Garden Ideas
Shown: Marigolds, garlic and nasturtiums planted next to leaf lettuce
Shear back the plant by about one-third to one-half after the first bloom; you may get a second harvest. In spring, once growth has begun, prune lightly to remove broken and dead growth and to shape the plant. If the plant gets woody in the center, cut out those branches and allow new growth to fill in. Lavender is not long lived; you’ll probably need to replace it every 10 years or so.
Plant in average, well-drained soil in spring or fall. You can divide mature clumps as necessary in spring by slicing through them with a sharp spade and replanting each section. When grown in full sun, sneezeweed does not need staking. In partial shade it may be necessary to support the long stems with a simple network of sticks.
Botanical name: Helenium 'Mardi Gras' Common names: Sneezeweed, Helen's flower USDA zones: 3 to 9; hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit; find your zone Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant, deer resistant (in my garden at least), good cut flower, attracts butterflies and bees Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Spring or fall
In this example of very strict, formal hardscaping, a geometric run of pavers are set in a sea of gray river stones. We might expect to see a line of formally clipped evergreens leading the eye to the spheres and trees at the end of the path, but instead the planting is loose and informal, being allowed to grow loosely over the cobbles.
REPEL MOSQUITOES: Catnip is a natural mosquito repellent that grows in most areas as an easy-growing perennial. Marigolds also have a distinctive smell that is unbearable to mosquitoes. Try planting these annuals in pots around your patio and next to windows, and the smell will prevent mosquitoes from hanging around.
Create seclusion with a wood slat wall.
An arched trellis like this one will ensure that no neighbors — not even those towering over you — can see what's going on.
Privacy screens don't need to be boring. These custom pieces block the neighbor's view and act as an interesting outdoor focal point.
Botanical name: Knautia macedonica 'Thunder and Lightning' Common name: Field scabious USDA zones: 4 to 7 (find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 inches tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant; drought tolerant; attracts butterflies; good cut flower Seasonal interest: Spring through fall When to plant: Spring or fall
Matilija poppy is smiling at me!
Together the community decided on everything, from the design and engineering to how the plots were assigned and managed. Things had to be durable and affordable, and also needed to stay on the roof.
Seattle designers, neighbors and city officials have upped the community gardening ante with the city's first large-scale community garden on top of a 50-year-old parking garage.
Built and designed by local volunteers, Seattle's UpGarden transformed an unused parking structure into a thriving community garden. More important, it brought a neighborhood together through teamwork and cooperation.
I've planted Crocosmia (Crocosmia 'Lucifer', zones 6 to 9) in several spots and it has absolutely thrived. Plant in full sun or part shade, but be careful because it will spread quickly. One 4-inch pot is a great start. It has an upright growth habit with grassy foliage reminiscent of an iris.
With beautiful foliage, plentiful blooms and a beautiful purple hue, it's hard not to love Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis, zones 3 to 9). Try it in yellow too.
One of the best shade perennials by far is the hosta. This beautiful tri-color variety is called 'Hans' (zones 3 to 7). While you might think hostas are a bit ho-hum, I promise you this ain't your mama's hosta.
Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum falcatum 'Variegatum', zones 4 to 8) is a delicate but hardy plant, low growing with tiny bell-shaped blooms. My experience is that it has had a spreading effect in the South.
Any one who knows anything about perennials will say to plant a sedum (Sedum 'Pure Joy', zones 3 to 9).
I really cannot get over Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', zones 5 to 9). My favorite is the variegated variety. I planted mine under a Japanese maple, and the contrast was genius and it has so much movement.
Frikart's Aster' (A. x frikartii 'Monch', zones 5 to 10) will keep pumping electric-purple daisy-like blooms all season if you remove the old blooms. Asters have been a garden constant for like ever.
Would a perennial garden really be complete without some classic peonies (Paeonia, zones 3 to 8)? They are beautiful cut flowers and are pretty substantial plants. I like to think of them as alternatives to roses.
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, zones 3 to 8) is an absolute must. There are so many cool varieties to choose from, and they are all pretty easy to grow.
I saw this hardy geranium (geranium 'Rozanne') in my mother's perennial garden a few years ago and have marveled at the way it just keeps blooming and spreading. She finally gave me some cuttings that promptly took off and are thriving. It's low growing and great for bordering in the front of the planting bed.
The ever hardy Lantana with orange-red and yellow flowers steadily blooms the whole season. You'll have a huge mound of it before you know it, plus it's deer resistant. Pictured is a cultivar called 'Star Landing'
•A restrained palette of pink and blue is accented with chartreuse. •The deeper shades of purple provide depth, ensuring that this combination will still turn heads even in late summer. Plant selection: •Climbing 'Mary Rose' provides height and fragrance. •Billowing mounds of golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea') and May Night salvia (Salvia nemorosa 'May Night') form the lower tier. •These perennials are tolerant of low water, poor soil and hot sun.
To create the illusion of curves, repeat a key plant. Purple catmint (Nepeta sp) and pink dianthus (Dianthus sp) have been used in this photograph on alternating sides of the path.
The color palette focuses on shades of purple provided by 'Beni Otake' Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake') and 'Velvet Cloak' smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Velvet Cloak'). The chartreuse foliage of 'Mellow Yellow' spirea (Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon'), 'Golden Spirit' smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit') and Bowles' golden sedge (Carex elata 'Aurea') adds high contrast, taking center stage. Rhododendrons add rich magenta accents, while black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') adds deeper black notes. Key plants and colors are repeated on alternate sides of the pathway, luring you deeper and deeper into the dappled glade.
If you’re a beginning gardener, start small with your favorites. You won’t be overwhelmed by either the care or the harvest.
Fill in an unused corner of your yard and create an atypical garden that is appealing to look at. The raised beds are high enough to create architectural interest and the garden shed anchors the area. Large plants go in the ground and smaller plants in the raised beds.
Don't rule out your front yard for some garden plants that are also attractive.
Container gardening is ornamental as well as practical. Plants can be moved for shade/sun needs.
Sit and watch your garden grow. : )
Love the lights!
Alyssum does double duty as a companion plant. Its flowers attract pollinators as well as good bugs that feed upon the bad ones. They have other benefits too: •The flowers have a sweet fragrance. •You can buy them in six-packs from the nursery or simply scatter seeds throughout the garden.
Marigolds add a bright and sunny spot of color. Bad bugs simply hate them and stay away. Purchase them in six-packs or start them from seed.
Nasturtiums are great companion plants because bugs hate their peppery scent. They not only repel bad bugs, they also attract pollinators. But there are other benefits of adding nasturtiums to your vegetable garden: • Every part of nasturtiums is edible, and they add a delicious, peppery taste to salads. • They are easy to grow from seed. • The flowers add beauty to any vegetable garden.
Basil masks the alluring scent of your vegetable plants, keeping bad bugs away. Here are two other reasons to grow basil in your garden: •Basil is very easy to grow from seed or seedlings once the danger of frost has passed. You can also grow it in containers. •It's hard to beat the fresh taste of basil in a favorite Italian dish.
Repel bad bugs: Basil, garlic, geraniums, marigolds, lavender, nasturtiums, petunias, rosemary, sage and thyme Attract beneficial insects: Alyssum, bachelor's button, cosmos and chamomile Shown: Alyssum, bachelor's button and marigolds planted alongside a young tomato plant
Cucumbers, squash and tomatoes are just a few plants in the vegetable garden that need to have their flowers pollinated to produce delicious vegetables for your table. Flowering companion plants like alyssum and bachelor's button add beauty to the garden while attracting pollinators.
Other ways that companion plants help in the vegetable garden is by attracting beneficial insects, which help pollinate flowering vegetables. Some companion plants also attract good bugs that will eat the bad bugs.
Insects are often guided to plants by their scent. Aromatic plants such as marigolds, garlic, nasturtiums and basil will help keep bad bugs away from your vegetable garden.
Companion plants help keep bad bugs away, but they also attract pollinators for many vegetables, like cucumbers, melons, squash and tomatoes.
Harvest. Start picking flowers just before they open for the best scent. Harvest randomly throughout the plant to keep it looking full (every third branch is a good way to go). Hang the flowers in a cool, dark place with good air circulation to dry.
Q