Gardening Reference

On sand dunes and beaches, seagrape usually grows as a diffuse, sprawling shrub with stout branches and rarely a distinct trunk. However, away from the constant salt and sand spray it can grow into a handsome vase-shaped tree up to 50 ft (15.2 m) tall. The shiny, evergreen leaves are leathery, rounded with heart-shaped bases.

The bright green leaves are often veined in red and are about 8 in (20.3 cm) in diameter. The fragrant white flowers are very small and borne on 6-10 in (15.2-25.4 cm) spikes. Female trees bear reddish fruits that are about 3/4 in (1.9 cm) in diameter, pear-shaped and fleshy with a hard “stone.”

Location Read more…

"Lavender Bonsai"

How to care for lavenders

French and Spanish lavenders are common herbs grown to train bonsai trees. The sweet marjoram is another of the herbs grown to train bonsai. Each plant is the member of the tender perennial group, which the plants will live for a long time if cared for properly. French lavender grows woody shrubs and requires brilliant light and warm environments to survive.

The plants can survive in lower temperatures if grown outdoors, yet the warm environment is recommended. The south window is the recommended spot for growing French lavender bonsai indoors. You can also rest the plants at the west or east, yet south is best. In fact, most bonsai plants require the south, west, or east corners to grow healthy.

Lavandula dentata or French lavender is grown as bonsai trees. The beautiful plant includes leaves with indents. The trees grow woody shrubs; therefore, you can grow the bonsai as a cascade, or grow the bonsai upright. The French lavenders can live a long time. The plant grows elongated stems and arched flowers, which are light purple. French lavender requires brilliant lights to survive. If the lights are lowered, the plant becomes weak. Read more…

"Bonsai Geraniums"

How to care for Bonsai Geraniums?

While I am not going too much in depth on the subject Geraniums I will touch basis to help you decide if the plants are for you, and if you are ready to maintain bonsai geraniums. Pelargonium is aromatic geraniums, which signify large varieties of the cultivars and clusters that are easier to grow in windows and are simple to coach, or train as the bonsai. The problem is the geraniums have several hundred species to select from, as well as the cultivars. You may want to visit stores that sell Geraniums so that you can get an idea of what the plants look like when grown as bonsai.

The species include Pelargonium nervosum, which is the lime. Lemon is the Pelargonium Crispum, while ginger is Pelargonium torento. The list continues to nutmeg (Pelargonium Fragrans, rose (Pelargonium Graveolens) strawberry (Pelargonium scabrum), gooseberry (Pelargonium grossular-ioiders), peppermint (Pelargonium tomentosum), fern-leaf (Pelargonium filicifolium) and so on. You will find a variety of geraniums, yet the small leaved plants are best suited for growing bonsai. Read more…

“Crab Apple”

How to train Crab Apples?

Crab apples or Malus Apples are members of the Rosaceae family. There is only around twenty-five species, yet the group develops an amazing bonsai. The tree is grown in Asia, North America, Europe, etc. The Crabs has a historic moment that sends them back to the era when Neolithic or New Stone Ages emerged, which brought forth the Ornamental Crab Apple Malus.

Get your pen out, since you may want to note the Malus Baccata Mandshurica Cerasifera or better known as the Manchurian Crab Apple. This lovely creature develops in native regions and Japan, growing some of the most majestic leaves, flowers, fruits, branches, roots, etc, that the world of bonsai growers has ever seen. Man has the plan, since the plant grows up to 20-feet tall and blooms egg-shaped leaves, which are tinted green. The white flowers contrast the green, which these flowers bloom in April and/or May. Fruits start to appear in the shades red, yellow, etc, and are shaped-like cherries. Cultivars may have different shades and tints. The small bitter apples provide a tasty delight, i.e. if you like the similar tastes of green apples.

Relative to the Man is the Malus halliana or better known as the Hall Apple. Hall’s grow shrubs in Japan, China, and native regions. The tree when grown in the wild reaches up to 16 ½ -feet tall. The trees produce spreading that include egg-shaped leaves. The green leaves have attractive tones, e.g. hues, purple, pink, which bloom as flowers. The flowers start to bloom in May, which promotes the growth of ripe, edible fruits.
Read more…