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  • … lavender, pansies, violets, apple or crab apple blossoms, geraniums ( Pelargonium , that is), calendulas, tulips, tuberous begonias, honeysuckle, nasturtiums, lilacs, dianthus and …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … on the underside of its glossy green leaves. Known in Britain as the cricket bat willow, it is grown there as a timber source for their national game. The bright green stems of new growth …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … in late April or early May. They are quickly followed by edible berries beloved by birds. This is truly a plant for all seasons, with its beautiful spring flowers, handsome green leaves, striking orange-to-red fall color and silver bark. It is a popular early spring-flowering small tree. Members of the genus Amelanchier offer four …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Amur adonis ( Adonis amurensis ) and its ties to the namesake god are a good match. This plant is as handsome as any perennial, and once seen in bloom, its perfection is almost impossible to resist. Amur adonis is as ephemeral as the god Adonis, and soon after blooming, the plant returns underground to …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … used to do this all the time, and now she’s a wildlife biologist.” 1. Pick up a Stick How cool is this? In 2008,  the stick  was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame! It’s in great … in the dirt, a conductor’s baton, the first leg of a tepee, and anything else a child says it is. 2. Learn to Lash If one stick is interesting, a pile of sticks has real 3-D potential. The … undyed yarn or fabric into a personal style experience. 10. Paint Chip Color Hunt One quick visit to the paint store can send kids off to hunt for hours, as they try to match nature’s …
    Type: Blog
  • … The time has come for homemade mustard—and you won’t believe how easy  and  tasty it is. Start with the Basics As always, we turned to program horticulturist Nancy Clifton to learn … for 2-4 weeks at room temperature on a pantry shelf. Refrigerate after the desired pungency is reached. Homemade mustards last 6 to 12 months in the refrigerator. Clockwise from top left: … crushed mustard seed, and medium-hot mustard seed. Next, Get Creative After making that first quick batch of basic mustard, Nancy passed around ten jars of flavored mustards for us to sample. …
    Type: Blog
  • Native to North Africa and Asia, the Armenian willow displays bright yellow catkins in early spring. Stems are silvery gray while the leaves are soft grayish green. Members of the genus Salix are commonly known as willows. These woody plants range in size from the imposing weeping willow tree to small shrubs. While not fussy about soil quality, they generally require moderate to wet soil …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … to keep them healthy. When Mother Nature provides an inch or more of rainwater per week, it is not necessary to water. If supplemental water is needed, water deeply one or two times per week. Annual plants usually require more water, … down 2 to 3 inches below the surface. Soil at that level should be moist, not wet. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water — but not overwater. Clay soils retain moisture longer than sandy …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals—often … nights—though the absolute temperature range (cool, intermediate, or warm) varies by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom … sustain the plant through dry periods. Other varieties are monopodial, meaning upward growth is from a single growing point. There is an exception to almost every general statement one can …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … flowering shrubs on my property and cut branches to force indoors for late-winter color. What is the best way to do this? A. Branches from most flowering trees or shrubs can be successfully …
    Type: Plant Info