Growing Episcias from Seed
Episcias are tender tropical plants, with beautiful foliage and tubular flowers, natives of the American tropics. They are trailers and they make beautiful basket plants for the home or greenhouse. Flowers come in shades of blue or lavender,... Read More...
Episcias - Striking Cousins of the African Violet
It is a rare occasion for a really NEW plant to be introduced and episcias, popularly known as “flame violets” are by no means new to house plant collections. They have, however, from time to time had a rapid climb in popularity... Read More...
How To Pamper a Tomato
There are dozens of ways to raise tomatoes, and they all work. One should hesitate to recommend any one as THE way. The wonderful thing about a tomato is its willingness to grow and bear delicious fruit in spite of everything. Pay no attention to it,... Read More...
Reading Your Palms
No this is not the Psychic Network, it’s the palms in your local garden center. Twenty-five years ago there were only a few palms that were offered in garden centers and nurseries. The Areca, Neanthe Belle, and Bamboo Palms, were probably the only... Read More...
Ground Covers Nature’s Landscape Tool
Ground covers are low-growing ornamental plants that spread naturally over the ground in places where it is not practical to grow turf. Ground covers are usually either perennial or woody plants. Annual plants are seldom included in the category... Read More...
Enemies of the Lawn Underground
Let’s sandwich a segment of lawn (mentally) between two pieces of glass, much like a scientist would do in studying the habits of insects and growing patterns of grass. This gives us a cross section of earth, top grass, searching roots, and the... Read More...
Lawn Labor Savers
Lawn care can require a lot of the average home owner’s time. There are two ways to reduce the amount of time spent on a lawn: (1) reduce lawn area by replanting with a ground cover or by paving part of it for a patio or similar structural development,... Read More...
Underground Lawn Sprinkler Systems
Maintaining a beautiful lawn during hot, dry summers along with the added restrictions on water use is a problem for many home owners across America. We have one of two choices. Either we water the lawn the best we can and try to save it, or... Read More...
Iris Dying? Check for Crown Rot
Have you been troubled with your prize iris mysteriously dying? The chances are that crown rot may be the culprit. Unfortunately, some of the hybrids are more severely attacked than the older varieties. Above ground symptoms of crown rot vary somewhat... Read More...
Iris Wonderful for landscape Color
May is the month when landscape gardeners become conscious that irises are valuable hardy perennials for the garden. The tall bearded irises have come a long way from the “flags” of grandmother’s day. Irises, developed over the last 50... Read More...
