If you are an experienced gardener then it is not all that difficult for you to start picking out your plants, flowers and herbs for a new garden. Where it becomes a daunting task is for the beginner gardener. Of course there is the excitement of being able to start these types of gardens. It becomes daunting when one goes off to the garden center and is faced with a multitude of plants, flowers and herbs to choose from. The big question right away is which ones do I choose.
Naturally you are going to be drawn to those that are exotic and colorful. What you need to know though are they going to thrive in the location that you are thinking of putting them. There is a great variation between plants, flowers and herbs. Your plants quite often if you choose them correctly will come up year after year where with your flowers you may want to plant them on a yearly basis which helps to give you variety each year that spring comes along.
It is always wonderful to have herbs growing amongst your flowers or even a separate herb garden. If you are planning on getting yourself involved in this area then you really need to do some studying on the various types of herbs and what they can be used for. You will be quite surprised to find out that you can save yourself quite a bit of money by growing your own herbs as opposed to having to buy them. You also have to decide which is going to come first. Are you going to plant your flower beds and then determine what flowers and plants you are going to use afterwards or are you going to go in the opposite direction and determine what plants and flowers you want and then find the best location for them. No matter what your final decision is you would be well advised to do some good research on the various types of plants, flowers and herbs that grow well in your area. Once you have done this you can narrow down your choices then it's a matter of deciding which suits your taste the best.
One thing is for certain is that you're going to want to plan a budget as you are going to find that there is great variance when it comes to the prices of these items. So you want to set yourself a budget and make sure that you stay within that amount and it will make things a little less frustrating for you from the cost point of view.
About the Author
T.O. Chuong writes home & garden articles for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas. Visit us if you need plumbers Cross Timbers TX or plumbers Dalworthing Gardens TX.
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est plants. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est plants. Afficher tous les articles
29/10/2009
The 3 Important Herb Garden Plants Tips by Gack Grant
Like other types of plants, herb garden plants come in different forms. There are different varieties of herbs. If you are planning to have one type of herb garden plant, you should know how to care for it and how to use it properly. To better understand different types of herb garden plants and their uses, you should continue reading this article.
Basil, cilantro, and summer savory which are known to be annuals will not survive a frost. They have to be planted from a seed or from a small plant every year. On the other hand, sage and winter savory which are known to be perennials survive in cold temperatures and comes back every after a year. Herb garden plants which are biennial form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Some examples of biennial herb plants are parsley, angelica, and caraway. These should sown in late spring directly into the garden. The preparation of soil is important. It should be worked into a fine texture and should be slightly wet. Seeds should be planted in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. You can plant fine seeds in a mixture of sand which will allow the seeds to spread more evenly. Covering the bed with wet burlap or paper is possible in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herb garden plants are categorized according to their uses. Culinary herbs are considered the most useful to herb gardeners. They are mainly use in cooking variety of foods. They add flavors to different kinds of food because of their strong taste. Some examples of these are chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram. Parsley is the most commonly used garnish. Aromatic herbs are those extracted to get their oils and are used in different perfumes, toilet water, and other various scents because they pleasant smell. Some of them are loyage, mint, and rosemary. Aside from that, some of the parts of the aromatic herb can also be used to scent different linens and clothing in the house. Others are dried to make potpourri which retains its scent for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbenas are the most commonly used in making potpourri. There are also herbs used in medical purposes for it is believed long time ago that they have the ability to cure the body. Even if the use of herb plants is now accepted in the field of medicine, we should still be cautious with their proper use because of them maybe poisonous when eaten.
Herbs are also used as decorations to add beauty in the house. The most commonly used flowers are valerian for their crimson light colored flowers and borage and chicory for their elegant blue flowers.
It is true that herb plants have lots of categories but there are still some plants which can be used in multiple purposes. One is the mint which can be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. After reading the whole article, I hoped this helped you choose the proper herb plant suited for you.
About the Author
Before you continue your garden research online, make sure you check Jack Grants' excellent free tips on Herb Garden Plants, and sign up for free home garden solution newsletter. Click here.
Basil, cilantro, and summer savory which are known to be annuals will not survive a frost. They have to be planted from a seed or from a small plant every year. On the other hand, sage and winter savory which are known to be perennials survive in cold temperatures and comes back every after a year. Herb garden plants which are biennial form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Some examples of biennial herb plants are parsley, angelica, and caraway. These should sown in late spring directly into the garden. The preparation of soil is important. It should be worked into a fine texture and should be slightly wet. Seeds should be planted in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. You can plant fine seeds in a mixture of sand which will allow the seeds to spread more evenly. Covering the bed with wet burlap or paper is possible in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herb garden plants are categorized according to their uses. Culinary herbs are considered the most useful to herb gardeners. They are mainly use in cooking variety of foods. They add flavors to different kinds of food because of their strong taste. Some examples of these are chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram. Parsley is the most commonly used garnish. Aromatic herbs are those extracted to get their oils and are used in different perfumes, toilet water, and other various scents because they pleasant smell. Some of them are loyage, mint, and rosemary. Aside from that, some of the parts of the aromatic herb can also be used to scent different linens and clothing in the house. Others are dried to make potpourri which retains its scent for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbenas are the most commonly used in making potpourri. There are also herbs used in medical purposes for it is believed long time ago that they have the ability to cure the body. Even if the use of herb plants is now accepted in the field of medicine, we should still be cautious with their proper use because of them maybe poisonous when eaten.
Herbs are also used as decorations to add beauty in the house. The most commonly used flowers are valerian for their crimson light colored flowers and borage and chicory for their elegant blue flowers.
It is true that herb plants have lots of categories but there are still some plants which can be used in multiple purposes. One is the mint which can be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. After reading the whole article, I hoped this helped you choose the proper herb plant suited for you.
About the Author
Before you continue your garden research online, make sure you check Jack Grants' excellent free tips on Herb Garden Plants, and sign up for free home garden solution newsletter. Click here.
02/01/2008
The Strawberry Tree And Other Great Slow Growing Plants
One of the great things about being a gardener is that you never stop learning. Walking round a local park recently, (I live and work in central Israel) I came across a splendid old Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, and immediately wondered why I had neglected to even consider it for the private gardens I build. The principle reason can probably be traced to a reluctance, exacerbated no doubt by commercial pressures, to include some slow growing plants in the garden design. This bowing to the demand for quick results at any cost, leads us, professional and home gardener alike, to frequently prefer unsuitable but fast growing species, to slow growing ones that would be the best choice for a given situation. What after all is more important - how the garden looks 3 months after being built, or how it looks and feels five years later?
about the author
The Strawberry tree from Southern Europe is an ideal specimen for a Mediterranean and mild winter garden. It is evergreen, growing slowly to about 8-9 meters. It has an interesting sculptural form, becoming twisted and gnarled in maturity, and a uniquely beautiful peeling bark, revealing a reddish-brown trunk. Arbutus is one of those rare plants where the fruit and flowers appear simultaneously. Both are decorative, although the fruit while edible is not to everyone's taste!
There are in fact a number of advantages in growing slow growing trees over fast ones. The primary one being that they are mush easier to shape and train in the early years than many rampantly growing trees. Slow growing plants are typical to dry climates, while fast growing ones typically grow in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Clearly as the scarcity or abundance of water is a major factor determining the rate of growth of a particular species, it follows that slow growing plants are generally more suited to a water conserving regime than fast growing plants. The pine is another example to take note of. In Israel the rapidly growing Aleppo pine, Pinus halepensis, was the preferred choice in both parks and forestation projects. Unfortunately, its susceptibility to pests and disease has made it a rather regrettable choice. Nowadays the slow growing Stone pine, P. pinea is being used to far better long term effect. Let's not forget also the importance to a Mediterranean garden of the Olive tree and slow growing species of oak, as here one can see the correlation between slow growth and longevity.
With regards to landscape hedges, slow growing bushes like Carissa and Privet, are easier to keep in shape than those that grow rampantly like Bougainvillea or Clerodendron. Slower growth means less trimming, shearing and general maintenance. As for bushes and shrubs for use as informal hedges and screens, it can be a shame to give up on plants like Pittosporum, Myrtle, Pistacia and Nandina, just because they take a few years to fill in.
about the author
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi. I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to share my knowledge and experience with you. So you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com
The Best Of The Lot! A Most Special Plant For A Dry Climate Garden
Is there an ornamental plant which makes a most beautiful and unusual sculptural silhouette, requires virtually no care and attention, and is extremely modest in its water needs? The answer is yes! It is the Bottle Palm, Nolina recurvata.
About the author
Nolina, by virtue of its thick trunk and meter long, grassy leaves, makes a very strong vertical accent in the garden, rising to some 3-4 meters, and even more after very many years. Its unique feature is the swollen base from which the trunk rises. On mature plants this can reach over a meter in diameter, and looks something like a giant onion.
Requiring little water, the Bottle Palm is ideally suited to dry landscape designs. It can be planted in a bed of decorative pebbles for instance, or in a mulch of wood chippings, and goes well with other plants of strong form such as Dracaena or Yucca. In fact it could serve as the focal point, or the dominant element in a composition based on ornamental grasses and grass-like plants. For example, it looks great billowing out of a carpet of low growing "grasses" like Festuca, Carex and Liriope.
Nolina should be used judiciously. It does not go well in my view with large-leaved and obviously tropical plants, but associates quite well with true palms. It is sometimes grown as a vertical emphasis in a carpet of flowers. Personally, I think this creates a certain amount of confusion, as the flower color and the strong lines of the Nolina compete for attention. Good design involves the correct relationship between a dominant factor, whether that be a sculptural plant or a mass of color, and a support factor such as a hedge or a green ground cover.
Nolina recurvata has to be about the easiest plant to grow. It is as close to being maintenance free as possible. Nonetheless, it does have its cultural requirements, which should be carefully noted.
*The most crucial is the need for excellent drainage. It is preferable to under-water Nolina than to over-water it. For this reason it should not be planted close to plants that require frequent watering, such as annual flowers. In such cases the bulb is liable to rot.
*Nolina requires full sun, but can get by in light shade
*Remember that this plant grows very slowly. As it needs room to grow, it should not be crowded out with competing species. Patience as ever is a virtue!
About the author
My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi. I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to share my knowledge and experience with you. So you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com
13/08/2007
Choosing a Specialty Garden
When considering starting a garden, thematic issues always arise. Is it better to grow a multitude of types of plants or is it better to explore the immense variety of species within a particular variety of plant? It is possible to do both, of course, but if you decide to specialize in a particular type of plant, there are a few things to consider before getting started.
First and foremost, there must be a tremendous interest in the plant type. You will be embarking on growing plants that will have a life time of no less than a year and in most cases many years. You not only have to consider what will hold your interest, but your location and how the plants that you choose to grow will interact with your specific environment. Your specialty plant choice may depend on whether you have access to a large outdoor planting area or a small indoor space.
Some areas will have local resources for your specialty plants. If not, you will have to use mail order and internet sources to get the information and resources you need to make your garden a successful one. Starting your garden will involve choosing a propagation method, as well. You will need to decide between growing your plants from seed and purchasing young seedlings. For some plants, propagation by rooting cuttings may work best. Seasonal climates can also play a role in picking the specialty garden that is right for you. Harsher climates may require the use of greenhouses or relocating plants from time to time.
With so many factors, how can you choose what is best? Start by reading through some of the suggestions outlined here. See if you are interested in the plants themselves. You always have to start there. These plants will depend on you for the love and care it will take to grow them successfully. Once you have an idea of a few types that will maintain your gardening interests, take a survey of your environmental conditions. What are the characteristics of your growing space? Be sure to include things like rainfall, temperature, space (both height and width,) and if they will be in containers or planted straight into the ground.
Now is the time to be most honest with yourself: what are your goals concerning your specialty garden and how much time will have to spend with the garden each day. If you are planning on reselling your plants then you may want to choose differently from someone gardening strictly for pleasure. Where will you sell, if you do, and how will you sell, meaning via the internet or directly, et cetera. Gardening for resale will be quite time-consuming, but gardening for pleasure can take just as much time. Remember that plants grow constantly and do not stop jus because you go to work or go on holiday. Choosing your specialty plant properly can help reduce any concerns you may have if you cannot attend to your garden as often as you would like.
Here are some suggestions for types of specialty gardens:
Bonsai - The ancient Japanese art of creating dwarfed plants can be exceedingly rewarding. When considering starting a Bonsai garden, assess your growing space well. This garden may take less space, but may require more time and care. Bonsai can be grown and shaped with great success with proper guidance. Bonsai also provide a great opportunity for reselling or simply deep appreciation and rexlation.
Roses - This classic specialty garden choice allows you to explore a multitude of varieties of blooms. Some grow best as bushes outdoors while others are well-suited to indoor or container growing. This specialty garden may require slightly less time than a Bonsai garden, but will need lots of attention during various stages of growth. Roses also provide a great resale potential.
Square Watermelon - Potentially, this garden would be best geared towards resale of the fruits. Square Watermelons are in demand currently and the process by which they are grown can also be applied to other fruits and vegetables. This garden requires tremendous space, full sun, and a generous water supply. This garden would be strictly seasonal in most areas and may provide large blocks of free time during the off season.
Orchids - The sheer amount of variety here is highly attractive for choosing this specialty garden. Climate is very important, as orchids are quite temperamental regarding air, temperature, and water. These plants will be container grown in most areas. As with most specialty gardens, Orchids have a high resale value and will bring great pleasure when appreciated for their beauty.
Cacti and Succulents - Ease of growing is one of the traits that makes this specialty garden a great choice. Cacti and succulents provide a wide variety of flowers, shapes, and sizes with which you can sculpt a wondrous garden in any setting. They will grow well in containers or directly planted in the ground. Some areas will require a greenhouse for outdoor propagation or relocating of containers between indoor and outdoor areas. These plants can often fend for themselves for longer periods of time during the spring and fall allowing for some gardening "down-time" if necessary. Resale using full grown plants and properly taken cuttings are both possible. Growing cacti and succulents is amazingly rewarding and can be undertaken almost anywhere.
Use these as a starting point and research each one that interests you before you begin. Once you have settled on a particular type of garden, get started! Look for online guides to help you create a successful garden for the beginning. Simply use a search engine and type in "learning Bonsai gardening" or "how to grow cacti" and gather the information you need to get started. Seek out other gardeners and ask for tips. Attend garden shows, join gardening clubs, and get your hands dirty! You will be infinitely glad you did!
About the Author
The author is a Ph.D. student, percussionist, and avid gardener currently living between Honolulu, HI and London, England. Visit his review of Bonsai guides here: Bonsai Reviews
First and foremost, there must be a tremendous interest in the plant type. You will be embarking on growing plants that will have a life time of no less than a year and in most cases many years. You not only have to consider what will hold your interest, but your location and how the plants that you choose to grow will interact with your specific environment. Your specialty plant choice may depend on whether you have access to a large outdoor planting area or a small indoor space.
Some areas will have local resources for your specialty plants. If not, you will have to use mail order and internet sources to get the information and resources you need to make your garden a successful one. Starting your garden will involve choosing a propagation method, as well. You will need to decide between growing your plants from seed and purchasing young seedlings. For some plants, propagation by rooting cuttings may work best. Seasonal climates can also play a role in picking the specialty garden that is right for you. Harsher climates may require the use of greenhouses or relocating plants from time to time.
With so many factors, how can you choose what is best? Start by reading through some of the suggestions outlined here. See if you are interested in the plants themselves. You always have to start there. These plants will depend on you for the love and care it will take to grow them successfully. Once you have an idea of a few types that will maintain your gardening interests, take a survey of your environmental conditions. What are the characteristics of your growing space? Be sure to include things like rainfall, temperature, space (both height and width,) and if they will be in containers or planted straight into the ground.
Now is the time to be most honest with yourself: what are your goals concerning your specialty garden and how much time will have to spend with the garden each day. If you are planning on reselling your plants then you may want to choose differently from someone gardening strictly for pleasure. Where will you sell, if you do, and how will you sell, meaning via the internet or directly, et cetera. Gardening for resale will be quite time-consuming, but gardening for pleasure can take just as much time. Remember that plants grow constantly and do not stop jus because you go to work or go on holiday. Choosing your specialty plant properly can help reduce any concerns you may have if you cannot attend to your garden as often as you would like.
Here are some suggestions for types of specialty gardens:
Bonsai - The ancient Japanese art of creating dwarfed plants can be exceedingly rewarding. When considering starting a Bonsai garden, assess your growing space well. This garden may take less space, but may require more time and care. Bonsai can be grown and shaped with great success with proper guidance. Bonsai also provide a great opportunity for reselling or simply deep appreciation and rexlation.
Roses - This classic specialty garden choice allows you to explore a multitude of varieties of blooms. Some grow best as bushes outdoors while others are well-suited to indoor or container growing. This specialty garden may require slightly less time than a Bonsai garden, but will need lots of attention during various stages of growth. Roses also provide a great resale potential.
Square Watermelon - Potentially, this garden would be best geared towards resale of the fruits. Square Watermelons are in demand currently and the process by which they are grown can also be applied to other fruits and vegetables. This garden requires tremendous space, full sun, and a generous water supply. This garden would be strictly seasonal in most areas and may provide large blocks of free time during the off season.
Orchids - The sheer amount of variety here is highly attractive for choosing this specialty garden. Climate is very important, as orchids are quite temperamental regarding air, temperature, and water. These plants will be container grown in most areas. As with most specialty gardens, Orchids have a high resale value and will bring great pleasure when appreciated for their beauty.
Cacti and Succulents - Ease of growing is one of the traits that makes this specialty garden a great choice. Cacti and succulents provide a wide variety of flowers, shapes, and sizes with which you can sculpt a wondrous garden in any setting. They will grow well in containers or directly planted in the ground. Some areas will require a greenhouse for outdoor propagation or relocating of containers between indoor and outdoor areas. These plants can often fend for themselves for longer periods of time during the spring and fall allowing for some gardening "down-time" if necessary. Resale using full grown plants and properly taken cuttings are both possible. Growing cacti and succulents is amazingly rewarding and can be undertaken almost anywhere.
Use these as a starting point and research each one that interests you before you begin. Once you have settled on a particular type of garden, get started! Look for online guides to help you create a successful garden for the beginning. Simply use a search engine and type in "learning Bonsai gardening" or "how to grow cacti" and gather the information you need to get started. Seek out other gardeners and ask for tips. Attend garden shows, join gardening clubs, and get your hands dirty! You will be infinitely glad you did!
About the Author
The author is a Ph.D. student, percussionist, and avid gardener currently living between Honolulu, HI and London, England. Visit his review of Bonsai guides here: Bonsai Reviews
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