Page 50, Visions Magazine, April 2014
Wildflowers
A bird’s eye takes up about 50 percent of its head our eyes take up about 5 percent of our head...
in mid-spring; can naturalize and form breath-taking large patches
(Continued from page 20) succulent with showy white Meehania – a non-invasive springtime flowers, will spread creeping mint with large lavbetween rocks or pavers ender, spring flowers, perfect for wandering beneath taller Hardy Geranium – tougher plants than nails, clumper with bright purple-magenta spring flow- Gardening with native plants ers, tolerates dry shade but has become very popular for thrives with more moisture many reasons. There are plenty of very attractive and Yellowroot – woody peren- useful garden plants that hapnial, forms 2 foot tall spread- pen to be native and adding ing open ground-cover with natives helps the environment, fern-like leaves and delicate increases biodiversity, and purple flowers, very tough attracts wildlife. But whatever once established your particular motivation may be, be sure that you obtain Shade, Moist your plants from reputable Trillium – beautiful three- sources that do not deal in leaved spring wildflowers so wild collected plants. Wild typical of our moist woods with collecting is responsible for white, yellow, or deep maroon the decimation of many wild flowers mostly; ONLY plant populations and many unnursery propagated plants! happy customers who find Jack in the Pulpit – curi- that their plants die or do not ous brown, white, and green perform well. Buy from nursstriped flowers with 3 parted eries like Sunlight Gardens leaves will grow larger over who has been growing their the years; all children love to own natives for over 25 years see these and who has decades of experience using them in landBleeding Hearts – rose pink scapes. These experts can hearts dangle over blue-green help you create the beautiful fern like foliage, will flower gardens you want. spring, summer, and fall if kept About the author... deadheaded Andrea Sessions is owner Shooting Stars – clusters of Sunlight Gardens here in of pure white flowers each Anderson County. Visit Sunresembling shooting stars, light Gardens online at www. rise from lettuce like clumps sunlightgardens.com
Grows (Continued from page 12) bells and fan flower. Beware
of garden thugs that will outgrown the pot and compete for precious root space by midsummer. Matching containers flanking an entrance create a symmetrical/ formal type of design. A grouping of three pots of varying size on one side is more informal. Both design styles accentuate your home’s
entrance and give guests their first taste of welcome .If you like an eclectic feel consider using some out-of -the-ordinary containers such as vintage grills, leaky watering cans, poultry feeders, or even the husband’s old boots. An old Weber grill painted lime green or orange and planted with herbs could easily make each and every cookout memorable , especially as you pick and use the herbs while cooking! A chair seat or old wrought iron table planted with sedums is a delightful discovery among the traditional patio furniture. A planted watering can ( holes drilled in bottom) could drip with flowering annuals.
Are you ready to plant your Party In A Pot? Let’s put a pot where we need a dash of color, a handy herb supply, a visual screen for privacy. Container gardening works for people of all ages too. Children delight in growing picking strawberries from their own little pot. Busy parents enjoy this less time consuming form of gardening. Retirees will appreciate the less physical demands of planting a pot. Start this Spring with your new pot of joy!
About the author... Chris has been in the horticultural industry since her first job at a garden center at age sixteen. She received her degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape design from UT and has been on staff at Willow Ridge Garden Center in Oak Ridge for the past twenty years she will be a certified garden geek till she dies!