KarensGardenTips.com » Garden Basics

The Difference between Plant Variety and Cultivar

Karen — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:09 +0000

Read 'The Difference between Plant Variety and Cultivar' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

All botanical names consist of at least two parts, a genus and species names. So, lily of the valley is known as Convallaria majalis, and Norway maple is Acer plantaoides. Sometimes, however, the name of a plant has three names, genus species, and cultivar or [...]

All America Selections; A useful Way of Identifying Outstanding Annuals and Vegetables

Karen — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:00:21 +0000

Read 'All America Selections; A useful Way of Identifying Outstanding Annuals and Vegetables' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Have you ever noticed the designation “All America Selections” or the logo (shown on the right) in a seed catalog or on a plant label? If you haven’t, you might want to start as it could help you pick some [...]

Why Lime and How Limestones Differ

Karen — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:00:10 +0000

Read 'Why Lime and How Limestones Differ' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

If you live in an area where the soil is naturally acid you will probably need to apply lime to lawns and garden beds. Some plants like azaleas thrive in acid soils but grasses and many garden plants need a more neutral soil. In addition to [...]

Understanding Tender Perennials

Karen — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:34:19 +0000

Read 'Understanding Tender Perennials' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Some of our most useful plants in the summer garden are tender perennials. Many of them provide abundant color for a long period of time but unfortunately they die when cold weather comes. Examples are impatiens, coleus, petunia, and the common geranium (Pelargonium). If they die after one season, [...]

What is the Difference Between an Annual, Perennial, or Biennial?

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:37:34 +0000

Read 'What is the Difference Between an Annual, Perennial, or Biennial?' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When spring comes and the urge to buy seeds and plants envelops the gardener, one of the first things to consider is the life cycle of the plant involved; is it an annual, perennial or biennial? Knowing the answer to this question [...]

What is a Bulb?

Karen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:44:20 +0000

Read 'What is a Bulb?' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

When spring arrives bulbs like tulips and narcissus come up and bloom everywhere. As summer approaches you watch for bulbs like gladiolas and lilies. And in autumn you might see fall blooming bulbs like autumn crocus. But are all of these plants really bulbs? The bulb catalogues and [...]

Botanical Latin: Species Names

Karen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:06 +0000

Read 'Botanical Latin: Species Names' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Read 'Botanical Latin: Species Names' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com. All plants have Latin names consisting of a genus name and a species name. The species name is the second of the two names, is usually not capitalized and describes some characteristic of the plant. For example, the Latin name for ordinary bugleweed is Ajuga reptans; the species [...]

How to Evaluate Shade

Karen — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:07:26 +0000

Read 'How to Evaluate Shade' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Four types of shade are described and plants that grow well in each are suggested.

A Case for Using Botanical Names

Karen — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:40:19 +0000

Read 'A Case for Using Botanical Names' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Three good reasons are given for using botanical names rather than common names.

Frost Free Days

Karen — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:38:34 +0000

Read 'Frost Free Days' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

The other temperature related item of great importance to growing plants is the growing season, the number of days between the last frost in the spring and the first frost in the fall. I have found that “the books” are very misleading and that local gardeners or you local [...]