Featured Plants : easy care

Tatarian Maple is a highly ornamental tree

barb-nhn — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:11:00 GMT

Growing 15--20 feet tall, the Tatarian Maple is a beautiful addition to the landscape, and makes a wonderful tree for planters, patios, or small areas. It has an excellent small tree form and possesses an attractive foliage quality.

Have you noticed that everything about this small oriental-looking tree is highly ornamental -- its flowers, bark, foliage, and even the seeds themselves? The fragrant greenish to yellow flowers appear in spring and literally cover the tree. The flowers are followed by attractive bright pink to red winged fruit. The dense medium green summer leaves change to yellow, red, and reddish brown in the fall.

Tatarian Maple is tolerant of many soil conditions and should be planted in partial shade to full sun. This Maple tree is a low maintenance tree, and very hardy from zones 3 to 8. If you are looking for that perfect tree for your small yard, this tree is the one to seriously consider!

The Rich Flavored Blake’s Pride Pear

barb-nhn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:58:00 GMT

What an aromatic, rich flavor Blake’s Pride Pear has to offer, along with its juicy flesh texture that appeals to everyone! Blake's Pride is moderate in size, averaging almost 3 inches in diameter, with a short, upright stem on the fruit.

It is harvested about three weeks after the Bartlett, and you can depend on a very good storage life. If you remove some of the fruit when small, you allow the pears left on the tree to grow larger. It also has a high degree of resistance to fireblight.

The Blake's Pride Pear tree is lovely to look at with its upright-spreading habit that gets 12-18 feet tall. The best location for this pear tree is some place elevated and on a slope. It has a yield that is moderate to high, with the first crop three to four years after planting. It is fairly easy to care for and will need some pruning during the winter. Only prune it lightly in order for it to keep its shape and nice strong branches.

Suggested pollinators for Blake's Pride are D'Anjou or Bartlett Pear, and it should be no further than 50 feet away so the trees can cross-pollinate.

The Popular Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree

barb-nhn — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:28:00 GMT

Of all the flowering cherry trees, Kwanzan Flowering Cherry tree is one of the most popular and is a beautiful vase-shaped ornamental tree. This hardy deciduous tree is a moderate grower with an upright and spreading form; grows to a height of 20 to 30 feet. The bundles of large double pink blossoms last for three weeks. The flowers are a not only a clear pink, but “double pink", meaning you get twice as many blooms as found on other trees. Multiple petals are similar to a carnation flower. Kwanzan Flowering Cherry has light green foliage with a red tinge.

The Kwanzan Flowering Cherry tree is also known as a Japanese Flowering Cherry tree. The leaves turn to a reddish-copper fall color. It is one of the easiest flowering trees to grow and thrives in almost any soil and climate. Easily grown in zones 5-8 and is considered a tree for many seasons!

This flowering cherry prefers a site with full sun, loose, well drained soil with plenty of moisture. It is somewhat tolerant of alkaline soil and drought but is sensitive to pollution and stresses in general.

For A Crackling Fire Without The Heat, Try A Calibrachoa Million Bells Crackling Fire

patti-nhn — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:22:00 GMT

This Calibrachoa Million Bells Crackling Fire is noted for its bright orange and yellow striped 1 inch trumpet shaped flowers that look like flames in a fire. It is a Proven Winners hybrid plant. If you enjoy butterflies and hummingbirds, this one will attract them like a flame! They will bloom all season and look great in flower beds, hanging baskets and containers with their fine foliage as well. They are easy to grow and are low maintenance.

They are a mounding plant that will mature from 6 to 10 inches in height and 7 to 10 inches in spread. They require full sun to partial shade, well drained soil and regular fertilization. This Crackling Fire will bloom vigorously until a hard frost. Deadheading is not needed for the flowers to rebloom. They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 11. In zones 3-8 they are an annual and zones 9 to 11 they can be a perennial. This is a beautiful hybrid that will add some fire to your garden!

Here Is A Beautiful Part Of Americana In A Geranium For You!

patti-nhn — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:09:00 GMT

The Americana Orchid Geranium has one of the most beautiful flower heads of all plants. The flowers are huge with a lavendar or some say medium pink color. The center of the blossoms are white. It has a well branched structure which really shows off the flowers. The leaves and stems are succulent and green. They are sometimes called zonal or garden geraniums. They do well in almost all types of containers. They can be seen growing from small pots to huge containers. Window boxes are another popular place to plant them, they can be combined with petunias and ivy for an attractive mix. Hanging baskets are very beautiful as well.

The geraniums are popular due to the fact that they can be grown in almost every region of the country. They are hardy from zone 3 to zone 11. They are an annual in zones 3 to 8 and can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11. It does require full sun and will mature from 12 to 18 inches in height and 12 to 15 inches wide. They have an upright growth habit and a moderate growth rate. This American Orchid Geranium would fit in any garden or patio space.

Want To Enjoy An Escapade? Try This Verbena!

patti-nhn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:21:00 GMT

For something that is one of a kind, this bright eye escapade verbena would be a great choice. The gorgeous large white flowers have a pink center, giving it the look of a "bright eye". They are vigorous, mildew resistant and heat tolerant. If you enjoy watching butterflies, they are attracted to this Verbena.

Planting is best in large containers or in a landscape bed. They are vigorous growers and bloom from spring to fall. They are not fussy plants. The Bright Eye will mature from 12 to 18 inches and spread to about 12 to 15 inches. They grow in a mounding form which is very attractive and grow in clumps. You will not want to overpamper these plants. You can deadhead the flowers and fertilize once a year as well as water only when dry after they get established. They are hardy from zones 3 to 11. In zones 3 to 8 it is an annual only. In zones 9 to 11 they can be a perennial.

Coleus In A New, Bigger And Sunloving Variety

patti-nhn — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The Coleus Life Lime is new with its chartreuse colored foliage and bigger size. Coleus does well in containers as well as in the garden. Often they are used for indoor plants as well. The coloring of this plant causes it to really show off. They are easy to grow and very durable. Frost can be an issue because they are tender to frost and they will die immediately once exposed to frost. They will grow best in temperatures above 55 degrees. They are very adaptable to soils but you will want good drainage otherwise too much watering can stunt the growth and cause it to wilt and scorch.

The Life Lime Coleus will grow from 10 to 14 inches in height and spread from 12 to 15 inches. It is hardy from zones 3 to 11. In zones 10 to 11 it can be a perennial and the rest of the zones it would be an annual. You will want to pinch the flower buds as they appear to keep it growing. If allowed to stay on the plant, it will cause them to complete its life cycle and die. This will want full sun to full shade and grows upright. It is also a fast grower if you like to have your plants blooming soon.

Verbena Lanai Blush White

patti-nhn — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:08:00 GMT

A wonderful delicate white flower with pale yellow centers covers this wonderful Verbena. It is the Verbena Lanai Blush White. If you are interested in a plant that flowers from spring to fall and is easy care, this will be one you will want to try. This is also a plant that will attract butterflies. It flowers from the tip to the crown.

This Verbena grows in clumps and will mature from 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. It is widely adaptable in soil and moisture. It does require full sun to partial shade. It grows in zones 3 to 11. In 3 to 8 it is an annual and 9 to 11 can be a perennial. You will not want to over pamper this Lanai Blush White Verbena. All you will need to do to keep them going is to deadhead flowers after blooming, fertilize once a year, once they get established and water them only when the ground is dry. For a great attraction in your garden, this would be a great choice.

Red Riding Hood Could Be In Your Garden!

patti-nhn — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:35:00 GMT

For a lot of added color to your landscape, this Red Riding Hood Grass 'Pennisetum 'Red Riding Hood' is a wonderful addition and very easy care. You can plant this in the garden, in containers and makes a great border plant. Depending on whether it is grown in high-light or low-light environments it will either have light purple or green foliage in low-light, which diminishes its appeal, or in high light it will have a purple coloration which is more appealing.

The Red Riding Hood Grass will mature from 18 to 30 inches and will spread from 12 to 14 inches. It will grow upright with an arching appearance. It is not picky about soil or moisture. Full sun is required to get the purple-red coloration. It is an annual in zones 3 to 8 and a perennial in zones 9 to 11. This would be a good choice for a small area or to plant a row without taking up too much room.

Frost In The Spring Even In Warm Climates!

patti-nhn — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:52:00 GMT

For a delicate touch that has the look of frost, the Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost' is the one for you. It is light and airy and produces a white delicate flower. You might think that this plant is not hardy but it is heat and drought tolerant and is hardy in zones 10-11.

The flowers will grow all season for you. Another plus is that the Diamond Frost is low maintenance. It does not require deadheading to keep blooming. It grows upright and mounding. It will mature to a height of 12 to 18 inches and spreads to about 10 to 12 inches. It does best in normal dry soil with full to partial sunlight. The foliage is a nice green color. It has a moderate growth rate so is not fast or slow growing but right down the middle. Try this plant in your garden to add some "frost" in the spring.

Draceaena Spikes Are A Great Accent And Are Drought Tolerant

patti-nhn — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Draceane - Indivisa Spikes can be a great addition to your landscape. They grow upright up to 20 to 36 inches tall and their long green spikes remind me of swords in appearance. They do arch a bit as they grow which gives them a full appearance as well. Planting flowers around their base is a pleasant arrangement and making the plants colorful would be very attractive.

The Spikes can be moved inside in the winter but it does need to be outside during the summer. In some cases it has even been grown as a large specimen tree. It is hardy from zones 3 to 11. It can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11 but an annual only in zones 3 to 8. The Spikes will grow upright and it will spread from 15 to 18 inches outward. Full to partial shade is needed. The soil should be well drained and fed bi-weekly if it is in a container with other plants. If in its own pot then you can feed it monthly with a balanced plant food while it is actively growing.

This is a great plant, easy care, adds interest and works well in many types of plantings.

This Scarlet Goldalia Dahlia Is Striking And Original

patti-nhn — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The Dahlia 'Goldalia Scarlet' is a wonderful surprise with its bright red petals and bright yellow centers. The Goldalia series are also compact at 6 to 8 inches tall and they spread to about the same 6 to 8 inches. They are known for their excellent branching. Their flowers are long lasting and it is easy care with quick rooting. You can deadhead but it is not necessary. This is a great flower for attracting butterflies.

This easy care plant can be planted in just about any soil. It does prefer that the soil drain well. The Dahlia Goldalia Scarlet grows upright and requires full sun to partial shade. It is hardy from zone 3 to zone 11. It can be a perennial in zones 9 to 11 and an annual only in zones 3 to 8. Some people will dig up the tubers in the winter and store them in a cool, dry area until the next spring. If you keep them in the ground, you will want to mulch very well over the area. Try this Dahlia and your friends and neighbors will be impressed so much they'll want one for themselves.

Pretty In Pink And Full Of Pizzaz

patti-nhn — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:47:00 GMT

This Dianthus 'Pizzazz Pink' is a real winner. In fact it is from Proven Winners. If you like to attract butterflies this is the one, you might even get a hummingbird. The nice thing about Dianthus is that they will bloom from mid summer into early fall. You will need to deadhead them for longer bloom time although not necessary. For a cut flower arrangement, this is one of the best. Not only is it beautiful but it has a great scent along with its medium pink coloring.

It will show off in your garden as well. It grows from 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide so it won't be overwhelming. The Pizzaz Pink Dianthus needs well drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy from zone 3 to zone 8. In zones 9 to 11 it can actually be a perennial but in zone 3 to 8 it will only grow as an annual. The dove like flowers will work in so many ways. You need to give them a try and you'll want some in your garden every year!

Illumination Apricot Begonias

patti-nhn — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:06:00 GMT

The Begonia 'Illumination Apricot' is a wonderful apricot color that would be a nice change in your flower beds. They will bloom all summer with cascading flowers and even into Autumn. It is compact at 4 to 8 inches high and 24 to 30 inches wide. Because of its trailing habit, it would look very nice cascading over sides of containers or hanging baskets, even window boxes. These semi-double flowering plants do not need deadheading like some other plants.

The Illumination is pet friendly and disease resistant and heat tolerant. It is vigorous and can grow in areas with full sun to partial shade. In zones 9 to 11 this Begonia is a perennial and zones 3 to 8 it is an annual. It can be grown in many types of soils, it isn't picky. This would be a good plant to give as a gift in a container.

Soldacki Organic Tomatoes Rivals The Brandywine

patti-nhn — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

If you would like to enjoy a beefsteak tomato that rivals the Brandywine for taste and weighs in at a pound or more, the Organic Soldacki tomato, would be a great choice. It's sweet flavor is incomparable. It is a late mid season producer and it will give you a hearty harvest. The flesh is dark pink and the fruit is meaty. The foliage of the plant is potato leaf.

The harvest of the Soldacki is in 75 to 80 days from planting. It does need a support for it to grow. This tomato needs moderately moist, well drained soil and full sun. Tomatoes need 6 hours or more of direct sunlight a day as well as 1 inch of water a week. If the soil has added organic matter, that is helpful but not necessary. If you want to plant tomatoes in a pot, you will want to use plastic to prevent loss of moisture. Growing your own tomatoes is good for you and you will obtain the freshest of the fruits only steps from your home which can also help you save on the cost of gas and the cost of store prices.