Trees and Shrubs: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Find Your USDA Zone
One of the most important steps in choosing plants is making sure it is suited to your climate. Find your USDA zone using these state maps. You can then choose plants that are suggested for that USDA zone. Just click on the picture to see the full size map.
One of the most important steps in choosing plants is making sure it is suited to your climate. Find your USDA zone using these state maps. You can then choose plants that are suggested for that USDA zone. Just click on the picture to see the full size map.
Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar
Growing facts about weeping blue atlas cedar
Growing facts about weeping blue atlas cedar
Purple Smoke Bush
Purple smoke bush is often used as a garden specimen due to the purple-pink plumes and the purple leaves on some cultivars. It is highly drought tolerant.
Purple smoke bush is often used as a garden specimen due to the purple-pink plumes and the purple leaves on some cultivars. It is highly drought tolerant.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon will help bring a bit of tropical beauty to more temperate climates. The blooms that arrive later in the summer will help revive your garden after the flurry of spring flowers.
Rose of Sharon will help bring a bit of tropical beauty to more temperate climates. The blooms that arrive later in the summer will help revive your garden after the flurry of spring flowers.
Purple Leaf Plum
Purple leaf plum is a small deciduous tree commonly planted for its deep reddish-purple leaves and white/pale pink flowers that are among the first to appear in spring. Although it is short lived, it is fast growing and great for use as a specimen or shade tree.
Purple leaf plum is a small deciduous tree commonly planted for its deep reddish-purple leaves and white/pale pink flowers that are among the first to appear in spring. Although it is short lived, it is fast growing and great for use as a specimen or shade tree.
Tri Color Beech
Tri Color Beech is a striking tree that you won't soon forget. It is often used as a specimen tree due to its variegated leaves that may come in many shades of green, pink, and white. They later turn copper in the fall.
Tri Color Beech is a striking tree that you won't soon forget. It is often used as a specimen tree due to its variegated leaves that may come in many shades of green, pink, and white. They later turn copper in the fall.
Angel's Trumpet
The show-stopping hanging trumpet-shaped flowers of angel's trumpet make this a delight for any garden. It is tropical and grows best in gardens in Zone 9-11, but it certainly can be used as a container plant and brought inside when cool. Angel's trumpet can be either a shrub or a small tree. Be careful - it's poisonous!
The show-stopping hanging trumpet-shaped flowers of angel's trumpet make this a delight for any garden. It is tropical and grows best in gardens in Zone 9-11, but it certainly can be used as a container plant and brought inside when cool. Angel's trumpet can be either a shrub or a small tree. Be careful - it's poisonous!
Columnar Tree Shape
Trees can have a columnar shape.
Trees can have a columnar shape.
Banana Tree
Banana trees are one of the common trees that come to mind when dreaming of the tropics. However, did you know that it's not really a tree? It is actually the world's largest herb. Still, due to its size, it is commonly thought of as a banana tree. No matter what size your yard, there is a banana tree to fit it. While this grows best in the warmer climates, there are cold-hardy varieties and otherwise they make good houseplants with enough light and water.
Banana trees are one of the common trees that come to mind when dreaming of the tropics. However, did you know that it's not really a tree? It is actually the world's largest herb. Still, due to its size, it is commonly thought of as a banana tree. No matter what size your yard, there is a banana tree to fit it. While this grows best in the warmer climates, there are cold-hardy varieties and otherwise they make good houseplants with enough light and water.
ChoosingTreesShrubs
Trees and shrubs can evoke many memories and emotions. Whether you remember the joy of picking nectarines, the heady aroma of blooming lilacs, or a swing in a majestic oak, trees and shrubs affect us all. With careful consideration of the following steps, you can choose the right ones for your location and avoid frustrations and financial losses.
Trees and shrubs can evoke many memories and emotions. Whether you remember the joy of picking nectarines, the heady aroma of blooming lilacs, or a swing in a majestic oak, trees and shrubs affect us all. With careful consideration of the following steps, you can choose the right ones for your location and avoid frustrations and financial losses.
Tulip Tree
Tulip tree is named for the flowers and leaves that resemble tulips. It grows rapidly, and is useful as a large shade tree.
Tulip tree is named for the flowers and leaves that resemble tulips. It grows rapidly, and is useful as a large shade tree.
Princess Flower - T.urvilleana
A native of Brazil, princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) is a glorious addition to tropical and sub-tropical gardens. Its large purple flowers and soft hairy leaves add interest and a burst of color to any landscape. Also can be used as an indoor container plant in cooler regions, if full light and warmth is provided.
A native of Brazil, princess flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) is a glorious addition to tropical and sub-tropical gardens. Its large purple flowers and soft hairy leaves add interest and a burst of color to any landscape. Also can be used as an indoor container plant in cooler regions, if full light and warmth is provided.
Fastigiate Tree Shape
Irish Yew has a fastigiate shape.
Irish Yew has a fastigiate shape.
Ways to Get Rid of Beetles
Beetle infestations are very hard to control in trees and shrubs. Learn the few ways to get rid of them.
Beetle infestations are very hard to control in trees and shrubs. Learn the few ways to get rid of them.
Irregular Tree Shape
Honeylocust has an irregular shape.
Honeylocust has an irregular shape.
Pyramidal Tree Shape
Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'
Tilia cordata 'Greenspire'
Vase Tree Shape
Eastern redbud has a vase shape.
Eastern redbud has a vase shape.
Witch Hazel - H. Virginiana
Most people are familiar with witch hazel because of its use in skin care as an astringent. It is a large shrub that is noteworthy for being one of the last species to flower. Witch hazel also adds winter interest with leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and is moderately drought tolerant.
Most people are familiar with witch hazel because of its use in skin care as an astringent. It is a large shrub that is noteworthy for being one of the last species to flower. Witch hazel also adds winter interest with leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and is moderately drought tolerant.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is sometimes called a "fossil tree" since it is the last of its kind, with no close relatives. It works well in the urban landscape because of its high tolerance to a wide variety of conditions.
Ginkgo biloba is sometimes called a "fossil tree" since it is the last of its kind, with no close relatives. It works well in the urban landscape because of its high tolerance to a wide variety of conditions.
Oval Tree Shape
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) has a round shape.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) has a round shape.
Paper Bark Birch
Paper bark birch is a lovely medium-sized deciduous tree native to northern North America. The most distinctive characteristic of this tree is the white peeling bark.
Paper bark birch is a lovely medium-sized deciduous tree native to northern North America. The most distinctive characteristic of this tree is the white peeling bark.
Round Tree Shape
Strawberry tree has a round shape.
Strawberry tree has a round shape.
Dawn Redwood
Dawn Redwood is a curious tree. It is one of only a few deciduous conifers. Dawn redwood is a large, fast growing tree, so make sure it will fit in your location.
Dawn Redwood is a curious tree. It is one of only a few deciduous conifers. Dawn redwood is a large, fast growing tree, so make sure it will fit in your location.
Harvesting Fruit
The best part of growing fruit trees is, of course, harvesting the fruit! Learn when you can generally expect to harvest the different types of fruits with this handy time line. The exact times will vary depending on the variety you choose and your climate.
The best part of growing fruit trees is, of course, harvesting the fruit! Learn when you can generally expect to harvest the different types of fruits with this handy time line. The exact times will vary depending on the variety you choose and your climate.
Weeping Tree Shape
Weeping willow - Salix babylonica - Weeping shape
Weeping willow - Salix babylonica - Weeping shape
Currant - Ribes Spp.
Currants have long been grown for their use in jams, jellies, syrups and preserves. It is an attractive shrub that is especially suitable for colder climates.
Currants have long been grown for their use in jams, jellies, syrups and preserves. It is an attractive shrub that is especially suitable for colder climates.
Healthy Tree Signs
Here are some good indicators if your tree is in good health.
Here are some good indicators if your tree is in good health.
Set Up A Watering System
One of the essential keys to tree and shrub health is ensuring they get the water they need. You can make it easier for yourself if you install a watering system in your yard.
One of the essential keys to tree and shrub health is ensuring they get the water they need. You can make it easier for yourself if you install a watering system in your yard.
Black Walnut
Black walnut trees are commonly found in the Eastern United States. They are widely used for food and lumber, and make stately shade trees. Black walnut is an alleopathic tree - it produces juglone, a chemical that is toxic for many plants.
Black walnut trees are commonly found in the Eastern United States. They are widely used for food and lumber, and make stately shade trees. Black walnut is an alleopathic tree - it produces juglone, a chemical that is toxic for many plants.
Bearberry
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub often used as a groundcover. It is an excellent choice to provide winter interest with the tiny leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and the small red berries that last until spring. Bearberry is also useful for drought and salt-tolerant landscapes.
Bearberry is a small evergreen shrub often used as a groundcover. It is an excellent choice to provide winter interest with the tiny leaves that turn bronze in the fall, and the small red berries that last until spring. Bearberry is also useful for drought and salt-tolerant landscapes.
Signs of a Healthy Shrub
Here are some common signs indicating that you have a healthy shrub.
Here are some common signs indicating that you have a healthy shrub.
Sunset Hyssop
Learn the growing requirements and some design tips for using Agastache rupestris, sunset hyssop, in your garden.
Learn the growing requirements and some design tips for using Agastache rupestris, sunset hyssop, in your garden.
Topiary Art of Training Plant
A review of Topiary and the Art of Training Plants by David Joyce
A review of Topiary and the Art of Training Plants by David Joyce
Fiskars Power-Lever 25" Bypass
Fiskars Power-Lever 25" Bypass Pruner make it very easy to prune in hard-to-reach places. So powerful that you can do it with one hand!
Fiskars Power-Lever 25" Bypass Pruner make it very easy to prune in hard-to-reach places. So powerful that you can do it with one hand!
Book -Don't Throw It, Grow It!
Don't Throw It, Grow It! is a delightful little book that will show you how to create new houseplants from produce and herbs/spices. Have you ever tried growing an avocado pit in a jar of water? Found a long forgotten potato that had baby potatoes on the new roots? Wanted to get your children involved in gardening? Interested in being more environmentally friendly? This is a perfect book to read.
Don't Throw It, Grow It! is a delightful little book that will show you how to create new houseplants from produce and herbs/spices. Have you ever tried growing an avocado pit in a jar of water? Found a long forgotten potato that had baby potatoes on the new roots? Wanted to get your children involved in gardening? Interested in being more environmentally friendly? This is a perfect book to read.
Start Your Own Compost
Compost is one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to amend your soil. Simply put, compost is organic matter decayed by the sun and soil microorganisms. This material can be used to improve soil structure, add nutrients, promote healthy soil microorganisms, assist in soil temperature regulation, and improve soil pH.
Compost is one of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to amend your soil. Simply put, compost is organic matter decayed by the sun and soil microorganisms. This material can be used to improve soil structure, add nutrients, promote healthy soil microorganisms, assist in soil temperature regulation, and improve soil pH.
Homeowners Complete Tree Shrub
The Homeowner's Complete Tree and Shrub Handbook is a great general reference for the homeowner who wants to add trees and shrubs to the landscape. It covers design, care and plant profiles, featuring 357 trees and shrubs.
The Homeowner's Complete Tree and Shrub Handbook is a great general reference for the homeowner who wants to add trees and shrubs to the landscape. It covers design, care and plant profiles, featuring 357 trees and shrubs.
Buying special bonsai seeds?
An article explaining that there are no such things as special bonsai seeds.
An article explaining that there are no such things as special bonsai seeds.
Acid Soil
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Acid Soil
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Acid Soil
Central Leader
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Central Leader
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Central Leader
Trees and Shrubs - GuideReviews
An index of GuideReviews for the Trees and Shrubs guide site.
An index of GuideReviews for the Trees and Shrubs guide site.
Cass Turnbull's Pruning Guide
Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning[/i] is a thorough introduction to the world of proper pruning. She starts with the basics and strives to show the correct techniques to use. However, Cass Turnbull doesn't just teach general pruning - she delves into the specific needs and quirks of over 160 different species. This is a wonderful resource to help keep your trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines in a healthy and happy state.
Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning[/i] is a thorough introduction to the world of proper pruning. She starts with the basics and strives to show the correct techniques to use. However, Cass Turnbull doesn't just teach general pruning - she delves into the specific needs and quirks of over 160 different species. This is a wonderful resource to help keep your trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines in a healthy and happy state.
Choosing a Good Nursery
Tips on what to look for when choosing a nursery.
Tips on what to look for when choosing a nursery.
Trees and Shrubs - Profiles
An index of Profiles for the Trees and Shrubs guide site.
An index of Profiles for the Trees and Shrubs guide site.
Alkaline Soil
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Alkaline Soil
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Alkaline Soil
Evergreen
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Evergreen
Tree and Shrub Glossary - Definition of Evergreen