Gardenia Is Usually Tolerant Of Different Variations In Temperatures

Gardenia is usually tolerant of different variations in temperatures, particularly if it is humid. In order to perform at their very best, gardenias have to have a climate that offers high humidity. It is advisable to make use of a water-soluble fertilizer on gardenias every two to three weeks.Several times during the year, you may make use of an acid fertilizer.Once you have smelled the gardenia, you will become hooked on it! If you stick to the previously mentioned tips, then you will more than likely have the capacity to grow beautiful and gorgeous gardenias both outside and inside of your house.You must choose first a petite shrub from common varieties of garden such as the azalea, camellia, boxwood, gardenia, cotoneaster, or even hibiscus.
Trim the plant with the use of bypass pruners until a structure is seen. After that you need to remove the bonsai from its pot and place the root of the bonsai in water. Decrease the amount of soil around its roots in order for the root ball to fit the said container. Trim the roots to until two-thirds of the original size are reduced. The next thing that you’ll need to do is to place a plastic window or a piece of gauze over the drainage hole of the pot.Then add an inch of mixed potting soil on it then the root ball while spreading gently its roots over the soil. Put additional soil again to cover the roots but make sure that there is a one inch allowance on top for watering purposes. Prune the plant on your desired structure.
Another gorgeous and fragrant flowering shrub you can grow indoors is the gardenia. The shrub is evergreen, and has creamy ivory-colored flowers. Gardenias like to be well watered and have soil that is free draining, and they also appreciate good humidity. You can put a shallow dish with small pebbles in it and add water. The water evaporates and helps provide moister air around the plant.False heather is a gorgeous choice for an indoor flowering shrub. This evergreen has tiny bright green leaves, and tiny flowers ranging from pinkish-purple to light lavender and white. It boasts a long bloom time as well.

The Information Of Centaurea Cyanus

Centaurea cyanus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera, self.The plant is self-fertile. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very alkaline soils.It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
The young shoots are edible. Flowers – raw or cooked. The fresh florets can be used in salads. They are used as a vegetable or a garnish An edible blue dye is obtained from the flowers, used for colouring sugar and confections.Cornflower has a long history of herbal use, though it is seldom employed nowadays. In France it is still used as a remedy for tired eyes, but opinions differ as to its efficacy. Traditionally it is said to work best on blue eyes, whilst Plantago major (great plantain) was used for brown eyes. The dried flowers are antipruritic, antitussive, astringent, weakly diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, very mildly purgative, and tonic. An infusion can be used in the treatment of dropsy, constipation, or as a mouthwash for ulcers and bleeding gums.
This infusion is also taken as a bitter tonic and stimulant, improving the digestion and possibly supporting the liver as well as improving resistance to infections. A water distilled from the petals was formerly in repute as a remedy for weak eyes and a soothing lotion for conjunctivitis. The seeds are used as a mild laxative for children. A decoction of the leaves is antirheumatic.A blue ink and a dye is obtained from the petals mixed with alum-water. The dye gives a lovely colour to linen, but it is transient. The dried petals are used in pot-pourri in order to add colour. Extracts of the plant are added to hair shampoos and rinses.Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils. Established plants are drought tolerant.

A Rose Flower Backyard Can Be A Fantastic Addition

The most popular color is red as those flowers symbolize love and passion. In ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome, they were associated with goddesses of love. Red roses are a favorite gift for Valentine’s Day and the flowers come in many different shades of red. You can find roses in other colors as well, such as: blues, whites, pinks and yellows (these flowers are often hybrid). Different cultivars have been developed to emphasize color, scent, shape, size and disease resistance, among many other attributes.An ideal question to ask your self when it comes to your design is what type of shape you want in your design. Most of the common shapes that are performed in a backyard design are circular and rectangular shapes. Squares are additionally generally performed. If you need your backyard and full yard to look bigger than it really is, then you might need to contemplate a diagonal design. Rose gardens have a sensual look to them. Planting and maintaining a Rose Flower garden will carry to your home an entirely new essence. One of the best half, is now you are the creator of this beauty. It is possible for you to to map out exactly what you need your rose backyard to appear like and the right design.
A Rose Flower backyard can be a fantastic addition to your house’s panorama, particularly when you love having your family and friends over for special occasions. A flower garden could add that particular, sensual and stress-free aspect to your house, and with roses planted in that garden, it simply adds a particular touch. Planting roses can actually be relatively easy and depending on which forms of roses you select, they might be low maintenance. This means that there are specific roses that don’t want as much consideration, like wild roses, as other roses like tea roses.Relating to planning out your Rose Flower backyard, you will have dozens of decisions with regards to flowers and styles. You can mix and match various kinds of wildlife with complementing hues. These combos will create excellent rose garden designs. You may also need to contemplate inserting in shrubs and borders in addition to any kind of ornaments and even backyard furnishings like a gazebo or a decorative bench.
Depending on where you want your roses you will need to consider what type you want. Do you want to make a pleasant arbor? Then a climbing variety may be just what you need. Some grow up to 20 feet which will cover your arbor well with just a few plants. Others grow up to 10 or 12 feet for smaller places. Roses also come in shrubs bushes and small trees. What can be a nicer welcome to your visitors than a couple of rose buses on either side of your porch?There is something for every garden when it comes to roses. In fact no garden is really complete without at least one or two beautiful garden rose plant. There are so many to choose from that you can find it almost confusing when you go to your local nursery. You can also find even more selection when you go online and visit websites with beautiful picture galleries. However, your choice will really depend on your personal preferences and how you want your garden to look.

Botanical Garden

Botanical garden, (buh TAN uh kuhl), is a garden in which plants are grown chiefly for scientific, educational, and artistic purposes. Botanical gardens usually are part of an institution or other center of learning devoted to the study of plants. They often have courses for adults on the uses of plants. In some gardens, children may learn about plants from skilled teachers.
There are various types of botanical gardens (Types Of Flowers ) in the United States. For example, the New York Botanical Garden in New York City and the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis have year-round displays of plants from many parts of the world.
They must also have a thorough understanding of experimental procedures and of plant biology. Field botanists study plants in their natural habitat. This work requires a broad knowledge of plant taxonomy and ecology.
A bachelor’s degree is sufficient for some careers in botany, but most positions require a master’s degree. A doctor’s degree is required for advanced positions in research or to teach botany at a university. New jobs for botanists will continue to be created as the world’s population grows and scientists search for better ways to use plants for food and medicine.
Most botanical research involves more than one and sometimes all of these areas. In addition, each of the areas includes various specific fields of study. Because the plant kingdom is so diverse, most botanists focus on one or more specialized fields.
Plant classification and form provides the framework for almost all fields of botany. In studying a plant, a botanist must first know what type of plant it is. Botanists who specialize in systematic identify plant species. This field includes taxonomy, the science of naming and classifying plants. Botanists who specialize in morphology examine the form and structure of plants. Their research includes investigations of the cells and tissues that make up a plant’s internal structure.
How do the plants function. Plants must carry out a variety of activities to remain alive. Botanists specializing in physiology study the processes that enable plants to using an electron microscope, above, a botanist ‘studies minute features of a plant’s internal structure. The cells of a cabbage plant are visible in the photograph at the right. The cells are magnified about 50 times.
Grow and reproduce. These botanists examine how plants make and use food by photosynthesis, and how they obtain water, minerals, and nutrients from the soil. Much of their work focuses on the chemical processes that take place in the molecules in cells.
Botanists specializing in genetics study how plants pass characteristics on to their offspring through genes (hereditary material). Botanists studying molecular biology examine how genes affect plant form and function. They also study how genes may be altered to change plants or to create new plants through a process called genetic engineering.

Notable Benefits Of Aloe Vera Plant

Even after thousands of years have passed, the significance and magnificence of the aloe vera planthas not diminished. Though there are many varieties of this magical plant grown in many parts of the world like Africa, South America, Egypt and so forth, only a few varieties are known for its unique medicinal values.Today a variety of products are derived from the aloe vera plant in the form of gels, shampoos, soaps, creams, capsules, tablets and so forth. This miracle plant, as it is so often called, can also be grown easily in your garden. Noted for many home remedies, the plant is imbibed with a number of benefits which makes it so popular in the entire world.
Derived from an Arabic word "alloeh" which means bitter, the aloe vera plant is a short succulent plant with fleshy leaves. The plant is mainly used in the form of gel and juice. Some of the common medicinal benefits derived from this plant include:Heals burns and cuts: application of the gel derived from the leaves of the plant helps to treat minor burns and cuts. It has been used for the same purpose by ancient Arabs and Egyptians according to historical evidence.Treats skin disorders: the thick sap derived from the leaves of the plant helps to treat many skin disorders including skin eczemas.
Effectively treats dry skin: most of the moisturizers available today contain aloe as a main ingredient as it is an effective moisturizer known for many decades.Treats constipation: oral consumption of the latex derived from this plant helps to reduce constipation. It acts as a laxative and clears the bowel.Prevents cancer: the aloe vera plant is known to prevent many forms of cancer.Effective treatment for dandruff: usage of shampoos containing aloe is effective in reducing dandruff and dry itchy scalp.Treats genital herpes: studies reveal that the use of this plant helps to treat genital herpes in men.
The other medicinal benefits of aloe vera plant includes the ability to improve the immune system of the body, treats IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, reduces heart burns and ulcers.The juice derived from this plant helps to reduce peptic ulcers. It also prevents acidity. Regular mouth rinse with the juice of this plant helps to prevent mouth sores and other dental problems.Today a variety of aloe vera plant products are made available in the markets. This includes types of skin care products like creams, soaps and lotions. It helps in tightening the tissues of the skin by keeping the skin soft and supple. Different types of sunscreen lotions and creams also contain aloe vera. It is believed that the ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used this plant to remain beautiful and ageless forever.

Plant Growth Regulators

Plant growth regulators are those organic compounds that are used as the chemicals- natural or synthetic that control one or more specific physiological processes within the plants. These physiological processes include flowering, aging, root growth, distortion and killing of leaves etc. In short, you can list all the structural changes undergone by a plant during its lifetime. There are many chemicals that enhance the plant hormone in a natural way and allow you to regulate and increase the production of things you require as: fruits, flowers etc. The amount required as plant growth regulator is too small. Mainly five groups come under it as: Auxin, Gibberellins (GA), Cytokinin, Ethylene and Abscisic Acid (aba).
Of all these five main groups mentioned above, many of these are produced naturally in the body and are called hormones. Those not produced naturally are supplied externally- called synthetic materials. You can retard or accelerate the rate of growth or maturation or at times even alter the behaviour of plants or their products. With genetic engineering applicable nowadays, we are venturing deeper into this field. These are applied as spray to foliage or liquid drench to soil, etc. With time you need to keep on re-applying compounds, as they are short lived and to get full results the dosage should be completed.
Nitrogen is an important element required equally by animals and plants. The plants can't capture the free nitrogen present in the soil and air and use it for consumption. So, we need to provide it from outside. Nitrogen is part of the organic group of compound and is added to the soil. It comes under the macro nutrient scheme for crops. Ammonium or nitrates are commercial forms of nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizers teaming up with phosphorous and potassium are more useful for the crops.
Plant growth regulators can easily be bought from online stores. You can get ample amount of information from online channels as well. You can buy these at competitive prices and know about what rules are applicable for you as per your country and then buy accordingly. Give good quality regulators to your plants and see your crops grow in a healthy manner.

Plant Sterols - How They Can Benefit You

Although you can go to your doctor and get a prescription for just about any health issue known to man, medications have their drawbacks. More and more people today are looking for more natural (and safer) ways to improve their health. As Hippocrates once said, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". This is as true today as it was back then. One of the best ways to improve your health is by improving your diet. But even if you think you're eating well you may be missing out on some less-known but vital nutrients, such as plant sterols. Read on to learn more about plant sterols and how they can benefit your health by helping to lower your cholesterol. What are plant sterols? Plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, come from plants. These naturally-occurring substances are the plant's cholesterol. Just as humans have cholesterol, so do plants. Both human and plant cholesterol is critically important in maintaining a healthy state. However, when cholesterol levels begin to exceed normal levels, they turn from good to bad in which high levels of LDL cholesterol can begin to harm the body by increasing the chances of heart disease.
If you were to look at plant sterols under a microscope, they look very similar to human cholesterol. They are found in fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, and most types of grain. Because of their many health benefits, several manufacturers are now adding them to healthy snacks and heart healthy foods. These include foods such as healthy chips made from whole grains, orange juice and margarine. How do Plant Sterols Work in the Body? Plant sterols and stanols have a structure similar to cholesterol. They compete with cholesterol for access to receptors in the small intestines known as micelles. Micelles help transport cholesterol through the intestine into your blood stream. Imagine 15 people all hoping to get a ride in their friend's Volkswagen Beetle - not everyone is going to be riding in the car. The same thing happens when plant sterols are introduced into the small intestine along with cholesterol.
Only so many can hop a ride on the micelle and those left behind are exited from the body. Over 140 clinical studies have been conducted and have shown that sterols and stanols reduce LDL cholesterol levels by between 5 and 14 percent. While there are more and more heart healthy snacks and heart healthy foods available today, those which have plant sterols (meeting specific FDA criteria) can sport a statement on the package indicating they may help lower the chances of heart disease. Health Benefits of Plant Sterols Nearly a quarter of a century of research has shown us that plant sterols may benefit your health in a multitude of ways. In addition to lowering cholesterol, some studies suggest that they may also:
 Benefit conditions such as asthma, gallstones, and migraines How much plant sterols are needed? If lowering cholesterol is your goal, experts recommend that to get the maximum benefits you should consume between 1.5 to 3 grams of plant sterols per day. To begin to see any benefits you need to consume a minimum of 0.8 grams per day. Most Americans get approximately 0.25 grams per day of plant sterols from the foods they consume today. While it may be difficult to get this amount naturally from heart healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, it is very achievable if you add foods fortified with plant sterols such as specific chips, breads, and margarines. What foods should I eat? The following list contains several healthy foods which may have plant sterols added (check the label to ensure it reads: "contains plant sterols"): * Spreadable margarines * Salad dressings

The Incas Regarded Coca As ‘The Divine Plant’

The Incas regarded coca as ‘the divine plant’ mainly because of its property of imparting endurance, nevertheless its use was entwined with every aspect of life; the art, mythology, culture and economy of the Inca Empire.Millions of Indians have chewed coca on a daily basis for many hundreds of years, yet never has a plant been so misrepresented and its use so controlled by prejudice and ignorance, including up to the present day. The Conquistadors considered it an idle and offensive habit to be prohibited, but it was soon seen that the Indians could not work without coca even when forced to do so.
The coca leaf has been sacred to Andean people since the dawn of pre-Colombian civilization. Doris Rivera Lenz, a renowned Andean Ceremonialist, healer, and Coca leaf Diviner, when asked about the source of the information she divines from them, she says:"They give me such a powerful awareness it is as though an energy comes into me from just touching them. I invoke Mother Nature and the spirit of the coca, and with just seven leaves, the answer comes, as though through an open doorway."
Healing An ancient method of diagnosing illness, still common in Peru, is to rub an egg over the body of the patient. Doris is gifted in this tradition and prescribes remedies which include medicinal herbs.Much Andean wisdom is based on observation of nature, noting for example, that if the ducks go round in circles, there will be long rains, etc... Involvement with nature prevents the mind from becoming mechanical, can see that it is constantly nurturing us and helping us to grow.
The ofrenda An 'ofrenda' is the most important ceremony used by Andean Indians to relate with Mother Earth. The ofrenda is a symbol of reciprocity with nature and its purpose is to teach us to reproduce this attitude. Through it we speak back to nature saying we understand the message and concord.The ofrenda which is also known in Spanish as a 'pago', is not a 'payment' to nature as the Conquistadores saw it, implying a sinister pact with nature spirits. Additionally, they accused the Indians of being miserly because they preferred to pay symbolically rather than with real money!

Best Plants For Your Garden

Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You'll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.

But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the center if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.

The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.

Plants Nursery

Nowadays, it's exceptionally simple to buy plants from a plant nursery on the Internet, which is a big thing for all gardeners, even the part time. You only go through the nursery's stock of obtainable plants, get the one you wish and pay by a credit card. In some days, the seedling will get there.It is very much useful to buy plants from any online plants nursery. Getting tropical plants online saves you much time and it might also save you lots of money. When you purchase plants from a online nursery, you can straightforwardly have all the info that you require to learn. Several times a local nursery will not be capable to inform you if tropical plants will nurture in acidic type of soil, or may be what time is the most excellent for pruning. Or may be worse, you might buy a plant that is different from the label, and most of the times you won't be permitted to reinstate it. A local nursery is generally deficient in multiplicity of the tropical plants. You possibly will not be able to get the strawberry trees or maple you are probing for, and they possibly will not be able to arrange them. And even so many flowers are difficult to get in the vicinity. Getting plants online can resolve that issue, cause you can search at many websites and have exactly what you were searching for.Getting plants online is a completely different experience then purchasing one from the shop. Prior to one ventures in purchasing plants online, one have to apprehend the inequalities among the wholly distinct things, even if, they have the similar purpose. There are varied ideas on the dominance of an initiative. The greatest online plants nursery must have a extensive variety to select from. You have to be clever to have whatever thing that you were probing for. There is lots of contest out there, yet for any online nursery. The finest online nursery must give you lots of stuff that you require to be certain that your new-fangled plant flourishes.Whilst one pool of considerations uphold that to buy plants from an online store is not easy, the other pool of thoughts keep that you can't have good plants if you are purchasing one from a nursery. Nevertheless, the tendency to buy plants online is progressively increasing and cannot be disregarded. For hectic peoples, ordering tropical plants online is a very easy way to have the plant one calls for. One need not have to reach the local plants nursery and look through all the plants, searching for what one is looking for.

Set Up New Plant

The Indian auto giant Maruti Suzuki is understood to be mulling over establishing a new manufacturing plant at its Manesar facility. According to industry sources, the setting-up of this new plant can entail an investment of as much as Rs 1,700 crore to the company. The new plant is expected to have a manufacturing capacity of 2.5 lakh units per year and will start rolling-out vehicles by year 2012. However, the company is yet to make an official statement in this regard.
It is to be mentioned here that company's total manufacturing capacity in the country is 10 lakh units at its manufacturing plants in Manesar and Gurgaon. Where the Manesar plant produces a total of three lakh units per annum, the Gurgaon plant has an annual manufacturing capacity of seven lakh units. According to a statement given by Mr Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO at Maruti Suzuki, the Indian car market is likely to double to five million units by 2015 and the it needs to be prepared to meet the growing demand in order to maintain its leadership position.
The company sold a total of 2,82,488 units of its cars in the Indian market during the period of April-July, accounting for a market share of 47.68 per cent. The total sales figures of the passenger car industry during this period stood at 5,92,405 units. Comparatively, the company had a market share of 53.13 per cent to 2,33,811 units in the same period last year. This is the first ever financial year in company's more than 25 years operation in the country when its market share slipped below 50 percent. However, the company is hoping to regain the crucial 50 percent market share by the end of this financial year.
At present, Maruti India sells some of the most popular cars in the Indian market such as best selling Maruti Alto, Maruti Wagon R, Maruti A-Star, Maruti Swift and Maruti Swift Dzire.

get your plants from the mail order nursery

At the present time, it's exceptionally simple to get your plants from the mail order nursery, which is a big thing for all gardeners, even the part time. You just search through the plant nursery's stock of presented plants, select the one you like and pay by a credit card. In a couple of days, the seedling will get there.
It is very much helpful to buy plants by mail order nursery. Purchasing plants online saves you much time and it might also save you plenty of money. When you buy plants from a online plant nursery or by a mail order nursery, you can simply have all the info that you ought to learn. Several times a local nursery will not be proficient to notify you if a plant will nurture in acidic type of soil, or may be what time is the finest for pruning. Or may be worse, you might buy a plant that is different from the label, and most of the times you won't be allowed to replace it. A local nursery is generally poor in variety of the plants. You might not be able to get the strawberry trees or maple you are waiting for, and they might not be able to arrange them. And even so many flowers are difficult to get in the neighbourhood. Ability to buy plants online can resolve that trouble, for the reason that you can search at a number of websites and have exactly what you were searching for.
Getting plants online is a completely different experience then getting one from the shop. Previous to one ventures to buy plants online, one have to understand the inequalities among the completely unequal things, even if, they have the one and the same point. There are distinct thoughts on the pre-eminence of an idea. The finest online nursery must have a broad assortment to pick from. You have to be capable to get whatever thing that you were finding for. There is too much struggle out there, yet for any online plant nursery. The most preeminent online plant nursery must offer you plenty of info that you require to be certain that your new-fangled plant flourishes.
Whilst one pool of thoughts keep that getting new plants from an online mail order nursery is not easy, the other pool of thoughts uphold that you can't have good plants if you are purchasing one from a nursery. Though, the fashion to buy plants online is progressively emerging and cannot be disregarded. For hectic peoples, ordering a plant by mail order nursery is a very fitting way to have the plant one calls for. One need not have to reach the local nursery and look through all the plants, probing for what one is looking for. To finish with, best of luck with your plant nursery.

The Better Indoor House Plants

A mixture of rubbing alcohol and water can be diluted and sprayed on any leaves that appear to have pests. If no alcohol is available use water and dish soap. Pests are not very harmful to plants if you don't mind the yellowing leaves. Some plants however are poisonous to pets and children. Take care to purchase the right plants for your home.

If a new plant doesn't like the area of the home that it has been placed in it will surely let you know. It is common for new plants to lose some leaves when acclimatizing to a house. If the new growth is stunted or begins to die, change locations to either more or less sun. It may take a month or more for your plant to show new growth after being repotted or moved. This is normal and patience is key. Also observe the humidity of the area. Never let  the leaves touch a cold window.

Test the soil by placing your finger in up to your knuckle. If the plant is dry then water it. Be sure not to water log your plants. Adequate drainage is important to protect your plants roots from rotting and molding. Plants in pottery need to be watered a little more often than plants in plastic pots as the water is absorbed by the pottery quicker.

Some homes are not equipped with enough lighting to sustain certain plants. Artificial lighting can be used in place of sun in these cases. Some plants do better under this light. It is also helpful to place quartz chips on the soil for reflection. Aluminum foil can be used as well. Plants grown in an atrium are a nice possibility for apartments. Fish bowls and tanks work nicely and can be placed in the bathroom.The humidity being higher usually.Window boxes are great for small flowering plants.

I recommend palm trees because they grow fast and therefore you can see the results quicker. Following these tips will ensure you healthy and happy plants for years to come. Plants should be a relaxing part of your life. Never fear the death of a plant and begin a new leaf on life today.

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley: A Plant Lover's Paradise

Research and Conservation
Nestled in the Berkeley hills, just above the Cal campus, more than 13,000 different species of plants on 34 acres grow in the University of California Botanical Garden, a scientific collection of plants from around the world and a wonderful place to spend the morning or afternoon. I recently went there for the first time. The garden is a living museum, created as a research garden but open to the public.
A network of paths takes you through the garden, which is arranged according to the plants’ geographic origin. These include Mediterranean, South America, Mexico/Central America, Eastern North America, Australasia, Asia, Southern Africa, New World Desert, and California. The garden’s website cautions visitors that it is virtually impossible to see everything on one visit. It says that to see every plant in one two-hour visit, one would have to see one hundred different plants a minute!
Edible Plants
One of my favorites parts of the garden was the section on crops of the world. In one corner was the “Three Sisters Garden” so-called by Native Americans referring to the interplanting of beans, corn, and squash. The beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which feeds the corn so it will be tall and healthy. The corn provides a structure for the beans to climb on. The squash plants provide ground cover to keep the soil moist and free of weeds. Recent studies have shown that this method produces higher yields than the typical planting of a single crop (monoculture).

Changes With the Seasons
Every season has its highlights, making the garden a worthwhile visit at any time of year. We visited the garden in August, when late summer flowers were blooming, while earlier blooming varieties were reaching maturity. In the garden of old roses, bushes were lush with old-fashioned varieties. It was a warm afternoon, but paths through shady groves and along ponds and streams provided welcome places to stop and rest.

The garden is also a haven for wildlife. As we meandered through the various zones, lizards skittered across the path, hummingbirds hovered over the flowers, and bees and butterflies were abundant. Throughout the garden, helpful signs identify plants, sometimes with additional information. But, even if you don’t want to know the plants’ names, you can enjoy them for their natural beauty. It’s better not to try to see one hundred plants a minute, but to enjoy a few at a time. I plan to go back in several months and explore some new paths and see what is growing at a different time of year.

Directions: The garden is located at 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720 (midway between the UC Berkeley Memorial Stadium and the Lawrence Hall of Science.) Phone: 510-643-2755. For directions and more information, go to the garden's website.
Tours: Docent tours of the garden are offered at 1:30 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Beautiful landscape of plants

Thanks for visiting our website. If you are looking for information on some of the newest and best plant introductions then you have come to the right place. We are working hard to keep the website current with all of our new introductions, as well as cultural information and some articles you may find interesting. Enjoy!
We believe the profitable and successful future resides in a palette of colorful, ever-blooming, culturally adaptable, pest-resistant shrubs and trees.
Click the "plants" tab above to read about each of our superior plant introductions.
Plant Introductions, Inc. (PII) breeds, evaluates and introduces new woody and herbaceous plants for the nursery industry. The principles, Mark Griffith, Jeff Beasley, and Mike Dirr bring 80 years experience to PII. They understand the American and International nursery business.
PII developed new facilities that encompass breeding, propagation, production and testing. PII established symbiotic relationships with major nurseries, public gardens and universities to test and evaluate the plants from Maine to Florida to the west coast. Our goal is to develop superior garden plants that perform as promised.
PII is a dedicated plant breeding, evaluation, and introduction company. We are not open to the public and we do not sell plants. Please see the About Us page for information on how to purchase our plants. Thanks for your understanding.

Correa glabra 'Coliban River' - Coliban River Rock Fuchsia

Correa glabra 'Coliban River' (Coliban River Rock Fuchsia) - A small shrub to 3 to 4 feet tall by equal width with dense forest green foliage and pale greenish-yellow pendant lantern-shaped flowers from winter through summer. Plant in full coastal sun to shade and adaptable to most soil types. Moderately drought tolerant but best with occasional summer water. Cold hardy to at least 24 and reportedly tolerant of coastal conditions. Makes a great foundation plant or border shrub with unusual colored flowers. This plant was selected in 1986 from the wild near Coliban River at Kyneton, Victoria by Doug Pocock of Bindelong Nursery in Wandin North, Victoria. It was selected for its small dense habit with the usual form for the species as normally much larger. A 2011 Australian Plant Introduction from U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum and Koala Blooms. This description is based on our research of Correa glabra 'Coliban River' and our observations of it growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback from anyone who has any additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.

Acacia cognata Cousin Itt ['Mini Cog'] PPAF - Little River Wattle

Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' (Little River Wattle) - A low growing mounding form of the River Wattle, Acacia cognata, with tight growth to 2 to 3 feet tall by 3 to 6 feet wide with light green, sometimes red tinged, new growth that matures to a rich emerald green. This plant has not been noted in bloom but likely would have the very pale yellow flowers of the species. Plant in full sun to part shade in a well drained soil. Once established it will require only occasional irrigation. The literature lists it hardy to 15 but we feel that the tips likely will freeze at 20-25F as with the species but this likely will not be as damaging as it is to the tree form and serve as a light pruning on this shrub form. When growing in a container fertilize with a low or coated phosphorus product. This plant will not get out of bounds but does reportedly respond well to a light tip pruning. A great plant for an informal mounding small shrub along a dry steam bed, rock garden, tumbling down a slope or as a large potted specimen. It was a compact seedling selection made in 2000 by Peter Goldup of Bushland Flora of Mt Evelyn, Victoria Australia from a batch of seedlings of Acacia cognata. The seed parent is characterized as a typically tall plant. This plant was first released in Australia as Acacia cognata 'Mini Cog' but is making its debut in the US under the marketing name Cousin Itt by Ball Ornamental Plants. Images courtesy of Bushland Flora and Ball Ornamental Plants. This description is based on our research of Acacia cognata Cousin Itt ['Mini Cog'] and our observations of it growing in the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate getting feedback from anyone who has any additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.

Carbon dioxide

　　Carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted in a number of ways. It is emitted naturally through the carbon cycle and through human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.
Natural sources of CO2 occur within the carbon cycle where billions of tons of atmospheric CO2 are removed from the atmosphere by oceans and growing plants, also known as ‘sinks,’ and are emitted back into the atmosphere annually through natural processes also known as ‘sources.’ When in balance, the total carbon dioxide emissions and removals from the entire carbon cycle are roughly equal.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the 1700’s, human activities, such as the burning of oil, coal and gas, and deforestation, have increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. In 2005, global atmospheric concentrations of CO2 were 35% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution. For more information on CO2 trends in the atmosphere, visit the page on Atmosphere Changes.
Greenhouse gases occur naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere in addition to being emitted through human activities. This natural “carbon cycle” includes carbon dioxide used in plants during photosynthesis and the exchange of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the oceans.
The primary natural processes that release CO2 into the atmosphere (sources) and that remove CO2 from the atmosphere (sinks) are:
Animal and plant respiration, by which oxygen and nutrients are converted into CO2 and energy, and plant photosynthesis by which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored as carbon in plant biomass;
Ocean-atmosphere exchange, in which the oceans absorb and release CO2 at the sea surface; and
Volcanic eruptions, which release carbon from rocks deep in the Earth’s crust (this source is very small).

AQIS Plant Introduction Form

　　"Why have I been asked to fill in this form?"
AQIS regulates all plant material imported into Australia. Each year, AQIS receives a large number of applications to import various plant species from all over the world. Many of these species have been imported before and AQIS has developed import conditions to enable their safe introduction. These species and their import conditions are contained in the AQIS electronic quarantine database – ICON (www.aqis.gov.au/icon).
AQIS regulates plant imports by way of a permitted list, which was formally adopted on the 7th July 1998. When an importer submits an application to import propagative material (seed or nursery stock) of a species that is not contained in ICON (or is listed in ICON as "prohibited until assessed"), AQIS forwards this information to Plant Biosecurity who conducts an assessment of the species. Plant Biosecurity Australia develops appropriate import conditions before the species can be imported and released from quarantine.
The agreed pre-entry screening method for new plant imports is called the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) system. The WRA system is used on all new plant imports whether they enter Australia as seeds, nursery stock or tissue culture and regardless of country of origin.
"How do I fill in the form?"
In most cases, you will need to complete a separate AQIS Plant Introduction Form for each species requiring assessment. However, where there are different species or varieties that are very similar, you may place them on the same form. Environment Australia as well as a wide range of client groups endorsed this system of assessment. The implementation of the WRA system is a component of the National Weed Strategy and was funded in part by monies arising from the Natural Heritage Trust.
"Why should I bother?"
If you have been asked to complete the AQIS Plant Introduction Form, you should note that it is in your best interests to fill in the form as accurately and completely as possible. AQIS receives many applications to import plant species that require assessment and this assessment represents a significant demand on AQIS's resources. Import applications accompanied by an AQIS Plant Introduction Form that is properly filled in can be assessed more quickly.
This form is used to gain information on the general growth characteristics of the species and also to determine whether the plant possesses certain attributes, which could increase the likelihood of it becoming a weed in Australia. Based on the assessment of the information provided, AQIS will either (a) permit the plant to be imported subject to certain conditions, (b) refuse permission for the plant to be imported, or (c) require further assessment of the species while in quarantine.
Plants that are already present in Australia, either widely distributed or commercially available in significant quantities in Australia, still require assessment, but the final result will take the occurrence in Australia into account.
The form consists of four parts - Sections A, B, C, and D. You must complete all four sections. Where you are required to complete forms for more than one species you may complete Section A (Applicant's Details) on just one form only.
Use the "Don't know" box as little as possible so that AQIS does not have to ask you to provide further information. Also, feel free to clarify or qualify your answers by writing comments anywhere on the form.
Finally, make sure all written answers and comments are printed neatly and clearly.
"Is there any other information that I should provide?"
Yes, references will help the speed of the assessment! As part of the assessment process, AQIS/Plant Biosecurity must verify the accuracy of your responses on the form. Information from independent sources that substantiates your responses will facilitate this and will reduce the assessment time accordingly.
Independent sources include papers from scientific journals, botanical textbooks and gardening books. Also of use would be information supplied by botanical gardens, CSIRO, departments of agriculture or universities etc. AQIS will also accept information from independent sources overseas such as foreign government authorities and universities. Information from these sources must be supplied on the official letterhead of the organisation concerned.

The landscape of maple trees

　　As the present series of articles on types of fall foliage trees demonstrates, landscaping enthusiasts have many options for achieving colorful fall foliage in their yards. Yet perhaps no other types of trees in eastern North America are as intimately associated with fall as are maple trees. Below are some of the best types of maple trees from which you may choose for your fall foliage design.

Red Maple Trees (Swamp Maple Trees)
The fall foliage of red maple trees, or “swamp maple trees” (Acer rubrum spp.) unfortunately sometimes makes a liar out of the trees’ name. That’s why it’s best to stick with cultivars known for their fall color consistency. If you want red fall foliage, I would suggest purchasing Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset,’ a tree that will reach about 50’ in height, with a spread of a little less than that. This red maple tree grows best in zones 4-9 in full sun to partial shade, where the soil pH is acidic and the ground provides good drainage. For pictures of red maple trees and other maples, see the photo gallery above, on your right.
Even relatively consistent cultivars such as Red Sunset maple trees, however, are at the mercy of the weather. Intensity of fall foliage color can be lessened due to extreme summer heat and drought. And you’re not even out of the woods once fall arrives. Optimum fall foliage is dependent upon sunny days and crisp nights at the beginning of the autumn season.
Sugar Maple Trees
Sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum) should be grown in zones 3-8, in an area of your yard that is well-drained and gets full to partial sun. Famous as the source of “maple syrup,” sugar maple trees can reach 80’ or more in height, with a spread of up to 60’. Sugar maples have a fall foliage color range from yellow to orange to red. Again, fall foliage color will vary from year to year and place to place, depending on many factors.
Norway Maple Trees
Norway maple trees (Acer platanoides) adapt well to many soil types and environmental conditions. In fact, they adapt too well, as they have become an invasive plant in North America; substitute with sugar maple trees or red maple trees, which, in my opinion, boast superior beauty.
A reason for the widespread use of Norway maples as shade trees in urban areas across the U.S. is that they tolerate pollution better than many trees. Fall foliage color is yellow. Zones 3-7. Reaches an approximate size of 50’ x 50’. Norway maples do best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Amur Maple Trees
Amur maple trees (Acer ginnala ‘Flame’) are grown in zones 2-8 and are a compact alternative to the maple trees described above, attaining a maximum size of only about 20' x 20'. Although they will tolerate light shade, Amur maple trees achieve their best fall color if you make an effort to ensure they get full sun. The effort will pay off handsomely: Their fall foliage color is a brilliant red.

Good Ideas for Container Gardens and Potted Plant

　　Growing plants in pots is a great way to beautify your landscape. Not only is it easy and usually very inexpensive it can also be very gratifying to show off your own style and creativity. Ideas for what to plant in containers and pots are limitless and mixing various plants in one pot can create gorgeous potted displays worthy of gracing your front yard or backyard.
The only difficult thing to potting plants is deciding which plants work well together. An easy way to find out which plants will thrive and look great in one pot is to visit your local nursery. The nursery will usually have many pots on display showing off various flowering and non-flowering plants that do well in your climate and grow well together.
Once you have gotten a few ideas for your container garden following these basic guidelines will help you create beautiful container masterpieces.
1.Find out plant hardiness zones-by finding out wbhich plants work best in your climate it will be easy to take care of your plants.
2.Color effect and size- decide what your potted plants should represent:
1).opposite colors from the color wheel will give you a dramatic effect (blues & reds together is an example)
2).Monochromatic colors such as various shades of green, will give a more tranquil and calming effect.
3).After deciding the effect your container plants will give, also pay attention to the structure and size of the plants, this will also create different effects, such as trailing vines, or big flowering plants.
4).Having at least one trailing plant (such as a geranium), one filler plant (like petite roses), and one tall plant (day lilies, or calla lilies) in one pot can create a beautiful designer look.
Placing of potted plants- remember to place your plants where they can easily get the water and sunlight they need and where the effect you wanted for your plants will get noticed. Don’t forget that you can use almost anything as a container for your plant choices, this will increase the drama and effect of your container garden, just remember if you do decide to choose something other than a pot, such as a tin bucket, make sure you make a drainage hole in the bottom of it.

The introduction of one rare plant-Arum

　　Arum is an old world genus found from western Europe, right across central Europe and central Asia as far east as Afghanistan. To the south it reaches North Africa and Israel. The genus is instantly recognisable, despite varying in colour from pale lime green through yellow, rusty red, deep purple and black.

　Cultivation is simple in a well-drained loam in sun or very light shade. Many leaf up in the autumn and overwinter in the green state, so siting is worth thinking about carefully in cold areas.
Those offered are almost all hardy here, out in the garden and in time they can become very deep seated and they can sit below freezing level, making them hardy even in very cold areas. As with most Aroids they are not cold hardy, in pots where they can freeze through.
Arum apulum
Deep-green, unspotted leaves and a lovely, large spathe which is deep purple-red inside, toning to paler violet at the very centre, around a deep purple-red spadix.
This makes a delightful change to other dark flowered species, as the colouring is a little lighter, and well contrasted but especially as the inflorescence is only gently scented of stables and not the decomposing dung smell, so common in the genus.
Grows readily here outside in a south facing raised bed, in neutral loam, unprotected summer or winter.
A rare offering of this attractive Italian endemic, which is found only in central Apulia. There it seeks refuge from the intensity of the Mediterranean climate in light woodland, however shade is not needed in cultivation in the UK. Considered critically endangered in the wild, these are cultivated tubers.Photograph Angelo Porcelli with permission

Arum byzantinum
Rare in cultivation and even rarer than the name which has been wildly misapplied in horticulture where several forms of the totally dissimilar italicum are wrongly attributed to this species.
Slender, whitish spathes, with a purplish basal stain, wrap around strongly club-shaped spadices of rich brown-purple.
Restricted to a small area of the Balkan Peninsula between Bulgaria and Istanbul where it apparently grows in the same damp soils which suit it well in cultivation. Few.
Arum creticum
Plain green leaves and superb primrose yellow spathes with a butter-yellow spadix, all with a pleasant rose scent. This is the brightest coloured Arum and one of the few with a nice smell!
Fully hardy here and an excellent garden plant for a sunny site, in a well-drained fertile soil. Eastern Mediterranean.

 

The Lure of Carnivorous Plants

　　ABOUT 200 million years ago, certain plants with strange leaves showed up on what became the eastern half of North America. Because they grew in marshy, infertile soil, they had to devise other ways to find nutrients. And so they began to catch and eat bugs.

Flash-forward to today, and these carnivorous plants are now luring more than insects; they’re attracting adventurous gardeners.
“Sales have increased every year since 2007,” said Jason Austin, the manager of RareFind Nursery in Jackson, N.J., and a man so passionate about carnivorous plants that he has a tattoo of one on his arm. Referring to a program he runs for customers interested in the plants, he added: “Our first workshop was in summer 2008. We did one that year. We now do 10 or so.”

Of course, people have long been drawn to these weird but lovable plants, enthralled by visions of man-eaters out of “Little Shop of Horrors.” There’s the Venus’ flytrap, for instance, with its hinged leaves like tiny jaws that snap shut around its prey; the sundew, which attracts insects with beads of jewellike sticky gel on its leaves; and the bladderwort, which uses vacuum action to suck bugs into its underwater traps. These and other carnivorous plants (or “insectivorous,” as Darwin wrote in his 1875 book on them) have digestive enzymes that liquefy the captured prey so that the nutrients can be absorbed.
But the basic requirements of these somewhat fussy plants have often been neglected by buyers. The finicky flytraps that were sold as novelties in gift shops rarely survived for very long, and Robert Hoffman, the owner of Fairweather Gardens nursery in Greenwich, N.J., remembers one seller of terrariums who advertised the baby carnivorous plants within them as “lasting longer than cut flowers.” (The plants have a long history of being misunderstood. Until 1815, botanists thought the hollow leaves were not traps for insects, but refuges.)The new interest stands that old attitude on its head. Nurseries are now emphasizing the plants’ needs, teaching gardeners proper techniques for their care and developing hybrids that increase the plants’ vigor and range of color and form. Concern about the conservation of native flora may be propelling this change, or maybe gardeners are just rising to a new horticultural challenge, but either way, these specimens are beginning to be recognized as the long-lived perennials they are rather than being seen as transient novelties.
The change may well help sales. Like Mr. Austin, Mr. Hoffman has enjoyed a recent upsurge in buyers. “In 2010, we sold one or two of some of the varieties,” he said. “In 2011, we sold out — mostly to men and boys.”
“What we discovered,” Mr. Austin said, “is that showing people how to succeed with these plants and increasing their knowledge base has helped tremendously.”
In their new efforts, some nurseries are focusing on one particular carnivorous genera: Sarracenia, or the pitcher plants. They are among the easiest of carnivorous plants to grow.
Sarracenia are attractive, funnel-shaped, often prettily veined plants with leaves and flowers in a wide spectrum of colors. Most have hoods above their flaring tubular leaves to keep rainwater out, and a spot of nectar at the base of the hoods to lure insects. The bugs land, slip on the slick surface and fall into the tubes, which have downward-facing hairs to thwart any escape attempts.
Pitcher plants form clumps, with leaves emerging from a central rosette in spring or summer; they range from 6 to 36 inches tall. Most bloom in spring, and sometimes again in late summer. The plants also feature nodding flower stems with umbrella-shaped blossoms and dangling petals. The petals fall after pollination, but the plants’ fascinating ornamental fruits and the seeds within them persist right up until autumn.

Colourful Pansies for your bedding plant displays this winter

　　With autumn coming to an end and with winter looming over your garden don’t lose your summer and autumn colour to the cold weather, look instead towards our wide collection of pansies to fill your garden with their colourful faces all winter!

These surprisingly hardy plants are great for filling gaps in your borders, trailing in hanging baskets or brightening up your patio. Our variety of Pansies can be purchased as either plug plants, super and jumbo ready plants or seeds. Our Pansies were a huge success with customers in July and August proving Pansy Can Can to be especially popular.
Feature writer for Jersey Plants Direct Christine Walkden recognizes the Pansies’ popularity by saying- “the Pansies are great value for money and the mix of colours’ in the Can Can is just great.”
Gardening expert Denis Shaw identifies our Pansy Grande Fragrance as being both brilliantly strong in colour and scent by advising - “The large colourful flowers will cheer up any border and you won’t need to get on your hands and knees to enjoy their scent as they are equally attractive in window boxes as in low borders.”

Our Pansy autumn bedding plants are nurtured until they are ready to be dispatched up until the end of October. On arrival they are ready to be grown on or planted straight out as you choose. At Jersey Plants Direct we aim to make planting as easy as possible, here are a few tips to enable your Pansies to withstand those winter months-
1.Pansies are hardy plants but you can help them along by making sure they are planted in an area where they will gain full sun or partial shade allowing them to be as healthy as possible during winter.
2.Plant Pansies in a rich, moist soil with good drainage. To help your pansies flourish and increase drainage make sure your soil is gritty and rich in organic compost.
3.Here at Jersey Plants Direct, we know that Pansies like most bedding plants, look better closer together, but please remember spacing your Pansies will in turn achieve healthy plants through good air circulation.
4.As it says above, Pansies thrive in moist soil- but be careful not to over-water your Pansies which will cause dramatic and even deadly results as the winter weather rolls in. Over-watering in winter doesn’t allow plants time to dry throughout the day and can cause root rot.
Hanging baskets are an attractive alternative way to present your Pansies; we recommend our Pansy Cascadia with trailing habits that will create a flowing spectrum of colours in your garden. Along with hanging baskets, Pansies are perfect for bringing your patio and window ledges to life and can easily be planted in patio containers and window boxes.
Seeds can be purchased in our Pansy Can Can, Pansy Grande Fragrance and Pansy Galore varieties. But you had better be quick, seeds need to be sown before the end of the month. All our seeds are dispatched within 10 days of receipt order to help you plant them as quickly as possible this autumn. Planting seeds proves a little more challenging than planting our garden ready plants, but all seed orders come with simple instructions for planting perfect Pansies.
Enjoy your Autumn garden and make the most of these beautifully cheerful bedding plants.

Genus Dianthus alongside the Indian Pink and Annual Carnation

Along with its commercial uses, Black Walnut makes a wonderful shade tree. Before planting Black Walnut in a yard or garden, you should be aware that these trees produce an allelopathic chemical called juglone. Juglone will inhibit the growth of some species of plants and trees within a 50- to 60-foot radius, so position carefully when planting a Black Walnut tree.

The Sweet William or Dianthus Barbatus belongs to the genus Dianthus alongside the Indian Pink and Annual Carnation. According to many keen gardeners the Dianthus and its members have a place in every garden across the UK and can be used in rockeries, beds and window boxes such is the versatility of this genus. With a long and varied history including accreditation by the Ancient Greeks, the many varieties of Dianthus would take an age to discuss so instead we will look at one of the most popular and well loved varieties, Dianthus Barbatus or Sweet William. Typical of a Dianthus species the Sweet William has grass like leaves and is a reasonably hardy garden plant that prefers a well drained soil and a sunny position.

The highly popular garden plant has been cultivated numerous times over the years and there are now many hybrids and cultivars available differing in colour and pattern. One of the best ways to see Sweet William in all its glory is to plant mixed seeds together. Once the seeds germinate and the plant flowers you will be left with a colourful array of pink, white, purple and mauve. The Sweet William Monarch Mixed Seeds available from Plant Me Now for example are a fragrant ‘cottage garden’ favourite and are a great way to add some early summer colour to your garden beds and borders. Available now for sowing in April/June you can expect your garden to be in full colour between May and July next year.

Sweet William is biennial

The Sweet William or Dianthus Barbatus belongs to the genus Dianthus alongside the Indian Pink and Annual Carnation. According to many keen gardeners the Dianthus and its members have a place in every garden across the UK and can be used in rockeries, beds and window boxes such is the versatility of this genus.

With a long and varied history including accreditation by the Ancient Greeks, the many varieties of Dianthus would take an age to discuss so instead we will look at one of the most popular and well loved varieties, Dianthus Barbatus or Sweet William. Typical of a Dianthus species the Sweet William has grass like leaves and is a reasonably hardy garden plant that prefers a well drained soil and a sunny position.

Recognisable for its dense and flattened shaped flowers the Sweet William is available in most garden centres where a choice of single colour or ‘eyed’ varieties are available. Typical flowering period is around June and July with the one major drawback for most gardeners being that the Sweet William is biennial. This means that you will have to plant it one year but wait until the following season for it to flower but for many it is also worth the wait.
Traditionally native to the mountains of Southern Europe, the Dianthus Barbatus can also be found in north-eastern China, Korea and Russia. The flowers are produced in a dense cluster at the top of each stem and are widely recognisable. Sweet William traditionally has been used in landscaping and in cut flower displays as its height makes it perfect for flower arranging.

The walnut is the fruit of the Black Walnut tree. Walnuts are harvested in autumn, and must be removed from a shell and a very strong husk. The husk secretes a strong-smelling juice that creates very difficult stains, so be sure to wear gloves when harvesting from a Black Walnut tree. Black Walnut has been prized for centuries as a fine furniture hardwood. It is also commonly used in gunstocks. Black Walnut is enjoyed by craftsmen because it is strong but easily worked.

The national terrier specialty this week

A highland Nepenthes, a carnivorous pitcher plant from Borneo, grows in a corner, well established in a hanging teak basket. It was easy to believe that it was 1909, and that I was lost in the maze of 100 year old wood and glass greenhouses at Longwood Gardens, in Pennsylvania.

These back greenhouses are what greenhouses are supposed to look like, the sort that we see in period films where the wealthy kept exotic black orchids and man eating plants. No man eating plants here, but I thought that I might share some of the images that struck me as interesting from our trip this past week to PA ( Lydia, our Irish Terrier was in a string of national dog shows, and the national terrier specialty this week). Sometimes, the simplest of ideas can inspire us - I liked this thermometer box, protecting the device from the hot sun.

This name may be a mouthfull, but once you disect its name, you can see where it came from. It is a what is known as an intergeneric cross between three species, here, a Brassavola, a Cattleya and a Laelia. Many growers abbreviate this name as Blc.The Cycad relative Encephalartos are investments for any collection, with even tiny plants selling for hundreds of dollars. This South African native is Encephalartos woodii, or Wood's Cycad, and it is nearly 14 feet in diameter.

Madonna was caught on camera

Has Madonna changed her tune?  No.  Not really, because while all of these hydrangeas rebloom to some degree or another, they typically don’t live up to expectations.The problem remains that our crazy spring weather kills the old-wood flower buds (or stems) of these new varieties just as well as it killed the buds (and stems) of the old varieties. Unless we have an unusually mild spring or lots of snow-cover, the flower buds are killed and you don’t get the reblooming flowers until late summer or fall.  And this sparse, late season flower display looks nothing like the June blooms  they get in Cape Cod.  No wonder Madonna loathes hydrangea: she’s from Michigan, not the East Coast!

Madonna was caught on camera emphatically stating that she “loathes” hydrangeas. And while some have criticized her for her harsh words, I don’t begrudge her. After all, she was only expressing a view shared by millions of people. Yes, millions for people loathe hydrangea. So how can it be that a beautiful flowering shrub evokes such disdain? It’s simple, really. For years, Martha Stewart and her East Coast friends have shown us an endless stream of outrageously beautiful hydrangeas, covered with big, colorful blooms - but they failed to tell us something important. We need to move to Cape Cod to get them to flower. 

That’s right, you have to move to the coast to get hydrangeas to bloom like they do in the magazines! That’s because these bigleaf hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla, have evolved in the mild maritime climate of coastal Japan. These plants detest the harsh continental climate of the Midwest with its wacky spring weather that ping-pongs between 85 and 20 degrees; their flower buds swell up and are zapped like flies in an electric bug killer. The dirty little secret is that we don’t live in Japan, or Cape Cod, or the Hamptons, and our climate is perfectly suited for killing hydrangea flower buds. This is why Madonna is so pissed off!  She’s sick and tired of being teased with the promise of beautiful, bodacious blooms only to be fooled, faked, and frustrated by season after season of flowerless foliage.

Bear Mountain

Near the head of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, the Chamberlain Lake ecological reserve lies on the Bear Mountain peninsula in Chamberlain Lake. Nearly all of the reserve was classified as regulated timberland, and less than 5% is wetland (mostly coniferous wetland). Many locations sampled during the Ecological Reserves Inventory and later monitoring efforts indicate past selective harvesting, but harvesting has apparently not occurred within the last 50 years, based on ages of stumps and old logging roads. Several areas of matrix-forming natural communities are in outstanding condition.

The most noteworthy stands are mixed hardwood-conifer stands supporting trees over 200 years old. Interestingly, charcoal pellets were found in all stands sampled, although the dominance of mid to late-successional stand types suggests that fires in most locations occurred long ago. Other intact forest types include a large black spruce bog and swamp just north of Lock Dam and a small, stunted spruce slope forest on top of Bear Mountain. The northern part of the Reserve includes the Tramway, remnants of an old logging railway that transferred logs from Chamberlain to Eagle Lake over a century ago.

Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends

Several parks have both federally- and state-listed species and are required to report on status and trends of these populations. For general project management, compliance requires documentation of expected impacts to resources. Through monitoring, parks will be able to evaluate the status of species-of-concern and document results of management actions that are intended to protect populations. A few known examples where monitoring data would be useful, include:

Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Krals Water Plantain, Green Pitcher Plant, and Harperella found at LIRI.

Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Mountain Skullcap found at CHCH. Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Tennessee Coneflower found at STRI. Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Dwarf-flowered Heartleaf found at COWP. Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Price’s Potato Bean found at FODO.

Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Ogelthorpe Oak found at NISI. Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Piedmont Ragwort and Carolina Hemlock found at CARL.

Assist park with the evaluation of long-term trends in plant distribution, numbers, and health of Eastern Turkeybeard and Georgia Aster found at KIMO. Determine parks/species that are experiencing declines in populations due to poaching (Ginseng, Goldenseal, Galax, Flame Azalea).

Rare Plants in Hawaii

On the island of Hawaii, protection and stabilization of the rare plant species used a broad range of management actions. Fencing, invasive species control, and enhancement of rare species populations by out-planting individuals raised in nurseries are methods used in the projects. Also promotion, enhancement and restoration of the natural communities, ecosystems, and endangered elements of Puuwaawaa through regular maintenance of animal proof fences, invasive plant control, collection of seeds and cuttings from depleted rare plant species for propagation at the Volcano Rare Plant Facility was done as well. Out-planting of plants from the Volcano Rare Plant Facility was accomplished and fencing was built in around these sites to exclude feral animals.

On Oahu, work was accomplished to stabilize and increase the numbers of threatened and endangered plants in coastal and in forested areas by propagation and out-planting of these rare species. Plant propagation was done at Mokuleia and Pahole Rare Plant Facilities plus micropropagation facilities at Lyon Arboretum before out-planted into protected areas. Also surveys were done to establish new sites for future out-planting. Fencing was built in Kapuna Gulch to exclude ungulates. Invasive plant species were excluded from these areas by a variety of methods.

On Kauai, maintenance of fence lines was done to ensure that feral animals are kept out of native areas. In addition, invasive plant control was done by establishing fire breaks. The Kokee rare plant facility propagates rare native plants using a variety on methods and are eventually out-planted into protected areas. On Maui, construction of a deer-proof perimeter fence around a 1,500+ acre portion of the Kanaio Natural Area Reserve and adjacent lands was completed. This fence was built to keep invasive animals out of areas of rare native plant species. Also, construction of the Olinda Rare Plant Facility is projected to be completed in 2008. The Olinda Rare Plant Facility plays an important role in plant restoration on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. A propagation house was built, irrigation installed and, after seeds or cuttings were received, propagation of rare plants.

Statewide, the Plant Extinction Prevention program works to prevent the extinction of rare native plants with less than 50 plants remaining in the wild. This is done by using numberous restoration methods including monitoring, surveying, and propagation of rare plants; out-planting; removal of invasive species manually or by pesticide application; and fencing of protecting areas.

Plant breeding techniques

Keeping, maintaining, and ultimately propagating your aquarium plants is truly a joy, and it starts with a good substrate. The term 'substrate' refers to the planting medium used on the bottom of an aquarium. Similar to soil in a garden, substrates are needed by plants in order for them to root, obtain nutrients, and propagate.In natural environments, the substrate is typically slightly warmer than the water. It is also full of nutrients and dense. These things help the plants to root better, they receive better nutrition, and the warmer root conditions help in the growth of the plants. It is important to determine which soil is best for plant growth in the aquarium, maintaining the substrate once it is set is usually fairly simple. Not much is needed. This is due to the normal activity of the aquarium. The fish and plants produce and release enough organic products, that then collect in the substrate, and in turn help the plants grow.

Colored (aquarium) Gravel: This is much like the common pea gravel and is also not ideal for plants. Again it is fairly loose and allows for easy water flow through it.

It can be mixed with other substrates for a visual variation, and will work well as a top layer over finer substrates. Light gray gravel is not a good choice however, as it causes distress in the fish due to how strongly the light is reflected off of it.

Calcius gravels: Crushed coral and other calcius sands or gravels that are offered for saltwater aquariums are high in calcium. They should be avoided unless you need a high pH and water hardness, few plants want this. These gravels work well in freshwater fish aquariums that are designed for African cichlids that need these high levels.
Sand: Sand is very fine, often even dusty. The 'silver sand' sold in aquarium shops is totally inert. Sand will compact and prevent any water movement resulting in a lack of oxygen.

Though sand can be used in a thin layer as a rooting medium for some plants, you will want to stir it occasionally to keep it from compacting. It is generally used as a base layer over heating cables.

Soil, Potting Soil: This substrate can be tricky to use as it can have too many nutrients and it may encourage algae growth. Also it is difficult to keep it from clouding the water.

Potting Soil is sometimes used as a thin nutrient-rich substrate layer and covered with a heavier top substrate. It has also been effectively used in permanent pots that are covered with a heavier top substrates. The potted method can be used in aquariums with undergravel filters.

Nutrient-rich Substrates: These are a long term source of nutrients that are vital to the plants. They should be used in limited quantities of either very thin layers between other substrate layers or as small pellets placed by the roots of plants. See the Nutrient rich layer described above for some of these products.

Selecting indoor plants

Gardening is supposed to be hobbies but many have converted into a blooming labor oriented business.The largest group of carnivorous plants are the pitcher plants and one of the largest genera of pitcher plants is the genus Sarracenia. Sarracenias are very exotic, almost alien-looking plants that have unusual leaf shapes and incredible colors. They make excellent garden plants in boggy places such as along the edge of a body of water or in a terrarium. If you are a fan of growing colorful, unusual, meat-eating plants, then Sarracenias are for you.

Whether it's their unique foliage, fabulous flowers, or ability to rid the world of unwanted insect pests, Sarracenias are indeed a wonderful group of plants. While selecting indoor plants one very important thing has to be put into consideration is whether the plant will go in sync with the surrounding, or whether plants will survive in full shade or partially shady atmostphere.The plants that needs partial shade is advisable to be kept near window or spaces which get some part of the day, growth of the plant has to be according to its surrounding, proper water drainage systems to flush excess water to prevent the place from getting slippery and dirty.

Certainly in Brisbane indoor plants like creepers which does not require much water has to be drawn along the wall or the jambs of the window sill. Pitcher plants 'eat' insects by luring them into a specialized, cylindrical leaf (the pitcher) using a combination of nectar, sweet scent, and conspicuous coloration. The pitcher is an amazing structure that is able to catch insects with no moving parts. This method of luring insects with nectar is normally restricted to flowers, but pitcher plants use their leaves as lures.
The insects are forced to walk on a slippery vertical surface in order to get to the nectar. Invariably, they slip and fall down to the bottom of the pitcher into a pool of water.

Pitcher traps are quite effective, thus several distantly related plant families have evolved them at separate times. Pitcher traps are physically the largest of all the carnivorous plant trap mechanisms (some can hold over a liter of water and catch small animals such as frogs or rats). Some pitcher plants are not carnivorous, but are instead detritivores.