\n
![\"Adenium](\"https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/10247884233_9c08fb4e90.jpg\")
Caudiciform plants is a large group of plants that form caudex – a fat stem or root. The caudex in most Caudiciform plants is prominent and gives these plants a uniquely unusual shape and character. Caudiciform plants make excellent specimen plants. Take the example of Adenium obesum, Beaucarnea gracilis, Cycas revoluta, most Cyphostemmas, and Dioscorea […]
\n","content":"\t\t\t\tCaudiciform plants is a large group of plants that form caudex – a fat stem or root. The caudex in most Caudiciform plants is prominent and gives these plants a uniquely unusual shape and character.
\nCaudiciform plants make excellent specimen plants. Take the example of Adenium obesum, Beaucarnea gracilis, Cycas revoluta, most Cyphostemmas, and Dioscorea elephantipes. Like other Caudiciform plants, these attractive plants form caudex to store water and food so that they can survive long spells of drought therefore these are generally low-maintenance plants.
\nCaudiciform plants do not require much maintenance. Because they are able to store water for dry periods, you do not need to water them regularly. During the months of active growth, water sufficiently only when the soil is completely dry. Avoid watering when the plant is hibernating.
\nGrow your plants is a well-drained soil and feed them when they show active sign of growth. With a little experience with caudex forming plants, you will understand that most of these plants quick adopt to the surrounding climate. You can grow them outdoors as specimen plants, indoor on a window sill, or in a greenhouse (if you live in a colder region). Generally, they prefer dry conditions and good exposure to the sunlight.
\nCaudiciform plants come in all sizes. Some grow into tall trees, some have shrubby growth, some of them are vines and some of them are small succulents. The size, location, and shape of caudex in most plants vary greatly. Therefore, these caudex forming plants are further grouped in four categories.
\nSome popular species of caudex forming plants include:
\nAdenium obesum /Desert Rose (Buy seeds online)
\n
Jatropha berlandieri (Buy seeds online)
\n![\"Jatropha](\"https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4137/4801323517_474f41b7b7.jpg\")
Jatropha podagrica (Buy seeds online)
\n![\"Jatropha](\"https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6176/6172980658_9de303c033.jpg\")
Pachypodium brevicaule
\n ![\"Pachypodium](\"https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6951769571_b447608345.jpg\")
Dioscorea elephantipes (Buy seeds online)
\n![\"Caudiciform](\"https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/13631587704_d613b42540.jpg\")
Gerrardanthus macrorhizus
\n ![\"Gerrardanthus](\"https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7734/17372814895_ab99d08a28.jpg\")
Euphorbia cylindrifolia (Buy seeds online)
\n![\"Euphorbia](\"https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6045/6367381141_501cbd48be.jpg\")
Yucca rostrata
\n ![\"Yucca](\"https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4106/5219220798_9c2dd2786d.jpg\")
Tylecodon paniculata
\n![\"Tylecodon](\"https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2563/4068299388_a08e89d2b4.jpg\")
\t\t
There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to turn your gardening hobby into a full-time passion, to looking after your wellbeing and not to mention all the nutritional benefits of growing your own food. Here are the reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your […]
\n","content":"\t\t\t\t![\"Greenhouse\"](\"https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6157/6254072376_b126cd4c32.jpg\")
\n There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to turn your gardening hobby into a full-time passion, to looking after your wellbeing and not to mention all the nutritional benefits of growing your own food.
Here are the reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden:
\nA greenhouse means you can grow plants, bulbs, vegetables and flowers all year round, whatever the weather. Despite the extreme temperatures we might be experiencing outside, inside your greenhouse you can create the perfect environment for your crops to grow and protect them from the elements. It’s important to make sure that despite your greenhouse always being warm and humid that it remains well ventilated. A great way to do this is to buy window openers for it which automatically open and close to maintain the correct temperature for optimum growth.
\nA greenhouse creates a great hobby for a lot of people turning their interest in gardening into a profitable venture. It means people keep busy, out in the sunlight rather than sat inside and you can even sell your fresh produce for profit if you grow enough. For many younger people it’s great as it means you can start to really look after your health and care about what you’re eating and for many older people, a greenhouse is a great way to stay active and gives you a reason to get out of the house each day.
\nThe nutritional benefits of growing your own vegetables are huge. With your own greenhouse you can grow a variety of different vegetables and some many months before you could grow them outdoors. You can be sure that the food you’re eating hasn’t been in contact with harmful pesticides and be 100% sure of what your family are eating which is a very reassuring thought for most parents.
\n![\"Wave](\"https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14980991738_b628578c3b.jpg\")
Greenhouses have been proven to be effective in helping those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder combat their problems. You get to spend plenty of time outside benefiting from the natural light getting all the nutrients from the diffused sunlight. Eating your own healthy produce also contributes to your physical wellbeing and encourages families to eat healthier in the long run as children grow up learning about where their food comes from and the importance of eating lots of fruit and vegetables.\t\t
\n","title":"Why Get a Greenhouse in your Garden","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Why Get a Greenhouse in your Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to grow plants through out the year to growing your own food."}}},{"node":{"id":"97260ebe-9274-5d73-b454-48940de4090a","slug":"growing-drought-tolerant-grasses","path":"/drought-tolerant-plants/growing-drought-tolerant-grasses/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jay Keaton is a lawn care specialist who focuses on organic pest control. His yard is filled with chrysanthemums, basil, borage, marigolds and other plants that repel bugs.","name":"Jay Keaton","id":"aa1543ca-6fab-5e4b-bd0c-12f87aa13f51","path":"/author/jay-keaton/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6abb3b96ee2a6dcce741112f06af213b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"2bca3176-5c56-5608-8083-8819b11f4a4c","name":"Drought Tolerant Plants","count":2,"path":"/category/drought-tolerant-plants/"},{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 15th, 2019","excerpt":"If you’re looking to conserve water, why not start with your lawn? Choosing drought-tolerant grass will save you money on your water bill. Not only do they need less water, these grass types also don’t need to be mowed or fertilized as often, which will save you time and even more money. As the name […]
\n","content":"\nIf you’re looking to conserve water, why not start with your lawn? Choosing drought-tolerant grass will save you money on your water bill. Not only do they need less water, these grass types also don’t need to be mowed or fertilized as often, which will save you time and even more money.
\n\n\n\nAs the name implies, drought-tolerant grasses can survive and even stay green during dry spells. This is helpful if you live in a drier climate or in a community with water restrictions. There are two types of turfgrass to consider when you’re switching to a drought-resistant variety: cool-season and warm-season grass. Choose the type that’s best suited for your climate to increase their hardiness and decrease the time you spend on lawn care.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grass types thrive in areas with cold winters and hot summers. Its preferred temperature range is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why you’ll see more active growth in the spring and fall. These varieties are most common in the upper third of the United States. You’ll also find them in the Midwest, or the “transition zone,” where cool-season and warm-season grasses overlap. They will go dormant in winter when the temperatures get cold.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/15Qv9T51iqfQnmp485RUGDSmxielZf8b72XZIytggcI6Hnl87VQWMzNMcq-wuy2J1f0hHoclryI-XJQcYckibBqwtWQR4tSkZYTYEJzRRXGNwDdjaMbofiqNGxQBySfB_jQZRDit\")
Tall fescue grass is a course-textured, bunching grass with a wide blade that grows well in full sun and shade. It’s becoming more popular as a turfgrass because it looks like other varieties, but doesn’t need as much maintenance. It is well suited to the transition zone because it tolerates both high heat and drought. Its root system reaches deep (2-3 feet), allowing it to find moisture deep in the soil. It only needs 1-1 ¾ inches of water a week.
Sheep fescue is another excellent choice for a drought-tolerant lawn. It needs little water and only infrequent mowing (two to three times a year, and not at all during the summer). Because of its bumpy surface, it’s not ideal for backyard play.
\n\n\n\nRyegrass is a tough, low maintenance grass that grows quickly and holds up well to foot traffic. It’s most commonly used in grass seed mixtures rather than as a stand-alone lawn grass. There are perennial and annual types, and the perennial variety is what you’ll find in permanent lawns.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll find warm-season grasses in the southern United States. They prefer temperatures of 80-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Their most active growth happens in late spring through the summer.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass has the most drought-tolerance of the warm-season grasses. It tolerates heat, drought, high traffic, and even salt, making it popular for lawns, golf courses and football fields in the South. It has deep roots that can extend up to 6 feet, meaning it can find water far underground. It stays green all year in areas where it doesn’t freeze and can recover quickly after going dormant during a drought. It does require more maintenance than some. It needs 1 ¼ inches of water a week during the hottest months. It also grows rapidly, so you’ll need to mow it every five to seven days.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cmCZ-pouktN7Lzche5bJKvRqPxX7TmDioLyc_0kz-_9GtsJnKqSn1oAPQ-x1shEES7nwn41vUxEwXFkXDBypu87ew7OUjFBWHn6KPg7Yj0piYzv7X4QrMaB6WFeM16lUUMQoAr1Q\")
Buffalograss is native to the Midwest and is growing in popularity as a turfgrass. It’s thick and can survive on less than 1/4 inch of water a week. Newer cultivars are easier to establish in your yard, but it’s still slow to start. The Colorado State University Extension says, “The development of attractive turf-type cultivars and greater availability of seed, sod, and plugs has generated new interest in this grass for home lawns.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aa8-cN9F14jSdbkKutcB1orwG2IJJ54YA9edneADPtRXB3u3Rfg_VOPSWxTtVD4TYDSk7MrZPTSlxCgYeo6a07DCODyfO3QNRyxApVfe9wb-WDIA8D0yO7sHAHEoL7LerWWQQ3kz\")
Zoysiagrass will give you a dense, green lawn with little maintenance. It grows well in southern states and in the transition zone. It turns brown during winter dormancy, but this happens later in the fall than with other warm-season grass. It also greens up earlier in the spring than other varieties and can grow in partial shade. Like Bermudagrass, it will recover after going dormant in a drought. Zoysia lawns need about an inch of water a week.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass is a coarser grass that holds up under some foot traffic. It stays green, even when going dormant in the winter, but it is susceptible to disease if overwatered.
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass tolerates drought and poor soil conditions. It’s also disease- and pest-resistant, but it won’t do well in shady areas.
\n\n\n\nSwitching a thirsty, high maintenance lawn to one that is water-wise and drought-tolerant is a good ecological and economical choice. You’ll spend less time and money on watering, mowing and fertilizing your lawn, while still having a green outdoor space to enjoy.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Anton Croos, Art of Photography
\n","title":"Growing Drought-Tolerant Grasses","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5005861664712778,"src":"/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/1789c/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/107df/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg 320w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/293e9/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg 500w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/f2cbb/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg 800w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/1789c/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg 960w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/356ef/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/1dd6e/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/67b76/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp 320w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/8df11/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp 500w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/98a65/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp 800w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/1dd6e/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp 960w,\n/static/3961cbd32ec1be6f9e9a3bc964a83dfe/93f70/1280px-Sprinkler_Irrigation_-_Sprinkler_head.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Growing Drought-Tolerant Grasses | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"9f013f9d-42df-5a60-98a9-cae5942b5775","slug":"garden-dispatch-3","path":"/garden-dispatch/garden-dispatch-3/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"30471fa8-4345-5ffd-ba99-adeaf54ad75b","name":"Garden Dispatch","count":2,"path":"/category/garden-dispatch/"},{"id":"97893270-95a1-5603-9569-b4363fbb3286","name":"Reference","count":3,"path":"/category/reference/"}],"date":"November 13th, 2014","excerpt":"The Garden Dispatch is a weekly compilation of useful and interesting resources for gardeners and landscape designers. You can subscribe to our Full RSS Feed Follow us on Twitter, and Become a fan on Facebook The 101 of Growing Hedges for Big & Small Gardens No matter what the size of your gardens is, hedges make a […]
\n","content":"\t\t\t\tThe Garden Dispatch is a weekly compilation of useful and interesting resources for gardeners and landscape designers.
\nNo matter what the size of your gardens is, hedges make a good choice when it comes to mark borders of your heaven. Hedges have many benefits when compared to stock fence panels. Hedges are beautiful and environmental-friendly. They attract birds by providing them safe perching places. They also act as wind barriers and crime-deterrents. Check out this comprehensive guide on growing and maintaining evergreen hedges.
\n![\"\"](\"http://st.houzz.com/simgs/42f1504a001890aa_8-5055/traditional-landscape.jpg\")
Yucca rostrata is a drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plant suitable for xeriscaping projects. The plant is characterized by spiky blue-grey leaves that form a nice symmetrical rosette.
\nWashingtonia filifera is an evergreen palm tree and is known for its beautiful large fronds. This drought-tolerant plant makes a nice specimen tree in gardens and landscapes.
\nPellaea mucronata makes a good low-growing plant that can be used in garden landscapes as filler as well as attractive foliage plant. Pellaea is equally good for hanging baskets because of its delicate stems that are usually covered with small and fresh-green leaves.
\n![\"Pellaea](\"http://www.thelovelyplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pellaea-mucronata-fern-plant-e1415901023344.jpg\")
Pellaea mucronata
To mulch or not to mulch – Read this interesting article on pros and cons of mulching.
\nBrittni Mehlhoff gives step-by-step guide to making your own clay pots and containers to hold small plants.
\n![\"DIY](\"http://www.thelovelyplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/clay-planter-diy_large_jpg.jpg\")
DIY Clay Planter
Follow these simple tips on making a nice moss checkerboard by Janell Hobart.
\nIf you are living in a region where summer is long, hot and dry, growing moisture loving plants like ferns or air plants can be a bit tricky. However, there are several quick and easy ways to maintain appropriate level of humidity for your plants and keep them healthy and happy in hot and dry summer. Discover some simple and practical tips for growing moisture-loving plants in a dry climate.
\nDesigner Chris Moss has used his own garden in Stockwell, south London, as a mood board. A dark and bright combination works so well here that he shows clients round to persuade them of the logic of black. Have a look at Chris’s garden.
\n![\"chris](\"http://www.thelovelyplants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/chris-moss-garden-marcus-harpur-credit-1.jpg\")
Beautiful combination of black and green