Author: zboy

Traditional gardens are beautiful and offer a space for tranquility and peace. If you don’t have the space for a lavish garden you can place or hang containers to create a green house effect throughout your indoor and outdoor spaces.  I use containers on my patio and anywhere the sun shines throughout my home.  Being surrounded by fragrant flowers allows us to sync with nature.  Below I have listed my favorite container flowers.  They should be started in spring and will bring joy and happiness until late fall.

Nasturtium

Pansy

Petunia

Geraniums

Lantana

Our featured flower of the month is the Canna Lily.  The beauty of this flower can be overwhelming.   Bulbs flourish into plush foliage with tropical elements with Cannas coming in a multitude of varieties and colors.  They share similar characteristics with gladiolus as their bulbs can be harvested in fall and stowed until next season.  Cannas are easy to grow and belong on the sunny side of your garden. They can thrive in summer heat and are not bothered by insects.  I plant Canna Lily bulbs 4 inches deep and 18 to 24 inches apart for blooms that will amaze from late summer until early fall.  Cheers

You have got to love it when a plan comes together!  At the end of every season, my thoughts begin to shift towards next seasons blooms.  I calculate the results of the previous season and look for new ways to improve.   I select my seed vendor and before I place my order I give careful consideration to the growing conditions in my region.  This year I have decided to plant a mixed variety of annuals and perennials.  I will start several plants indoors under grow lights during the winter months, move them to the green house and wait to plant after the last frost.  Cheers

Admired for centuries, the rose is a worldwide favorite and the undeniable champion of flowers.  The rose is a member of the Rosaceae family with over 100 species and thousands of cultivars. The beauty of the rose lifts the soul and spirit with numerous colors and fragrances which are second to none.  The rose comes in a multitude of varieties and forms ranging from ground covering shrubs to climbers.  Contrary to myth, growing roses does not have to be difficult.  Check with your local garden shop to purchase hybrids developed for specific climates and hardiness. Cheers

Winter is often a time for reflection.  As I ponder the events of last season my thoughts give way to plans for next season’s blooms.  It is time to place seed orders.  I give careful consideration to soil requirements, climate conditions and the amount of light in my garden. Paying attention to these criteria will increase my odds of having a successful growing season.

Here is a list of cut flower varieties that I am currently contemplating and would like to share for this coming spring.  Cheers!

Sunflowers

Zinnias

Statice

Cosmos

Strawflower

Magically reappearing year after year throughout my garden is our featured flower of the month CandyTuft.  CandyTuft, (Iberis umbellata) resemble mini umbrellas in your garden. They come in a variety of colors and are dwarfed in size.  Colors of pink, lavender, red and white appear at ground level.  These tender perennials are often grown as annuals and are popular in spring because they flower quickly.  CandyTufts add an old fashion aura of enchantment making them a wonderful addition to many wild flower mixes. I start seeds early in spring in fertile soil for blooms that should appear throughout summer.  Cheers

We wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2018!

Cheers

Zinnia Boy

One of my favorite beneficial insects is the Ladybug.  When I notice Ladybugs in my garden I know good things are happening.  The Hippodamia Convergens will consume numerous varieties of soft bodied bugs including over 5,000 aphids during their one year life span allowing your garden crops to thrive without the use of pesticides.  I tend to notice these magnificent creatures in mid to early spring.  Cheers

Fall has come and will soon give way to winter.   Fall has provided a spectacular array of colors and many souls have taken the trek into the high country to capture a view of changing Aspen and other foliage.  Tons of leaves are shed by trees every year. We rake and place them into bags only to have them hauled away to landfills then spend money the following season for fertilizer when we could have used what was given to us by nature.  Use these fallen bits of treasure to make compost!  Leaves will break down creating nutrients for your soil.  I prefer waiting until most leaves have fallen then scatter them on flower beds and over the winter they will break down adding nutrients to your soil supporting another season of beauty.   Cheers

A true indicator of spring is our featured flower of the month, the Viola.  Viola is a perennial favorite that suddenly appears in the shaded areas of other summer flowers. It is also known as Johnny – Jump Up and is capable of blooming in all four seasons due to its hardiness and ability to self- sow.  Lovely tri-colored blooms in white, purple and yellow sparkle in the low level areas of your garden’s floor. I start seeding  in spring using rich soil.  The flowers produce a surprise along with a smile for seasons to come.  Cheers