GET GROWING!
STAGE YOUR GARDEN WITH COLOURFUL FLOWERS
We are experiencing more consistently hot summer weather rather than short heat waves.
These conditions are perfect for tropical, hardy plants like the drought- resistant dipladenia rio.
Rio plants have tubers in their roots to store water, making them self-sufficient for weeks at a time and well suited to long, hot summers. They are the perfect plant for the novice, the busy gardener or someone seeking low maintenance.
“We travel a lot through the United States and Europe looking for plants to fit our changing climate,” says Jeff Howe, the president of Fernlea Flowers. “I’m not always around to water my plants every week, but these plants are so hardy, they are resilient for weeks without rain or my watering.”
Vacationers and cottagers alike are often away from their gardens for long periods of time, but the Rio flowers will make a garden look well tended rather than neglected for weeks on their own as they stand up well to hot steamy summers.
Their beautifully shaped trumpet flowers bloom in varying shades of glossy red and pink, grow on twining vines, providing a carnival of colours. They show well in a hanging basket or placed as a patio table centrepiece. Also, they can be maintained as a bush around two feet tall if pruned back once flowering is finished.
They will last well into the fall in sun or partial sun.
You can make a gardening statement with tropical plants. Create a focal point with an urn or large container planted with bright coloured tropical flowers accented by a height differential using a green textured plant. There are several tropical plants of about two feet which provide a tall, green accent for planting amongst the flowers. Some accent plants to consider that are also sun loving are the asparagus fern with its delicate thin, graceful stems and bright green needle like foliage, the red spike with dark, burgundy broad spiked fingers, or the white bird of paradise which adds more height with its palm like foliage.
Flower containers provide eye candy for any sized garden, patio or balcony.
More info at www.fernlea.com.
SUMMER CARE TIPS FOR YOUR YARD
From NEWS CANADA
A healthy yard is not only a beautiful way to add value to your property, it also enhances the environment by filtering rainwater, attracting birds and good insects, and absorbing pollution.
Regular maintenance and keeping a watchful eye out for potential problems can help you make the most of your outdoor oasis while contributing to a vibrant environment. Here are some tips to make your yard one of the best on the block:
Mow high. Keeping the blade of the lawnmower raised for a 2.5 to 3-inch cut is best because it helps a strong root system develop in the lawn and discourages weed growth.
Don’t water too often. By watering deeply and infrequently you can encourage deep root growth. Water in the morning and you’ll lose less moisture to evaporation.
Keep an eye open for pests. A small number of weeds or bugs is nothing to worry about, and if you catch a problem before it gets out of hand you will have an easier time dealing with it. If your problem reaches a point where you need to use a pesticide, just follow the label.