Botanical Latin: Dentata
Karen Dentata (den TAY tuh) derived from the Latin dens, dentis (tooth), meaning toothed Often used as the specific epithet, dentata usually refers to the margins of the leaves. American chestnut,…
How to Plant Trees or Shrubs in Wet or Clay Soils
Chuck Naturally wet or clay soils can have a severe problem with drainage and planting most trees or shrubs in these locations will usually result in the plant dying unless it’s…
Soil pH: Understanding, Testing, Changing and Plant Requirements
Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity and is an important indicator of soil health. It affects plant productivity, plant nutrient availability, and soil micro-organism activity which…
How NOT to prune a mature tree (Tree Topping)
Tree topping is the pruning practice of cutting large limbs off the entire tree to dramatically reduce its size. Because topping has such a destructive, short- and long-term impact on…
How to Prune a Deciduous Tree or Shrub
As a general rule there should be very little pruning required if you selected the right tree or shrub for the place it was planted. Unfortunately this is not always…
Garden Watering Systems
One of the basic facts of gardening is that plants need water. Without the right amount of water a plant wilts and dies leaving a hole in the landscape. Water…
How To Plant a Tree or Shrub
One of the most frequently asked gardening questions is “What is the best way to prepare for and then plant a tree or shrub”? Unfortunately planting a tree or shrub…
The Difference between Plant Variety and Cultivar
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.…
All America Selections; A useful Way of Identifying Outstanding Annuals and Vegetables
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…
Why Lime and How Limestones Differ
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…