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Thistle Identification. Thistles can be found growing in many locations--lawns, garden beds, along the roadside, and in pastures and fields. Thistles can be identified by the shape of their leaves, their color, their spines and the color of their flowers. There are five common thistles: bull thistle, musk thistle, Scotch thistle, distaff thistle and Canada thistle.
Read MoreFacts About Weeping Mulberry Tree. The weeping mulberry tree is also known by its botanical name of "Morus alba." It is a member of the mulberry family known as, "Moraceae." This deciduous tree is native to northern China but it can be found growing in North America and Asia. At one time the mulberry tree was used to produce fruit as well as silk worms, this is no longer the case. Weeping mulberry is a fast growing tree that is hardy in zones 5 through 8.
Read MoreNames of Blue Roses. In reality, there are no blue-colored roses--many species have incorporated the word "blue" into their names, but to date there aren't any roses that are truly blue in color. Some roses are lilac/lavender in color, however, such as the blueberry hill rose, and the veilchenblau rose. Australia is the center of research into the development of a blue rose. They have located the gene that controls the color blue--but to date it is still in its developmental stages.
Read MoreWhat Does the Flower Calendula Represent?. Flowers have a language of their own. This language can be accredited to the Victorian era, a time of strict etiquette, when one was limited in methods to show or express feelings of love and affection. To be able to show feelings, people created the "language of the flowers." Flowers were given different meanings -- meanings that conveyed different sentiments. There were birth-month flowers; flowers that were given in accordance to the month that a person was born in. The calendula is the flower for those with a birthday in the month of October.
Read MoreHow to Prune a Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose. The Cecile Brunner climbing rose is a very fragrant, long-lived Old Garden rose. It can grow to a height of 12 feet. and a width of 12 feet. This rose adds both beauty and fragrance to your landscape design, and looks wonderful growing on a trellis, fence, post or column. It blossoms from early spring through fall, and it is hardy from zones 6 through 9. You will not need to prune a newly planted Cecile Brunner rose. It will only need to be pruned after the first two to three years, when you'll remove dead, damaged or diseased wood.
Read MoreThe Sand Cherry Tree & Pests. The sand cherry tree is known for its purple leaves and white/pink spring blossoms. However, it does have its drawbacks. The sand cherry must be kept well hydrated, and it should be placed in a spot that receives full sun. It has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. The small fruit of the sand cherry will attract birds, which can be a nuisance to some homeowners, and the tree is susceptible to infestations from aphids, borers, tent caterpillars and webworms.
Read MoreHow to Prune Northern Bayberry. The northern bayberry is quite an interesting shrub. It is considered a deciduous to semi-evergreen plant. The bayberry's average height without pruning is 8 feet. What makes this medium shrub so interesting is that its dark green leaves are aromatic. The fruit which is approximately 1/8 inch in diameter has a hard waxy coating which is also aromatic. The aromatic fruit often remains on the plant until spring. Swallows, eastern meadowlarks, and red-bellied woodpeckers love the fruit of the northern bayberry.
Read MoreRoot Structure of a Rose Bush. Rose bushes are either grown in containers or in fields. Plants that are grown in containers have a fibrous root structure, while plants that are field-grown have a heavy root system. The root structure of a rose bush is an important part of its anatomy.
Read MoreThe Root System of a Lemon Tree. The origin of the lemon, or Citrus limon, tree is unknown. In 1493 Christopher Columbus is said to have brought lemon seeds to Hispaniola. It is quite possible that the Spaniards introduced the lemon to St. Augustine, Florida. According to the University of Florida, "Citrus tree growth and productivity is closely linked with root system health and both can be seriously affected by different soil borne pests and diseases." So, the root system of the lemon tree is very important.
Read MoreHow to Prune Western Red Cedar. The western red cedar (Thuja plicta) is also known as great western arborvitae, canoe cedar, Pacific red cedar, shinglewood, and giant red cedar. This evergreen can grow to a height of 50 to 60 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. It is hardy from zone 5 through 9. It is generally used in landscape design as a hedge, screen or wind-break. This evergreen requires very little pruning. The reasons you will prune are to remove damaged branches, sharing to maintain size, and for safety reasons (walkways, structures and roots).
Read MorePachysandra & Weeds. Pachysandra is a groundcover with dark glossy green leaves, and white blossoms that appear in springtime (May). It has become a popular evergreen groundcover for its thick mat-like growth habit, and also because it grows best in shady areas of the landscape--places where other plants cannot grow. Before pachysandra is established weeds can be a problem in the groundcover bed. However, once established pachysandra’s thick mat keeps weeds down.
Read MoreMimosa Tree Disease. The mimosa tree, or Albizia julibrissin, is also known as the silk tree and is native to China. This tree was brought to the United States in 1745 as an ornamental species. It is popular today due to its fragrant pink pompom flowers. A mature tree can reach a height of 20 to 40 feet. The silk tree is considered an invasive plant in Florida. This plant adapts to numerous soil types, re-sprouts when cut back and is spread by seed. Fusarium wilt is a disease which attacks the mimosa tree, causing tree death.
Read MoreHow to Prune a Norway Maple. The Norway maple, Acer platanoides, is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown. A mature Norway maple can reach 75 feet tall, with a crown width of 30 to 50 feet. It is hardy to USDA zone 3. Norway maples require pruning to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches, to control their size, and to thin out the crown to allow for more sunlight and air circulation. The tools required are determined by the size of the limb or branch that you need to prune.
Read MoreHow to Prune a Crimson Pygmy Barberry. The crimson pygmy barberry (berberis thunbergii autropurpurea) is used quite frequently in landscape design, due to its red leaves, compact growing habit, and low maintenance. Uses range from an accent or specimen planting to border plantings. One drawback is that it has extremely sharp thorns, so avoid putting this plant where small children or pets may encounter it. Prune regularly in order to remove any diseased, broken or damaged branches, maintain its size and shape within your landscape design, and encourage and renew dense growth.
Read MoreBlueberry Planting in South Texas. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) have gained popularity in the South, and they will do extremely well when planted in south Texas. This species requires an acid/sandy soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Most soils in south Texas meet these criteria. This cultivar is also drought- and heat-tolerant, making the rabbiteye blueberry an excellent cultivar to plant.
Read MoreArizona Ash Tree Lifespan. The Arizona ash tree has several common names: velvet ash, Modesto ash, leather leaf ash, smooth ash, Tumi ash, Fresno and Standley ash. It is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America, reaching heights and widths of up to 30 feet. The Arizona ash is hardy in USDA zones 7 and 8.
Read MoreWhat Is the Difference Between Edible & Non-Edible Mushrooms?. Most of us are familiar with the most popular and readily available edible mushrooms because we purchase them from the super market. You may not go out foraging for mushrooms, but many people do collect, identify and eat wild mushrooms, an activity that can prove to be deadly. Therefore, only a person who is extremely knowledgeable and has been trained in the identification of mushrooms should pick and consume wild mushrooms--due to the number of poisonous species.
Read MoreHow to Prune Hollywood Junipers. The Hollywood juniper or Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuka', a member of the Cypress family, is an unusual evergreen known for its twisting branches and its dense upward growth. Its beauty is in its growth habit. This lovely conifer should be left to grow in its natural shape. It grows to a mature height of 25 feet and a width of 15 feet. It is hardy in zones 3--9. The Hollywood juniper will not do well if severely pruned, as new growth is not produced on old wood. Reasons for pruning are to remove damaged or broken branches, to control its space in your landscape design and for safety reasons (close to walkways and roofs).
Read MoreInsect Control For a Leyland Cypress. The Leyland cypress is a lovely evergreen tree that is pyramidal in shape and commonly used as a hedge, privacy screen or windbreak due to its fast growth rate. It can grow up to 3 feet or more in a year. A mature Leyland cypress can reach a height of up to 70 feet. It can be infested by several insects such as bagworms, scale and spider mites.
Read MoreHow to Trim Austrian Pine Trees. The Austrian pine tree is also known as Pinus nigra. It is a beautiful evergreen that can reach a height of 60 feet and a spread of 20 to 40 feet; it is hardy in zones 4 through 7. Pruning requirements are minimal, with pruning only necessary to remove dead, diseased, or broken branches; to maintain its shape and size within your landscape design; and to provide clearance underneath the tree (if that is your preference). The tools that you use will depend upon the size and location of the branches that you will be trimming.
Read MoreHow to Prune Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. The weeping blue atlas cedar is an unusual evergreen whose drooping branches and waterfall appearance make it an excellent accent tree. It is hardy in zones six through nine. Like other evergreens, weeping blue atlas cedars require pruning to remove diseased or damaged branches, to head back new growth and to maintain size (width) and shape. You must stake a weeping blue atlas cedar and train it to grow in the direction you choose; otherwise, it will just trail on the ground.
Read MoreHow to Prune White Oak. The white oak or Quercus alba is a large deciduous tree with an irregular wide spread crown. A mature white oak can reach a height of 100 feet and a spread of 50 to 80 feet. It is hardy in zones 5 to 9 and will do well in full sun or partial shade. The well-pruned white oak makes a wonderful specimen or shade tree.
Read MoreHow to Prune Spreading Junipers. Spreading junipers are a popular evergreen in landscape design as they grow quickly, adapt to various soils, and are low maintenance plants. They are used to cover slopes and embankments acting as a ground cover. Once they have matured the area in which they are planted will not require any mulching or weeding as these spreading evergreens will completely cover the ground. Easily maintain your spreading junipers by following a program of regular and proper pruning.
Read MoreHow to Prune Weeping Pine Trees. Weeping pine trees are also known as Pinus strobus "Pendula" or Eastern white pine. They are native to North American and are hardy in zones 3B through 7. The weeping pine tree is used as a hedge or as a specimen tree in landscape design. It grows slowly and a mature tree can reach a height of 6 to 12 feet with a spread of 25 to 35 feet. If left untrained by pruning they will grow into sprawling shrubs reaching a height of 3 feet. Weeping pines also require pruning to remove diseased or damaged branches and to develop a central trunk.
Read MoreDisease in Pieris Japonica. This broadleaf evergreen is used as a border shrub, as a hedge, or as a focal point in landscape design. It is a slow grower, but at maturity can reach a height of up to 7 feet with a spread of 5 feet. Japanese pieris prefers partial shade and moist, rich, well-drained acidic soil. It is susceptible to leaf spot, chlorosis, and Phytophthora stem infestations. Japanese pieris can also be infested by pests such as lacebug, scale, mite and nematode.
Read MoreHow to Prune Hardy Hibiscus. The hardy hibiscus, or Hibiscus moscheutos, is a beautiful perennial with blossoms that range from 3 to 10 inches in diameter. The plant, which can reach a height of 3 to 6 feet, comes in colors such as pink, raspberry, mauve, dusty rose and white. It begins blooming in mid-July or early August and continues blossoming until the first frost in fall. You might need to prune a hardy hibiscus to promote a bushier plant, cut away any broken stems, remove spent blooms or prepare a plant for winter.
Read MoreHow to Prune Honey Locust. Honey locust trees are known for their airy-light appearance. Small leaves and a freestyle shape create this airy appearance. The leaves turn a soft yellow color in the fall and the small leaves do not need to be raked. Instead, they can be left to decompose without harming the grass in any way. Normally, this tree requires very little pruning. However, low branches should be pruned if they interfere with a walkway or if they get too close to a building (where they might damage the building). Dead or dried-out branches should be pruned to maintain the health of the tree, and diseased branches should be removed immediately.
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