Category Archives: Plants

Fresh Blueberries

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Who knew blueberries would thrive in a container garden? It would be great to have fresh blueberries all the time! Especially since they are such a healthy “super” food. Plus they make a pretty plant.

Blueberry Container Gardening

Blueberries grow well in containers due to their short root systems, and the plants don’t grow real big, so they are great for when space is limited. For the full low down on how to grow blueberries in a container, visit our image source: BalconyGardenWeb.com

Growing blueberries in a container is a great way to enjoy the taste of fresh berries without having to worry about pests or other problems that can occur when growing them in the ground.

There are a few things to keep in mind when growing blueberries in a container. First, make sure that the container you choose is large enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. A good rule of thumb is to choose a container that is at least twice the size of the root ball. Second, make sure that the container has drainage holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain away from the roots. Third, use a potting mix specifically designed for blueberries or another acidic plant.

To plant your blueberry bush, remove it from its nursery pot and loosen the roots gently before placing it in the chosen container. Once the plant is in place, fill the container with soil, leaving a couple of inches at the top for watering. Water the plant thoroughly and then place it in a location that receives full sun for at least six hours per day.

Blueberries require regular watering, especially during the fruiting season. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. If the leaves of the plant begin to turn yellow, this is a sign that it is not getting enough water. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture in the soil.

Fertilize your blueberry bush every two weeks during the growing season with an acidic fertilizer. You can also add organic matter to the soil such as compost or peat moss.

The fruits of the blueberry bush will be ready to harvest when they are a deep blue color and come off of the plant easily. Enjoy your fresh berries plain, in a pie or any other way you like!

129 Cukes Per Plant

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129 cukes per plant- not bad- gotta try it myself!

cucumbers

Cucumbers are fast-growing plants that require 1 to 2 inches of water per week, depending on the weather and soil type. The key is to keep the soil moist all of the time. Once or twice a week, water deeply – more frequently if you’re planting in sandy soil.

Lipstick Palms

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Lipstick palms, a brilliant addition to a tropical north Queensland garden.

The Lipstick palm (Cyrtostachys renda), also known as red palm or red sealing wax palm, gets its name from its brilliant red fronds and stem. Many people believe the lipstick palm to be one of the most beautiful and unusual palms on the planet.

Lipstick Palms

It’s better to keep your lipstick palm in the shade or in filtered sunlight until it’s a little older. After that, it can withstand both partial shade and full sun. This plant can be grown outside in USDA hardiness zones 11-12, however it is extremely cold intolerant and will die if exposed to frost.

Tips For Growing A Lemon Tree In A Container

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If you are looking to grow a lemon tree, then there are several things that you should know.

Lemon Trees in Containers

Select a Planter

To begin, select a planter that is large enough to accommodate your growing lemon tree. Barrel planters, grow bags, and huge flower pots are all good choices since they provide the roots plenty of opportunity to grow and thrive. There should be at least an inch of space between the soil and the top of the planter or pot when the tree is potted. The planter should have a diameter of 8 to 12 inches and offer adequate drainage for the soil.

Choose Your Soil

The best type of soil is one that drains well while not being too compacted. Secondly, be prepared for this plant to need plenty of room to grow and quite a lot of attention throughout the year.
What type of soil should you use? Lemons trees like loose soil with good drainage so sand or decomposed granite can work very well for them – just make sure it’s draining well by checking every few months if there’s any water built up in the container after irrigation or rain storms.

If You Are Transplanting An Already Grown Lemon Tree

Fill the planter with gardening soil, leaving 1 to 2 inches at the top. Make sure it’s tightly packed with a garden shovel so the roots can take hold. Remove the lemon tree from the temporary casing and replant it in your planter. When transferring the roots, be careful not to injure them.

Fertilization, Watering, and Care

To help prevent transplant shock and boost development, water the soil and add a high-quality plant food or fertilizer. Add just enough water to cover the surface, but not so much that the soil becomes saturated. During the summer, the lemon tree can be left outside in direct sunlight. It should be pruned on a regular basis, and any new growth that begins to stem near the bottom should be removed.

Bring the tree indoors as the weather cools and set it where it will receive plenty of sunlight. Once you’ve moved the tree indoors, keep watering it on a regular basis. Measure moisture levels using a water meter if necessary, and add attractive pebbles around the soil to help minimize evaporation. During the winter, mist the leaves frequently to keep them fresh.

To keep spider mites at bay, use non-toxic, organic therapies. As the lemons ripen and become slightly soft, harvest them.

Heucheras The New Hostas For Shady Spots So Colorful

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Heucheras (aka Coral Bells) are a versatile perennial you can grow in zones 4-9.Heucheras

Image Source: heucheraholics.co.uk

Those of you gardening in shady or semi-shady areas will appreciate how brightly colored Heuchera foliage can add color to a bed. Despite the amount of sunshine it gets, this plant can thrive in both full sun and full shade, as long as it’s watered.

The foliage of most cultivars reaches 8 to 12 inches in height with a spread of 1 to 2 feet wide. When blooming, the flower stalks reach 1 to 3 feet tall.

White Feather Hostas

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The White Feather Hosta comes up green in the spring and turns a super pale green, or almost white, in the summer. As it matures, the white leaves become striped with green. It’s a perennial plant that thrives in shade.

White Feather Hosta

Image Source: Brecks.com (Buy it there too!)

White feather hostas are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. White feather hostas are perennials, which means they will grow back year after year.

Blue Veronica With Ferns

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Blue veronica with ferns. Gorgeous for the shade garden!
Blue Veronica with Ferns
With its spires of flowers, Veronica embellishes the garden all season long, from spring until fall, depending on the species, some of which rebloom for extended displays. Also known as speedwell, it is a low-maintenance perennial plant that comes in a variety of sizes and hues, including blue. These flowers and the ferns both make each other’s colors “pop” in the garden!

 

Lily Of The Valley

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Lily of the Valley is a woodland flowering plant that blooms in spring with pleasantly scented, hanging, bell-shaped white flowers. It is native to Asia and Europe in the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere, but is considered invasive in portions of North America.

Lily of the Valley

The plant has escaped cultivation and is now listed as an invasive species in certain states, owing to its proclivity for forming huge colonies that pose a threat to native flora. It prefers shaded, wooded settings and does not usually thrive in poor, dry soil or direct sunlight.

As pretty as they are, if consumed by people or animals, it is highly deadly due to the high concentration of cardiac glycosides (cardenolides). If swallowed, lily of the valley can be dangerous, especially to youngsters. All parts of the plant, especially the red berries that may be appealing to children, are potentially dangerous. The plant can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeats if consumed. On the poison scale, the plant is a “1,” indicating that it has a high level of toxicity that can result in death. It’s also a “3” because to the severity of the dermatitis it can cause.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley is a flower that is widely used in wedding bouquets and has been seen in a number of high-profile weddings.

May bells, Our Lady’s tears, and Mary’s tears are some of the other names for this flower.

Tropicana Canna Lily Journal Debs Garden Blog

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As Deb herself said “It was love at first sight, even though I didn’t like canna lilies and preferred softer colors in my garden”. I agree with Deb, but these Canna Lilies are gorgeous!

Tropicana Canna Lily Journal

Image Source and more info on Canna lilies: Debsgarden.squarespace.com

Known as a rhizomatous perennial, canna lilies have large iris-like flowers and tropical-looking foliage.

Canna blossoms come in a variety of colors, from mild yellow to orange to crimson red, and everything in between (salmon, apricot, and pink). Many people believe that canna flowers are only available in vibrant, intense colors like brilliant reds or yellows. There are, however, many pastel pink, primrose yellow, and soft orange colors.

They are thirsty plants that require regular watering throughout the growth season. Cannas thrive in full sun or partial shade in warm climates. They thrive in full light in cooler climates.

Rhizomes should be sown horizontally at a depth of 2 to 3 inches at a distance of 1 to 2 feet apart.

Cannas have a strong tendency to grow upright. The majority of cultivars reach a height of 3-5 feet, while dwarf variants can reach as low as 2 feet and some can reach as high as 8 feet.