Annita Lawson

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Stories By Annita Lawson

  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant Euphorbia Cuttings

    How to Plant Euphorbia Cuttings. Euphorbia (Euphorbia milii), sometimes referred to as crown of thorns, is a flowering succulent that is native to Madagascar. This plant has firm, smooth leaves, colorful blooms, and branches and stems that are covered in sharp thorns. Euphorbia grows slowly but is not difficult to care for once established. Like most succulents, this flower is very drought tolerant but will not survive temperatures that dip below freezing.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For A Bridal Veil Plant

    How to Care for a Bridal Veil Plant. The bridal veil plant (Gibasis geniculata) is a popular houseplant with long, cascading stems and small white blooms that appear from spring until fall. Bridal veil requires very little light in order to thrive and prefers soil that is slightly moist. This plant is attractive when planted in a hanging pot, but will do well in any container that has sufficient drainage. The bridal veil plant can also be grown outdoors as a perennial in USDA hardiness zone 9b and above.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow A Eucalyptus Silver Drop Plant

    How to Grow a Eucalyptus Silver Drop Plant. The eucalyptus silver drop plant (Eucalyptus gunnii), sometimes called cider gum, is actually a tree native to Tasmania. It has round, silver leaves and attractive bark that ranges from gray to a combination of orange and pink. White flowers appear on the tree during spring and summer. The foliage of the silver drop plant gives off a pleasant menthol scent, even after it is dried for use in flower arrangements. This plant does best in full sun and well-drained soil.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow A Mouse Plant

    How to Grow a Mouse Plant. The mouse plant (Ochna serrulata), also called a Mickey Mouse plant, is actually a shrub native to South Africa. It grows from 4 to 6 feet tall and has attractive yellow flowers reminiscent of wild rose bush blossoms. The flowers are followed by dark colored fruits that develop below red sepals, causing the plant to resemble the face of Mickey Mouse. The mouse plant cannot survive temperatures that dip below 50 degrees F, so it's best grown as a houseplant in most regions.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For A Hanging Boston Fern

    How to Care for a Hanging Boston Fern. The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), also referred to as "sword fern", has been a popular houseplant since Victorian times. These lush, tropical perennials are the perfect choice for hanging baskets, whether gracing a front porch or a living room window. They do well outdoors during warm weather, but if the temperature in your area dips below freezing, they will need to be moved indoors before winter's arrival. They aren't very fussy plants, but they do require regular care in order to look their best.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For Lupine Flowers

    How to Care for Lupine Flowers. Lupine (Lupinus) is an unusual looking plant with medium-green leaves and long, upright flower spikes. Lupine is available in a variety of shades, including purple, dark blue, pink, yellow and white. The foliage of this plant grows from 1 to 2 feet tall while the blooms sometimes reach heights of up to 4 feet. Lupine does well in most growing conditions, although it will not live if planted in heavy soil. Lupine grows wild in many regions of both North America and Europe.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For Royal Purple Smoke Bush

    How to Care for Royal Purple Smoke Bush. The royal purple smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple') gets its name from the tiny flowers that appear in spring and early summer, giving the impression of a cloud of smoke. The leaves of this tree change color throughout the seasons, beginning with a maroon shade that turns almost black by late summer, then crimson in fall. The royal purple smoke bush grows to 15 feet tall and is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For A Corkscrew Rush Plant

    How to Care for a Corkscrew Rush Plant. The corkscrew rush plant (Juncus effusus), also called soft rush, is a water plant with vibrant green, twisted stems that grow up to 2 feet tall. Corkscrew rush occurs naturally around the edges of bogs, ponds and other wetlands. It does best in full to partial sun and can survive with its roots submerged in as much as 3 inches of water. Corkscrew rush spreads very quickly and is best grown in a container to keep it from interfering with other plants.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Propagate Agapanthus By Seed

    How to Propagate Agapanthus by Seed. Agapanthus, also known as lily of the Nile, is an attractive perennial popular for its large and showy flower clusters. This flower comes in varieties that range from violet to almost white. Most gardeners propagate agapanthus by root division, but they can also be started from seed. It requires quite a bit of patience, but propagating agapanthus from seed is inexpensive and many gardeners find it rewarding to see the seeds they planted eventually become flowering beauties in their garden.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Propagate Honeysuckle

    How to Propagate Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle (Lonicera) is an attractive, delicate looking perennial that graces the garden with a sweet aroma during late spring and summer. These vines are hardy and fast growing, making them the perfect choice planted next to arbors, trellises or alongside porch rails. Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to their sweet nectar and in late fall they produce fruit which draws a colorful variety of bird life to your garden. Honeysuckle spreads easily, which increases the likelihood of success when propagating this plant.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow Bitter Melon From Seeds

    How to Grow Bitter Melon From Seeds. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also known as bitter gourd, is an odd-looking, cucumber-shaped melon that is native to Asia. As suggested by its name, this melon has a very bitter flavor and is not consumed in the same way as more common melons, but is cooked or pickled instead. Bitter melon seeds require soil temperatures of at least 60 degrees F in order to germinate, and they grow best with daytime temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees F.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow Sunshine Blue Blueberries

    How to Grow Sunshine Blue Blueberries. Sunshine Blue blueberry bushes (Vaccinium "Sunshine Blue") produce an abundance of flavorful berries during late summer and make an attractive ornamental planting. The bush's new spring foliage is pale blue, eventually changing to a frosty gray-blue color as the leaves mature. Deep pink blooms appear in spring and fade to white before being replaced by fruit. The foliage turns crimson when cool temperatures arrive in fall. Sunshine Blue blueberries do well in full or partial sun and rich acidic soil with good drainage. They are winter-hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 5 through 10.

    By Annita Lawson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Grow & Prune Gravenstein Apple Trees

    How to Grow & Prune Gravenstein Apple Trees. The fruit of the Gravenstein apple tree is delicious whether eaten fresh, preserved or made into pies or applesauce. The tree grows from 10 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. In spring it is covered in soft pinkish-white blooms. During fall the leaves change to vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow. Gravenstein apple trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They require regular pruning in order to look their best and produce the maximum amount of fruit.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Take Care Of A Fig Tree In Ontario

    How to Take Care of a Fig Tree in Ontario. The fig tree is a deciduous, fruit-bearing plant that can reach heights of 3 to 15 meters (10 to 50 feet), depending upon space and growing conditions. Fig trees that are completely dormant can survive temperature dips as low as -11 degrees C (12 degrees F), while those still growing are damaged at -1 degrees C (30 degrees F). Since winter temperatures in Ontario are not suitable for the survival of the tree, they should be grown in containers. Fig trees do quite well when planted this way, although it does limit their size.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Plant & Care For A Blue Potato Bush

    How to Plant & Care for a Blue Potato Bush. The blue potato bush (Solanum rantonnetii), also known as Paraguay nightshade, is a shrub native to both Brazil and Paraguay. This plant develops bluish-purple blooms with yellow middles during summer and continues to flower into fall. The blue potato bush can grow up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 and can survive temperature dips as low as 23 degrees F.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Care For A Donkey Ear Plant

    How to Care for a Donkey Ear Plant. The donkey ear plant (Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri), also known as giant kalanchoe and sprout leaf plant"is a fast-growing succulent originally discovered in Madagascar. This plant is unusual-looking, with oddly shaped, pale green leaves that become covered with spots as they mature and develop small "plantlets" at their tips. The donkey ear plant grows to a height of about 2 feet and produces showy red, coral or orange blooms that are adored by hummingbirds. It has a high drought tolerance and doesn't require much attention in order to thrive.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Plant A Sugar Sweet Cherry Bush

    How to Plant a Sugar Sweet Cherry Bush. The sugar sweet cherry bush (Prunus tomentosa), sometimes referred to as "nanking cherry tree," is a fruit-bearing shrub that grows 8 to 10 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. In early spring, blush-colored blooms appear, followed by small edible fruits that are often used in pies, jams and jellies. This bush is extremely hardy and is able to endure heat, drought, and winter temperatures that dip to 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Grow A Flying Dragon Plant

    How to Grow a Flying Dragon Plant. The flying dragon plant (Poncirus trifoliata), also referred to as hardy citrus and bitter orange, is an unusual-looking citrus that is cold hardy to zero degrees Fahrenheit. The flying dragon adds an interesting touch to the garden throughout all four seasons. In spring, it is covered in fragrant, white blooms that are followed by small oranges during summer months. In fall the leaves turn yellow, leaving behind twisted branches when they drop for winter.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Care For Sweet Ivy Plants

    How to Care for Sweet Ivy Plants. Sweet ivy (deltoidea), also known as sweetheart ivy, is a popular perennial that can be grown as as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. Known for its heart-shaped leaves, sweet ivy cascades from containers, can be trained to climb up walls or trellises and can also be planted as a ground cover. It does well when planted alone, but also makes an interesting addition to potted arrangements or planted among flowers in outdoor landscaping.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022

    How To Care For Red Apple Ground Cover

    How to Care for Red Apple Ground Cover. Red apple ground cover (Aptenia cordifolia) is a low-growing succulent, sometimes called heartleaf ice plant. It has small, deep green leaves and is covered in tiny, red blooms from spring until fall. Red apple ground cover grows well in full sun to light shade and fast-draining soil. In regions with extremely hot summers it should be planted in an area protected from afternoon sunlight. This plant's foliage breaks easily, so select a growing location without heavy pedestrian traffic.

    By Annita Lawson September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Annita Lawson March 23rd, 2022

    How To Grow Spider Lilies

    How to Grow Spider Lilies. The spider lily plant (Lycoris radiata) is a perennial that is not a true lily, but a member of the amaryllis family. This plant gets its name from the curling petals of its blooms, which give it a spider-like appearance. Spider lilies grow from 12 to 18 inches tall, depending upon the variety, and bloom in fall. They prefer full to partial sun and soil that drains well. Spider lilies grow in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 9.

    By Annita Lawson March 23rd, 2022 Read More