 Nature never goes out of style.
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Cymbidium Orchids
Unlike tropical orchids, such as the popular phalaenopsis and dendrobium, cymbidiums are native to the cool mountain regions of Asia and Australia. They need nighttime temperatures of 45-55° F to produce their spectacular flowers. High daytime temperatures don't seem to harm these hardy orchids, so long as it cools off at night. |  |
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How to Grow and Care for Coleus
If you're looking for a plant with nonstop color, consider coleus. Grown for their ornamental foliage, coleus varieties offer an astonishing range of leaf sizes, shapes, colors, and patterning. This variety, along with the plants' adaptability to shade and its easy-care nature, have helped coleus become a popular plant for containers and mixed plantings. |  |
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The Roots of the Matter
At this time of year, many gardeners are digging up buried treasure — those delicious root vegetables that have been fattening up underground and are now ready to unearth for some delicious eating. While the harvest of carrots, beets and the like may have begun earlier in the season, fall is a time when many of the root vegetables produce their most bountiful crops. And, given the right conditions, many of these tasty roots can be stored for enjoyment later in the fall, sometimes even into the winter months. |  |
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Planting Hedges and Screens
Most of us consider our yards and gardens an extension of our homes, and we look for sanctuary and privacy there. Plants can create living walls, which can be especially important in neighborhoods where homes are close together. Whether you can wait years for the screen to grow in place, or need a screen right away, you have many options. |  |
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Hitchhiking Garden Pests
If you live in Los Angeles or Miami, you know the havoc exotic insect pests can cause to a garden. Both cities have suffered from pest invasions in recent years. The holiday season is an especially important time to avoid inadvertently importing new garden pests. |  |
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Fall Fruit Garden Care
As the growing season draws to a close, it's time to think about the fall preparations that will help bring our tree fruits and small fruits through the cold months ahead. While there is not a great deal that needs to be seen to, a little care this fall will help your fruit trees weather the winter months in top condition. |  |
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Herbs for Health
Research has shown that many fresh herbs are even higher in disease-fighting antioxidants than powerhouses like blueberries. One study measured the antioxidant activity of 27 culinary herbs and 12 medicinal herbs. As you might expect, the medicinal herbs showed significant levels of antioxidants. Surprisingly, however, the culinary herbs had even higher levels. Oregano led the pack, with 3 to 20 times more antioxidant content than the other herbs tested; other good sources include dill, thyme, rosemary, and peppermint. |  |
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Together with AgroThrive This week when you make a purchase on agrothrive.com, we'll match it and donate an equal amount of organic fertilizer to Farm Discovery, a nonprofit working to empower youth and families to build and sustain healthy food, farming, social and natural systems. Click here to learn more and participate.
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Sargent Viburnum (Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga')
Plant Habit: Shrub, Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial Shade to Full Shade
Plant Height: 6 to 12 feet
Plant Spread: 6 to 8 feet
Leaves: Good fall color, Unusual foliage color, Deciduous
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Bi-Color
Flower Time: Spring, Late spring or early summer, Late winter or early spring
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Pollinators: Various insects
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Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla 'Blue Shadow')
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5a -28.9 °C (-20 °F) to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
Plant Height: 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8m)
Plant Spread: 4 to 6 feet (1.2-1.8m)
Leaves: Good fall color, Unusual foliage color, Deciduous
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Spring
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Parentage: Sport of: Mount Airy
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St. John's Wort (Hypericum 'Hidcote')
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic, Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5a -28.9 °C (-20 °F) to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
Plant Height: 4 feet
Plant Spread: 4 feet
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer, Summer
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Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva')
Plant Habit: Shrub
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic, Mesic
Plant Height: 8 to 15 feet, even to 25 feet
Plant Spread: 8 to 15 feet
Leaves: Deciduous
Fruit: Dehiscent
Flowers: Showy, Blooms on new wood
Flower Color: White
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Resistances: Pollution
Pollinators: Bees
Awards and Recognitions: Other
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West Clandon Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5a -28.9 °C (-20 °F) to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
Plant Height: 2 to 4 feet
Plant Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Leaves: Unusual foliage color, Fragrant, Deciduous, Other
Fruit: Showy, Other
Flowers: Showy, Fragrant, Other, Blooms on new wood
Flower Color: Blue
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall
Uses: Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Deer Resistant, Drought tolerant
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger, Needs excellent drainage in pots
Parentage: Caryopteris incana x Caryopteris mongholica
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 Photo by LoriMT
"Still blooming outside in pot on Nov 10."
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 Photo by Versicolor
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by SL_gardener
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by purpleinopp
"It may be a weed but it's having a very attractive day."
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 Photo by RuuddeBlock
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 Photo by daylily_almaty
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 Photo by floota
"NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE"
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 Photo by WebTucker
"White butterfly ginger #131 nn; LHB p. 290, 39-6-1, "Greek combination, 'sweet snow' from the color and fragrance of some species." MBG, "Specific epithet means pertaining to garlands.""
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Together with Victory Seed Company Remember Glass Gem Popcorn? Many years ago this variety of popcorn became wildly popular as internet denizens like you discovered photos online and everyone just had to grow it. We sold out and had a hard time keeping it in stock since then, but we're restocked now!
What's so special about it is not just that it has unbelievably striking colors that sparkle and shine in the sun, but it also produces sturdy, healthy and tall stalks up to 10 feet in height. High winds are no problem, and it is very productive. 15 to 20 pounds of seed from fifty plants are possible. Generally grown for its ornamental value, it can also be sort-of popped, ground into flour, or made into parched corn.
Don't worry about us running out, we're ready for the 2023 growing season with thousands of packets of Glass Gem in stock at just $2.95 per 100 seed packet. Just remember Glass Gem when it's time to finally place your seed order with Victory Seed Company!
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Active threads from our forums:
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The numbers from this week:
221 members joined.
2,972 posts written in our forums.
653 photos posted to the plant database.
271 plants added to personal inventory lists.
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 Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans.
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