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9 Sun-Loving Perennial Vines for Landscaping

These sun-bathers just love to soak up the rays. If you’re looking for a climbing vine to cover over some exposed areas of your landscaping, look no further! Here we explore the species of vines that are willing to creep out from under the trees, and don’t mind direct exposure to the sun.

Great bougainvillea

The Great bougainvillea is best known for its bright flowers. It has spread around the world as a garden plant. This plant thrives in warm environments. The Great bougainvillea is a woody, climbing plant that winds its way around other plants as it grows. It also has thorns that aid in its climbing habit.

American bittersweet

Bittersweet, American bittersweet, or Celastrus scandens, is a twining vine found growing in rich woodlands. The long trailing vines will grow up trees or sprawl into low-lying bushes. In the fall, the vines are graced with a red berry that appears to be wearing an orange jacket. While the vines and berries have ornamental and decorative uses, they are thought to be toxic to humans.

Large-flowered clematis

Large-flowered clematis (Clematis patens) is a climbing vine with woody stems that takes several years to establish itself. The genus name, “Clematis,” means “climbing,” and indeed, it is sometimes called the queen of vines. Bloom types vary widely because of the range of hybrids and variants. Large-flowered clematis is pollinated by and is a good food source for bees. It is, however, very toxic to humans.

American wisteria

This beautiful vining plant, American wisteria, will gracefully decorate a trellis or fence with its lush green foliage and cascades of blue or lilac colored flowers and velvety seed pods. American wisteria needs consistent moisture throughout the summer and fall prunings, but is easy to grow and attractive to butterflies.

Star jasmine

Star jasmine is a popular ornamental and houseplant due to its fragrant smell and relative ease of growth. This versatile plant can grow in full sun, partial shade or complete shade, making it common in a variety of climates. It prefers to climb and is generally planted on walls or fences to allow for this natural upward growth. The Star jasmine is also known to attract pollinators such as bees.

Kolomikta

Kolomikta is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant and houseplant as well, mostly for its variegated green leaves with pink tips. This vine is particularly attractive to cats, who like to chew the leaves and cause damage to the plant. It’s also known as Arctic kiwi, due to the edible kiwi-like fruit, very popular in Russia.

Perennial pea

Don’t try to eat Perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolius), because it’s not that type of pea. If you consumed a large quantity of Perennial pea, you would get poisoned. Although it bears attractive lavender flowers, many gardeners consider it a weed. It tends to spread out and overtake other plant species.

Dutchman's pipe

Dutchman’s pipe is a hardy, deciduous vine that climbs trellises or walls and can provide privacy or shade with its dense, heart-shaped leaves. This vine grows small pipe-shaped flowers that give it its name. Dutchman’s pipe attracts many swallowtail butterflies with its pretty little blooms.

Winter jasmine

Originally from China, Winter jasmine is prized for its wispy branches and early blooming, bright yellow flowers. This shrub spreads easily; when the branches touch the ground, they will grow roots and form a new shrub. This makes it a great choice for ground cover on banks and it will trellis easily.

Making Your Garden Three-Dimensional With Shrubs and Small Trees

Making Your Garden 3-Dimensional With Shrubs and Small Trees

The best gardens are those that take advantage of shrubs and small trees to shape 3-dimensional space. This article will teach you a few ways that you can do just that for your garden space.

For some art forms, the final product is a two-dimensional image that the viewer can enjoy. However, that is not at all the case for a landscape design. Landscapes and garden spaces are places that we move through as we experience them. The way you arrange your trees and shrubs is one of the main ways that you can shape that three-dimensional space. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few of the basics regarding how to make your garden three-dimensional with trees and shrubs.

Floor, Wall, and Ceiling in Garden Design

At the most fundamental level, the role of a landscape designer is to create outdoor places that are enjoyable to be in. As such, a major part of the landscape design process is shaping space through the use of plants.

In this effort, a garden designer is wise to take cues from architects and interior designers. Those professionals serve a similar foundational role by taking great care in shaping the indoor spaces in which we live. Although it is not immediately obvious, landscape spaces often have elements that mimic the floors, walls, and ceilings that an architect adds to a building. The main difference is that landscape designers use plants and garden structures rather than the materials that would compose an architect’s house or building.

Landscape spaces also have a lesser degree of enclosure than the rooms of a building. Rather than having a complete set of walls, a landscape space will have exposure to the sky or to other parts of the garden. However, the presence of these elements can play a key role in making a garden space feel like a protected and secluded retreat. Let’s proceed to two distinct ways that you can use trees and shrubs to achieve that effect.

Building Privacy

One of the best ways to use shrubs and small trees in your landscape design is to add privacy. For example, by surrounding a patio space with large shrubs, you can easily block sightlines from neighboring properties. In this instance, the foliage of the hedge you plant acts as a wall to your patio space.

If enhancing the privacy of your garden is your goal, you should consider using plant species that are evergreen. That way, you can have a visual barrier around your favorite garden spaces during all seasons of the year. A well-placed privacy hedge can also block cold season winds, making your garden a pleasant place for more of the year.

This sort of three-dimensional design thought is also very useful for any time you wish to add definition to your landscape. For example, you may wish to form divisions between different landscape spaces within your yard. Or, you can use large shrubs as a way to delineate a property line where no other physical marker exists.

Creating a Canopy

Another way that you can create an interesting three-dimensional effect in your garden is to use small trees to create an overhead canopy. A small tree canopy can make your outdoor spaces more bearable during the hot summer months by casting some much-needed shade. They also have an intriguing visual effect as they cast a shimmering filtered light to the ground below.

To create such a canopy using small trees, you should choose a species that has a round or spreading form. With such a growth habit, your tree will continue to spread over the years, creating a complete ceiling effect above your garden.

Interestingly, a healthy overhead canopy seems to impact us on a deep psychological level. The prospect refuge theory suggests that being beneath a tree canopy can tap into our primal need for security. In that light, a small tree canopy might be just what you need to make your garden that much more soothing to you and those who visit it.

A Sculptural Effect

Defining space is a primary concern for anyone using trees and shrubs in a landscape design. However, there is another way that you can add trees and shrubs to your garden. Some gardeners take the approach of treating trees and shrubs as sculptural elements.

Just as a real sculpture is something that we can view and admire from all angles, an impressive plant can give the same feeling. That is one reason why both sculptures and specimen plants are common focal points in many gardens.

To pull this off, you should select a small tree or shrub that has captivating ornamental qualities or an appealing growth habit. Then place that plant in an area of the garden where it can get some attention. Selective pruning will make your specimen tree a showcase item in your garden season after season.

Fairy Garden DIY Ideas

Fairy gardens have become increasingly popular. This article gives you some DIY ideas for getting started. From where to buy plants to adding in accessories and how to create a beautiful landscape, this article helps as you begin to create your fairy garden.

Fairy gardens are a fun way to add whimsy and creativity to your garden. Even though there are many fairy garden starter kits and accessories available, why not let your imagination run wild and make one yourself? Creating your own fairy garden allows you to tap into your creativity. The sky really is the limit when it comes to creating your fairy garden.

With so many options you might not know where to begin. This article provides you with some DIY tips to get started.

Add Plants

Decorating the area in your fairy garden can really show off your creativity. One of the first steps is to pick out the right greenery. Make sure to buy plants, moss, and succulents that will remain the appropriate size. Luckily, these options are available at most nurseries and greenhouses.

You will want to select plants that won’t grow very large, as they will easily outgrow the entire fairy garden. Also, make sure you pick plants that thrive in similar conditions. For example, you won’t be able to have a full sun plant and a full shade plant in the same container. Neither will get exactly what they need and both will have difficulty thriving.

Here are some of the many plants that are great for fairy gardens:

Golden Japanese Stonecrop
Lavender Cotton
Succulents
Creeping Speedwell
Dwarf Coleus
Spikemoss
Silver Sprinkles Plant
Weeping Fig
Polkadot Plant
Rosemary
Licorice Plants

Some of these plants will have larger leaves than others and some might get taller. Think about the overall look you want to achieve and the size of your fairy garden as you select your plants.

Picking A Container

Picking your plants and selecting your container go hand in hand. Make sure your container gives your plants enough room to grow. You don’t want them to be too crowded. You also want to leave room for the accessories you plan to add. However, beginners might want to start small. Going too large can make you feel overwhelmed.

Almost anything will work as a container for a fairy garden, but whatever you use, make sure it has holes for proper drainage.

Container Choices:

Create Features

Once you have a container and some greenery, look at creating some streams, mushrooms, or other natural-looking features. Below are some ideas to get you started:

Make a river through your fairy garden using blue marbles or stones. These are available at craft stores in many shades.
Stones can also be used to form pathways throughout the fairy garden. You can also use small wood slices to add walkways.
Create mushrooms and other features like flowers by painting rocks. If you are feeling adventurous, use clay to form mushrooms and other items.
Using items you find already in your yard or a nearby park will help you create a fairy garden with a more natural feel.

Add Accessories

Accessories will allow you to really show off your personality and your creativity. Some fairy gardeners like to stick with a theme. For example, you can create a mythical land or a miniature zoo.

Miniature accessories are available at a variety of stores and online. Many craft stores and greenhouses will have a lot of fun items you can add to your fairy garden. Stores often carry items suited for specific seasons or that are holiday-themed.

Thrift stores and garage sales are also great places to find items for your fairy garden. Keep both your eyes and your mind open, as many items sold at these places can be used in a fairy garden even if they aren’t being sold for that specific purpose.

If you are feeling ambitious you can also build some of these accessories. You can either use items you find around the house or buy raw supplies. Use small sticks from your yard or popsicle sticks to build fences, ladders, and even houses. Glue a small terra cotta pot to a saucer to create a birdbath. Your resources are only as limited as your creativity.

Below are popular accessories added to fairy gardens:

Table And Chairs
Benches
Gnomes/Fairies
Watering Cans
Houses
Campers
Watering Cans
Wishing Wells
Birdbaths
Fences
Ladders
Animals

The possibilities are limitless when it comes to adding accessories to your new fairy garden. From hammocks to figurines, to campfire pits and birdbaths, you can add it in and really make the small space your own.

Light It Up

Adding lights is another fun way to breathe life into your DIY fairy garden. There are many kinds of solar lights in all shapes and sizes available for purchase. They can be used around different landscaping features such as the pools or streams you create.

Lights can also be added to any of the buildings you establish in your fairy garden. In the evenings, this will give the illusion of a magical creature residing in your garden.

Let Your Creativity Shine

There is no limit to what you can create in your fairy garden. With so many different plants, accessories, and themes, you can let your creativity run wild. Change things up with the seasons or start a collection of fairy gardens with different themes. These miniature garden scenes are both easy and fun for people of all ages. Your only limit is your imagination.

Flower of the Week: Edging Lobelia

You may have often seen the gentle yet bright blue of edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus) in gardens or balconies. They bloom tirelessly from the end of spring through the early fall with small, butterfly-like flowers.

Originally from South Africa, those adorable “butterflies” were introduced to Europe in the mid-18th Century and quickly became a favorite of Victorian aristocrats.

The Blue of Aristocracy

In 1759, edging lobelia was introduced into England as a fancy novelty plant. Later, as a zeal for flower carpets took Europe in a whirlwind, aristocrats often adorned their gorgeous flower carpet with over tens of thousands of plants.

Among all the extravagant flowers, aristocrats particularly preferred the three eye-catching primary colors – bright red, yellow, and blue – and the blue of edging lobelia was favored the most.

However, the fervor didn’t last long. As the enthusiasm for tapestry faded, edging lobelia’s popularity waned, too. But at the end of the 20th Century, the style of American gardens transitioned from conservative to ornate. Container planting and hanging baskets gained popularity, granting edging lobelia a comeback in the eyes of the public.

Rich Colors and Varieties

Blue and purple are the most common colors of edging lobelia, but there are more. Lobelia has been cultivated to bloom in elegant white, delicate pink, and exquisite carmine. Also, there are blue and purple flowers in various shades, giving edging lobelia a more dynamic variety.

Many famous cultivars have won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Not only are they in beautiful colors, but also given lovely names, such as ‘Crystal Palace’, ‘Mrs. Clibran’, ‘Riviera Blue Eyes’, etc.

Edging Lobelia Brings Life to Your Garden

If you intend to design a rock garden or a butterfly garden, edging lobelia is worth trying, as its bright colors and sweet nectar attract quite a few types of butterflies. If you grow bright purple or red edging lobelia, you may lure hummingbirds to your garden.

Though small, edging lobelia creates an impressive sight when planted in large numbers in flower beds or for borders.

Viewing Map

The Isle of Skye in the UK is a good spot to view edging lobelia. Semi-wild edging lobelia quietly blooms every year from April to September, bestowing a sense of age-old mystery upon the land where the ancient Gaelic culture is preserved.

This place also enjoys the reputation for being “closest to the sky of the entire UK,” with various landscapes, including highlands, stone forests, and forests. Magnificent, boundless, and raw, the isle oozes with a primitive beauty only found in fairylands.

Can I Grow Edging Lobelia Well?

Edging lobelia is a strongly vital plant, but it requires specific temperatures. Generally, temperate zones are ideal habitats for it.

It isn’t resistant to cold, so it’s best to keep it at temperatures around 59°F-64°F (15°C-18°C). Keep it indoors in the winter and early spring to avoid frost damage. Edging lobelia likes ample sunlight, but doesn’t tolerate sweltering heat, so shade it from the sun on hot summer days.

To pot-cultivate edging lobelia, choose loose, humus-rich, sandy soil with good drainage. Water once every 7-10 days and apply nitrogen fertilizers once every week during its growing period.

To help your plant grow strong and bloom abundantly, prune it patiently and delicately during the growing period to achieve your ideal shape.

Size: 8 inch (20 cm) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11

Sunlight: Full light to half shade

Soil: Loose, humus-rich sandy soil with good drainage

Blooming Time: End of spring to early fall

How to Prune Three Different Clematis Groups Properly

Clematis need pruning to maintain their gorgeous blooms. However, proper pruning depends on when the clematis flowers and whether it blooms on old or new growth. This article will provide you with tips to prune your clematis properly to encourage prolific flowering and strong growth.

While clematis plants are known for their masses of vines adorned with stunning flowers, they need to be regularly pruned to prevent becoming a mass of tangled stems. Regularly pruning a plant manages its size and shape and also helps encourage strong vine growth and prolific flowering.

However, you need to prune them correctly. If pruned improperly, you could end up with a plant that stops flowering completely.

The Three Clematis Pruning Groups

Clematis plants are classified into three different groups, which are defined by when they flower and if they bloom on new growth or old vines. These characteristics determine when and how to prune your plant.

Group 1

Sometimes called “Group A” or “Type A,” these clematis varieties tend to be larger plants that bloom very early in the season. These blooms burst on old growth from the previous year. Group 1 includes the C. alpina, C. armandii, C. cirrhosa, C. macropetala, and C. montana.

Group 2

Also known as “Group B” or “Type B,” Group 2 clematis bloom later than Group 1 and earlier than Group 3. The first flush of flowers opens in late spring, with a second bloom erupting in late summer. Buds develop on a combination of old and new growth. Species in this group include C. florida and C. patens.

Group 3

Group 3 clematis are the latest blooming varieties, flowering in late summer or early fall. They bloom on the current season’s growth. Group 3 includes C. viticellas, C. orientalis, C. tangutica, and C. texensis.

How to Prune Group 1

Since Group 1 clematis flower on old vines, the general rule of thumb is to trim lightly. Severely pruning these plants removes all developed buds, resulting in a plant that won’t flower.

Instead, you can trim or shape them lightly just after they finish flowering for the season. Trim back no more than one-third of the plant as they do not like severe pruning. Pruning them after flowering encourages new growth that develops buds for the following year.

How to Prune Group 2

Group 2 clematis are a cross of the other two groups. Some flower buds develop on wood from the previous year and some form on the current season’s new vine growth. A light pruning is best with this type unless the plant has grown too large for its allotted space.

Plan to prune Group 2 clematis in late winter or early spring just as active growth starts for the season. Wait until the flower buds turn green and begin swelling, as this makes them easier to see.

Start at the top of each vine and work your way down. When you reach the first pair of strong, healthy buds, make a pruning cut just above them. Repeat this process for each vine on the plant.

How to Prune Group 3

Pruning Group 3 clematis varieties is the opposite of pruning the other two groups. This group thrives when pruned hard since the flower buds develop on the season’s new growth. If these plants are not pruned to remove the majority of the plant, the base develops a leggy appearance that is leafless and unattractive.

Group 3 clematis should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Some gardeners prune their plants – with great success – in late fall as they go dormant for the year.

If pruning in the spring, start at the bottom of each vine and work your way up from the ground. When you come to the first pair of strong, healthy buds, make a pruning cut just above them. Then repeat the process for every vine on the clematis plant.

You can lop the entire plant off about 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) from the ground for fall pruning.

Pruning Tips

Wait until the second year to prune your plant so that you have a better understanding of when it blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers immediately after they fade to promote a second flush of flowers.
Remove any dead or damaged stems when pruning clematis vines. They can also be pruned out any time during the season to keep your plant looking neat and tidy.
Always clean your pruning shears before and after working to prevent spreading any possible disease infections from one plant to another.
When pruning for shape or size, periodically step back from the plant to assess your progress.

15 Super Easy Ideas for Using Color in Your Garden

15 Super Easy Ideas For Using Color In Your Garden

The effective use of color turns a dull landscape into a source of joy and happiness to all who look at it. This article gives you fifteen super easy ideas on how to liven up your garden with color.

The garden coloring method brings the right tone to your private space, which creates an enjoyable atmosphere. Each color palette highlights the focal points by shifting focus on the plants’ texture and supports a balanced flower organizing process. A combination of various plants also attracts beneficial insects, encouraging eco life to thrive.

We will guide you through fifteen ideas for combining colors to create an aesthetic garden in the following list. These ideas are beginner-friendly and save your budget from expensive gardening books!

1. Brighten Up With Warm-Colored Flowers

Red, yellow, and orange are examples of common warm colors in the garden. This color scheme stimulates happiness and enthusiasm. A morning stroll alongside warm-colored flowers can lift your mood for the entire day.

Moreover, warm-colored flowers are the best for attracting bees and butterflies to encourage beautiful blooms!

2. A Calming Mind With Nostalgic Purple

Have you noticed how most meditation gardens have blue or purple flowers?

Cool tones can bring us a sense of peace and affects us mentally. At your flower garden, enhance this effect further by tending lush green lawns as the background.

Prioritize fragrant plants, such as lavenders, to build a full relaxation experience.

3. Aesthetic Succulents

Succulent gardens can have an eye-catching landscape color palette, too. This type of garden has the advantage of utilizing the brown earth as the cool color background.

There is a wide range of species to choose from, including succulents with vivid blooms. Add decorative items and mulch for a rustic look.

4. A Twist For Contrast Palettes

This landscaping method utilizes colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. As a result, the high contrast draws attention by making the details stand out.

The combination includes yellow and purple, green and red, and so on. A consistent plant care schedule improves the contrast level.

5. DIY Flower Garden Art

Flower beds are one of the most convenient ways to add colors to a home flower garden with minimal items. Styling colorful flower art can turn into a fun DIY project with your kids, where everyone plants creative shapes together, such as umbrellas, stars, or sunflowers.

The structure of ornaments also blends in the overall color schemes. Decorate your ceramic pots or recycle old bottles and tin cans into vibrant holders.

6. Draw A Carpet With Simple Lines

Choose your flora plants according to the group of colors, then plant each group in clean, straight lines next to one another. This setup creates a natural garden color palette dotted with a relaxing fragrance in your backyard.

If you have limited space, apply this method as path coloring for the driveway. Red blooms outline the driveway details better!

7. Pops Of Red Flowers

Red flowers have a wide range of hues, from classic red wine, burgundy to maroon. This color infuses the whole space with excitement.

A suitable pop of red makes the surrounding features shine better. Scattering the color in the flower garden evenly will enhance the garden’s beauty without making you feel overwhelmed.

8. Utilize Shades Of Green

Foliage plants provide a cooling effect to the backyard. They also change colors from a light hue to a deeper shade throughout the season, enhancing the colorful garden art.

Fill your backyard with various shades of green foliage, then add bright-colored blooms to create a romantic canvas.

9. Poetic Pastel

A touch of pastel brings the romantic illustrations of flowers to life. Pastel is amongst the French-inspired color schemes for the flower garden.

If you’re aiming for a warmer tone, decorate the lawns with dusty roses or peach gerbera daisies. On the other hand, purple hydrangea and light blue delphinium create a magical garden coloring session.

An exciting trick for white rose petals you can try out is dipping the roots in artificial liquid color. The result will amaze you!

10. Flowers In Timeless Stones

Natural stones give a rustic look to the garden, and it is a background for most flower garden color schemes.

There are multiple locations for you to set up the stones, from the pathway to the pond side, or place the rocks and colorful garden plants arrangements as the centerpiece.

As for decorations, you can add sea glass stones for a glistening effect.

11. Paint The Garden Pond

Garden ponds ease your stress thanks to the lively fish. The sight of vivid blooms flowing on the water surface creates a calming landscape.

Water hibiscus, calla lily, lotus are common aquatic flowers. These species offer a balanced display of colors and are safe for the fish.

12. Gradient Petals

A combination of three natural colors next to each other on the color wheel creates a similar effect.

By organizing patches of flowers this way, you will view plants in gradient, intricate coloring order. This setting provides the perfect harmony for the flower garden.

13. Freshen Up The Boxes

Planter boxes can look dull with the wrong color combination. The recommended practice is using monochrome flowers that pop on the green background.

As for the box dimensions, add thrillers to make the boxes look taller. Choose beautiful blooms that flow over the edge to give depth to the overall setting.

14. Unique Leaf Colors

Burgundy leaves are one of the niche options for implementing colorful garden ideas.

Although these leaves can be considered intricate coloring materials, they provide a signature look and quickly become the garden stars.

Scatter the bit of color at a balanced distance throughout the garden to leverage natural lighting, which turns the leaves into focal points.

15. Double Complementary

This is an effortless combination for beginners. The criteria to prepare the flower garden to color is simple. Choose two adjacent colors, and then find colors that are their complements.

For example, if you have red and orange flowers, you will want to add green and blue flowers, as these complement red and orange.

11 Beautiful Bulbs That Bloom in Summer

When we think of bulbs, it’s easy to assume they only bloom in one triumphant spring burst! But this isn’t the case, as there are a variety of stunning bulbs that bloom throughout the summer months. Prolong your garden’s cheery colors by planting these summer-blooming bulbs.

Garden dahlia

The Garden dahlia is a common spring flower that comes in a wide range of colors. The flowers themselves are unscented and attract pollinators (like bees) using only their bright coloration. Garden dahlia plants were grown by ancient Aztecs and it is now the official flower of Mexico. It is genetically related to garden plants like sunflowers and zinnias.

Hybrid tuberous begonia

Hybrid tuberous begonia (Begonia tuberhybrida) is a plant species native to the Andes Mountains in South America. Hybrid tuberous begonia is sometimes regarded as one of the most spectacular of the genus for its large blossoms. This species is often planted in gardens and conservatories.

Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley originates in Euroasia. Although it is highly poisonous, it is popular in gardens and perfume industry for its charming flowers and fragrance. Lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland and was the national flower of former Yugoslavia.

Easter lily

Lilium longiflorum, commonly known as Easter lily is a perennial bulb, famous for the beautiful fragrance of its large, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It plays an important role in Christianity, as it symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ celebrated during Easter (hence the common name). Easter lily is most often cultivated for cut flowers.

Persian buttercup

Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) is a flowering buttercup species native to the eastern Mediterranean region. It is known to tolerate lower temperatures than many buttercup species. The Persian buttercup is a popular ornamental plant for its attractive blossoms.

Pineapple lily

Pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa) gets its common name from the arrangement of foliage reminiscent of pineapple leaves that sits atop its spiky stem. The genus name also comes from the tuft of foliage, but in this case the name compares it to a tuft of hair: “Eucomis” combines the Greek words “eu,” meaning good, and “kome,” meaning hair. This plant is indigenous to South Africa.

Guernsey lily

The Guernsey lily grows from a bulb and is originally from South Africa. Easy to grow, it can be popular as an accent plant in gardens and borders. These lilies are available in an array of pinks, whites, and reds.

Bearded iris

The Bearded iris is a flowering plant that appears in many different colors. It is a popular garden plant because it’s easy to grow. Though their native lands are in Europe, Bearded irises are often grown in Iranian cemeteries.

Calla lily

The Calla lily is a well-known ornamental plant with several cultivars receiving the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The most common cultivars include ‘Crowborough’, ‘Green Goddess’, ‘Pink Mist’, and ‘Red Desire’. They are popular as a cut flower or a rhizomatous herb in the warm gardens.

African-lily

Agapanthus praecox is a variable species with open-faced flowers that are blue, purple or white and bloom in the summer. Although often called African-lily, or lily of the Nile, these plants are not actually lilies. They are members of the amaryllis family.

Gladiolus

Gladiolus (Gladiolus gandavensis) is a perennial that blooms in summer with reddish-yellow flowers that bloom from bottom to top along a long flower stem. One of the first gladiolus hybrids, it led the way to development of modern-day gladiolus hybrids. Thrives in full sun in medium to moist, well-drained, organically rich soils.

Creating a Tree of 40 Different Fruit

Sam Van Aken successfully grafted 40 different types of fruit to a single tree to create a gorgeous piece of art that produces beautiful blooms in the spring and a bounty of fruit in the summertime. If you have the time and patience, you can also create your own 40 fruit tree at home!

The technique of grafting trees together has been around since humans began to domesticate plants and animals. There have been mentions of grafting as early as 2000 BCE in China, where they grafted pear twigs onto crab apple, jujube, and pomegranate stock.

Since then, grafting has become a common horticulture technique that allows plants to take on different properties such as improved hardiness and faster growth to maturity.

Of course, in order to produce a successful graft, the trees need to be compatible with each other. You cannot, for example, graft a grape vine to an apple tree and expect to produce anything.

In general, the closer two plants are genetically, the more likely the graft union will form. Artist and professor Sam Van Aken took grafting to the next level to create a tree that bears 40 different types of fruit.

How It Began

Van Aken grew up on a family farm in Reading, Pennsylvania but turned to art when he attended college and entered the working world.

In 2008, Van Aken learned that an orchard at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station would be shut down due to lack of funding. This orchard grew several heirloom, antique, and native varieties of stone fruit, with some trees being 150 to 200 years old.

To preserve the trees and the different stone fruit varieties, Van Aken decided to buy the orchard. Then, Van Aken started experimenting with grafting and released his Eden exhibition.

The Goal of the Tree of 40 Fruit

While Van Aken’s initial goal was to create a transformational work of art, he discovered how few varieties of stone fruit are commercially available. Due to industrialization and the creation of monocultures, many varieties of fruit are disappearing.

Because of this, Van Aken believes that his trees are a way of preserving these native and antique varieties.

Since his first tree, he has amassed more than 250 varieties of stone fruit, which he has primarily found through local farmers and growers. Not only does he preserve these varieties in his orchard, but he grafts them onto different trees.

Van Aken hopes that he can preserve the agricultural history of each area in his trees and spread awareness of the rich variety of fruit available in the world.

And it seems to have worked. The beautiful blossoms in the spring attract people from all around, but it’s the fruits themselves that spark conversation.

For many who are not aware of farming and growing, the different flavors of these local and heirloom varieties found on the tree make people question why there are only a handful of plum, peaches, and apricots varieties at their local market.

How to Make Your Own Tree of 40 Fruit

Van Aken takes around five years to develop each tree and graft the 40 different varieties onto it. Therefore, patience is key if you want to create your own Tree of 40 Fruit.

Van Aken uses a chip grafting method. Below are the steps he takes to create a Tree of 40 Fruit:

Cut a chip of wood containing a bud from the scion with the desirable properties
Cut a similarly shaped chip out of the rootstock
Place the scion in the rootstock cut so that the cambium layers match
Attach the two pieces with grafting tape.
Color code each branch so you don’t forget what you’ve grafted!

While you can do this method in mid-to-late summer, Van Aken does his grafting during the spring. Depending on sap flow, the bud might not grow until the following spring. You can tell if the grafting was a success by seeing whether the bud swells or shrivels.

As with any grafting, you’ll want to choose plants that are genetically similar to each other for best results. It’s one of the reasons why Van Aken chose to graft stone fruits together. They share many qualities, but there’s still a lot of different varieties available from local farmers.

Of course, you can try different fruits and even flowers to create your own piece of art.

What started off initially as an experimental artwork has evolved to explore and reintroduce different stone fruit varieties to the public. One day, Van Aken hopes to fill a small orchard with his creation.

With time and patience, you too can create your own Tree of 40 Fruit!

A Guide to Potting and Re-potting Your Plants

A Guide to Potting and Re-Potting Your Plants

When your plants get too big for their container, it’s time to move them somewhere more spacious. Learn how to safely pot or repot your plants to ensure that they have the space they need to thrive.

Potted plants can improve any décor, but it doesn’t take long for them to start looking worse for wear. This constrained environment means that even small changes in your plant’s size, water intake, or soil quality can make a significant difference in how healthy it is.

If you want to keep your potted plants in prime condition, you need to learn how to pot and re-pot them. Here’s a guide for getting started.

Why Re-Pot Plants?

Re-potting plants serves two purposes. First, it provides the opportunity to give expanding plant roots more space to grow. Second, it allows you to change out the potting soil when it becomes nutritionally depleted.

In general, plants need to be re-potted every 12 to 18 months, but this can vary based on how vigorously it’s growing. Slow-growing plants might stay content within the same pot for years, though you may need to refresh the soil on occasion.

It’s usually best to re-pot plants in early spring before they hit their growth surge for the year. However, you may need to do so sooner if you sense your plant is struggling.

10 Signs You Need to Re-Pot Your Plants

How can you tell it’s time to re-pot your plant? Here are ten tell-tale signs it’s time for an upgrade.

The plant takes up more than three times as much space as the pot.
The plant is making the pot top-heavy and tips over easily.
You see the roots growing through the drainage hole at the bottom.
Or the roots are coming out of the soil and pushing the plant up above the planter.

You notice a sudden slow-down in overall growth that’s not seasonally appropriate.
The plant is drying out quickly and requires frequent waterings.
You see signs of salt and mineral buildup on the dried soil surface.
Water sits on the top of the soil and doesn’t absorb into it.
It’s been years (if ever) since you last replanted it.
You want to take cuttings from one large plant to split it into several smaller ones.

Do You Really Need a Bigger Pot?

The first step for re-potting a plant is determining whether the planter itself needs to be replaced. Often, refreshing the soil is all that’s necessary to perk up one that’s wilting.

If you do replace the pot, don’t fall for the common mistake of believing you need to go as big as possible. Scale up too large, and you may unknowingly attempt to compensate for it by overwatering. Too much water combined with the stress of transplanting can quickly weaken a healthy plant.

As a general rule, try to keep the pot’s size within three inches (7.5 cm) diameter of the previous pot for tabletop planters and within six inches (15 cm) for floor planters. It’s better to scale your planter up to a large final size in multiple small steps rather than going too big at once.

6 Steps for Potting or Re-Potting Plants

Here are the basic steps for potting or re-potting your plants for the best chance of success.

1. Gather Supplies

First, collect what you need for potting. This includes the plant itself, the planter you are moving it into (if required), fresh potting mix, and a trowel. You may want a handful of lava rocks or similar material for drainage, but they aren’t necessary if the planter already has a drainage hole.

2. Remove Plant From Current Pot

You want to move your plant from its current location as seamlessly as possible to reduce the risk of transplant shock. If possible, turn it sideways so you can gently grip the main stem and tap along the bottom of the pot until you feel the soil loosen. It should start sliding out, and if not, give it a few tugs until it does.

3. Spread Apart the Roots

Next, use your fingers to gently loosen the plant’s roots and prune off any threadlike or extra-long pieces. You’ll know the roots are rootbound if they formed themselves into a tight circle at the base of the pot. If so, carefully unwind them to provide extra room to stretch out.

4. Prepare the Pot

The steps here vary slightly based on whether you are reusing the same pot or starting fresh.

If reusing, pour out the old soil and wash it with water. It’s a good idea to disinfect it with a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water for at least ten minutes—especially if you saw signs of disease on the plant in it previously. This reduces the chance that pathogens will linger and recontaminate it.

After this point, the steps are the same. Add lava rocks or other bulky material to the bottom if there aren’t drainage holes, and pour in a layer of new potting soil into the planter, packing it down with your fingers to remove air pockets. Aim to fill it about ¾ of the way full.

5. Add the Plant

Grab the plant and place it where desired in the planter. Centered is better from a root growth standpoint, but you may prefer it off-centered if you plan to plant more than one within the same pot.

Holding the plant upright with one hand, gently add more potting mix around its base to cover the roots. Keep adding soil until it seems stable, but refrain from packing it in too tightly around the stem, as you want the roots to breathe.

6. Water Thoroughly

Help your plant feel at home again by giving it a generous drink. Water slowly and thoroughly, noting if the plant shifts in the planter, as that’s a sign of released air bubbles.

You may need to add more potting soil as it starts to settle. Ensure the planter is on a runoff tray to collect excess water and water it until you see it seeping through the bottom.

Potting and re-potting your plants is a straightforward process, but it takes careful attention to perform correctly.

Take the time to observe your plants so you can determine if and when they need a new planter and give them the best chance of a healthy life in your home.

Flower of the Week: Sunflower

When it comes to the “little suns” that bloom in summer, one has to mention sunflowers, a vibrant plant of the Compositae family. Sunflower’s large, rounded capitulum grows high at the apex of the stalk, impressing viewers with an intense visual impact.

Tall sunflowers make a great garden backdrop, and you can also plant them in the innermost part of the flowerbed. While its golden-yellow image has taken firm hold in people’s minds, you can also choose to plant wine red, reddish-brown, or chocolate-brown varieties depending on your preference.

Its seeds can be eaten or pressed for oil, making it greatly valuable in the kitchen. If you want to harvest sunflower seeds, remember to put up bird-proof nets before the seeds mature.

An Inspiration for Arts and Avant-Garde Fashion

Speaking of sunflower-related artwork, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers series is certain to come to mind. Van Gogh painted many sunflowers during his lifetime, 11 paintings of which survive today. The two most famous paintings are Vase with Twelve Sunflowers and Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers.

Nowadays, you can see these paintings at places like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, and the National Gallery, London.

Vincent van Gogh (1888) Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers

After Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin painted Sunflowers in Tahiti in 1901. It is considered to be his tribute to his friendship with Van Gogh. In 1888, the two artists spent a meaningful period of time working and living together in Arles, France.

Paul Gauguin (1901) Sunflowers

In the late 19th century, sunflowers and lilies became hallmarks of the Aestheticist Movement popular in the British literature and art circles. Oscar Wilde, the iconic figure of the Aestheticism Movement, always had these two flowers at hand when he visited Paris or traveled to America. His home was also always decorated with sunflowers and lilies accompanied by equally ornate and iconic peacock feathers, celadon china, and various objet d’art.

Opponents of Aestheticism went so far as to use sunflowers to mock the movement. The flower has been repeatedly featured in various satirical works.

George Frederick Keller (1882) The Modern Messiah

Directional Indicator

The sunflower is also a popular plant in the famous game Minecraft. The game designers set a rule that sunflowers are always facing east, making it one of the tools players use to identify directions.

In reality, sunflowers’ discs only follow the sun’s movement across the sky in the early stages of their growth. After they mature, they remain facing east to catch the first rays of the morning sun.

Eco-friendly Sunflower

Compared to the average plant, sunflowers’ root systems can absorb more harmful substances such as lead and arsenic, as well as radioactive elements such as uranium and cesium. As a result, it is often planted for cleansing contaminated soil and water.

After the Chernobyl disaster, sunflowers were planted on rafts to slowly absorb cesium and strontium from local ponds. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the government also distributed sunflower seeds to local residents. Sunflowers not only served as a defense against radiation but also brought psychological solace.

How do I Grow Sunflower Well?

Sunflower is quite easy to care for. Simply provide it with its preferred soil, light, and moisture conditions, and you can count on the blooming of glorious beauty in the summer.

Sunflower is a tough annual plant, so it can grow in most areas. It is suitable for growing in fertile, moist, well-drained, weakly alkaline soil. It does not require much moisture and can reasonably tolerate drought. Simply wait until the soil is dry to water it.

It prefers ample sunlight and needs at least 6 hours of light per day. It can be planted in a bright and sheltered location to prevent high winds from breaking its stems.

Size: 60-300 cm (2-10 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 2-11

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained, weakly alkaline

Bloom Time: Summer