Flowering cherries While the briefness of their glory has to be acknowledged, cherries really are the hardy spring-flowering trees for temperate climate gardens. I can think of no others, apart from their close Prunus relatives and some of the magnolias that even come close to rivalling flowering...
Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep. Taking the time to service your chainsaw will help ensure that your equipment will not let you down. For safety reasons, make sure you only service your chainsaw when it is fully cooled, with the spark plug disconnected. If you...
There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns in traditional Irish legend, so as to how they came to be .. your guess is as good as mine. These apparently aged, diminutive men are hard-working cobblers, turning out exquisite shoes for other sprites. If you happen across...
Twentieth century American architect Phillip Johnson once said, "I hate vacations. If you can build buildings, why sit on the beach?" Mr. Johnson evidently didn't how to relax, but as another summer is slipping away, you can. Did you visit the beach this year? Do you wish you had? Either...
Camellias Named by Linnaeus in 1735 in honour of the Jesuit priest and naturalist Georg Josef Kamel, Camellia is a genus originating mainly from China but with a range covering a large area of South East Asia. The exact number of species is not clear but it is somewhere...
Kirengeshoma palmata Sometimes known as yellow waxbells, Kirengeshoma palmata is a late-flowering rhizomatous perennial up to 1.2m high with arching stems and is native to the woods and mountain lowlands of Korea and the Japanese islands of Shikoku and Kyushu. The unusual name? No, it doesn't come from an...
Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist) is a genus of over 100 species of shrubs and small trees. Although there are four New Zealand native species (colensoi, excorticata, perscandens and procumbens) and one from Tahiti, the vast bulk of the genus occurs in Central and South...
Very soon stocks of new season's roses will be arriving in the garden centres, if they're not already there. Indeed, to be sure of getting the most sought after varieties it may have been necessary to put an order in some time ago. However, in their rush for...
If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly stating their presence with huge, almost artificially perfect flowers, then tuberous begonias are for you. While some may find them rather too overstated, downright brazen even, if you like colour, and plenty of it, with subtlety an option rather than...
Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the universal symbol for the tropics but many are hardy enough for our temperate climate gardens. Until recently New Zealand gardeners have had only a very limited range of palms to choose from. In the last five years the range has...
Think of cyclamen and the chances are that Mothers Day immediately comes to mind, which is something of a pity. Now don't misinterpret me, there's nothing wrong with mothers or with having a day for them, but it does seem a little unfortunate when such beautiful, adaptable and useful plants...
Although it is a member of the Thymelaeaceae, the family that includes the daphnes, it would be hard to imagine a plant less like a daphne at first glance. However, if you are familiar with the deciduous Daphne genkwa, there is some hint of resemblance there. The genus comprises three...
Whether we know it or not, most of us are familiar with the genus Vaccinium as it has among its members several current or potential commercial crops, such as blueberry, cranberry, bilberry and huckleberry. Vaccinium delavayi, however, is strictly ornamental and very unlikely to be our next export success. The...
The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground covers, trees and shrubs that often make superb garden plants. While some of the species are frost-tender, they are in all other respects remarkably resilient plants that often thrive in situations where others would rapidly succumb. Poor soils and hot...
Viburnums are related to the honeysuckles, so it should come as no surprise that many of them have fragrant flowers. But that's not all they have in their favour. No, this genus includes plants for all seasons and all reasons; foliage, flower, autumn colour, scent, groundcover, shrub or small tree,...
Different from any other chair, the Adirondack chair was first...
Parthenocissus tricuspidata is commonly known as Boston Ivy, Cottage Ivy,...
The Quest for SignificancePeople are looking for ways to add...
IntroductionSo you've decided to build your very own backyard water...
You can hear the wailing from here. "Why aren't my...
Quality Dutch tulip bulbs are easy to come by and...
Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think...
Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at...
If you live in an apartment or town home, you...
Landscape lighting can add a beautiful quality to any home....
Bamboo is a mysterious and elusive plant that baffles taxonomists...
Mustard plants have been used for thousands of years for...
Part three in a seriesIn our last article, we helped...
Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep....
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for both...
The technnology secrets will help home owners maintain lawns in...
Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you...
Some might ask, "Why grow Italian vegetable seeds?" Why bother...
When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are...
One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding...
Pruning and deadheading are essential to proper rose care. Alas,...
Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the...
Annuals in your pernnial garden are something to think about!...
Watch out, it's a tillandsia! Have no fear, I said...
The bright yellow flowers of the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)...
Mole control is one of the most complicated problems that...
Is your concrete or asphalt driveway an eyesore? Do you...
These are just a few gardening tips for you to...
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past...
Plant persons and backyard enthusiasts are special people who will...
Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of...
With air and water temperatures dropping in most parts of...
Orchids are beautiful flowers. The interesting thing about orchids is...
Building your own water works system is quite simple and...
Roses are a sign of life and friendship and by...
There is nothing quite as relaxing as a leisurely evening...
Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most...
What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The...
Part four in a seriesIt's hard to think about winter...
Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders...
Can't wait to get back to the garden? Use this...
Creating no dig gardens on top of the soil gives...
Of the many types of materials that are available for...
The garden should be near the house and away from...
Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual...
A few years ago I made the decision to create...
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose...
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers,...
One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly...
Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the...
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