Some of the best things about spring and summer are the abundance of beautiful weather, the ability to grow things, ample opportunities for outdoor barbecues, parties, and other forms of open-air entertainment, and the ability to enjoy nature is all of its glory. Continue reading
Maidenhair vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa) is a deciduous climbing vine native to New Zealand. It is most notably known for its versatility as a prolific ground cover and screening plant due its rampart but showy growing habits. Hardy in Zones 7-11, it can also be grown in a variety of locations, including salty and windy coastal areas. Continue reading
Want a tree for your garden that is easy to grow, resilient and beautifully sculptural? Look no further than Snow Gum Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pauciflora), a hardy strain originating from several regions in Australia — not to be confused with Eucalytus globulus, an invasive species spreading throughout California and other states. With its twisted branches and striking white flowers, it makes for a stunning addition to any architectural landscape.
It has been a dream of mine for many years now as a garden designer to be commissioned to create a large scale sensory garden for a facility such as a hospital, mall, school, senior citizen centers or treatment center. Hopefully, that dream will become a reality in the near future, but in the interim, I would like to share a few important features for creating a simple sensory garden: sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is a poplar nitrogen-boosting member of the legume family. Although notably grown in the more tropical regions of Asia, it actually originates from India. It is perfect for the home gardener or an urban farm because of it’s soil-improvement qualities (if adequate growing space is available). Wildlife areas and livestock farms also benefit from its status as as forage or fodder (if consumed in the early stages of growth; it becomes fibrous as it matures).
Fast becoming a poplar addition to many perennial gardens, the Hens and Chicks Poppy (Papaver Somniferum) is a beautiful, albeit unusual, plant. In the spring, it features a single flower featuring stunning petals ranging in color from pink to dark red to purple with golden highlights in the center.
Flowering Plants:
Azalea – Rhododendron
Daffodil – Narcissus
Day Lily – Hemerocallis
Gladiolus – Gladiolus
Snapdragon – Antirrhinum
Small Shrubs/Bushes:
Barberry Bush – Berberis vulgaris
Big Leaf Hydrangea – Hydrangea grandiflora
Coral Bells – Heuchera
Daphne – Daphne
Hosta (Plantain Lily) – Hosta
Small Trees and Large Shrubs:
Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster dammeri
Crabapple Tree – Malus
Dogwood – Cornus florida
Hawthorn – Crataegus
Rose Of Sharon – Hibiscus syriacus
Large Trees:
Cedar – Cedrus
Crape myrtle – Lagerstroemia
Juniper – Juniperus
Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora
Poplar – Populus
Lawn Grasses:
Buffalograss – Bouteloua dactyloides
Hybrid Bermuda – Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt Davy
St Augustine – Stenotaphrum secundatum
