The Smarter Gardener – Page 4 – Learn about gardening

For Colorful Leaves, Consider Alternantheras

January 21, 2019 no comments

There was a time when if you wanted colorful leaves in partial sun to somewhat shady exposures, coleus was your only option. That was then, but Alternanthera is now. Alternanthera (al-ter-NAN-the-ra...

Bower Vine, Grevillea, Queen Victoria Agave

January 20, 2019 no comments

Every now and then I see a plant that I must photograph right then and there, come what may. It might mean climbing a tree and precariously straddling a branch, or parking on the shoulder of a freew...

Wisteria, Soil pH, Soil Testing

January 20, 2019 no comments

My more than 20 year old Wisteria longissima ‘Alba’ hasn’t grown in over 10 years. An arborist and numerous others have given advice but nothing works. I’ve replaced the soil, enlarged th...

Epicormic Growth, ‘Reed’ Avocadoes

January 20, 2019 no comments

Do you have epicormic growth? Epicormic (epi = upon, kormos = tree trunk) growth is the technical term for shoots that develop from hidden buds on tree trunks and branches. Suckers, which grow out ...

Water Features, Water Lilies, Lotus Plants

January 20, 2019 no comments

The Garden of Eden had a river running through it and, ever since, nearly all memorable gardens have had water features. The first formal gardens, planted in Egypt 3,500 years ago, were arranged in s...

The Price of Bringing Nature Close to Home

January 20, 2019 no comments

I wondered if you could give me your opinion about our deodar cedar tree and whether it is safe to keep it. I love the tree. It’s beautiful, but it is very close to the house/roof so I feel l...

The Greatness of Bulbs

January 17, 2019 no comments

Greatness may best be evaluated not by natural talent or achievement or an applause meter, but by response to adversity. The greatness of plants is thus demonstrated, since many of them can be cut to...

Low Maintenance Garden: an Oxymoron

January 17, 2019 no comments

A walk in the forest is most enjoyable yet, when you get hungry, you long for the presence of a peach or a plum or an apple tree among the pines. You realize that forest trees are a wonderful gift, ...

Melons: Past and Present

January 16, 2019 no comments

As summer approaches, thirst-quenching watermelons and cantaloupes become ever-present snacks and dessert priorities. Yet the intensively hybridized melons we find at the supermarket, or grow from se...

Orange and Mango Tree Problems and the Amazing Trifoliate Orange

January 16, 2019 no comments

I have a Valencia seedless orange tree that I set out about 40 years ago. The fruit has always been sweet and juicy. But the last couple of years the oranges are larger with thicker skin and not much...

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