Liliaceae

Appearance

Several varieties of Bulbinella Frutescens exist, some with long, thin racing green leaves, and some having a more yellowish leaf. The most common one is the yellow-flowered plant which looks a bit like a garlic chive but has round succulent leaves and grows to about 150mm (6ins)This is the bulbinella most commonly used as herb garden plants in many gardens as well as in rockeries.

History

Bulbinella has long been considered the pharmocopeia plant of the herbal world; the fleshy leaves yield a jelly like sap that has multiple virtues and applications – as you will see under the ‘usage’ section. Bushmen and iron age dwellers of Southern Africa knew and understood its virtues. It has long been a part of the traditional healers arsenal.

Usage

1. Medicinal Usage – Express some sap from a leaf to get immediate relief from:

Eczema
Fever blisters
Blisters
Pimples
Burns
Rashes
Itchy spots
Cracked skin
Cracked lips
Cold sores
Mouth ulcers
Sores and rashes on domestic and farm animals
Painful insect stings

2. Aesthetic Usage

Although referred to as herb garden plants, bulbinella is also regarded as a valuable landscaping plant for its reliable growth pattern and bright all year round colour. Drought and pollution resistant, it is almost impervious to frost.

3. Cosmetic Usage

Just like the better known and much vaunted Aloe Vera, extracts of bulbinella sap can be used as a basis for skin creams.

Cultivation

Bulbinella is a gardeners dream; simply split a bunch and replant without missing a beat. Wind resistant, drought tolerant and a prodigious grower – bulbinella is all this and more. Equally responsive to landscapers filling those awkward spots where nothing else can thrive and to apartment window sills, bulbinella responds well to light composting and regular watering and will reward the diligent gardener with hosts of flowers.

Propagation

Propagation is so easy that I feel guilty about including a sub-heading on the subject. Split a bunch of bulbinella and plant out or break off a leaf and plant. How about that.

Harvesting

Help yourself whenever you want but stop short of denuding the plant.

Pete Steel has grown herbs for 25 years in several different climates and soils. He reviews herb growing books and writes about herb garden plants and herb usage.

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Planning a garden can be a bit confusing if you do not understand how to use the many different types of flower garden plants. Using different plants effectively will lead to an excellent garden with blooming flowers throughout the entire season. Ornamental grasses, climbing vines, flower bulbs, biennial, annuals and perennials are all excellent garden plants. Each of these types of plants as well as species within the families will have their own growth requirement so you need to be aware of your soil type and yearly climate.

Perennials are flowering plants that bloom for a short time during the season, about two to four weeks. Despite this short flowering time they are extremely long-lived plants that will come back year after year. There are many perennials that will bloom at different times during the season. You should chose perennials that span the entire season to ensure you have bright spots of color the whole season long.

Annuals are different than perennials as the only last one season. Their entire growth cycle consists of one season as they grow, flower, produce seeds and die. Some popular annuals are the marguerite daisies, Brazilian verbena, cosmos, spider flower, nigella, sweet alyssum, and blue salvia to name but a few. These plants flowers last the entire season and are highly desired as they have lovely color.

Biennials are flower garden plants last one year longer then annuals as the first year they grow leaves and the second year they produce flowers. Then after the second year they die just like annuals. Biennials have a two-year lifespan. You rarely need to replant biennials, as they tend to re-seed themselves when found in gardens. Hollyhocks, verbascums and foxgloves are all biennials and produce stunning flowers.

Flower bulbs are a type of garden flower that store their organs in the ground. They store energy in the bulb for growth the next year. All bulbs do need a cold period in order to grow and germinate. Some popular summer bulbs are calla lilies, dahlias, canna lilies, begonias and gladioli. These bulbs need a cold season but it should not be below freezing, as a frost will damage the bulbs. Daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and tulips are all early season bulbs.

Climbing vines are also lovely flower garden plants and a great choice if you have a lot of vertical space or trellises. Some easy to grow climbing vines that produce beautiful flowers are the morning glory, sweet pea, hyacinth and the clematis. These vines are all very easy to grow. Ornamental grasses are a good option as they produce color all year long, lovely greens during the summer, a color change and flowering in the fall and then a straw color during the winter. These grasses will move with the slightest breeze and provide texture to your garden. You can find grasses that thrive in shade and sun.

Get more tips on gardening and learn about more flower garden plants at Backyard Garden And Patio.

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Spring is here and tomato lovers are thinking about that sweet taste of a home grown tomato. These are one of the easier vegetables to grow, but tomato gardening tips are always welcome. Whether you have a large backyard garden, or containers on your deck, you are dreaming of the day the soil is warm enough to get down and dirty and plant your tomatoes deep into the newly prepared soil.

One of the best tomato gardening tips I learned that really has made the biggest difference when planting them, is that it is really important to plant tomatoes deep. The deeper you can plant them the better. Your goal is to establish a strong root system using the stem of the plant as a kind of rod and roots growing not only from the bottom of the stem but off the sides. The stronger the root system, the less likely they will fall all over the place as the plant grows bigger.

This is what need to do, when you buy your plants get the taller ones. Cut off all the leaves except the top two or three and plant the tomatoes deep enough so the only thing showing is those top leaves. Leave a well around it, up to a foot deep, so that as the plant grows, you keep taking off leaves as new ones form, and push more soil around the stem. Keep taking off leaves and adding soil until the well is full. Even then you can shore up the root system buy making a mound around the plant. Keeping this vast root system watered daily is even more important as the plant‘s health depends on it.

Now you must understand, this will not take the place of other tomato gardening tips involving staking, or cages to hold the plants up. Some with lots of room will let them grow on their well mulched ground. Anyone who has ever grown tomatoes knows that at one point it just goes wild and you can hardly keep up with all the shoots. You keep pinching new growth and taking care of the plants, but you will know that underneath there is a strong root system giving you the best nutrients possible from the soil.

There are many tomato gardening tips that will come your way. There is lots to learn about their best care and it seems each year you try something different. One thing that should never change and become a part of your standard care is to plant tomatoes deep and keep them watered.

Once planted, everyone can use some extra help and advice with some expert tomato gardening tips and ideas. Look for some free guides and other valuable information to help you grow some nice, juicy, tasty tomatoes!

Click here for some Well Tested Guidelines
Discover more Common Problems that will surely help you get nice and juicy tomatoes!
http://www.juicytomatoes.info

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