Author name: oliviajones

Do zinnias come back every year? Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first hard frost of fall. However, if you want them to reseed, let the last flowers of the season mature fully and scatter their seeds. Quick facts Zinnias are highly attractive to pollinators, particularly butterflies. Three types of blooms: single, double, […]

How do you take care of a poinsettia indoors? Place them in a light-filled room away from drafts. They do best in rooms between 55 and 65 F at night and 65 to 70 F during the day. Water poinsettias when the soil is dry 2 to 3 inches down. The plants are very sensitive

What are the disadvantages of serviceberry? Any disadvantages to the use of serviceberry in the landscape come from it being in the rose family, whose members may be subject to diseases such as fireblight, leaf spot, and rust. Fortunately, most cultivars are resistant to these problems. However, the available literature usually emphasises its important health

Can humans eat winterberries? Warning: Although this shrub species is a good provider of wildlife food, its fruits are poisonous to humans. The attractive bright red fruit of winterberry is eaten by small mammals and more than 48 species of birds. Winterberry fruit can be poisonous to humans and pets. They are a round shaped

What is the role of soil for plants? Soil provides the structural support for plants used in agriculture and is also their source of water and nutrients. Soils vary greatly in their chemical and physical properties. Processes such as leaching, weathering and microbial activity combine to make a whole range of different soil types. Soil

How long do hydrangeas last? How Long Does a Hydrangea Bloom Last? The hydrangea flower clusters can last up to 2 months, depending on the cultivar, climate, and how well you take care of them. The best fertilizer for hydrangeas is a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or similar. Specialty fertilizers

Can humans eat comfrey? Comfrey has been consumed by humans as a vegetable and a tea and used as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years. Comfrey, however, produces hepatotoxicity in livestock and humans and carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Comfrey is a native perennial and medicinal plant. In a suitable habitat, the plant can

What is the purpose of a bottle tree? In the Southeastern United States, as well as in other parts of the country, the bottle tree is popular, but unlike your garden birdbath, the purpose of this ornament is to protect its owner from evil spirits. The common name derives from the tree’s shape, which becomes

What does Astragalus membranaceus do? Its root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, often in combination with other herbs. Astragalus is considered an adaptogen, which is a natural substance theorized to stimulate the body’s resistance to physical, environmental, and emotional stress. Side effects may include mild allergic reactions such as a rash,

Does Hakonechloa macra like sun or shade? Hakonechloa macra performs well in shade. There are few grasses that perform well in the shade that also have ornamental value. One of the best ornamental grasses for shade is Hakone Grass, or Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra, particularly its distinctive variegated or colored-leaf cultivars. Hakone Grass prefers