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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden

How to Prune Damaged Shrubs

Shrubs are damaged by a wide variety of causes, including diseases, insects, frost, too much fertilizer and limb breakage. The damaged areas show up as leafless limbs, discolored leaves, or broken and drooping branches. While these damaged sections are unattractive, they also are harmful to the heal

Ficus Hedge Pests

Ficus benjamina is a common hedge plant in many parts of South Florida, as it is cheap to purchase and grows quickly. Unfortunately, it is more of a tree than a shrub--and a very large tree at that. Consequently, it is difficult to maintain as a hedge, and becomes an impractical and, in the long run

How to Trim Grapevines in the North East

According to the University of Rhode Island, grapevines that are successfully established can live more than 40 years with proper care. Pruning allows gardeners to remove diseased portions of the plant and train its canes for optimal fruit production. In addition, unhealthy canes can be removes thus

Types of Safari Shrubs

Safari participants will see several types of shrubs while touring regions of Africa.shrub image by pix29 from Fotolia.comThe lush plains of Africa are abundant in wild life and greenery, and a safari trip through any region of the country provides close-up views of all the natural...

Species of Indoor Plants

A study conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration concluded that common houseplants improve air quality. According to the study, plants remove 87 percent of air toxins in a 24-hour period. In addition to providing health benefits, plants accentuate the decor of most rooms and of

Tips on How to Grow Succulents Vertically

Vertical succulent gardening gives gardeners a chance to create dramatic focal points in large or small landscapes. While many vertical gardens include climbing vines growing up walls or trellises, you can take a creative approach and use objects around your home as planters. It is important to corr

Are Geraniums Annual or Perennial?

Geraniums are versatile plants that grow in almost any climate and in a range of sizes. Some geraniums are perennials and others are annuals. They add a vibrant display to borders, rock gardens and containers.

How Much Does Soil Cost Per Meter?

In America soil is sold by the yard -- a cubic yard measuring 36 inches on all sides. A meter is just over 39 inches long, so a meter of soil, if one could be bought, would have 1.3 times the amount of soil, or about 30 percent more soil.

What Are the Parts of a Fast Plant?

Wisconsin Fast Plants have been bred for the last 30 years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus, in the department of plant pathology. They are members of the Crucifer family and carry the scientific name of Brassica rapa. Fast Plants are often used for classroom activities,...

How to Make Petunias Grow Big & Fast

Petunias are a popular summertime flower. They start out small and short, but in no time, you can have a huge blast of color filling your flower gardens. There are many varieties of petunia, each of them a different color. Mixing and matching petunia varieties will create a visually appealing garden

Bees & Flowering Plants

Bees and flowers have a symbiotic relationship.Design Pics/Valueline/Getty ImagesFlowering plants and bees have developed an interdependent relationship. The bees are provided with nectar and pollen to keep their hives populated. The flowers get help in the pollination process, needed to...

What Is the Purpose of the Thorns on a Rose Bush?

Mankind has been infatuated by roses and their thorns throughout history. In "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde, the bird allows its heart to be pierced by a rose thorn, magically turning a white flowering rose to red through a trickle of blood. The abstract ideal of love's sacrifice was

Hydrated Beads for Plants

Hydrating beads are useful for plant cultivation.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesHydrating beads that are made out of polymer (molecules that have high molar masses), are used as both functional and attractive mediums for flowering plant arrangements. Polymer hydrating beads (also...

Salt Marsh Plants & Animals

Salt marshes occur in areas where bodies of water meet land and have varying levels of salinity. A wide array of plant and animal life lives within a salt marsh setting. Insects, microscopic organisms and small marine animals make up a large amount of the wildlife in salt marshes. By...

The Best Shade Trees for Zone 9

Shade trees also lend shelter and visual interest to your landscape.Arch Path image by Jacob Randell from Fotolia.comOf all the plant hardiness regions on the zone map, Zone 9 is one of the smallest, comprising Florida, the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana, much of California, and the...

How to Grow Tomatoes in Virginia

Tomatoes flourish best in warm, sunny weather. Most of Virginia provides those conditions during the summer growing season, and it's safe to plant your tomatoes straight into the garden in May, when frost is no longer likely. If you live in one of the cooler parts of Virginia, like the northern Blue

My Italian Cypress Is Turning Brown

Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a coniferous evergreen with tall, columnar growth habit. The tree has a moderate growth rate and grows 40 to 60 feet tall with a 3-foot spread. A number of reasons could be behind the discoloration of Italian cypress trees.

List of Non-Poisonous Indoor Plants

The use of indoor plants or houseplants help bring in natural green into the inside living areas. According to the University of Georgia Extension, people spend 90 percent of their time indoors and houseplants are becoming an increasingly popular way to enhance a sense of well being...

How to Transplant a Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactuses, Schlumbergera, are favored as holiday gifts. With proper care, the plant will reward you with white, pink or red blooms each holiday season. The plants will thrive for decades. You shouldn't have to transplant your Christmas cactus too often: Christmas cactus blooms well when pot