April Sanders

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By April Sanders

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    Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Kalanchoe Diseases

    Kalanchoe Diseases. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a tropical plant with succulent leaves. This plant features brilliantly-colored blooms in almost neon shades of orange, yellow, pink and purple, as well as a creamy white cultivar. The Kalanchoe is native to Madagascar and is most often grown in the United States as a houseplant, according to Dr. J. Raymond Kessler, a horticulturist with Auburn University. While relatively easy to care for, this woody shrub can suffer from a few diseases.

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  • Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    The Best Viburnum For Shade

    The Best Viburnum for Shade. Viburnums are a large group of flowering shrubs. Desirable for their spring flowers, colorful foliage and autumn berries, viburnums are also hardy plants and will grow in a wide variety of climates. The viburnum family encompasses around 150 species, each with many cultivars. All will grow in shade, according to Ohio State University, although colors and blooms may be reduced. For that reason, it is difficult to pick just one best viburnum. Some, however, do stand out above the rest.

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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Types Of Flowers In Jamaica

    Types of Flowers in Jamaica. Jamaica, with its warm climate and rich, fertile soil, is a haven for masses of spectacularly colorful and showy tropical flowers. Some are flowering trees, including the national flower of Jamaica, while others are flowerings shrubs. All are stunning and indicative of the beauty of the country.

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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Companion Plants For A Weigela

    Companion Plants for a Weigela. Weigela (Weigela florida) is a deciduous shrub desirable for its profusion of flowers, which are pink, white or red, according to the University of Connecticut. Often called "Old-fashioned Weigela," this plant is native to Japan and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones 5 through 8. Good companion plants for weigela are those that grow in the same USDA plant hardiness zones, have the same care needs, and compliment the appearance of the weigela rather than compete or blend in with it.

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    Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    What Is White Fuzz Growing In An Herb Garden?

    What Is White Fuzz Growing in an Herb Garden?. Powdery mildew is a common problem in herb gardens, according to the Horticultural Development Company. This fungal disease, which looks like a fine, white fuzzy coating on the plants, is especially prevalent on sage, parsley and mint. The mildew may consist of a number of different types of fungi, which vary depending on the particular herb. Although the fungi might be different, the conditions that cause powdery mildew in an herb garden are the same.

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    Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Jasmine Plant Disease

    Jasmine Plant Disease. Over 200 species of Jasminum exist, according to the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Some are woody vines, while others are shrubs. Many are evergreen, and a few are deciduous. While jasmine may be best loved for its fragrance, some species of Jasminum don't have a scent. Still, these popular plants are excellent landscape plants. Home gardeners who want to enjoy their long-lasting beauty should take care to prevent, watch for and treat diseases common to jasmine plants.

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  • Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Can Potted Ferns Stay Out In Cold Temps?

    Can Potted Ferns Stay Out in Cold Temps?. Ferns, desired by gardeners for their interesting foliage textures, come from a large group encompassing several genera, hundreds of species and hundreds more cultivars. One thing they all have in common is a unique method of reproducing by spores. In addition, many ferns feature distinctive, gracefully drooping fronds, which add flair to any landscape or container. Hardy ferns tolerate cooler temperatures, whereas tropical ferns cannot.

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  • Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Relocate A Weeping Cherry Tree

    How to Relocate a Weeping Cherry Tree. The weeping cherry tree, with its gracefully dipping branches, is a popular landscape tree in America. Weeping cherry trees are prized for their beautiful light pink blossoms, which cover the tree in early spring, as well as their pleasing fragrance. In the fall, the dark green leaves turn a brilliant yellow color. The weeping cherry is often planted near water to reflect the tree's beauty. Relocating, or transplanting the Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', is fairly easy to do, especially if the tree is young.

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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Types Of Flowers Deer Eat

    Types of Flowers Deer Eat. It's difficult to keep deer off your property and out of your garden. Deer love many of the same flowers home gardeners do and will not hesitate to nibble away at your hard work. The most successful way to prevent deer from wiping out your garden is to know which types of flowers they like to eat, and then avoid planting them. Instead, plant flowers deer are known to avoid, such as lily-of-the-valley.

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  • Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Safe Temperature For Outdoor Potted Ferns

    Safe Temperature for Outdoor Potted Ferns. Ferns belong to a large division of plants, Pteridophyta, which includes more than 9,000 species of ferns, according to "Encyclopedia Britannica." All ferns share some commonalities, including their unusual way of reproducing via tiny spores that are usually located on the undersides of the fronds. It's these fronds, which drape attractively over the edges of pots, that make ferns an excellent choice for container plants whether sitting on patio tables or hanging from eaves. Safe temperatures for outdoor potted ferns vary widely with the species.

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  • Young girl (8-10) on bed with dog, portrait
    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Is Cordyline Fruticosa Poisonous To Dogs?

    Is Cordyline Fruticosa Poisonous to Dogs?. Ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa or terminalis) add tropical beauty to almost any landscape -- indoors or out. Desirable for their colorful foliage, sweet-smelling flowers and hardy nature, ti plants are often grown as indoor plants because of their ability to tolerate low-light conditions. Home gardeners who have dogs, however, might think twice about cultivating this attractive shrub -- they are poisonous to dogs.

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  • Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Do Persimmon Trees Need A Male & Female To Produce Fruit?

    Do Persimmon Trees Need a Male & Female to Produce Fruit?. Both the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and the Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) trees need male and female flowers to produce fruit. Although some trees have both male and female flowers, this is not common. In most cases, for your female persimmon tree to bloom and produce fruit, there must be a male tree nearby.

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  • Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Care For Ficus Benjamina Outdoors

    How to Care for Ficus Benjamina Outdoors. Ficus benjaminas can be grown indoors or outdoors, although they are hardy outdoors only in USDA growing zones 10B and 11. These trees are part of the fig family, and this particular ficus often is called the "weeping fig" because its long branches often will dip almost to the ground. Outdoors, ficus benjamina can grow to 60 feet tall with a canopy just as wide as its height. These hardy trees require only basic care.

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  • Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    What Do You Call Plants That Can't Make Their Own Food?

    What Do You Call Plants That Can't Make Their Own Food?. Saprophytic plants are part of a group of organisms called heterotrophs, which are plants and organisms that do not make their own food. Fungi also belong to this group. Saprophytic plants are uncommon and are rarely seen, but they play an important part in the ecosystems of the world.

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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Information On The Lemon Sage Plant

    Information on the Lemon Sage Plant. Lemon sage is a variety of Salvia elegans. All varieties of S. elegans, including "Lemon," have foliage with a vaguely pineapple scent and taste. This particular variety is called "Lemon" or "Golden Delicious" for the yellow color of its leaves. This is different from most varieties of S. elegans, which have bright green leaves, according to Floridata. Lemon sage can grow quite large, and is an attractive and useful addition to any home garden.

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  • Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Take Care Of A Lucky Bean Plant

    How to Take Care of a Lucky Bean Plant. The lucky bean plant (Castanospermum australe) is a hardy tree that is native to parts of Australia. It is also frequently called the Moreton Bay chestnut tree or the black bean tree. The tree, which features glossy green leaves and bright red and yellow flowers, is often grown as an indoor plant, where containers keep it small. In the wild, however, the lucky bean plant can become a tree with a height of 130 feet.

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    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Rain Bird Vs. Toro Sprinkler Heads

    Rain Bird vs. Toro Sprinkler Heads. Rain Bird and Toro are companies that produce irrigation equipment. Both companies manufacture and sell equipment for residential, golf course and agricultural use. Both offer a wide range of sprinkler heads for small and large spaces, most of which are similar, with one notable exception -- Toro does not produce portable sprinkler heads that attach to garden hoses. Rain Bird, on the other hand, produces sprinklers for hoses, as well as complete portable sprinkler kits.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    The Best Soil For A Dracaena

    The Best Soil for a Dracaena. Dracaenas (Dracaena spp.) are an excellent choice for home gardeners with children. The plants are the complete package: interesting to look at, easy to care for, and generally hardy. There are about 40 species of dracaenas and many more cultivars, which range widely in size and shape. All, however, have the same basic soil and cultural requirements. Don't forget to wear gloves when working in soil to protect yourself from soil-borne pathogens.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Keep Hostas From Spreading

    How to Keep Hostas From Spreading. Hostas are hardy perennials, most often grown for their distinctive foliage and for the fact that they grow easily--even in full shade. For that reason, they are often planted as a ground-cover plant under trees or in dark corners of the garden. Hostas come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, but one thing they do have in common is a tendency to spread, especially those varieties with rhizomes (horizontal underground roots). This can create a problem in home gardens with limited space. The best way to keep a hosta from spreading is to cut the plant back.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Rid Cannas Of Japanese Beatles

    How to Rid Cannas of Japanese Beatles. Cannas are a family of plants that are desirable for their large, graceful leaves and equally large, showy flowers. Home gardeners love them for their looks and for their resistance to many diseases, especially those caused by fungi. Unfortunately, these tuber plants are also a favorite of the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), a voracious garden pest that will quickly make skeletons out of the leaves of your cannas if left unchecked. Getting rid of these insect pests is not easy, but it can be done if you are persistent.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Octopus Plant Care

    Octopus Plant Care. Octopus plants (Drosera species) are carnivorous plants found throughout the world. There are over 120 different species of Drosera plants, according to the Carnivorous Plant Society. Also called "Sundews," these plants trap and slowly digest small insects to obtain nutrients. For this reason, Droseras are often found growing in nutrient-poor soil. Nicknamed "octopus" for their rosette shape and often long, slender foliage, Drosera plants are found on every continent except Antartica. They are easy to care for and are often grown as indoor plants.

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    Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    Dwarf Eucalyptus Tree Types

    Dwarf Eucalyptus Tree Types. Eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus spp.) range widely in size and appearance. There are about 500 species of this plant, according to Cornell University. Some are towering giants, reaching heights of more than 100 feet. Others are much smaller. Some grow on multiple trunks, like shrubs. Home gardeners usually desire dwarf eucalyptus trees for their small, manageable stature and pleasing scent.

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  • Trees
    Trees By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How To Care For A Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry Tree

    How to Care for a Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry Tree. The Prunus x snofozam, or weeping snow fountain, is a cherry tree that features long-lasting, pure white blossoms that naturally droop to the ground. The tree is slow-growing and small, which makes it perfect for smaller yards or gardens. The weeping snow fountain cherry tree is very drought resistant and hardy to diseases, although it can suffer from insect pests. This deciduous tree also features stunning orange and red foliage in the fall, adding another dimension to the landscape.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By April Sanders November 4th, 2022

    How Do Plants Obtain Water?

    How Do Plants Obtain Water?. Plants obtain water through their roots. Water present in the soil (or air, in the case of air plants) enters the plant through the epidermis of the root. The epidermis is a very thin single layer of cells. The water passes through the membranes of plant cells and also fills the spaces in between the cells. Because the cells absorb the water directly, the soil must be in contact with the roots in order for the roots to absorb the water. In the case of air plants, the air must have enough humidity to provide the roots with water molecules. Roots also have tiny hairs that seek out and find minerals and other nutrients in soil. These nutrients travel along the hairs to the center of the root, or the stele, where they combine with the water molecules.

    By April Sanders November 4th, 2022 Read More