async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" My Enchanting Cottage Garden: December 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

A Good Backyard Landscaping Idea



A good backyard landscaping idea is one that everyone can make use of. There are numerous backyard landscaping ideas and most of them are pretty good, but to find the one that appeals to you and that is just what your yard needs may take some reading. This article will help you to find the perfect backyard landscaping idea for your home.
One landscaping idea is to use evergreens. The use of these fabulous trees will do so much for any yard. They will add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and warm. Many people like to use deciduous trees in the yard and this is always a good idea but it is the evergreens that will give the yard the structure and the stability that it needs for a good backyard landscaping idea and design.

 


You need to look for a backyard landscaping idea like the one above that will benefit you all year round. Deciduous trees will not be gorgeous in all seasons, most perhaps, but not all. Evergreens on the other hand are always fantastic and they look as beautiful in the winter as they do in the summer and this is why they make for such a great backyard landscaping idea. The key to any great landscaping design is to find a backyard landscaping idea like this that will keep your yard interesting no matter what time of the year it is.


Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences and walls. These can make your yard look very interesting during all of the seasons. You can have climbing plants on it in the summer and spring and pretty trees around it that will look great in the winter. When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for other options besides just plants. There is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees.




Walls and fences can frame your property beautifully and using them is such a great backyard landscaping idea because they will just accent all of your other wonderful backyard landscaping ideas. They will frame your yard as a picture frame frames a gorgeous painting. Look at this kind of backyard landscaping idea as well in your search for the one.

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Saturday, December 28, 2013

How to Grow Water Lotus


Water Lotus are stunning water plants that are easy to grow with a little effort. Water Lotus help aerate the water and keep it clean. They are many varieties of water lotus, from dwarf plants to gigantic and encompasses. If you have a large pond chooses a tuber suitable for your size water feature. For your water lotus plant to thrive best they need an adequate amount of sunshine, usually six hours and water temperatures between 76 to 88. Lotus plants will tolerate less but will not bloom. When you will receive your water be careful not to damage the eyes on the tuber, they are fragile and will not grow if you damage it.
 



Planting

 

1. To pre-sprout your tuber set it in warm water (85 degrees) for approximately two weeks before planting. This will help the plant from rotting.

2. Water Lotus plants grow vigorously and will need to be planted in a deep pot without drainage holes to keep the roots from taking over your pond

3.  Load the pot with a good rich soil, and then top off with a layer of sand.

4.  Water the pot and set the tuber securely in the sand and use a rock to hold it down. This keeps the plant from floating away and rotting.


                                                                                                                                                                     5.  Keep the pot in the sun to keep the water temperature warm and until the tuber roots and start sending out leaves.

6.  Set the new plant in your pond and/or water feature.

7. Protect the plant from koi fish by placing rocks over the sand to keep the fish from eating the tubers.

8. Place the pot at least 15 inches deep, the weight of the water will keep the growing plant from tipping over.








Maintenance
 
1. Do not expect your new plant to flower the first year it is planted.  After the first year the plant will flower after several weeks in 80 degree water temperatures. 
2. Water Lotus should be fertilized in the spring and every three weeks during the blooming period. 
3. Water Lotus should be replanted with new soil and tubers every several years.




 


 
 



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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Garden Design Basics




Garden Design Basics.  An informal rule of thirds makes for pleasing garden combinations states Ann Lovejoy from Organic Garden Design School.  For a garden to be pleasing to the eye and create a sense of balance and Feng shui a good garden plan will evoke the three necessary plant groups in their design.
Many gardens try to hide poor garden design with an overabundance of seasonal flowers but again some gardens are strong on structure but weak on seasonal plants refers to plant types.  Striking a balance between structure and short term seasonal plants should be one of the goals of a natural cottage garden.


I find the following rules of basic gardening a very good guide for beginning gardeners.




One third of your garden should have evergreens.
The first step in creating a year round interesting garden is to plant the bones of the garden which is the evergreens. Evergreens supply visual and artistic interest even in the barren winter months. They will always provide you some greenery in the garden I can’t imagine a good garden plan omitting evergreens.

 






Deciduous plants provide the second third of your garden
deciduous trees or bushes should be used for their ability to soften the stiff and unyielding evergreens. A small dogwood tree or weeping cherry lend height and width to landscape and in the spring delight with visually spectacular blossoms.  Deciduous shrubs such as potenillas, lilacs and tree peonies lack winter leaves but their woody structure holds interest and form in the winter and in the spring they excel.




















The final third of the garden consists of flowering bulbs, perennials and annuals.
These plants are typically the flowering plants of spring and summer and a garden would not be a garden without them. They are considered the lifeblood of the garden border.  These seasonal plants come in an array of color and heights. When selecting these plants considerer their overall contribution to the garden in regards to duration of bloom, when they bloom and their sense of place in the garden.  If your aim is to have a naturalistic garden then varies the seasonal plants among the garden as to shape, height and foliage to give it a natural cottage garden appeal.



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Flowers, plants, garden cottage, butterfly, plants, birds, hummingbird, roses, daisy, iris, secret garden, garden tools, garden plants, flowers, trellis, arbor ideas4landscaping ideas for landscaping  ideas front landscaping ideas front yard landscaping designs free garden landscaping designs backyard landscaping designs front landscaping designs yard landscaping designs, trees, tools