garden

Is privet Russian? If you only know a single word in Russian, it is likely that one word is privet (привет), meaning “hello. But did you know that this greeting is only one of the many ways you can say hello in Russian? Privet (Привет) This is the most basic Russian greeting, simply meaning “hello. […]

What is the holly tree known for? Holly branches have long been used to decorate homes in winter. The tree was seen as a fertility symbol and a charm against witches, goblins and the devil. It was thought to be unlucky to cut down a holly tree. Holly is common in oak and beech woodland,

Where do daylilies grow best? Daylilies need at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Plants can tolerate light shade, but will bloom best in full sun. Over time, daylilies can become crowded and they need to be divided,” Sharon Yiesla, a plant knowledge specialist at Morton Arboretum, says. If you don’t, daylilies may

Where do hazelnut trees grow best? American hazelnut (Corylus americana) is widely adapted, but is primarily found on open sites on sandy soils. Yields can be high, though the nuts tend to be small with thick shells. Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) is more shade tolerant and can be found in the understory on more mesic

What does perlite do to soil? Perlite speeds up the germination and rooting, improves aeration, draining & insulation in Potting Mixes and improves the texture of clay soils. Perlite is the name for a naturally occurring siliceous rock. When heated, it has the capacity to expand from four to twenty times its original volume. Perlite

Does an umbrella plant need sun? When it comes to light, the Umbrella Plant thrives in bright, indirect light. They are used to shade, often living among much larger trees and plants that take the majority of the light from them. They’re not great in direct sun, as that can burn those beautiful green leaves.

Do japonica camellias like sun or shade? Japonica camellias grow best in dappled sunlight. A few hours of morning sun won’t hurt, but they produce more flowers if they have filtered sunlight throughout the day. Sasanqua camellias prefer a bit more sun, and some even tolerate full sun. A mix of sun and shade will

How big will a Norfolk Island pine get? As the name suggests, it is native to the Island of Norfolk, a tiny island near New Zealand. In its native habitat it will easily reach more than100 feet tall — thankfully, it rarely reaches more than 20 feet tall inside most homes. With proper care, Norfolk

Do coffee grounds keep deer away? While there’s no science confirming that coffee grounds keep deer away, putting grounds coffee in gardens as a deterrent is a common home remedy. However, there are some plants that you should avoid using coffee grounds on. Plants that prefer alkaline soil, like lavender and lilacs, can be harmed

What do LECA balls do? What is LECA and how does it work? LECA are small ‘marble-sized’ balls made from clay that you can use in place of soil. Using LECA provides space for oxygen to flow through to the plant’s roots, botanist Rosie Yee explains. Plants don’t have a pump in their body like