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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
How to Preserve Flowers in Des Moines, IA
There are several different ways to preserve fresh flowers purchased from a Des Moines, Iowa florist or cut from your garden. One of the easiest ways is to hang a bunch of flowers upside down in a dark warm location for several weeks. Although the flowers dry, much of the color and structure of the
Growth Area of Bluebonnet
The bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is the state flower of Texas and grows throughout North America even in areas with poor growing conditions. Bluebonnets bloom from March throughout May, with spikes of blue-clusters of flowers topped with a white terminal tip. The plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall.
What Types of Flowers Bloom in the Winter?
For a gardening enthusiast, the winter months can be long and dreary. Knowing what kinds of flowers bloom in the cold months can fill a gardener's winter with color and life. Many winter shrubs have the advantage of blooming flowers that are long-lasting and fragrant.
How to Prop Up an Off-Balance Fruit Tree Branch
If your fruit tree's branches are so heavily laden with fruit that they are sagging, your fruit tree is either improperly pruned or improperly thinned of fruit. Once the fruit is large enough to weigh down the branches, it's too late to either prune or thin, but you can prop up the branches to preve
Do Hydrangeas Like a Lot of Water?
Hydrangeas are fast growing perennial shrubs that require minimal attention once they are established in your garden. In addition to moist soil that drains well and annual composting and mulching, hydrangeas mainly need water in order to produce their signature large clusters of flowers. These plant
How to Plant Wild Flower Seeds
Wildflowers are tough plants, existing at the sides of roads and in neglected fields. Some of these plants are beautiful and a garden bed full of them is a sensory delight. Daisy, purple coneflower and coreopsis are examples of commonly cultivated perennial wildflowers. Poppy and cosmos are annual w
How to Troubleshoot a Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants lend a tropical air and fragrance to the home garden. They are heat loving plants, but some species belong to the hardy hibiscus category of plants that can withstand mild winters and short freezes by going dormant. Hibiscus produces a very showy and colorful flower which usually las
What Will Make a Plant Grow Faster, Dirt or Potting Soil?
Plants need four things to germinate and grow: air, water, sunlight and soil. A plant's type determines how much of each it needs. Plants absorb nutrients from soil. Ordinary dirt must be adjusted to balance the nutrients needed for healthy plant growth, but potting soil comes better prepared to pro
How to Breed and Hand Pollinate Peppers
Breeding pepper plants requires at least two healthy plants with desirable characteristics. The purpose of breeding the plants is to create a hybrid variety with the combined positive characteristics of each parent plant, while hopefully eliminating the negative characteristics. Successful plant bre
How to Plant Bulbs in February
The best time to plant bulbs for spring and summer blooming is right before the first winter frost. Planting in late fall allows the bulbs a cold stratification period that will help increase their energy when the weather warms up. If you have forgotten to plant your bulbs in the fall and the ground
Shade Trees for Near a House or Foundation
When planted near a house, shade trees offer many benefits. Summer shade on a building's walls and windows can lower air-conditioning bills by up to 50 percent, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. Other benefits include wind breaks, increased privacy and higher property values. For the most shade
How to Care for Rhododendrons in the Winter
"Sunset Western Garden Book" states that there are over 10,000 varieties of rhododendrons. With so many, there might be one hardy shrub for each planting zone. Yet, these woody flowering plants still need protection in the winter to make their best blooms come spring. Since they're shallow-rooted, t
How to Identify and Care for an Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean
The Achievement Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus) is an edible vegetable of the Fabaceae family. The cultivar is Achievement. This bean is great for freezing and the seeds (beans) are high in protein. Dry them into beans. You can also eat the young beans (often referred to as snap beans). Bo
What Is the Pesticide Pyrethrum?
Pyrethrum is a substance that is obtained from certain types of chrysanthemums, sometimes called pyrethrum daisies. Pyrethrins are chemical compounds within pyrethrum that act as insecticides. Because pyrethrins are naturally occurring chemcials, using pyrethrum as an insecticide is less environment
What Do I Need to Grow Tomato Plants?
With beginners and experienced gardeners alike, the tomato is the most popular homegrown vegetable in America. From the tiniest Tom Thumb patio plant to the biggest beefsteak, tomatoes all need the same basic common elements for successful growing. Grow your tomatoes on your patio, in your yard or h
How to Grow Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow is known for its flat-topped clusters of white, yellow, pink or red flowers that bloom all summer. Yarrow makes a good fresh or dried cut flower.
Why Won't Cleveland Pear Trees Flower in the Spring?
With good fireblight resistance and better structure and branch durability than the Bradford pear, the Cleveland pear grows 35 feet tall and nearly 20 feet wide. Its valid cultivar name is Glen's Form, but it has many marketed names, including Stone Hill, Select and the trademark Cleveland/Cleveland
What Plant to Plant With Daylilies
Daylilies are perennial flowers that bloom in spring to summer. They prefer six hours of sunlight with some afternoon shade and need slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. When planning a garden with daylilies, select flowers that require the same growing conditions, as well as flowers that bl
How to Fertilize Blackberry Bushes
Blackberry bushes produce massive vines lined with plump, juicy berries in mid- to late summer, depending on the cultivar and your region. When left to their own devices, canes arch gracefully, creating a cascade of fresh berries, often blanketing hillsides or ditches in locations where they grow w