A huge, spreading tree makes little sense for a small yard where space is at a premium. Small lots require an appropriately sized tree that provides sufficient shade. Native and nonnative types exist for such landscapes, as well as those with tolerance for cold and heat. Flowers are an additional be

Gophers, moles, ground squirrels and other varmints can wreak havoc on a manicured lawn or a farmer's crops with the critters' endless burrowing and devouring. Gopher holes are a particular peril on horse farms, should a horse step into one and break its leg. Plugging a hole does little good; the fu

Daylilies are versatile perennial flowers that are considered hardy and easy to grow. Available in colors such as yellow, orange, red, purple and pink, daylilies can provide a splash of color in a flowerbed or garden. Because they can grow in many types of soil, tolerate dry spells and resist common

Weeping cherry is a grafted, ornamental tree, often used near water features in the landscape for its delicate, trailing habit. This little tree is tough and will attract few pests and diseases when given an open area to grow and substantial shelter from wind and harsh weather. Gummosis is a nasty c

The azalea is a large shrub that produces fragrant flowers during the spring season. The shrub reaches a height and branch spread of 6 feet. Azaleas grow best in USDA Hardiness zones 6 through 9, where the winters are mild.

When at a loss for what to plant in the wet areas next to ponds and swamps or spots that suffer seasonal flooding, opt for specific shrubs that tolerate damp conditions. These wet area shrubs exist for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones with cold winters such as those in zone 3 as

Raised bed gardening is a good choice for urban growers. Plants can be spaced closely together. Paths between beds can be clearly defined, which means beds will not be compacted by foot traffic. Mulch and water can be applied just to the beds and not the paths. Follow a few guidelines to greatly re

Like most insects, the tsetse fly develops from an egg to an adult through several stages. However, its maturation process begins quite differently than most. This biting fly is best known as the carrier of the parasite that causes sleeping sickness.

There are two basic viewpoints when it comes to creating a perennial cutting garden. One concept favors setting flowers out in tidy rows with footpaths to encourage easy access to the blooms. The other favors an informal arrangement, so that flowers snipped for bouquets will not be missed. In either

Fruitless mulberry trees are prized for their tolerance to drought and poor soil. Being male plants that don't provide fruit, they also create beauty without the following mess that can come with a large fruit harvest. The fruitless mulberry is a fast grower that can often overtake its intended spac

Members of the Picea Genus - Meet 12 Spruce Trees and Shrubs in this photo gallery.

A shot of wheat grass at the juice bar can be pricey. However, the nutrient packed and chlorophyll-rich plant can be inexpensive and relatively easy to grow. Enjoy the benefits of fresh wheat grass by planting hard, red wheat berry seeds right at home. The heath benefits of freshly harvested wheat g

Light is energy and plants use it for fuel. Color signifies the amount of energy carried by light waves and has specific effects on a plant's growth and development. Plants need multiple light colors for effective photosynthesis and sun is only one source of that light. Indoor gardeners can adjust l

Many cacti are successfully grown indoors as houseplants. Besides the well-known Christmas cactus and Easter cactus, there are many more cacti that you can grow indoors without fail. Different types of cactus to grow as houseplants can be defined by their form or growth habit.

Aside from increasing the aesthetics of a landscape, homeowners and gardeners install garden fencing as a means to deter pesky animals feeding on vegetation. In these cases, the height of the garden fence often depends on the specific animal a gardener needs to deter.

Landscape plants are susceptible to many types of diseases, which can be caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus. Leaf blight is most commonly caused by fungi, which invade and infect susceptible plants.

All plants require water to survive. The exact amounts differ between plant varieties. Desert plants, such as cactus, get along on very little water, while plants such as vegetables require a steady amount of moisture to thrive. There is more to irrigating plants than just pouring water over them. W

Get a little creative when you lack garden space. A wide and deep plastic container will hold enough soil to grow sweet potatoes successfully, with a trellis. As long as you provide abundant sunshine and enough room for root growth, sweet potato vines will climb happily up the container trellis. Har

Cats are often extremely attracted to bird feeders. Not for the birdseed of course, but for the chance to grab a bird. While it is fairly unlikely the cat will be successful, just the presence of it will scare off the birds. A bird feeder should be on a pole at least 5 1/2 feet tall to keep cats fro