Flowers Shrubs and Trees

Houseplants

How to Grow: Peperomia

Sun Requirements Medium to bright sun is best for peperomia. An East facing window is good or artificial lighting turned on 14 hours a day will help keep the leaves brightly colored. Bloom Period and Plant Shape The flowers on peperomia are tall, narrow green or brown stalks. The plant leaves can be tiny or large depending on the selection. They often are thick and succulent and compared to rubber tree leaves. In fact, a common name is baby rubber tree. However, the two plants aren't related. Mature Height x Spread Peperomia can grow up to...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Pet Safe Houseplants

Certain plants used in holiday decorations, like holly berries and mistletoe, can be toxic for kids and pets if they ingest them. Find out which alternatives look just as festive and are safe. Cats, dogs and curious kiddos might ingest certain plant parts that can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mildly upset tummies to cardiac issues. You'll want to rule out any dangers and instead, deck your halls with safer choices.         The Naughty List Holly berries- These bright red berries look beautiful bedecking wreaths...

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Flowers Shrubs and Trees

How to Grow: Plants for Mother’s Day

Learn about plants to get for your mom, including how to plant and grow them. Listen to podcast: Mother's Day was started during the Civil War by Julia Ward Howe. She was so distraught over the carnage, she called for a day to honor peace and motherhood in protest of the war. But what started as a day to honor moms, has turned into an unruly commercial holiday. So what should you do to celebrate your mother on this day? While chocolates, flowers, cards and brunch are the norm, how about something for her garden? Most moms are overworked so...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Poinsettia

Learn how to poinsettia plants for the holidays including information on getting them to rebloom. Listen to podcast: I recently returned from a trip to India, and while visiting a friend in his garden outside Delhi, I was struck by one brilliantly colored, red plant. This five-foot-tall and -wide plant looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, it was a poinsettia. While we mostly know poinsettias as those potted holiday plants, they actually are a shrub in their native Mexico. The name comes from an American who brought them into the...

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AnnualsHouseplants

How to Grow: Poisonous Holiday Plants

Learn about poisonous holiday plants, including information on which to grow and which to avoid. Listen to Podcast: It's fun to decorate the house with colorful holiday plants and seasonal greens. They create a warm, welcoming atmosphere during these cold, dark days. But whether you're decorating your own home or giving holiday plants as gifts, you should keep in mind some can be toxic to pets and young children. The reactions can range from a mild skin irritation, to stomach upset, to a serious reaction needing medical attention. If you...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Pothos

Sun Requirements Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or devil's ivy is related to Philodendron, another vining, popular houseplant. They both grow best in bright, indirect light. Pale green leaves usually means too much sun. The loss of variegation and the leaves may reverting to all green can mean too little light. Bloom Period and Plant Shape Pothos is grown primarily for its heart-shaped leaves and long vining stems. Some types vine more aggressively than others. Mature Height x Spread The plant vines almost uncontrollably outdoors in tropical...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Propagating Houseplants

Want to fill your home with plants but can't afford to just now? You needn't be green with envy; just enlist a friend with houseplants and ask them to propagate some for you. If you dream of a home full of plants but that line item isn’t in your budget right now, fear not — find a propagation pal! Even if you don't directly know someone who has houseplants to share, in Vermont, there are many plant swap and share options, including groups on social media and events at local libraries. Houseplants, especially when outside temperatures dip...

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Flowers Shrubs and Trees

How to Grow: Pruning and Overwintering Hydrangeas

It's time to care for hydrangeas so they'll flower again next spring and summer, and knowing which type of hydrangea you have is key. Knowing which hydrangea you have in your yard or landscape is key. That way, you can prep it for winter. The common types that grow in New England — Hydrangea paniculata or panicle, Hydrangea arborescens (also known as "smooth") and Hydrangea macrophylla (also known as "blue" or "bigleaf") — flower at different times, on different parts of the plant and require different care. If your hydrangea bush has...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Rubber Tree

Sun Requirements Rubber tree houseplant (Ficus elastica) grows best in a bright room with lots of light, but no direct sunlight. A South facing window shielded with a sheer curtain is ideal. If your rubber tree starts getting leggy, it doesn't have enough light. Bloom Period and Plant Shape Rubber trees are grown for their large size and big, shiny, thick leaves. The plant grows in a tree shape, so you'll need to have enough ceiling space to grow this tree. Mature Height x Spread Rubber trees grow up 100 feet tall in their natural outdoor...

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Houseplants

How to Grow: Snake Plant

Sun Requirements Bright, indirect light, but will tolerate low light conditions. Bloom Period and Plant Shape Snake plants (Sansevieria) rarely boom indoors. They have stiff, vertical, sword-like leaves that can have a number of different colored edges depending on the selection. They are grown in tropical regions as a ground cover, often under trees and shrubs. They can become invasive in the wild. Indoors, snake plants are easy to grow houseplants. Mature Height x Spread Snake plants grow up to 4 feet tall in their native regions. In the...

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