Tropical hibiscus isn’t hardy enough to stay outside yearlong in the majority of Northern California. Temperatures below 55 degrees kill back the plant. Extended cool periods or lower temperatures will even kill the main system off. Bringing the plant inside for the winter not just ensures that it succeeds, but it allows the hibiscus to …
Garden beds that are weedy detract from the curb appeal of your home. It is labor intensive and time consuming, although the issue may be combated by constant weeding. Black plastic mulch suppresses weed growth because it prevents the stalks from emerging and blocks sunlight from hitting seeds that are germinating. The mulch also keeps …
Fall is the best time for planting trees, but you might be getting cold feet about planting trees in a garden with wet toes. It’s simple to discover drought-tolerant trees these days, but for many of us in areas that are flood prone or possess soggy soil, the choices are more limited. Should you lack …
Successful container arrangements are dependent on a number of factors; some, such as colour, are more obvious than others. But the subtler part of feel sometimes takes an arrangement from dull to terrific. A layout which uses plants with the identical feel, through leaves or blossoms, can be dull. But one which incorporates two or …
Every landscape desires a plant using a little bit of rambunctious zing. Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata), using its long, trailing stems and summerlong series of blossoms, is magnificent as one specimen plant, used en masse for a ground cover or planted throughout the landscape as a unifying element. This native perennial can adapt to …
The blossom season is far from over, particularly if you’ve got native plants. Butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects are out in full force looking for food, whereas birds are looking for water that you are able to provide. Keep a watch out for thirsty vegetable beds as you continually harvest, ensuring a continuous supply …
Late summer to me is about kicking back and enjoying the garden with family and friends, so I rely upon easy-care plants are the mainstay of my designs. Sneezeweed is frequently overlooked in favour of the summer time summer daisies coneflower (Echinacea spp) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), yet this both demanding and attractive summer bloomer …
Landscapes sustain us by giving us food to eat, air to breathe and space to reside in — let us repay the favor. When choosing what we plant, then it is important to respect our natural landscapes and the wildlife that they support. Sustainable garden practices teach us that biodiversity, wildlife habitats and indigenous plants …
You’ve worked hard to create an interior space that conveys your sense of style. Your favourite finishes, textures and colours offer a sense of place that’s uniquely you. Your outdoor living space needs to be an extension — or an echo — from your house’s interior design, and color is an element that can easily …
Green beans are one of the vegetables in the supermarket. Why increase your own? First, they are easy and quick to produce, making them a good selection for a beginning gardener. Second, and probably more significant, growing your own beans permits you to enjoy the great range of beans available, such as a few gourmet …