Decorating a garden is largely a matter of personal taste. There are several elements that tend to be recognized to create a given mood or enhance the look of the area. Water is often used. Japanese gardens have traditionally used water to draw the eye to various focal points in the garden. These ancient designs
Creating space has much to do with movement around the garden. The way in which different areas are linked together, by paths, pergolas, bridges, steps or terraces, can enormously increase their apparent size and interest. However, it is equally true that a linking element positioned carelessly and without proper regard to its surroundings, or the
Sarcococca (Christmas box or sweet box) is excellent plant for the winter garden and has small but highly scented flowers among the shiny evergreen leaves. Use it with snowdrops, Arum italicum subsp. italicum ‘Marmoratun’ and early hellebores. they make excellent ground cover under deciduous trees, and flowering stems can be cut for use in winter
You will find Breynia plant in a number of garden centers and department stores but in very few textbooks. It is basically a greenhouse plant which was introduced as a house plant in the 1980s. This native of the southern Pacific islands may also be grown as a tender perennial. Under glass it will grow
Bermuda grass is a very superior type of grass, and very popular to many home owners. It is drought resistant compared to other grasses. It can stand the full heat of the sun. It grows in any kind of soil. It does not require much maintenance. A lawn with Bermuda grass is very easy to
Flower gardening is a wonderful hobby that one can pursue at one’s leisure. The colorful flowers in your flower garden will make your surroundings fresh and to the beauty of your backyard. If you are thinking of planting a flower garden but don’t have sufficient knowledge about gardening basics, these flower gardening tips will help
Episcia is an attractive trailing plant which has never enjoyed the popularity of its well-known relative, the African Violet. Because it requires high air humidity it is often difficult to grow as an isolated specimen plant or in a hanging basket, but it makes an excellent ground cover between taller plants where it can benefit
Growing indoor tomatoes is like raising a spoiled children. There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes and they are grown worldwide in many different climates, soils and weather conditions. Yet, the hearty tomato plant has a few demands that it places upon we gardeners before it will produce those luscious tomatoes we all enjoy so
Conifers in the winter garden are an important point in garden designing, because they create a strong shape and structure. It is easy to pack a garden with summer-flowering plants, but a one-season wonder is no good whatsoever. Carefully selected and sited conifers in the winter garden are essential ingredients of the well-planned garden. The
The ideal soil is made up of 22% water, 20% sand, 20% air, 15% silt, 10% clay, 8% ‘unavailable’ water (that is, water trapped within the soil that the plant cannot use) and 5% organic matter. Soil texture is how the soil feels when you handle it. This is due to the basic rock the
Types of winter damages. During the winter, cold temperatures, snow, excessive sun and strong winds can damage trees. Types of winter damage include broken branches from snow and ice, as well as damaged bark, branches and roots. Newer trees are more prone to injury than older, more established trees. Soil changes. Soil expands when it
The two popular Asparagus ferns (A. plumosus and A. densiflorus sprengeri) are grown for their graceful feathery foliage, which is often used in flower arrangements. But all is not what it seems – they are not ferns, and the ‘leaves’ are really needle-like branches. Asparagus fern is an easy plant to grow, much easier than
