Sharon Sweeny

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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 Sharon Sweeny

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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    The Best Bamboo Plants For Missouri

    The Best Bamboo Plants for Missouri. Growing in the tropics, subtropics and temperate climates worldwide, over 1,200 species of bamboo are known to exist, according to the Missouri State University. Varieties grow from 1 foot to over 100 feet tall. Bamboo hardy in Missouri is primarily of the clumping or clump-forming type. It slowly grows a clump of bamboo culms in contrast to the running type of bamboo, which spreads by underground runners and is generally less hardy.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Transplant Ornamental Grass

    How to Transplant Ornamental Grass. Ornamental grasses are a virtual no-work addition to the landscape. They come in sizes ranging from a few inches high to about 14 feet high in every shade of green, plus creamy white, yellow or even striped. Ornamental grass can be planted as a landscape specimen or ground cover, or even to control soil erosion. The dried leaves and stalks of many varieties can be left on the plants to provide winter interest in your yard and garden. It's easy to transplant ornamental grass, providing you do it at the proper time during the growing season.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Fastest Growing Ivy Vines

    Fastest Growing Ivy Vines. Fast-growing ivy can quickly cover an unsightly architectural feature, block an unpleasant view or provide privacy. It is virtually care free, requiring only an occasional pruning to contain its size. Most varieties of ivy show brilliant fall color, and many varieties produce berries that birds enjoy.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    What Works Well With Holly Bushes In A Landscaping Design?

    What Works Well With Holly Bushes in a Landscaping Design?. An evergreen that is available as a tree or a shrub, holly (Ilex spp.) makes an attractive landscape plant, with its bluish-green curled, evergreen leaves and red berries that ripen in autumn and persist well into winter. As companions for holly, plant deciduous shrubs with yellow spring flowers or bright red autumn color for interest during these seasons. A summer-flowering ground cover will provide summer interest and help to moderate soil temperatures and conserve soil moisture.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Get A Privet Hedge To Grow Fast

    How to Get a Privet Hedge to Grow Fast. Privet hedges are frequently planted to define an outdoor space or screen an unwanted view. Naturally prolific, they will respond well to efforts to encourage them to grow fast. They bounce right back after pruning and seem to grow back faster and thicker than before. A newly- planted privet hedge will grow and fill in quickly even with a minimum of coddling. With consistent horticultural practices, a newly-planted privet will burst into vigorous growth and reach a respectable size the first year it is planted.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Pampas Grass In Southern Ontario

    How to Grow Pampas Grass in Southern Ontario. Bearing either male or female flowers on separate plants, pampas grass (Saccharum ravennae) is grown primarily from divisions to ensure the new plants are the more desired female plants that produce the showier female flowers. Reliably hardy through U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone 8 in southern Ontario, pampas grass is marginally hardy with winter protection in USDA zones 6 and 7, also in southern Ontario.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Raspberries In Wisconsin

    How to Grow Raspberries in Wisconsin. One of the most widely grown fruits in home gardens, raspberries (Rubus idaeus) provide a good crop in relation to the space they occupy. Although many varieties of raspberries grow well in Wisconsin, winters in the northern areas of the state may be too cold for some varieties to survive. Pick varieties that are shown to be hardy in your particular area.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Silver Maple Tree Diseases

    Silver Maple Tree Diseases. A rapidly growing variety of maple, the silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is a medium-sized deciduous tree that often lives for more than 130 years. It grows best in moist conditions along stream and river banks, flood plains and the edges of lakes. It is often sold as lumber along with red maple. Because of its attractive foliage and rapid growth habit, it is widely planted as an ornamental in urban areas. The sap of silver maple has been collected for use in maple syrup, although its sap contains less sugar than the more commonly used sugar maple.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune Wormwood

    How to Prune Wormwood. Wormwood is a sweet-smelling perennial herb also referred to as mugwort, sweet Annie, or by its Latin name, Artemisia. Wormwood is easy to grow and relatively care-free once established. It is not bothered by diseases or pests and the scent of its foliage actually deters many common garden pests. Wormwood will also keep away moths if the dried leaves and flowers are put into sachets and hung in the closet.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune A Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry

    How To Prune a Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry. Hardy but short-lived shrubs that produce cherry-like "drupes" in fall, the purple-leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena) will generally require very little pruning, but it does require regular pruning to keep its shape. The branches of sand cherry shrubs that are left to grow naturally without pruning eventually fall over, leaving the bush with an open center and an undesirable shape. As long as they are planted in full sun in well-drained soil, they are not fussy about the composition or pH of the soil in which they grow.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Flowering Almond Diseases

    Flowering Almond Diseases. Widely planted as landscape specimens for their spectacular spring blossoms, flowering almonds (Prunus glandulosa) are fairly susceptible to several common diseases of deciduous trees and shrubs. The best defense is to plant resistant varieties and to ensure that any trees you purchase are disease-free by buying from reputable nurseries.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Rosa Rugosa From Fruit Hips

    How to Grow Rosa Rugosa From Fruit Hips. Although most rose varieties are propagated by grafting and cuttings, species varieties can be propagated by planting their seeds. Home gardeners can easily grow the species variety Rosa rugosa by collecting its hips when they ripen in late autumn.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Plants And Flowers That Can Survive Frost

    Plants and Flowers That Can Survive Frost. As the gardening season comes to a close in autumn, many warm-weather-loving plants begin to succumb to frost, effectively ending their growing season. Some plants are "frost-hardy" and will survive light frosts, when temperatures hover around freezing. Other plants that are slightly more frost-hardy will survive more severe freezes, when temperatures drop into the mid- to upper 20s. Edibles such as cabbage actually become better tasting when exposed to a few light frosts before you harvest them.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    What Vines Are Used For Topiary?

    What Vines are Used for Topiary?. First grown outdoors by the Romans, topiary is the art of training plants into three-dimensional objects. Topiaries are classified into three general types: pruned, hollow or stuffed. Pruned topiaries are essentially herbaceous plants or shrubs that are pruned and trained into geometric or whimsical shapes. They are usually supported with a stake when young, which is removed with the plant develops a strong central leader to support itself. Hollow topiary is fashioned using vining plants that are trained to grow around a wire frame. These frames can either be three-dimensional or occupy a single plane, such as a heart shape made of a single piece of wire. Stuffed topiaries are made of wire fashioned into the desired shape and stuffed with moss. The plants are planted through the wire frame directly into the moss and held in place with small pins. This type of topiary is usually made from creeping or vining plants.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Plants For A West-Facing Garden

    Plants for a West-Facing Garden. A west-facing garden bed is a special challenge. It does not get sun all day, but the sun it does get can be unbearably hot, causing some flowers and other garden plants to fade and wilt. Plant hot-weather-loving, tropical-like plants in a west-facing garden bed for the best results.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Beneficial Plants For Apple Trees

    Beneficial Plants for Apple Trees. Growing pest- and disease-free apple trees in the home orchard can be challenging, especially if you elect not to use chemical pesticides to kill or deter pests from taking up residence in your trees. Many common garden vegetables, flowers and herbs have been shown to be beneficial in keeping such pests from attacking your plants, including apple trees. Still other plants attract what are known as beneficial insects, which feed on the pests that attack garden plants and fruit trees.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Different Types Of Angel Trumpets

    Different Types of Angel Trumpets. The flowers, or members, of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family are trumpet-shaped and highly fragrant. Most types only open at night, and only then release their haunting scent. Several different species of flowers in the nightshade family are referred to as "angel's trumpets."

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Full Sun Plants In Minnesota

    Full Sun Plants in Minnesota. The vast majority of annuals and perennials grow best in full sun. Most varieties will also grow in partial shade but may grow leggy and produce fewer flowers. For the most blossoms, put plants that prefer full sun in full sun. When gardening in Minnesota, it is necessary to grow plants that are hardy enough to survive the bitter cold of Minnesota's winters. Most native prairie wildflowers are hardy in southern Minnesota's zone 4, with several hardy into Minnesota's northern zone 3. Many of these prairie wildflowers are native to the sun-drenched prairies of southern Minnesota and are some of the best choices for growing throughout the state.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Propagate Boston Ivy

    How to Propagate Boston Ivy. Boston ivy is a climbing vine that adorns the exteriors of buildings in many parts of the world. Boston ivy is a fast grower. It can grow as much as 10 feet in a single growing season. The new leaves open up in spring a glossy bronze color, and then change to a medium green and then to a dark green. Depending on the variety, Boston ivy displays brilliant fall color in tones of yellow, orange, scarlet, crimson or wine. You can increase your supply by taking tip cuttings and rooting them in water; this is the fastest and easiest way to propagate a large number of ivy cuttings.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune A Bittersweet Vine

    How to Prune a Bittersweet Vine. Adding a touch of seasonal color to autumn crafts, decorations and floral arrangements, American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) is a vigorous climbing vine that can reach 25 feet in length. It is rather insignificant in the landscape most of the year. In autumn, yellowish-orange fruit capsules split open to reveal bright orange berries inside. The berries remain on the vines even after the yellow fall foliage drops off. Lengths of vine with the berries still attached, or "sprigs," are incorporated into seasonal décor.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Flowering Plants That Do Not Attract Bees

    Flowering Plants That Do Not Attract Bees. Bees do not have an exclusive in the pollination of flowering plants. Although the majority of flowering plants are pollinated by bees, some plants are pollinated by birds, butterflies, moths or other insects. Bees primarily pollinate highly scented flowers that are open during the day and they are attracted primarily to blue, purple and white flowers. There are several varieties of flowers you can plant if you are trying to cut the number of bees in your garden.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Japanese Tulip Trees

    How to Grow Japanese Tulip Trees. Japanese tulip trees are often confused with poplars, also commonly called tulip trees because of the shape of their flowers. The Japanese tulip tree is actually a member of the Magnolia family and is commonly called a saucer Magnolia. Its botanical name is Magnolia x soulangiana and it is sometimes referred to simply as "Soulangiana." Japanese tulip tree Magnolias grow 15 to 25 feet tall with a nearly equal spread of its canopy. The tulip-shaped flowers vary in color from pink to pinkish-purple.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Jasmine Indoors

    How to Grow Jasmine Indoors. Jasmine are tender perennials with fragrant flowers that are grown as potted plants. They are one of the easiest flowering plants to grow, and encourage to flower, indoors. Your jasmine plant will continue to thrive and produce flowers much better if you move it outdoors during the summer growing season.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    Mulberry Tree Pests & Diseases

    Mulberry Tree Pests & Diseases. Widely planted and naturalized in the eastern part of the United States, mulberry trees (Morus alba spp.) are large, fruit-bearing deciduous trees which can grow 60 feet tall with an equal spread, although they can be trained to a smaller bush with frequent pruning. They grow rapidly and will survive in virtually any type of soil except wetlands. They withstand drought, pollution, salt spray, compacted soils and urban conditions well. Small berries that start out white, turn a deep blush red and finally ripen to deep purple begin to mature in mid summer and continue for weeks. Mulberry trees planted near a sidewalk or street can make a mess with its fallen fruit. Choose the planting site carefully.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    The Best Wine Grapes For Growing In The Northeast

    The Best Wine Grapes for Growing in the Northeast. Growing grapes (Vitis vinifera hybrids) in the Northeast can be challenging due to the severe winters in this area. Hybridizers have created many newer varieties of grapes that have been shown to be reliably hardy in these cold northern areas. Those in the northernmost areas of the Northeast may need to provide winter protection so the buds survive freezing winter temperatures, but the vines themselves will survive and resume growth in spring.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Maximilian Sunflower

    How to Grow Maximilian Sunflower. Maximilian sunflowers are perennial wildflowers native to the North American prairies. The many-branched plants grow up to 8 feet tall and produce scores of medium size yellow blossoms that resemble sunflowers. They are hardy and vigorous growers, seldom needing much help from the gardener once established. Plant them in a row to screen an unsightly view or as a privacy fence. They begin blooming in mid- to late summer and continue blooming until killed by frost.

    By Sharon Sweeny November 4th, 2022 Read More