Hiccups occur when a spasm contracts the diaphragm, a large sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. This spasm causes an intake of breath that is suddenly stopped by the closure of the vocal cords (glottis). This closure causes the characteristic hiccup sound.
Deer Resistant? I've seen peonies on several lists of deer-resistant plants. Please share your experience with whether or not the deer leave your peonies alone. We're thinking of putting some in our back yard which does get some deer traffic (we use several products to try to keep them off our plants). Peonies are my husband's favorite flower.
New leaves with powdery mildew become bumpy before this fungi's trademark white or gray powder-like substance appears on both the leaves and blossoms. Although powdery mildew won't kill the plant, it mars a rose bush's beauty. Prevent powdery mildew by growing roses in a dry area with lots of sun and air circulation. Shrub varieties, such as hybrid tea roses and grandifloras, are most resistant to this fungus.