If someone told you that the world's most colorful tree earned its title for its bark and not its flowers or leaves, would you believe them? If you didn't, you'd… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Fern Damron is a writer at A-Z Animals who covers a variety of topics including plant life, gardening, and geology. They live off-grid in the Southeast U.S. and have been working to restore local Appalachian ginseng stands since 2020.
If someone told you that the world's most colorful tree earned its title for its bark and not its flowers or leaves, would you believe them? If you didn't, you'd… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Growing roses in Texas can be a challenge. The hot summers and dry air can quickly desiccate an otherwise happy, healthy rose bush. In many parts of the state, the… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Summer is here and roses are beginning to put forth their beautiful blooms. With so many flowers appearing on your plants, it's the perfect opportunity to cut some and put… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Many species of wild roses call Idaho their Idahome — and with such a diversity of climate zones throughout the state, that's probably no surprise. While there are several native… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
If you're just getting started in the art of bonsai, you may be wondering what tools are best to use when working with your tree. With so many cuts to… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Growing roses in Arizona presents some unique challenges. The high temperatures and intense summer sunlight can scorch roses in a hurry. Add to this heat the fact that roses are… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Although lengthy, growing your roses from seed is a rewarding process. With a bit of patience and persistence, anyone of any skill level can do it. There are several steps… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Whether you're just starting out in rose cultivation or are a seasoned rose gardener, you may find that it can be quite difficult to grow roses in Georgia. The summer… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
Key Points Wild roses are easy to grow and thrive on neglect, making them a great option for gardeners. Tennessee is home to four species of wild roses that have… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
The official South Dakota state insect is the European honeybee, Apis mellifera. State legislators formally adopted the animal into the list of official state symbols in 1978 to highlight its importance to… Read More
By Fern Damron 12 months ago
In 1992, state legislators designated the European honeybee as the Oklahoma state insect. Because of its important role in agricultural pollination and contribution to the global food supply, 16 other… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Swordtails are everywhere in the aquarium trade. You can find them at virtually any big box pet store or specialty aquatics shop. They are popular among new and experienced aquarists… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Over the last several decades, multiple non-native spiders have begun to appear across Texas. As recently as 2022, there have been sightings of another, recently introduced species that have left… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Idaho is a pretty big state, encompassing nearly 83,000 square miles, equating to over 50,000,000 total acres. The 11th largest state in the country when ranked by total land area,… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
In 1975, the state of Florida formally adopted the sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) as its state saltwater fish. These impressive ocean fish are plentiful in the state's open waters. Sailfish are… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Regardless of where you live, you've probably dealt with swarms of tiny biting gnats at some point. There are thousands of species of biting gnats and midges and over 600… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Koi, which means "love" or "affection" in Japanese, have been raised in captivity for centuries for a variety of purposes. Originally raised as a source of food, koi fish eventually… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Key Points: Fairbanks, despite having a population of fewer than 100,000 people, experiences some of the most severe air quality issues in the state. The city's proximity to major highways… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Although they all belong to the family Carangidae, jackfish are a varied bunch. There are over 150 species of jackfish belonging to numerous genera, and they can be found in… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Key Points The largemouth bass is a dull, olive-green color and is easily the biggest species in its genus. They put up an exciting fight on the end of a… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
As early as 9,000 years ago, humans domesticated wild hogs in Eurasia. As trade and transportation developed, people were able to transport them all across the globe. Today, many wild… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
We've all probably heard about "the birds and the bees" at some point in our lives. Parents most often use this cheesy phrase to open up a conversation about sex… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
The William Harsha Dam is Ohio's largest dam and is located in Clermont County, along the Little Miami River. It is 200 feet high and 1,450 feet in length. The… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
While there are numerous species of deer that take up residence in the vast state of Texas, the whitetail deer is one of the most distinct. Its strong stature, graceful… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
While the state didn't become part of the U.S. until 1846, the oldest city in Iowa dates back hundreds of years. Like all settlements that eventually became part of the… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Did you know that you can grow palm trees indoors? You may be surprised to learn that many species do great in the range of temperatures and light levels that… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
If you're considering planting a palm tree in your landscape, it is important to understand how its root system functions. How deep should you plant your palm? Should you trim… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
With origins dating back to the 17th century, the history of the oldest colonial cities in Arkansas stretches out over hundreds of years and includes many tumultuous and complicated events. In this… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
The incredible diversity of Ohio's landscapes has inspired people throughout the ages, and one of many incredible views is the primary focus of the state's official seal. But while the… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Bamboo plants are vigorous growers that can survive in a wide range of environments. They are often known for their ability to spread quickly and aggressively. Even slower-growing clumping varieties can… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Growing healthy bamboo is rewarding. It not only adds refreshing visual interest to an outdoor space but can provide shade and privacy as well. If you’re considering growing bamboo in… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
There are many plants that can be taken from their native environments and brought inside. Many of these come from tropical environments where year-round temperatures match the range of the… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
If you’re considering adding bamboo to your garden or landscape this season and are unsure where to start, here are a few important pieces of information to get you moving… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Bamboos are incredibly diverse. These giant grasses are classified into about 100 genera which contain over 1400 distinct species. They exhibit numerous different colors and patterns, as well as varying… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Odds are, you’ve come across lucky bamboo plants for sale at your local grocery or hardware store. They are usually sold in small vases of water or in pots full… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Bamboo plants can create breathtaking landscape effects, from stately columns and elegant dividers to large, peaceful shade groves. They grow in a wide variety of colors, heights, and culm thicknesses,… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Whether you're considering using bamboo in your landscape, are a conservationist, or are just interested in identifying your local flora, learning to distinguish between bamboo species and their lookalikes can… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
When most people think of bamboo in the landscape, they seem to imagine dense, uncontrollable groves of towering plants that engulf their surroundings. While many species may do just that,… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
Whether you're new to gardening or have been doing it all your life, planting a flower garden is a rewarding and enriching experience. With endless possible plant groupings, layouts, and… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago
If you want to grow roses in your Delaware garden and are wondering which cultivars are right for you, you're in luck. There are more than 300 species of roses… Read More
By Fern Damron 1 year ago