Suggestions for low maintance plants, ground cover, shrubs for shady Zone 5a moraine area?

I am not a gardener but I do appreciate a nice-looking garden. I have a very busy schedule which necessitates the need for low maintenance. Can you suggest a variety of plants, ground cover and shrubs for Zone 5a? I live on a moraine and most of my area is in a shady northern exposure. Ideally I'd also like to mix in a few plants that will keep away mosquitoes and other biting insects. Thanks in advance.

Suggestions for low maintance plants, ground cover, shrubs for shady Zone 5a moraine area?
There are several plants that would work and are quite hardy. First there are low junipers--andorra (has a purplish tone in the winter, and rug junipers are ground huggers. There are also yews now that will stay low with moderate trimming Some shrubs that have flowers and don't get too large (again with some occasional trimming) are purple leaf sandcherry and plum, dogwood comes with red stems or yellow and with variegated leaves, these shrubs also flower and are very hardy. Rosey barberry is very pretty but does have sharp barbs, Cottoneaster is a low grower with flowers and then red berries. Carpet roses can add some colour but do like more sun. Hostas are very good for shady areas and come in a wide variety of colours and their flowers attract hummingbirds. I hope this helps a bit, but if you go to a good garden center , they might have a free guide to plants.

sweating

What are some great plants to have indoors for an apartment?

I'd love to bring a new life into our apartment by adding plants.... what are some really great plants for apartment life? something that doesn't need toooo much sunlight (obviously i'd keep it as close to the window as possible, but only so much is possible in an apartment), and something that won't get out of control with growth or attract bugs. I'd also like to look into growing mint sprigs in my kitchen... how would this work? i know ants hate mint, so if i grow mint in my kitchen, i'm sure to not have many problems with little critters :o) how would i go about growing an herb such as this in a fairly sunlight deprived area?

What are some great plants to have indoors for an apartment?
i have found that low light plant work wonderful in apts. low light means low maintance. vines and peace lilies do good


good luck
Reply:Peace Lily is great plus you can put it in a large clear vases and put a beta fish in it. of course you have to get all the dirt and anything else off of the roots first.
Reply:An aspidistra is a good house plant for not-so-sunny spaces, plus it doesn't drop a lot of leaves or need pruning. Pothos are also great, nearly impossible to kill, but they might grow too much for you although you could always just trim or pinch and throw out (or put in pots and get new plants!)


I don't know if mint in a pot will deter ants much, but you could always try! Get a window-sill sized pot (and a tray to catch drips), a bag of potting soil and a little plant, then re-pot it into yours and keep watered. You could even get a little set of pots and do a few different herbs just for fun. Enjoy!
Reply:Eastern facing windows can grow African Violets, Christmas Cactus (not prickly or a cactus), corn plant, dracaena, ficus trees, moth-orchids, %26amp; generally all thicker-leafed plants-like construction paper in thickness. Western facing windows can also grow all of the above, but the leaves of the African Violets might get "burned" by the hot western sun. A north facing window might not grow anything well, consider using a plant light-it's just a regular looking light bulb that's blue-violet in color, you keep it on 12-14 hours a day rather close to a plant, but you can have flowering plants in the darkest corner of the apt. A south facing window is the brightest %26amp; sunniest %26amp; if nothing is blocking it you could grow alot more plants, all of the above %26amp; maybe cattliya orchids.

What common plants are cats allergic to?

These plants are common in the home.They are not poisonous to Humans or most mammals, but they can be brought in the house by a well meaning friend/relative.


Its easy to keep a cat away from cleaning solution etc, but theses are far more dangerous!

What common plants are cats allergic to?
Cat Plant Eating Survey - The Veterinary Behavior Service at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is currently conducting a study investigating why dogs and cats eat plants (grass, flowers, leaves, twigs, etc.). Although many theories have been proposed, this is the first study to scientifically investigate the age-old question "Why do dogs and cats eat grass?" The more information we gather, the better we will understand this behavior. You can help by submitting data. Please complete this survey - Cat Plant Eating Survey. November 2004





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Plants add the needed finishing touches to any decor. But, if you have a feline, that beautiful plant could become a deadly enemy.


Listed here are plants poisonous to cats that must be avoided if there are cats in your home. Note that lilies(*), in particular, are dangerous to cats. While in some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, seeds, berries, roots, tubers, spouts, green shells) might be poisonous, this list rules out the whole plant. If you must have any of them, keep them safely out of reach.





Should your feline friend eat part of a poisonous plant, rush the cat to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you can, take the plant with you for ease of identification.





Plants Poisonous to Cats


Almond (Pits of)


Aloe Vera


Alocasia


Amaryllis


Apple (seeds)


Apple Leaf Croton


Apricot (Pits of)


Arrowgrass


Asparagus Fern


Autumn Crocus


Avacado (fuit and pit)


Azalea


Baby's Breath


Baneberry


Bayonet


Beargrass


Beech


Belladonna


Bird of Paradise


Bittersweet


Black-eyed Susan


Black Locust


Bleeding Heart


Bloodroot


Bluebonnet


Box


Boxwood


Branching Ivy


Buckeyes


Buddist Pine


Burning Bush


Buttercup





Cactus, Candelabra


Caladium


Calla Lily


Castor Bean


Ceriman


Charming Dieffenbachia


Cherry (pits, seeds %26amp; wilting leaves)


Cherry, most wild varieties


Cherry, ground


Cherry, Laurel


Chinaberry


Chinese Evergreen


Christmas Rose


Chrysanthemum


Cineria


Clematis


Cordatum


Coriaria


Cornflower


Corn Plant


Cornstalk Plant


Croton


Corydalis


Crocus, Autumn


Crown of Thorns


Cuban Laurel


Cutleaf Philodendron


Cycads


Cyclamen





Daffodil


Daphne


Datura


Deadly Nightshade


Death Camas


Devil's Ivy


Delphinium


Decentrea


Dieffenbachia


Dracaena Palm


Dragon Tree


Dumb Cane





Easter Lily *


Eggplant


Elaine


Elderberry


Elephant Ear


Emerald Feather


English Ivy


Eucalyptus


Euonymus


Evergreen





Ferns


Fiddle-leaf fig


Florida Beauty


Flax


Four O'Clock


Foxglove


Fruit Salad Plant





Geranium


German Ivy


Giant Dumb Cane


Glacier IvyGolden Chain


Gold Dieffenbachia


Gold Dust Dracaena


Golden Glow


Golden Pothos


Gopher Purge





Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy


Heartland Philodendron


Hellebore


Hemlock, Poison


Hemlock, Water


Henbane


Holly


Honeysuckle


Horsebeans


Horsebrush


Horse Chestnuts


Hurricane Plant


Hyacinth


Hydrangea





Indian Rubber Plant


Indian Tobacco


Iris


Iris Ivy





Jack in the Pulpit


Janet Craig Dracaena


Japanese Show Lily *


Java Beans


Jessamine


Jerusalem Cherry


Jimson Weed


Jonquil


Jungle Trumpets





Kalanchoe





Lacy Tree Philodendron


Lantana


Larkspur


Laurel


Lily


Lily Spider


Lily of the Valley


Locoweed


Lupine





Madagascar Dragon Tree


Marble Queen


Marigold


Marijuana


Mescal Bean


Mexican Breadfruit


Miniature Croton


Mistletoe


Mock Orange


Monkshood


Moonseed


Morning Glory


Mother-in Law's Tongue


Morning Glory


Mountain Laurel


Mushrooms


Narcissus


Needlepoint Ivy


Nephytis


Nightshade





Oleander


Onion


Oriental Lily *





Peace Lily


Peach (pits and wilting leaves)


Pencil Cactus


Peony


Periwinkle


Philodendron


Pimpernel


Plumosa Fern


Poinciana


Poinsettia (low toxicity)


Poison Hemlock


Poison Ivy


Poison Oak


Pokeweed


Poppy


Potato


Pothos


Precatory Bean


Primrose


Privet, Common





Red Emerald


Red Princess


Red-Margined Dracaena


Rhododendron


Rhubarb


Ribbon Plant


Rosemary Pea


Rubber Plant





Saddle Leaf Philodendron


Sago Palm


Satin Pothos


Schefflera


Scotch Broom


Silver Pothos


Skunk Cabbage


Snowdrops


Snow on the Mountain


Spotted Dumb Cane


Staggerweed


Star of Bethlehem


String of Pearls


Striped Dracaena


Sweetheart Ivy


Sweetpea


Swiss Cheese plant





Tansy Mustard


Taro Vine


Tiger Lily *


Tobacco


Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)


Tree Philodendron


Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia


Tulip


Tung Tree





Virginia Creeper





Water Hemlock


Weeping Fig


Wild Call


Wisteria





Yews --


e.g. Japanese Yew


English Yew


Western Yew


American Yew





i was dumfounded when my vet told me this-there are so manny-and so manny common plants-some are not indoor but theses are all that you should stay away from!





Source(s):





www.cfainc.org/articles/plants... and my vet who sent me here after a tarrible day with my well missed cat
Reply:Poinsetta, Philodendron and Deifenbachia for sure... there's probably others. Now me, I have three tabbies and they have never shown an interest in my houseplants - just not salad eaters I guess - so it's not an issue for me. Good for you for keeping the kitties safe.
Reply:I dont know many but im positive of fox gloves, and don't worry about it too much. Just moniter what she's eating, cats shouldn't eat that many plants at all. If your still concerned ask a vet.

What live plants are safe for my aquarium fish?

I have a needlefish, a red pacu, a tiger oscar, a leporinus, a plecostamus (sp?), and a number of feeder rosies. What are safe live plants that I can add to my tank without hurting my fish, and that won't get destroyed by them?

What live plants are safe for my aquarium fish?
i use this store to help me with 'safe' plants to buy: http://www.aquariumplants.com/Herbivorou...





'hornwort' is not on that list, but i do know that my goldfish and plecos do not eat it. and i grows like hell.





* if you do end up buying a plant that your fish like to nibble on, you can deter them from eating that plant by adding cabbage, lettuce leaves every now and them. give your plecos cucumber...





**also, if the plant is aquatic, and bought from an aquarium plant dealer, it probably wont hurt your fish.
Reply:Many Fish like oranges they provide the fish vitmain C and help to stablize the tank PH. Just slice the orange then and throw them in. It will take a few days/weeks for the fish to find them. Report Abuse

Reply:I really like frill but this isn't to say that they won't destroy it. I use it when I am breeding my fish for some place to hide. The only thing is that you have to buy a lot of it. Its really cheep though!
Reply:NONE! The tiger oscar will tear things up and the Pacu eats plants. You might want to research fish that won't eat plants and plan accordingly.
Reply:These fish not only have a tendency to eat plants but they often also uproot plants as they dig into the gravel. Most planted cichlid tanks use Anubias, Java ferns or bolbitus attached to rocks or driftwood. These plants are usually left alone and the fact that they are anchored to heavier objects make them harder to dislodge.





There are no aquatic plants that will harm your fish, as long as they don't sell you a bog plant as an aquatic plant there is no danger.





Hope that helps
Reply:you can buy live plant for fish aquarium at fish shop they sell fish plant, ask the clerk for help.
Reply:go to your local pet store and ask someone who knows all about fish or just look it up on the net
Reply:All plantsd that live underwater, and you can get in a pet store.
Reply:seeweed.......


hety dheydont take me seriously...i dunno nothing bout fish

Does anyone know what plants are safe to put in with my box turtle?

I heard that box turtles do well with live plants in their enclosure? But I don't know what kind of plants are safe? Anyone have any ideas?

Does anyone know what plants are safe to put in with my box turtle?
ediable ones
Reply:I looked on a box turtle site but it does not say.


http://www.aboxturtle.com/box_turtle_die...


Here is a site that has plants for tortoises that are not poison.


I use the same in box turtle pens as I do in my tortoise pens.


http://africantortoise.com/edible_landsc...
Reply:Desert plants like mini cactuses.

hot tags

How do i make plants green when they begin to turn yellow. Like the hanging plants?

I have the plants that grow long and you can hang them and the leaves will hang down. The top part is growing in nice and green but the hanging leaves are turning yellow how do i get them to turn back green?

How do i make plants green when they begin to turn yellow. Like the hanging plants?
They won't, they will fall off! Repot the plant in a good potting soil after you cut it back. Loosen the root ball befor you put it in a bigger pot.
Reply:Spray the leaves with water. Use any kind of an old spray bottle, and soak the leaves. If they are really yellow, cut them off and new ones will come on the vine. Sounds like you have over-watered them. cut back on watering them to once a week unless the weather is really hot.
Reply:Once that part dies, you can't make it green again. Not sure if I'm right about this, but I think your plant may need more frequent watering. Also, some plant food mixed in with the water might help.
Reply:It sounds like either the hanging leaves have reached the end of their cycle and need to be trimmed off OR you need to feed it with a quality fertilizer intended for indoor plants. Check with a local flower shop or nursery which sells plants similar or the same as yours.
Reply:hi pull the yellow leaves off or cut them off and leave the rest some times yellow means over warterd
Reply:it is because they are hanging so the cells are dead and their plant cells have chlorophyll which makes them green

Can anyone tell me plants that go together to protect from pests?

I heard that some plants protect others from pests if you plant them together. Where can I find more on this subject?

Can anyone tell me plants that go together to protect from pests?
It is called companion planting. A classic combination is growing basil and tomatoes next to each other. They keep the pests away from each other and then taste great together in a salad. Perfect!





here are a few more links


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_p...


for a starters guide





and





http://www.gb0063551.pwp.blueyonder.co.u...


detailed companion planting grid.
Reply:lavender and roses. Look on the gardening websites
Reply:Aside from companion planting, look into installing bat houses in your trees and ladybug houses in your garden. I have a pond with a good deal of large koi and goldfish, but they only get the larvae that are laid in the water. Bats are great and they really are harmless. Lady bugs are always fun and they eat up your aphids!





For larger predators, I'm installing a motion sensored water spray! I'm so excited, I just found out about it and we have lots of cats, dogs, owls, raccoons, deer, and even a coyote.
Reply:Not sure where to find info - but my dad always planted african marigolds among his tomatoes - to keep pests off.
Reply:lantana does very well to keep da pest away dont know where you can get them i just go to da beach get cuttings they are very hearty plants easy to grow and do a great job.
Reply:Look into the Venus Fly-Trap....nature's exterminator.