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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Good Companion Plants for Bird of Paradise
Exotic evergreen Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) plants offer flowers in brilliant colors. Species of the plants include the Orange Bird of Paradise and the Juncea Bird of Paradise, which develops flowers similar to, but smaller than, those of the Orange Bird of Paradise. These plants produce
How to Kill Ants Cheaply
According to PestWorld for Kids, Earth is home to more than 12,000 types of ants. Most ants are usually harmless; however, if they find their way into your home, they can become a nuisance. If you have an ant problem in your home, you could buy commercial ant traps and killers. The other option is t
Evergreen Trees for the Southwest
Gardeners in the southwestern United States must take climate into account when choosing evergreen trees for their landscapes. Much of the Southwest experiences drought-like conditions regularly and, with the exception of high-elevation regions, also experience extreme heat in the summer. As evergre
What to Buy for Tomato Plants With Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot begins as a watery spot on the base of the tomato fruit. The spot soon turns to brown and then black as bacteria or fungi attack the rotting section. The remainder of the fruit stops growing and ripens prematurely. Lack of calcium aggravates the problem but isn't the only possible ca
Miniature Birch Trees
Birches have distinct white- or chestnut-colored bark that makes them desirable landscape trees. They are medium-sized trees that grow to 20 feet or more. Sometimes a large tree is not suitable for a small landscape, but dwarf or miniature species and cultivars mean you don't have to eliminate birch
Do Olive Trees Need Cross-Pollination?
Olive trees, or Olea europaea, are native to the Mediterranean area and their fruit has been the source of a nutritious cooking oil for many centuries. This tree was introduced to California, where it grows well, in the late 1700s.
Lime Tree Problems
Enjoy limes from your own back yard by preventing common problems these trees face. Water your lime tree every couple of weeks and apply 6 cups of fertilizer annually to promote healthy growth and prevent problems such as fruit drop and root rot.
How to Care for Portulaca
Portulaca comes in two major types---the flowering "moss rose" villosa type and the edible oleracea version. Both are easy to grow and benefit from the same conditions. Flower growers welcome portulaca villosa because its heat- and drought-tolerance brings color to areas where other flowers struggle
How to Grow Vegetables in Part Shade
Gardens which receive 3 to 6 hours of sunlight daily are considered partially shaded. Most vegetables need full sun (8 to 10 hours) to produce a crop. This presents a problem for gardeners who don't have access to this type of sunlight but want to grow vegetables. They'll never be able to grow a wid
How to Make a Wreath From Cotton Plants & Seeds
If you are decorating your house during the fall months, you may not want to hang up the typical dried leaf wreath arrangement because it looks weathered and crumbly. One solution is to make a wreath utilizing some of the other symbolic materials of the autumnal months, such as cotton plants and see
Guide to the Types of Clematis
Clematis have been called "show-stoppers" by Colorado State University Extension horticulturist Margaret Wolf. These climbing vines are diverse, with varieties both woody and herbaceous, deciduous and evergreen. Indeed, the genus Clematis includes some 250 species. The showy blooms can have between
Wine Bottle Trees for the Garden
Bottle trees are a type of garden art consisting of bottles hung on the branches of a tree, or a structure resembling a tree. The bottles are usually attached to the tree by slipping the bottleneck over a "branch." While all types of bottles can be used, wine bottles are a popular choice and are att
How Cold Will Tomato Plants Stand?
Tomato plants favor warmer weather. Tomato plants that are transplanted too early can experience nutrient deficiencies, fail to grow properly, and may not set fruit well, if at all. Although there are some techniques that can help extend your tomato growing season, more often than not it is best to
Vegetable Garden & Homemade Insect Repellent
Only a few of the insects in the vegetable garden are harmful, but they do a lot of damage. Tomato cutworms, cabbage worms, whiteflies, mealy bugs and squash bugs eat vegetables before they reach the table. Some plants are natural insect repellents. Catnip, coriander, basil, larkspur, petunias, radi
How to Revive a Dying Queen Palm Tree
Queen palms, also known as Syagrus romanzoffiana, make an attractive landscape palm in the extreme southern parts of the United States. The queen palm is a fast-growing tree. This makes it a choice palm to plant. The queen palm flourishes when given proper care, but can rapidly decline when negle
How to Grow Apple Trees for Deers
Deer are notoriously attracted to both the foliage and the fruit of the common apple tree. While gardeners view deer as pests, some hunters and wildlife enthusiasts grow apple trees specifically to improve the local deer habitat. Successfully growing apple trees for deer requires you to nurture the
The Trailing Arbutus Plant
Also known as mayflower or Plymouth mayflower, trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) is a low growing member of the heath family that hails from North America. The early flowering plant is somewhat rare, and is difficult to keep alive in cultivation due to its very specific care requirements and its low
How to Get Rid of Tadpoles in a Garden Pond
While frogs can be cute in movies or as lawn ornaments, their offspring can spread like wildfire. Tadpoles can be pests, infesting a well-manicured garden pond and clouding the water with their presence only to mature and spawn more tadpoles. While they pose no threat, tadpoles can be an annoyance w
How to Grow Nut Trees From Seeds
It's easier and faster to grow most nut trees from tree grafts, but if you're the adventurous type, you can grow nearly any type of nut from seeds. It helps if you're in no hurry, because you'll be waiting at least five or six years for English walnuts and Chinese chestnuts, and a minimum of 10 year
What Keeps Wasps Away From Decks?
Wasps are most active from the months of August to October, and are often attracted to nesting areas near decks, patios and doorways. Unfortunately, those are the most desirable months to spend outdoors on a deck or patio, fueling a need for wasp prevention.