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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
The Types of Apple Leaves
Most apple leaves are oval-shaped with a pointed tip and a green color.Dropped apple image by Ivana Lovic from Fotolia.comApples tress are located all over the world and produce a variety of different apples. Despite the variety in apples, apple leaves are all noticeably similar. Apple...
The Best Time to Transplant a Privet
Privet (Ligustrum) is often used for hedges, although it works well as a specimen shrub in a mixed border. Evergreen varieties, such as glossy privet, are common in areas with mild climates, while deciduous varieties are hardier. Plant privets in full sun and well-draining soil. These plants transpl
How to Make Different Kinds of Homemade Bird Feeders
Providing an extra bite to eat for your birds gives them a food source all year round, and it keeps your garden or backyard filled with life and colorful feathered friends. If you're looking for a craft that's kid-friendly and requires little or no building, or you're looking for a feeder with a bit
How to Prune a Ficus Elastica
Ficus elastica, also known as the rubber plant, is a common household plant that is easy to grow and fairly easy to maintain. The main maintenance concern is that the plants tend to grow straight and tall and do not branch out enough. To get a fuller look, pruning the Ficus elastica is essential. Wi
Hemlock Pests
The hemlock is a species of tree found in several parts of North America that plays an important ecological niche in the environment, providing food and shelter for a wide variety of birds and mammals. It also has numerous economic uses and is important to the paper trade. However, it is also subj
How Do Plants React to Light?
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into food, specifically sugars, using energy from the sun. Photosynthesis occurs not only in plants, but also in algae and many types of bacteria. In plants, photosynthesis occurs in the leaves, using the energy from the
Growing Commercial Bamboo in South Carolina
Bamboo is an exotic, bushy plant native to Asia. This plant became popular in the United States in the '70s, when the country started importing giant pandas and their chosen food (bamboo shoots). It has since grown to be popular in yards and pots alike, and is often kept in small pots as a house pla
How to Care for Cedar Logs
Cedar logs provide a beautiful finish for both homes and furniture pieces. However, they need some maintenance and care to stay looking their very best. Take a few precautions and provide the appropriate care to ensure that your cedar logs stay looking new and retain their charm.
How to Maximize Blueberry Production
Blueberries are grown in a variety of states including Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, North Carolina and Oregon. Growing healthy and abundant blueberries takes just the right soil, nutrients and natural environment. As long as blueberries are provided a long growing season with ample
How to Grow Scallions in Containers
Scallions -- also known as green onions -- are ideal for growing in containers because of their small size and rapid growth. Because you harvest the green onions while they are still young, within two to three months after planting, they will quickly reach maturity while growing in containers. Grow
Gnats and House Plants
If you've ever noticed tiny flies buzzing erratically around your houseplants, you're probably dealing with fungus gnats. Although fungus gnats are common houseplant pests, it's important not to ignore them. Gnats and houseplants do not have a mutually beneficial relationship, and these prolific lit
Growing Roses in the Northern Climate
Roses need special care to survive the winters in the northern climate. Hardy roses have the best chance of surviving, but roses with tender roots can be grafted onto hardier roots. To give your roses the best chance of surviving, plant in the spring, make sure they stay healthy, and give them extra
Gardenias & Gardening
Gardenias, an evergreen shrub known for sweet-smelling white blooms, grows throughout the southeastern United States. The gardenia fragrance has inspired many perfumes and body-care products. Gardenias require some regular maintenance to thrive and blossom.
Hong Kong Orchid Tree Growth Habits
Used as a street tree or a specimen tree, Hong Kong orchid tree (Bauhinia x blakeana) has the largest flowers of the several species of orchid trees. This tree is a naturally occurring hybrid between purple orchid tree (Bauhinia purpurea) and orchid tree (Bauhinia variegata). It was discovered on th
Orchid Care Guide
Proper orchid care requires a shift in thinking. In nature, orchids live in trees, attached to rocks or in the leaf litter and humus on the forest floor. Their requirements are quite different from ordinary houseplants. A basic needs guide will provide a better understanding of orchids and their car
Good Flowering Shrubs
Flowering shrubs add color and warmth to your landscape.poinsettia hedge 1. image by mdb from Fotolia.comFlowering shrubs suitable for your region of the country can provide spring, summer or fall flowers on perennial or evergreen bushes. Many of these shrubs are low-care when grown in...
How to Root a Parlor Palm
Parlor palms acquired their common name because they were a favorite houseplant in Victorian era parlors. Their popularity persists today thanks to the graceful appearance of their 6-foot-tall, spreading fronds and hardiness against poorly lit and dry indoor conditions. Parlor palms propagate severa
When Should I Plant a Spruce Tree?
Spruce, botanical name Picea, is a family of coniferous evergreen trees found in northern temperate zones. They can grow to 200 feet tall, in a conical shape with whorled branches. They bear needles instead of leaves, which are spiraled along the branches. You can grow spruce trees rapidly from seed
Will Manzanita Grow in the Shade?
The Manzanita is a common name given to a large number of trees, shrubs and other plants in the Arctostaphylos family. The Manzanita is a family of species that are native to the west coast of the U.S., with species found through the states of California and north through Washington into British Col
How to Buy Herb Seeds
Starting herbs indoors during the winter months helps you get them ready to plant in the spring. Sometimes the particular herbs you want are not available as seedlings, and you need to start them from seed. Herbs normally have long germination periods and can often be rather tricky to grow from s