Gardening and Landscaping

Tulip - Lily Flowering - Mariette

The Tulip 'Mariette', 'Tulipa lily flowering', a fall planted bulb, produces dark pink flowers. This variety is absolutely astonishing when the flowers are completely opened up. lily Flowering tulips have slender, urn shaped flowers with pointed tips. They are quite tall and known for their long-lasting elegant flowers. These tulips flower in mid spring and they are very popular as cut flowers. Do not prune foliage until it has died back. If flowers are used for bouquets leave as much of the foliage as possible on the plant. Lily flowering tulips reliably come back every year. Lily flowering tulips are not only reliable, but they also have a look of elegance. Lift the bulbs about every 5 years or so and replant when they become too crowded.

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Rhododendron - Helsinki University

The Rhododendron Helsinki University, 'Rhododendron 'Helsinki University', produces bright pink flowers that are freckled with red. The bushes burst into bloom in late May to early June. The glossy green mature foliage opens in red tones on young plants. The Helsinki University is an evergreen with upright growth and it is super hardy. Plant in well-drained soil, in a sheltered location protected from north wind.

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Aesthetics

Recently, one of the most popular backyard designs is

adding a water pond or a fish pond to the yard. These

projects, however, can only be achieved in sprawling

and huge yards that has walkways and large areas.

But if you are really certain to have your own fish

pond and yet you do not have a large back yard, there

are design ideas that can be incorporated to hopefully

place your pond in it without having to take up too

much space and dominate your yard.

Let your pond serve as the focal point of your back

yard. Place it in the middle or in one corner of the

yard if you have a small space. Make it appealing to

the people walking around the house.

Location

If you wish to place it in the corner part of the

yard, raise the pond a little higher so that the fish

will seem as a surprise to the visitors. But if you

want to place it in the center, it is best if you

place the pond at ground level or a little above it.

Fish Types

Make sure that the fish you put inside are colorful

and lively to attract attention. Watching the fishes

swim around everyday can also serve to be therapeutic.

But if you want to maintain a small pond, do not place

large fishes such as the Japanese Koi. They may not

live long in this kind of environment and they are

also extremely expensive. Goldfish are compatible with

the size of your pond, however, their longevity might

not be a guaranteed in an outdoor pond.

Maintenance

Think how much you really want an outdoor pond and how

you can maintain and build it depending on your

preferences. You might find that maintaining an indoor

aquarium is difficult enough, how much more an outdoor

pond.

Consider the climate of your place. Water ponds and

fish ponds are most applicable in tropical weather

because of the advantage of the sun all year round.

Some aquatic plants need to be exposed to the sun to

grow. The plants and fishes may die if you let them

stay in the pond during winter time. it is best to

transfer them to an indoor tank if the weather is not

applicable.

A fish pond in your own backyard only tells an

individual how much energy, time, and money you are

willing to devote to the beautification of your

backyard. It does not matter how large or how small it

is, it just goes to show that you appreciate beautiful

things. You will not only impress a lot of people but

yourself as well. A back yard fish pond brings a

luxurious and relaxing feeling to the place.

In order to make your fish pond more appealing,

decorate its surroundings. Landscaping the place will

attract frogs and birds which can add to the overall

natural feeling. If you cannot afford landscaping

projects, hanging plants and flowering bushes will do.

This will produce a great ambiance to your visitors

and guests.

Having a fish pond is not a go-get-it-and-have-it

project. You have to maintain and preserve its beauty

time and again. Make sure to add water to it

periodically. It is also important that you get rid of

fallen leaves as this will cause decay and unpleasant

appearance.

Lastly, consult your local pond professionals before

building a pond yourself. Do not hesitate to ask

questions as this will benefit the inhabitants of the

pond.

Technorati Tags: Aesthetics, Backyard Designs, Backyard Fish Ponds, Backyard Ponds, Design Ideas, Fish Pond, Surprise, Walkways, Water Pond

Ready for something different in your garden? Take a look at Japanese bridges. These beautiful ornamental bridges bring the Far East right into your back yard or garden.

Japanese bridges add elegance to gardens and look beautiful when placed over a koi pond or Japanese style dry river bed. There are many flowers, shrubs and trees that compliment Japanese bridges also.

If you are interested in Japanese bridges for your garden you may want to look online for ideas and suggestions. There are excellent sites that not only feature the bridges but have information about planning an entire garden space in the Japanese style.

Many of the designs for these Japanese bridges are taken from ancient drawings. The Japanese bridges are graceful and unique. Place a Japanese bridge in your garden and create a space to meditate, a quiet area for contemplation and dreaming. These are just a few of the benefits of having a Japanese bridge.

You might want to begin planning a Japanese bridge by surveying the space you have to work with. Make sure the Japanese bridge is the correct size. The Japanese bridge will not look as lovely as it should if it is too big or too small for the area. Think carefully about the other things you will have in the space. You will want to coordinate the flowers, trees and any other ornamental elements you plan to use. If you have a pond you will need to determine the best Japanese bridge for the pond.

Plan carefully and you will be able to add a little Oriental flair to your yard even if you live in New York City!

Technorati Tags: Ancient Drawings, Beautiful, Compliment, Contemplation, Dry River Bed, Elegance, Far East, flowers, Garden Bridges, Garden Space, Japanese Bridge, Japanese Bridges, Japanese Gardens, Shrubs, Trees, Unique Place

Bonsai, as a Japanese art form, is more regulated than it’s Chinese counterpart, the penjing. Bonsai attempts to achieve the ideal tree, while penjing attempts to reproduce nature. This is why perfect styling exists in bonsai if you obey the ‘rules’, while penjing leave you free to your creation. As a result these are the basic styles :

Broom (Hokidachi or Hoki-zukuri)

A very harmonious style, this form has branches that develop at a certain height, forming an upside broom. This styling is mainly achieved through a technique called the “V” cut. The trunk is chopped where you want the branch to start to develop and then a deep V cut is performed on the remaining trunk. This will induce buds to break near the cut. Zelkova serrata are notorious for this styling but maple and other deciduous species can easily be styled that way.

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Technorati Tags: Art Form, Attempts, Bonsai Styles, Broom, Buds, Chinese Counterpart, Deciduous Species, Hoki, Japanese Art, Penjing, Straight Trunk, Zelkova

Crocus - Fall Flowering - Rose

The Autumn Crocus 'Autumn Rose', Crocus, produces a deep rose-pink flower. Fall blooming crocus are wonderful additions to autumn gardens. Their blooms form lovely chalice- shaped cups. Leaves turn to a golden yellow as they mature, blending with fall foliage. Will bloom within weeks of planting this fall!These crocus flower late in the season, being particularly weather-resistant, and are among the few crocus that are able to keep flowers open on dull overcast days. Strongly perfumed and typically the last crocus to show flowers each autumn, they bravely withstanding considerable frosts.

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Allium - Purple and White - Mixed Colors

The Allium 'Purple and White', 'Allium Hybrid', fall planted ornamental onion bulb mixture, will produce creamy white and dark purple flowers. The plants are vigorous and the flowers are long-lasting. They are great for ornamental value and widely used for both landscape and cut flower purposes. The blooms are pleasantly fragrant and this plant is an easy and prolific addition to the garden. Plant in groups of ten or more for an eye catching focal point. Alliums prefer to be dry during their dormancy. The Allium Purple and White is ideal for mass plantings, borders, and cut flowers. These plants are rabbit, squirrel, and deer resistant. Purple and White has a bloom period of about 3 weeks and they bloom in late spring to early summer.

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Dahlia - GoldaliaGao Rose

Dahlia Goldalia Rose, 'Goldalia Rose' PPAF, has unique bloom-forms and colorful bicolored flowers. Goldalia series dahlias really stand out for their compact growth habits and excellent branching. Goldalia has outstanding flower power with its deep pin

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Your backyard landscaping is going to have to be about many different things but the most important one of these if your well being. Most people get into backyard landscaping because they want to change the look and feel of their home, they want to make it a wonderful place where their family can feel safe and comfortable at all times. Backyard landscaping is a great way to add some more peace to your life whether you are alone or you have a large family and tons of kids. You will be able to create a sanctuary with your backyard landscaping that you have never had before in your life.

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Technorati Tags: backyard landscaping, Own Backyard, Peace, Sanctuary

It’s that time of year again, and you’ve been thinking about changing the landscape of your backyard, to make it into that relaxing retreat you’ve always wanted. Backyard landscape design doesn’t have to be hard work, and it doesn’t have to empty out your bank account either. Many ideas for a low maintenance, private, multipurpose backyard landscape design can be found from diverse sources like the internet, at the library, or at a local home and garden store. Not that you have to use someone else’s landscaping design ideas, in fact, it’s probably a better idea in the long run to come up with your own design. You’ve undoubtedly been keeping mental notes on what you would like do with your backyard, which is a great place to start. Get exactly what you want and within your predetermined budget.

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Technorati Tags: Backyard Design, Backyard Landscape, Budget, Internet 97, Landscape Design, Landscaping Design Ideas, landscaping ideas, Low Maintenance

The National Home Gardening Club offer many benefits to its members.

It is said to be the largest home gardening organization with paid membership. For a nominal fee, various benefits are available.

If you choose to become a member the National Home Gardening club, you will be entitled to the following perks.

1. Members can enter competitions to win free gardening products such as gardening accessories, tools, and other gardening supplies.

2. A coupon will be given to members to claim a free gardening shears.

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Fern - Lady in Red

Lady in Red Fern, Athyrium 'Lady in Red', is strong-growing and dependable. Tough and easy to grow, this sultry beauty is the right choice for perennial borders and woodlands alike. A breathtaking flush of new fronds appears in the spring, with new leaves appearing throughout the season for a continuously fresh look. The lacy, light green foliage is held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stipes (fern stems). Each plant of this slowly spreading fern should spread to 3' in 5 years. 'Lady in Red' is a deciduous, easy-to-grow fern that makes a great blending plant for hosta and other bold-leaf plants in the woodland garden. It tolerates a wide range of soil and light conditions and provides seasonal cover for birds and other wildlife. It makes a good ground cover in shaded areas. The colorful fronds can be used in fresh arrangements.

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Dahlia - Mignon - Chocolate Sundae

The Dahlia Mignon Chocolate Sundae, 'Dahlia' poduces brown flowers with a bright yellow center. Mignon Dahlias are perhaps one of the most poplular for pots and containers due to their low growing nature. They are also perfect for any garden border. The delightful blooms are loved by bees and butterflies and will attract them to your garden. They are a prolific bloomer and will throw blooms through the summer and fall.

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Hydrangea - Glowing Embers

Glowing Embers Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Glowing Embers', displays large round clusters of bright pink blossoms from mid-summer to fall. It is an attractive companion plant to evergreens in a foundation planting or massed under tall trees. A compact growing plant with shiny, dark green leaves and glowing red blooms make this a winner. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. It requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Glowing Embers prefers full sun and grows 3 feet in height and width. Hydrangeas bloom on large buds formed on previous season's growth, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. The flowers are good for cutting and drying.

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Tulip - Double Early - Monte Beau

The Tulip 'Monte Beau', 'Tulipa double early', is a fall planted bulb. Monte Beau has light yellow petals with dark yellow petal veins. As their name implies, double early tulips bloom early in the season with long-lasting, rose-like double flowers whi

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