Gardening is much like having a pet. There is a fair amount of responsibility and a little work involved, but the paybacks are enormous and long-lasting. And how much "work" is it really? You get out in the fresh air and dig in the dirt - would you rather be sitting in a cube somewhere staring at a computer screen? Now THAT is work!
Too Much Shade - How do I get color?
My current property was nothing but green when I first moved in...green grass, green trees, green woods - just too much all green. Along with the trees came a lot of moderate to heavy shade areas as well. A definite challenge for the gardener desperately seeking color. Not to worry.
The three Hostas shown below can all tolerate shade quite nicely thank you. Left to right - the Jimmy Crack Corn provides Spring to Fall golden foliage...the Giant Blue provides early Summer flowers, and the Stained Glass hosta provides not only vibrant green and yellow leaves, but flowers AND fragrance - a multi-tasking plant for every garden!
You can't have a "cottage" without roses. It just isn't done.
Roses come in so many different sizes, shapes and colors...lending themselves to any particular place in the garden that does have sun and needs some warm weather color. Climbers, trailers, thornless, hybrid tea...take your pick! Many of these roses go through several blooming phases throughout the Spring and Summer - dependent on your growing or hardiness zone - providing beautiful color and extraordinary fragrance for months and months. Here is a link to the USDA zone map so you can check out growing conditions for your area. US only for the moment - I'm looking for a European equivalent...
Roses do have one major nemesis in the garden world - at least in my corner of it - and that is the Japanese Beetle. Beetles nearly decimated my roses last Summer. One day there were no beetles to be seen...24 hours later...massive petal damage. Fortunately, a good dusting with Sevin seems to quickly ruin the beetle's day, and dead-heading the damaged petals brought about a full recovery for the rose bushes.
Trees Online - more products and bargains than you might think...
TreeGivers.com
When you think of trees, shopping online might not be the first method of purchase you consider. In many aspects it is NOT a good idea unless you've done your homework. Trees are like some people...they thrive better in the environment they chose to inhabit. Buy a tree online that needs to be in the southwest United States - plant it in Northern Ireland (assuming you could get it through customs and APHIS), and chances are it will die...fast...
But, counting on common sense, there are a lot of different ways to order trees by internet. Here are one or two you may not know about...
TreeGivers plants trees as part of the reforestation efforts in all 50 states, to honor special individuals... on special occasions...by planting a tree in their name. Special events and holidays such as birthdays, weddings, memorials, funerals, retirements, Mothers/Fathers Day...as Christmas gifts, or as Company incentives, environmental gifts, etc.
The gift includes: the tree planted in any state, with an 8" x 10" Certificate of Planting then sent to the recipient - along with a letter/hand written card to notify them of the planting and, as a keepsake.
Neem Tree Farms
Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems
Here's a tree that does double-duty...it produces a substance that is really, really good for you!
I have been purchasing products from Neem Tree Farms for about 8 years and have never been disappointed. And yes, I have even purchased a Neem tree which is now in it's 3rd year and doing very well. I even wrote a review of a specific Neem product that has been a lifesaver for me when I find myself attacked in the Summer by notorious chiggers. You can read that product review here if interested.
There are an astounding number of health benefits to Neem. Here is a link to a product you MUST have for Summer trips and hiking...it is the ONLY product I have used that repels chiggers!
Or, the spray: Botanical Outdoor Spray
Neem Tree Farms has hundreds of products (including trees), from lotions and soaps, skin and nail care and oral care products, DEET-free lotions for Summer (as I mentioned), supplements, and a greenhouse full of other interesting and healthful plants you will want to find out more about.
For my North Carolina location, my Neem tree needs to come inside for the Winter.
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