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Hi everyone

Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:

Topiary

QUOTE: I don't know whether nice people tend to grow roses or growing roses makes people nice.
- Roland A Beowne

Topiary can be a lot of fun if you have an imagination and some patience.

Topiary is the art of shaping trees and shrubs into shapes of all types and sizes.

There have been some quite outstanding topiary shapes created by garden artists over the years and many people get pleasure from practicing this art in home gardens across the country.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html

While it is not quite as popular as it once was it is still something that can create a focal point in any garden and is an alternative to other forms of garden sculpture.

If you decide to try your hand at topiary you will need to have the right plants for the job.

The best plants to use are those that are evergreen.  The plants should also have small leaves and the foliage should be as dense as possible to make shaping easier and the final result will look more professional.

From there it is time to start shaping the plant using your cutting shears.

As this is generally done freehand it can take some time to get the experience needed to create even lines and curves.  Until you have the experience to do this, many people use shaped wires to assist as a guide.

You will need to be patient and only cut off small amounts while you let the shape develop, as a cut too large will result in delays while the plant grows back again.

There is an alternative method that some people use in their garden where the shape is already determined by the use of a wire cage and plants such as ivy are left to grow over the wire giving the impression that it is topiary.

This is the easy alternative but you will have to wait for the ivy to completely cover the cage before you have the desired effect.  The benefit of using this method is the fact that you have a lot more control over the shape of the structure and there is less skill involved other than creating the wire cage.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html

Thanks,
Annie
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com

Question: I am getting married in September of this year and would like to grow several small topiaries to use as decorations. Is it too late to grow a simple globe shape topiary by September? Can you suggest a plant species which will …

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Flowers come in many shapes and colors, this way you have many choices to choose from to make the arrangement you want. Once the flower is cut the life expectancy is not very long, you can use tricks like aspirin in the water to keep …

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Gardeners come in all shapes and sizes, and just like plants, the earlier you start to nurture them, the more productive they become!

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You’ll find them in all shapes and designs at your local gardening store. They are usually red, but can be painted any color or add your own masterpiece to the pot. Terra cotta has two (rustic) looks. One: You leave them alone and let …

Source: Jennifer

Palm trees are an important part of Florida’s tropical appearance. Favorable climatic conditions allow for the successful culture of many different species. They come in many sizes and shapes, varying from large majestic trees to small …

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Hi everyone

Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:

Pruning

QUOTE: When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.
- Ken Druse

Most plants will remain healthier and stronger if they are pruned occasionally.

Trees will bear more fruit if they are pruned and plants such as roses will have more blossoms and not become 'woody' if they are pruned correctly.

Bushes and hedges can also benefit from pruning as this can reduce or eliminate the possibility of diseases and problems with pests.

By removing the old growth you will allow new growth to flourish as new shoots are allowed to come through.

For many people pruning is a hobby or an art form where they can create interesting shapes with their plants.  This is made easier when done on plants that have smaller more tightly bunched leaves.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html

For most of us however pruning is all about controlling and improving the health and condition of our plants.  By removing the dead wood and those parts of the plants that are struggling to survive we are allowing the nutrients to be used better by the rest of the plant.

You should always use sharp pruning shears to ensure you make clean cuts.  Look for areas of plants that show signs of fungal infection and remove those first.

You can thin out plants to allow more air to flow through them by reducing the incidence of fungus and rot.

Topping trees and trimming hedges will help them to 'thicken out' with more lush foliage and stop them getting 'woody'

Some plants thrive better when they get regular pruning while helping to maintain their shape and condition.

With summer plants it is best to prune them in the winter when they are dormant.  If by chance they flower early the pruning should be left until after they have flowered.

The more pruning you do the more you will get a feel for what is required but if in doubt seek the advice of a garden professional.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/gardencenter.html

Thanks,
Annie
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com

Hi everyone

Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:

Succulents

QUOTE: In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.
My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.
The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.
- Abram L. Urban

To ensure that your succulents get the very best in growing conditions, particularly if you are growing them in pots, you will need to buy good quality specially formulated succulent mix.  This is generally the same type mix that you would also use for growing cacti.

Slow release fertilizer will help them to remain healthier by supplying them with necessary nutrients throughout the year and the best time to give them this fertilizer is in spring.

They will grow better when exposed to the full sun as they don't like frosts.  Over the summer months you will need to give them sufficient water and that will generally be once or twice a week.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/plants.html

Over the winter months they should get enough water to only need watering once a month.  Obviously you will need to adjust this depending on the climate they are growing in but that is a general guideline to follow.

When you water your succulents you should avoid wetting their foliage.

They are fairly maintenance free and can add color to pots where you are growing larger trees.  They also make a nice looking ground cover that will reduce the amount of weeds depending on the type of succulent you choose.

Placed in multi colored pots, succulents can look quite impressive with contrasting colors in designer gardens and courtyards.

They are excellent for smaller pots where they can add color and life to patios and decks provided they get sufficient sunlight.

They make an ideal plant for the busy apartment dweller where there is only minimal outdoor area and not enough room for larger plants.

They can also withstand winds that might damage other plants grown in these conditions.  They are the ideal plant to have in window boxes and come in many different varieties, colors, shapes and sizes.

Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com/plants.html

Thanks,
Annie
http://blog.mygardeninghome.com

Hi everyone

Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:

"Bonsai", the art of growing and designing miniature trees.

Bonsai is something that requires quite a lot of patience on your behalf as well as a little bit of knowledge. It actually not as difficult as you might think. In this week's Gardening Weekly we are going to have a look at 4 things you should know that will get you well on your way.

Bonsai Are Not Houseplants.

The majority of bonsai are actually outdoor plants and should remain outdoors all year long. Of course, just because they should be outside for the most part does not mean that they cannot be brought indoors briefly so they can be enjoyed there too. Bonsai are temperate climate plants that actually require a period of dormancy. Why? Well it is actually a survival strategy that temperate climate species have evolved to stay alive during the winter months. They cleverly have an internal clock that tells them when they should slow down their growth activity. They can therefore survive pretty extreme and cold temperatures. The home bonsai artist will therefore need a place your bonsai outside.

You Must "Train" Your Bonsai.

Bonsai don't just end up in those wonderful shapes by themselves, they have to be "trained" through a number of different techniques. This can be accomplished through manipulating the trunk and branches through pruning and wiring. This is where the heart of the bonsai artistry resides. To make mistakes in this area of training could lead to catostrophic results. Don't be disheartened though, because with some correct, simple training and time anyone can learn how to correctly train their bonsai.

Bonsai Must be Watered And Fed.

Bonsai are no different to any other plant life, they require three things to survive: sun, food and water. Assuming your bonsai resides primarily outside, as the bonsai artist, your primary concern is to feed and water your trees. Feeding your bonsai with the proper nutrients and trace elements is crucial to promote the proper and healthy growth. Like most plants, there is a right and a wrong way to water and this is probably the most common mistake made by beginners. Again, with the proper teaching resource, whether that is a Master Bonsai artist or a reputable how to book, anyone can easily learn how to properly care for their bonsai.

Be Patient, Bonsai Require Time.

You must remember that growing bonsai is truly an art form. For many first time bonsai artists think that "owning' a bonsai is what it is all about. Don't be fooled, this is not what bonsai is all about. It is about the enjoyment of caring for the bonsai and ultimately their creation. This takes time. As an aspiring bonsai artist you will need time to learn how to properly care for and train your tree, but you must also have the time to see it come to fruition. Bonsai are not created over night. A typical bonsai may not even be placed into a bonsai pot until after a few years of training. Don't rush the process, enjoy it! It's more about the journey than the destination.

For a great way to learn more about the truly wonderful world bonsai, take a look at our page at Bonsai Gardening Secrets.

Watch Out For Your Next Gardening Weekly Entitled:

Growing Orchids In The Home

Bye for now!

The My Gardening Home Blog Team

Designing and managing a landscape garden involves taking a multitude of decisions.  Let's look at a few important aspects:

Landscape Gardening: Designer Art

Everyone knows landscape gardening includes planting some flowers and maybe creating a walkway.  But did you know it is a form of designer art?  Landscape gardening is a process of matching garden and yard styles to the
house and your unique persona.  It is creating a masterpiece that will evoke a mood when you look upon the final product.  Like gazing at a classic painting, viewing a finished and well thought out landscape gardening project is powerful and pleasing. It is an experience for the mind, the body and the soul.

Driven By Purpose

Any major project requires planning.   A painter must determine why a picture is being painted, because the purpose drives the perspective.  Landscape gardening is no different, it requires the same forethought.   Functionality must be considered when landscape gardening.  Designing a landscape for privacy may result in a significantly different plan than one created for simple viewing of beauty.  The primary purpose of the project is set and everything is planned around that purpose.  The very first question is whether the project is for business or personal purposes?  Is it primarily for your own enjoyment?  Perhaps viewing, recreation, to add value to the house or to provide sunblock?  These are questions that have to be asked first and the answers will drive the planning stages of the landscape gardening project.

Stylish Accommodation

Deciding what style to use in your landscape gardening plan is a major decision.  There are many choices. Landscape gardening styles accommodate every kind of personality, house, neighborhood or business.  There are basic styles that should first be considered.  The final product may be a combination of several styles.  For example: 

• Traditional and orderly shapes and patterns, such as straight walkways and square flowerbeds, characterize a Formal Garden.
• An informal garden is more likely to have rounded plant beds, meandering walkways and an array of plants and flowers not necessarily typical of a traditional garden.
• The English Garden is very formal and has certain characteristics such as raised flowerbeds and the expectation of certain plants, such as roses.  
• Landscaping gardening in this style is structured around the type of enhance the house or building on the property.
• The Oriental Garden is also very formal but in a different way.  It has plants and flowers normally seen in the occidental countries such as Japan.  It has a pattern of simple lines and stark form, but carries a beauty unique
• to its origins.
• The Woodland Garden is a natural looking garden that frequently blends into the surrounding environment.  Often, this type of garden has plants and flowers indigenous to the area where the landscape gardening will take place.

Feng Shui

Feng Shui is the arrangement of objects in your life in a way to attract and enhance life energy.  Landscape gardening can be considered as one form of Feng Shui for the natural world.  By defining the purpose of your landscape project and then matching the style to that purpose, Feng Shui is created.  The result is a vista out
your back window that can energize or soothe or excite, depending upon the mood created with your planning.

The Gardener