trees by