For those wishing to add color to a garden structure vines are the perfect solution The following are a few of the easiest vines to grow.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) is a great perennial vine for northern gardeners. Require strong support structure as they get quite heavy. Mature specimens make for nice winter interest. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to its abundant red, yellow or orange flowers. Flowering can take a few years to start and some pruning it required to keep it flowering well. Can grow to 40′.
Gardening in the shade presents gardeners with the opportunity to work with a wide variety of beautiful plants. There are virtually an end number of plants which can grow in a garden. Many plants, in fact, prefer at least some protection from full exposure to the sun.
Most garden designs are focused on the visual characteristics of individual plants and their arrangement. However, the best gardens take into consideration all of a plants qualities, including its fragrance. Fragrance, the sense which evokes memory better than any other, is easy to incorporate into your garden design.
Almost all garden plans, especially those for small gardens, call for at least one small tree. They can add season color, winter interest and fragrant to a garden space. Winter hardiness, disease resistance and insect resistance should be considered as well. When selecting a tree, consider all of its characteristics including flower color, bark and leaf texture, winter berries, fall foliage and winter silhouette. The following are 8 great small trees for the garden.
Perennials are those flowers which return year after year and depending on species flower in early, mid, or late season. In winter they die back to the ground. Perennials are treasured for their ability to grow larger and flower year after year. They’re also noted for their vibrant color, texture and in some cases seed heads. The following are fall blooming perennials which will add color to your garden late in the season.
Designing a butterfly garden requires a bit of research. You first need to determine which species of butterfly lives in your area. Look at who visits your neighbors’ yards, or watch in nearby parks, natural areas, roadsides, or gardens and write down the species you see. Consult the North American Butterfly Association or local conservation organizations for more information.
In autumn after the trees have shed their foliage, other, often overlooked, plant characteristics begin to emerge and add character to the winter landscape. Seed pods which droop from a tree’s limbs or seed heads which sit atop a perennial flower or ornamental grass provide interest to a winter landscape.