great gardens fall 2014
DESCRIPTION
Shift from fall to winter in the garden with the tips and easy projects in this issue.TRANSCRIPT
GREAT GARDENSIdeas for Smart Gardeners
WITH MAGAZINE
F A L L 2 0 1 4
Force Spring Bulbs into Winter Bloom
Easy Fall Tricks for Better Soil
The Rundown on Fall Garden Cleanup
Winter Wreaths With Personality
| GREAT GARDENS1
7
13
Autumn Au Revoir
Tenacious Tulips
| GREAT GARDENS2
03 EDITOR’S NOTEDetails, Details
05 OUR FAVORITE THINGSGreat Gardening Gear
24 TIME-SAVING TIPSFall: On the Ground
26 CONTAINER GARDENING Forcing the Issue
29 GARDEN ARTFreeze Frame
31 PLANT PROFILES Early Bulbs
32 SMALL SPACES Winning Wreaths
34 KIDS GARDENWaterproof Plants
36 KITCHEN GARDENINGGarlic
38 QUOTE OF THE SEASONWallace Stevens
| GREAT GARDENS3
Fall gives me mixed emotions in
terms of the garden in each year.
On one hand I’m sad to see the summer’s
flowers and foliage go; on the other hand I’m a
little relieved to put the garden to bed and focus on
indoor pursuits for a while. Happily, there’s next
year’s garden to look forward to, plus the fun of
planning it at the fireside all winter.
This issue of Great Gardens includes a few last-
minute outdoor garden tasks as well as some
projects and ideas for gardening indoors in the
coming winter. Use the rest of fall to improve
your soil, clean up the garden and plant garlic and
spring-flowering bulbs. Reserve a few of those
bulbs for indoor forcing, though, and gear up for
growing wet-tolerant houseplants with the kids,
choosing your perfect winter wreath and making
frozen garden decorations. You’ll find all of the
above and more in these pages. Enjoy!
— Meghan Shinn :: E D I T O R
EDITORIAL
Community Leader Patty Dunning
Editor Meghan Shinn
CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS
Meghan Shinn, Kelsea Daulton
DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
Art Director Bethany Rainbolt
Managing Photographer Ric Deliantoni
Photographer Al Parrish
ADVERTISING
VP, Sales Dave Davel
Advertising Sales Michelle Kraemer, 888-457-2873 x13245
Advertising Sales Coordinator Connie Kostrzewa
F+W MEDIA INC.
Chairman & CEO David Nussbaum
CFO James Ogle
President David Blansfield
SVP, Operations Phil Graham
Chief Digital Officer, eMedia Chad Phelps
Director, IT Jim Kuster
Director of Finance Trent Miller
Events Director Cory Smith
Audience Development Paul Rolnick
Privacy promise: Occasionally, we make portions of our customer list
available to other companies so they may contact you about products
and services that may be of interest to you. If you prefer that we
withhold your name, simply send a note with the magazine name to:
List Manager, F+W Media Inc., 10151 Carver Road Suite 200, Blue Ash
OH 45242.
PRODUCT •
| GREAT GARDENS5
‘BLUSHING APELDOORN’ TULIPLongfield Gardenslongfield-gardens.com $7.50/10
MEG’S FAVE
PRINT & ON-LINE EDITOR
MEG’S FAVE
PRINT & ON-LINE EDITOR LANTLIV PLANT STAND
Ikeaikea.com$49.95
MICHELLE’S FAVE
AD SALES REP
MICHELLE’S FAVE
AD SALES REP
GARDEN SPRITE AEOLIAN WIND HARPMohican Wind Harpsmohicanwindharps.com$570
PEPPERMINT TWIST HYDRANGEAJackson & Perkinsjacksonandperkins.com$69.95
PATTY’S FAVE
COMMUNITY LEADER
DEEP COVER CAPTurtle Fur
turtlefur.com$32.9–34.99
| GREAT GARDENS6
See more products we love!
pinterest.com/hortmagMEG’S FAVE
PRINT & ON-LINE EDITOR
HIGHRISERArt of the Garden
artofthegarden.net$89.99
GIANT SNOWDROPSJohn Scheepersjohnscheepers.com25/$14.95
THE KNOW MAINTENANCE
PERENNIAL GARDENGardenersHub.com
gardenershub.com$24.95
MICHELLE’S FAVE
AD SALES REP
MICHELLE’S FAVE
AD SALES REP
SMALL BULB PLANTER BY DEWIT TOOLSGarden Tool Co.gardentoolcompany.com$22.95
PATTY’S FAVE
COMMUNITY LEADER
PATTY’S FAVE
COMMUNITY LEADER
HORTICULTURE SUBSCRIPTION
Horticulturessl.palmcoastd.com
$19.95/1 year
ESSENTIAL GARDENERS KITMillsmixmillsmix.com$28.50
PATTY’S FAVE
COMMUNITY LEADER
Au RevoirIn most of the United States,
late fall spells an end to out-door gardening. It’s time to clean up the garden before looking ahead to next year’s plans. Here’s a rundown of common fall garden tasks.
A quick and dirty guide to fall garden cleanup
by Meghan Shinn
Autumn
| GREAT GARDENS7
| GREAT GARDENS8
1. TREE LEAVES• Gone are the days when it was believed
every last fallen leaf should be sucked from the landscape and carted away at the season’s end. Deciduous leaves are a valuable material that should remain in the garden whenever feasible.
• Small or narrow leaves can be left to lie where they fall in garden beds, and raked into beds from lawn areas.
• Larger tree leaves can be raked evenly over lawn areas and run over several times with a mulching lawn mower. This will shred them into tiny pieces that will quickly decompose and feed the lawn’s soil with valuable nitrogen.
• Shredded leaves can also be raked back into garden beds to serve as mulch, or added to a compost pile.
• Leaves can be piled or bagged and left to turn into leaf mold, which can later be spread in the garden. More on leaf mold.
| GREAT GARDENS9
2. VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDENS• Edible gardens that will lie
fallow over the winter should be cleaned of all plant debris and gardening aids.
• Pull up spent plants that were healthy throughout the growing season, as well as any weeds, and add them to the compost pile.
• Do not add weeds with seed heads or diseased plants to your compost, but instead seal them in garbage bags and send them off with household trash.
• Pick up stakes, row labels and other non-permanent garden fixtures. Store them for next year or dispose of them if they are no longer usable.
• With the soil now bare, apply any organic soil amendments or mulch so that they can settle over the winter.
| GREAT GARDENS10
3. ORNAMENTAL BEDS• Beds and borders of ornamental plants can be cleaned
up in the fall or left standing until spring. The degree of cleanup depends on personal preference—some gardeners prefer to leave plants standing as winter interest, wildlife cover or for other reasons, while some gardeners feel they have more time for cleanup in the fall rather than early spring.
• Annual plants can be pulled and added to the compost pile, unless they were diseased, in which case they should be put in the trash.
• Perennials can be cut back any time after the first hard frost. Trimmings can be composted or trashed, depending on the plant’s health. If you break healthy spent perennials into small pieces you can simply compost them in place—just spread them in the garden as you do with fallen leaves.
• You may wish to leave perennials standing if they add winter interest through their foliage or seed heads; their seeds will attract winter birds; or they are marginally hardy to your zone. (Their presence may offer some protection to their roots.)
• Wait to prune shrubs until they’re in winter dormancy, or after they’ve bloomed in spring.
| GREAT GARDENS11
4. TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES• Remove any pots, furniture and statues or other decorations that may be damaged by winter weather.
Store them in an enclosed space.• Gather stakes from the garden and store them with other tools. • Examine all tools to see what may need maintenance or replacing before spring. Clean and dry all
tools and plan to sharpen any that need it over the winter.• Drain hoses and empty watering cans before storing them. Shut the valve that runs water to outside
spigots in regions with freezing winters.• Put things away in an organized manner so you can hit the ground running in spring. •
| GREAT GARDENS12
tulipsTurn to the wild types for their rugged health and perennial natureby Sally Ferguson photographs courtesy of Colorblends.com
tenacious
| GREAT GARDENS13
Does your garden have a spot of rocky or sandy poor soil where plants tend to perish? Try planting “wild,” or species, tulips there this fall, for a beautiful flowering display next spring—and many springs to come.
“Wild tulips are generally much smaller and shorter than Dutch hybrid tulips,” says Christian Curless, horticulturist for the U.S. flower-bulb com-pany Colorblends. “They actually respond well to neglect, thriving in sites where other flowers might fail. They’re particularly appealing in scrappy
natural-looking areas where their open-faced spring flowers are a fun surprise.”For success with species tulips, bear in mind their natural origins: the forbidding mountains and
barren steppes of Central Asia, the Mideast and China. (For the record: the wild tulips sold today by top-tier companies like Colorblends aren’t collected from the wild, but instead propagated on tulip farms.) The right garden spot, says Curless, is one with full sun, good drainage, no foraging animals and no sprinklers or soaker hoses over the summer. They’re suited to USDA Zones 3–7.
For best effect, plant them in scattered clusters in rock gardens, along fences or walks, even in gravel patios, he suggests. Wild tulips will partner well with low-growing plants with similar needs, such as short varieties of stonecrop (Sedum), which also thrive in poor soil and hot, dry locations. Plant them in fall, once night temperatures remain between 40 and 45˚F or below and before the ground freezes solid, burying them four inches deep. After they bloom in spring, allow their leaves to whither away naturally; this recharges the bulb. Turn the page for selections.
| GREAT GARDENS14
1. TULIPA BAKERI ‘LILAC WONDER’: Its lilac-pink flowers with deep yellow centers bob daintily in soft spring breezes, weathering hard rains and wind with equal aplomb.
FAVORITE WILD TULIPS FOR THE GARDEN
2. TULIPA BATALINI ‘BRIGHT GEM’: The flower is a warm butterscotch that gains glints of bronze over time. Late to come up in spring, this short, sturdy tulip shines in more barren settings.
3. TULIPA CLUSIANA ‘TUBERGEN’S GEM’: The yellow flower petals are stroked with crimson on the outside. When warmed by the sun, the flowers open into bright golden stars.
| GREAT GARDENS15
4. TULIPA KOLPAKOWSKIANA: Red brushes the outside of its lemon-yellow flowers. Given full sun and soil that drains well, this species tulip can come back to bloom for several years.
5. TULIPA TARDA: A multi-flowering tulip with bright yellow star-shaped flowers edged in white, it’s reliably perennial in full sun in well-drained soil.
6. TULIPA TURKESTANICA: This golden-eyed wildflower is particularly appealing in mass plantings where its sweet fragrance can be enjoyed. •
| GREAT GARDENS16
| GREAT GARDENS17
TIME-SAVING TIPS •
Fall: On the GroundNow is the time
to attend to soil health
WHETHER YOU’RE PLANNING to plant a new bed next spring or you’re just wanting to improve the health of existing planting areas, fall is a great time to work on your soil. Natural soil amendments abound for the taking, and the weather is ripe for them to break down and work their magic on the earth. In this season, garden plants need little to no care and many of them are dying back to the ground, leav-ing you both time and space to attend to the soil. Soil health is key to plant health, so the brief effort that goes into the following steps will pay off big time.
Deciduous leaves that come down in the fall make an excellent light-weight mulch that will quickly break down and feed the soil. Shred large leaves before spreading them across the soil to a depth of two or three inches. Small leaves can be placed whole.
Grow a winter cover crop on the bare soil of vege-table or cutting gardens. Cover crops are cool-season annuals that feed the soil when they are mowed or tilled into the ground in early spring.
I f you’re planting a new bed next spring, prepare now by mark-ing it off, observing its conditions (including soil type and drainage) and killing any exist-ing plants and grass by winter smothering.
Compost, or a compost-and-mulch blend, also makes a nutritious topdressing for garden soil. Scratch mature compost into the soil this fall, then replenish your compost pile with the sea-son’s natural debris.
Get a soil test. Send a sample to your coopera-tive extension agency now so that you can be ready to act on its re-sults later this season or first thing in spring. •
by Meghan Shinn
| GREAT GARDENS18
PLANT PROFILES •
IRIS RETICULATAis a low-growing iris that offers its
purple flowers in late winter. These last well in a vase and possess a
sweet fragrance. Sun to part shade. Zones 5–9.
GLORY-OF-THE-SNOW (Chionodoxa forbesii) sends up clusters of starry blue flowers in late winter. It can naturalize in lawns and woodland gardens. Sun to part shade. Zones 3–8. •
SNOWDROPS (Galanthus nivalis) is one of the earliest bloomers, pushing up through snow cover to open its drooping, green-tipped white flowers. Sun to part shade. Zones 3–7.
Early BulbsNext year’s first blooms
Pe
ren
nia
lRe
so
urc
e.c
om
Pe
ren
nia
lRe
so
urc
e.c
om
Ba
ll H
ort
icu
ltu
ral
Pe
ren
nia
lRe
so
urc
e.c
om
SNOW CROCUS (Crocus chrysanthus) blooms before
the more popular Dutch hybrid crocuses, with yellow-orange cups
opening to the weak winter sun. Sun to part shade. Zones 3–8.
| GREAT GARDENS19
CONTAINER GARDENING
SPRING-BLOOMING BULBS are one of the most magical and anticipated treasures of the garden, appearing out of the bare ground to quickly offer color and signal winter’s end. Many of these same bulbs can brighten an indoor space months earlier if they are potted in fall and given the proper treatment. Here’s how to force spring bulbs into a winter bloom indoors.
Bulbs that need a cold period Some bulbs require a period of cold temperatures before they will bloom. These include tulips, hyacinth, grape hyacinth (Muscari spp.), crocus, daffodils and most other spring-blooming bulbs. Of these, tulips and daffodils are the most chal-lenging to force, so if you’re looking for a safe bet, opt for crocus, hyacinths and others.
Forcing the IssueHow to create an early indoor spring with potted bulbs
by Meghan Shinn
1. Select a wide, shallow pot in which to plant the bulbs, and get enough bulbs so that they’ll fill it when planted shoulder to shoulder. Ignore the recommended spac-ing for the bulbs; that applies to long-term plantings in the garden. Pots look best when crowded. Outdoor planting depth also does not apply to pots. The pot need be only deep enough to leave about two inches of root space beneath the bottom of the bulbs.
2. Add enough pre-moistened potting mix so that the tops of the bulbs sit an inch or less below the pot’s rim when they are placed on the mix. Add all of the bulbs and cover them with more potting mix.
| GREAT GARDENS20
3. Move the entire pot to a cold area where it can stay for the recommended chilling period for the type of bulbs you’re growing. This can be anywhere from 10 to 18 weeks (here’s a helpful guide). The temperature in your chilling area should run 35 to 45˚F, and it should be dark. This may be a cold garage or basement, an unheated but enclosed porch, a crawl space beneath the house or other cold but not freezing area. To simulate darkness in an area like an unheated porch or breezeway, just place a sheet of cardboard over the top of the pot. This will also allow you to stack mul-tiple pots and save space. An extra refrigera-tor can also be used for storing potted bulbs.
4. At the end of the chilling period, place the pot in bright but indirect light at room tem-perature. Water lightly if the soil is dry. Within weeks the bulbs will begin to sprout. Once they have a couple inches of growth, move them into direct light. When they be-gin to bloom, indirect light and cool room temperatures will prolong the display. Dis-card the bulbs after they bloom, as they are unlikely to perform well again.
Bulbs that don’t need a cold period Certain other bulbs do not require chilling before they will bloom. These include some of the most popular bulbs for forcing: amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus. They’re popular because they’re so easy.
1. Paperwhites and amaryllis can be forced in soil. Amaryllis (right) should be buried only to their shoulders, while paperwhites can go a bit deeper.
2. These bulbs will also grow and bloom if simply placed in a container of pebbles and water. Situate the bulbs so that the pebbles support them and their bottoms just barely touch the top of the water in which the pebbles sit. Roots will grow down into the water.
3. Place them in a dark, cool (ideally, 50 to 58˚F) spot for a couple of weeks, then move them into bright light and warmer temperatures, where they will continue to grow and bloom.
4. Paperwhites generally bloom within four weeks of planting, while amaryl-lis can be slow to get going. Expect amaryllis to bloom eight to twelve weeks after planting. •
| GREAT GARDENS22
Freeze FrameMake outdoor ornaments by freezing
botanical elements in ice
GARDEN ART •
by Meghan Shinn
S T E P S1. Gently rinse the flowers (or other material) and pat it dry. Put the silicone pan on the cookie sheet and fill it halfway with water. (The sheet will make it easy to move the pan without dis-turbing the water and materials.)
2. Carefully float the flowers on the water. Cut a generous length of twine, fold it in half and float the fold on the water. The loose ends of the twine can rest on the tray.
3. Transfer everything to the freezer. Check back every few hours to see if the water has frozen.
4. Once it has, fill the pan the rest of the way with water, leaving a little space at the top. Return it to the freezer.
5. When it has completely frozen solid, pop the ice out of the pan. Tie the loose ends of the twine into a bow or knot and trim any excess length. Hang the ornament outside. •
M A T E R I A L SSilicone baking pan or ice traySmall cookie sheet or other tray-like itemFreshly cut flowers, leaves and/or berries
Heavy-duty twineWater
| GREAT GARDENS23
SMALL SPACES
Winning WreathsCrown your door with personality
GARDENERS CAN RELY on standing pots, window boxes and hanging baskets to add personality to their homes’ entryways during the warm months, but in many regions late fall means an end to such self-expression. Now winter and holiday decorations take over, chief among them the front-door wreath. Here are a few of our favorite looks for inspiration.
by Meghan Shinn
1. Classic. Wreaths that incorporate lots of natural materials in mostly neutral colors communicate a love of nature. As long as they don’t dry out, such wreaths can look appropriate well past New Year’s.
| GREAT GARDENS24
2. Modern. Natural wreaths that mix in less common elements offer an updated look. This example adds striking bare twigs and white berries to a eucalyptus base. The bow can be removed for a wintery look after the holidays.
3. Crafty. A simple twig frame provides the base for countless kinds of embellishments. Express yourself by attaching favorite or-naments or pinecones and berries from the garden. These are easy to switch up as spring approaches.
4. Festive. Red and gold colors, a large cir-cumference and an oversize bow make a clear marker of the Christmas season. While this wreath will look out of place soon after January 1, it’s a clear winner through the month of December. •
| GREAT GARDENS25
KIDS GARDENING
Waterproof Plants
by Meghan Shinn
Kids love watering. Here are houseplants that can take a frequent drink
| GREAT GARDENS26
WHEN HOUSEPLANTS DIE, it’s usually because of overwatering or underwatering. Drawing from some casual observations of my own children and those of my friends, I’ve decided that the younger the gardener, the more likely he or she is to kill a plant with kindness. I don’t know a child who can walk past a watering can without begging to fill it and use it. My girls—ages 5 and 2—especially love watching water roll down leaves, collect on the soil, soak in and ultimately reappear from the pot’s drainage holes. (All while I imagine the plant saying, “Glub, glub—enough!”)
For most houseplants, it’s best to let the soil dry slightly to the touch before watering again, but there are a few kinds that enjoy perpetually moist condi-tions, and these are great choices for young, enthusi-astic houseplant owners. These include ferns, palms, dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) and even the spider plant (Chlorphytum comosum), though all of these appreciate a winter rest period in which their soil is allowed to dry slightly between waterings.
The best bet for perpetual watering-can wield-ers may be the umbrella plant (Cyperus involucratus or C. alternifolius), which has tall stems topped with grasslike leaves arranged something like an umbrel-la or a helicopter’s blades. This plant likes damp soil and bright light. It’s also easy to propagate by simply snipping off the “propellers” and sitting them in a dish of water until they sprout roots—a nice experi-ment for young indoor gardeners.
Other options include moth orchids (Phalaenop-sis) and even Christmas cactus, provided you keep them potted in a loose, chunky potting mix, such as one based on bark chips. These plants grow on the branches of trees in their native rain forests, glean-
ing moisture as rain showers through them daily. They, too, prefer a winter rest after flow-ering, however. Air plants (Tillandsia) are another good match, provided the kids will trade the water-ing can for a spray bottle. Air plants have inefficient roots and need to be frequently misted so they can draw in moisture through their leaves. Certain kinds of bromeliads form a reservoir in the middle of their leaves, which should be kept full of water.
Finally, certain tricks will help plants dry out quickly and therefore require frequent water-ing, regardless of their type. Use clay pots, which promote quick evaporation. Remember that small pots dry out much more quickly than large pots. Warm air also hastens drying, so set the pot near a heating vent. And if a plant seems too swamped, remove it from the pot and wrap the root ball in newspaper until the excess water has been drawn out, changing the paper as it becomes saturated. •
Above: Umbrella plant. Below: Air plant, which needs frequent misting or
soaking of the leaves but no soil for its roots.
| GREAT GARDENS27
KITCHEN GARDENING •
Garlic is fairly easy to grow, and a crop can be started in late fall
Garlic is a heart-healthy food because it contains thiosulfinates that help stop arteries from becoming blocked. These thiosulfinates are created as the garlic is chopped, so the finer you chop each clove, the better it is for you. After mincing your garlic, let it sit for a few moments to allow the thiosul-finates to develop.
Garlic Bread
I N G R E D I E N T S1 loaf Italian bread6 Tbsp salted butter, softened½ c. parsely, chopped3 tsp minced garlic (about 6 cloves)
D I R E C T I O N S1. Mix butter, garlic and parsley in a bowl.
2. Cut bread loaf in half lengthwise and set each half crust side down on a baking sheet. Spread the tops evenly and thickly with the butter mixture.
3. Bake at 375˚F for 15 minutes. Cool slighlty, slice and serve.
Garlic
by Maria Woodie
THERE A RE TWO m a i n groups of garlic: softneck and hardneck. The kind offered at most grocery stores is softneck. It’s milder in flavor, produces more cloves and stores longer than hardneck garlic. However, most chefs prefer hardneck, be-cause it has a stronger flavor and easy-to-peel cloves. Soft-neck garlic typically flourishes in warmer climates, while hard-neck thrives in colder regions.
The best time to plant garlic is after the first frost, usually in late fall. Break the bulbs into cloves and plant them 4 to 6 inches apart, in straight rows, with 18 to 24 inches of space be-
| GREAT GARDENS28
Get the Smart Gardening eNewsletter from Great Gardens and Horticulture’s editors every Wednesday, delivered right to your inbox! Every eNewsletter includes:
• plants we love for the current time of year
• practical and design-related tips for the season at hand
• news about upcoming online events, special offers and competitions
• ideas and inspiration to help you better enjoy your garden
MAIL CALL!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY AT
hortmag.com/subscribe/enewsletter
tween rows. The cloves should be planted with the pointed ends facing up. Cover the cloves with roughly two inches of soil. Garlic can grow in most soils but it is more successful in well-drained soil rich in organic mat-ter. Adding mulch is a good way to retain moisture and regulate the temperature of the soil.
Keep your garlic watered, and remove weeds regularly. In spring, start foliar feeding the garlic with a good fertilizer or manure. You should cut the
scapes when they begin to curl towards the leaves—this helps the bulbs grow larger. During midsummer, the leaves will start to discolor, usually turning yel-low or brown, meaning the garlic is almost ready to harvest. Stop watering the plants, then wait until one-third of the plant looks withered or is turning brown before you start digging up the garlic bulbs. Remove excess dirt but be careful not to damage the outer layer of the garlic.
To begin curing the gar-
lic, bundle or braid the plant and hang it in a place where there is good air circulation and minimal sunlight. Curing takes around three to six weeks. Once the garlic is ready, cut the roots and store in a cool, dry place. Softneck types can be stored longer, typically around eight months, while hardnecks are good for six months or less.
For more help with your garlic patch, watch this video showing how to plant and nur-ture garlic. •
| GREAT GARDENS29
garden design
with color, texture & formrefresh Your
rebecca sweet
harmony with color
One of the easiest and most effective ways to
liberate your garden’s glory is through the cre-
ative use of color. Whether you crave the hot
and spicy shades of orange and red or the cool
and sophisticated tones of blue and purple,
color is one of the most powerful layers of the
garden.
2Chapter
34
35
r e f r e s h yo u r g a r de n de s i g n w i t h c o l o r , t e x t u r e & fo r m
h a r m o n y w i t h c o l o r
It’s hard to enjoy your garden when the temperatures outside are soaring. One
way to counter-balance the oppressive heat is to create an illusion of coolness
and tranquility. In an effort to entice visitors to explore the garden, despite the
summer’s heat, refreshing colors such as dark green, icy blue, deep purple and
white as pure as the fallen snow are used to create a visually cooler environment.
An added illusion is one of cool and shady shadows, as a result of the high
contrast (and movement) between the bright silver and the dark green.
The antique water pump is the perfect garden ornament
for this hot bed, representing cool and refreshing water.
The flowers of the ‘Hawkshead’ Fuchsia resemble falling
raindrops.
The deep purple blooms of the Heliotrope add a pop of
refreshing color to the cool tones of this garden bed.
The name of this euphorbia says it best—‘Glacier
Blue’—and further helps to reduce the visual
temperature.
COOlInG DOwn A HOT GArDen
Design spotlight
52
53
r e f r e s h yo u r g a r de n de s i g n w i t h c o l o r , t e x t u r e & fo r m
h a r m o n y w i t h c o l o r
color echoes:
taking it up
a notch
In addition to the practical problem-solving abilities of
color, it’s also one of the easiest ways to begin adding har-
mony back into your garden. When thoughtfully used, color
acts as a beautiful ribbon, weaving throughout the garden
and tying it all together. This is most often accomplished
through the use of color repetition.
The easiest, and perhaps most obvious, way to repeat
color is to use the same plant, mixed in here and there,
throughout the garden. A more creative way to introduce
color repetition throughout the garden, however, is through
the creation of color echoes. In its simplest form, a color
echo is a combination of colors (bold, subtle or a mix of both)
that have elements of one another contained within each of
them.
One of the easiest ways to begin experimenting with
color echoes is by using a combination of plants with flow-
ers within the same, monochromatic color family. However,
it’s just as easy to create a color echo using many different
colors, freeing you of the strict confines of a monochromatic
scheme. Remember, a color echo uses subtle hints of the
same color, not necessarily using only the same color.
The more you experiment with creating color echoes with
flowers, the more you’ll become aware of that flower’s other
sources of color. For example, while the petals of a flower
may be the first (and most obvious) color to come to mind,
look a little deeper, and you may notice other colors coming
from different parts of the flower, such as the flower’s center,
stamens, seed heads or a petal’s subtle shading. These other,
less obvious, colors are a golden opportunity to begin creat-
ing a little visual magic in your garden.
The yellow stripe of the ‘Pinstripe’ petunia pops when
planted next to the bright foliage of Creeping Jenny
(Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’.
Opposite page, top: Close examination of the
coneflower reveals two colors to consider in a color echo:
pink from the petals and burnt orange from the center.
Bottom: The vibrant red stamens of this cold-hardy
Ginger Lily (Hedychium gardnerianum) offer a unique
color echo opportunity.
54
55
r e f r e s h yo u r g a r de n de s i g n w i t h c o l o r , t e x t u r e & fo r m
h a r m o n y w i t h c o l o r
RAVE REVIEWS FOR REFRESH YOUR GARDEN WITH COLOR, TEXTURE & FORM
Rebecca Sweet’s newest book rocketed into the Top #10 books of the gardening category the same month it was published. Gardeners of every skill level find the book helpful, and we know you will too.
Try even one of her many
great ideas for turning a drab
yard into a dazzling landscape
and you’ll be rewarded with
a newfound confidence to go
further. Rebecca’s engaging voice
comes through with positive
encouragement as she shares
years of experience.
—Debra Prinzing, design writer, author of
10 gardening books, and speaker
Rebecca explains how to see
your tired garden through fresh
eyes, to use black-and-white
photos of it to evaluate tone
and texture, and clever ways to
employ color and contrast. This
is a book of “aha!” moments
and reassurances that Eden can
indeed exist beyond any home’s
windows.
—Debra Lee Baldwin, author
I have already read this book twice!
Each chapter gives me insight into
how to look at my garden like a
landscape designer. Every page
gives me amazing information
with beautiful AND instructional
photographs. Reading the book is
like sitting down with a wonderful
designer like Rebecca and going
over every area of my garden.
—Patrice, DIY gardener
ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY AT GARDENERSHUB.COM
After the leaves have fallen,
we return to a plain sense of things.
—WALLACE STEVENS, AMERICAN POET
(1879–1955)
next issue
Look for our winter issue in December 2014, at issuu.com/
horticulture, or sign up for our free
weekly e-newsletter at hortmag.com/
subscribe/enewsletter so we can let you
know when new issues go live. And in the
meantime, join us on social media:
facebook.com/ HorticultureMagazine
pinterest.com/hortmag/
twitter.com/CoHorts