March 2026

What are the common problems with star magnolias? Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The star magnolia has no serious insect or disease problems; however, be sure to monitor the plant for scale. It will become chlorotic in alkaline soils. Since it blooms in late winter or early spring, the flowers may be prone to […]

What are the pros and cons of growing a Star Magnolia? Star magnolias are easy to plant, and their care is straightforward. They are relatively trouble-free, except for being susceptible to fungus and scale if the branches are overcrowded or not getting enough ventilation. Dwarf magnolia trees thrive in USDA zones 7a to 9b with

Can you eat a chokeberry? Aronia berries are a small, round fruit native to North America. Their sharp taste dries out the mouth, earning them the nickname chokeberries. Don’t let the name fool you though, chokeberries are safe to eat and have numerous health benefits. Because “chokeberry” did not market well as an edible fruit,

Can you eat red chokeberries? The red chokeberry can be eaten raw and is more palatable than the black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). This plant has a low flammability rating. Butterflies and pollinators are attracted to the flowers for nectar. An extract of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) might act as a natural blood thinner in people

Why is aronia called chokeberry? The common name chokeberry may come from the fact that its fruits are very bitter when eaten right off the tree. This leggy shrub can spread on suckers to grow into an attractive border thicket, which produces showy white flowers in spring and berries that attract birds in the fall.

Are chokeberries safe to eat? Aronia berries are a small, round fruit native to North America. Their sharp taste dries out the mouth, earning them the nickname chokeberries. Don’t let the name fool you though, chokeberries are safe to eat and have numerous health benefits. The fruits of Aronia melanocarpa (Aronia berries) have been found

Is Ligustrum vulgare edible? Toxic Parts & Effects. Privet is a poisonous hedgerow and garden shrub and must never be treated as food. All parts of the plant are considered toxic, especially the berries and leaves. Broad-leaf privet is an evergreen shrub or tree with clusters of fragrant flowers and black fruit, which are poisonous

How fast do Ligustrum hedges grow? How Fast Do Ligustrum Grow? These bushes are very fast growing. Japanese Ligustrum can easily grow over 2 feet per year with no care. Even smaller varieties like the Sunshine Ligustrum can put on a foot in height in a single year. You definitely won’t be disappointed with the

Is Ligustrum vulgare edible? Toxic Parts & Effects. Privet is a poisonous hedgerow and garden shrub and must never be treated as food. All parts of the plant are considered toxic, especially the berries and leaves. Ligustrum vulgare, called common privet, European privet or wild privet, is a fast-growing, deciduous (semi-evergreen in mild winter climates)

Are Easter Cactus rare? The Easter Cactus is less popular and less frequently offered for sale. It is more finicky than either of its cousins and drops stem segments if it is overwatered or underwatered. This plant will provide vibrant blooms in the spring as a houseplant or container planting on your patio. The blooms