文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月29日
What is a Mexican heather plant? Also known as false heather, Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a flowering groundcover that produces masses of bright green leaves. Small pink, white or lavender flowers decorate the plant throughout most of the year. Mexican heather plants, which actually aren’t members of the heather family, are suitable for growing in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. You can grow Mexican heather as an annual if you live in a chillier climate.
How to Plant Mexican Heather
Planting Mexican heather is uninvolved, although the plant benefits from a little added compost or manure if soil is poor. Allow at least 18 inches (46 cm.) between each plant. This tough, drought-tolerant plant loves direct sunlight and thrives in intense heat. Remember that although Mexican heather plants grow in a wide range of soils, good drainage is critical.
Care of Mexican Heather
Water Mexican heather plants deeply about once every week, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Container plants will need water more often, especially during the summer months. Prune Mexican heather lightly during the spring if the plant looks scraggly or overgrown. Otherwise, no pruning is required. Surround the plant with a thin layer of mulch in spring to minimize moisture evaporation and keep weeds in check. Feed the plant in spring, summer and fall, using a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer.
Healthy Mexican heather plants are seldom bothered by insects. However, if you notice spider mites during hot, dry weather, treat the pests with insecticidal soap spray on a day when the sun isn’t directly on the plant. Insecticidal soap spray with a few drops of rubbing alcohol will also take care of flea beetles.
How to Plant Mexican Heather
Planting Mexican heather is uninvolved, although the plant benefits from a little added compost or manure if soil is poor. Allow at least 18 inches (46 cm.) between each plant. This tough, drought-tolerant plant loves direct sunlight and thrives in intense heat. Remember that although Mexican heather plants grow in a wide range of soils, good drainage is critical.
Care of Mexican Heather
Water Mexican heather plants deeply about once every week, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Container plants will need water more often, especially during the summer months. Prune Mexican heather lightly during the spring if the plant looks scraggly or overgrown. Otherwise, no pruning is required. Surround the plant with a thin layer of mulch in spring to minimize moisture evaporation and keep weeds in check. Feed the plant in spring, summer and fall, using a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer.
Healthy Mexican heather plants are seldom bothered by insects. However, if you notice spider mites during hot, dry weather, treat the pests with insecticidal soap spray on a day when the sun isn’t directly on the plant. Insecticidal soap spray with a few drops of rubbing alcohol will also take care of flea beetles.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月29日
Potentilla (Potentilla spp.), also called cinquefoil, is an ideal ground cover for partly shady areas. This attractive little plant spreads by means of underground runners. Its lemony-colored flowers that last all spring and strawberry-scented foliage make it irresistible.
Spring Cinquefoil Plants in Gardens
These plants are evergreen in mild climates. They grow 3 to 6 inches tall, with each leaf made up of five leaflets. Potentilla gets the name “cinquefoil” from the French word “cinq” which means five.
In spring, cinquefoil plants are covered with flowers that are one-quarter inch in diameter. The buttery-yellow to bright yellow flowers bloom over a long season if temperatures don’t climb too high. Propagate potentilla plants from seeds or by dividing the plants in spring.
You won’t want to grow creeping potentilla in gardens, where it quickly takes over an area. Instead, use it as a lawn replacement in areas with light foot traffic, in rock gardens, or in rock walls. Some gardeners use it as a ground cover in bulb beds. There are some lovely types of creeping potentilla that bloom in white and shades of orange and pink; however, the seeds to these varieties don’t always breed true. Since the plants produce seeds that fall to the ground and germinate, you may find these types reverting to yellow.
Growing Creeping Cinquefoil
Plant potentilla ground cover in full sun or partial shade. Some shade is best in areas with very warm summers. The plants thrive in average, moist but well-drained soil. Potentilla grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 as long as summers aren’t too hot. Water the plants well until they are established. Afterward, water often enough to keep the soil lightly moist. Water slowly and deeply each time, waiting until the surface is dry before watering again. The plants don’t need annual fertilization.
Potentilla has fine-textured foliage that looks good throughout spring and summer, and into the fall. If the plants begin to look ragged, set the mower blade as high as it will go and mow it down. It’s best to refresh the plants this way a couple of times each year. The foliage quickly regrows.
Spring Cinquefoil Plants in Gardens
These plants are evergreen in mild climates. They grow 3 to 6 inches tall, with each leaf made up of five leaflets. Potentilla gets the name “cinquefoil” from the French word “cinq” which means five.
In spring, cinquefoil plants are covered with flowers that are one-quarter inch in diameter. The buttery-yellow to bright yellow flowers bloom over a long season if temperatures don’t climb too high. Propagate potentilla plants from seeds or by dividing the plants in spring.
You won’t want to grow creeping potentilla in gardens, where it quickly takes over an area. Instead, use it as a lawn replacement in areas with light foot traffic, in rock gardens, or in rock walls. Some gardeners use it as a ground cover in bulb beds. There are some lovely types of creeping potentilla that bloom in white and shades of orange and pink; however, the seeds to these varieties don’t always breed true. Since the plants produce seeds that fall to the ground and germinate, you may find these types reverting to yellow.
Growing Creeping Cinquefoil
Plant potentilla ground cover in full sun or partial shade. Some shade is best in areas with very warm summers. The plants thrive in average, moist but well-drained soil. Potentilla grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 as long as summers aren’t too hot. Water the plants well until they are established. Afterward, water often enough to keep the soil lightly moist. Water slowly and deeply each time, waiting until the surface is dry before watering again. The plants don’t need annual fertilization.
Potentilla has fine-textured foliage that looks good throughout spring and summer, and into the fall. If the plants begin to look ragged, set the mower blade as high as it will go and mow it down. It’s best to refresh the plants this way a couple of times each year. The foliage quickly regrows.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月29日
What is a rice paper plant and what’s so great about it? Rice paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) is a shrubby, fast-growing perennial with gigantic, tropical-looking, palmate leaves and clusters of showy white flowers that bloom in summer and fall. This is a super-huge plant that reaches widths of 5 to 8 feet (2 to 3 meters) and heights of up to 12 feet (4 meters). Growing rice paper plants is a piece of cake if you live in a climate with relatively mild winters free of long, hard freezes. Interested in learning how to grow a rice paper plant in your own garden? Read on for more information.
How to Grow a Rice Paper Plant
Consider your climate and growing zone before planting. You can grow rice paper plants year round with no worries if you live in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 9 and above.
Rice paper plants grow in zone 7 and 8 (and maybe even zone 6) with plenty of mulch to protect the roots during the winter. The top of the plant will freeze, but new shoots will grow back from the rhizomes in spring. Otherwise, rice paper plants grow in full sunlight or light shade. Nearly any type of soil is fine, but the plants thrive (and spread faster) in rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Rice Paper Plant Care
Care of rice paper plants is easy. Just keep the plant well watered and provide a balanced fertilizer every spring. Spread a thick layer of mulch around the plant in late fall if you live north of zone 8. Extend the mulch at least 18 inches (46 cm.) beyond the shoots to ensure the roots are protected.
A note about aggressiveness: Rice paper plants spread vigorously by runners beneath the soil, with new plants often popping up 10 or 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) away from the original plant. You may have a real jungle on your hands if you allow the plant to spread unchecked. Pull suckers as they appear. Dig up new, unwanted plants and dispose of them or give them away.
How to Grow a Rice Paper Plant
Consider your climate and growing zone before planting. You can grow rice paper plants year round with no worries if you live in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 9 and above.
Rice paper plants grow in zone 7 and 8 (and maybe even zone 6) with plenty of mulch to protect the roots during the winter. The top of the plant will freeze, but new shoots will grow back from the rhizomes in spring. Otherwise, rice paper plants grow in full sunlight or light shade. Nearly any type of soil is fine, but the plants thrive (and spread faster) in rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Rice Paper Plant Care
Care of rice paper plants is easy. Just keep the plant well watered and provide a balanced fertilizer every spring. Spread a thick layer of mulch around the plant in late fall if you live north of zone 8. Extend the mulch at least 18 inches (46 cm.) beyond the shoots to ensure the roots are protected.
A note about aggressiveness: Rice paper plants spread vigorously by runners beneath the soil, with new plants often popping up 10 or 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) away from the original plant. You may have a real jungle on your hands if you allow the plant to spread unchecked. Pull suckers as they appear. Dig up new, unwanted plants and dispose of them or give them away.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月29日
Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) is a true grass native to Eurasia and found in moist, fertile, acidic soil. It has excellent use as an ornamental due to its neat tufting habit and charming, persistent inflorescence. The flowers may soar 5 to 8 feet above the basal foliage, producing an architectural appearance that stands out in the garden. Try growing ornamental moor grass in a massed planting for maximum effect.
How to Grow Moor Grass
Ornamental grass lovers should not pass up the opportunity to acquire autumn moor grass. Also, called purple moor grass, this attractive plant has appeal as a single specimen in a combined planter, an accent in the perennial garden or even perched in the rockery. Moor grasses come in many cultivars and are commercially represented by 12 commonly available names. Each has a slightly different foliage trait, height and inflorescence but the basic mounding habit and fine blades recognize them as part of the family.
Moor grass is seasonally interesting from summer to winter. The plant is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zone 4 and adaptable to many types of soils as long as they are moist but well draining.
Some partner plants with similar moisture needs to try growing with moor grass are:
Epimediums
Coreopsis
Salix or willow
Evergreen ornamental grasses
The plant produces numerous seeds, so remove the seed head in fall to prevent spread. Spread mulch around the grass to a depth of at least 2 inches of good organic material to prevent weed competitors and conserve moisture. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the base of the plant to prevent mold issues.
Moor Grass Care
One of the most important aspects of moor grass care is water. While the plant may rot out in boggy soils, it needs consistent moisture. Water the grass deeply once per week. Overhead watering may promote rust and other fungal diseases, so it is advised to water from the base of the plant. This is a deciduous grass, which will die back in winter. This means there is no need to cut back the plant. In fact, the spent grass is attractive for nesting material to wild birds and helps form a protective nest around the root zone. Simply rake it away in early spring so new blade emergence is not impeded.
Dividing Moor Grass
Division of ornamental grasses is undertaken to prevent center die out, increase vigor, and best of all, to make more of these attractive ornamentals. Moor grass can be divided every 3 to 4 years. The optimum time for division is late winter to very early spring. Dig out around the root zone and deeply into soil to remove the entire plant. Use a root saw to cut it into 2 or 3 sections. Make sure each has plenty of sprouting leaves and a good healthy clump of roots. Plant each section separately. Keep them watered as the plant sprouts and spreads out new roots. This easy step guarantees healthier grasses and increases the number of the regal moor grass.
How to Grow Moor Grass
Ornamental grass lovers should not pass up the opportunity to acquire autumn moor grass. Also, called purple moor grass, this attractive plant has appeal as a single specimen in a combined planter, an accent in the perennial garden or even perched in the rockery. Moor grasses come in many cultivars and are commercially represented by 12 commonly available names. Each has a slightly different foliage trait, height and inflorescence but the basic mounding habit and fine blades recognize them as part of the family.
Moor grass is seasonally interesting from summer to winter. The plant is hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zone 4 and adaptable to many types of soils as long as they are moist but well draining.
Some partner plants with similar moisture needs to try growing with moor grass are:
Epimediums
Coreopsis
Salix or willow
Evergreen ornamental grasses
The plant produces numerous seeds, so remove the seed head in fall to prevent spread. Spread mulch around the grass to a depth of at least 2 inches of good organic material to prevent weed competitors and conserve moisture. Keep mulch away from direct contact with the base of the plant to prevent mold issues.
Moor Grass Care
One of the most important aspects of moor grass care is water. While the plant may rot out in boggy soils, it needs consistent moisture. Water the grass deeply once per week. Overhead watering may promote rust and other fungal diseases, so it is advised to water from the base of the plant. This is a deciduous grass, which will die back in winter. This means there is no need to cut back the plant. In fact, the spent grass is attractive for nesting material to wild birds and helps form a protective nest around the root zone. Simply rake it away in early spring so new blade emergence is not impeded.
Dividing Moor Grass
Division of ornamental grasses is undertaken to prevent center die out, increase vigor, and best of all, to make more of these attractive ornamentals. Moor grass can be divided every 3 to 4 years. The optimum time for division is late winter to very early spring. Dig out around the root zone and deeply into soil to remove the entire plant. Use a root saw to cut it into 2 or 3 sections. Make sure each has plenty of sprouting leaves and a good healthy clump of roots. Plant each section separately. Keep them watered as the plant sprouts and spreads out new roots. This easy step guarantees healthier grasses and increases the number of the regal moor grass.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月28日
Do hosta plants have flowers? Yes, they do. Hosta plants grow flowers, and some are lovely and fragrant. But hosta plants are known for their gorgeous overlapping leaves, not for hosta plant flowers. Read on for information about flowers on hosta plants and for an answer to the question: should you let hosta grow flowers.
Do Hosta Plants Have Flowers?
Every hosta plant grows flowers. But not every hosta plant flowering is a welcome sight to the gardener. Many gardeners select hostas for the shade garden because of their lush foliage, not hosta plant flowers. The mounding leaves of cultivars can be spectacular, ranging in color from standard green to blues, white and gold. They also come in many shapes, sizes and textures. For example, if you want a very small hosta, you can plant “Baby Bunting” that even at maturity is only a few inches wide. Other hosta plants, like “Blue Angel,” can grow to over 8 feet in diameter. Because of this emphasis on foliage, hosta flowers can be viewed as an extra plus for the plant. They can also been seen as a distraction from the main show.
Flowers on Hosta Plants
Hosta plant flowering can be a very fancy affair. The plants flower in summer, offering spikes of blossoms that look like lilies, in shades of lavender or white. The bell-shaped blooms can be showy and exceptionally fragrant, attracting hummingbirds and bees. New cultivars are being developed that offer even larger, more impressive blooms. Some offer up to 75 flowers per stem. In short, hosta flowers can add ornamental value to a hosta plant. Yet, many gardeners still ask: should you let hosta grow flowers?
Should You Let Hosta Grow Flowers?
Whether you want pure foliage or will accept hosta plant flowers is a matter of personal taste. Each gardener must make up his or her own mind. The quality of the blossoms your hosta plant flowering produces might influence your decision. Many gardeners like tall flower scapes, but not every plant produces them. Sometimes, especially with the white-flowered hostas, the flower scapes are awkwardly short and stunted. And whether or not you allow them to bloom, you’ll want to clip the scapes when the blossoms fade. Faded hosta flowers are not attractive.
Do Hosta Plants Have Flowers?
Every hosta plant grows flowers. But not every hosta plant flowering is a welcome sight to the gardener. Many gardeners select hostas for the shade garden because of their lush foliage, not hosta plant flowers. The mounding leaves of cultivars can be spectacular, ranging in color from standard green to blues, white and gold. They also come in many shapes, sizes and textures. For example, if you want a very small hosta, you can plant “Baby Bunting” that even at maturity is only a few inches wide. Other hosta plants, like “Blue Angel,” can grow to over 8 feet in diameter. Because of this emphasis on foliage, hosta flowers can be viewed as an extra plus for the plant. They can also been seen as a distraction from the main show.
Flowers on Hosta Plants
Hosta plant flowering can be a very fancy affair. The plants flower in summer, offering spikes of blossoms that look like lilies, in shades of lavender or white. The bell-shaped blooms can be showy and exceptionally fragrant, attracting hummingbirds and bees. New cultivars are being developed that offer even larger, more impressive blooms. Some offer up to 75 flowers per stem. In short, hosta flowers can add ornamental value to a hosta plant. Yet, many gardeners still ask: should you let hosta grow flowers?
Should You Let Hosta Grow Flowers?
Whether you want pure foliage or will accept hosta plant flowers is a matter of personal taste. Each gardener must make up his or her own mind. The quality of the blossoms your hosta plant flowering produces might influence your decision. Many gardeners like tall flower scapes, but not every plant produces them. Sometimes, especially with the white-flowered hostas, the flower scapes are awkwardly short and stunted. And whether or not you allow them to bloom, you’ll want to clip the scapes when the blossoms fade. Faded hosta flowers are not attractive.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月28日
There are few more colorful and diverse plants than coleus. Coleus plants do not withstand freezing temperatures but cool, shorter days do spur an interesting development in these foliage plants. Do coleus plants have flowers? Coleus plant flowering begins as a signal that winter is coming and the plant should produce seed to continue its genetic dynasty. Flowering often leads to a rangy plant, however, so it is best to learn what to do with coleus blooms if you want to keep a compact, thickly leafed plant.
Do Coleus Plants Have Flowers?
Many gardeners are charmed by the spikes of tiny blue or white flowers produced on coleus at the end of the season. These little blooms make a charming cut flower or may be left to enhance the beauty of the plant. Once a coleus has flower spikes, though, it may become leggy and develop a less attractive form. You can stop this in its tracks with a little word of advice or enjoy the new display made by the energetic blooms – whatever you prefer.
Coleus are often thought of as shady foliage specimens that brighten up the dark corners of the garden. While this is somewhat true, the plants can also grow in full sun with some protection from noontime searing rays. The age of the plant and stress can contribute to the formation of blooms on your coleus.
Stress can come in the form of excess heat, dry conditions and late season cold nights. The plant knows it will die if continued exposure to unfavorable conditions continues, so it blooms to produce seed. Coleus plant flowering signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, and plants usually die soon after they are allowed to produce blooms. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and occasionally hummingbirds and add a significant color punch to the plant in hues of blue, white or lavender. You can just leave them on and enjoy the plant as an annual or take steps to encourage thicker growth and continued life in a greenhouse or cold frame.
What to Do With Coleus Blooms
What you do with the flower spikes is up to you. Leaving the flowers tends to cause less foliar development and leggier stems, probably because the plant is directing its energy to flower formation. You can pinch off the spikes just as they are forming and redirect that energy back into leaf formation while helping create a more compact, thick form. Trim the stem back to the first growth node before the spike forms. Use scissors, pruners or just pinch off the growth on slender stems. Over time, new leaves will sprout from the cut area and fill in the space left by the spike. Alternately, you can let the blooms grow and produce seeds. If a coleus plant has flower spikes, simply wait until the petals fall off and a small fruit is formed. Seeds are tiny and will show themselves when the capsule or fruit splits. Save these in a plastic bag until you are ready to plant them. Coleus plants are easy to start from seed, either indoors or outside when temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.).
Sowing Coleus Seeds
Coleus may be started with cuttings or seeds. If you saved your seeds, you can plant them at any time if growing them indoors. If you intend to use them outside, wait until soil temperatures have warmed up and all danger of frost has passed, or sow them indoors in flats 10 weeks before the date of your last frost. Sow the seed into moistened sterile medium in flats. Cover the tiny seeds with a fine sifting of the medium. Cover the tray with a plastic lid and keep moist in a warm location until sprouting occurs.
Thin the seedlings and transplant them to larger pots when they have two sets of true leaves. Grow them on in containers indoors until outdoor temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.) and then gradually harden them off before transplanting them to containers or prepared garden beds. In this way, the flower spikes can adorn the plants for added appeal and provide a new generation of the plants for years to come.
Do Coleus Plants Have Flowers?
Many gardeners are charmed by the spikes of tiny blue or white flowers produced on coleus at the end of the season. These little blooms make a charming cut flower or may be left to enhance the beauty of the plant. Once a coleus has flower spikes, though, it may become leggy and develop a less attractive form. You can stop this in its tracks with a little word of advice or enjoy the new display made by the energetic blooms – whatever you prefer.
Coleus are often thought of as shady foliage specimens that brighten up the dark corners of the garden. While this is somewhat true, the plants can also grow in full sun with some protection from noontime searing rays. The age of the plant and stress can contribute to the formation of blooms on your coleus.
Stress can come in the form of excess heat, dry conditions and late season cold nights. The plant knows it will die if continued exposure to unfavorable conditions continues, so it blooms to produce seed. Coleus plant flowering signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, and plants usually die soon after they are allowed to produce blooms. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and occasionally hummingbirds and add a significant color punch to the plant in hues of blue, white or lavender. You can just leave them on and enjoy the plant as an annual or take steps to encourage thicker growth and continued life in a greenhouse or cold frame.
What to Do With Coleus Blooms
What you do with the flower spikes is up to you. Leaving the flowers tends to cause less foliar development and leggier stems, probably because the plant is directing its energy to flower formation. You can pinch off the spikes just as they are forming and redirect that energy back into leaf formation while helping create a more compact, thick form. Trim the stem back to the first growth node before the spike forms. Use scissors, pruners or just pinch off the growth on slender stems. Over time, new leaves will sprout from the cut area and fill in the space left by the spike. Alternately, you can let the blooms grow and produce seeds. If a coleus plant has flower spikes, simply wait until the petals fall off and a small fruit is formed. Seeds are tiny and will show themselves when the capsule or fruit splits. Save these in a plastic bag until you are ready to plant them. Coleus plants are easy to start from seed, either indoors or outside when temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.).
Sowing Coleus Seeds
Coleus may be started with cuttings or seeds. If you saved your seeds, you can plant them at any time if growing them indoors. If you intend to use them outside, wait until soil temperatures have warmed up and all danger of frost has passed, or sow them indoors in flats 10 weeks before the date of your last frost. Sow the seed into moistened sterile medium in flats. Cover the tiny seeds with a fine sifting of the medium. Cover the tray with a plastic lid and keep moist in a warm location until sprouting occurs.
Thin the seedlings and transplant them to larger pots when they have two sets of true leaves. Grow them on in containers indoors until outdoor temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.) and then gradually harden them off before transplanting them to containers or prepared garden beds. In this way, the flower spikes can adorn the plants for added appeal and provide a new generation of the plants for years to come.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月28日
Coleus is a fantastic plant for adding color to your garden or house. A member of the mint family, it’s not known for its flowers, but for its beautiful and vibrantly colored leaves. On top of that, it’s extremely well suited to growing in containers. But how do you grow coleus in pots? Keep reading to learn about potted coleus care and how to grow coleus in containers.
Caring for Coleus in Containers
Growing coleus in a pot is an ideal way to keep it. It won’t grow larger than the container it’s in, but if moved to a bigger container, it will fill it out, reaching as high as 2 feet tall. Since they will stay compact if need be, coleus in pots pair well with other plants. You can plant them as shorter ground cover in large pots featuring a tree or tall shrub, or you can plant them as the main tall attraction surrounded by other trailing plants around the outside edge. They also work very well in hanging baskets, particularly the trailing varieties.
How to Grow Coleus in Pots
To keep your coleus in pots from getting gangly, pinch back the new growth. Simply pinch back the very ends of the stems with your fingers – this will encourage new shoots to branch out on the sides, making for an overall bushier plant. Plant your coleus in a sturdy container that won’t tip over if it does get to be 2 feet tall. Fill your container with well-draining soil and fertilize moderately. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, or your coleus in pots may lose their brilliant color. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist.
Keep them out of the wind to avoid breakage. Coleus will not survive a frost, so either treat your plant as an annual or move it inside when temperatures begin to drop.
Caring for Coleus in Containers
Growing coleus in a pot is an ideal way to keep it. It won’t grow larger than the container it’s in, but if moved to a bigger container, it will fill it out, reaching as high as 2 feet tall. Since they will stay compact if need be, coleus in pots pair well with other plants. You can plant them as shorter ground cover in large pots featuring a tree or tall shrub, or you can plant them as the main tall attraction surrounded by other trailing plants around the outside edge. They also work very well in hanging baskets, particularly the trailing varieties.
How to Grow Coleus in Pots
To keep your coleus in pots from getting gangly, pinch back the new growth. Simply pinch back the very ends of the stems with your fingers – this will encourage new shoots to branch out on the sides, making for an overall bushier plant. Plant your coleus in a sturdy container that won’t tip over if it does get to be 2 feet tall. Fill your container with well-draining soil and fertilize moderately. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, or your coleus in pots may lose their brilliant color. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist.
Keep them out of the wind to avoid breakage. Coleus will not survive a frost, so either treat your plant as an annual or move it inside when temperatures begin to drop.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月27日
Perennial blue eyed grass wildflower is a member of the Iris family, but it is not a grass at all. It is native to North America and forms clumps of slender long foliage topped in spring with small periwinkle flowers. The plant is a bright addition to any location in the garden. Almost any garden soil is where to plant blue eyed grass and it will attract bees and feed wild birds throughout the years.
What is Blue Eyed Grass?
The gardener looking for a substitute for iris or other bulb flowers should explore the blue-eyed grass plant (Sisyrinchium spp.). So what is blue eyed grass and is it a suitable plant for the garden? This plant is clumping and can get 4 to 16 inches tall and equally wide. Blue eyed grass wildflower grows from hardy rhizomes that send out tall, blade-like foliage, much like grass blades and this is where the “grass” in its name derives.
The nearly foot tall foliage bears wiry stems topped with the brilliant blue flowers but may also be white or violet and have a yellow “eye” in the center. This yellow corolla earns the plant its colorful name. USDA zones 4 to 9 are suitable locations for growing blue eyed grass. Blue eyed grass wildflower is useful in rock gardens, borders, containers and as part of a wildflower meadow. Growing blue eyed grass is an excellent way to introduce native plant life to your garden. This promotes natural landscaping and helps wild animals with food and nesting materials.
Where to Plant Blue Eyed Grass
Knowing where to plant blue eyed grass is important for its overall health. So when growing blue eyed grass, choose a partially sunny location. While the plant can grow in full sun, it performs best in low light situations. It is tolerant of any soil pH as long as it drains well. Blue eyed grass will thrive in moist to average garden soil. The plant is easy to propagate by dividing plantlets away from the parent plant. Break off or cut the rhizomes away from the main plant, including the slender foliage of the young plants that form at the base. Plant them as individual specimens for increased spring beauty. The clump will get large year by year but you can dig it up and cut it into sections for new plants. Divide the plant in late winter every two to three years, and you will have a scattering of the pretty flowers across the landscape. In addition to propagation by division, the flowers will produce seed in spring. Seeds spread easily in gardens with adequate moisture.
Blue Eyed Grass Care
Growing blue eyed grass care isn’t difficult. Allow the leaves to remain on the plant after the blooms fade in summer. This gives the foliage time to gather energy to store in the rhizomes for the following season’s bloom. After they turn brown, cut them back to just above the crown. Mulch around the plants with organic material to provide nutrients and help protect the plants during freezing temperatures. In zones below 4 or where hard freezes last all winter, dig up the plant in fall and pot up in garden soil. Move the plant to a low light location where temperatures are above freezing. When soils are workable, replant in spring and enjoy blue eyed grass wildflowers until summer.
What is Blue Eyed Grass?
The gardener looking for a substitute for iris or other bulb flowers should explore the blue-eyed grass plant (Sisyrinchium spp.). So what is blue eyed grass and is it a suitable plant for the garden? This plant is clumping and can get 4 to 16 inches tall and equally wide. Blue eyed grass wildflower grows from hardy rhizomes that send out tall, blade-like foliage, much like grass blades and this is where the “grass” in its name derives.
The nearly foot tall foliage bears wiry stems topped with the brilliant blue flowers but may also be white or violet and have a yellow “eye” in the center. This yellow corolla earns the plant its colorful name. USDA zones 4 to 9 are suitable locations for growing blue eyed grass. Blue eyed grass wildflower is useful in rock gardens, borders, containers and as part of a wildflower meadow. Growing blue eyed grass is an excellent way to introduce native plant life to your garden. This promotes natural landscaping and helps wild animals with food and nesting materials.
Where to Plant Blue Eyed Grass
Knowing where to plant blue eyed grass is important for its overall health. So when growing blue eyed grass, choose a partially sunny location. While the plant can grow in full sun, it performs best in low light situations. It is tolerant of any soil pH as long as it drains well. Blue eyed grass will thrive in moist to average garden soil. The plant is easy to propagate by dividing plantlets away from the parent plant. Break off or cut the rhizomes away from the main plant, including the slender foliage of the young plants that form at the base. Plant them as individual specimens for increased spring beauty. The clump will get large year by year but you can dig it up and cut it into sections for new plants. Divide the plant in late winter every two to three years, and you will have a scattering of the pretty flowers across the landscape. In addition to propagation by division, the flowers will produce seed in spring. Seeds spread easily in gardens with adequate moisture.
Blue Eyed Grass Care
Growing blue eyed grass care isn’t difficult. Allow the leaves to remain on the plant after the blooms fade in summer. This gives the foliage time to gather energy to store in the rhizomes for the following season’s bloom. After they turn brown, cut them back to just above the crown. Mulch around the plants with organic material to provide nutrients and help protect the plants during freezing temperatures. In zones below 4 or where hard freezes last all winter, dig up the plant in fall and pot up in garden soil. Move the plant to a low light location where temperatures are above freezing. When soils are workable, replant in spring and enjoy blue eyed grass wildflowers until summer.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月27日
Ajuga is one of those perennials that is as adaptive as it is entrancing. The low-growing rosettes boast beautiful foliage and spikes of eye-catching flowers in spring. Most varieties are runners which spread by stolons. It makes an excellent groundcover, but can you plant ajuga in pots? The attractive leaves and spreading nature of the plant perform as bright colored fillers in containers and may even be evergreen in many zones. Growing ajuga in containers provides long lasting texture and a foil for many other blooming or foliage plants.
Can You Plant Ajuga in Pots?
One of my go-to plants for containers or garden beds is ajuga. It is hardy, unfussy, brilliantly colored and gives more and more plants each season. Container grown ajuga is just as useful and perks up a pot when other plants have yet to bloom or have died back. The lively color and jaunty little flowers can grow in either shade or sun, providing many options for containers in any situation.
Gardeners with a love for ajuga in the garden will be delighted to know the plants do well in confined containers as well. Even the runner types will thrive in a well-drained medium with plenty of organic material. The pop of color and low growth habit are perfect for green leafy specimens and blooming perennials that haven’t flowered yet. Once your container is in full flower, ajuga doesn’t compete with other plants’ brilliance. Instead, it enhances the tones and textures that are coming into their own as spring progresses into summer. Spring is the best time for ajuga planting in pots but in temperate regions you can also create a container garden with the plant in fall.
Planting Ideas for Ajuga in Containers
Ajuga plants come with foliage of purple or green tinged with maroon, bronze, variegated pink, green, white and even silver-green. Most have blue flowers but a few have pink blooms. The rainbow nature of the plant ensures there is a variety for every container need. The most common are the purple-maroon leafed cultivars with bright blue spring flower spikes. Try growing ajuga in containers with summer perennials like:
Yarrow
Campanula
Coreopsis
Geraniums
Primroses
A complete foliage container is a spectacle of texture and hues if you combine ajuga with any of the following:
Heuchera
Ferns
Hosta
Pulmonaria
Ajuga is fairly resistant to dry conditions once established and can also be used with more arid loving plants like:
Hens and chicks
Sedum
Creeping thyme
Thrift
Because container grown ajuga can tolerate shade conditions, a container comprised of hosta, houittuynia, and brunnera will provide low light containers that capture any stray sunbeam and transform into a kaleidoscope of color and infectious foliage texture.
How to Care for Potted Ajuga Plants
There are few special rules for ajuga planting in pots. You do need to know how to care for potted ajuga plants during winter and what is expected regarding water and fertilizer. In combined container settings, try to plant specimens that match ajuga’s cultural preferences. The plant needs consistent moisture until established. It can tolerate either full sun or total shade. Feed the plants twice per year, beginning in early spring and again two months later. Remove runners if you wish and plant them in other containers or in the ground.
Flower spikes may be cut off when they are spent or leave them, as the dried spires have some architectural interest. In the winter, mulch around the root zone of ajuga to protect it from cold snaps, which are more severely felt in unsheltered containers. Pull away the mulch in late winter to early spring so new foliage and rosettes can easily grow. Ajuga is an uncomplicated plant with many uses and years of resilient beauty.
Can You Plant Ajuga in Pots?
One of my go-to plants for containers or garden beds is ajuga. It is hardy, unfussy, brilliantly colored and gives more and more plants each season. Container grown ajuga is just as useful and perks up a pot when other plants have yet to bloom or have died back. The lively color and jaunty little flowers can grow in either shade or sun, providing many options for containers in any situation.
Gardeners with a love for ajuga in the garden will be delighted to know the plants do well in confined containers as well. Even the runner types will thrive in a well-drained medium with plenty of organic material. The pop of color and low growth habit are perfect for green leafy specimens and blooming perennials that haven’t flowered yet. Once your container is in full flower, ajuga doesn’t compete with other plants’ brilliance. Instead, it enhances the tones and textures that are coming into their own as spring progresses into summer. Spring is the best time for ajuga planting in pots but in temperate regions you can also create a container garden with the plant in fall.
Planting Ideas for Ajuga in Containers
Ajuga plants come with foliage of purple or green tinged with maroon, bronze, variegated pink, green, white and even silver-green. Most have blue flowers but a few have pink blooms. The rainbow nature of the plant ensures there is a variety for every container need. The most common are the purple-maroon leafed cultivars with bright blue spring flower spikes. Try growing ajuga in containers with summer perennials like:
Yarrow
Campanula
Coreopsis
Geraniums
Primroses
A complete foliage container is a spectacle of texture and hues if you combine ajuga with any of the following:
Heuchera
Ferns
Hosta
Pulmonaria
Ajuga is fairly resistant to dry conditions once established and can also be used with more arid loving plants like:
Hens and chicks
Sedum
Creeping thyme
Thrift
Because container grown ajuga can tolerate shade conditions, a container comprised of hosta, houittuynia, and brunnera will provide low light containers that capture any stray sunbeam and transform into a kaleidoscope of color and infectious foliage texture.
How to Care for Potted Ajuga Plants
There are few special rules for ajuga planting in pots. You do need to know how to care for potted ajuga plants during winter and what is expected regarding water and fertilizer. In combined container settings, try to plant specimens that match ajuga’s cultural preferences. The plant needs consistent moisture until established. It can tolerate either full sun or total shade. Feed the plants twice per year, beginning in early spring and again two months later. Remove runners if you wish and plant them in other containers or in the ground.
Flower spikes may be cut off when they are spent or leave them, as the dried spires have some architectural interest. In the winter, mulch around the root zone of ajuga to protect it from cold snaps, which are more severely felt in unsheltered containers. Pull away the mulch in late winter to early spring so new foliage and rosettes can easily grow. Ajuga is an uncomplicated plant with many uses and years of resilient beauty.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月27日
Ajuga – also known as bugleweed – is a tough, low-growing ground cover. It offers bright, semi-evergreen foliage and showy flower spikes in amazing shades of blue. The vigorous plant grows in a carpet of shiny foliage and massed flowers, swiftly forming dense mats that require little maintenance. Ajuga plant propagation is so easy that the plants easily become invasive, rambling across the lawn and into places in the garden reserved for other plants. Read on for information about propagating ajuga plants.
Propagation of Ajuga Plants
Growing ajuga is easier than getting rid of it, so take its rapid growth into account before you decide on ajuga plant propagation. You’ll first want to prepare a garden space to plant your new ajuga. You’ll succeed best at ajuga plant propagation if you select a sunny area or one that is in light shade for the plant’s new home. Ajuga won’t flower well in full shade. Ajuga plants do best in moist, fertile soil. It’s a good idea to work in humus or other organic material to the soil before planting time.
How to Propagate Bugleweed
You can start propagating ajuga plants from plant seeds or by division.
Seeds
One way to start propagating ajuga plants is by planting seeds. If you decide to do this, sow ajuga plant seeds in containers in fall or spring. Just cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost and keep the soil moist. The seeds germinate in a month or less. Prick out the individual plants and place in larger containers. In summer, move the young plants to your garden beds.
Division
Ajuga spread by underground runners called stolons. These runners root the plant in nearby soil and form clumps. The ajuga clumps will eventually get crowded and begin to lose vigor. This is the time to lift and divide them in order to obtain additional ajuga plants.Propagation of ajuga by division is an operation for early spring or fall. It’s a simple process. All you have to do is dig out the clumps and pull or cut them apart into smaller sections, then replant them in another location. You can also simply cut out big sections of plant mats – like lawn sod – and move them to a new location.
Propagation of Ajuga Plants
Growing ajuga is easier than getting rid of it, so take its rapid growth into account before you decide on ajuga plant propagation. You’ll first want to prepare a garden space to plant your new ajuga. You’ll succeed best at ajuga plant propagation if you select a sunny area or one that is in light shade for the plant’s new home. Ajuga won’t flower well in full shade. Ajuga plants do best in moist, fertile soil. It’s a good idea to work in humus or other organic material to the soil before planting time.
How to Propagate Bugleweed
You can start propagating ajuga plants from plant seeds or by division.
Seeds
One way to start propagating ajuga plants is by planting seeds. If you decide to do this, sow ajuga plant seeds in containers in fall or spring. Just cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost and keep the soil moist. The seeds germinate in a month or less. Prick out the individual plants and place in larger containers. In summer, move the young plants to your garden beds.
Division
Ajuga spread by underground runners called stolons. These runners root the plant in nearby soil and form clumps. The ajuga clumps will eventually get crowded and begin to lose vigor. This is the time to lift and divide them in order to obtain additional ajuga plants.Propagation of ajuga by division is an operation for early spring or fall. It’s a simple process. All you have to do is dig out the clumps and pull or cut them apart into smaller sections, then replant them in another location. You can also simply cut out big sections of plant mats – like lawn sod – and move them to a new location.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月27日
The ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens) is desert shrub that produces a spectacle of bright pink flowers on whip-like canes. It is often called ocotillo cactus, but is not truly a cactus, although it grows in similar conditions. The plant is native to the Sonoron and Chihuahuan deserts. The canes may grow up to 20 feet long in nature but are more likely to get 6 to 10 feet in cultivation. Ocotillo is suitable for xeriscapes, rock gardens and warm climate container gardens.
Growing Ocotillo
Ocotillo provides architectural interest and fantastic color displays of bright red to pink flowers. The ocotillo plant is a succulent with good drought tolerance once established and a cold hardiness of 10 F. (-12 C.). Growing ocotillo requires a well-drained soil in full sun. Ocotillo plant tends to lose its leaves when exposed to extreme drought but leafs out in spring and summer rains. Ocotillo really has no special needs and is an easy to grow plant provided it is used in a climate that can provide plenty of sun and heat. The plant may be difficult to locate at a nursery, although it is grown in Phoenix and a few other locations. Ocotillo is a native plant and is protected, which means it is illegal to harvest it from the desert. In the home landscape, plant ocotillo, cactus and a variety of succulents in a shallow container as a stunning desert display. It may take six to 12 months for your ocotillo plant to fully establish and begin to leaf out and flower. You can then stop irrigating and allow the plant to acquire its moisture from rain and dew. Ocotillo grows wild in areas with minimal fertility so it is not necessary to feed the plants more than once annually. Ocotillo care includes removal of dead and broken canes. Ocotillo plant has few pests and no known diseases, but watch for scale and sucking insects, which you can zap with insecticidal soap.
Planting Ocotillo
Planting ocotillo should be done in a hole that is twice as wide as the root system, but no deeper. It needs to go into the ground at the same level in which it was originally growing. Most ocotillo that are found in nurseries will be bare root and should be well supported in the ground. Ocotillo plant is then irrigated once a week during the summer while it is establishing. Water rarely in winter and continue good ocotillo care by weighting down the area around the roots with rocks to prevent it from falling over and to conserve moisture.
Ocotillo Plant Uses in the Garden
Ocotillo is found in the southwest parts of the United States and is excellent as part of a desert garden. Plant it with drought tolerant ornamental grasses and sempervivum or sedum. It is a large, wide plant when mature so make certain it has room to spread its canes. Plant an ocotillo in a clay pot as part of a succulent display.
Growing Ocotillo
Ocotillo provides architectural interest and fantastic color displays of bright red to pink flowers. The ocotillo plant is a succulent with good drought tolerance once established and a cold hardiness of 10 F. (-12 C.). Growing ocotillo requires a well-drained soil in full sun. Ocotillo plant tends to lose its leaves when exposed to extreme drought but leafs out in spring and summer rains. Ocotillo really has no special needs and is an easy to grow plant provided it is used in a climate that can provide plenty of sun and heat. The plant may be difficult to locate at a nursery, although it is grown in Phoenix and a few other locations. Ocotillo is a native plant and is protected, which means it is illegal to harvest it from the desert. In the home landscape, plant ocotillo, cactus and a variety of succulents in a shallow container as a stunning desert display. It may take six to 12 months for your ocotillo plant to fully establish and begin to leaf out and flower. You can then stop irrigating and allow the plant to acquire its moisture from rain and dew. Ocotillo grows wild in areas with minimal fertility so it is not necessary to feed the plants more than once annually. Ocotillo care includes removal of dead and broken canes. Ocotillo plant has few pests and no known diseases, but watch for scale and sucking insects, which you can zap with insecticidal soap.
Planting Ocotillo
Planting ocotillo should be done in a hole that is twice as wide as the root system, but no deeper. It needs to go into the ground at the same level in which it was originally growing. Most ocotillo that are found in nurseries will be bare root and should be well supported in the ground. Ocotillo plant is then irrigated once a week during the summer while it is establishing. Water rarely in winter and continue good ocotillo care by weighting down the area around the roots with rocks to prevent it from falling over and to conserve moisture.
Ocotillo Plant Uses in the Garden
Ocotillo is found in the southwest parts of the United States and is excellent as part of a desert garden. Plant it with drought tolerant ornamental grasses and sempervivum or sedum. It is a large, wide plant when mature so make certain it has room to spread its canes. Plant an ocotillo in a clay pot as part of a succulent display.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月27日
The Ocotillo is native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. These spectacular plants grow in open stony, arid areas and are notable for their bright red flowers and whip-like stems. Wild ocotillo is also known as candlewood, slim wood, flaming sword and many other pictorial names. If you’re wondering, “why is my Ocotillo not blooming,” read on for some possible reasons and solutions to make this desert wonder fully flower.
Why is My Ocotillo Not Blooming?
Ocotillo plants are common in their native regions. The slender stems and tiny leaves are accents for the crimson blooms that decorate the tips of the branches. The plants make excellent natural screens and borders, adding bright garden accents during their bloom time. Native garden centers can provide you with healthy specimens of the plants for a natural and easy to grow desert landscape solution.
Also known as Jacob’s Staff, Ocotillo is a tenacious desert dweller which is mostly leafless until the rainy season. The oval leaves quickly disappear when the soil dries out, leaving behind spiny, skinny branches that may approach 15 feet in length. Their impressive height and rapid growth make these plants a natural for arid region screens or hedges. In spite of their mostly leafless state, the long stems are adorned with small spines which serve as an effective barrier to most, while creating shelter for tiny birds and animals. New plants should be planted in the same orientation in which they were grown. This is because the southernmost side has built up thicker tissue to resist harsh sun. Incorrect orientation can cause severe sunscald on the more tender northern side of the plant.
When Does Ocotillo Bloom?
When does Ocotillo bloom? March through June is the period in which to expect bright crimson-orange flowers on your Ocotillo. The Ocotillo blooming season is directed by the rainy season. Too much or too little rain can delay or inhibit Ocotillo flowers. The plants are quite sensitive to soil type and require gritty, well-draining soil. In fact, low fertility seems to be a key to making this plant happy. Using compost or excess fertilizer will actually result in an unhappy plant. Newly planted specimens benefit from consistent watering before establishment but, otherwise, the plants need very little special care. The 1- to 2-inch long red-lobed blooms will naturally fall off when they have been fertilized.
How to Make an Ocotillo Bloom
If you are frustrated by your plant’s inability to flower, take heart. Newly planted Ocotillos require some time to reestablish their root systems. This can inhibit blooming. Other factors that may delay flowering would be lack of water in late winter to early spring. Excess fertilizer or rich soil can also cause Ocotillo to produce few to no flowers. These plants really need fairly harsh conditions to thrive. They aren’t going to produce flowers in a wet, cold area either. Mimicking their native conditions is the how to make an Ocotillo bloom. As with any plant, they will thrive and perform best if they are in a site that closely resembles their wild soil, lighting and moisture conditions.
Why is My Ocotillo Not Blooming?
Ocotillo plants are common in their native regions. The slender stems and tiny leaves are accents for the crimson blooms that decorate the tips of the branches. The plants make excellent natural screens and borders, adding bright garden accents during their bloom time. Native garden centers can provide you with healthy specimens of the plants for a natural and easy to grow desert landscape solution.
Also known as Jacob’s Staff, Ocotillo is a tenacious desert dweller which is mostly leafless until the rainy season. The oval leaves quickly disappear when the soil dries out, leaving behind spiny, skinny branches that may approach 15 feet in length. Their impressive height and rapid growth make these plants a natural for arid region screens or hedges. In spite of their mostly leafless state, the long stems are adorned with small spines which serve as an effective barrier to most, while creating shelter for tiny birds and animals. New plants should be planted in the same orientation in which they were grown. This is because the southernmost side has built up thicker tissue to resist harsh sun. Incorrect orientation can cause severe sunscald on the more tender northern side of the plant.
When Does Ocotillo Bloom?
When does Ocotillo bloom? March through June is the period in which to expect bright crimson-orange flowers on your Ocotillo. The Ocotillo blooming season is directed by the rainy season. Too much or too little rain can delay or inhibit Ocotillo flowers. The plants are quite sensitive to soil type and require gritty, well-draining soil. In fact, low fertility seems to be a key to making this plant happy. Using compost or excess fertilizer will actually result in an unhappy plant. Newly planted specimens benefit from consistent watering before establishment but, otherwise, the plants need very little special care. The 1- to 2-inch long red-lobed blooms will naturally fall off when they have been fertilized.
How to Make an Ocotillo Bloom
If you are frustrated by your plant’s inability to flower, take heart. Newly planted Ocotillos require some time to reestablish their root systems. This can inhibit blooming. Other factors that may delay flowering would be lack of water in late winter to early spring. Excess fertilizer or rich soil can also cause Ocotillo to produce few to no flowers. These plants really need fairly harsh conditions to thrive. They aren’t going to produce flowers in a wet, cold area either. Mimicking their native conditions is the how to make an Ocotillo bloom. As with any plant, they will thrive and perform best if they are in a site that closely resembles their wild soil, lighting and moisture conditions.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月26日
Also known as little floating heart, water snowflake (Nymphoides spp.) is a charming little floating plant with delicate snowflake-like flowers that bloom in summer. If you have an ornamental garden pond, there are a lot of very good reasons for growing snowflake lilies. Read on to learn more about snowflake water lily.
Water Snowflake Information
Despite its name and the obvious resemblance, snowflake water lily isn’t actually related to the water lily. Its growth habits are similar, however, and snowflake water lily, like the water lily, floats on the surface of the water with its roots connected to the soil below.
Snowflake water plants are hardy growers, sending out runners that quickly spread over the water’s surface. The plants can be extremely helpful if you fight recurring algae in your pond, as snowflake water lily provides shade that minimizes algae growth. Because snowflake water lily is a rambunctious grower, it is considered to be an invasive species in some states. Ensure the plant isn’t a problem in your area before planting snowflake water plants in your pond. Folks at your local Cooperative Extension office can provide specific information.
Water Snowflake Care
Growing snowflake lilies isn’t difficult in the mild temperatures of USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. If you live in a cooler climate, you can float the plants in pots and bring them indoors. Plant snowflake water lily where the plant is exposed to full sunlight, as blooming will be limited in partial shade and the plant may not survive in full shade. The water depth should be at least 3 inches and no deeper than 18 to 20 inches.
Snowflake water plants generally require no fertilizer because they take ample nutrients from pond water. However, if you choose to grow snowflake water lily in a container, provide a fertilizer made specifically for water plants every month or so during the growing season. Thin snowflake water plants occasionally if they become overcrowded, and remove dead leaves as they appear. Feel free to share the plant, which roots easily.
Water Snowflake Information
Despite its name and the obvious resemblance, snowflake water lily isn’t actually related to the water lily. Its growth habits are similar, however, and snowflake water lily, like the water lily, floats on the surface of the water with its roots connected to the soil below.
Snowflake water plants are hardy growers, sending out runners that quickly spread over the water’s surface. The plants can be extremely helpful if you fight recurring algae in your pond, as snowflake water lily provides shade that minimizes algae growth. Because snowflake water lily is a rambunctious grower, it is considered to be an invasive species in some states. Ensure the plant isn’t a problem in your area before planting snowflake water plants in your pond. Folks at your local Cooperative Extension office can provide specific information.
Water Snowflake Care
Growing snowflake lilies isn’t difficult in the mild temperatures of USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. If you live in a cooler climate, you can float the plants in pots and bring them indoors. Plant snowflake water lily where the plant is exposed to full sunlight, as blooming will be limited in partial shade and the plant may not survive in full shade. The water depth should be at least 3 inches and no deeper than 18 to 20 inches.
Snowflake water plants generally require no fertilizer because they take ample nutrients from pond water. However, if you choose to grow snowflake water lily in a container, provide a fertilizer made specifically for water plants every month or so during the growing season. Thin snowflake water plants occasionally if they become overcrowded, and remove dead leaves as they appear. Feel free to share the plant, which roots easily.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年08月26日
The lotus (Nelumbo) is an aquatic plant with interesting leaves and stunning flowers. It’s most commonly grown in water gardens. It is very invasive, so care has to be taken when growing it, or it will quickly take over its environment. Keep reading to learn more lotus plant information, including lotus plant care and how to grow a lotus plant.
How to Grow a Lotus Plant
Growing lotus plants requires a certain amount of diligence. The plants will spread quickly and easily if grown in the soil, so it’s best to plant them in containers. Make sure your container has no drainage holes – lotus roots can easily escape through them, and since your container will be underwater, drainage is a non-issue.
If you’re growing lotus plants from rhizomes, fill a container with garden soil and lightly cover the rhizomes, leaving the pointed tips slightly exposed. Submerge the container in water so that the surface is about 2 inches above the soil line. You may have to put a layer of gravel on top of the soil to keep it from floating away. After a few days, the first leaf should emerge. Keep raising the level of the water to match the length of the stems. Once the weather outside is at least 60 F. (16 C.) and the stems extend several inches, you can move your container outdoors.
Sink the container in your outdoor water garden no more than 18 inches from the surface. You may have to raise it up on bricks or cinder blocks.
Lotus Plant Care
Caring for lotus plants is relatively easy. Place them in a spot that receives full sun and fertilize them moderately.
Lotus tubers can’t survive freezing. If your pond does not freeze solid, your lotus should be able to overwinter if placed deeper than the freeze line. If you’re worried about freezing, you can dig up your lotus tubers and overwinter them indoors in a cool place.
How to Grow a Lotus Plant
Growing lotus plants requires a certain amount of diligence. The plants will spread quickly and easily if grown in the soil, so it’s best to plant them in containers. Make sure your container has no drainage holes – lotus roots can easily escape through them, and since your container will be underwater, drainage is a non-issue.
If you’re growing lotus plants from rhizomes, fill a container with garden soil and lightly cover the rhizomes, leaving the pointed tips slightly exposed. Submerge the container in water so that the surface is about 2 inches above the soil line. You may have to put a layer of gravel on top of the soil to keep it from floating away. After a few days, the first leaf should emerge. Keep raising the level of the water to match the length of the stems. Once the weather outside is at least 60 F. (16 C.) and the stems extend several inches, you can move your container outdoors.
Sink the container in your outdoor water garden no more than 18 inches from the surface. You may have to raise it up on bricks or cinder blocks.
Lotus Plant Care
Caring for lotus plants is relatively easy. Place them in a spot that receives full sun and fertilize them moderately.
Lotus tubers can’t survive freezing. If your pond does not freeze solid, your lotus should be able to overwinter if placed deeper than the freeze line. If you’re worried about freezing, you can dig up your lotus tubers and overwinter them indoors in a cool place.
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