When buying house plants whether it is from Lowes, Home Depot or a local garden center there are several things to consider. Many people just pick up a house plant without giving any thought, especially if the cost is low. But think about this, every house plant you purchase can give you years of enjoyment if it is properly inspected before you buy. Take time to choose a perfect house plant. If you hastily buy a house plant, it has the potential of causing devastation to your other house plants. And one rule to always abide by is never buy plants when you are in a hurry, thats a gardening tip everyone should heed.

Take the time to inspect the leaves on the house plant for pests. Aphids, spider mites and scale will not only wreck havoc on this house plant but on your others as well. And be sure to look under the leaves and at the nodes where many pests thrive. Here is what to look for on your potential house plant:

Aphids appear as small green or black insects, usually found on buds and new growth. These insects suck the juices out of house plants, and also secrete honeydew.

Spider mites are small insects, which appear as small white specks, usually on the undersides of leaves, or on flowers of the house plant. Spider mites will form webbing, like a spider’s web around infected house plants. The spider mites will be visible in the webbing as white specks.

Scale looks like tiny, brown, oval-shaped bumps visible on the house plants leaves and stem. The scale is actually a protective covering which protects the insect. Scales produce honeydew, a clear sticky substance which can be seen on affected house plants.

You may want to search the internet for other gardening tips on how to treat these pests if one happens to infect some of your house plants.

If the house plant seems too big for the container, pass it by, it is likely to be root bound. Remember bigger isnt necessarily better. I always pull a house plant from its container to check the root ball; reputable stores should allow you to do this. If the house plant is already root bound you will have to open your wallet not only for the plant but for potting soil and a new container. Then YOU have to repot it and hope it will continue to be healthy. If you dont mind this, then by all means buy the house plant. If you are going to repot you may want to look at the self watering containers that are available now. These are great for someone that travels and isnt around everyday to check the soil.

Examine the container of the house plant for cracks. Be sure the container will harmonize with your existing house plants containers. Try to purchase plants by shape and height when using the house plant for groupings in and around your home. Keep the small tag that is attached to the plant in a notebook so you will always have the directions on the plants needs. This is a really good gardening tip!

Now you know the secrets of buying spectacular house plants.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.GardeningHerb.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

Price : $17.82

Product Description

Most of us think of winter as the time when the garden sleeps and our attention turns to indoor activities. Yet Better Homes & Gardens contributing editor Suzy Bales lures us to the windows, the garden paths, and outdoor areas to witness the beauty and vitality of the winter garden.

The possibilities for creating interest in the winter landscape are considerable. Through Suzys eyes, youll discover the intriguing patterns of tree bark; the sculptural shapes created by trees, arching vines, shrubs, and seedheads of perennials and grasses; the outline of outdoor structures, containers, and ornaments; and the unexpected but welcome dashes of color added by conifers, berries, early bulbs, and yes, even flowers. Suzy provides details on the best plants and cultivars to choose and explains how to group them for the most arresting vignettes.

Suzy devotes an entire chapter sharing her secrets for creating one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths, unique centerpieces and mantel arrangements, and striking outdoor features with greens, interesting branches, berries, cones, and seedpods from her winter garden. Sometimes whimsical, always useful, her suggestions and ideas bring the outdoors in to brighten the darkest time of year.

You will also find descriptions of places and people who celebrate winter in unusual ways, such as Les Blake, the creator of fire and ice sculptures in Alaska, or the village of Cooperstown, New York, that decorates for the holidays with a flourish.

This book overflows with ideas for transforming your views in winter. Plan for the quiet season by following the suggestions of garden enthusiast Suzy Bales and your garden will continue to delight you through the year.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-03-26
In the dead of winter, most of us see only greys and white outside of our window, this book helps you to explore all of the beauty that this quiet time of the year can hold. It is a great reference book and I feel that it will make every gardener take a fresh look at winter and truly making your garden a year round feast for the soul.

Review date : 2008-01-08
I started reading this book just as a blanket of snow started melting and turning dirty in my Connecticut Garden. Without the coating of white, everything looked brown, sad, and utterly depressing. I knew it needed better bones and a bit of color, but no one has explained how to do this as clearly and personally as Suzy Bales. As a flipped through the pages, I started jotting down notes:a weeping conifer here, a berried holly there, a row of boxwood to define a border, a winter hazel (or maybe even two or three) at the turn in the driveway. The ideas kept coming and I now I really have a plan.
I also enjoyed Suzy’s chapter about gathering greens and berries and other natural trimmings for the holidays and put them to use right away. Christmas was better than ever thanks to her suggestions for making wreaths and garlands and decorating the outside with containers and ice sculptures. I totally copied her idea of spray painting a dead conifer red and just wish I had the alliums to decorate it. But storebought white balls did just as well and the result was lovely.
Thank you Suzy for such a helpful and inspiring book.

Review date : 2008-01-06
Time is another dimension in landscape design. Every good designer and gardener should consider seasonal effects when selecting plants and laying out gardens. Winter is a challenging season, but with careful planning and design, it can be a season full of opportunities.

Suzy Bales presents a lot of useful ideas and opportunities in "The Garden in Winter: Plant for Beauty and Interest in the Quiet Season," such as the beauty of lines formed by the branches of deciduous trees, the pattern of tree barks, the views through windows, the ornaments, containers, garden structures, ice sculptures, broadleaf evergreens and colorful conifers, perennials and grasses, etc. This book is also a very reader friendly and practical guide for winter gardening, the information is presented in plain and simple English.

"The Garden in Winter: Plant for Beauty and Interest in the Quiet Season" has 224 pages and many beautiful color interior photos. It is a great book for both novices and seasoned gardeners.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA

Review date : 2007-12-31
Who knew the boundless possibilities for gardening in Winter? From Beauty Berries to icycle sculptures, Suzy Bales brings awe and inspiration to your garden during the coldest season. This book overflows with breath taking, colorful photographs and easy-to-follow advice and ideas, for even the very beginner gardener. It is a must have for every gardener’s library, and the ultimate holiday gift!

Review date : 2007-12-05
Suzy Bales has done it again. I consider myself to be a ‘looker’ gardener. I look and admire other people’s garden, but when it comes to my own, I am a disaster. This book with its beautiful images has inspired me to get out my clippers and shovel. I love the chapter about making wreaths and planting outdoor urns – I’ll be able to do that – just in time for the holidays! The book makes a great gift, not only for ‘lookers’ like me, but also expert gardeners.

It is actually quite easy if you know the basics. It only takes a few minutes to give your houseplants a new lease on life. This article provides a few do’s and don’ts.

A Larger Container is not Always Necessary (or Better)

The mistake that many people make when they see roots migrating from the bottom of a pot is to buy a slightly larger container and place the overcrowded plant, root ball and all, in its new quarters.

This may be a mistake! The roots may have wandered out in search of more oxygen due to overwatering or hard-packed earth. Analyze the situation. If soil is of poor quality and you suspect overwatering, your plant may simply need more drainage and a change of dirt. A larger pot is unnecessary.

Poor Care Diagnosis?

If your verdict is ‘poor care’, make sure that the root ball of the plant is slightly moist, and then carefully remove it from the old pot. Hold your hand over the top of the soil, supporting the plant between your fingers as you tip it over. Usually a plant will dislodge easily. However, you may need to pass a sharp knife between the outside of the root ball and the pot if it is stubborn.

If the roots smell bad or appear to be rotting or discolored, you have an ailing patient!

Care and Cure

Add a 1-inch layer of gravel, broken pottery, or very small pebbles to the bottom of the pot for drainage. Very carefully loosen the roots, removing as much soil as possible with gentle shaking. A spray bottle filled with lukewarm water can be used to spray away even more soil. Cut off any roots that appear unhealthy. Make a small mound of good quality potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Position the plant gently to see how high it sits. You may need to add or subtract soil to place it at the correct level.

Next, gently fill the area around the plant with more soil, packing lightly with your fingertips or the handle of a wooden spoon to ensure that there are no large air pockets. Carefully tap the pot a few times to settle contents. Finally, water very lightly, add more soil if necessary, and place the plant in an area away from drafts and direct sunlight until it has had a chance to recover from its trauma.

Does it Just Need More Room to Grow?

If you are sure that your plant has received the best of soil, light, and watering conditions, but it definitely needs repotting, try this approach instead.

Remove the slightly moistened plant as previously mentioned. DO NOT LOOSEN THE ROOTS – you want the root ball to retain its shape. Use a very sharp butcher knife (not a serrated bread knife) – gently sawing about one inch off the bottom of the root ball. Gently loosen as much dirt as possible from the roots. Form a mound of soil in the pot and position as above, adding more soil and protecting from extremes of light and temperature for a week or so.

Spider Plants

Do not be in too big a rush to repot spider plants. ‘Spidering’ is triggered by overcrowding.

Establish a Routine

Some home gardeners repot their plants once every year, using the same treasured pots. Plants treated in this way do very well. Every potting cycle provides them with fresh nutrients. The old soil and roots can be composted and recycled.

Make Greenery a Part of your Life

Plants magically transform our homes, malls, and offices. They provide us with oxygen and filter impurities from the air. Even occupants of the tiniest apartments can protect the environment and their own health by carefully cultivating some indoor greenery.