josephcarannante's ideas
Set Your Shade Garden Aglow With Light Photo 11 of 11 Invest in garden lighting. Nothing animates a garden quite like good-quality lighting. This spectacular photo says it all. There are a few things to consider before light installation. Do your research with regard to technology, annual utility cost, and fixture and bulb life. LED lighting has come a long way in just the last couple of years and is extremely cost effective over time. Buy the best-quality lighting you can afford. Cheaper lighting will end up costing you more in the long run, in terms of both replacements and energy use. Most important, decide which focal points should be illuminated and which ones are better left to daylight. There is a fine line between just enough lighting and too much. Consider the seductive beauty of shadows and darkness to gain the most from lighting your garden.
ANOTHER DESERT WILLOW (below are the different types) 'Art's Seedless' doesn't produce seedpods, improving the winter appearance of this desert willow variety. 'Bubba' produces dark pink flowers, grows larger then most varieties (30 feet tall and wide) and has fewer seedpods. 'Lucretia Hamilton' has burgundy flowers and is slightly smaller than other varieties, reaching 20 feet tall and wide. 'Timeless Beauty' is covered with bicolor flowers of lavender and burgundy. It does not produce seedpods, is hardy to zone 7 and grows slightly smaller (15 to 20 feet tall and wide). 'Warren Jones' has light pink flowers, and its foliage is retained longer into winter. It is slightly less cold hardy (zone 8).
otanical name: Chilopsis linearis Common name: Desert willow Origin: Native to the American Southwest USDA climate zones: 6 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 25 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant once established, but does best if watered two or three times a month during the summer; attracts bees and hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Fragrant pink orchid-shaped flowers appear spring through summer When to plant: Spring, summer or fall
1. Start with a showstopper. Rodger's flower (Rodgersia pinnata) has bold, crinkly leaves that measure over 12 inches across, creating a spectacular backdrop for the dramatic plumes of creamy pink flowers that appear in midsummer. In early fall the foliage turns a reddish bronze. The foliage of this perennial feels rough to the touch, with stiff bristles along its stem, making it unpalatable to deer. While making a perfect understory to taller trees and shrubs, its upright habit allows for companion planting at the base. USDA zones: 5 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Constantly moist soil Light requirement: Partial shade Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall, and wide with 3-foot flower spikes When to plant: In spring or fall
Angelonia angustifolia Angelonia, which comes in white as well as other colors, is a great choice for hot and humid areas. It features spires of constant blooming flowers from spring to fall and adds nice height to containers. Common name: Angelonia USDA zones: 9 to 11 (find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Medium moisture Size: 9 to 18 inches tall and wide
Botanical name: Asclepias spp Common names: Swamp milkweed, showy milkweed, Sullivant's milkweed USDA zones: 3 to 9, depending on species (find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun to some shade Mature size: 2 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Spicy vanilla scent; attracts many butterflies; all varieties are somewhat adaptable to soil moisture Seasonal interest: Plenty of midsummer blooms followed by autumn puffs of seeds When to plant: Spring to midfall
Another terrific hummingbird plant is California fuchsia. Its tubular-shaped blossoms are perfect for nectar gathering. California Fuchsia (Zauschneria californica) USDA zones: 6 to 9 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 feet to 5 feet tall and wide
DIFFERENT HEIGHTS WITH DIFFERENT COLOR so all plants (front and rear) can be seen.
Play with color schemes. As a general rule, plant bulbs in sizable groupings for the most impact. (Aim for at least 12 larger bulbs and 50 or more if they're small.) Though it's advisable to keep bulbs of the same variety together, you can occasionally include a random extra to create the happy accidental look of a cottage garden.
Fill containers with color. Surprisingly, perhaps, bulbs perform as well in containers as they do in the ground. Plant portable pots in autumn, then overwinter the plants in a cold garage or storage shed before placing the containers out in spring. You'll have the advantage of being able to put color right where you want it.
Botanical name: Kniphofia spp. Common names: Red-Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Poker Plant USDA zones: 5 to 10, depending on species (find your zone) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 1½ to 6 feet tall, clumping Benefits and tolerances: Drought and heat tolerant; flowers attract hummingbirds; deer resistant Seasonal interest: Summer flowering When to plant: Spring or fall
Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperallis The showiest member of the fritillaria family, the crown imperial is an exotic-looking plant that produces clusters of pendulous 4-inch orange, yellow or red blooms beneath a spiky crown of green leaves. Plant in groupings and conceal dying foliage with leafy companion plants, such as ornamental grasses, ferns and hostas. Deer-resistant, the crown imperial's leaves emit a skunklike odor when crushed. USDA zones: 3 to 8 Sun requirement: Full to partial shade Height: 2 to 4 feet Bloom time: April and May Planting tips: Plant quickly to prevent drying out. Tip the bulb or place on its side to keep water from pooling in the top indent.
There are many onions, including 'Globemaster' (pictured here) huge purple spheres on 3- to 4-foot stems. Mix it with other early summer plantings of pink and purple, such as roses, peonies, iris, dianthus and cranesbill geranium. Or (allium flavum), a midsummer bloomer that grows up to 2 feet high and has yellow, pink or white florets. Full to partial shade Height:
Common name: Stonecrop USDA zones: 3 to 10, depending on species Water requirement: Little to moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 24 inches tall, depending on species Benefits and tolerances: Flowers attract birds and butterflies; drought tolerant; deer tolerant where noted Seasonal interest: Blooms summer to fall; unique evergreen foliage When to plant: Plant cuttings in early summer; divide in spring
Staten Island zone is 7b and further north is 7a This plant is for zones: 4 to 9 Water requirement: Consistent moisture Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall; 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Exceptional disease resistance and hardiness; cold and heat tolerant Seasonal interest: Blooms nearly continuously from spring until the first hard frost, with bloom cycles every 5 to 6 weeks When to plant: Midspring or after the last frost
temped glass on lower half of carport
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walkway from carport to home
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