The Chelsea Flower Show 2012 (Part 1)This years Chelsea Flower Show was very patriotic in celebration of Her Majesty's Queen's Diamond Jubilee (1952-2012).
Observe Your Environment Before Selecting PlantsWhen moving to a new area, you probably are itching to start planting your yard. I recommend driving, riding a bike, or walking around your new neighborhood for a while to see what grows there in order to not make costly mistakes.
Glossary Tip: CorollaTwo or more petals on a flower, that are usually a color other than green, are known collectively as the "corolla."
Rooting Tips for Your Plumeria CuttingsPlace your potted plumeria stick on your pool deck or other cement area to let the sun warmed surface keep the container and its precious plumeria stick nice and warm.
Prune at the Right TimeBefore you start pruning a bush, vine or tree, look up whether the plant blooms on old or new growth. This will determine when is the best time to prune to optimize blooms! You don't want to prune in the spring if your plant blooms on last year's growth.
Beating the BeetlesBeetlemania reigns at Cottage-in-the-Meadow Gardens this month. The full force of the Japanese Beetle onslaught has hit our flower beds. Come on in, check out the damage, and see how I'm dealing with the invasion.
Garden Tour: DahtzuLet's take a little trip to North Carolina to see the gardens that Dahtzu has created. I think you'll really enjoy the beauty of this visit.
In Photography, Timing Is ImportantIf you want to take pictures of your flowers, do it just before sunset to get the color just right. In bright sun the color bleaches out.
Pots with FeetFor plants that require good drainage in pots, such as Adeniums (Desert Roses), for example, there are little terracotta feet available to put under the pot. They are not cheap, but there are other choices.
A Quick Tip About CompostCompost, Compost, Compost! No need for a special bin. Just find a corner somewhere in the yard away from the house, and start a pile of leaves and food scraps (but no dairy or bones). Pile on another layer of leaves and let it bake. No need to even turn the pile, it will eventually decompose for wonderful compost.
A Quick Tip -- Staking Your PlantsOld panty hose: Cut in thin strips and use for tying vines and tall plants to stakes, they are gentle on the plant tissue and hold up for a long time.
A Time-Saving TipKeep a pair of gardening gloves and pruners near the back door of your house, so you can easily grab them when you are "only stepping outside for a minute." You KNOW you can't go out into the garden for even a minute without seeing something that needs to be weeded or pruned!
A Quick Lily TipWhen cutting back lilies after bloom, cut back by no more than half their height in order for the bulb to continue to be fed. When the stem turns brown and dries up, then it may be cut all the way back.
Propagation: Water Rooting HouseplantsThis is the first in a series of short articles on propagation, the process of increasing your plants. There are several ways to propagate, but let's start with water rooting.
A Quick Tip for Your ToolsPaint garden tools a bright color so you don’t lose them in the garden.
Glossary Tip - MonoeciousA "Monoecious" plant has male and female flowers living on the same plant. They are considered imperfect flowers. Squash is an example of a monoecious plant. In the image the male flower is on the left, the female flower on the right.
The Shade Garden and the SnakeDuring most winters my grandmother visited her two daughters in cities far from the mountains where I was growing up. As soon as spring arrived, she came home again to garden.
Celebrating All Things PlantsIt's been a little like Jack's beanstalk, you know, the rapid growth of All Things Plants. It's only been a year, but just look at what the year has brought to gardeners all around the world. Let's begin this article now with a word from the top.
Keep Dogs Out of Your PondDogs and other animals like to get into ponds. I cover them with wire to keep them out. I place sticks under the wire to hold it up because they do walk on it.
A Snip TipTo deadhead spent flowers from plants, I usually just pinch the faded blooms and stem above the leaf node with my fingers. If it's a side shoot, just snip it off with the garden scissors.
Let 'em Grow: DitchliliesThis is one in a series of very short articles that might change your mind about some surprisingly good weeds. And even if your mind isn't changed, you'll still be well informed.
Purslane, a Good WeedHere's another plant that most consider a weed, but let's take a look at all it offers before we start tossing it aside.
A Quick Tomato TipTo have a supply of fresh home grown tomatoes into fall and until the first frost, you might want to consider planting some new plants now (July). If you have a long enough growing season, plant transplants, cuttings from existing plants or from seed. When your spring plants are done producing, the summer plantings will just be starting!
Glossary Tip - CymeCyme: A usually flat-topped or convex flower cluster (inflorescence) in which the primary stem and each side branch end in a flower that opens before the flowers below or to the side of it (determinate). Annual Baby's Breath (Gypsophila muralis) and tomatoes have cymes.
Naturally Discourage WaspsHang plastic wasp nests in a couple of trees in your garden to discourage wasps and hornets from building their nests in the area. They are territorial and won't build close to another nest.
