Quick Color in the Garden

November 26th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape, front yard landscaping ideas | No Comments »
by Thomas Fryd
Dutch Iris are one of the most colorful of all fall-planted bulbs. They have been propagated heavily in Oregon and Washington for the Pacific Coast market. The flower is excellent for cutting and a generous crop may be expected. The colors include white, yellow, lavender, blue and purple. The plants are fairly hardy although they require some protection if planted in a windy spot. Plant in the open sun or semi-shade with the bulbs 3 inches deep and 3 inches apart. Average garden soil will suffice and the bulbs should not be disturbed until the plants become so thick that the clumps need dividing.
Aftercare of Bulbs – Many – including gladiolus, tigridias and tuberous begonias – should be taken up now and stored for a good rest. Remember, the foliage should be thoroughly ripened before cutting off. Dust the bulbs with an insecticide to take care of any insect eggs present. Also, all bulbs and tubers should be dried off thoroughly before storing in peat. Guard against mice eating tigridias especially.

For quick color – In the mild sections of the West, snapdragons, stocks, annual chrysanthemums, larkspur, Iceland poppies, violas and pansies may still be set out, although the blooms will be later than on those set out last month. For shady spots, try cinerarias and primroses.

Wildflowers – Sow seeds after the first heavy rains. For dependable ground covers on bulb beds, sow linaria, brachycome, Gilia lutea (G. micrantha), nemophila, Virginia stock, Johnny-jump-up and other shallow-rooted annuals. These make colorful beds by themselves and are a boon both to the busy gardener pressed for time and the “lazy” gardener.

Winter pot plants – For the shaded patio use primrows, cinerarias, pansies, daffodils, browallias, reinwardtias, alocasia amazonica, beloperones, ericas, eranthemums, azaleas and camellias.

Pyracanthus and cotoneasters are the answer for time-pressed gardening enthusiasts who require colorful berries with a minimum of time spent on upkeep. Berried shrubs thrive here in the West. Although they can be planted at any season, this is a good time to select choice kinds at local nurseries, for now you can not only choose the ones with the best forms but also the proper colored berries.

About the Author:
Thomas Fryd shares his knowledge at http://www.plant-care.com. Knowledge is power – get more power and find out more about alocasia amazonica. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Swimming Pool Landscaping and Design Ideas for Your Backyard

August 26th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape, swimming pool landscaping | No Comments »

It’s Hot!  It’s Summer Time!  It’s a great time to jump into the cool pool in your backyard and relax on your raft a while. Let go of the stress and the day to day routine.  There is nothing better than having your own little get a way conveniently located in your own backyard.

Your get a way can be anything you want with all of the new swimming pool landscaping ideas and products available.  There is something available for all plans, ideas and budgets.  What are you waiting for?  Get started on your backyard get a way.  The sooner you start, the sooner you enjoy and you’ll be so glad you did it.  

To get started, you need a design and a plan.  Draw it out and make sure everything blends well.  Do you need a play area for children?  Do you like to use your backyard for entertaining?  Do you have outdoor pets?  Will this just be your private get a way?  Will you be incorporating a theme?  Think about your options and what you really want out of your space and get started on your dream backyard.  If your dream is really big, make your swimming pool landscaping plans into different stages.  This way, you don’t stress yourself out and you won’t stress your pocket book either.

There are many pool decking materials available.  You can choose from beautiful wood materials or a huge selection of stone and brick.  If you have concrete around your existing pool, try painting the concrete to give the area a visual lift.  Home owners are getting very creative these days.  

You should think about adding some big, lush green plants around the pool deck to soften the look and add a little privacy.  Every design needs some color and beauty added to the backyard landscape too.  You may also want to make sure you have provided a shady spot somewhere in the design.  It could be a covered patio, a nice tree, or a patio umbrella. 

For your swimming pool, water features are a nice addition.  They offer the relaxing sound of falling water and they come in many different designs to choose from.  There are lighted ones for the evening and they come in multiple colors.  The water dances and changes colors.  It’s really pretty in the evening when you are outdoors relaxing, grilling or swimming.

Speaking of lights, don’t forget your landscape lighting.  Choose some different types of lighting for your flower beds, walkways, and trees.  There are a lot of solar choices with a wide variety of designs.  You can easily find something to suite you and solar is easy to install too.  You can also add some tiki torches around the backyard.  They bring a tropical and romantic feel to the area.  It is very relaxing too.    

Last, you should pick up a few design elements to place in your design.  Choose some things for your garden areas or some decor to go with your theme if you have one.  Just add some little touches to bring it all together.  For some bigger touches, I’ve noticed several waterfalls, ponds and fountains and more and more people are creating outdoor kitchens, fire places, and living spaces.  Swimming pool landscaping is also starting to include more cabanas and pool houses.  Some are small, just for changing clothes and others are big enough for entertaining family and friends.  It’s all up to you and the design you’ve chosen.  Really try to make it what you want and have fun designing your dream backyard get a way.

 

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