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Thinking About Buying Plants Online?

It is amazing how many products you can buy on the internet these days. Anything you can imagine is for sale in cyberspace. You can even buy plants for your garden online. There are a few points to consider when buying plants online and those are research, selection, shipping, and receiving. This article will discuss these points to help you successful buy plants for your garden online.

One of the very best aspects of the internet is the ability to research your products. When planning your garden you can find all the information you need to be sure your plants will be successful growing in your garden. From finding your hardiness zone to determining if you have the proper light requirements for a rare hybrid you would like to try. It is all there for you at the tip of your fingers. The other thing to research is the suppliers themselves. Searching for reviews is good way to find the most reputable suppliers. People out there will let you know if a company is good or bad. The research aspect of the internet is unmatched.

The internet gives you the largest selection of plants anywhere. The largest local nursery cannot even come close to carrying that much selection. Due to space requirements for storing and displaying plants, your selection is reduced to the hardiest and most easily cared for. You can find exactly the plants you are looking for and not have to drive to every nursery in your area to do it. Combine this convenience with the research and you can plan and plant any garden you want without compromise.

Shipping is an aspect you will have pay attention to. The online nurseries will usually have a schedule on when each of their plant is shipped. This schedule is based on the optimal planting time for the particular plants that you ordered. Sometimes this date may be months from when you placed the actual order. Be sure to print and keep a copy of all your orders and tracking details. Also, use these records to make sure you don’t double order. Keeping track of your orders will also prepare you for receiving.

When receiving your order be aware that the plants may be shipped bareroot. This means they were shipped without any soil around the roots. The nurseries do this to cut down on the cost of shipping. With this in mind, be prepared to plant your order as soon as it arrives. When your order arrives, inspect all of the plants. If you have any issues contact the nursery’s customer service. It should be on your order form or on the packing slip. They are pretty good about replacing damaged plants. After everything is acceptable to you, it time to plant.

As you can tell, buying plants online has many advantages. Mainly, you get to choose the exact garden you want to plant and are not limited to what is in stock. So research, plan, and plant the garden of your dreams.

Some Good Online Nurseries:

How to Care for Hibiscus

The hibiscus is favorite of many a flower garden. Many people believe these beautiful flowering shrubs are difficult to care for. Nothing could be further from the truth. The hardy hibiscus can flourish in many different areas as long as they have the right soil conditions, are watered correctly and have proper fertilization. This article will discuss how to care for hibiscus.

The hardy hibiscus can survive in a range of locations. It can prosper from Florida all the way to the northern tip of Illinois. It ranges from zone 4 to 9. However, the tropical variety of hibiscus will only survive in Hawaii and South Florida. It thrives between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature drops the hibiscus will die back to the ground but will return once the soil temperature warms. However, the tropical variety of hibiscus will only survive in Hawaii and South Florida. It needs to be potted and brought indoors to survive the winter. Use a pot slightly larger than the root ball.

Location is of great importance to the hibiscus. The plant likes slightly acidic, well draining soils. And light, lots of light. The plants prefer full sun exposure. In partial sun conditions the plants will not bloom to their potential and may need to be staked. So find a sunny spot for the hibiscus.

In the summer months the hibiscus needs lot of water. Keep the soil moist to the touch. Mulch can be used to keep moisture in the ground around the base of the plant. In the summer the hardy hibiscus requires no water as it dies back to the ground. The tropical hibiscus should be watered sparingly in the winter. Only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Give the plants a little food while they are growing. Fertilize the hibiscus using a long release fertilizer in the spring and again in the summer.

There are a few pests to look out for. The hibiscus sawfly is a little black fly that should be dealt with immediately with a specialized insecticide. They seem to like the hardy hibiscus whereas the aphids, thrips, and whiteflies like the tropical varieties. Use an insecticidal soap on these bad boys.

As you can see, how to care for hibiscus is not a difficult assignment. With the proper location, soil and light, water and fertilizer, as well as, watching out for the insects you will grow the most beautiful hibiscus plants year after year.

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Tips for Growing Hibiscus

The Hibiscus produces the most brilliant flowers in your fall garden.  Getting the full effect of the plant is not a difficult task. The main points to consider are site, proper feeding, and insect control. This article will offer tips for growing the most beautiful hibiscus plants. 

The hibiscus is a perennial, sun loving plant. Actually it is considered an herbaceous perennial, which means; it will die back completely to the ground during the winter but will come back strong when the soil warms in the spring. The shrub thrives on well draining, fertile sandy loams but will do well in most average soils. For full flower production make sure the hibiscus is growing in full sunlight. Even slight shade will cause shoots not to ripen well and impair flowering. Once the hibiscus is growing in the right spot follow a proper feeding schedule.

Setting up a feeding program for the hibiscus is quite easy. They like to drink lots of water. Water regularly during the spring and summer months. To help newly planted hibiscus recover quickly watch the leaves for signs of wilting. Wilting leaves is a sign that the plant needs water. Use an all-purpose plant food such as fish blood and bone meal in the spring and again in the summer. Yellowing of the leaves is a sign that the hibiscus needs plant food. A growing hibiscus needs lots of water and bit of plant food to reach their full potential but watch out for those pesky insects.

The hibiscus main insect threat is aphids. Aphids are small sap sucking insects. They are one the greatest threats to cultivated plants in temperate regions. Aphids can be controlled in a variety of ways. First is chemical pesticides, second is the use of eco-friendly plant extracts, third is to introduce a natural predator, such as, the lacewing into the environment. Horticultural soap that is sold commercially works well controlling aphid populations on hibiscus plants.

As you can tell from these tips, growing hibiscus plants is not difficult at all. With the right location and feeding schedule, as well as, a keen eye watching out for those pesky aphids, your hibiscus will thrive. A thriving hibiscus is a site to behold with large colorful flowers blooming from late summer into the fall. 

What You Need to Know About Growing Hibiscus

The Hibiscus is most widely cultivated landscape plant in the world. The popularity comes from a combination of the brilliant blooming flowers coupled with the ease of growing.  Hibiscus can be grown in almost any area of the country provided you follow some simple guidelines. This article will offer tips on growing hibiscus plants of your very own.

The hibiscus comes in two varieties: Tropical and Hardy. Unless you live in Miami or Honolulu you will want to use the hardy variety.  The hardy hibiscus can grow in zones 4-8 with some preparation for the winter. There are many hybrids and variations so be sure to check the label or ask the salesperson for the zone information of any plant you are going to buy. Once you have chosen the plants for your location, let’s get ready to plant them.

Plant the hibiscus in moist soil with direct sunlight. Soil preparation for planting is really simple. The plants like a well drained, slightly acidic soil. To accomplish this add some organic compost and peat moss to the soil and mix. The plants are very adaptable to soil conditions so do not get carried away. The hibiscus loves to bask in the sun so make sure you plant it in a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.  Getting these two items right is the key to growing hibiscus.

Maintaining the hibiscus is a snap. They love to drink so make sure you water regularly. The soil around the plant should be kept moist. Use mulch to keep moisture in soil during the hot summer months. The leaves will begin to wilt if the plant is not getting enough water. Prune the plant if needed. Some species can grow to five feet tall. These varieties may have to be staked. If the leaves begin to yellow use it needs some fertilizer.  After the growing season cut the hibiscus down to the ground and cover with mulch. The plant will go dormant for the winter but will come back in the late spring. Make sure you put a flag or stake in the ground so you remember where your hibiscus is located.

As you can tell, growing hibiscus is really easy.  There are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from in all shapes, sizes and colors. So pick out one you like, find the right spot to plant, keep it watered and you will have a beautiful hibiscus.

5 Simple Steps to Start a Flower Garden

Starting a flower garden can be fun and easy.  My gardening experience started as a project for my 4-year old daughter and I to spend some quality time together. It turned out better than I could ever imagine. Now we look forward to planning the garden every year. There are so many different things to try and the experience is truly gratifying. Use the following five steps to start your very own flower garden.

Step 1: Determine where you are.

One of the most important factors in planning your garden is location, location, location. Most of the decisions you make will be dictated to you by your location. Start with where you live. Use the USDA – Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine your zone. The zone number is based on the average minimum temperatures expected in the region and will guide you as you select plants for your garden.

Step 2: Sun exposure.

The next consideration for your garden is the amount of sunlight it receives. Plants are usually grouped by how much direct sunlight they can handle. Some plants can enjoy full sun, others need partial sun, and some require shade to succeed.  

Step 3: Get to know your dirt.

The type of soil you have will impact your flower choices. Sandy soils usually drain quickly but do not retain moisture well. Clayey soils retain lots of moisture but drain much slower. There are ways to modify the ground but if you are just starting out, go with what you have got.

Step 4: Select your plants.

By knowing the location of your flower garden you can determine your hardiness zone and the amount of sun the garden receives. Use this information combined with your soil type to start selecting flowers for your garden. Do a little online research and make a list of the flowers you would like to grow. Check to make sure the flowers fit the parameters for your specific garden. While doing your research be sure to note when the recommended planting dates are for those plants.

Step 5: Plant your flower garden

Once you have selected the flowers you would like to try growing in your garden, check the calendar to see which flowers you are going to plant. There are two ways to plant flowers in your garden. You can start from seed or plant live plants. When first starting out, I used combination of both. So pick out some live plants, get some seeds, and do a little experimenting to see what works for you.

Using these five simple steps you can start a flower garden of your very own. Once you get going you can add, subtract, and try all sorts of things. So let your creative side go wild and you will find that you anticipate each day to see your creation become a thing of beauty.

Click Here for Information on Starting Your Own Garden