The Austree is a hybrid willow. Its parents are the corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana) and white willow (Salix alba). While Austrees are fast growing trees, insects and diseases can be problems. Because of these
The Austree is a hybrid willow. Its parents are the corkscrew willow (Salix matsudana) and white willow (Salix alba). While Austrees are fast growing trees, insects and diseases can be problems. Because of these
Annuals are a great way to add variety and color to the landscape and containers. As temperatures cool in late summer into fall, many of the summer annuals like marigolds, coleus and impatiens are looking “tired”.
The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is actually a species of dogwood. It is also referred to as cornelian cherry dogwood. The cornelian cherry dogwood is an adaptable, durable, and relatively pest-free small tree. Plants c
Hardneck cultivars of garlic will produce a scape or flower stalk from the center of the leaves in mid-to-late May. Removing the scape is advised as it will help the bulb grow larger because the plant will put energy into bulb production rat
Tulips perform best in partial to full sun. Planting sites should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Tulip bulbs also need a well-drained, fertile soil.
Grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.) are spring-flowering bulbs. They produce urn-shaped flowers on 6- to 9-inch-long, upright spikes. (The flower spikes somewhat resemble clusters of grapes, hence the common name.) Flowers ar
Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) is a species of honeysuckle native to cold regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Other common names include blue honeysuckle or haskap. Honeyberries grow 4 to 6 feet tall. Plants prod
Jostaberries are a cross between black currants and gooseberries. Plants are vigorous and may grow to a height of 6 to 8 feet. Jostaberry fruit are similar in size to gooseberries and black in color. Plants possess excellent cold
The Martagon lily (Lilium martagon) is one of the most widely distributed lilies in the world. It grows naturally in most of Europe and parts of Asia. It is also referred to as Turk’s cap lily.
Serviceberries are members of the genus Amelanchier. Other common names for plants in the genus Amelanchier include juneberry, saskatoon, shadbush, sarvisberry, and sugar plum.
Snap peas are an edible podded pea. Snap peas are best picked when the seeds are nearly full size and the pod walls are thick, fleshy, and crunchy. Snap peas may be eaten raw in salads, snapped and cooked like snap beans, or shelled fo
Snow peas are an edible podded pea. Snow peas are harvested when the pods are long and thin, just as the seeds begin to develop. Young pods are tender, stringless, and may be stir-fried in Chinese dishes, steamed, or cooked like snap b
Disease issues are a primary limiting factor to producing high-quality apples in the home garden. Without regular fungicide applications, most apple cultivars will develop serious issues with diseases like apple scab, fire blight, cedar appl
There are a number of vegetables that are relatively easy to grow. Peppers, bush beans, leafy greens, and even tomatoes often make the easy to grow vegetable lists. Be sure to select vegetables that you are most likely to eat as you ar
Part shade garden areas receive 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some annuals thrive in these conditions, and others may grow best in full sun but tolerate part shade. For these species, they may have fewer flowers or a more o
Annuals that can be successfully grown in shady areas include:
Numerous carrot cultivars are available to home gardeners. The main differences between cultivars are the shape and size of the root. Carrot roots can be long and tapered, cylindrical, or even roundish. Most carrots are orange.
Numerous eggplant varieties (cultivars) are available for the home garden. These varieties differ in color, size, and shape. Fruit colors include green, white, pink, purple, and black. Some fruit are striped. Fruit may be o
Excellent groundcovers for shade include:
Plant heights vary somewhat based on the growing conditions at the site. However, there are several groundcovers that are 12 inches or less in height.
Low-growing groundcovers for shade include:
When selecting plants for the shade garden, one group of plants that is often overlooked are native woodland wildflowers. Since they are native to the state, woodland wildflowers are well adapted to the area. They are easy to grow and
Suggested onion varieties for home gardens in Iowa include:
Suggested garden pea cultivars for home gardens in Iowa include:
Pear varieties (cultivars) that perform well in Iowa include:
Cold hardiness is an important factor when selecting plum varieties for home gardens. Japanese plums are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa. However, several European and hybrid plum varieties can be successfully grown in the state.
Several potato varieties perform well in Iowa. A list of recommended potato varieties (along with a brief description of each) is provided to help you choose the best variety for your garden.
Suggested radish varieties (cultivars) for home gardens include:
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native prairie grass. It is typically found in moist sites, such as along the banks of streams, and grows 3 to 6 feet tall.
Tomato varieties are classified as determinate or indeterminate.
When selecting perennials for the home landscape, it’s important to consider their size, bloom period, hardiness, and cultural requirements. Another consideration is their longevity. Some perennials are short-lived. Short-lived p