… by excessive amounts of snow, ice, or an unusually wet snow will often damage woody shrubs and trees. Some of the most susceptible plants are boxwood, arborvitae, and yews. Branches of smaller trees and shrubs can be loosely wrapped with soft cords, old nylon stockings tied together, or twine. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. How do I determine the pH of my garden soil and why is it important? A. The pH of garden soil can be easily determined by using an inexpensive kit that can be purchased at hardware stores and large garden centers. Proper soil pH is particularly important to plants such as birch trees and hydrangea shrubs. Often, plants exhibit nutritional deficiencies that can be addressed by a …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. Last year, my tomato plants didn’t produce as much fruit as in past years. Why is this and is there anything that I can do about it? A. There can be several reasons to explain low … of insects, which will result in low fruit production. • Shallow watering can stress and weaken tomato plants. Soil kept uniformly moist will promote the development of a large, … sprays if these diseases threaten to severely defoliate plants. Contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or [email protected] to request a list of approved … Type: Plant Info
… in the axils of the stiff, rough branches. These Asian shrubs are very adaptable to poor soils and varying moisture, but the flower buds may be tender on older cultivars. Pruning is best done … The leaves are quite different from the common border forsythias, up to 4” long, more narrow and finely toothed. The bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters of one to three in the leaf axils. … base of each flower has a tinge of purple. In China it grows in open woodlands, rocky slopes and bottomlands. It requires more moisture than border forsythias and can take more shade. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Georgia Pancake bluestar is also known as creeping bluestar for its low-growing and spreading habit. The thread-like green foliage grows on prostrate stems, but produces the same small pale blue flowers and attractive golden fall foliage for which the genus is known. Members of the genus Amsonia are … stem tips in late spring or early summer. The foliage ranges from threadlike to willow-like and looks attractive throughout the growing season with the bonus of good to outstanding yellow …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Sarracenia ‘Scarlet Belle’ produces foot high ‘hooded pitchers’ that somewhat resemble a red and pink cobra with white markings. A carnivorous plant adapted to acidic bogs where nitrogen is severely limited, it produces a combination of water and sugar with digestive enzymes at the bottom of the pitcher. Insects looking for a drink of … the hairs lining the inside of the hood prevent them from escaping the trap. The nitrogen and other nutrients released by the enzymes are absorbed through the lining of the pitcher. Old …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… you to make excellent floral arrangements. You will learn how to include foliage, fruit, and dried materials as well as how to prepare flowers before arranging. Purchase a few mixed bouquets, several individual flowers, and/or foliage bouquets from the grocery store before class and follow along step by step. A supply list will be sent. Please choose either the on-site or …
Type: Item Detail
… What is the reason? A. The honeybee has been a victim of two different mites—a tracheal mite and a Varroa mite. In addition, severe weather conditions over the past several years have … perhaps not as well-known to gardeners, that are capable of pollinating fruits, vegetables and other crops. Some nest in wood cavities or underground burrows. Before you swat that "strange … A few to look for include mason bees, leafcutter bees, digger bees, sweat bees, plasterer bees and the very large bumblebees. …
Type: Plant Info
… sudden changes in temperature, drafts or overly cool or dry rooms. They also will lose leaves and wilt in response to an extreme need for water. When choosing a plant, pick a healthy, full … poinsettias should have bright light for six hours a day, room temperatures of between 65 and 70 degrees and an even supply of moisture in the soil. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. How and when should I prune my trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) ? A. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) … early spring. For mature plants, trumpet creeper tolerates heavy pruning to control its spread and maintain a desired size. Prune annually, spur-pruning lateral shoots back to within two or three buds of the main stems. Remove weak and diseased growth. Renovate by cutting back all growth to within 12 inches of the ground to …
Type: Plant Info
