another unusual mutation

QuestionHello ViKtoria, I have a rather unusual plant growing in my garden. It appears to be a cross between a celosia (the large finger like red ones) and a foxglove. The stalk of this plant is just lik

hydrangea flower care

Questionhow often and when do you prune hydrangea flower bush. thanks. AnswerFirst you need to find out what kind of hydrangea you have. Some bloom on old wood, some on this years growth. The form

Growing poppies from seed and a flowering vine

Questionthat stopped flowering. Hi.. I am going to try my hand at poopies next year, and was wondering if there is anything special to planting them.. I am in NJ. Also I have this gorgeous black eyed susan vine t

How to save Million Bells for next summer?

Question Hi, I have this beautiful hanging basket of Trailing Pink Calibrachoa hybrid, and I understand they can take pretty much cold but they will freeze and die if they get too cold in this Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Science/flowers

Question hi again! I have to get this done VERY QUICKLY! I have 3 Questions again. They are: Difine a monocot. 1.And give a example of a monocot p;ant or seed.Write about at least two characteristics of a mono

butterflies

QuestionWhat plants/flowers are known to most attract butterflies? Thanks! AnswerConeflowers (Echinacea sp.), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americana), Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia sp.), Milkweed (Asclepias sp.), Common

Geraniums

QuestionIve heard that Red geraniums on the windowsill keeps spiders away from putting webs in the frame ? Any truth to this, or is it an old Wives tale? I heard this while living a Germany a few years back. Leon

Trillium

QuestionViktoria - do you happen to know that particular species of Trillium that only grows in boggy areas (I am in Ontario). It is the small-flowered species of Trillium. We have a small colony near us but they ar

Wildflowers & weeds

QuestionI live in San Antonio, TX - Zone 8 and have spectacular wild flowers on my 1 acre property. The grass is native prarie grasses most little blue stem I am told. But, growing along with the grasses are what we

Does the amount of light effect a plants growth?

QuestionDoes the amount of light effect a plants growth? Answerhi, absolutly! for instance, if a tomato plant doesnt get enough light it will grow too tall and lanky, with a weak stem, if a tropi

Water Hyacinths

QuestionI have a cement bird bath with running water but do develope a lot of moss etc. I reacently read that putting a water hyacinth in it could help keep it clear. However when I do research on the plant, there a

planting wildflowers-help!

QuestionI went to a wedding and they gave all the guests wildflower seeds as gifts. I have never planted wildflowers from seeds, so I planted them in a pot. I put them in the pot and covered them and kept the soil m

Lady Slippers

QuestionWhat type of soil do lady slippers need? I am refering to the pink or the yellow. Can they be fertilized for better growth? How can you propigate them? These are on my property AnswerIt is interesting that

pine needles

QuestionHello. I recently moved to the country with a large yard underneath 90% Ponderosa Pine and 10% Oaks in Northern California (Twain) and would like to know if the bed of needles should be raked up to foster na

HYDRANGEA SHRUB

QuestionI am wondering why my plant hasnt bloomed. I cut all the old stalks back from last year is that the reason please help. Im so upset. Thanks AnswerYou do not specify what kind of hydrangea

Lace Cap Hydrangea

QuestionHi Viktoria, I have several Lace Cap Hydrangea plants that are very healthy looking. Unfortunately I do not get many blooms and the blooms that I do get are small. Sould I be pruning them in the fall? Thank

hawthorn (Crateagus monogyna)

QuestionWhat are the benefits and non benefits,if any, of having hawthorn in you garden? How dose it help in the contribution of the ecosystem? AnswerThe bright green, shiny spring foliage is quite attractive, as a

Creosote Bush from Seed

QuestionI live in SE Houston TX and wish to start some creosote bushes from seed. I have the seed and wish to know how to get them started - I am no gardener but follow directions very well. Container size, type of

name of a plant species

QuestionDear Viktoria, I would like to aske why there is sometimes (L.) after a plant species name? What is it for? Does it need to be typed in italic as the species name? Also, apart from (L.), is there any simil

Matting Leaves

QuestionHi Viktoria, A few years ago I thought it would be neat if I could gather some leaves,(from various trees), as they turn colors in Fall, spread and attatch them on a mat or matted board like they insert behi