Decks & Pergolas

Warm weather and Barbecuing go hand in hand. What better place to entertain than under a pergola with some lounge chairs? There are tons of different ideas and designs that will blend in seamlessly with your existing architecture. Here’s a collection of our favourites.

Outdoor Kitchens

These are no longer things you just see in the magazines. Gone are the times where that one person was stuck inside doing all the cooking! Outdoor Kitchens are bringing outdoor entertaining to a whole new level! Here’s a collection of our favourites.

Plantings

Architecture and throw pillows are not the only way you can make an outdoor space one which invites visitors and admires alike. Try planting things such as lavender or thyme to give them air a homey feel to your backyard!

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They will also help to attract bees and butterflies and other insects. And aren’t those things a wonderful sight to see? We’ve put together a list of plants that will help keep your space shaded.

Hosta: A lot of people like this plant because of its colours. It is beautifully coloured with blues and greens and whites.

Hellebore:   For people who love to have plants in their yard, this is the plant you want to choose. It grows from the winter months and flowers until the spring months.

Bleeding Hearts: This type of plant is very popular. People love the heart shaped flower that it produces ad love that it is low maintenance.

Japanese Painted Fern: This plant is a little bit more work. It is a high maintenance plant; especially in the summer months. The soil must stay moist. With the hot sun, that can get to be a bit of work.

Ajuga: Ajuga is type of plant that grows very quickly. You will need to plant them one foot apart from each other, because they do spread.

There are tons of ways to make your lawn more beautiful. But these are just a few of many.

The post Best Shade Plants for Your Lawn! appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Ajuga

Allium

Alyssum

Aster

Basil

Bee Balm

Begonia

Blanket Flower

Bleeding Heart

Borage

Calendula

Cardinal Flower

Columbine

Coral bells (Heuchera)

Dahlia

Daylily

Delphinium

Dianthus

Foxglove

Fuchsia

Geranium

Gladiolus

Globe Thistle

Helianthus

Hollyhocks

Iris

Joe-Pye Weed

Lantana

Lavender

Lily

Marigold

Mullein

Musk Mallow

Petunia

Phlox

Poppy

Purple Coneflower

Queen Anne’s Lace

Salvia

Scabiosa

Stonecrop

Sunflower

Sweet William

Verbena

Yarrow

Zinnia

The post 47 Beautiful Plants that will Attract Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds. appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Studies have shown that gardening reduces stress. There’s a sense of accomplishment when home-grown herbs are picked and used straight from the garden. Additionally herbs are full of vitamins and if you grow your own, you can avoid pesticides and herbicides. All very positive, so how do I start an herb garden? Well, January is a good time to start, take a look at the garden plant catalogs and start researching and choosing your herbs. You can order seeds and start your own plants or, later in the spring, buy small seedlings from garden centers to transplant into your garden.

After the last frost date, select a spot in your yard that is fairly flat and gets about 6 hours of sun, this would be considered a full-sun location. (most herbs thrive in a sunny location, but many will tolerate part-shade). Plan the size of your herb bed based on the quantity of plants and how big the plants grow. It’s a good idea to get the soil tested and then add any amendments to improve the soil. To define the edge of the herb bed and to contain the soil, mulch and plants, consider adding lawn edging – choose a style that suits your garden aesthetic.

Some herbs such as mint and tarragon have underground roots that spread quickly and grow all over other plants. This can become a problem requiring the mint or tarragon to be dug up, including all the roots – a chore no one wants to do. To avoid this, mint or tarragon are often planted in tubs or large pots. If they are planted in the ground, they can be encircled with lawn edging or a bottomless bucket that will contain the roots and stop them spreading.

Here’s a selection of easy-to-grow, delicious herbs and their uses

1. Mint. There are many different varieties of mint, each with its own flavor and fragrance. It grows well in semi-shade. Mint gives a kick to a green salad and a refreshing zest to iced-tea. And of course we mustn’t forget that summer beverage – the Mint Julip!

2. Chamomile. This herb makes the classic, relaxing chamomile tea. The tea is made from the flowers, use them fresh in the summer and dry them for winter use. This tea is a great, natural stress-reliever. Chamomile and mint are a great combination for a tea.

3. Chives. These plants have a very mild onion flavor and are tasty when sprinkled on salads, eggs and potatoes. They have attractive pink, edible flowers in late summer that can be used as a garnish. Garlic chives have a slight garlic taste.

4. Parsley. You can choose curly or flat-leaf varieties of parsley. This is an all-round useful herb that can be added to soups, stews and quiches. Also nice sprinkled on fish, meat and vegetables.

5. Borage. This herb has the most beautiful tiny, blue, edible flowers. They look so pretty floating in summer drinks such as lemonade or punch. A must-have when making Pimm’s – the summer drink loved by the English horse-racing set. If you are interested in encouraging bees, this is the ideal plant – bees love the flowers.

6. Cilantro. This tasty herb is used in Mexican cuisine and it’s fun to snip the leaves, chop them and add them to salsa or guacamole. Also used in Indian dishes.

7. Basil. To me, summer isn’t summer without fresh basil. There are many varieties of basil, with different leaf-colors and flavors. This is another very versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes including italian-style tomato sauces.

8. Summer Savory. This is one of my personal favorites, it has a subtle, smoky flavor and I use it in place of any other herb. Very easy to grow and pollinating insects adore the tiny flowers.

Starting a herb garden need not be a major challenge if you restrict yourself to a few herbs you’ll use most. If you don’t have a yard that’s not a problem, many herbs do fine in pots or in window boxes. Finally this is a great way to introduce kids to the process of gardening, harvesting and cooking. Here’s to keeping those resolutions in 2016!

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What are USDA Climate zones? The United States Department of Agriculture divides North America into 11 zones. The zones are based on the highest and lowest temperatures in a geographic area. The coldest zone is Zone 1, the warmest zone is Zone 11. Many plants will thrive in multiple zones because they are adapted to grow in a range of temperatures or conditions.

How do I find information about the climate zone for my area? The United States Department of Agriculture publishes an online map for all North American states here http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ At the same site, you can also find more detailed information about specific states. Just select the name of your state from the list and find your county or nearest city – then refer to the key to see which zone you are in. Make a note of your zone, then when choosing plant material, make sure the plants are appropriate for your zone.

How do I know if a plant is suitable for my zone? At garden centers or stores, take a look at the label on the plant, shrub or tree. The label should say include the zone number(s). Your local garden centers or stores will most likely stock plant material for your zone, if in doubt ask them. If you are buying online, the description of the plant material should include the zone number(s). Zones can be used in reference to any type of plant, vine, shrub or tree.

Is there anything else I should consider, apart from climate zones? Yes, there are other factors that will determine whether the plant material is suitable. For example, soil type, soil moisture, wind exposure, salt (from de-icing or seashore), rainfall, humidity, day length, amount of shade, and elevation (above sea level) will all play a part.

Within your yard or garden, ‘microclimates’ can exist and they can impact your plants(s). So what is a microclimate? A microclimate is a small area where the climate is different from the surrounding area. For example, if an area is shaded by a tree, the microclimate may be dry-shade. If an area is next to a pond or creek, the microclimate may be damp or wetland. If an area is behind a row of shrubs that act as a wind-block, the microclimate may be warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. Observe your yard or garden throughout the seasons and you will become aware of microclimates where plants thrive or don’t grow so well. In addition to the climate zone, you can include any microclimates when choosing plant material.

With a little knowledge, it’s fairly easy to select plants, shrubs or trees that will grow well in your yard or garden. Start with your climate zone and take into consideration any micro climates. Another tip is to take a walk around your neighborhood and see what grows well locally – chances are that plant will do well in your yard too.

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There’s no reason to leave your garden drab and bare during the winter, though! With a variety of cold-hardy plants that grow lovely flowers, you can add vibrant color to that winter garden in no time.

Here are some of the best plants to consider growing during the winter. Just grow them in containers that can be put on your patio, balcony or porch and moved inside if there’s an extreme freeze coming.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is a lovely flower that resembles a daisy. It comes in shades of deep yellow, cream or apricot with a match center. The plants grow anywhere from one to two feet tall and equally as wide, making wonderful container plantings or for growing in a flower garden. These flowers will require full sun and well-draining soil. Be sure to water enough to keep the soil moist, too. When you see dead or dying blooms, clip those off to encourage new, lively flowers.

Candytuft (Iberis)

Candytuft gets its name from the sweet scented white flower clusters that grow on its long stems. These babies can reach eight feet in height and just as wide. The leaves, which remain year-round, are a lovely shade of shiny dark green and quite narrow. Not so much of a sun lover, you’ll want to put this plant in a shady–or at least partly shady–place and be sure to consistently water it every few days. Like calendula, it will need well-draining soil and you’ll want to clip off the dead blooms to encourage new flowers to grow.

Cineraria (Senecio x hybridus)

Another shade-loving plant, cineraria blooms with intense colors of purplish blue, purplish red, white and pink. Typically growing to about two feet tall and wide, the daisies bloom in broad clusters that are between three and five inches in diameter. These bright, colorful flowers prefer rich, loose soil and will require consistent watering.

Cyclamen (Primulaceae)

Cyclamen provides a wonderful break from the bleak grays of wintertime with its soft whites, pinks, roses and reds. These two-inch-wide flowers are full of air-filling fragrance as well. Its lush green leaves are heart-shaped and have long six inch stems to hold up the flowers. This flower requires rich soil that is porous and drains very well. Be sure to add lots of humus for this one and put it in a place that is mostly sunny with some shade during the day.

English daisy (Bellis perennis)

Ah, the English daisy. Its bright, beautiful blooms are reminiscent of the English countryside. They come in a variety of colors ranging from rose to red or pink and white. These large, eight inch wide flowers grow on fairly short stems and are surrounded by full, bright green leaves. These daisies prefer sun with just partial shade and also need to have well-draining soil and consistent watering. You’ll want to deadhead the plants often to encourage new blooms to keep that color vibrant.

Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris)

The needle-like leaves of this low-growing, colorful shrub produces small, bell-shaped flowers in cream, orange, pink or yellow. You’ll want to grow them in an area that receives at least half a day of sun and be sure to use a soil that is sandy and has lots of organic matter added to it. Don’t let the soil dry out with this one either. You’ll want to water it consistently.

Indeed, there’s no reason to drive yourself crazy with desire for color in the winter. With flowers like these in containers for easy transporting, you can keep your yard bright and beautiful all the way to spring.

About the Author

     Jonathan Leger is a gardening enthusiast. He runs a small site dedicated to the education, history and care of a

variety of roses at CabbageRoses.net.

The post The Best Plants For Great Winter Color appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Roses
Roses are the perfect flower for almost any occasion. The roses that are one hit wonders are the tree climbers and garden roses; these are spring bloomers and blooms once. The perfect time to prune? Right after they finish blooming.
Do you have some that return in the same year or season? Repeat bloomers such as modern shrub roses or hybrid teas are to be pruned to the shape of the plant and to remove the damaged as it comes.

Deciduous Shade Trees
When winter comes, these trees become dormant. During this time, it’s the perfect time to prune. You won’t harm the tree in anyway or spread disease while it is dormant.

Deciduous Fruit Trees
You want to create space in this tree for sun to be absorbed. You want to prune in winter when it is dormant. You want the best quality over the most quantity.

Evergreens (Fir, spruce, cypress, etc)
Ho Ho Ho, the classic Christmas tree. The needle type trees should be pruned in the early growing time. You don’t want to cut any wood that does not contain any of the green needles. If done, it may not grow back for you.
Natural Holiday decorations? This tree is perfect for snipping a few in the winter for your home. It won’t affect the growth of the tree.

Pruning Tips

• Don’t prune any newborn trees or trees that are newly planted. Wait at least a year before clipping away.
• Cut as close to the branching point, this will avoid any stubs on the tree.
• Dip the tool you’re using to prune with rubbing alcohol to eliminate the spread of any disease the plant may have.

The post When to Prune: Part 2 appeared first on Landscape Edging Blog.

Eating prunes helps to digest food and get rid of the “bad” in our bodies; the process of pruning is to get rid of the “bad” off plants. As soon as you notice anything dead, diseased or damaged you’re going to want to get rid of it. When pieces of a plant are broken, insects, pests and, harmful diseases are attracted to said plant.

Spring
Anything that blooms in the early spring should be pruned right after they’re done blooming. Try to avoid pruning in the winter. Pruning in the winter can damaged it for the following spring.

Summer
For the flowers, trees, and shrubs that grow in the summer you will want to prune them in the winter while they are dormant. These plants you can cut to the core in early spring or late winter as well and it will not harm the bloom in summer.

Hydrangeas
You will need to prune any type of Hydrangea early summer. If pruned before then you will be destroying the buds before they can bloom.

Hedges
Here are a few tips for growing hedges

• Refrain from shearing six weeks before frost. Optimal time is in the early growth. Following this will give you the best green foliage your plant can offer.
• For shrubs that are formed into hedges, you will want the top narrower than the bottom. This will keep the top from casting a shadow and hindering growth.
• Growing a privacy hedge? Let them grow and only prune if you need to.

Gardening Tip!
Save time and your back by using a pole pruner where the head rotates.

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