Hardy hibiscus shrubs are beautiful garden and landscape elements. The 'Luna' cultivar has some of the biggest and loveliest flowers around. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn how to grow this lovely hibiscus in your garden. With their flamboyant flowers, hardy hibiscuses are a great way to bring tropical vibes to your cool-climate garden. They have some of the largest flowers of all perennial shrubs, with some blooms as large as dinner plates! These flowers have garnered longstanding popularity among gardeners and breeders alike. Some of the most lovely are the ‘Luna’ series of hibiscus cultivars. Here’s how to grow them! What Is ‘Luna’ Hibiscus? ‘Luna,’ which encompasses several plants with different colored flowers in the same group, is a hardy hibiscus. These are similar to their tropical cousins, but you can grow them in far colder climates. Their large blooms and prolific flowering habit make them exceptionally popular as landscaping elements and garden focal points. This particular series of cultivars has extra-large flowers, especially for a deciduous species. Tropical hibiscus typically produces the biggest blooms, so this one is special and a real treat for those of us living north of a tropical climate zone. Characteristics ‘Luna’ is a series of the species Hibiscus moscheutos, which also goes by the name swamp rose mallow. The species can reach heights up to seven feet tall, but this cultivar typically tops out around three feet. They have single-petal form flowers and come in lavender, pink, red, rose, white, and combinations of these shades. The blooming time runs from mid-summer until the first frost knocks them down. The blooms are dinnerplate-sized, up to eight inches across. Each flower lasts for only one day, but it produces so many that they bloom nearly continuously. In colder climates, it dies back to the ground in winter and re-grows the following spring. The shrub has a naturally pleasing shape, forming a compact mound of dark green, maple-like foliage. Darker varieties have red-tinted leaves and veining. They are slightly coarse-textured and have a silvery wash over the underside. Native Area This species of hibiscus grows naturally in marshes, meadows, swamps, and wooded areas in Eastern Canada and the United States. The ‘Luna’ series are hybrids, so they have no real native range, but you can find the parent species from Ontario to Florida. Planting The ideal time to plant a ‘Luna’ hibiscus is as soon as the risk of frost has passed and before it comes out of dormancy. Water it ahead of time to hydrate and make the roots more pliable. Dig a hole that is as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. The crown should sit at or just about the level of the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole, adding any amendments to enrich the soil. Water it in thoroughly. Hibiscus plants are moisture lovers, so they need regular watering for several months after planting. If you’re planting more than one, space them about two to three feet apart.

The papaya tree is a lovely tropical tree with tasty fruit. Carica papaya fruit is rich in nutrients and aids in digestion. It is also a tasty option for fruit salads when ripe, in Thai cuisine when still green, and makes an excellent dried snack. Sarah Jay will got through an in-depth to share all you need to grow your own papayas at home. Are you interested in growing a tropical fruit tree, but you can’t commit to 20 years of care? Well, look no further than the papaya tree. Papaya trees produce nutritious papaya fruit and have a relatively short lifespan. They’re easy to grow in containers, too! I don’t know about you, but I adore papaya fruit. It’s something I spring for when it comes to improving digestion, and it’s so good fresh. Green papaya is excellent in Thai salads and ripe fruit is lovely when sliced and served up for breakfast. Dried papaya slices are my go-to for long hikes and camping trips. Growing papaya trees is beneficial, not only through enjoying the papayas but also by learning something new in the garden. So let’s discuss how you can grow this lovely tropical tree at home. What is The Papaya Tree? Carica papaya, the papaya tree is also known as paw paw, Okwuru-ezi, Okwuru- bekee, Mgbimgbi among Igbo peoples, and Ibepe among Yoruba peoples. Native Area Papaya cultivation began in Central America, southern Mexico, and South America. Today it’s popular all over the world, with India being the largest producer, and the United States leading the consumption of the fruit. The papaya tree grows in rainforests in southern Mexico, or along the coasts of Florida where it rests under tree canopies, thriving for only three to four years at a time. Afterwards, production slows significantly, and trees survive for just a short while longer. Characteristics Papaya trees top out at 33 feet tall, where spirally arranged large palmate leaves that are deeply lobed rest on a central trunk that is scarred at the bottom where previous leaves formed. The trunk is hollow, much like a palm tree, and the root system is somewhat shallow. After about 11 months, papaya trees begin blooming small, cream-colored, star-shaped flowers just under the leaves in early spring. All parts of the tree secrete latex. In the wild, male and female trees must be cross-pollinated, and small fruit forms primarily on papaya in late summer or early fall. Male flowers and flower buds are small, clustered, and sit on inflorescences that have multiple stems. Female flowers are single, with five petals that gather at the base. Flowers of both female and male trees bloom at night, awaiting pollination from wind or insects. Hybrid trees use self-pollinating to produce fruit, and this is the preferred variety of the three possible fruit trees. In cultivation, papayas are often hybrid. Papaya fruit is produced under papaya leaves from the leaf axils. Male trees can carry out papaya production, but their ripe fruit isn’t as delicious as the larger female fruit. After successful pollination, the flower of female and bisexual trees ripens and forms papayas – which are technically a berry. Each female papaya grows to about 18 inches long with a one-foot diameter. Hybrid papayas don’t grow as large, but they do have a smaller seed cavity. This cavity is chock full of round, black, spherical seeds. The developing fruit is green, with white flesh. Ripe fruits are carrot-colored with a pinkish-orange hue. Nutrition Papaya fruit is prized for its phytochemical composition, containing high amounts of vitamins C, A, and E. These vitamins are beneficial for those looking for a source of antioxidants that prevent cholesterol blockages in the human body. The fibrous fruit of papaya is excellent for regular digestion and has been traditionally used to treat inflammation related to asthma and arthritis. Recent studies have focused on papaya fruit in relation to reducing the risk of prostate cancer. Uses The flesh of green papaya is used in raw salads. My favorite version is a Som Tom Thai salad made with green papaya, fish oil, lime, shredded peppers, and carrots. The ripe fruit is delicious sliced or dried, and the latex within the fruit is used to tenderize meat. Planting Sow seeds in mid-spring when the soil is adequately warm. Because papaya trees have a relatively short life span, and a limited period for fruit production, they grow quickly from seeds. However, you’ll need several seeds to obtain healthy sprouts to grow papaya. Sow about six to ten papaya seeds per pot, and ensure it’s large enough to accommodate a tree. About 15 to 20 gallons is the minimum size. Papaya trees have shallow roots, and their seeds should be planted where they will live out their life. Grow the seeds in rich, well-draining soil and keep the soil moist. Place them in full sun. For places with cold winters, plant seeds against a south- or west-facing wall that absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night. Then, as seedlings emerge with young leaves in two weeks, remove the weaker young trees. You can carry out this process in the ground in tropical regions, but ensure the young trees you select are at least seven to ten feet apart in their planting location.

The herb peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a hybrid between spearmint (Mentha spicata) and watermint (Mentha aquatica). This amazingly aromatic herb is one of the oldest herbs used for ritual, culinary, and medicinal purposes.1 Plant Science at the Dinner Table: Peppermint. Michigan State University Extension. Peppermint will thrive in full sun and in almost any type of soil. This marvelous herb can be enjoyed for its refreshing fragrance and taste with little effort. How to Plant Peppermint When to Plant Peppermint can be planted in the early spring months. Wait until the final frost has passed. Spacing, Depth, and Support Plant peppermint at a depth of 1/4 inch. Space it about 24 inches apart from other plants if not planted in a container. If planting several peppermint plants in rows, allow for 18 to 24 inches between rows. Selecting a Planting Site Although you can grow peppermint in your garden, many choose to grow in containers due to it's invasiveness and the need to restrict its roots. You can also plant in a bottom less bucket and sink it down into the ground. This will make it look like it's growing from the ground but will aid in keeping the growth manageable. How to Care for Peppermint Caring for peppermint is fairly easy granted a few things are kept in mind. Light Peppermint can grow in full sun or partial shade. It can even tolerate some dappled shade, unlike most herbs. Full sun will promote the most robust flavor and fragrance to the herb because it aids in the production of oils. Soil The adaptability of peppermint is one of its best features; it is also one of its worst features, allowing it to grow almost anywhere, making it a nuisance. Peppermint’s ideal soil is rich, loamy, and moist, though it's known to grow along trailside ditches and craggy outcrops—it can and will grow anywhere. Water Consistently moist soil is the key to making sure your peppermint plant is happy and possesses tons of flavor. But be careful not to overdo it. Peppermint, like most mints, cannot tolerate standing water or soaking soil. Having soggy roots is a surefire way to kill or harm your plant. Temperature and Humidity Peppermint is unusually hardy and can survive light frosts but cannot endure extended cold snaps in cold climates, USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 5 and below. Its ideal growing conditions fall between 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can survive nicely above and below that range with little negative effect. If you expect temperatures to be on the warmer side, keep the soil moist while also watching for excess growth from humid conditions. Fertilizer Avoid fertilizing most herbs, especially plants in the genus Mentha. The flavor of herbs relies on the oils in their flowers and leaves. Accelerating their growth can lead to small profuse growth with many flowers and leaves and leggy stems rather than large, rich flowers and foliage with concentrated oils. You can often see this difference in the taste of homegrown compared to store-bought herbs. Types of Peppermint Mentha × piperita 'Chocolate Mint': bloomsopen from the bottom up; its flavor is reminiscent of mint chocolate chip ice cream Mentha × piperita 'Citrata': has a citrusy fragrance and is often called orange mint Mentha × piperita 'Crispa': a trailing habit with bright green crinkled leaves with tiny pale lavender blooms Mentha × piperita 'Lavender Mint': a fast-growing ground cover with reddish stems, dark green leaves, and profuse lavender blooms; it is ideal for use in savory meat and vegetable dishes Mentha × piperita 'Lime Mint': attractive bronze-green leaves with a fresh lime-scent Mentha × piperita 'Variegata': a ground cover that produces spikes of violet flowers; its green leaves have a creamy white variegation Peppermint vs. Mint Mint is the general name for all types of plant belonging to the genus Mentha, while peppermint is just one type, along with spearmint, orange mint, and about two dozen others. As a hybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint is a blend of two of these varieties. It has the strongest flavor and aroma and the highest concentration of menthol when compared to other mint varieties. Harvesting The ideal time to harvest peppermint is towards the middle of the growing season, just before flowers appear, but really, any time after the plant reaches 4 inches in height is ok. Harvest it in the morning for the highest concentration of the oil resulting in more intensity of the aroma and flavor. Cut stems back to about an inch above the soil or snip 2 to 3 inches from the very top. The stems will replenish and you will have more to harvest as the season goes. How to Grow Peppermint in Pots Because mint has the habit of spreading everywhere, growing peppermint in a pot is a wise choice. Choose a large pot with adequate draining holes that will accommodate vigorous root growth. Provide your plant with good drainage while also maintaining a moist environment with proper mulching. Potted mint tends to become leggy usually due to a lack of sun or too much fertilizer. Trim container-grown mint often to maintain a bushy, compact plant, and you will have a healthy plant for years to come. Pruning Left unpruned, the peppermint plant can grow too aggressively, even in containers. Young leaves will be more flavorful than old faded leaves, so pruning these off will promote the emergence of new ones quickly and direct the plant's energy there. The best place to trim is just above a leaf node. Keep in mind not to trim back more than a third of the plant. This could cause stress. Once your mint plant is mature, a weekly trimming to keep it neat and productive should be sufficient. Propagating Peppermint Mint might be one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings. Use sterile scissors or snips to cut a stem section four inches in length just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves below the node and submerse the cutting in distilled water and place it in a location bright light and good air circulation. Watch for root formation, which should occur within a few weeks. Let a good root system develop Transplant the cutting into a pot filled with quality potting soil. Trim the top two inches from the plant to allow most of the energy to go into the root system. In a few weeks, you will have a thriving peppermint plant ready to be transplanted into a larger pot or into its new place in your garden. How to Grow Peppermint From Seed Press the peppermint seeds on the surface of seed starting mix. The seeds will be tiny, so use care and do not press too hard. You do not need to bury the seeds with soil. Keep the soil moist and germination will occur in five to ten days and perhaps sooner if the soil is kept warm with a heat mat. If you are direct sowing into the garden or when you are ready to transplant seedlings, wait until the threat of frost is past. Space the peppermint seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. Overwintering If your mint is growing in an outdoor garden, it may be wise to bring it indoors for the winter if able. Severe frost may damage the plant, although it is hardy enough to regenerate in spring. If growing indoors, you don't need to change a thing as you will have a growth cycle that goes year-round. Common Pests and Plant Diseases Depending on your region, peppermint can be afflicted with diseases such as verticillium wilt.3 The infection will manifest in the leaves at the top of the plant and spread downward. Leaves will curl, twist and yellow as the fungus takes hold. The best way to treat the plant is to replace as much of the soil as possible to eliminate the pathogen. Peppermint is also vulnerable to certain pests, such as spider mites and aphids.4 If infested, your plant will have yellow and dropping leaves. To prevent this, avoid letting your peppermint get too thirsty. Peppermint stressed for water has higher levels of amino acids, which spider mites crave. Use overhead watering to wash the mites off and increase humidity in the plant's immediate environment.