… chlorophyll gives leaves their green appearance throughout the growing season. Chlorophyll is the only pigment involved in the process of photosynthesis — the absorption of light energy and its conversion to sugars, which are then converted into usable energy by plants. It is relatively unstable and degrades easily in sunlight or cool temperatures. The progressive … and become visible. Shorter Days The only constant factor influencing fall color year-to-year is shortening day length. Reduction in day length signals changes in specialized cells called the …
Type: Plant Info
… there are a few stars that shine more brightly than the rest. Perhaps the fairest of them all is the great white trillium, Trillium grandiflorum , a woodland wildflower beloved by … Also known as white wake-robin, snow trillium, trinity flower, or large-flowered trillium, it is easily recognizable by its waxy white flower with three petals and three sepals, blooming atop … swipe all the greenery from the root stalk, effectively killing the plant, since the rhizome is left with no means to produce food/energy for future growth. Gardeners interested in …
Type: Plant Info
… a stylish twist to indoor gardens. One plant able to make a stunning statement indoors or out is a symbol of holiday hospitality: the pineapple plant, Ananas comosus . Native to South … to the high levels necessary for good growth. Ananas A member of the bromeliad family, Ananas is a diverse group of more than 2,000 plants, most of which are tropical ephiphytes — plants that … Animal and bird droppings, along with fallen leaves, comprise the plant’s food, and rain water is captured by the plant’s vase-shaped leaves and central cup or cone. The arching spray of …
Type: Plant Info
… period from about November to February. Then the clivia should be kept in an environment that is about 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and should be watered very sparingly. When the rest period is over, bring the clivia into a room with average home temperatures and moderate to bright …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. My neighbor puts epsom salts in the soil around his rose bushes instead of fertilizer. Is there any advantage to this? A. Epsom salts have a long tradition of being used in the garden, … fast-acting source for magnesium and sulfur. For soils on the alkaline side, the added sulfur is a benefit. Epsom salts, however, do not contain any of the three major components of most …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I have an established planting of peony bushes that are attacked by blight every year. What is the best way to prevent this disease from recurring? A. Peonies can suffer from several fungal … turn black and never open. These fungal problems favor damp, crowded conditions where there is inadequate sun and air circulation. Always plant peonies in full sun in soil with good …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I would like to cut back on pesticide use in my vegetable garden. Is there anything I can start to do as I plant this spring? A. Most insect pests attacking … require controls specific to that insect. But rotating the crops in your entire vegetable bed is a good cultural practice that can help to control future problems. Insects and diseases often …
Type: Plant Info
… this hurt the bulbs or future blooms? A. Premature sprouting due to unseasonably warm weather is not unusual. This will not affect the bulbs themselves. However, subsequent below-freezing … of early leaves, and, if buds have formed, prevent flowers from developing properly. No action is necessary to protect the bulbs themselves, but if more than 1 to 2 inches of leaf and/or …
Type: Plant Info
… ‘Borneo Giant’ is a cultivar of elephant’s ear almost as big as an elephant! The giant arrowhead-shaped, bright … average gardener to try to grow this to its full size. Although they may be called taros, it is the genus Colocasia , with drooping leaves, that produced the edible tubers for the Hawaiian …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… inside, so only hummingbirds and certain butterflies have access to the nectar. The good news is that while the true flowers only last a few days, the bracts can last months. At two to three feet high, Dwarf Jamaican is one of the smallest varieties of Heliconia stricta. This makes it a good container plant for …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
