 October is the month of painted leaves.
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Delightful Delphiniums
The stalwart of many perennial borders, delphiniums have broadened their range, both in size and heat tolerance -- good news for gardeners with small gardens or in warm climates. |  |
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How to Grow and Care for Plums
Widely adapted, reliably prolific, more compact, and less demanding than most fruit trees, plums are a natural choice for the home grower. They're delicious cooked in jams, baked in pies, and -- best of all -- eaten freshly picked from the tree. |  |
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Making Pumpkins Last
Pumpkins store well for months as long as you can provide them with the proper after-harvest care and storage conditions. Follow these guidelines for storing them into the winter. |  |
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Plant a Rock Garden!
After years of collecting the rocks from garden beds, I now have a rather impressive stockpile of stones in assorted colors, shapes, and sizes. I've decided to put them to work by building a rock garden. |  |
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Moth Orchids are Easy-to-Grow Houseplants
If you've wondered if you could grow orchids, let me say a resounding, "Yes!" Moth orchids are readily available and easy to care for. Here are some tips to keep them flourishing. |  |
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Composting is Easy!
Compost improves soil health. By taking dried leaves, plant trimmings, and kitchen scraps and composting them, you'll also reduce the burden on landfills. |  |
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Seaberry
Seaberry, also known as sea buckthorn, is prized for both its ornamental value and its edible berries. This hardy, carefree deciduous shrub also makes excellent hedges and wildlife habitats. |  |
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Survey finds Most People Open to Leaving Leaves to Benefit Wildlife
A National Wildlife Federation survey found that most people (72 percent) know that fallen leaves and leaf layers are beneficial to wildlife and biodiversity, yet only 25 percent are leaving their leaves where they fall. Thankfully, 82 percent of people are open to leaving leaves to benefit wildlife in the future. |  |
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White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Shade to Full Shade
Plant Height: 1 to 2 feet (30-60cm)
Flowers: Showy
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall, Fall
Uses: Groundcover, Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Tolerates dry shade
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New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome')
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 18 - 24 inches
Plant Spread: 18 - 24 inches
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Purple
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall, Fall
Uses: Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies, Bees
Pollinators: Self, Bees, Flies, Moths and Butterflies, Beetles
Awards and Recognitions: Other
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Pagoda Flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F)
Plant Height: 3 to 5 feet (.9-1.5m)
Plant Spread: 3 to 5 feet (.9-1.5m)
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Orange, Other
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Summer, Late summer or early fall, Fall, Other
Wildlife Attractant: Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Bees
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Pollinators: Moths and Butterflies
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African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata)
Plant Habit: Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun, Full Sun to Partial Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Plant Height: To 80 feet
Leaves: Evergreen, Semi-evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Other
Flower Time: Spring, Other
Uses: Shade Tree, Flowering Tree
Wildlife Attractant: Birds, Hummingbirds
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Chinese Crown Orchid (Eulophia graminea)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade, Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Plant Height: 2 to 3 feet
Plant Spread: 12 to 18 inches
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Other, Green
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Uses: Groundcover, Will Naturalize
Resistances: Salt tolerant, Humidity tolerant
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
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 Photo by DraDiana
"Early morning photo before the yellow got more washed out."
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 Photo by AngieVanIsld
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 Photo by Hillsepicacti
"A popular hybrid..and you can see why!"
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by Valery33
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 Photo by BlueOddish
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 Photo by HamiltonSquare
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 Photo by HamiltonSquare
"First signs of flower on the way."
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 Photo by RuuddeBlock
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 Photo by HamiltonSquare
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Active threads from our forums:
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The numbers from this week:
238 members joined.
3,043 posts written in our forums.
654 photos posted to the plant database.
363 plants added to personal inventory lists.
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 To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.
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