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.
How to Identify Viburnum. There are several types of viburnums--some with fruit, some with a clove-like aroma, and some with vibrant fall color. The colorful viburnum attracts wildlife to gardens during the fall and winter. One of the more common viburnum is the swamp-haw viburnum. It grows near stream banks from Florida to Long Island, and can be grown in the yard with partial shade to full sun.
Read MoreAlstroemeria Disease. The alstroemeria is commonly known as the Peruvian lily or Inca lily. It is native to South America. The alstroemeria was introduced to Europe during the 18th century. The flowers grow well in warm climates, but can be grown in cooler climates (USDA hardiness zone 6 or less in the United States) in pots as a houseplant or in greenhouses.
Read MoreHow to Landscape With Lava Rock. Three types of lava rock are used in landscaping: red-hot, black and sunset. Red-hot is the color of red brick. Black lava rock ranges from gray to black, and sunset is a combination of red-hot and black. Lava rock does not fade, conserves moisture in the soil, doesn't wash away, helps control weeds and serves as a natural insulation for plant roots. It is simple to use it in your landscaping.
Read MoreCedar Tree Requirements. Cedar tree requirements vary based on the type of cedar tree, but most cedar trees require the same amount of water, light, soil and fertilizer. When planting cedar trees in landscaping, always check with your local nursery for any specific requirements for the cultivar you have chosen. It's also a good idea to check the USDA hardiness zone for the particular cultivar, though most cedar trees thrive in zones 5 through 8.
Read MoreFlorida Oak Tree Diseases. Several factors, known as causal agents, can cause tree diseases. The Florida oak is affected by these agents, both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living). Living agents are pathogen-disease-producing organisms. They are not the disease themselves, but the pathogens that cause the disease. Pruning and using fungicides can control several diseases. Check with your nursery for the right fungicide for the disease that affects your Florida oaks.
Read MoreCanna Lily Diseases. A canna lily is related to bananas and ginger plants. The shoots grow out of the stem as a long roll, then unfurl. Canna lily flowers are red, yellow, orange or any combination of the three colors. Most cannas have green leaves, but some cultivars have bronze, maroon, brown or variegated leaves. Its small, round, hard seeds are used for the kayamb, a musical instrument from Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean. Canna indica (arrowroot starch source) roots are eaten raw or cooked. Cannas are low-maintenance and provide color to the landscape throughout the summer, so are popular with landscapers.
Read MoreDogwood Tree Bark Disease. The dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, is most common in North Carolina. It is popular in home and commercial landscaping because of the early spring flowers and bright red berries. The dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall. Several bark diseases affect the dogwood. When planting new dogwood, there are several steps to help prevent bark diseases.
Read MoreProblems With a Weeping Mulberry Tree. The weeping mulberry tree (Morus alba) produces suckers and is invasive. The weeping version is fruitless and is often used for landscaping purposes. The weeping mulberry grows up to 60 feet in height. The crown grows as wide as 60 feet, though the males are smaller-only growing up to 40 feet in height with a 40-foot wide crown. The weeping mulberry grows in any type of soil, as long as the soil is well drained.
Read MoreHow to Plant Fir Trees. When planting any type of fir tree, location is important to ensure a healthy tree. Keep in mind that fir trees can grow to exceptional heights and widths depending on the cultivar; do not plant a fir tree too close to a structure. Many fir trees have a shallow network of roots and need to be planted in an area that is protected from high winds. Fir trees grow in most types of soil, except hard-packed clay soil; loosen clay soil by amending it with compost prior to planting--no more than 50 percent compost and 50 percent amendments.
Read MoreProblems With Zorro Zoysia. Zorro Zoysia is a warm-season grass that requires less mowing and fertilization than other grasses, but is slow-growing. It prefers full sun, but can withstand partial shade. It prefers soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5, but will grow in most soil, even if the soil is acidic, which is a benefit for Southern states with sandy soil.
Read MoreCommon Problems in an Easter Cactus. The Easter cactus, like the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti, is native to Brazil. The plant has flat, green stems. The stems look like leaves and are called segments. The stems produce flowers, which bud between the segments. Flowers can be many different colors, including purple, but the most popular are red and pink. The Easter cactus has bristles on the edges of the segments and at the tip of the terminal segment, but the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti do not.
Read MorePalm Tree Diseases & Treatments. Palm trees are used in landscaping in Florida and California. There are several types of palm trees, including the coconut palm, and all palms are susceptible to certain diseases. These diseases can affect the population of the palm trees if they are not controlled and treated. To help with the control of diseases, choose cultivars that are disease resistant, if a disease is known to be a problem in your locale.
Read MoreGround Cover and Clover. Clover makes a great ground cover in that it is also used as "green manure." Clover crops add nutrients back into the soil, making the soil healthy, after nutrients have been leeched from the soil by other crops. Ground cover is planted between crops (in farming) or on shallow, rocky flower beds. Clover is also used in lawns, as it makes a thick, lush, green lawn that is tolerant of high traffic and dog waste.
Read MoreHow to Use Landscape Timbers to Build a Border. Using landscape timbers is one of the cheapest ways to build a nice-looking border that doesn't look cheap. If you use treated wood or treat the wood yourself, timbers last for many years before they must be replaced. They can be left their natural color or can be painted to match the tone of the landscape.
Read MorePlants That Make Dogs Sick. There are several foods and plants that make dogs sick. In addition to the well-known nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers) and foods such as chocolate, onion, raisins and grapes, several plants should be kept out of reach of your dogs. If your dog ingests a poison, contact your vet immediately. Before taking the dog to the vet, you may be advised to give the dog hydrogen peroxide to make it vomit. Another treatment for certain poisons is activated charcoal.
Read MorePotato Plant Diseases. Several diseases affect potato plants, but the most common diseases are blight, verticillium wilt and rhizoctonia canker. These diseases are easily identified and if treated early enough, the plants may be saved. If the diseases are not caught early enough, the entire plant should be removed. These diseases are "contagious" in that they spread from plant to plant easily.
Read MoreGrass & Weeds That Grow in the Sand. Several types of grass and weeds grow in the sand. This makes them popular in areas that have sandy soil, as opposed to loam or clay. The weeds and grasses are difficult to control and often take over yards, especially in times of drought.
Read MoreProblems With Cherry Laurel Trees. The cherry laurel tree (Prunus caroliniana) is a member of the Rosaceae family and thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10A. It is a native North American tree that is often used as a hedge or lawn tree. If left unpruned, it can grow up to 40 feet in height with a spread of up to 25 feet. It has a medium growth rate, and grows a dense crown, which makes the cherry laurel tree popular in southern landscaping.
Read MoreFlowers With Shallow Roots in Florida. Several types of flower in Florida have shallow root systems. These plants must be protected from high winds, particularly flowering shrubs and small trees. Plant shallow-rooted plants against a windbreak, or, if it is a small tree or shrub, use tie downs to help keep the plant sturdy, particularly in Florida's volatile hurricane season.
Read MoreHow to Care for a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry Tree. A snow fountain weeping cherry tree is a deciduous tree that prefers USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8 and full sun. According to Washington State University, this weeping cherry tree grows to a height of 12 feet with an 8-foot spread, and produces showy, white flowers that bloom from April through May. The snow fountain, because of its size, is suitable for planting in small yards and under power lines. It is known as the smaller version of the weeping higan cherry, and has the same care requirements.
Read MoreShrubs With White Berries. Several shrubs with white berries are used for landscaping; the aesthetic effect is a pleasant one, as the white berries contrast nicely with the foliage. Shrubs in general are hardy throughout the growing season, and, depending on the shrub, even into the fall and winter. Most shrubs are low-maintenance, requiring fertilizing once per year and minimal pruning.
Read MoreGypsum Dangers. Gypsum is used in the garden to loosen soil (usually heavy clay soil), but is also found in drywall. This mineral generally contains a small quantity of crystalline silica. It is a white powder, but may also be found in lumps. According to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) safety card, the scientific name is calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4*2H20) and the molecular mass is 172. 2.
Read MoreHow to Lay Landscape Bricks for a Border. Laying landscape bricks for a border is an alternative to using wood, fencing or expensive concrete borders. A brick border is also more colorful, as bricks can be purchased in many different colors. Bricks can be laid on top of the ground to form a border, but properly-laid bricks create a stronger weed barrier and a more stable wall.
Read MoreWindmill Palm Disease. The windmill palm grows up to 20 feet in height with a 10-foot spread. The palm leaves are 18 to 36 inches. The windmill palm thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11 in the southern and western coastal states, but is not native to the United States. The windmill palm prefers full sun, but will grow in partial shade as long as the soil is well-drained and fertile. There are several diseases that affect the windmill palm.
Read MoreHow to Use a Bottlebrush Shrub in Landscaping. The bottlebrush shrub has several species, but the most common and hardiest is the Callistemon citrinus, the red bottlebrush, so named because of its bright red flowers. Bottlebrush shrubs thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 and can be planted in the ground or kept in large planters. Most species, if not pruned, grow to 15 feet in height and have an upright, moderately dense crown.
Read MoreIdeas for Landscaping With Gravel, Sand & Rock. When landscaping your own yard, you might only have gravel, sand and rock to work with. Any other landscaping materials could cost you more money. Still, you can work out a nice landscaping project that is easy on the pocketbook if you have all three in your backyard. Even if you have only two of the three, you can save by only having to buy one medium.
Read MoreProblems With an Angel Trumpet Plant. The angel trumpet plant is a relatively hardy plant and is not susceptible to many diseases, but might be affected by certain diseases and pests if the plant is not healthy to begin with. To help prevent diseases and pests, make sure the plant is properly cared for, and environmental issues, such as iron chlorosis, sunburn, heat stress, air pollution and oedema are not effecting the plant. If you do notice any of the listed problems with the angel trumpet, clear the disease and remove the offending environmental problem.
Read More
