Characteristics Of A Plumbago Capensis Plant

Plumbago capensis use to be a rare plant not often, but now it is a common plant found in the landscape, but surely one of the loveliest blue flowers that grow. It can be kept indoors, pot grown, during winter, or covered up in the soil outside. Anywhere it is grown the azure flowers in clusters all over the stems are beautifully refined and dainty. The white variety is also good.

Cactus Bands Tell Their Age

The sunset cactus, alias pincushion cactus, is one of more than 200 very small cacti belonging to the genus mamunillaria which are often collectively referred to as fishhook cacti. This one is Mammillaria microcarpa and is about 3 inches high; its flowers are about an inch across and arc pale pink, occurring in the spring and then again in August and as this plant has 19 bands it is 19 years old. Botanically it is known as Echinocereus rigidissimus.

How Far Back Should You Prune Clematis?

Prune clematis back to live wood on the main stem. On some varieties this may mean removing most of the plant.

In the greenhouse. It is necessary to pinch back such plants as snapdragon, petunia, heliotrope and lantana that are to be used for bedding purposes. Pinching will make them bushy and sturdy. Simply remove the top of the plant when it is soft and about 4 inches in height and it will be forced to break below the pinch.

Pulling Weeds By Hand And The Home Gardener?

The necessity for pulling a few weeds by hand may serve as a pleasant pastime for the home gardener as he works on his hand and knees; in fact, a little of this may even sharpen his ardor for his hobby. Should a large area require weeding, however, and at a time when the July sun beats down on his head and back, as likely as not his interest will soon be diverted to something else. That's the kind of job weeding is!

Which Hydrangeas Should Be Pruned In The Spring?

Some hydrangeas, such as the peegee, Hydrangea paniculala grandifiora, and the hills-of-snow, H. arborescens grandiflora, bloom on new wood and may be pruned in the Spring. Others, like H. maerophylla, the French or greenhouse hydrangea, bloom near the tips of wood produced the previous year and should be pruned lightly after blooming.