Planting roses isn't too challenging if the rose bed is properly prepared. Make sure you select a site that isn't too close too plants with large root systems or in wet or windy locations. Keep in mind that the best location is somewhere that you can easily enjoy from a window or your porch. Roses t

Pewter has a long history of use as a material for dinnerware and decorative items. Lead was a common ingredient of pewter in Colonial times, giving the pewter of that time its characteristic dark gray color. To keep it safe for food, modern-day pewter is made without lead.

Velvet beans, or Mucuna pruriens, earned their common name from the furry outer coating of their husks, which have a velvety appearance. But harvest time can be an unpleasant experience since touching velvet beans provokes intense itching in most people. The beans are used medicinally and as food in

Pruning a shrub is maintenance that should be done on a relatively routine basis. However, you should not prune your shrub every year even if it doesn't need to be pruned, or wait so long that it grows too large for the spot where it's planted. If you have layered your shrubs, with taller shrubs in

Pinto beans need to be germinated indoors before you can plant them outdoors. Germinating the seeds allows the seeds to grow properly after you plant them. Sprout the beans by wrapping them in paper towels, and storing them in a dark and warm location. Harvest the beans within six to eight weeks whe

Butterfly bushes are beneficial for many reasons. They require a minimum amount of care, they bring useful insects into a flower garden or bed and they remain lush and green in 20 degree winters. During the winters, their method of self preservation is to die down to the ground and then blossom an

Winter-flowering plants add a splash of color to a dull landscape.winter flowers image by Bobi from Fotolia.comFlowering plants add a touch of color to the changing landscapes of fall and winter. While most people commonly think of flowers as a spring or summer occurrence, there are a...

Eucalyptus ficifolia is native to Australia and a member of the Myrtaceae family. This tree is most commonly found on the West Coast of the United States and is highly susceptible to insects, such as the spider mite.

Although your lawn can develop brown or yellow dead patches for a number of reasons, during the spring months, chinch bugs are often responsible. These small insects feed on your grass, resulting in the burned-out areas. Before you call an exterminator to kill the chinch bugs in your yard and spend

Open-pollinated plants are naturally pollinated by wind or insects. Unlike hybrids, open-pollinated plants are adapted to the local environment. Open-pollinated morning glory plants are often called heirloom morning glories. These types of morning glories produce seeds that grow into a plant with th

Very tall, reaching heights of between 40 and 100 feet when fully mature, silver maple trees (Acer saccharinum) enjoy moist, acidic soil. Sites alongside bodies of water such as ponds, lakes or river beds thus make for ideal growing conditions. Thriving in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardin

Garbanzo beans are a dried bean that grows on a bush. They grow best in warm weather and take about 3 months before they can be harvested. Garbanzo beans have a nutty flavor and are commonly used in salad, hummus and in soup.

In the United States, there are approximately 35 different species of pine trees, divided into the soft pines and the hard pines. This differentiation depends on the texture of the wood, among other things, but it is not practical to use the wood of a pine as a means to identify the tree. While the

Beautiful fall foliage, interesting bark and longevity make maples a good shade tree choice.Maple-leaf image by HannaSigel from Fotolia.comPlanting InstructionsMaples are long-lived trees that grow to be 70 to 100 feet high. Plant them at least 35 feet apart, according to Cornell...

Lady slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae) are a family of perennial orchids that have slipper-shaped, hollow flowers and bloom in the spring. Many species, such as the small, white lady's slipper, are considered rare.

Many plant diseases attack grasses and food crops in North Carolina.Plant image by Platinum Pictures from Fotolia.comThere are so many diseases that attack grasses, plants, and food crops in North Carolina that they are almost too numerous to mention. Most of these diseases thrive in warm...

Weeds are every gardener's nightmare. They can create havoc in yards, gardens, and even on concrete. Although there are numerous methods and solutions to kill weeds, one of the most effective is good, old-fashioned Clorox bleach.

Creating your own flower arrangement is a fun, artistic project that lets you experiment with blooms in different colors, shapes and sizes. A balanced arrangement incorporates three distinct flower shapes: tall blossoms to give your arrangement height, colorful medium-height blossoms for visual appe

Endless Summer hydrangeas are part of the species known as Hydrangea macrophylla. This cultivar is known for its tolerance of cold weather -- up to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit -- as well as its ability to bloom more than once in a growing season.

Celtic mythology dates back to the 8th or 9th century BC as evidenced by archeological findings and with the stories passed on from generation to generation. The Celts believed there were symbols in nature from plants, trees and flowers and attached meanings to them.