|
Landscaping Shop On-Line
Decorative Arts & Garden Accessories |
DVD NEWS
Page 1 - Page 2
Recipe for Success
When considering an herb garden bed or herb container, remember herbs require well-drained soil. Many herbs enjoy moisture. Lavender and rosemary prefer dry soils that drain quickly after watering or rain. Parsleys, dills and fennels are most vigorous when grown in loose soil that has been amended with organic matter or compost.
For a hearty and easy-to-maintain garden, group herbs by their moisture needs. For instance, plant moisture-loving basil, lemon balm, parsley, cilantro, monarda, tansy and nepeta in one area. Plant the drought-tolerant thymes, sages, lavenders, oreganos and rosemary in another area. Plant mint in a container – to keep it from overtaking the bed!
About once a month during the summer, cut herbs back to encourage new growth and maximize the leaf harvest. If possible, cut herbs in the morning after the dew has dried, but before the hot sun evaporates their essential oils.
Smells Too Good to be True
Add fragrance to your garden by planting a wonderful collection of scented
geraniums. The aromatic oils released by a light touch of the hand or
a gentle rain.
To start your garden, try a few of our favorites.
Fernleaf Pelargonium denticulatum
Rober's Lemon Rose Pelargonium cultivar
Nutmeg Pelargonium fragrans
Little Gem Pelargonium graveolens
Snowflake Rose Pelargonium graveolens
When you are looking for special perennials - visit Windy Hill Plant Farm in Aldie, Virginia. For more information, call Karen at 703.327.4211.
Gardens of Provence, France
Oh la la …When in France, visit the petit jardin in the courtyard of the Musee du Vieil Aix, 17 rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix-en-Provence. The garden is a tiny treasure maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers. I have been fortunate to work with the local gardeners for a few years – trying to create an inspired garden space. The museum garden offers many challenges. It is viewed from the windows of the museum on all levels, the weather is harsh – with periods of drought, heavy rain, intense heat and sun and funds for plant material and garden maintenance are limited.
|
Let us know your jardin favorites via e-mail at dvogt@dvdesigns.com. For directions to Chateau Val-Joanis, visit their site via our Links page. |
Cost, Detail, Quality
Your landscaping is probably the quietest element in your home and property. It may not be apparent immediately how the development and design of a landscape detracts from or adds to the value of your home and way of life, but it does have impact. The Washington Post featured a terrific article, "Selling a House By the Yard," (May 15, 1999, Real Estate). The article gives practical information on the scope and costs involved in typical landscape requests in the Washington metro area. The information is particularly helpful to those who may be relocating from other parts of the United States and world.
Pet Owners and Harmful Plants
|
If you have pets, please read on. Plants provide us with beauty and enjoyment, but some can also cause major problems for your pets. According to Dr. William Buck, director of the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, "a lot of ornamental plants have irritating sap that will cause an animal to salivate or maybe vomit and have diarrhea." Plants like the hibiscus and those in the Easter lily family may be very harmful to pets. Two or three days after cats have eaten a few leaves of a Tiger lily or Easter lily, they will go into renal failure. After ingesting hibiscus, a dog will vomit persistently, may vomit blood and have bloody diarrhea. "The loss of body fluid may be severe enough to be lethal in some cases," Dr. Buck cautions. Holly berries are another plant that is generally toxic to pets. Just a few berries ingested by a pet will cause it to vomit, have diarrhea, and become generally depressed. Mistletoe also causes digestive system upset as well as irregular heartbeats and possibly cardiac shock. Plants in the nightshade family, such as European bittersweet and black nightshade, are more erratic in their toxicity. In some individual animals it may cause digestive problems, confusion, weakness, sleepiness, depression, and decreased heart rate, but plants of the nightshade family don't affect all animals alike. Common houseplants, like philodendron and dieffenbachia (dumb cane) contain oxalate crystals that cause the animal's mucous membranes to swell, making the animal unable to eat. "Although catnip isn't generally toxic to pets, owners should guard against giving too much of the fresh plant to cats. This plant causes hyper-stimulation to the central nervous system and the cat can injure itself," notes Dr. Buck. However, the dried form usually won't cause problems for your pet. Cats may chew on plants as a form of entertainment if they are bored. One safe release for their boredom is to plant lawn grass in a pot for them. The grass isn't harmful, and cats may also enjoy digging in the dirt. If your pet does eat something that is poisonous, call your veterinarian immediately. (This helpful information was prepared by Linda March.) |
Copyright © 2000-2006 Denise Vogt Designs Interiors & Landscape LLC All Rights Reserved.