What is Japanese Parsley? Japanese Mitsuba parsley (Cryptotaenia japonica) is a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots. Although it is technically a biennial/annual herb, Japanese parsley use is more commonly cultivated as a vegetable in Japan. Mitsuba may also be found under the names Purple-Leaved Japanese Wild Parsley, Mitsuba, and Purple-Leaved Japanese Honewort. Plants are low growing, about 18-24 inches (45.5 to 61 cm.) tall by 8 inches (20....

Job’s tears cultivation is easy and the plants start quickly from seed. In fact, the plant produces strings of seeds that resemble beads. These seeds make excellent natural jewelry and have a hole in the center that wire or jewelry thread passes through easily. Job’s Tears Plants An ornamental grass, Job’s tears plants (Coix lacryma-jobi) are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zone 9 but can be grown as annuals in temperate regions....

Kochia Plant Info So what is Kochia? Kochia scoparia grass is also known as fireweed or kochia burning bush for a couple of reasons. The most obvious is the flaming red color that the plant takes on in autumn. The second reason for the fiery references is not so benign– when the kochia grass dries and turns into a tumbleweed, it is extremely flammable. Kochia burning bush was introduced to the United States by European immigrants who hoped to bring a touch of home into their new environment....

Lead Plant Information Lead plant is a sprawling, semi-erect plant. Foliage consists of long, narrow leaves, sometimes densely covered with fine hairs. Spiky, purple blooms appear from early to midsummer. Lead plant is extremely cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures as cold as -13 F. (-25 C.). The spiky blooms attract a large number of pollinators, including several types of bees. Lead plant is flavorful and protein rich, which means it’s frequently grazed by livestock, as well as deer and rabbits....

Mediterranean Climates and Wildfire California’s climate is termed a Mediterranean climate, with winter rains and dry, hot summers. Mediterranean climates are also found in Europe and the coasts of Chile, South Africa, and Australia. These areas are prone to regular wildfires and their native plants are often adapted to these fires. Plants that have adapted to fires have developed biological characteristics that help them survive the heat and smoke. Introduction of new species, however – like extremely flammable cheatgrass in Nevada’s rangeland – can reduce the effectiveness of plant adaptations....

Why is My Lime Tree Losing Leaves? Watering issues and lime tree leaf drop Watering citrus plants can be a little tricky. If you give the tree too much water, you’ll find your lime tree dropping leaves, but if you don’t water it enough, you’ll also find your lime tree dropping leaves. The trick is to find a happy medium. When you have lime trees that are planted, you should water them once a week or so to prevent lime tree leaf drop....

Companion Planting with Leeks Not every gardener believes in the power of companion planting, but enough do and know that their gardens are protected against pests and certain crops thrive when planted near each other. While there isn’t any specific science, companion planting would seem to support crop health in many cases. Several pests make leeks their target. Allium leaf miner, leek moth, and onion maggots are but a few of the insects and their young that target plants in the family....

Gardens and Lightning Although lightning storms are fascinating to watch, they’re extremely dangerous. Studies indicate that 240,000 people around the world are injured by lightning every year and 24,000 people are killed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the United States averages 51 deaths due to lightning strikes every year. Keeping safe in the garden, or in any outdoor environment, should always be taken seriously. Lightning Safety Tips Here are some tips for keeping safe in the garden, especially when storms are imminent....

The arid conditions of a desert pose a problem for the water needs of plants. Using drought tolerant specimens is an excellent way to approach low desert gardening. Gardeners who want a bloom-filled landscape should look to a flower planting guide for the low desert. These are available from local Extension offices and native nurseries. A low desert planting calendar will also advise on when the correct times for planting items like vegetables and bare root plants are....

Low Light Indoor Succulents Indoor plants are often in low light situations. If you love succulents, finding species that tolerate such conditions takes a little hunting. Succulents for low light are often epiphytic, but not always. Keep in mind that any plant needs solar rays for photosynthesis, so there are no succulents for dark rooms without windows. The plant needs at least a few hours every day of sun. If you are a collector of succulents, you will soon realize that every windowsill and bright space in the house has slowly become colonized with the plants....

Why Choose Mazus as a Lawn Substitute? Lawn substitutes are chosen for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you are just sick and tired of all the work it takes to maintain a lawn that rivals the Jones.’ Maybe the amount of weeding required between lawn and pavers has given you the blues. Perhaps, you would just like to enliven an area. Remodel a bit. Certainly the added benefit of mazus lawn alternative is that it is a seasonal prolific bloomer....

About Rhipsalis Plants Rhipsalis mistletoe cactus is also called chain cactus and grows epiphytically in its tropical forest home. The cactus has pencil thin succulent stems that may reach 6 feet (2 m.) in length. The thick skin of the stems do not produce thorns, but it does have almost imperceptible bumps on the surface of the plant. These plants are found clinging to tree crotches, in branch nooks, and nestled in rock crevasses....

Plants That Tolerate Wet Areas Here are just some plants that can take moist conditions. Water tolerant perennials and bulbs include: Lily of the valley Bugbane Crinum Sweet woodruff Daylily Rose mallow Blue vervain Monkey flower Iris Certain grasses add beauty and texture to damp areas. For example, the following grasses perform well in moist soil: Northern sea oats Indian grass Little bluestem Cordgrass If you’re looking for a vine or a groundcover for a damp area, keep in mind that most vines and groundcovers require some drainage and don’t perform well in areas that are flooded or consistently wet....

What is a Moringa Tree? The moringa (Moringa oleifera) tree, also known as the horseradish or drumstick tree, is native to the Himalayan foothills in India and Bangladesh. An adaptable plant, the Moringa is grown throughout India, Egypt, Africa, Pakistan, the West Indies, Philippines, Jamaica, Cuba, as well as Florida and Hawaii. Wherever the conditions are tropical or subtropical, this tree will thrive. There are over 13 species of the tree and all parts are used for food or medicine in various parts of the world....

About Mountain Laurel Cold Hardiness Mountain laurels are native broadleaf evergreen shrubs beloved by gardeners for their vivid spring flowers. The foliage is also attractive and the shrubs look beautiful in borders or natural gardens. As native shrubs, mountain laurels are low-maintenance in the garden and know how to take care of themselves. Mountain laurel cold hardiness allow these shrubs to thrive in the summers and winters of USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9....

What kind of new gardening tools and gadgets are out there? Read on for a run-down on some of the unique tools and cool garden gadgets currently available. New Gardening Tools and Gadgets Some of the innovative gardening tools you can buy today resemble things you might have owned years before, but each has a new twist. For example, most experienced gardeners have or have had a garden planner: a map of your garden you use to figure out how many and what types of plants will fit into different garden beds....

Help, My Celery Has Yellow Leaves As mentioned, celery prefers cool weather, consistent irrigation, and plenty of nourishment. Celery thrives in a soil pH of 6 to 7 amended with lots of compost or well-rotted manure. Plants are finicky in that they need to be kept moist, but too much water or mounded wet dirt around the plants may cause them to rot. These delicate plants also like a bit of shade during the hottest parts of the day....

Leggy Jade Plant Fix First, it is important to know why your jade plant got leggy in the first place. If your plant is not compact and looks stretched out, chances are that it has become etiolated. This just means that the plant has stretched out because of insufficient light. Jade plants like several hours of direct sunshine and should be placed right in front of a window for best results....

Why Won’t My Okra Bloom? Here are the most common reasons for non-blooming okra plants: Time. Flowering should begin around 50 to 65 days after planting, depending on the variety. The plants can then produce pods for 10 to 12 weeks. Okra with no flowers may just require patience. Not enough sun. Okra is a full-sun plant, and it won’t bloom well unless it has at least six to eight hours of daily sun....

Interested in learning how to layer naranjilla? Air layering, which involves rooting a naranjilla branch while it’s still attached to the parent plant, is surprisingly easy. Read on to learn about naranjilla air layering propagation. Tips on Naranjilla Layering Air layering naranjilla is possible any time of year, but rooting is best in early spring. Use a straight, healthy branch about one or two years old. Remove the side shoots and leaves....