Marci Degman

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Stories By Marci Degman

  • Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune A Fatsia Japonica

    How to Prune a Fatsia Japonica. Fatsia japonica is also called the japanese aralia. It is loved for its large, bold evergreen foliage that creates a tropical look in the landscape. This plant also develops unusual white ball-type flowers in December, making it a great winter interest plant. Fatsia japonica is available in two variegated forms with white coloration throughout the leaves. Though it is classified as a shrub, it can be allowed to develop into a small tree. Left to grow, it develops multiple woody trunks that change the entire look of the plant. Kept smaller, it remains a rounded shrub. Regardless of the chosen pruning style it is an attractive useful landscape plant.

    By Marci Degman November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman November 4th, 2022

    The Best Tasting Fig Trees

    The Best Tasting Fig Trees. Figs are not a typical fruit. They are actually an inverted flower with both the male and female parts within. They are a powerhouse of minerals and a good source of dietary fiber. They can be eaten fresh, dried or made into preserves. Choose a fig suitable for your climate and they are easy to grow. Most figs are grown in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11. Their main requirement is good sun exposure. Most home garden varieties do not need pollinators.

    By Marci Degman November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    How To Prune Adam's Needle

    How to Prune Adam's Needle. Yuccas are an important architectural plant in garden design. They will grow in areas where it is inconvenient to irrigate and difficult to grow many other types of plants. New plants will sprout up around the base of the yucca, which will eventually result in an attractive clump. They shed their lower fronds each year and slowly develop a trunk. When the foliage withers and turns brown it can look unattractive. To improve the appearance of the type of yucca known as Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa), mechanically remove the brown fronds each year.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Shade-Loving Plants For Oregon

    Shade-Loving Plants for Oregon. There are many good native, non-invasive exotic plants for the shade garden in Oregon. The level of moisture and hardiness varies from one side of the state to the other. Western Oregon is mild, moist and forested. Eastern and Central Oregon have hot summers and cold, windier winters. Choose shade plants with these climatic conditions in mind. Thicker-leaved plants will withstand more abuse than those with delicate foliage.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    The Best Cold-Hardy Topiary Plants

    The Best Cold-Hardy Topiary Plants. The term "topiary" covers a broad range of techniques. Put simply, it is the art of clipping evergreen plants into shapes. There are time-tested plants that are more cold hardy than others. Once you know your USDA cold hardiness zone (see resources below), you can choose topiary plants that will thrive year-round in your region. The zone map gives the year-round average low temperature each plant can withstand.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Flowering Trees With Berries

    Flowering Trees With Berries. Trees take up a sizable position in the landscape. The best ones are those that provide as much year-round interest as possible. Trees that have both attractive flowers and berries are especially useful. Berry-producing trees will draw birds and other wildlife to your garden, while the flowers will attract pollinators.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Plants That Grow In Water & Are Eaten As Food

    Plants That Grow in Water & Are Eaten As Food. Wetlands are an important part of our environment. They are home to wildlife and there are also native foods that grow there. Home gardeners may have areas of very wet soil where they can grow these foods. You can even create your own boggy growing conditions. Foods that need to grow in water can also be grown hydroponically.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    A List Of The Names Of Red Flowers In California

    A List of the Names of Red Flowers in California. California is infused with a multitude of red wildflowers. It is considered to be a hot color that exudes excitement and lifts spirits. The California landscape is divided into mountains, valleys and desert regions. For this reason there are distinct plant populations within each area. Keep in mind that red is the favorite color for hummingbirds. Many red flowers in California are trumpet shaped, which is perfect for long, thirsty beaks.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Shade Plants For The Pacific Northwest

    Shade Plants for the Pacific Northwest. There are a lot of plants that do well in partially shady situations. But the list becomes smaller when the planting site is in full shade. Many Pacific Northwest native plants grow in low-light forested areas. This makes them very adaptable to the shade garden. Begin the first layer with perennials, ferns and ground-covers. Then create a shrub and tree canopy to protect your shade plants from the sun.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Flowers That Bloom In August In The Pacific Northwest

    Flowers That Bloom in August in the Pacific Northwest. The majority of perennial flowers seem to reach their peak in June and July in the Pacific Northwest. With some careful planning you can have just as much color in the late summer garden. Late-season flowers begin blooming in August and continue clear up until the first frost. Plant them along the back of the border or mix them in among the earlier flowers.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    What Flowers Attract Monarch Butterflies?

    What Flowers Attract Monarch Butterflies?. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are vividly colored and fascinating to watch. Their presence greatly enhances the natural environment of a garden. Unfortunately monarch butterfly numbers have been declining over the years. One reason is habitat destruction. Another factor is the use of pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can kill the butterflies and their host and nectar plants. By avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides as well as providing milkweed plants to host the butterflies and nectar plants to feed them, we can do our part in aiding their survival.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022

    Cherry Trees For Small Gardens

    Cherry Trees for Small Gardens. Ornamental cherry trees continue to be a cherished staple in the spring garden. Still, many cherries will out-grow the average landscape. Fortunately there are a number of dwarf varieties to choose from. There are even varieties the size of a large shrub at maturity. By choosing wisely, most gardens can support at least one cherry tree.

    By Marci Degman November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    Norway Spruce Varieties

    Norway Spruce Varieties. The Norway spruce (Picea abies) is the most widely grown landscape spruce. It is commonly used as a street tree, Christmas tree and a windbreak. This is due to its disease resistance, adaptability to different climates and fast growth. The Norway spruce is native to Europe, but is widely grown in North America and Canada. There are different sizes and forms of Norway spruce trees. There are a number of dwarf shrub varieties, which are naturally-occurring mutations.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    The Best Magnolia Trees

    The Best Magnolia Trees. Magnolias are unsurpassed for their large fragrant flowers, but the trees have very specific growing requirements. Magnolias have delicate, fleshy root systems. It is important to treat the roots with care when planting them. Once they are settled in, do not move them, and avoid installing other plants around their root zones. Because of the early emergence of most magnolia flowers, magnolias are subject to sudden spring cold snaps. Give your magnolia space to grow, and choose the best variety for your region.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    The Best Tomatoes To Grow In Oregon

    The Best Tomatoes to Grow in Oregon. Tomatoes are a warm season fruit. Choosing the right tomatoes to grow in Oregon is important. The shorter growing season and damp springs can make the harvest difficult. Choose plants that ripen in 60 to 70 days for best results. There are tomato varieties developed just for the Oregon climate. They are bred for crack resistance, short ripening time and the ability to ripen in the cooler weather.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    Dandelion Root Vs. Dandelion Leaf

    Dandelion Root vs. Dandelion Leaf. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is native to North America and Europe. When these plants are taking over the lawn, it is hard to imagine their worth. But all of the parts of the dandelion have healthful benefits. The flower is important in honey production. The seed is a food source for small birds. And humans benefit from the leaf and the root.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    The Best Time To Prune Maple Trees

    The Best Time to Prune Maple Trees. Maple trees are deciduous trees that are dormant in winter. Most trees are pruned during this dormant period. But maple trees bleed when they are cut during the winter and spring. For this reason, the best time to prune maples is during the summer months.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    What Are The Problems Caused By Removing Trees?

    What Are the Problems Caused by Removing Trees?. There are different reasons trees are removed. Sometimes they pose a safety risk, or are compromised by disease, insects, weather damage or construction. But in many settings these unstable trees may still serve a purpose, so it is always important to evaluate the site and consider the far-reaching effects before removing trees.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    The History Of Edible Flowers

    The History of Edible Flowers. Beauty and fragrance have always affected the human senses. Flowers draw us with their color and scent. It was only a matter of time before it was necessary to also taste them. Curiosity and creativity ran rampant in our ancestors and birthed the use of flowers as food. Past cooks also thought of the medicinal benefits as well as the culinary ones when using flowers in food preparation. Edible flowers are still eaten worldwide, but the focus today is more aesthetic.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    What To Plant With Peonies

    What to Plant With Peonies. Peonies (Paeonia) live a very long time. Once they are happy they will bloom reliably every year. They do not like to be bothered once established so the goal is to create a more permanent planting plan. When deciding what to plant with your peonies, choose plants that will also remain awhile. Peonies have a formal appearance and do well in front yard plantings. The foliage emerges in the spring and the flowers bloom in early summer.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    Climbing Hydrangea Problems

    Climbing Hydrangea Problems. The climbing hydrangea ("Hydrangea anomala petiolaris") has many similarities to the upright shrub nydrangeas. The main differences are leaf size and growth habit. The leaves of climbing hydrangea are round, shiny and about 3 inches wide. They will turn an attractive yellow in the fall. The white flowers are flattened lace cap style blooms. Climbing hydrangea attaches by aerial rootlets to structures. It will spiral up a post or scale a fence. This woody vine is attractive in the winter even when the leaves have fallen. It is not a difficult plant to grow if certain criteria are met.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022

    How To Design A Berm Garden

    How to Design a Berm Garden. A berm is a mound of soil brought in to create a garden bed that is higher than the rest of the garden. One reason to build a berm is to improve drainage for plants that do not like wet soil. A berm can also be a good way to improve poor soil. A benefit to a higher planting bed is that plants are less likely to be stepped on. Building up areas by berming can give a sculptural look to an otherwise flat landscape.

    By Marci Degman September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Marci Degman March 23rd, 2022

    The Best Blooming Rhododendrons For Shade

    The Best Blooming Rhododendrons for Shade. Often you see rhododendrons described as shade-loving shrubs, but the ideal situation for most of them is partial shade. Some bloom poorly without sunlight each day. Too much afternoon sun can burn the leaves and spoil the blossoms. If you have full shade, seek out suitable varieties known to perform well in these conditions. Azaleas are included in the genus Rhododendron; some of these tolerate full shade.

    By Marci Degman March 23rd, 2022 Read More