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The Tuscan color palette features earthy warm sun-baked oranges, yellows and reds. Traditional homes feature dark wood ceiling beams and rich rust-colored tile floors, and are typically furnished with dark wood furniture, religious art and iconography and scrolled, feminine curves on everything from ironwork to lamp shades. Nevertheless, as interpreted outside of Italy, and perhaps most egregiously in the Tuscan-style homes of the American early aughts, this classic style can veer a bit over-the-top when builders try to create a rustic old world feel with cheap materials and tacky faux finishes....

Feeding is not the only damage that leafhoppers can cause. Some leafhoppers also transmit plant diseases. Knowing how leafhoppers look during the different stages of their life cycle and identifying leafhopper damage is crucial to catching leafhoppers early when their numbers are low. This way, you can effectively control this pest before it becomes a heavy infestation. What Do Leafhoppers Look Like? The many different species of leafhoppers have some common characteristics....

In most growing zones, million bells is best planted or repotted in the spring. It can bloom continuously through the growing season until first frost, and its flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It’s also a fast grower and quickly reaches toward the ground as a “spiller” when grown as a container plant. Because of its trailing habit, it looks great in hanging baskets, bowls, or mixed containers. It also works well planted in-ground as a border plant....

Though quite rare, Alocasia can produce white or green flowers in the early spring or summer. Like other members of the Alocasia genus, It is important to note that these plants are toxic to both pets and people, so take precautions to keep them away from curious pets or children. Light When grown outside, Alocasia Regal Shield will thrive in partial sun, or dappled light, such as on the edge of a covered patio or balcony....

But, in its native habitat of Australia, a tree fern can grow up to 50 feet tall. This tropical plant is easily too tall for most indoor growing situations except for large conservatories and greenhouses. Still, if your space and environment allow, it can be a beautiful addition to your landscape. Characterized by lacy, feathery fronds that grow from 10 to 20 feet in length and a hair-like, scale-covered trunk, the fast-growing, evergreen Australian tree fern can bring an exotic touch to any garden....

The variegated foliage of the calathea ‘White Fusion’ cultivar features a green leaf with contrasting white markings. The underside has a magenta hue that runs down the stems. Although their care can be a little more particular than some houseplants, once you get it right, you will be rewarded with an eye-catching display of foliage that grows profusely and quickly. You should regularly wipe down the calathea ‘White Fusion’ large leaves to remove dust....

When growing calla lilies, plant them in the springtime. They grow moderately fast, often producing flowers by early-to-mid-summer and blooming throughout the season until early fall. Native to Africa, calla lilies grow in tropical climates but can sometimes be invasive, specifically in Australia and California. Calla lilies are toxic to humans and pets. All parts of the plant are toxic. They grow from a rhizome, not from a bulb, which is a key indicator that they’re not true lilies....

This tree is best planted in the late spring after the threat of frost is over. The tree grows at a moderate rate, is quite tough, and can tolerate wind, air pollution, salt spray, heat, and drought. It has a deep, non-invasive root system so that you can plant it near a patio or a driveway. However, when selecting a location in your landscape, the tree spreads up to 35 feet....

This plant has invasive potential and sometimes aggressively self-seeds and naturalizes in warm regions, such as California. Once established, the corkscrew vine is a very fast grower and may very well take over your entire garden, and even the rest of your backyard, so be sure to closely monitor its growth and spread. The fast-growing corkscrew vine is relatively easy to grow from seed, however, its vine-like structure means it will need a support structure—a trellis, fence, or arbor—on which to grow....

Plants are rooted in a simple bulb structure. They flower in mid- to late spring (April through June) and go dormant by summer. Bulbs should be planted in autumn. As a member of the Fritillaria genus that includes species classified as toxic to humans and animals, F. imperialis should be planted out of the reach of children, dogs, and cats. Crown imperial plants are pretty much impervious to any issues but the bulbs have a tricky shape that needs some special attention....

Barberry is normally planted as potted nursery specimens in spring or fall. Golden barberry has a moderate growth rate, adding about 1 foot per year. Some sources consider all species in the Berberis genus to have mild toxicity, capable of causing minor digestive upset and skin irritation. This, along with the thorns, may be why barberry shrubs are rarely eaten by deer. Light Doing best in full sun, this shrub also manages well in partial shade....

The plant is often mistaken for columbine because its leaves and drooping flowers bear a resemblance to that plant. The flowers are small and can be yellow, white, lilac, or lavender, depending on the species. Although the point could be argued with some of the named cultivars, generally speaking, meadow rue flowers are small and relatively subtle. This is a plant that is usually chosen for the texture and color of its delicate foliage rather than for spectacular blossoms....

However, keep in mind that this perennial reputedly can be somewhat invasive in some regions and under certain conditions. Consult with your county extension office to find out whether it is considered invasive in your region. Light These perennials prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade in hot areas. Soil Moonbeam coreopsis plants prefer well-drained soil. They are clay-tolerant, but they will truly thrive in a loamy soil....

These blade-leafed, evergreen perennials are often used as specimen plants. Some are small enough to use in containers, while others can reach several feet in diameter and grow to over seven feet tall. New Zealand flax is a rather slow-growing species that can take several years before small seedlings mature into full-sized plants. On mature plants, the flower stalks shoot up above the leaves and produce curving, tubular red or yellow blossoms that are very high in nectar and are a hummingbird favorite....

Plectranthus are mainly annual and perennial shrubs and groundcover plants. These plants are versatile; most grow well in-ground, in containers, and as houseplants. They are best planted in the spring, or you can sow seeds indoors six weeks before the last frost. As Plectranthus is a fast-growing, low-maintenance species, some species are invasive, like P. amboinicus (Indian borage). Also, some species are toxic to animals; for example, Indian borage is also toxic to dogs, cats, and horses....

Prickly pear and other cacti go dormant in winter, and their pads appear to dry up or deflate. They will return to their normal plumpness in spring when you can prune off any unsightly pads or deformed growth. Light As a desert cactus, prickly pear thrives in full sun. That means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Indoors, a west- or south-facing window works best. In very hot climates, some shade during midday can prevent scald....

All pumpkins are a type of winter squash, but some are simply grown as decoration. Most home-grown pumpkins are cultivars or hybrids of the Curbita pepo species, but there are also other pumpkin species you may run across, including C. maxima, C. argyrosprema, and C.moschata. The species readily cross-pollinate, and many commercial varieties are carefully developed hybrid types. Like most squash, pumpkin is a low-growing vining annual with large, coarse leaves....

Seagrapes are rarely bothered by pests, and only occasionally fall prey to the seagrape borer, a native moth that eats twigs and branches. Light Seagrape needs lots of tropical sun, although the plant is moderately shade-tolerant. Soil Sandy soil is best, but it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Water The sea grape is drought-tolerant, but should be watered if grown in a container; once transferred to the ground, watering is not necessary as long as you live in a tropical area with lots of rainfall, but regular watering can help it grow fuller....