SunnyGardens.com - Online gardening community featuring a searchable plant encyclopedia, glossary of botanical terms, and recipe database.http://www.sunnygardens.comen-USSunnyGardens.comCopyright 1999-2012Mon, 27 Feb 2012 0:15:37 MSThttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/pieris/pieris_0106.phpJapanese Pieris, Lily of the Valley Shrub. Good as container plants and companion plants with Rhododendrons (both prefer moist, acid, organic soil), these evergreen shrubs have deep green leaves and urn-shaped flowers. New spring foliage is often red or bronze. Scores of cultivars are available, including dwarf forms, selections with variegated leaves and others with white, pink or reddish flowers. They are easiest to grow in the coastal valleys of the Northwest United States. Protect from hot afternoon sun in warmer climates and strong winter winds in northern zones. Deadhead old flowers to promote next year's buds. Lace Bugs are a problem in eastern states, especially for Japanese Pieris. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 0:15:37 MSThttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/pieris/pieris_0106.phphttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/drimys/drimys_1053.phpMountain Pepper. Wonderful trees for mild climates, their creamy, perfumed blossoms and smooth oval leaves resemble those of their bigger cousins, the Magnolias. The purple-black berries look like clusters of match heads. Many species boast handsome mahogany-red bark on the young branches. Need light shade and lime-free, well-drained but moist soil. Choose a sheltered spot in zones where temperatures drop near 14º F. Prune occasionally to shape, ideally just after flowering. Grow from cuttings, by layering, or from seed, usually produced only where male and female trees grow together. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 0:15:37 MSThttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/drimys/drimys_1053.phphttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/allium/allium_2076.phpEgyptian Onion, Shallot, Tree Onion. Easy to grow, edible members of this diverse family include Onions, Garlic, Shallots, Leeks, Green Onions and Chives. Leaves grow best in cool weather and moist soil. Mature Onions, Garlic and Shallots form bulbs in summer. Feed early in growing season with low nitrogen, high potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Slower grown from seed, but you will get a larger crop and more varieties to choose from. Easiest to grow from small bulbs called sets. In mild winter areas, plant in fall. Elsewhere, plant in earliest spring. Store Garlic bulbs and Onions in a cool, dry, airy place out of direct light. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 0:15:37 MSThttp://www.sunnygardens.com/garden_plants/allium/allium_2076.php