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The common name of the perennial flower Rehmannia is Chinese Foxgloves, because the tubular flowers bear a resemblance to Digitalis. They do well in shade, even dry shade. And these foxgloves, although not as hardy as digitalis, …
Source: unknown
This tree I am standing beside was the costliest of them all at the Chinese Garden in Portland. There were far larger ones, older, more venerable from the “back 40’s” of various nurseries and even some trees taken from the Highways …
Source: Steve
Can there be any element in nature that is as simultaneously soothing and dramatic as water? Most people love to hear the roar of a waterfall, water crashing onto the shore or over rocks or splashing in a fountain, even the gentle murmuring noise of a babbling brook. People love to see the sparkle of sunlight on falling water as it makes each droplet a tiny prism, the rippling effect of the wind across the surface of a pool, and the reflections cast by still water when there is hardly a breeze.
Because of these and many other reasons, water gardening is one of the most challenging and rewarding forms of horticulture. Even though as far as modern horticulture is concerned water gardening is a relatively new art, the practice does in fact go back far longer in history. In fact, the ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well as the rulers of Arabia and China all used water gardening to beautify their homes, palaces, places of worship and important public places. They cultivated exotic plants and sometimes stocked their pools with beautifully coloured fish. The attraction of water is timeless.
But of course, in those days long ago, only the very rich of society could afford to enjoy water gardens. And you can be pretty sure they didn't do any of the work either. Slaves would usually be the ones working in the gardens, water or otherwise. Such work would have frequently involved hauling great quantities of water. In those hot countries there wouldn't always be a natural spring to keep the fountain flowing in the master's cool, shady courtyard.
However, thanks to modern technology, a far greater number of people can share the pleasures of water gardening and it isn't such hard work. Most people, of course, cannot replicate the grand water gardens of a Roman or a Chinese Emperor, but they can have a garden on a less ostentatious scale that is just as beautiful and provides an equal measure of joy.
A water garden can take on many different forms. You can build it around or adjacent to a naturally occurring wet area on your property, such as a spring, brook or marsh. Or you can use an artificially constructed pool or fountain as the focal point of your water garden. You can adorn your water garden from a vast array of flowers, shrubs and trees. You can also have an aesthetically pleasing water garden that has no plants at all. You can add fish to your pool if you desire. Or you can attract birds, butterflies and other living things to your water garden by the selection of certain species of flora or the placing of feeders. You can decorate your water garden with statuary, or enhance it with stonework. Whatever you choose, a water garden will provide you with the means to be at your creative best, and a place of tranquil beauty for you to enjoy.
The Gardener
Question: Are broccoli raab, rapini, Chinese rape, and rapeseed all the same thing? I have come across each in recipes and don't know if they are interchangeable. Answer: There are many variations of these members of the Brassica, …
Source: unknown
One of the great rewards of gardening is flower arrangements. Plant flowers and foliage that produce the look you love. Try exotic looks with anthurium or gingers and cast iron. Practice the ancient Chinese principle using only 2 …
Source: mkwestmark@wakulla.com
For cash strapped apartment dwellers, a new form of miniature garden combines Japanese bonsai and Chinese penjing into a new American art. Two Green Thumbs Garden Center creates this fun and… [[ This is a content summary only. …
Source: Maureen Gilmer
The art of training the bonsai tree has been enjoyed for ages, and can make for quite the enjoyable and rewarding hobby. In fact, early forms of this practice actually began over a thousand years ago, when the Chinese started growing …
Source: dickblur
Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Testing the pH of your soil
QUOTE: The rose has thorns only for those who would gather it.
- Chinese Proverb
It is easy to test the pH of the soil in your garden with the use of a simple and inexpensive test kit. All you need to do with the test kit is take a sample of the soil and mix it with water and then compare the results in the sample to the colors on the chart. This will tell you whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.
If the soil is too acidic you can add lime to bring it back into balance. If on the other hand there is too much lime and the pH reading is high you can add more compost to reduce the levels of the lime in the soil.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html
Soil that is slightly acidic tends to be more fertile.
Old gardeners used to use a simple taste test to determine the condition of the soil. This method isn't recommended but it can be quite accurate.
If the soil tastes sour then it is likely to be acid. This is also represented by a sour smell.
Vinegar is another way to test whether there is enough lime in the soil, as lime will cause the vinegar to bubble.
Drop some soil into a cup of vinegar and if it starts to bubble then you know there is enough lime in the soil.
For the low cost of a pH tester, you will get a lot more accurate reading and this will allow you to easily monitor the condition of your soils and adjust the nutrients accordingly rather than guessing what is needed and not having optimum nutrition.
You should also take samples at different points throughout your garden, as there can be changes in the soil from one area to the next depending on what has been added over the years and what has been growing in the various sections of the garden.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html
Thanks,
Annie
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com
Hello everyone
Hope you are all well and have been able to get out into the garden recently!
Anyway, I've found a few more help tips that I thought you might be interested in, so here you go……
Question - Kiwi Fruit. Can You Recommend One For My Garden?
Answer - One of the most reliable kiwi fruits (Chinese Gooseberry) is a self-fertile variety called "Jenny". It is a vigorous deciduous climber and has creamy-white flowers in the summer, as well as decorative leaves and sweet tasting green brown walnut sized fruits in the early fall (autumn). It should be trained against a sunny, south-west facing wall sheltered from strong winds using horizontal wires (15ft in length) to support the stems. During the growing season, keep the ground moist in dry weather and remove all weeds. In cold gardens , this plant can be raised inside a greenhouse. Use a large container filled with No.3 compost.
Question - Is there a miniature Gunnera I can use as "gunnera manicata" is far too big for my bog garden?
Answer - Gunnera manicata is an enormous, moisture loving perennial with architectural, rhubarb like leaves that can be up to 5ft across and chunky cone shaped flowers spikes in he summer. Fortunately, there is a much smaller species called "G mgellanica". This perennial has a low, creeping habit and produces a display of dark, kidney shaped leaves, as well as panicles of small green flowers followed by orange-red fruits. It reaches a height of about 6in with a 12in spread. For the best results, position the plant in a semi-shaded area and a damp, fertile soil and a bog garden is ideal.
Bye for now!
The Gardener
