Category: Tropical Style

If you’ve ever noticed a Southern magnolia tree (Magnolia grandiflora) before a neighbor’s home or while driving along a Southern highway, then you’ve experienced the visually rich impact and intoxicating scent these plants impart. But beyond their large, creamy white blooms and deep green, waxy leaves, Southern magnolias have them. Plant this tree in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7a through 10a for successful operation.

Different Sizes Available

Southern magnolias are understood partly because of their large size, typically growing to a height of up to 80 feet with a spread of up to 40 feet, but various cultivars provide you choices. Especially when you’ve got a garden that’s too small to handle this huge tree, then picking a cultivar, such as “Little Gem” means you may still delight in the beauty and scent of this evergreen. “Little Gem” typically reaches 12 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet and creates proportionally smaller flowers.

They’re Highly Aromatic

Throughout the summer and spring, the large flowers of the Southern magnolia tree open and release their strong, pleasant fragrance, reminiscent of lemons. Flowers open sporadically during these hotter months. The scent is strong enough to “cologne the entire garden,” notes University of Florida IFAS Extension. In addition, once the tree’s branches become injured or destroyed, this portion of the tree releases a citruslike odor.

These Evergreens Are Messy

When you think of evergreens, you likely don’t think of cluttered leaf litter. But evergreen trees usually do lose some leaves. Southern magnolias, particularly, are known for their juice and leaf litter, making for a less manicured look and and an increased requirement for clean-up. Their reputation as cluttered trees is promoted by their loss of leaves during the year. In addition, the leaves split fairly slowly, so their presence does little to benefit the development of other plants under the tree’s canopy, describes the Washington State University Clark County Extension.

It Is a Nation Tree

Known as an aesthetically charming unofficial representative of the southern United States, the Southern magnolia is also an official representative of Mississippi. In 1900, students from Mississippi voted the Southern magnolia in as the state flower, a choice which was formally passed by legislature in 1952. In 1938, schoolchildren again voted to the Southern magnolia, now as their state tree, and laws had been passed which makes it the official state tree of Mississippi.

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Lawn maintenance is just one of the most time-consuming facets of handling a healthy, pristine landscape around your home. Mowing, fertilizing and watering are necessary normally. No-mow grasses are a solution to the day-in and day-out facets of a normal lawn-care routine. Many of these grasses also provide other benefits, as well.

Fineleaf Fescues

Many of the no-mow grasses are fineleaf fescues. Four different species of fineleaf fescues exist for no-mow lawns: creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra); Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. fallax comutata); sheep fescue (Festuca ovina ssp. hirtula); and hard fescue (Festuca longifolia brevipila). These fescues are hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 to 10, based on type. Most attain a mature height of 6 to 12 inches tall and droop to one side for a gentle effect.

Other Species

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) and hair grasses (Deschampsia cespitosa) are among the other alternatives in no-mow grasses to your lawn. They range in hardiness at USDA zones 5 to 10, based on different species. Blue gama and many hair grasses grow to 2 feet tall, while buffalo grass grows just 4 to 8 inches tall.

Benefits

While the fineleaf fescues are the most usual no-mow grasses planted for lawns, all of these species offer several added benefits. The fineleaf fescues are not prone to any bug infestations and rodents are rarely a problem. The fineleaf fescues develop a thick thatch which may be accountable for the shortage of issues. Even though you’re able to mow most of them back, there’s absolutely no need to, and most will do best with no mowing — or even a mowing in fall or spring. Except for the hair grasses, these grasses do not require quite as much water as typical turf grasses.

Drawbacks

There are few drawbacks to getting a no-mow lawn. These grasses are often taller than the 1 1/2- to 2-inch tall turfs typical throughout the United States. Their long, swaying leaves can become home to several forms of wildlife. These grasses can create a rotted back when planted too near trees because of their height and ability to hold moisture across the back, so keep them at least 2 feet away from trees.

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While deer are often considered pests in a home landscape or orchard, a lot of individuals still enjoy seeing them graze across the edges of the house. Deer will eat several plants, but a dependable fruit crop is always a welcomed treat throughout the year.

Deer Species

Throughout America, the two most common species of deer would be the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), together with subspecies. White-tailed deer are more slender-bodied, while mule deer have stockier bodies and bigger ears. Populations of both species are big throughout their respective territories, although some areas have bigger populations than the others. Both species are fond of orchards and landscape plants, including fruits and fruit trees.

Fruit Trees

Deer will graciously accept any fruit on your property as a delicious meal. Nearly all fruit trees are frequented by deer populations when available, including apples (Malus spp.) , pears (Pyrus spp.) , and especially bananas and plums (Prunus spp.) . Throughout the late summer and autumn, deer frequent orchards and landscapes to obtain the sweet, tender fruit. During other times of the year, they’ll consume tender leaves, stems, buds and blooms when given the chance.

Attracting Deer With Fruit Trees

Deer tend to forage across a wooded edge, due to the safety of the forest. This isn’t always the case, however, as a deer will roam into more open areas once it has found a dependable, tasty food resource. To feed the deer on your house, plant a few fruit trees and its advantages. While doing so will probably bring any deer in the vicinity to your house, this will also bring them to the rest of your landscape as well.

Other Deer-Friendly Plants

Deer will eat nearly anything and almost no plant is really “deer-resistant.” Some are more highly favored than others, though, and will help attract the regional deer population to your property. Favorite plants of deer consist of various arborvitae species (Thuja spp.) , azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) , hostas (Hosta spp.) , oaks (Quercus spp.) And various hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) .

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Persistent moisture in your lawn can detract from the general appearance of the landscape, impair play and other actions, make lawn mowing and other maintenance tasks challenging, and threaten to seep into adjacent structures. Sometimes easy adjustments or corrective actions can reduce muddy soil and excessive lawn moisture; other cases warrant more drastic efforts that involve greater labor or cost.

Simple Fixes

Easy actions or corrections can sometimes significantly improve moisture problems in the lawn. Ensure that gutters, downspouts and other drainage features are not clogged and can handle the flow of water. Make sure downspouts stretch far enough out that they direct runoff away from the structure or landscaping. If you can, have them drain right into an outlet like a ditch, swale or pond. Clearing overgrown ditches or swales of dense vegetation that slows the planned flow of water, as well as removing soil or other debris that has filled or clogged a drainage characteristic may also improve conditions.

Dethatching and Aerating

Even with good care, a yard can eventually develop thick thatch — the brownish layer of dead and living grass stems, roots and other debris between the soil surface and the base of the green grass blades. If thatch thicker than 1/2 inch accumulates, it can keep water out of readily entering the turf. Where soil is compacted, pore space is restricted and the amount of water an area can absorb and hold will be diminished. Dethatching a lawn, also known as vertical mowing, and aerating are routine lawn care tasks you should perform at least one time per year when grass is actively growing. These measures encourage turf health by allowing air and moisture to better penetrate the soil surface.

Subsurface Drainage

You can install French drains, drain tiles and comparable attributes alongside structures, where they could capture water that runs off from the roof or downspouts or into low spots in the backyard. If there are only a few low spots, a subsurface drain to direct water into an outlet may offer adequate relief. The drains usually consist of a trench dug at least 2 feet deep and a foot wide with a bottom that slopes slightly toward the outlet and is lined with filter cloth. A 4-inch perforated pipe is put in the center of the trench bottom, covered with 12 inches of coarse, clean gravel and a second layer of cloth before the rest of the trench is full of gravel or soil and planted. If you already have subsurface drains in your lawn, ensure they are not clogged. Make sure that the outlet isn’t obstructed by scrutinizing tit for an appropriately strong stream of water when it rains. Dig up and clean or replace any silted and clogged piping or gravel.

Drastic Measures

When dethatching, aerating and other straightforward remedies are ineffective, the soil quality and total grade of the lawn may require attention. Measures to correct sever lawn drainage issues include removing turf and other small vegetation; putting around existing trees and shrubs; tilling the ground deeply to split the top 8 to 12 inches; functioning 6 inches of the organic-matter soil amendment uniformly into the soil; also pitching the soil surface so the ground slopes away from any structures at a speed of 1 percent toward an outlet. In some cases, it may help to make a small pond or rain garden with water-loving vegetation where excess water can drain.

Living With the Mud

If addressing the reason behind excessive lawn moisture is not feasible, a few things can make living with a muddy yard more bearable. You can cover the muddy parts of the lawn with cardboard or plywood as a temporary means to prevent tearing up the muddy place any further or monitoring the mud inside. Installing stepping stones or placing landscape material and covering it with gravel are additional nonpermanent fixes. Building a raised bed using landscape timbers, bricks, concrete blocks or other materials, or utilizing containers, permits plant cultivation without needing to remedy the muddy conditions.

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Weeping willows (Salix spp.) Produce extensive root systems that spread much beyond their canopies. The competitive root systems of these trees may damage pavements and buried structures around them. Installing protective root barriers around vulnerable buried structures and picking out the right planting spot for your own weeping willow helps ensure the long-term wellbeing of your tree and protects your property from damage.

Growth Habit

The origins of weeping willow trees create a network of shallow roots that spread out of the tree in each direction. Weeping willow roots may spread out from the back up to 3 times the distance between the edge of the tree foliage and its trunk. Weeping willows typically produce leaf that is between 45 and 70 feet wide at maturity with roots that may spread approximately 100 feet in the center of the trunk of large specimens.

Planting Locations

Weeping willows have a broad growth habit above and below the ground that requires an open space. Weeping willows grow well in full or partially shaded places but favor direct sunlight. The origins of weeping willow are adapted to moist soils made of clay, loam or sand with an acidic or alkaline pH but grow best in regions that are well-drained and free of competing origins from other plants. Selecting areas with appropriate drainage helps stop the growth of fungi in the soil and prevents root rot.

Root Care

Weeping willows have extensive root systems that grow near the surface. Disturbing the soil around your willow may damage its origins, weakening your tree and rendering it vulnerable to additional damage from insects, disease or weather. In case a mowed lawn surrounds your willow, then take care to avoid damaging roots that broach the surface once you mow.

Root Barriers

Root barriers can stop the root system of your weeping willow from damaging unseen sewer and water lines, septic tanks or base walls. Physical root barriers made of plastic or metal concealed between your weeping willow and vulnerable structures limit the growth of large potentially harmful origins. Wire mesh root barriers allow small roots to spread beyond the barrier and permit water to drain through the barrier. Solid barriers of metal or plastic often force origins to grow around them and can prevent water in the soil from draining properly.

Considerations

Root barriers are most effective when they’re buried at least 3 feet deep. Using a root barrier that runs the entire length of this structure you want to guard ensures that the broad root system of this weeping willow does not merely grow around the barrier. Using a substandard root barrier only postpones the damage this tree may cause. The origins of weeping willow trees frequently broach the surface of the soil and can result in substantial damage to sidewalks and other paved surfaces near the tree.

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Each plant species inside your greenhouse has another set of heat and humidity needs; strawberries love moist states, whereas cacti require spaces that are dry. With typical electrical energy so pricey, finding a cheap form of heat and humidity is a significant goal for budget-minded gardeners who want to give all their indoor plants the best chance at fruiting and blooming. Your greenhouse does not have to suffer from poor climate conditions if you are creative with your heat alternatives.

Greenhouse Construction

The smartest way to efficiently heat your greenhouse is using the sun’s radiation. By keeping a dual plastic layer covering around your greenhouse, you efficiently trap the heat generated during the afternoon and an air gap between the plastic layers adds a second degree of insulation from cool winds. Insulating a north wall with plywood or other heavy structure material also assists the retained heat stay inside the galaxy walls, as light is minimum over the north side and bows tend to strike this side using ferocity.

Evaporative Cooling Fans

Even though a large plant grouping creates a lot of humidity through transpiration, the plants may still require more humidity than obviously generated. Professional evaporative coolers are normally costly, yet another choice is add-on misters that attach directly to your basic pedestal fan. Placing the fan using the attached mister to the greenhouse can help to circulate air and uniformly add more moisture. Consequently, you have a cheap type of humidity that’s easily portable inside the space or removed completely when not required.

Inexpensive Heating Fuels

Even the most mild climate may call for a greenhouse heater, as winter nighttime temperatures easily damage plants which aren’t properly warmed indoors. A number of mobile heaters fueled by propane are available and relatively cheap. You place them as required and remove them once spring and summer temperatures return. Instead, natural gas will be a cheap fuel choice, but requires a lasting heater assembly which can be costly at the initial purchase time.

Compost

A more natural heat and heat solution is using compost. Since the compost decomposes in a container positioned within the greenhouse, the materials generate heat. This heat expands and warms the immediate area around the container. Compost also provides a small amount of humidity, as the damp materials disappear moisture, like fundamental soil. If your greenhouse has a concrete floor, adding various compost containers throughout the space will include a significant amount of moisture to the air. Greenhouses with soil floors tend to have more moisture obviously from evaporative procedures at the ground level.

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Mulching around your garden or landscape plants might aid in improving their physical appearance, reduce erosion, conserve water and improve the overall look of the soil. In some areas where water conservation is a significant concern, mulching is even mandated by law. Not every mulch material has the same properties or works nicely for the same plants, however. Should you take the opportunity to inspect the advantages and downsides of all of the significant mulching materials before purchasing, you’ll have the ability to find the very best mulch for your specific garden and situation.

Wood and Bark

Chipped wood and bark, in addition to sawdust and ground wood mulch, are affordable substances that will help conserve water and improve moisture penetration. They may be employed by themselves or placed over plastic or landscape material. Uncomposted wood mulches can tie up soil nitrogen because they decay but become a rich source of this nutrient following several years have passed. Some wood mulches can harbor termites and other insect pests, but cedar and cedar are insect-resistant.

Grass, Hay and Straw

These mulch materials could be picked from the landscape or bought cheaply from local origins. They are reliably available and simple to apply, but may mat should you use a very thick layer. Straw is free of seeds, but grass clippings and hay may incorporate weed seeds that could invade your own landscape. All of grass-type mulch materials should be thoroughly dry once you employ them to reduce mold. Pine needles provide similar benefits but are much more acidic than wax or grass.

Leaf Damage and Compost

These partially decayed mulches are less ornamental than some other materials, but they’re also less inclined to tie up important nutrients your plants need. These substances are relatively cheap and easy to find, but they must be prepared properly to eliminate weed seeds and other potentially problematic inclusions. Leaf mould can be acidic and must be used carefully in high pH soils.

Paper

Paper provides an inexpensive, easy-to-apply mulch alternative, particularly for vegetable gardens. Shredded newspapers perform like grass and hay but without the potential for grass seeds. Both shredded and folded paper lack stability in windy conditions and need compost or straw to hold them in place. Resin or raisin paper contains a water-resistant resin that causes it to break down more slowly. You need less of the paper to produce effective mulch, but it still needs compost or another absorbent material to keep it from blowing away. Paper can also harbor sow bugs and earwigs.

Plastics

Plastic mulches are typical in commercial farms and also some larger home-growing situations. They can help heat up the soil in spring and reduce vandalism and evaporation. Black plastic additionally controls weeds, but crystal clear plastic doesn’t — except when used as part of a soil solarization process. Polypropylene fabric is more expensive than these alternatives but allows air and water to penetrate. Most conventional plastics break down from wind, sunlight and rain but don’t biodegrade, making disposal a concern. You can also choose special photodegradable plastic picture that may not have to be taken out of the area.

Stone and Sand

Rocks and mud are more often employed for landscapes rather than vegetable gardens, because they can be extremely heavy and can make the ground very warm. These nonorganic mulches cut down on weed growth and produce a beautiful landscape but can be very pricey compared to other kinds of mulch. Landscape fabric must be used beneath both these types of mulch to keep them from sinking into the ground.

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Shadblow serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), also known as Canadian serviceberry or Juneberry, is a big, multi-trunked shrub that may grow up to 30 feet tall. The attractive spring flowers, fruit and fall foliage of this plant make it an impressive addition to a property landscape near a deck, pool or patio as part of a mixed shrubbery border. The sturdy, low-maintenance serviceberry will develop as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8.

Attributes

The deciduous serviceberry tree boasts fragrant, five-petaled white flowers against a backdrop of dark green leaves in summer and spring, with brilliant yellow, orange or red leaves in the fall. The 1/4- to 3/8-inch diameter fruit ripens in early to mid summer, turning red, then dark purplish-black, also it is edible raw or cooked. This multi-stemmed tree may spread 15 to 20 feet and sports a narrow, open crown with many suckers that can form a thicket.

Uses and Location

In the wild, serviceberry frequently grows in wetlands, which makes the tree a appropriate choice for siting near a backyard pond or water feature. Serviceberry is wind-tolerant and will offer protection from the end for other plants that are more sensitive. Serviceberry plants also perform well in naturalized plantings under tall oaks or pines and will attract birds and small wildlife. The serviceberry is considered to have special value to native bees and as a plant that attracts beneficial insects which prey upon pest insects.

Growing Conditions

Serviceberry plants tolerate a broad range of soil types and pH ranges as long as the ground is moist but not waterlogged or overly dry. The most effective light states are filtered light under a canopy of trees, although these shrubs grow well in full sun to part shade. Plants rarely require fertilizing or pruning, but several stems can be thinned to neaten up the foundation of the plant.

Propagation

Serviceberry can be propagated via ancient spring hardwood cuttings or softwood cuttings taken through summer. To propagate from seeds, collect fruits as they ripen and wash out the seeds before they ferment. To inform if seeds are fertile, look for ones which are dark brown with a leathery coat. Seeds need to be cold-moist stratified by soaking in cold water for 90 to 120 days before planting, and they may be kept for up to five years in a sealed container in a refrigerator. Serviceberry seeds can also be commercially available.

Pests and Disorders

Few insects or diseases bother serviceberry shrubs, as well as those that do typically cause cosmetic problems as opposed to destroy the plant. Several of the frequent pest infestations include aphids, sawflies, leaf miners, borers and scale, while some ailments may consist of leaf spot, blight and powdery mildew. Environmental damage such as drowning and edema may occur if the soil gets too water-saturated, resulting in rotted roots and bark and blisters on leaves.

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Flowering trees with berries first enliven your yard with a showy flower display and then add interest to your landscape with colorful fruit. Some berries come out while there are leaves in the tree, while others hang off bare branches, adding color to your landscape if you want it most. Many flowering trees with berries also attract birds and wildlife to your yard.

Thrives in Full Shade

Strawberry madrone (Arbutus unedo) and “Marina” madrone (A. “Marina”) are evergreen trees that grow in full shade to partial sun. Strawberry madrone bears white flowers in fall or winter that yield plenty of medium, orange or red berries in fall or winter. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. “Marina” bears pink flowers in fall that yield plenty of small, red or reddish-yellow blossoms in fall or winter. It grows in USDA zones 9 through 11.

Bears Fragrant Flowers

The igiri tree (Idesia polycarpa) provides yellow or green flowers in the summer that turn into very small brown, red or mostly green berries in the fall, growing in USDA zones 6 through 9. China berry (Melia azedarach), also referred to as bead tree, Persian lilac and pride-of-India, exhibits lavender flowers in summer or spring that turn into loads of small yellow berries in the summer, fall or winter. It grows in USDA zones 8 through 12.

Tolerates Drought

Blue dracaena (Cordyline indivisa), also referred to as the broad-leaved cabbage tree or the mountain cabbage tree, and bronze dracaena (C. australis “Atropurpurea”), exhibit fragrant white flowers in summer that become small, white or mostly blue berries in fall. Blue dracaena grows in USDA zones 9 and 10 and bronze dracaena grows in zones 8 through 10.

Produces Colorful New Growth

The brilliant new development of some flowering trees with berries brightens your landscape. Chinese photinia (Photinia serrulata) is an evergreen tree with white flowers in spring that yield small, red berries in summer or fall. It has bright bronze new development and grows in USDA zones 7 through 9. Oriental photina (P. villosa), also referred to as villose photina, is a deciduous tree with white flowers in spring that yield a lot of small red berries in fall. It has pale gold new increase and grows in USDA zones 4 through 9.

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If pumpkins are too large for autumn decorating around your home, plant a bigger drop favorite — “Goblin Eggs” gourds (Cucurbita pepo “Goblin Eggs”). These gourds grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. The ornamental gourds, produce miniature, 3-inch-long egg-shaped fruit. Understanding how long it takes for them to achieve maturity and knowing when they’re ripe can help you pick them in just the correct moment.

Period to Maturity

“Goblin Eggs” gourds take less time to reach maturity than bigger members of the gourd family because they are smaller compared to fully grown. This kind of gourd only requires 80 days before it’s ready for harvest. Most other types of ornamental gourds need 90 to 100 days to achieve whole maturity.

Signs of Ripeness

As opposed to relying only on the number of days after you see the fruit seem to plan your harvest, look closely in the gourds and their vines. Gourds need to dry on the vine, and their skin ought to be hard before harvest. The telltale sign is a dry vine using a ragged appearance. This means that the gourd is about to be harvested.

Harvest

When harvesting, never pull “Goblin Eggs” gourds from the vine because that could cause damage to the fruit which could encourage rot during the drying phase. The best way to harvest gourds is to cut on the vine 3 inches from where it enters the fruit using a pair of sharp shears. After selected, Washington State University’s Clark County Extension recommends you avoid doing any damage to the outside of the gourds to prevent creating entry points for bacteria that could cause rot.

Handling After Harvest

After harvest, you need to disinfect the gourds using a bleach-free solution like sulphonaphthol. Go the “Goblin Eggs” gourds to a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. During the drying process, rotate the gourds to ensure even drying. Dried gourds will sound like rattles when shaken because the flesh which held the seeds in place has shrunk from the drying procedure and the seeds are free to move around within the gourd. When this happens, you can preserve the entire gourd using a layer of wax.

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