1. Statement plants

There is that one plant at your friend’s home that always steals the attention from the rest. You may not have noticed it before, but that is a trendsetter. This year, you will notice a few more show-stoppers. Rather than admiring other people’s, why not have a statement plant of your own? Create that focal point in your home with plants such as berries, pomegranates, or hydrangeas. These plants are often termed the one-pot wonders.

2. Backyard edible gardening

Everyone is facing a hard time. In honor of Mother Nature and promotion of green living, you should borrow this trendy idea and plant a few food plants in your backyard. Besides eco friendliness, most edible plants have vibrant colors – the fruits, flowers and sometimes the stems as well. They are also easy to maintain and they will save you a lot of money otherwise spent on grocery shopping. Don’t you thinkthat this should be the new perennial backyard trend?

3. Extreme naturalism

Incorporating natural boulders is the new in thing. Overgrown hedges, stones, and boulders are naturally beautiful. These are some of the cheapest landscaping resources. Just ensure that the hedges are trimmed and free of diseases or pests to protect your home from an infestation.

This is also associated with mainstream sustainability, a trend that puts emphasis on drought-resistant plants and low-maintenance gardens. You should consider contacting a professional gardener to advise you on these trees depending on where you are. A gardener or an arborist can advise you on tree pruning or tree removal. There are several climate-adapting flower varieties on the market too. You should also ask about these for timeless beauty in your gardens.

4. Small-scale luxury

If you aren’t big on digging and weeding in farm-like conditions, small-scale luxury gardening is just what you need.  There are many plant varieties that can be grown in pots. Look outfor crawling clematis or hydrangea hedges, or make a mini-rose garden. You can also find compact versions of traditionally large flowering plants.

5. Color-changing plants

These are also called the chameleon plants with conifers as the best examples. These coniferous plants can change color from green to bronze, to purple and orange depending on the season.

6. High-quality hardscaping materials

Well, this isn’t the year for showy plants. This year will see an increase in the number of homeowners investing in high-quality hardscaping materials for good designs. Quality is chosen over quantity in terms of the plants too.

In conclusion, in keeping up with trends, you should always consider the affordable and sustainable options. While adapting to the trends, you should remember not to get lost in the mix. Pick the ideas that work for you and if you think your landscape and the garden is trendy for you, focus on maintenance. You may also consider adopting these options later on. A well-manicured garden wins when you have limitations to adopting the trends.

Author Bio
David Wicks is a landscape expert working with a leading tree care company in Dallas. For tree care and landscaping services, visit http://www.mytreeservicedallas.com.

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If none of those conditions applies, then you probably have brown patch lawn disease caused by Rhizoctonia salani, a common lawn fungus. The fungus infects lawns when the temperature is cool, but only becomes visible when the temperature reaches 80 to 85 degrees and the humidity is high. The condition is uncommon in arid regions like Southern California and the Mountain States, but it’s a problem for homeowners in every other part of the country.

Calling a lawn care professional is the easiest and most sure way to deal with brown patch lawn disease, but here are the basics you should know:

How Brown Patch Disease Starts

The fungus that causes brown patch is always present in the soil, and becomes active when the grass is weak and susceptible to it. It attacks the grass at the root level and essentially kills it from the inside out. Over-watering or over-fertilizing are usually the culprits. The problem starts small, but warm weather and high humidity encourage it to grow quickly.

How to Identify Brown Patch Disease

Spotting on grass leaf blades is the first sign. These spots eventually bleed together to turn the entire leaf brown right down to the crown where it emerges from the soil. Once the infected grass starts invading the lawn, the patches are typically irregular and can be quite large. You might notice a white fungal web at the outer edge of the dead patches. Not every lawn with the fungus will look the same, because its appearance varies with the type of grass it has infected.

• On types of grasses that should be cut short, like some Zoysias, the infestation will show as circular rings of brown patches and an expanding gray ring on the outer edge. It’s most noticeable when the grass is dewy and damp in the early morning.
• On types of grasses that are kept taller, like St. Augustine, the fungus will often be evident as circular or nearly circular brown patches, but without a visible gray ring surrounding them.
• On tall fescue, there won’t be the characteristic circular pattern. Instead, the disease will show up on scattered blades of grass and the whole lawn may appear to have a tannish cast.

How to Avoid Brown Patch Disease

The best way to take care of brown patch disease is to stop it before it starts. This entails keeping the grass healthy by taking care of it properly.

• Water at the right time of day. The best time to water is early in the morning after the dew has dried. Brown patch reproduces only when grass is wet for 14 to 16 hours, so watering in the morning gives the sun time to dry the blades before the disease can propagate itself.
• Mow to the right height. Keeping to a regular schedule of mowing promotes air circulation and permits the grass to dry more quickly after it’s been watered.
• Don’t over-fertilize. Use moderate amounts of nitrogen fertilizer and only in the seasons recommended for your type of grass. Too much nitrogen promotes fast but weak growth.
• Don’t over-use insecticide or herbicide. Too much can burn the grass and yellow it or turn it brown.
• Use fungicide. If you know brown patch is a problem where you live, fungicides are effective if you apply them before you see signs of the disease.

How to Treat Brown Patch Disease

Find a fungicide that’s formulated specifically for brown patch disease and your type of lawn, and use it on the regular recommended schedule. Application won’t regrow your grass, but it will keep the fungal spores in check and let your new, good lawn care habits take effect over time. In the meantime, keep from tracking clippings from the diseased portion of the lawn to those that are still healthy and green. Don’t use the same tools on the sick and healthy parts, and avoid walking on the brown patches.

For more information on keeping your lawn healthy, check out The Lawn Institute.

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Varieties
There are too many varieties of marigolds to list them. They are available in many different mixes and types that produce colorful flowers in shades of gold, yellow, orange, burgundy, scarlet, and off-white. Some have daisy-looking petals while others have blooms that look a lot like a carnation. Some types of the flowers are even two-tone with stunning shades of gold and burgundy.

With the diversity of marigolds, you can plant a dazzling garden just with different types of them. They are an annual, which means that they have to be replanted every year. If you plant them in the spring, they will usually bloom during the spring and into the fall.

Planting and care
Marigolds are most often planted outside; however, they can be started indoors if frosty days haven’t passed. If planting outside, be sure that you have received your last frost. If you haven’t, start them inside. It is best to plant at the beginning of spring.

They usually require spacing of about six inches between plants, but for some varieties it is recommended to plant them eighteen inches apart. When planting your marigolds, be sure to follow the recommended distance for spacing them.

Marigolds are not too finicky, but they grow the best when you can provide them with full sun. Well-drained soil is also preferable. They can be planted in a flower bed, containers or as a lining to any garden.

Marigolds are easy to care for. They need water when the soil is dry. Pinching off wilted flowers will help them to bloom again. They are problem-free in that they are not susceptible to disease and do not attract insects; however, they need to sprayed with water frequently to prevent spider mites. Grasshoppers and slugs are enemies of the marigold, so you may to have to treat for that if it is a problem in your area. If you don’t have a problem with grasshoppers and slugs, maintaining a garden of marigolds is trouble-free.

Uses for marigolds
Marigolds have several uses. It is an old wives’ tale that marigolds can used to repel insects that might damage vegetable gardens. Many people believe that, but some researchers say that they don’t have the potential to be insect repellents even though their pungent odor prevents most insects from being attracted to them. Other researchers say they are as effective as chemical treatment for many gardens, and much safer.

Marigolds are used for decoration. Of course they are used in flower gardens, but many types are easily dried. They are often used in crafts. They make wonderful garlands and colorful wreaths. In some cultures, they even use them to make dye.

In the art of culinary, marigolds are invaluable. Many are edible so they can be used to garnish dishes, adding a touch of class to any recipe. Their flavor ranges from tangy to peppery so they can be dried and ground for spices, or chopped up fresh. All marigolds may not be edible, so be sure to check on an individual variety before you assume that they are safe for food.

Marigolds are known for their herbal traits. In fact, many are used in medicinal remedies and some clinical treatments. They are also used in cosmetics including body lotion and creams. Because of the strong odor, the extract from marigolds is also commonly used in perfumes and candles.

Marigolds are quite amazing which makes them a top choice for many gardeners. When compared to other flowers, they are simple to grow, easy to take care of and pretty unproblematic. They will grow in a variety of environments, as long they aren’t subjected to frost. They can be grown in beds, gardens or pots. Their negative effects are few and there are solutions for most of the drawbacks that prevents them from being challenging flowers to grow. There is such a great variety of marigolds that they are sure to complement any garden. They are beautiful, to say the least, and they can be quite stunning. There are so many uses for marigolds that make them popular flowers all around the world.

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While we are most familiar with the holly leaves used in Christmas decorating, there are over 400 kinds of holly. Holly plants range from dwarf bushes to hedges to tall trees. They are a versatile plant and can be found in almost every region of the word. The only exceptions are Australia and Antarctica, where the extreme growing conditions are too much for the plant.

Landscape Uses
Depending on your needs determines what type of holly you should plant. Do you need privacy? Then a hedge of holly bushes would keep people from looking in and provide you with a scenic screen. When trimmed in the winter, holly branches will grow back leafy and full, creating a great natural barrier to noise and onlookers.

If you need shade, an English holly tree will be an excellent choice. Make sure you have lots of room, however, as holly trees can grow very large. Some species can grow between sixty and seventy feet tall, and have a branch span of that wide too. They have an extensive root system, so be cautious where you plant it that it will not harm pipes or underground lines.

Living in the north during a long winter can be dreary. A shot of color in the form of an evergreen holly may be just what your back yard needs. Several types of holly are deciduous and will not shed their foliage in the winter months. The leaf colors range from dark green to light green to variegated versions. If you have male and female plants, your holly bushes will produce bright red berries.

The holly in the form we associate with Christmas is usually American Holly and English Holly. They have the dark green foliage with pointed edges. They have bright red berries stand out in vivid contrast to the foliage, making for a beautiful natural display.

Features
The most popular holly leaves are shown with small spikes or thorns at the ends of the leaves. The thorns are actually helpful in some ways. Songbirds hide beneath the branches for protection. The thorns keep larger birds of prey and other predators at bay.

To get berries on the bushes, a male and female plant must be within thirty to forty feet of each other. The male will pollinate the branches of the female and red berries will grow each year. If there are not both sexes of plants, the plants will still grow, but without the berries. Be very careful when planting if you do want berries. They are highly toxic to humans. If you have children around, the berries could make them sick with diarrhea and vomiting. Keep them away from the play areas or simply do not plant both sexes until the children are older.

Special Care
Prune holly bushes in the fall or winter. The branches need to be trimmed in order to foster new growth for the following spring. Old growth cut back will also allow for more and thicker foliage the following year. You can also determine the shape of your bush if you desire by pruning the leaves and branches in the fall or spring.

A holly bush needs a lot of sunlight to grow. It can be planted in the direct, full sunlight and thrive. It will only tolerate partial shade before it will start to fade. They grow best in acidic soils within a landscape or on their own as a hedge or a bush. The soil should drain well and not get soggy.

In Decorations
The holly branches are cut from bushes or stems and used in garlands, centerpieces and wreaths. The foliage will last after being cut for several weeks before it loses its color and dries up. In live floral arrangements, holly will live for several weeks if watered and placed in sunlight. Use holly berries for decorating with care, as the berries can fall off and stain the carpeting. Also, children may be tempted to snack.

As a Food Source
The berries produced by the shrubs are much needed during the winter months for our feathered friends. Songbirds and even wild turkeys will eat the holly berries if there are no other food sources nearby. The bright red color will stand out against the snow, attracting many bird species. Other fruit eating animals may also visit, like raccoons, opossum, or mice.

The leaves are eaten by all herbivore animals, especially during the winter. The holly plants are a diet staple for wildlife in some areas of the world. The thorns on the leaves will not harm their mouths during chewing.

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Years ago, chemical herbicides would be recommended as the first line of defense by just about anyone who had ever wanted to kill Dandelions, but we now know that the detrimental effects of those substances render them an unacceptable solution. Even if you did want to try the chemical option, you’d have to check the bylaws of your municipality, since many are now banning the use of herbicides for cosmetic use. And, as much as we might all like to think otherwise, the dandelion issue is a purely cosmetic one. The reality is that these plants can be useful. The leaves, high in vitamins A and C and iron, can be eaten and are a flavourful addition to salads. Dandelion root can be ground and used as a substitute for coffee. The root is actually registered as a drug in Canada and sold as a diuretic. The milky substance in the stems has been used to repel mosquitoes. And the plant contains antioxidants. When you consider all of those attributes, it makes you think twice about killing them doesn’t it?

Well, maybe not.

If you do decide to take on your dandelions, get them while they’re young. With each plant producing up to 2,000 seeds per year, you’ll be most successful if you remove them before they turn to seed. And beware the taproot. It can grow to 18 inches long and if you do not get the whole root, you will not solve your problem.

Getting Rid of Dandelions is Not Easy

The most earth-friendly method of removing dandelions is also the most labour intensive: elbow grease and a shovel or special dandelion “digger” tool. The latter has a fork shape that you slide into the ground around the root. When you pull it out, the entire root comes with it. There is also a tool known as a weeder/aerator. It has prongs that you place over the centre of the weed. With a twist of the wrist, you can remove the entire weed.

Another environmentally friendly alternative is horticultural vinegar. The concentration of acetic acid is higher in this type of vinegar than in household vinegar. But this option is what they call a non-selective herbicide, that is, one that kills grass and plants along with weeds. For that reason, vinegar is best used on sidewalks, driveways and patios. Some people suggest you heat the vinegar for a little extra kick.

Another method of dandelion control is simple prevention. Corn gluten meal has proven effective in preventing new growth, but it requires planning. Corn gluten herbicides prevent dandelion roots from forming during seed germination. You need to apply this weed killer in the spring, about 4-6 weeks before the weeds germinate, and again in the fall. Because it kills plant seeds, it should not be used on newly planted grass. These herbicides are not always easy to find, so you may need to purchase them online.

There are other ways to prevent the growth of dandelions and other weeds. One is to keep your grass cut to 6-7 cm (2.5 inches). Long grass has stronger roots and shades the weed seeds that fall, preventing them from germinating. The other is to address problems in your soil. The presence of weeds indicates poor soil quality. Test the pH of your soil – the more acidic the soil, the better it is for weeds. Use compost and mulch to reduce the acidity and you will be rolling up the welcome mat for dandelions.

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Coffee grounds are organic matter that add nutrients to the soil. They act as any fertilizer, amending dirt with essential components that tend to blanch through winter storms or annual growth cycles. Enrich alfalfa or rabbit tea with coffee grounds to compliment and maintain proper pH.

As with any ground shells or hulls, java beans can be worked into soil to improve aeration and drainage. This is especially effective on neglected, scalped or compacted clay soil.

Ground espresso beans will also help loosen the soil, thereby promoting improved absorbency of air, water and nutrients. They should not, however, be used as mulch because they are so fine and can blow away or impede absorption. Coffee grounds, on the other hand, make great mulch. Gardeners report trees, shrubs and flowers responding very well when mulched with coffee grounds.

Free Fertilizer

Free sources of coffee grounds are right under your nose. Recycle your own by adding the grounds to your compost bin. You can also save them in your garage until you get a large garbage can full, enough to cover your whole lawn.

Starbucks coffee shops usually offer their left-overs free for the taking. This is part of their corporate recycling program. Standard protocol has them empty their grounds into white trash bags behind the counter during the day. In the evenings, these are normally combined in a single bin at the back of the store.

Gardeners can ask for the white bags any time of the day – although people are not encouraged to interrupt busy sales times – and carry them slung over their shoulders right out the door. Espresso beans are specially packaged and offered near the entrance ways, also for free.

While coffee houses handle their waste in various ways, one thing remains constant—they all need to dispose of grounds. If your local espresso shop isn’t recycling this valuable organic material, guilt-trip them into allowing you to place a new collection bin behind their counter for that purpose. No extra effort is required of their employees. Owners will be recycling and can then advertise that they are environmentally friendly. Also, they’ll have less garbage to pay for.

Fill to the Brim

Standard fertilizer distribution can be used with coffee grounds. A spread rate of one cubic yard per 1,000 square feet of lawn is sufficient, although common practice varies. It can be applied in a very thin layer or more thickly, as you see fit.

While it’s very difficult to apply too much, don’t layer it on so thick that grass is covered or water is repelled. That will encourage a mushroom bloom that could become annoying. Also, earthworms go crazy for coffee grounds. Some people think they even become addicted to coffee for the same reasons people do. Worms tear through coffee grounds like any compost. They will eat through the equivalent of their own body weight every 24 hours. They are nature’s roto-tiller.

Worm castings are considered one of the best soil amendments in the world. Where there is an abundance of worms, however, there is likely to also be gophers to feed on the slimy bistro. Gophers are a natural part of a healthy ecosystem, but they are not usually welcome under your front lawn. If you’re working toward greater greens, make sure you plan ahead for handling the boom in gopher population that could follow.

Good to the Last Crop

Coffee grounds can be applied directly to the base of shrubs and trees, or worked into the top layers of flower and garden beds. When it comes to the lawn, homeowners quickly adopt personalized methods of spreading the crushed seed pods on their grass.

You might like the pile-and-sling method. Empty bags of coffee grounds in piles around your lawn. Grab shovels full and sling the seeds to all corners of your grass. You can also cut large holes around the base of a five-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with the grounds. Twist and turn your wrists much like you would for spreading seed or chemical fertilizer.

Once the coffee grounds are spread over your grass, you can brush them in using a push-broom. You can also water the treated area. Don’t let coffee grounds cover up sprigs of grass since your lawn must see the light to remain green and plush.

For about a week after application, you will enjoy the energizing aroma of coffee in the heat of the day. Soon after, you’ll probably notice the color of your lawn deepen to a rich hunter green as the grass soaks up the breakfast brew. Reapply coffee grounds every month or two to your lawn or any plant that needs a pick-me-up.

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Where to Find Sod

Sod is primarily sold at nurseries, but it can be bought in home improvement stores and even ordered online. Costs of sod may vary, but it is appreciable. It takes up to 2 years for the grass to be grown for sod, and it must stay disease free, and is constantly being watered, fertilized, and watershed. It then needs to be cut, stacked, placed on pallets and shipped to wherever it is being sold. This is why a sod lawn costs more than growing it yourself with seeds.

Choosing Sod

It is important to choose the right kind of grass for your family or business needs. Be sure to think about how much traffic will be on your grass. Some lawns can withstand pets and children better than others can. Sod producers and nursery workers can give you an idea of what grass is right for your home, once they know the conditions it will endure and what climate you live in. The type of soil you have is also a big factor in choosing the grass that is right for you. Loam is the best type of soil for sod, but if you have sandy, clay soil, there are specific types of grass that you will want to buy. If you are not sure what type of soil you have, you can have the pH tested by a professional and they can tell you what types of grass are commonly used for your climate and soil conditions.

Once you have ordered your sod and it has been cut, it’s best to plant it within a day of being cut. When receiving your sod, or picking it out, make sure it is not yellowed and that it looks wet and fresh. It is best to receive it on a cooler day, since hot weather can wilt and kill a grass that isn’t properly hydrated. If you cannot plant it immediately, it is important that it stays moist and in a shaded area.

Preparation

To prepare your lawn or lot for sod, the old lawn or weeds and debris need to be removed. The soil should be tilled at least 4 to 6 inches deep. If you are planning to put in an irrigation or sprinkler system, it should be down at this time. You may then wish to till in organic compounds or fertilizers into the soil. Make sure to rake out all roots, rocks, or hard lumps in the soil. You will also need to check to make sure the ground is level, so that water will not pool in one area when the yard is completed. You can then roll the soil to firm up the surface. The soil should be dry and when finished, needs to be about 1 inch below any bordering pavement or rockwork, patio, or walkway. The soil that is attached to the sod blanket will make up for this inch of space.

Planting or Laying Your Sod

Laying sod is a laborsome job. If you do decide to tackle the job yourself, there are a few important rules to follow. It is a lot like laying bricks or concrete. Lay the seams against each other, and stagger the pieces as you would bricks (so that the seams will not be seen as easily). The seams should not overlap and the longest straight line along the side should be laid first. As you work, you should water the pieces lightly to keep it wet. Do not wait to water it. The sod pieces can be cut to fit odd sections and around trees or shrubbery. Once it has been laid, a light rolling of the lawn is recommended, but make sure that is light enough to not leave roller tracks.

The most important step in keeping your new lawn alive is watering it. For the first week to ten days the lawn needs to be watered enough to keep it moist all day and night. If you are in a hotter climate, you may need to water it 2 to 3 times daily. After that, you can water it normally. You should also avoid stepping on it until the grass has taken root.

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History of the Rose

The rose has an elaborate history throughout time. Many people liked to argue the Greek goddesses created the rose, and used a part of themselves to come up with the beauty, the scent and the delicateness of its look. However, the truth is that roses are thousands of years old and have been traced to times before humans. The rose as we know it, as a flower for gardens and arrangements, was first cultivated over 5,000 years ago, in Asia.

The rose has throughout time been the center of evil. For instance, the Romans gave up growing food and opted for roses during one point in their empire history. They used rose petals in everything they did, from the water in bathing to lining the tables and floors while eating and drinking. There were used as perfume, in confetti and as an herb and became so valuable, they were grown over other necessary food products. People were starving in the streets, but the royalty needed their rose petals.

Today, roses are still valuable as gardeners around the world purchase over 150 million plants annually. Cut roses, those used in bouquets and arrangements, sell in the hundreds of thousands of tons every year. It is the most widely used flower for arrangements.

Types

The rose family is one of the most complex in the flower kingdom. There are over 30,000 varieties of roses, including bushes, hedges, miniatures, climbers and vines. Some have thorns but now species are being grown without thorns. Roses come in almost every color imaginable, from reds to pinks, whites, oranges, purples, yellows and black, but they didn’t always.

Since their family is so complex, they are divided in to two groups: old roses and modern roses. Old roses were those grown in Europe before the 1800’s. They only came in shades of pink and white and were grown in bush or vine types. The flowers didn’t have continual blooming like we do now. The flowers were small and had fewer petals than the tea rose, they were more like what we now call wild roses. Red roses weren’t introduced until the early to mid 1800’s when they were brought over from China. Once red roses were brought over, the rose began to change.

Modern roses are those that were grown in England and France around the 1900’s. Gardeners began to breed and play with rose types to see what they could design. They began having different colors, different sizes of bushes, stems and thorns. The yellow rose wasn’t discovered until just after 1900 by a French man named Joseph Permet-Ducher.

Roses continue to evolve, but have a little less popularity in gardens than they used to. They had a reputation as being fussy to care for, and prone to disease even though that is no longer true. Roses now bloom continually through the summer season, they are more disease resistance and can adapt to a wider range of growing conditions. Breeders have used science and technology to improve the qualities of the rose, making it an even more desirable flower to own.

Following are types of roses and how to use them

Hedges – A hedge is a solid row of rose bushes planted to form a natural barrier. The natural barrier may provide privacy between neighbors or as a way to reduce traffic noise. Depending on the type of hedge bush you buy, the height will be between three and six feet tall. Birds also love to live in hedges because it provides them protection against the elements and predators who don’t like thorns.

Bushes – Rose bushes are purchased and planted individually or in clusters in a landscape or garden. You can purchase bushes in single colors or one color, miniature or regular. Bushes can be used in your garden or you can cut the flowers and bring in to your house. Roses will attract bees and butterflies to your yard to help the pollination process for your entire garden.

Miniatures – There are different types of miniature roses even. Some are so tiny, they are planted in a pot and kept indoors. The blossoms are small, being an inch or two in size and in shades of pinks and reds. Other miniatures reach 18 inches to 30 inches tall and are planted outside. The roses are much smaller than a standard rose is and come in almost any color.

Climbing Vines – Roses that are made to climb trellises and arbors have many more blossoms than a bush. The branches are more flexible, and they wind around or can be tied to the trellis so they grow straight up. Vines can reach heights to the second story or even higher!

How to Care For Your Rose Bush

Depending upon your variety of rose and the climate zone you live in will determine the exact care you give your roses. Some specifics are all the same and would include:

• Planting in a location with at least partial sun throughout the day.
• Make sure it is planted in soil that drains well and is not in a low spot.
• If you live in harsh winter zones, cover your roses with a Styrofoam dome or heavy mulch at the roots to prevent frostbite.
• In the fall or early spring, cut back branches.
• Prune dead limbs or excess growth during the summer months.
• Remove dead flowers during the blooming months to foster new blooms.
• Monitor for aphids or other bugs and diseases that can kill your bush.
• Fertilize regularly for optimum blooms.

Uses

Rose bushes have many uses in the outdoors, such as in landscaping, either as a sole bush or in a hedge. A rosebush can grow and provide color in soil where other things may not like to grow. During the winter, the birds eat the rose hips that have been left during the cold months when their food supply is scarce.

They also have indoor uses. They are put in to bouquets for every occasion, from Valentine’s Day to funerals. Their scent is distinctive, but not too overbearing for indoor rooms. Rose petals are used in perfumes, herbal supplements and in tea.

Famous Roses

With being such a recognizable and well-known symbol, there are also many famous associations that go along with roses.

War of the Roses

The two factions who wanted to control England were two families, the York’s and the Lancaster’s. The York’s used the symbol of a white rose on their crest and the Lancaster’s used a red rose to mark all of their belongings. When the two families fought bitterly and with much bloodshed over England, this became known as the War of the Roses.

Tournament of Roses – Rose Bowl and Parade

The Tournament of Roses began in 1890 as a celebration of gardens. It was like a festival, with animals, games, food and amusements. It became very popular and grew enormously. In 1902, the committee decided to add a football game for entertainment. The first two teams to play were Stanford and the University of Michigan. Michigan won, 49 to 0 and it was such a lopsided game, Stanford gave up and left in the 3rd quarter, disappointing fans. The fans were so disappointed, they discontinued the football game until 1916. The game grew more popular and more tourists came to see the tournament of roses. The crowds grew too big for the little area to hold, and the first football stadium was built in 1923. The Rose Bowl Parade and football game is still held every New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.

Run for the Roses – The Kentucky Derby

Roses were handed out to all of the women attending the Louisville Derby party before a race. They were so popular at the time, that the President of Churchill Downs made them the official flower of the race. The practice grew and a blanket of roses was created. The first blanket was given out to the winner of the Kentucky Derby in 1896. Red roses became the official rose used in 1904. In 1925, a sportscaster coined the phrase, the winner will “Run for the Roses.”

Songs

The rose may be the most popular flower mentioned in songs too. Some chart topping hits include, “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” popular during the 1970’s. “The Rose,” by Bette Midler topped the charts. Hits from the early 1900’s include, “Woodland Rose,” “Bring Me a Rose.” Other more modern songs include “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” “Desert Rose,” “Like the Red on a Rose,” and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

No matter what your preference is for roses, whether you like long stemmed in a vase or pink ones on a bush, you can appreciate their beauty. And whether you get them from a florist, the nursery or in your garden, you can share their beauty and fragrance with others.

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History of the Dahlia

The history of dahlias can be tracked back to the mid-1600s when Spanish explorers made drawings of the flowers found in Mexico. They were grown and used by Aztec Indians for medical remedies during the Spanish expedition. In the 1700s, parts of the plant were sent from Mexico to a botanist in a garden in Madrid, Spain. The botanist used the plant parts to cultivate new flowering plants. He named the genus after a reputable Swedish botanist, Andreas Dahl. Since then, the native of Mexico has gained popularity throughout the world and they are a favorite for flower gardens in the United States and Europe. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico.

Traits of the Flowering Plant

Dahlias are perennial plants, so they will continue to bloom for more than two years, but usually have a longer lifespan. They bloom in the spring and continue to bloom through autumn, until the frost comes. They are a great addition to flower gardens if you like long-blooming flowers. Depending on the species, dahlia plants range from one foot high to six feet tall. The diameter of the flowers is as little as two inches to the big flowers that are twelve inches in diameter.

Dahlias can be started from seeds, as transplants, or grown from the roots. Growing them from transplants or roots is better than growing from seeds because they are hybrids, which means they are grown from a cross-breed of more than one type of plant. They have a tuberous root which means that the root spores into the ground and over time new spores sprout creating new flowers.

Amazing Variety

There is an astonishing variety of dahlias. They are cultivated as hybrids, so the assortment of flowers as far as diameter, height and color depend on the curiosity of the breeders. There are lots of species grown from the genus of the dahlia.

There are species of dahlias that produce flowers that are tiny as well as species that produce enormous blooms. The forms of the flowers are countless ranging from pom-poms to peony forms. All dahlias are original and they can’t really be compared to other flowers. Some are daisy-like, some are similar to orchids, and some are like cactus flowers, but really, they are so unique that they can’t be compared. The variety of dahlias is colorful and usually bright, although there are some bronze-tones. The flowers are available in single colors, bi-colored or variegated.

Planting and Care of Dahlias

Planting dahlias is easy; however, they a have a few requirements to be considered when choosing where and when to plant them. Dahlias are sensitive to frost, they require sun, and they have no tolerance for water-logging soil and high winds. When choosing a place to plant them, make sure that the area is not subject to winds and that the area is in the sunlight at least six hours a day. Plant them after the last frost and prepare your soil by composting organic matter to make sure that it is well-draining. If you accommodate these few prerequisites, you can assure that you have the right environment for growing dahlias.

The spacing of the plants depends on the species. If you have the bedding type, they should be planted nine to twelve inches apart. The ones with small flowers, that are bedding plants, should have two feet between them. The large-flowering plants are best spaced three to four feet apart. They will also require support since will be tall, so placing stakes or trellises to tie them do as they grow is a good idea. The tubers should be buried about six inches deep. Making an eight inch hole and refilling it to six inches will allow the root room to grow.

Throughout the growing season, you will need to water the dahlias at least once a week or more often if it is hot. The soil should be kept moist. To increase the size of your flowers, pinching off the side buds will help.

At the end of the autumn, you will need to cut back the plants if you intend to leave them in the ground during the winter. If you have bad winters, you may choose to lift your roots and store them inside. To keep them from dying, they need to be stored in a place that is not less than 35 degrees and not more than 50 degrees and they occasionally need to be sprinkled will water to keep them from drying out. The roots can be replanted in spring.

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Quackgrass is a nasty grass weed that, if left untreated, can take over your lawn or garden quickly. Quackgrass is its most common name, but it may also be called couch, quitch, devils, wheat, scotch, twitch, witch, dog or durfa grass. Quackgrass has thin, flat, bright ashy green leaf blades. It is a perennial grass weed with auricles that clasp the stem, rhizomes, and a long, narrow spiked seed head. This seed head grows from 3 to 8 inches long and appears in July. Quackgrass grows from underground rhizomes (or stems) that lie dormant in the winter and pop back up in the spring. If left uncut, these stems can grow from 1 to 4 feet high.

Containing Quackgrass

Quackgrass is hard to contain, because you can only use herbicides on it that will not kill your lawn along with it. It is also tricky to treat because of the rhizomes. They are very strong and can even grow through pavement. It is important to try to kill the plants before they get to the rhizome stage (it should be treated in its youngest stage, in the first 2 to 3 months before the plant matures enough to create the stems). Each quackgrass plant can grow up to 300 feet of rhizomes each year. These rhizomes can be dug up, but it is a very difficult and tedious process. You should also never chop up or till the rhizomes because the small, chopped up pieces will multiply into new plants.

Each quackgrass stem will produce 25 seeds each year, and these seeds can live up to 3 to 5 years in the soil. Before herbicides were invented, farmers with outbreaks of quackgrass would clear out the field and leave it empty for up to two years, and kill all of the weeds to make sure there were none left to kill their crops. Now weed killers are strong enough to wipe out the annoying weed without waiting.

Eliminating Quackgrass

The chemical of choice to kill off the grass is glyphosate. This common weed killer is found in products like Round Up or Kleen Up. If you use these herbicides, be aware that it will kill any grass it touches, so it is very critical to apply it with a paintbrush or a small applicator that you can control easily. If the outbreak is large, you can always kill the whole yard and start over fresh, after you are sure the rhizomes are dead. It is also recommended to treat the plants in the spring or fall, when the grass is actively growing. Then wait to see if more seeds are germinated before reapplying the herbicide a few weeks later to kill off any new growth. You can also cut your lawn short and wait for the quackgrass to grow for a few days, (it grows faster) and then apply the weed killer to the quackgrass alone. You will know which stalks are quackgrass because they will be taller.

Maintaining Control

Another problem associated with killing off the weed is that up to 95% of the lateral buds on the rhizomes are dormant, even though the plant is growing. This is a problem because herbicides cannot kill the dormant parts of the plants. Therefore, a week later when the glyphosate wears off, the buds can awaken and start to grow new shoots. It is important to treat the weeds again. One way to counter act this problem is to apply nitrogen fertilizer to the weeds. This will break the lateral bud dormancy by awakening the buds, so that the glyphosate can kill the entire plant. Repeat the application process again in 30 to 45 days and make sure to avoid cultivation of the soil for 2 weeks after each application.

If the quackgrass is located in a flower, herb, or vegetable garden, you can do a similar treatment, but use a selective systemic herbicide containing fluazifop (fusilade) (Ortho-Grass-B-Gon). Apply this only to the quackgrass leaves as it may damage or kill all monocots (daylilies, iris, gladiolus, lilies) once it contacts the leaves. This product can also be used with asparagus (non-bearing plants only; you cannot harvest for 1 year after application), rhubarb, spinach, garlic, peppers, onions and non- bearing trees and vines. Grass-B-Gon is best applied to immature plants with 2 to 4 leaves; two applications are sometimes required to completely eradicate quackgrass. Do not apply this if rain is in the forecast within the next 48 hours. Make sure when applying any treatments that the temperature is above 50 degrees.

To avoid future breakouts of the weed, cut your grass frequently. Catch all outbreaks quickly, before the rhizomes grow and take over your yard or garden. Your time will be lush and healthy in no time at all with a little care.

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