Growing to heights of up to 12 inches, blue fescue is a showy grass that’s different, however, from the tall fescues typically used in turf lawn mixtures. It’s best to plant blue fescue seed in the early spring or late summer. There are few pest and disease problems with blue fescue. You will need to divide the plant every two to three years, as the plant will die in the center within a few years if it is not lifted and divided....
The foliage of the chenille plant is unremarkable, however, its fuzzy red flowers take center stage. The flower’s anatomy consists of a simple row of pistils covered in downy catkins, providing visual and tactile enjoyment for all ages. The catkins vary in appearance, from plump fuzz balls to downward turning pendulums, and they can grow up to 18 inches long. Native to tropical zones, chenille plant is commonly grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter in northern climates....
New tightly coiled silvery-green fronds unfurl in early spring, growing in rhizome-spreading clumps that work well in borders or as accent plants. They pair well with perennial wildflowers and other shade-loving ferns and aren’t fussy about soil types, making them ideal for woodland or cottage gardens. They also suit being planted en-masse on slopes to help with soil erosion. Although they stay green in winter, the fronds lose their upright, arching shape and lie flat on the ground....
If you are looking for beautiful foliage in all seasons, this is a great option. It is lime-green in spring (with tinges of red), light-green in summer, bright red in fall, and it will remain red in winter in zones 8 and 9. It is planted in the spring or fall. Firepower Nandina can be used in a number of different ways in the landscape. It can be grown as a single plant or as a groundcover....
Fishtail palms can flower and produce berries, though indoor plants do not typically flower. With the right conditions, they add a tropical touch to any space. However, you should know that when these palm trees are grown indoors, they sometimes struggle with insufficient light and the warm, wet growing conditions they require. All parts of fishtail palms are considered toxic to both people and pets. This plant is considered invasive in Florida....
Plant globe thistle in May or June to achieve mid-summertime blooms that last throughout the fall. Then, when blooming concludes, globe thistle continues to provide textural interest with its attractive seed heads. Simply deadhead this plant to prevent reseeding if you want to keep its spread in check. Considered non-invasive (yet extremely prolific), this plant likes dry, nutrient-poor soil and can thrive in hot and dry environments. Globe thistle only fails when it’s planted in heavy clay soil or kept in wet conditions where its taproot becomes susceptible to rot....
The plants within this genus generally consist of a pair of thick leaves with little (if any) stem above the soil. Beneath the soil is the stem and fairly long roots. A new set of leaves appears in the spring, and the old leaves dry up and fall off. All species within this genus have daisy-like flowers, which typically emerge from the fissure between the leaves in the fall or winter....
Occasionally, this variety of philodendron will produce white and pink blooms in the summer. It is important to note that these plants are toxic to both pets and people. These plants are not usually bothered by pests and diseases, so they are an easy keeper from that standpoint. Light These plants thrive in bright, indirect lighting, such as near an east-facing window. In its native habitat, the vines grow in the canopies of trees where they receive sunlight filtered by the leaves above....
For these reasons, many landscaping pros discourage planting grass at all under pine trees. But if you insist on making a go with grass under a pine tree, there are some tactics you can try. Additionally, other plants that might grow in that space, depending on your situation (and your luck). Growing Grass Under Pine Trees Getting grass to grow under a pine tree requires dealing with the four problems mentioned above: acidic soil, little water and sunlight, and pine needles....
Ground cherry plants look like small, sprawling shrubs with bright green leaves that have toothed edges. They sport yellow flowers in the summer before bearing fruit in the late summer to early fall wrapped in a papery husk, much like their relative tomatillos. Plant ground cherries in the spring. As annuals, they have a fast growth rate and complete their life cycle in one season. Before planting, note that all parts of ground cherry plants except the fruit are toxic to people and pets....
But if you can’t drill into ceiling joists or drywall, and you don’t have beams, here’s how to hang plants from the ceiling: Use magnetic plant hooks which can hold heavy weight.Try tension rods which go from wall to wall.Employ adhesive hooks to smooth surfaces.Use suction cup hooks to hang light plants.Attach a bar clamp to hang plant close to the ceiling.Use a C-clamp for exposed ceiling beams. Read on to see how to accomplish hanging plants from the ceiling without holes along with a list of lighter weight plants to hang....
What to Consider Before Hiring a Deck Contractor Unless you want to hire a designer, you’ll need to come up with a reasonable idea of what you want to be included in your project. Above all, you’ll want to set a budget so you know precisely how much you can afford. Some things you’ll want to consider when planning a deck: Deck Size Rough dimensions will clue you into what’s possible and impossible to include in your deck....
When a male downy woodpecker comes to visit, look for these clues to be sure of the species:
Poison hemlock not only takes over roadsides, ditches, pastured, and meadows, it can also find its way into your yard. As a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), poison hemlock has several look-alikes. Learn how to identify this noxious and toxic weed and get rid of it safely. Which Parts of Poison Hemlock Are Toxic? All parts of the poison hemlock—leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, and roots—are highly toxic. Merely touching it or brushing up against accidentally causes severe, long-lasting injury....
If a soil test has indicated that you have acidic soil in your garden, there are a couple of things you can do to start improving your soil and increase the pH. Lime Adding pulverized limestone or dolomite limestone (which has magnesium in addition to the calcium carbonate that makes up regular lime) is one of the fastest ways to increase your soil’s pH. You’ll generally want to look for something called garden lime, agricultural lime, or dolomite limestone for your garden....
