Norfolk Island Pine
Norfolk Island Pine Overview DESCRIPTION Greet the holidays with this tabletop, tropical Christmas tree, then keep it around as a dynamic houseplant year-round. Simply provide it with bright light and keep its soil evenly moist. Place small Norfolk Island pines on tabletops, mantels, and desks. The petite plants are slow-growing. Large Norfolk Island pines can anchor the corner of a room and provide a bold burst of greenery as a focal point. GENUS NAME Araucaria heterophylla COMMON NAME Norfolk Island Pine PLANT TYPE Houseplant HEIGHT 1 to 3 feet WIDTH 1 to 5 feet PROPAGATION Seed Norfolk Island Pine Care Must-Knows Grow Norfolk Island pine in medium to bright light near a west- or south-facing window. The less light Norfolk Island pine receives, the slower it will grow; however, even if you want to curb growth, avoid low-light situations. If it doesn’t get enough light it will be weak,…
How to Plant and Grow New Guinea Impatiens
This colorful, heat-loving annual brings a tropical flair to your containers or flowerbeds. New Guinea impatiens are a tropical plant hailing from, you guessed it, New Guinea, arriving in the U.S. in 1970. These annuals feature succulent stems and attractive foliage that create the perfect backdrop for large, colorful blooms. There are many foliage variations of New Guineas, ranging from variegated to green with bronze or purple accents. The flowers of New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are like an exaggerated version of standard impatiens flowers. The showy blossoms are composed of five slightly overlapping petals, arranged around a small, button-like center. They come in a variety of bold hues from pink and white to lavender and orange. Impatiens also have a flower spur full of nectar, which makes them a favorite amongst pollinators like moths and butterflies. New Guinea Impatiens Overview GENUS NAME Impatiens COMMON NAME New Guinea Impatiens PLANT…
Nasturtium
This versatile annual will look its best in cooler spring and fall temperatures. Colorful Combinations Nasturtiums are easy to grow and work well in both garden beds and containers. Vividly colored blossoms pop against the gray-green foliage for an impressive effect when planted in large groups. Some varieties even have variegated leaves marked with white or cream. The flowers come in a spectrum of colors from creamy white to bold red. Adding the blossoms to salads or other dishes adds color and a light, peppery flavor. The large seeds can be pickled and used as a substitute for capers. Nasturtium Care Although there are several species of nasturtium with varying requirements, the most commonly grown annual species do best when directly seeded in well-drained soil, and they prefer regular watering. During droughts, they’re prone to wilt, but once watered they bounce right back. If you plant nasturtiums in soil too…
Narcissus
Narcissus Overview DESCRIPTION If you plant only one bulb in your garden, it should be the cheery narcissus. Stunningly simple and fresh, and nearly always successful, the narcissus has both early and late-blooming varieties. By planting both early and late-blooming types, each sustaining blooms for two weeks, you’ll enjoy a full month of bloom in the yard and in spring bouquets. Because of the wide variety of sizes, the narcissus is ideal in rock gardens, borders and beds, and woodlands. As many as 26 narcissus species exist, and these lovely beauties go by several names, such as daffodil and jonquil. The narcissus bloom has a trumpet-shape corona, or cup, surrounded by six petals. The trumpet color often differs from the petal color, which gives the narcissus its perky appearance. Colors range from ivory through shades of yellow to orange. Varieties sold as “pink” are usually apricot in color. GENUS NAME Narcissus COMMON NAME Narcissus PLANT TYPE…
Myrtle
Myrtle Overview DESCRIPTION An evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean and Middle East, myrtle has long been used as a symbol of love. It has dark green, glossy leaves, and in early summer it bears small white flowers that develop into edible purplish berries. Myrtle can be sheared or pruned frequently, making it an excellent choice for hedges and topiaries. Avoid overwatering the plant; it often develops yellow leaves if the soil is excessively wet. GENUS NAME Myrtus communis COMMON NAME Myrtle PLANT TYPE Herb, Shrub LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 3 to 8 feet WIDTH 3 to 6 feet FLOWER COLOR White SEASON FEATURES Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Cut Flowers, Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance ZONES 10, 11, 8, 9 PROPAGATION Stem Cuttings PROBLEM SOLVERS Drought Tolerant, Good For Privacy More varieties for myrtle Twisted myrtle Myrtus communis ‘Boetica’ gets it name from the contorted growth of its trunk…
Mullein
Plant Partners Mullein grows well alongside many kinds of plants. Pair it with peonies, Russian sage, lady’s mantle, sedum, coneflower, and ornamental grasses in a perennial planting. Plant annual varieties of mullein in the cutting garden and enjoy armloads of fresh bouquets. Mullein Care Must-Knows Easy-to-grow in well-drained soil and full sun, mullein tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including poor, sandy soil. One requirement for good growth is well-drained soil. It does not tolerate wet or poorly drained growing conditions. Start plants from seed planted indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring or sow seeds directly in the garden in late spring. Mullein is also easy to grow from transplants purchased at the garden center. Water plants regularly for the first growing season after transplanting. Transplant seedlings in your garden with these tips. More Flowers Mullein, like many perennials, will produce more blooms if the faded…
Mountain Laurel
A showy shrub native to eastern North America, mountain laurel is closely related to azaleas and rhododendrons. It grows in a large, rounded mound and has dark green foliage that remains on the plant all year. In late spring, it bears clusters of flowers in white, pink, and red. Like most rhododendrons and azaleas, mountain laurel needs soil with an acidic pH. It prefers ground that’s moist, well-drained, and high in organic matter, so amend average soil with compost or peat moss before planting. Mountain laurel tolerates full sun in moist soil, though it does better in partial shade if the soil tends to get dry. All parts of mountain laurels are poisonous. Mountain Laurel Overview GENUS NAME Kalmia COMMON NAME Mountain Laurel PLANT TYPE Shrub LIGHT Part Sun, Sun HEIGHT 8 to 20 feet WIDTH null to 12 feet FLOWER COLOR Pink, Red, White SEASON FEATURES Spring Bloom…
How to Plant and Grow Moss Rose
Moss rose is an ideal plant when you need to cover hot, sunny ground. If you need to cover hot and sunny ground, look no further than moss rose! Whether you call it moss rose, portulaca, or purslane, this plant is tough as nails and can stand up to almost anything. With a trailing habit and nonstop bloom power, it looks great in many settings. The blossoms of moss rose usually come in vibrant jewel tones, but mild pastel options are also available. There are also flowers with “broken color,” where a solid colored petal is streaked randomly with a secondary color or the outside of the petal is one color with a splash of a second color in the center—it’s truly unique! Blooms are typically single flowers with five petals and a pom-pom of yellow stamens in the center, but there are semi-double blossoms that have a…
How to Plant and Grow Morning Glory
Growing morning glory vines is easy with these must-know tips. PHOTO: MARTY BALDWIN Morning glory, a flowering vine with purple, blue, and pink flowers, grows easily wherever you plant it as long as it gets plenty of sun and a bit of afternoon shade. This annual, hardy in Zones 2-11, is grown from seeds. It adds color to large walls, fences, or trellises in a vertical display of flowers. Morning glory is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Morning Glory Overview GENUS NAME Ipomoea COMMON NAME Morning Glory PLANT TYPE Vine LIGHT Sun HEIGHT 3 to 8 feet WIDTH 5 to 20 feet FLOWER COLOR Blue, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White FOLIAGE COLOR Blue/Green SEASON FEATURES Fall Bloom, Reblooming, Summer Bloom SPECIAL FEATURES Attracts Birds, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance ZONES 10, 11 PROPAGATION Seed, Stem Cuttings Where to Plant Morning Glory Plant morning glories in a location where…
How to Plant and Grow Moonflower
Moonflower’s fragrance often peaks at dusk, making it a good choice for evening gardens. PHOTO: MIKE JENSEN Moonflower (Datura) is one of the most romantic plants you can grow in a garden. The large, trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl in the evening and stay open until the sun rises. Several varieties of moonflower also give off a lemon fragrance when their flowers are open. Moonflower, devil’s trumpet, jimsonweed, and thorn apple are just a few of the many common names for this self-seeding annual. As the name “moonflower“ suggests, many varieties open at night. Long, white petals slowly unfurl as the evening comes. When morning arrives, the flowers curl up, reverting to their closed form. While the nocturnal blooms of moonflower are certainly breathtaking, the gray-green tropical-looking leaves are another attractive feature of this plant. As beautiful as this plant may be, it is deadly if ingested1. When planting moonflowers, site them in…