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Flower of the Week: Peruvian Lily

The Peruvian lily or Lily of the Inca (Alstroemeria × hybrida) originated from South Africa is a perennial ornamental plant. It is one of the most common types of cut-flower. Their petals roll upwards and the inside layers of the flowers have purple or red line-shaped spots. These spots are their key characteristics.

The Peruvian lily has different colors of flowers. The most common are orange, yellow, pink, watermelon red, purple, and white. The variety of colors make them easy to be mixed with any color scheme. This makes them common guests of every-day flowers and often appear in wedding flowers and valentine’s day flowers.

In gardens, Peruvian lilies are well-suited to be planted at the borders of flower beds. As a succulent rhizome rhizocarpous plant, they are easy to cultivate and reproduce, which makes them a good choice for beginning gardeners. Although they have bold spots and lines, Peruvian lilies are not poisonous. They are safe for dogs, cats, and horses.

Can I Grow Peruvian Lily Well?

Peruvian lilies are somewhat strict about the requirement of their environments. They like warm and moist environment with ample sun. Avoid flooding and avoid moving the plant. It cannot sustain cold temperatures nor does it sustain hot temperatures.

Their peak growing season is usually in between early spring and early summer. As soon as the temperature exceeds 32°C (90°F), Peruvian lilies are likely to grow blind stems that do not bear flowers. Therefore, in regions with hot summers, they are more suited to be planted at planting spots that do not receive sun exposure in the afternoon.

In the hottest summer, the Peruvian lily can enter a hibernation period. At this time, reduce watering and stop fertilization while keeping them dry. In late summer when the weather turns cooler, they will recover their growth. At this time, reestablish the regular watering procedure.

Peruvian lilies have rhizomes that are below the ground, with latent buds on them. If planting them in gardens, they are likely to develop and expand. You can dig out some portions of rhizome with latent buds for reproduction. The best opportunity to reproduce with latent buds is in late winter. Of course, if you give the rhizomes to your neighbors, they will be welcomed. Because of the expansion of the rhizomes every late winter, Peruvian lilies in pots need to be moved to new pots.

How Can I Have High-Quality Cut-Flowers?

If maintained well, Peruvian lilies have abundant blossoms. Collecting a portion as cut-flowers to decorate indoors is a good choice. When cutting flowers, pick ones that have 2-3 flowers on one scape that have just started to bloom. In the year of planting, it is recommended to cut at the scape using a scissor. From the second year of planting, you can even directly pick the scape and pull it off.

If you are purchasing this flower at a store there are three tips that can help you select fresh Peruvian lilies:

How to Lengthen Peruvian Lily's Bottle Life?

Usually, the vase life of Peruvian Lilies is 7-10 days. If you are willing to give it some care, its vase life can be extended to half a month.

Before putting them into a vase or container, pay attention to water quality. Peruvian Lilies are sensitive to the chlorine residues in water. Therefore, if you are using tap water, let it sit in the sun for a few hours. What’s more, you need to thoroughly clean the vase and scissor you use with this flower. Use a clean plant scissor to cut off all leaves below the water.

After adding them to the vase, change the water once a day. Every time when the water is changed, cut off 2-3 cm (around 1 inch), and dissolve fresh flower food in the water. Keeping the room temperature between 20-25°C and avoiding direct sunlight can also extend the vase life of Peruvian lilies.

Please note, Peruvian lilies are sensitive to ethylene. Therefore, keep them away from fruits and vegetables because many fruits and vegetables release ethylene during or after ripening.

Size: 1-3 ft in height

Hardiness: USDA Zone 7-10

Sunlight: Full sun, afternoon shade in hot areas

Soil: Acidic, well-drained, fertile

Bloom time: Late spring to summer

10 New England Native Shady Plants With Spring Blooms

In the wild, New England native plants thrive in areas of low light and offer a splash of color in the springtime. If you want to add some vibrancy to your garden after a long winter, look no further than this fantastic selection of spring-blooming plants!

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit gets its name for the rounded spadix in the midst of its large “pulpit” of a spathe. It thrives in moist floodplains or within deciduous forests. All parts of the plant are extremely toxic. Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers are pollinated by gnats; they visit male flowers, where they pick up pollen, but are unable to escape female flowers, so the pollen can get drawn from their dead bodies.

Interrupted fern

The Interrupted fern is native to parts of Asia and North America. It gets its name from a gap that’s left when the fern’s fertile portions wither and fall off. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for native, traditional and wildlife gardens. It has also been used for erosion control.

Bunchberry dogwood

Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis) is a herbaceous, flowering perennial plant that grows along the ground and spreads by underground rhizomes. Bunchberry dogwood flowers bloom in the spring, followed by clusters of red berries that ripen in summer. This plant attracts birds, deer and other wildlife. It is commonly planted in gardens.

Dutchman's breeches

Dutchman’s breeches gets its name from the shape of its flower petals. The petals form an upside-down “V” which resembles a pair of pants, or “britches.” Dutchman’s breeches is found in the woods and blooms in early spring, making it some of the first food for bees and pollinators. It goes dormant towards the end of summer.

Yellow trout lily

Yellow trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is a spring-flowering plant found in woodland areas throughout North America. The common name Yellow trout lily was given to this plant because its leaves coloration resembles a species of trout.

Virginia bluebells

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is native to eastern North America. However, it’s being increasingly threatened in its original environment by both destruction of habitat and the obstruction of natural river flooding. It has nearly hollow stems, so they’re fragile and break easily. Flowers start off pink, and then gradually turn light blue.

Wild blue phlox

Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) also goes by the names of woodland phlox or Louisiana phlox, and it’s indigenous to eastern North America. The flowers sit atop hairy, sticky stems. In the wild, it loves to grow along stream banks. ‘Phlox’ is Greek for ‘flame’ because some flowers of this species have intensely vibrant colors.

Bloodroot

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a plant species native to eastern North America. In the wild its early spring blooms can be seen spreading across the forest floor or along riverbanks. Its common name comes from its reddish orange-sap, which can be made into a dye. Bloodroot seeds are often spread by ants who take them back to their nests.

Columbine meadow-rue

Thalictrum aquilegiifolium is a species of flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family known by the common names Siberian columbine meadow-rue, columbine meadow-rue, French meadow-rue, and greater meadow-rue. Its native range extends through Europe and temperate Asia, with a naturalized distribution in North America limited to New York and Ontario. Growing to 100 cm tall by 45 cm wide, it is an herbaceous perennial, with leaves composed of frilled leaflets resembling those of aquilegia. In early summer it bears clusters of fluffy pink flowers in flat-topped panicles. The plant contains an alkaloid ‘Thalidisine’, which is also present in other Thalictrum species. The cultivar ‘Thundercloud’ has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Heartleaf foamflower

Heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a perennial plant that will grow to 14 inches tall. It has lobed, heart-shaped leaves at the base and tall hairy stalks ascending from the base. From May to July, white flowers bloom profusely along the stalks. It produces seeds from June to August. It prefers moist soil with partial shade such as in woodland and forest areas.

Create Your Own Indoor Jungle Step by Step

Does the idea of living in a jungle excite you? If so, you will be pleased to learn that you can create one in your home. Just follow the steps in this article, and soon you will have your own indoor jungle to enjoy.

What is more exciting than the idea of exploring a lush jungle landscape? Now imagine that jungle exists in your own home! While this may seem too good to be true, creating your own indoor jungle is much easier than you think. In this article, we’ll teach you what you need to know to pull off this impressive look. Read on to learn about some of the design principles you should follow as well as a few ideal plants you should use.

Types of Jungle Plants

A jungle can look like a chaotic mix of wild plants, but you might be surprised to find that these plants all exist within a few specific categories. Each one makes a different contribution to what a jungle looks and feels like. Of course, you won’t be able to make a full-sized jungle in your home. But what you can do is create a miniature version of a jungle that includes all of the core components. To do that, you’ll need to find plants that can fall into these four groups.

Canopy Plants

Canopy trees are the tallest plants in the jungle. They grow to extreme heights and cast shade on the jungle floor below. In a true jungle, the shade that the canopy casts plays a key role in establishing the conditions in which the plants below will live. Canopy plants are also home to many jungle animals. The best way you can recreate this effect indoors is by including some trees that will grow indoors. There are numerous species that meet that definition, and many are dwarf varieties that will remain small enough to fit in your living room. Here are a few of the best indoor trees to add to your indoor jungle:

Understory Plants

Canopy trees are the top level of the jungle, and the next level down is the understory. Understory trees are a bit smaller and often thrive in the filtered light that the canopy provides. In a jungle, these plants may take the form of a small tree or a large shrub. They also add intriguing layers to the jungle that contribute to the sense of mystery that these landscapes invoke. Without a healthy understory, your indoor jungle will be incomplete. Here are some of the plant varieties that you should consider using:

Ground-Level Plants

At the lowest level of the jungle, you will find plants that are small and grow just above the ground. While these plants may not stand out as much as the taller trees, they still add a degree of depth to your indoor jungle. Ground-level plants also add additional greenery and interesting textures to your planting scheme. For those reasons and more, you should not neglect these smaller plant species in your indoor jungle:

Vines and Hanging Plants

The three categories of plants that we have already covered will get you very close to your goal of creating an indoor jungle. But there is one variety of plants that we are still missing. When most of us envision a jungle, our imagination includes vines that drape themselves along the branches of larger trees. These vines add to the wildness of the jungle and are a set of plants that you should grow in your indoor jungle as well. But rather than having your vines grow on another plant, it is best for you to set up a few hanging pots throughout your indoor jungle. Here are some of the species that you can use to fill those hanging containers:

Pothos
English ivy
Wandering Jew
Creeping fig
Heartleaf philodendron
Peperomia
Arrowhead plant

Tips for Your Indoor Jungle

Now that you have a great understanding of the plants that you should include in your indoor jungle, it’s time to add to that knowledge with a few helpful tips. After all, an indoor jungle is a place like no other, and as such, it calls for some special treatment. Continue on to learn what you should do to ensure your indoor jungle is a success.

Humidity for Jungle Plants

Jungles are notoriously humid places. With that in mind, it is no surprise to learn that many of the plants that grow there require plenty of moisture in the air. In an indoor setting, that moisture can be difficult to recreate. And if the air in your home is too dry, you may find that many of your jungle plants are failing. One of the best ways to avoid this is to use a spray bottle. Begin by identifying the plant species that have the greatest need for air moisture, then mist them regularly to keep them healthy and recreate the humidity they love.

Sunlight Needs for Jungle Plants

Sunlight is a prerequisite for anyone who wishes to grow an indoor jungle. The lack of sunlight in indoor spaces is a challenge to anyone who wishes to grow plants inside. However, this issue is especially important for many jungle plant species. Determine which areas of your home receive the most sunlight. Then, you should situate your indoor jungle plants so that they get as much of that light as possible. If you can’t provide enough natural sunlight, hope is not lost. You can choose to use an indoor grow light instead.

Find Attractive Containers

Our last tip to help your indoor jungle look its best is to be highly selective with the containers you use. Plants that grow indoors still need soil to survive. A great container is essentially the only way to give your plants a place to live. Choose containers that are lovely to look at and that complement your existing interior design. The right set of containers can be extremely useful in putting the finishing touches on your indoor jungle design.

Why Did My Succulent Change Colors? Signs to Notice

Succulents change color because they’re under stress. However, this is not a bad thing and not something you should be worried about. In fact, we explain exactly why your succulent has changed color and what you can do to promote this.

Succulents are such striking plants that they’ve become a favorite with many people. They’re relatively easy to grow making them ideal for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.

But, if you’re new to succulent growing, you might be concerned that your succulent has changed colors. More often than not, this is not something to worry about as it’s the plant’s natural reaction to certain stresses or changes in environment.

There are primarily three reasons why succulents change color. These are related to the amount of available sunlight, the amount of water they receive and the temperature range that they’re growing in.

You see, when conditions change, the plant will react with a change in color. Many succulents that have signs of red or orange around the borders of their leaves are under stress. But, this is not a bad thing. It’s just the plant’s response and can even be initiated if you want that tinge of red on your succulent leaves.

The Amount of Light the Succulent Gets

Most succulents do prefer some bright sunlight in the morning. This will encourage that brightly colored foliage. However, if your succulents are mainly growing in the shade, they will revert to green.

You might have noticed this if you’ve ever ordered succulents online. When these plants arrive on your doorstep, and you open the box, they will be green in color. This is because they’ve been deprived of sunlight for a few days.

To encourage these plants to display their more vibrant colors, simply give them some sunlight. Morning sun is ideal as the hot afternoon sun may scorch the plants and turn them brown instead.

If your succulents are growing indoors you can either place them on a bright windowsill or even place them outside for a couple of hours each day.

How Much Water the Succulent Gets

Succulents that get the ideal amount of water for their needs will generally turn green. This is because they are not under stress and are putting all their energy into growing.

Therefore, if you want to encourage some colorful growth, give your succulent a little less water. This might take a little bit of trial and error to get exactly the results you want.

For example, if you normally water your succulents once every week, try missing a week and see what happens. Don’t worry. This won’t do any long-term harm to your succulent but you might be rewarded with some vibrant color appearing on the tips of the foliage.

Whatever you do though, don’t ever overwater your succulents as this is the most common reason that succulents die. These plants don’t like having wet roots and sitting in water as this causes them to rot.

In the long run, it’s far better to underwater your succulents than to give them too much.

The Temperature Range the Succulent Is Exposed To

Once the temperature starts to drop, you will notice that your succulents start to change color. They’ll display more vibrant shades of red and pink. Especially when the temperature drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is why succulents that are grown outdoors will be much more vibrant during winter and early spring. Then, once the temperature rises again, they lose some of their vibrancy.

To initiate a little color change in your indoor succulents, you can place them outside for a short period each day as long as the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Final Thoughts

Succulents change color because they are under stress. However, this is not something to be concerned about because it’s perfectly normal. Stress-free succulents that grow out of direct sunlight will generally revert to green.

To encourage your succulents to display some of their brighter colors, you can induce a little environmental stress to your plants. This won’t harm them but you’ll be rewarded with vibrant colors.

There are three things you can do to induce more colorful foliage:

Now that you understand why your succulents change colors, you can have a little fun with them to see what results you can produce. Remember though, that each succulent variety is different. So, try these different experiments in small doses to begin with.

Observe how your plant reacts and changes and then adjust your routine to get the best results.

How to Grow a Balcony Flower Garden? Start From Here

Growing flowers on your balcony can be both fun and immensely rewarding. It helps to brighten up your living space and gives you the pleasure of growing when you don’t have a garden plot to tend.

If your green thumb is itching, but you don’t have a yard to dig around in, a balcony flower garden just might be what you need. These flower gardens will add a beautiful look to your balcony, delighting you and passersby. And live plants really brighten up a home and make it feel like your space. Living in an apartment or condo doesn’t mean you can’t have a garden! Keep reading for tips on a how to grow a flower garden on your balcony.

Start Small

If you are just starting to flex your green thumb, don’t worry about going all out. It is so easy to go pick out a ton of very pretty flowers you want to grow. Nurseries and other stores selling plants will have a lot to pick from and you likely will be drawn to many plants. Try not to fall into that trap just yet. Start small with only a few pots for your balcony. Three or four plants is a great starting place. You can care for them, get a taste of gardening, and most importantly not get overwhelmed. Plus this means a smaller initial investment as you test the waters of balcony gardening.

What to Think About Before Selecting Your Plants

Once you decide you want to go for it and start a balcony flower garden, you really need to decide what can grow. You don’t want to just pick out pretty flowers to have them die because they can’t get what they need to survive in the space. This will only make you frustrated. Plus it’s a waste of your time and money.

Above all, if you live in an apartment or condo, check with the building to see if there are any specific rules you need to follow. After that, there are a few basic things you need to consider. How much sun does the space get? And when is it getting the most sun? There are some plants that do best with a little morning sun, but can’t tolerate the harshness of heavy afternoon sunlight. Does it get really hot on your balcony? Sun reflecting off the windows can really heat up the space.

Is the space windy? If so, you might need to consider a lattice or trellis for support. Don’t worry they sell these specifically for pots. Also with wind, the plant will need more water as it will dry out more quickly. If so you might need self watering pots.

You also should consider how much space you have. Will having large pots take away from seating space? Can your balcony accommodate large plants and their pots or would a vertical garden be a better use of the space?

Also think about how much time you will be able to spend taking care of the plants. If you are constantly on the go, you might want to look for a hardy plant that doesn’t need a lot of help from you. There are so many finicky plants that will give you trouble if you miss even a day of watering or temperatures change too much too quickly.

Select Your Containers

As you select containers for your plants, consider the size and weight of the container. This means thinking about how heavy it will be when it is full. Check to make sure your balcony can support the weight of the containers at their heaviest. You might even need to consult your building’s maintenance staff. To make your containers weigh a little less, you can add filler to the bottom like empty milk jugs or coco coir. This will take up some space you would have otherwise filled with potting soil.

You can find all sorts of garden containers at your local hardware store, box store or garden nursery. They will range in all sizes, shapes and weight. Not only that, but you will find they are made from a variety of materials and quality. You can also find containers at garage sales. This is especially good if you are trying to keep costs low to start.

Adding some hanging baskets into the mix is just another great way to create another layer to the overall look of your balcony flower garden. Just make sure they are secured as high winds can knock them around.

Picking Your Plants

Now that you know what the conditions on your balcony are and what size you are looking for, it is time to select your plants. Some balcony gardeners will start out with a mix of annuals and perennials. Annuals live only for one season, while perennials can winter over and return year after year. With perennials, look for native plants, as they will have an easier time growing in your location.

Here are some flowers that work well as balcony plants in containers:

Petunias
Begonias
Fuchsia
Chrysanthemums
Pansies
Marigolds
New Guinea Impatiens
Roses
Sweet Alyssum
Hydrangeas

In addition to flowers, succulents, ferns and herbs can also make great additions to balcony gardens. If you find you want to expand your balcony garden, there are fruits and vegetable plants you can also look into.

Try Combining Plants in Containers

Not all plants need to grow in separate containers. Annuals especially can make a beautiful arrangement when planted together in the same pot. Doing this will give you several different textures, levels and colors in one container. If you need help selecting annuals that go together, nursery workers are always ready to work with you to create the perfect combinations. As with any container plant, make sure you aren’t overcrowding them. You want to give them plenty of space to grow and not be fighting for resources.

Caring for Your Balcony Garden

You’ve determined what you need, picked the plants and the containers, and set everything up. Now you get to enjoy the space you have created, but you also have to remember to care for them. Different plants will need different care. Some need a lot of water and others not so much. You will also need to think about regular checks for pests, ensuring your hard work doesn’t go to waste with an invasion. This is often considered easier because you are working in such a small space and you don’t have expansive beds to check over. Regular pruning and dead heading might also be necessary.

As winter begins to set in, consider if you want to save your plants or not. Perennials may survive outside on their own if the containers are large enough, but you may have to bring them indoors. Your annuals won’t survive outside if you leave them, but this means you can start over next year with new combinations. These pots of annuals can be brought in and placed in a window. With care, you might just be able to keep them around to go back out once the spring comes.

Flower of the Week: Garden Rose

Flower of the Week:

Garden Rose

It’s hard to imagine that there is such an elaborate library of variety in garden roses, the popular garden plant – from shrubs to vines, from rose-scented tea to elegant cut rose, from rose tea to essential rose oil. The garden rose has been deeply grounded in our lives, admired by generations of breeders, and conquered both Eastern and Western gardeners from different cultural backgrounds. In fact, both the United States and England use the garden rose as their national flower.

Places of Interest

1. San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, California, USA

Located in San Jose, California, the garden is home to more than 4,000 grass clumps and hundreds of rose varieties. You will find it hard to believe that this rose garden was originally an orchard full of plums. In 2010, the garden won the first “America’s Best Rose Garden” contest. From April to November every year, you can see different kinds of flowers. Undoubtedly, if you wish to see the spectacle of your life, May is your best bet with all roses gracefully blooming and exuding aromatic fragrance. Furthermore, a leisurely walk in the garden is also a decent option to relax and you can even get a detailed map at the entrance to learn the names of these roses in detail.

2. Royal National Rose Society Gardens, Hertfordshire, UK

As the name suggests, the Royal National Rose Society Gardens is the official garden of the Royal National Rose Society, located at its headquarters near St. Albans. After four years of closing and redesigning, it finally reopened in 2007, containing more than 7,000 plants of 2,500 varieties. Features of the park include the display of rose related history and roses with companion plantings and designs. If you want to plant garden roses in your own little garden, you can definitely get your inspiration from this place.

3. The City of Sakura Rose Garden, Chiba, Japan

From Narita Airport on the outskirts of the Metropolitan of Tokyo, it takes only 30 minutes to reach this famous rose collection. Although it is only 20 years old, its vintage style is very enchanting and is highly prized by authorities around the world. The traditional rose varieties here give off on outstanding aroma, far surpassing the modern hybrid varieties which usually have no fragrance. Among the thousands of roses in the park, the world-famous Rose breeder in the 20th century, Seizo Suzuki, donated 200 rare varieties, including many Japanese, Chinese, and other Asian varieties.

Brief History of Rose

The garden rose has a long history. It symbolizes love, beauty, war, and politics.

According to fossil evidence, the garden rose is 35 million years old. In nature, there are about 150 species of garden roses in the whole Euroasia, North America and North Africa. Rose gardens for viewing purposes started its cultivation in China about 5,000 years ago.

Lady Banks’ rose, originated from China, a rare yellow rose

During the Roman period, garden roses were widely cultivated in the Middle East. They were used as raw material for medicine, perfume, and confetti in celebration activities. The Roman aristocrats also built a large-scale public rose garden in the south of Rome. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the popularity of the garden rose had its ups and downs in the gardening trend at that time.

War of the Roses

In the middle of the 15th century, a civil war broke out in England to fight for the throne. The two rivals in the royal House of Plantagenet – the House of Lancaster and the House of York – engaged in many wars in 32 years. The war ended with the marriage of Henry VII of the Lancaster family and Elizabeth of York. It also ended the rule of the French Canary Dynasty in England and opened the new rule of the Welsh Tudor Dynasty. This famous war in history is called the War of the Roses. After that, England’s Middle Ages ended and entered a new Renaissance.

Framed print after 1908 painting by Henry Payne of the scene in the Temple Garden from Shakespeare’s play Henry VI, Part 1, where supporters of the rival factions pick either red or white roses

In fact, the name “War of the Roses” was not used at that time, but in the 16th century, Shakespeare marked the beginning of the war with the plucking of two garden roses in the historical play Henry VI. The name comes from the family emblem chosen by the two families – the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York.

In order to commemorate the war, England took the garden rose as the national flower and changed the Royal insignia into the red and white rose – a combination of the two family insignia.

Queen Josephine's Garden

In the 17th century, garden roses were very popular. The royal family even used them as legal tender. They were used for barter and payment. In the 19th century, Napoleon’s wife Josephine collected a large number of roses at Chateau de Malmaison, seven miles west of Paris. This garden became the creative background of the famous plant illustrator Pierre Joseph Redout é. In 1824, he completed his watercolor collection Les rose, which is still considered one of the best plant illustrations.

Rosa centifolia foliacea From Les Roses, Pierre-Joseph Redouté

The Birth of the First Modern Rose

At the end of the 18th century, China rose was introduced into Europe from China. Before that, the native rose in Europe only bloomed once, but China rose had the decent nature of a long blooming period, repeated blooming, and even a rare yellow rose, which aroused great interest of breeders. In 1867, in Queen Josephine’s rose garden, the world’s first hybrid of China rose and European rose was born. The famous rose hybridizer Jean-Baptiste André Guillot successfully bred Rosa ‘la France’, the star that changed history, which also marked the arrival of the modern rose.

Rosa ‘La France’, the first modern rose variety, still popular to this day.

Can I Grow a Decent Garden Rose?

Through the efforts of generations of breeders, the garden rose finally has a rich variety of appearance and friendly prices, and now appear in all gardening greenhouses. However, the maintenance of the garden rose has always been a problem. After all, the garden rose is too fragile, easily gets sick and grows yellow leaves. As long as you master the following points, your garden rose can easily sprout healthy and beautiful flowers.

First of all, don’t blindly pursue new varieties. You should get familiarized with the actual situation of your garden or balcony, and choose a more suitable variety. Many garden roses like to have more than five hours of full sunlight and good ventilation every day, so it is very important to plant them in open and ventilated places. If your balcony is enclosed, it’s hard to grow garden roses well. For a small area of the balcony, you can choose some miniature garden rose varieties.

In the season when the garden rose will be in full bloom, you can apply more fertilizer. After the flower is withered, the remaining flowers need to be cut immediately to preserve nutrients and promote other flowers to bloom. Try to prune it on sunny days so that the wound is less susceptible to infection.

Garden roses can easily produce diseases and pests. Compared with spraying a lot of pesticides when the pest problem is serious, the better way is to carefully observe and prevent it in advance. If there are diseases and insect pests, it is also necessary to find out the types of pests and select the appropriate control.

Size: From tiny garden rose to rose vine, the size varies greatly with varieties

Hardiness: Zones 5 through 9

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil: Fertile, well-drained, pH 6.0-7.0

Bloom Time: From spring to autumn

How to Control Common Garden Pests Active in Summer?

The most common garden pests in summer are Japanese beetles, aphids, slugs and snails, caterpillars and grasshoppers. You might also have problems with rodents, rabbits and other animals such as deer. Here’s how to keep them out of your garden.

There is nothing more frustrating than putting so much hard work into your garden only to have it destroyed by pests. Gardeners can face many hurdles on the path towards harvest, and pests often give gardeners a ton of headaches.

Knowing what pests you are likely to find in the summer months and how to keep them in check will ensure your garden continues to thrive. Continue reading as we break down some of the most common pests you might come across and what you can do to keep them from destroying your garden this summer.

Japanese Beetles

Have you have seen a metallic blue-green insect buzzing around your yard? If so, you saw a Japanese beetle. These insects wreak havoc on not just vegetable plants, but flowers and trees as well. The adults eat leaves, chew flowers and consume fruits and veggies and their larvae aren’t much better. They devour plant roots in your garden and your lawn.

Insecticides are one option when it comes to controlling these pests. If you are looking for a non chemical option, floating row covers can be implemented in gardens and you can physically remove them by shaking the plants in the early mornings. Baited traps are also commonly implemented.

Aphids

Aphids appear on fruits, vegetables, shrubs and trees, sucking the sap and causing leaves to drop. The waste they produce is called “honeydew.” It is a sugary liquid that can encourage sooty mold on your plants branches or leaves. Honeydew also attracts ants. The tiny, pear shaped insects have long antennae and their abdomens have two small tubes projecting from them. Aphids populations multiply quickly and it won’t be long before your garden is overrun, so catching them early is so important.

Spraying cold water on the leaves of an infested plants is used to remove aphids. This knocks them off the plant, and don’t usually go back to the same plant. Your pantry might contain an aphid deterrent. Flour is used to get rid of aphid infestations because when dusted on the plant, it constipates the aphids.

Other options include wiping the plants and its leaves with a mild soapy water solution. You will only need a few drops of dish soap in the water for the solution to be effective. Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dish soap water solution is just another variant.

If you aren’t sure about these options, add diatomaceous earth around the plant. This non-toxic material kills aphids, but use with caution, as it can also kill the good insects you need to pollinate your plants. Avoid using this when your plants are blooming.

Slugs and Snails

These slimy pests definitely put a damper on a gardener’s day. Slugs and snails devour your garden produce, munching on leaves as they move along.

Slugs and snails can be controlled by welcoming their natural predators into the garden. Garter snakes eat these slimy pests and many other garden pests that might be bothering your garden plants. It might be hard to think about making your garden snake friendly, but these animals only help in your garden and they don’t hurt people.

If snakes aren’t something you want to encourage, another option would be to add gritty substances, like egg shells or diatomaceous earth, to the area. These substances will cut the snail or slug’s body, injuring them. Eventually these pests will either be killed or be deterred from bothering your plants.

Caterpillars

Ever heard of the very hungry caterpillar? Well it isn’t just a children’s story. These garden pests will eat their way through your vegetable garden, especially your cabbages, broccoli, kale and cauliflower.

Besides removing these garden pests by hand, insect barrier fabrics are often used to keep them away. The benefit of using the barrier fabrics is you aren’t just protecting your plants from caterpillars. Other insects won’t be able to get through either.

There are also insecticides available if you want to go with a chemical approach. These can be found at local hardware stores. Follow all the directions and recommendations on the label for the safest and best results.

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers will consume everything in their path if they make it in the garden. They eat leaves, flowers, fruits and veggies non stop. They can eat as much as half their body weight each day.

Making your garden friendly to their predators is a great way to control grasshopper populations. Bluebirds for example are a great eater of grasshoppers. Toads and snakes also make these pests a meal.

Another option would be to explore insecticides that target grasshoppers. There are many options when it comes to insecticides to help control infestations of grasshoppers.

Rodents, Rabbits and Other Animals

If you are an avid gardener you probably have had some run ins with some other kinds of pests that aren’t insects. Chipmunks, mice, rabbits, raccoons and even deer can wreak havoc on a well planned garden. They nibble on seedlings, and decimate harvests. Raccoons often like to dig up plants you just put in the ground.

Fencing is an animal friendly prevention method to keep your garden plants safe, but be sure you are using fencing with very small openings. Small garden pests, like chipmunks can easily slip through common fencing. One option to keep even some of the smaller pests out would be to use hardware cloth. This is available at hardware stores. When it comes to keeping out the big pests, like deer, your fencing should be tall. White-tailed deer are able to jump over fences as high as eight feet.

For some animals adding plants they don’t like can act as a barrier. Marigolds, onions, garlic, lavender and catnip are just some options you might look into if you have a rabbit problem. This is an animal friendly way to keep those pests from getting your tasty garden produce.

Other wild animals can be trapped in live traps and taken to another location where it is safe for them and your garden. If you are nervous about trapping animals, contact your local animal control or a pest removal service and they can help.

Beginner Gardener? Try These 20 Easy-to-Grow Perennials

Perennial plants are great for inexperienced gardeners or those who don’t want to create a new flowerbed arrangement every year. These plants will grow back each spring, giving you dependable greenery and colorful flowers with minimal work.

Black-eyed susan

The Black-eyed susan is a flowering black and yellow plant with curving leaves. It is culturally important in the Southern U.S., and is often used to attract butterflies to gardens. It long ago spread throughout North America and much of the world. Black-eyed susan is the state flower of Maryland and was important in the history of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Orange daylily

The Orange daylily is a perennial plant known for its captivating lily-like blooms. Its natural habitats are meadows and forests, but it is also a common garden plant in temperate regions around the world. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plant will bloom new ones for weeks. Orange daylily ‘s young buds and flowers are edible either raw or cooked. As a bonus to vegetarians, the flowers contain more fats than most vegetables.

English lavender

The English lavender is a common flowering plant originally native to the Mediterranean region. Today, it is often used in scented products such as candles, oils, perfumes, soaps, and house sprays. The scent also has a deterrent effect against clothing moths.

Martagon lily

Martagon lily (Lilium martagon) is a lily plant native to Europe and Asia from Portugal to Mongolia. Martagon lily is a commonly cultivated ornamental garden plant and it is toxic to cats.

Hairy alumroot

Hairy alumroot (Heuchera villosa) is a perennial evergreen that grows on cliff sides, boulders, and rocky areas throughout its native eastern United States. There are two distinct varieties of Hairy alumroot that grow on opposite sides of the Appalachian mountains.

Woodland sage

Woodland sage is a clump-forming plant that is known for its purple flowers that grow on upright purple stems. This plant is especially attractive to butterflies and bees and the leaves give off a minty fragrance. This perennial should be cut back after flowering has concluded, usually in early fall.

Marvel of peru

Marvel of peru (Mirabilis jalapa), also known as the marvel of Peru, is a perennial, herbaceous, bushy plant with fragrant, showy flowers, commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes. During bloom time, its flowers are closed most of the day; they open between four and eight o’clock, hence the common name Four o’clock flower.

Scarlet beebalm

This perennial forms a cluster of bright-red flowers atop a 3 foot long stem, which are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The leaves are aromatic, with a minty smell, and can also be brewed into tea, as the Oswego people taught the early European colonists in the New York area.

Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a wildflower that has feathery leaves and flowers in white, yellow or pink. In China, the plant is considered to be good luck while for some time in Scotland it was believed to have magical properties. It has been brewed into beer, tea, and liquors, but it has low toxicity. Don’t consumed in large quantities. Common yarrow ‘s bitter leaves are toxic to pets and horses. Other livestock can eat it, though it gives cow milk an unpleasant flavor.

Shasta daisy

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum superbum) is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant named after Mount Shasta. It is a popular garden plant often cultivated for groundcover. Some species in the same genus are considered noxious weeds.

Bugleweed

Bugleweed is a mat-forming, dense plant that features blue flowers and shiny, dark green leaves. Although it works extremely well for a ground cover that will choke out weeds and provide a colorful display, Bugleweed does not tolerate much foot traffic. Take care to plant it in a location that is away from paths.

Dwarf pincushion flower

Dwarf pincushion flower (Scabiosa columbaria) is a flowering perennial native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. Dwarf pincushion flower grows longer into the summer season than most other flower species. This happens because it has a long taproot that allows it to extract water from deep in the water table.

Bearded iris

The Bearded iris is a flowering plant that appears in many different colors. It is a popular garden plant because it’s easy to grow. Though their native lands are in Europe, Bearded irises are often grown in Iranian cemeteries.

Garden phlox

The Garden phlox is a flowering plant that is native to the United States. The name, phlox, comes from the Latin for “flame,” reflecting its bright colors. Garden phlox flowers can become important food sources for insects and hummingbirds.

Orpine

Orpine (Hylotelephium telephium) is a perennial succulent native to Eurasia. This species is often planted in gardens for ornamental purposes and grows best in gravelly or calcareous soils. In Finland, the Orpine is an officially protected species because its leaves are the most important food source for the Apollo butterfly, the largest type of butterfly in that country.

Bigleaf lupine

While it is cultivated as a garden flower in many places, the Bigleaf lupine is considered an invasive species in others. As a garden plant, the Bigleaf lupine is commonly used to attract bees and retain nitrogen in the soil. But in New Zealand, Argentina, and various countries in Europe, Bigleaf lupine are grown invasively and causing many ecological problems.

Lance-leaved coreopsis

The Lance-leaved coreopsis attracts pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies but is considered an invasive species in many countries, such as Japan. Originally native to the eastern U.S., it has since spread around the world. The Lance-leaved coreopsis grows well in wet or dry soil.

New england aster

New england aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a flowering plant native to North America. It is widely cultivated for ornamental horticulture and as a garden plant. There are over 70 cultivars of New england aster.

Fragrant plantain lily

The trademark feature of Asia-native plantain lilies is the numerous glossy oval leaves with deep parallel veins. The Fragrant plantain lily is additionally decorated with strongly fragrant, trumpet-shaped, large white flowers, which are unique in the genus. Hosta plantaginea is one of the favorite cultivated plants for north-facing and shady gardens, but it also tolerates high humidity and temperatures.

Purple coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herb native to North America that flourishes in prairie environments or open wooded areas. The Purple coneflower makes a good addition to a flower bed or garden because its blooms last the whole summer and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Flower of the Week: Japanese Meadowsweet

Japanese meadowsweet (Spiraea japonica) is a common deciduous shrub. Its small, adorable flowers bloom in clusters from the tip of new branches every year. Wild Japanese meadowsweet blossoms in pink, but through years of selection and cultivation, horticulturalists have domesticized varieties with light pink, rose red, white, and purple flowers. The leaves of the plant also vary in color, including bluish-green, light yellowish-green, yellow, and brownish-red.

A Jack-of-All-Trades in the Garden

Japanese meadowsweet has thin leaves and lush flowers. It grows robustly, with strong branching and excellent response to pruning. Among its cultivars are dwarfed varieties as short as 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall and giant species as tall as 1.5 meters (5 feet).

A Japanese meadowsweet variety with colorful leaves

In garden landscaping, Japanese meadowsweet enjoys a reputation for being a Jack-of-all-trades, fitting perfectly in flower beds, flower borders, and lawn corners, or by the side of landscape rocks, water banks, and stone formations. It can embellish an open lawn with a single plant, or be cluster-pruned into a sphere or semi-sphere to harmonize colors with vividly-hued perennial flowers. Some varieties tolerate slight shade and grow successfully next to taller deciduous broad-leaf trees.

Be Aware Of Invasions!

Japanese meadowsweet was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant. Due to its ability for self-propagation, superb adaptability, and tendency to expand, the USDA has been alerted about this species. Currently, the federal government does not consider it an invasive plant, but the State of Pennsylvania does. Please check with your local forestry department before planting it, and confine its expansion after planting.

Is Japanese Meadowsweet Herbal Medicine?

No. Many people confuse Japanese meadowsweet for meadowsweet, partly because of their identical names in English. They are both in the Rosaceae family and are not so distantly related; they even look rather alike at a glance. But their similarity is limited to the appearance only.

Meadowsweet blooms

The scientific name of meadowsweet is Filipendula Ulmaria. Historically, meadowsweet has been used as a herbal medicine for headache or anti-inflammation because of its methyl salicylic acid. It was utilized by Bayer Pharmaceuticals for its famous methyl salicylic acid formulation until it was replaced by a milder salicylic acid formulation called acetylsalicylic acid, also known as aspirin.

On the contrary, Japanese meadowsweet isn’t rich in methyl salicylic acid. In fact, aspirin pills are apparently more effective as a medicine.

Can I Grow Japanese Meadowsweet Well?

Japanese meadowsweet is easy to care for and friendly to beginning gardeners. One of its cultivation advantages is its high tolerance to different soil types, even heavy clay. Spring and autumn are good seasons to plant it, and the ideal planting site should have good drainage and plenty of sunshine (at least six hours of direct light daily). If the site is in the shade of deciduous trees, autumn may be a better season to plant Japanese meadowsweet, because it won’t have to compete for sunshine with taller, leafy trees.

Water newly-planted Japanese meadowsweet when the surface soil turns dry. After the plants root and grow, they develop more tolerance to wet and dry soil conditions. Japanese meadowsweet doesn’t rely much on fertilizers; one dosage of slow-release fertilizer in early spring will keep it lush for a year.

Deadhead the bushes after blooming to encourage reblooming. Prune them even during winter dormancy; Japanese meadowsweet is a fast grower and recovers quickly after pruning. Its flowers bloom once on the newly-sprouted branches each year. Pruning produces plentiful young branches, delivering more blossoms.

Size: 2-6 feet in height, 4-7 feet in spread

Hardiness: USDA Zone 3-8

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic

Bloom time: Late spring to summer

What You’ll Need to Create a Classic Cottage Garden

The classic cottage garden is one of the most popular styles around. But to achieve that appearance, you need to understand the critical elements of this design style. Read through this article to learn what those elements are and how you can develop them on your property.

A cottage garden is a place where you can expect to find a wild abundance of colorful plant life. Yet while these gardens are informal, they also have a few distinct traits that set them apart from other styles. This article will introduce you to those defining elements while giving you an idea of what you’ll need to create an enchanting cottage garden of your own.

Find an Area With Plenty of Sunlight

The first element you will need for your cottage garden is ample sunlight. Since bold masses of flowers are one of the hallmarks of this style, you will need to ensure that your area has enough daily light to support those species. It is not impossible to design a cottage garden in an area of partial shade. However, the best examples of cottage gardens are those that receive six to eight hours of sunlight each day.

Design Your Path System

After selecting a sunny location for your cottage garden, it is time to begin designing. The first element that you should design is your path system. While plants are the stars of the show in a cottage garden, the comparatively dull path system that runs through those plants is vital to the functionality of the garden.

There are no hard rules for how your path system should work. However, there are a few guidelines you should keep in mind at this stage. The paths you lay are what will allow you to access and maintain the plants you will grow later on. While a cottage garden may look like an area where plants have free reign to grow as they please, the truth is that those plants require a lot of ongoing care to look their best.

You should also consider creating multiple paths that connect to one another or a path that forms a loop. This approach will allow you and your garden guests to circulate through the entire garden and admire the plants that grow there. Remember that as you design your paths, you are simultaneously designing your planting beds. The voids left over after your paths are complete are where your plants will live.

The last tip we will give you about cottage garden paths relates to materials. If you want to make your cottage garden authentic, you should use a material such as gravel or crushed bricks. These materials are what you would find in a traditional cottage garden in England, where the style originated.

Focus On Flower Variety

Now that you have created your paths and your garden beds, it is time to move on to the most exciting part of planning a cottage garden. The plants that you choose to grow are what will bring your cottage garden to life. Unlike some other styles, cottage garden design almost always includes a wide array of plant life, including many types of colorful flowers.

A Few Flowering Plants Cottage Garden

An alluring cottage garden boasts copious amounts of flowers. Often, masses of perennial plants are the best way to achieve that look. Here are some of the many perennial flowering species that you should consider planti

Include Edible Plants

Flowering plants are not the only species you should plant. If you know the history of cottage gardens, then you understand that they originally served a functional role. Most notably, cottage gardens were where herbs and vegetables grew that would later find their way into the cottage kitchen. As such, the best cottage gardens are those that feature both flowers and edible plants

Some Easy Herbs and Vegetables for Cottage Gardens

The edible plants that you should grow are those that are tastiest to you. But if you are searching for a few types that would belong in a traditional cottage garden, here are a few authentic options:

Add Structure to the Garden

With your paths and plants in place, it is time to add the final touches to your cottage garden. A few structural elements will make your garden look complete. However, the structures that exist in a cottage garden are a bit different than those you might find in another garden style. Cottage garden structures don’t typically serve as focal points that draw attention to themselves. Instead, they are often somewhat rustic but also functional.

You could add a wooden fence to define the extent of your garden, or you can add structures that will allow you to grow hanging plants. But while those are great options, there is another garden structure that should have a home in your cottage garden. An arbor is one of the most common structures you can find in one of these gardens. Most often, a cottage garden arbor will provide support for any climbing plants you grow. Regarding those species, climbing roses are most emblematic of a traditional cottage garden.

Do You Need a Cottage to Have a Cottage Garden?

A quality landscape design complements any nearby architecture. This principle leads to one pressing question on the topic of cottage gardens. What many people wonder is whether you can have a cottage garden even if you don’t live in a cottage. The simplest answer here is that you can design whatever type of garden you want, regardless of what kind of house you have.

However, there is a certain aesthetic charm that comes about when a cottage garden pairs with a quaint cottage home. Rest assured that there are other architectural styles that will also work well with a cottage garden. Most of these have a rustic appeal that complements the wildness of this garden design style. Still, even if you don’t own such a home, you shouldn’t let the architecture of your house prevent you from creating the cottage garden of your dreams. All you need to do is follow the advice in this article to turn that dream into reality.