‘Black Tartarian’ is a popular large cherry tree that produces luscious dark red, almost black, sweet cherries in summer. This old variety has been around and is tried and tested for a good performance in the garden. It’s a popular choice for commercial growers, so you know it would be a good choice for a home garden. Here, gardening expert Wendy Moulton establishes the best conditions to get the best out of this tree. This variety is one of the first cherries to flower and then fruit, and it is one of the easiest to grow in a home garden. ‘Black Tartarian’ grows big and strong and produces abundant fruit with a lovely sweet taste during cherry season. It’s also a beautiful ornamental tree that features a neat pyramid shape with dark green leaves that turn vibrant red and orange in the fall. This tree requires another to pollinate, so prepare for an abundant cherry season. Here, I’ll share what you need to know to grow a healthy and high-yielding ‘Black Tartarian’ cherry tree. What Is It? Prunus avium ‘Black Tartarian’ is an heirloom cultivar from Russia that came to England in the 1700s. It was originally called ‘Ronald’s Large Black Heart’ after Hugh Ronalds, who was instrumental in bringing the tree to England. In the 1800s, it came to America, where it became a popular commercial choice for its vigorous growth and abundant yields of dark red to black cherries. Native Area This heirloom cherry originates from Circassia, a region named Caucasus after the mountain range of the same name. This region is now part of Russia. Prunus avium, also known as wild cherry, sweet cherry, or bird cherry, originated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa and became naturalized in North America. These are the varieties we know as sweet cherries, as opposed to the sour cherry varieties, Prunus cerasus. Characteristics ‘Black Tartarian’ is an excellent pollinator variety for other cherries, but it also needs pollinating itself to produce fruit. The best trees to plant with this variety include ‘Bing’, ‘Lapins’, ‘Van’ or ’Stella’, ‘Coral’, ‘Napolean’, and ‘Rainer’. This popular variety has dark green leaves that turn red and orange in the fall, fragrant white flowers in the spring, and beautiful dark fruits in clusters in the summer. Planting Get the planting right, and you will be halfway to a bumper harvest of juicy cherries in the summer. Plant in autumn to settle the trees in the ground over winter and spring into bloom, or plant in spring for harvesting the next season. Make sure you have enough space for a ‘Black Tartarian’ and another variety of cherry tree for pollination. This is a large tree that needs at least 30 feet to grow to maturity. Before you begin, make sure there are no other plants or structures that will impede its growth. Also, ensure it’s in the full sun most of the day. The sun needs to get into the tree for it to set fruit. Dig a hole at least twice the width and at the same depth as the root ball. Add the tree and make sure it’s straight before backfilling. Plant the tree so the graft union is two to three inches above the soil. As you add the soil, tamp down to remove any air pockets. This prevents any infections from getting to the roots. Make a basin around the tree to help direct water to the roots and give the tree a good watering. Add a layer of mulch to the whole area, at least three inches away from the trunk.

The rambutan tree is a true tropical that produces some distinctively hairy-looking berries. In this expert guide by gardener Kaleigh Brillon, you'll learn the growing tips you need to grow and harvest these interesting fruits! If you live in the US or Europe, you might be wondering what on earth a rambutan tree is. It’s a heat-loving tropical plant that needs to grow in USDA hardiness zone 10 or higher, so many of you may only be able to buy them online or in specialty farmers’ markets. They’re related to lychees and grow hairy-looking fruits that you peel to reveal sweet flesh that’s a lot like grapes. Yum! While you may never grow a rambutan tree in your backyard in the majority of the US, you can give it a try in a climate-controlled greenhouse. This tree loves warm weather and lots of humidity, so you’ll need a moist environment for it to grow in or for it to bear fruit. If you live in the perfect rambutan climate or want to try your luck with some tropical fruits, read the following guide to growing this unique tree. All About The Rambutan Tree The rambutan tree (Nephelium lappaceum) originates from southeast Asia and can be found in the coastal lowlands of China, Thailand, Vietnam, and other surrounding countries at sea level. Temperatures under 50°F (10°C) can kill the tree, so it’s no wonder why it’s considered to be so exotic in the US! It has since spread to southern Mexico and Central America, specifically in Costa Rica. Rambutan fruit is sometimes called hairy lychee because of its similar appearance to lychee. (After all, they are closely-related cousins coming from the Sapindaceae family.) The soft spines create a hairy appearance, but the skin is red, and the flesh is white, just like lychee. The taste is sweet with a bit of a tang, much like grapes or strawberries. Characteristics When these trees are grown in the perfect habitat, their spreading crown can range from 32-82 feet tall! Growing them in a medium-sized to small pot in a greenhouse will likely result in a smaller tree, but you’ll still be able to get delicious fruit. The Malay word rambut translates to hair in English, and the name, Rambutan refers to the hairy appearance of the fruits. These fruits appear after budded trees flower. Flowering occurs on male trees, female trees, or hermaphroditic trees in spring through summer and again in late summer through fall. The flowers are pollinated by ants and bees. The tree has glossy green leaves with a slightly leathery feel that can sometimes be yellow-green. Although the fruit is typically red and white, the outside can sometimes look orange or yellow, and the inside may occasionally be pale pink. Uses After peeling the fruit, they can be eaten raw or cooked and canned in syrup. They’re often extremely sweet and can be enjoyed as a dessert, but they are full of vitamin C. The roots and bark are often used in natural medicine, and the seed oils can be used to make candles and soap. Silk can be dyed green with young tree shoots. Planting The easiest way to get a rambutan tree growing is to start from seed indoors in a container. They require TLC from every single seed to transplant, so keeping them in a controlled environment will be the best way to increase your chance of success. Rambutan seeds are only viable for up to one week after being harvested, so you’ll need to act fast once you get your seed. Remove the fruit from the seed and let it dry completely. Place the seed in sandy, loamy soil with good drainage. Even though rambutans like humidity and lots of water, there’s still such a thing as too much water, especially when they’re young. Cover the seed with a light layer of soil and water it well. Make sure the soil stays moist but not wet, and keep the seed under a grow light. It can take 10-21 days for it to sprout, so don’t worry if it takes a while. Once the tree sprouts, keep it indoors with moist soil and lots of light. It won’t be ready to move outside until it’s about 1 foot tall in about 2 years and won’t produce fruit until it’s 4 or 5 years old. You can plant the seed any time of year if you’re growing it indoors, and when it’s time to transplant, you can do so in early spring.

Queen Lime zinnias are a special series with soft, sophisticated colors. They may not be as flamboyant as some of their more colorful counterparts, but we love them. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to discuss growing these special zinnias. Zinnias are a favorite of mine; I say it time and time again. If there is one flower I will plant every year without fail, it’s the zinnia. This powerhouse annual truly does it all. The ‘Queen Lime’ series is a unique and beautiful one. Zinnias are vigorous growers and producers of large, lovely flowers. Their long, strong stems make them an excellent choice for the cutting garden. They’re also an excellent addition to the pollinator patch with their flat, accessible, nectar-rich flowers. These flowers are incredibly easy to grow and have a great payoff for the effort invested. If you like to see butterflies in the garden, these will make it happen. They bloom throughout the summer and fall, right up to your first frost. What Is It? ‘Queen Lime’ zinnias are a group best known for their subtle, beautiful, and sophisticated colors. Most varieties get recognition for their bold, bright colors. These have a quiet loveliness that is best enjoyed up close and personal. They are excellent for the cutting garden, where you will want to add them to every bouquet. Characteristics ‘Queen Lime’ zinnias are medium to large-sized plants that can reach heights of nearly four feet. If you pinch them and cut them often, they will grow into lovely, shrubby plants that look lovely in mixed flower beds. They have strong, slim stems and slightly fuzzy foliage. The main draw for this particular series is the color of the blooms. There are four recognized varieties, but I’ve seen several others pop up in recent years. The classic ‘Queen Lime’ zinnia is a lime green cultivar; its petals are bright and cool. When combined with other colors, the results are charming and nostalgic. The lime green shade overlaid with pink, peach, red, yellow, and orange becomes a group of earthy, muted hues. They have a vintage appeal and blend well with almost any color combination. Native Area Zinnia elegans is native to parts of Central and North America, including Mexico and the southwestern United States. They grow in semi-arid, warm climates with moderate rainfall. ‘Queen Lime’ is a cultivated series that works well in the same climates as its wild predecessor. Planting The ideal time to plant zinnias is in the spring, as soon as the ground is warm enough for them to germinate (about 65°F or 18°C). You can start them earlier indoors, but they grow best if you plant them right in the garden. ‘Queen Lime’ is a medium-sized plant that requires about 18″-24″ of space to spread. You can succession sow them throughout the season, as they will continue to bloom until the first frost.