By Julie Christensen American holly trees (Ilex opaca) were valued long before Europeans arrived. Native Americans dried the berries and used them for buttons or decorations. They also used the hard wood for various purposes. In the landscape, American holly trees make … [Read more...]
How to Grow a Brown Turkey Fig Tree
By Julie Christensen Fig trees are heat-loving plants and most of them are hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. Brown turkey fig tree (Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’) is a cold-hardy variety that grows as far north as zone 6. … [Read more...]
How to Grow Corkscrew Willow
By Julie Christensen If you love willows, you just might want to try a corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'). Unlike weeping willows, these trees have an upright form. The branches and twigs initially grow almost vertically before moving to a more horizontal growth. … [Read more...]
How to Grow Boxwood Shrubs
By Julie Christensen Boxwoods (Buxus) were first introduced in America from England in 1652. Colonists planted them widely and they still can be found in old colonial gardens throughout the East Coast. With their small, evergreen leaves, boxwoods are most widely used as … [Read more...]
How to Grow Coconut Palm
By Julie Christensen Few trees are more exotic than the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn.). This regal tree produces edible seeds – coconuts. Unfortunately, coconut palms are hardy only in USDA plant hardiness zone 11 and 12. They need minimum temperatures of about 72 degrees … [Read more...]
How to Grow Cedar Trees
By Julie Christensen The name cedar is used to refer to several species of upright evergreen trees. These trees have a similar form and use, but their growing conditions vary and they do not belong to the same family. All of the cedars grow to be fairly large, long-lived … [Read more...]
How to Grow Boston Ivy
By Julie Christensen Although the name implies a relation to English ivy, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus spp.) actually belongs to a completely different genus. English ivy, which is not reliably hardy in cold climates, has developed a nasty reputation for being invasive in some … [Read more...]
How to Grow Bayberry Shrub
If you’ve got a tough landscaping situation, bayberry shrub (Myrica) might just be the solution. Bayberry is native to eastern North America and thrives along the rugged coastal areas of Maine. Hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 6, this shrub has a loose, open form and … [Read more...]
How to Grow Blackhaw Viburnum trees
By Julie Christensen Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) is one of those low-maintenance trees that you can put in the ground and count on to thrive. Native to the eastern and central United States, blackhaw viburnum tolerates most soil types, so long as the soil is … [Read more...]
Growing Nut Trees
A great, low-maintenance, and decorative way to grow food in an urban or suburban environment is by planting nut trees. Nuts have a high nutritional value, are popular in many recipes, and require little maintenance or upkeep as compared to most garden vegetables. The … [Read more...]
How to Grow Bamboo
By Julie Christensen Native to Asia, bamboo might seem like a tree, but it’s actually a type of grass. There are over 1,400 species of bamboo, ranging from dwarf varieties that stay under 2 feet tall, to giant types that reach over 100 feet tall. The plants are … [Read more...]
Diplodia Blight in Trees
This is actually one of the most common diseases affecting trees in cities, suburbs, and other urban environments. Most people do not know what they're seeing when they notice it, however, and usually attribute it to poor irrigation or sun bleaching. … [Read more...]
How to Grow Acacia Tree
By Julie Christensen Native to subtropical regions throughout the world, the acacia trees grow in the harshest climates. Acacia trees (Acacia spp.) can be found in the African savannah, Arizona’s gullies and the plains of Australia-where they’re called wattles-as well as … [Read more...]
10 Plants That Grow Well Under Trees
By Julie Christensen What’s the most troublesome area in your home landscape? If you’re like many homeowners, it’s probably the area under evergreen or shade trees. These areas are problematic for a few reasons. First, the area under a tree rarely receives enough sunlight to … [Read more...]
How to Start a New Lawn from Scratch
Everyone has a house in their neighborhood that makes them mumble with jealousy under their breaths every time they pass by. How is it that someone who lives right around the corner and shares the same crazy weather as you can have a lawn so full and lush that your dog stops to … [Read more...]
Common Diseases of Orange Trees
By Julie Christensen When properly planted and cared for, orange trees don’t suffer a lot of disease or insect problems. Preventing frost damage is often the most pressing issue, depending on where you live, because orange trees can’t tolerate temperatures much below 32 degrees, … [Read more...]
Common Diseases of Lemon Trees
By Julie Christensen If you’re lucky enough to live in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, you should add lemon trees (Citron limon) to your list of landscaping plants. These trees are valued not only for their tart, flavorful fruit, but their shrub-like form and large … [Read more...]
Common Diseases of Lime Trees
By Julie Christensen With their arresting tart flavor, limes are most often used for their juice, which flavors dishes from key lime pie to margaritas to guacamole. Like all citrus trees, limes are heat-loving plants that only grow outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 … [Read more...]
Common Diseases of Pecan Trees
By Julie Christensen Pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) are as beautiful as they are useful – growing 75 to 100 feet with a wide spreading canopy. Pecan trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, although they are most commonly grown … [Read more...]
A Guide to Pea Gravel, Gravel, Crushed Stone, River Rocks and Decomposed Granite for Landscaping
By Julie Christensen More than anything else, the hardscapes you add to your landscape give it structure and aesthetic appeal. Hardscapes include paths, patios and driveways and you’ll find numerous materials at your local landscaping supply company from which to choose. Slabs … [Read more...]
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