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Showing posts from March, 2012

Forsythia

Forsythia, also called Golden Bells, are ornamental shrubs that are members of the Olive family. Forsythia are native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. There are about 11 species but most common garden varieties are hybrids of Forsythia suspensa and Forsythia vridissima , otherwise known as Forsythia intermedia . Common varieties grow 6′ to 8′ tall and wide but are often kept shorter and formed into a shaped hedge. They are sometimes planted singly where their arching branches form fountain-like growths spilling into the yard. Forsythia are most often planted for their spectacular dense rows of yellow spring flowers that form while most other plants are still dormant (photo). Providing a colorful reminder that spring is near and brightening an otherwise drab day. Flowers form prior to leaf out. Leaf color is dark green for the remainder of the growth season. Fall leaf color is yellow. Forsythia are best grown in full sun to light shade. They require regular water during es

Healthy Choices to Restore Your Soil: Earth Magic and Protein Crumblies

Make the healthy choice to improve your soils health whether it’s your lawn, garden, orchard, or pasture. Earth Magic and Protein Crumblies (photo) are products that can take your property on the 'Journey to Better Soil Health' . Earth Magic (also known ad TerraPro) is a unique concentrated humus product that contains a broad spectrum of beneficial mycorrhizae fungi and soil enzymes along with a high percentage of Humic Acids (photo). Humic Acids have unique biological and chemical characteristics that will provide exceptional benefits to any soil. The objective of this product is to fortify the soil with the best humic acid product possible at the highest concentration possible because they are powerful biologics that can jump start the life of your soil. Humic Acids help soils retain water and plant essential mineral nutrients. Humic Acids can also help provide structure that is essential for drainage in heavy soils. Humic Acid effects on the soil are permanent as they

Plant of the Month: Dawn Redwood

Dawn Redwood  ( Metasequoia glyptostroboides ) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree and is considered the ancestor of all redwoods (photo).   Dawn Redwood is one of three species of conifers known as redwoods.  The other two redwood species are the California Coast Redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens ) and the Giant Sequoia ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ). It is native to China where it grows to 200 feet or more in height. It is considered a living fossil because it was thought extinct until its discovery in China in 1944.  In 1948, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University located in Cambridge , Massachusetts , United States sent an expedition to collect seeds and, soon after, seedling trees were distributed to various universities and arboreta worldwide for growth trials. The   Arboretum Tome     in Los Lunas , New Mexico maintains 33 different seed lines or representatives of the Dawn Redwood on its grounds. Dawn redwood is often confused with the Texas Redwood or Bald Cypress ( Taxodium