 No two gardens are the same. No two days are the same in one garden. ~Hugh Johnson. (Plant pictured is Chionanthus retusus)
|
|
Renovating an Overgrown Houseplant
Branching, shrub-like houseplants, such as scented geranium, hibiscus, flowering maple, begonia, and schefflera, need regular pruning to keep them healthy and attractive. |
 |
|
|
Durable, Delectable Nasturtiums
I can't think of better annual flowers than nasturtiums. Not only are they fast and easy to grow--a bonus where the growing season is short--but they look and taste good, too. |
 |
|
|
Growing "Up" in the Garden
Aesthetics, because there's something special about a trellis or abor festooned with flowers, whether they are fragrant roses, romantic wisteria, or cheerful morning glories. Is your garden lacking that certain something? How about a rose-covered trellis shading an inviting bench? What about your front entryway? Could it be improved with a vine-laden arbor to welcome visitors? |
 |
|
|
Breeding Your Own Squash
The reasons to save your own seed are myriad and range from the practical to the profound. You can fine-tune established varieties; you can also take advantage of genetic accidents to create new varieties if you know how to save seed. |
 |
|
|
Sponsored by AgroThrive Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy 15% off on agrothrive.com when you use the code "NGA15". AgroThrive is the world's first fast acting organic fertilizer sustainably formulated for everything that grows. Shop here.
|
|
Common Lantana (Lantana camara)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic, Dry Mesic
Plant Height: Some specimens can reach 4 to 5 feet in height
Plant Spread: 4 to 5 feet
Leaves: Evergreen, Malodorous
Fruit: Showy, Edible to birds
Fruiting Time: Late summer or early fall, Fall, Late fall or early winter
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Pink, Mauve, Other, Lavender
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer, Summer, Late summer or early fall, Other
|
 |
|
|
Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: to 8 inches
Plant Spread: to 3 feet
Leaves: Unusual foliage color, Fragrant, Evergreen
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Groundcover, Suitable as Annual
Resistances: Drought tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 1 gallon, Needs excellent drainage in pots, Suitable for hanging baskets
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
|
 |
|
|
Spider Flower (Tarenaya hassleriana)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Annual
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Mesic, Dry Mesic, Dry
Plant Height: 36-48 inches
Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
Leaves: Fragrant, Other
Fruit: Dehiscent
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant
Flower Color: White, Pink, Lavender
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer, Summer, Late summer or early fall, Fall
Uses: Cut Flower, Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Stratify seeds, Sow in situ
Miscellaneous: With thorns/spines/prickles/teeth
|
 |
|
|
Yellow Ice Plant (Delosperma nubigenum)
Plant Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Leaves: Evergreen, Other
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow, Other, Green
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic, Alpine Gardening
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion control, Provides winter interest
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Salt tolerant, Drought tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem, Cuttings: Tip, Layering, Other
Containers: Suitable in 1 gallon, Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots
|
 |
|
|
Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb, Cactus/Succulent
Life cycle: Annual
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Mesic, Dry Mesic, Dry
Plant Height: 6 inches
Plant Spread: 12 inches
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: White, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Summer
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators: Self, Various insects
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
|
 |
|
|
 Photo by Neela
|
|
 Photo by Valery33
|
|
 Photo by DeweyRooter
"Photo by Sun Dragon Daylilies. Used by permission."
|
|
 Photo by Zoia
|
|
 Photo by gardengus
|
|
 Photo by GigiPlumeria
"My desert rose, decapitated last spring and it took a long time to recover! Seems very happy now!"
|
|
 Photo by WebTucker
"Fox glove #37nn; LHB page 894, 179-16-7, "Latin for 'finger of a glove', referring to the shape of the flowers"."
|
|
 Photo by HamiltonSquare
"The outer leaves are in the process of becoming a dry papery protective layer, during the heat and dryness of summer, for the fully formed next generation within."
|
|
 Photo by mjscot
|
|
 Photo by WebTucker
"Triodanis perfoliata Venus is looking glass #142; RAB page1002, 178-1-1. AG page 308, 57-1-1, "Name from 'Speculum veneris', the early name of the common European species". LHB page 966, 192-4 —?."
|
|
Active threads from our forums:
|
Thread Subject
|
Forum
|
Replies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The numbers from this week:
507 members joined.
5,582 posts written in our forums.
1,884 photos posted to the plant database.
861 plants added to personal inventory lists.
|
|
 For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair. Anne Morrow Lindbergh
|
|
|
