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Clover mites feed on more than 200 different plant species, preferably on clover, which give them their name. Clover mites do not kill plants but when they feed on grass or leaves; rather, they suck out the sap, which can lead to a silvery discoloration. The other type of tiny red bugs that you find primarily outdoors are red spider mites. Learn what you can do to prevent and control clover mites, and how to distinguish between red spider mites and clover mites....

Flying ants are normally most active in the warm days of late spring and summer, and the behavior often leads to new colonies being formed. However, many male flying ants die immediately after mating and not all queen ants survive to start a new colony. Though frustrating to have winged ants in the house, controlling their population isn’t as hard as it seems. The following tips will help you to identify, eliminate, and prevent the influx of flying ants in your home....

How to Wash Linen Clothes Linen clothes are made from a natural fiber manufactured from the stem of the flax plant. After the threads are woven into the fabric, linen is sturdy and durable, moth-, bacteria- and perspiration-resistant. Unlike cotton, linen is weaker when wet and prone to abrasion and should be washed with care. Always check the manufacturer’s label first, but most linen clothes can be washed. Some structured garments such as lined coats and jackets may need to be professionally dry cleaned due to the inner fabrics and linings that help them hold their shape....

These short-lived perennials are usually planted from nursery starts, but they also grow easily from seeds planted directly in the garden after the last frost date (or started indoors about 4 to 6 weeks early). Take note that blanket flower is slightly toxic to humans. Gaillardias are such long bloomers that they work equally well in borders and containers. Blanket flowers do well with other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun....

Brussels sprouts are slow-growing biennials (though commonly grown as annuals) that require a long growing season. They are typically planted in the summer for a fall to winter harvest. Selecting a Planting Site Pick a spot that gets plenty of sun and has sharp soil drainage. A raised garden bed is ideal because it can better withstand temperature fluctuations. Container growth is also an option. Keep Brussels sprouts away from strawberry plants, as strawberries can inhibit their growth....

Candytuft is best planted from potted nursery starts—in early fall in warmer climates where it is evergreen, in the spring in colder regions where it dies back in the winter. Although it is a slow grower that can take five to 10 years to reach full size, in ideal conditions candytuft is a long-lived plant that will brighten your garden for many years. If you want the plants to serve as ground cover, plant them about 6 inches apart; they will soon fill in to blanket the space....

The white flowers, fragrant like cloves, holds a special symbolism for the Cherokee people. The significance comes from a long-standing legend, which tells the story of the tears of the Cherokee women shed for their partners who died in battle. As the chief prayed to ease their pain, from that day on, each of their tears created a flower. The lore also applies to the tears shed by the Cherokee people as they were forced to walk from Georgia to Oklahoma, which spread the Cherokee Rose through this geographic area....

Like kale, collards are a member of the cabbage family but do not form heads. Collards and kale are quite similar genetically, but breeding and cultivating over the years has produced plants with different textures and flavor. Collard leaves are smooth and almost waxy, with pronounced veining. They are quite large, with a bright to dark green color, and the stems are very fibrous and tough. Collards also tend to have a stronger and more bitter flavor than kale....

Comfrey is toxic to humans and pets. If you promptly remove the spent blooms, this can prevent the plant from spreading its seeds. Cutting back the stems after the plant flowers also can result in a rebloom. As with all rapid growers, comfrey needs a lot of nitrogen to look its best and flower well. So making sure the soil has enough organic matter mixed in is essential. Otherwise, comfrey mostly takes care of itself except for requiring water during prolonged dry spells....

Stems grow three to ten inches tall from a slim, segmented rhizome where there are tooth-like projections on the root. Distinctly divided lance-shaped leaves arise in whorls of three with three to five narrow lobes and teeth along the edges. These hairless leaves are greyish green to medium green. Each leaf is about three inches long and across. One of the earliest-blooming spring ephemerals, the white, three-quarter inch flowers appear in a small cluster on the tip of an erect stem....

Hollyhock mallow grows quickly, producing flowers in the first summer season after seeds are planted in the early spring or previous fall. For many gardeners, virtually no maintenance will be needed. At most, you may need to stake up flowers to prevent toppling from strong winds or apply a fungicidal powder if disfiguring fungal leaf spots bother you. Light In temperate regions, it’s best to position your hollyhock mallow in a full sun position....

In northern United States and areas with similarly cold winters, the traditional time for planting impatiens is Memorial Day, when the danger of frost has passed, so the garden can bloom with these fast growers by late spring and summer. How to Plant Impatiens Plant impatiens in any moist, well-drained soil in a shady or semi-shady location. It’s best to plant them in late spring after the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit....

Kalanchoe is slow-growing, on average taking between two and five years to reach mature size. Available in pretty shades of red, pink, yellow, and white, Kalanchoe can be easily found at many grocery stores, nurseries, and florists, especially around the holiday season. However, homeowners who have curious pets at home should be careful about where they keep their kalanchoe—all parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs. Indoors or outdoors, kalanchoe is well suited to a variety of temperatures, provided it is not touched by frost....

The brightly colored trumpet-shaped flowers of the common morning glory have a slight fragrance and are popular with butterflies and hummingbirds. The buds are twirled up tightly and unfold when the sun hits them in the morning, giving them their unique name. Native to Mexico and Central America, common morning glory vines grow by clinging to nearby supports with tendrils, rapidly growing up to 12 feet or more during the season....

The shrub has a sprawling habit and naturally grows readily from seed during the spring. Despite these aggressive invasive traits (some experts refer to it as a “garden thug”), it’s often grown in containers on patios or as a dense border hedge. It also does well as a houseplant or in greenhouses. All parts of the night-blooming jasmine, but especially the berries, are toxic to people and animals. Light This shrub does best when receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight a day; however, it can also cope in partial shade....

It is a clump-forming plant with bluish-green, sword-shaped leaves. From May to July, stalks each bear three to five violet-blue flowers with purple veining and a central yellow and white patch. The flowers span up to four inches in diameter, making them an eye-catching addition to any garden. Plant northern blue flag in the late summer to early fall. Northern blue flag is toxic to humans and pets. Because it is a wetland species, northern blue flag can thrive in wet areas of your property....

Pagoda dogwood does not require much maintenance other than working compost into the soil for fertilization, with also helps the soil retain water. Also apply a wide circle of mulch around the shrub, both to retain soil moisture and to prevent you from getting too close when mowing and damaging the trunks, which can lead to insect damage. Light Pagoda dogwood generally prefers dappled shade conditions that mimic the understory conditions under large trees....

The beauty of this plant makes it a popular focal point in a mixed bed, and also in container gardens. You can mass several of the plants together to create a visually beautiful border or privacy screen. However, it may need some staking for support and does best when planted in an area protected from strong winds. Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass can be planted nearly any time of year, though it establishes best in spring....