Publication: Garden Guides
Variegated Foliage | |
Subscribe FREE to Garden Guides by clicking here.
GardenGuides Newsletter
August 29, 2006
------------------------------------------------------------
The #1 DVD Rental Site Just Got Even Better...
Check out NetFlix and see why now is the time to join:
- Only $5.99 a month. - No Late Fees.
- Over 65,000 Titles. - Free Trial.
And of course shipping is always free both ways. Get more
info and browse the more than 60,000 titles by visiting:
check out NetFlix
------------------------------------------------------------
You can discuss this issue or any other topic in the new
Garden Guides forum. Check it out here...
Garden Guides Forum
------------------------------------------------------------
Alternatives to Pesticides and Chemicals
* When used incorrectly, pesticides can pollute water. They
also kill beneficial as well as harmful insects. Natural
alternatives prevent both of these events from occurring and
save you money.
* Consider using natural alternatives for chemical pesti-
cides: Non-detergent insecticidal soaps, garlic, hot pepper
sprays, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water, used
dishwater, or forceful stream of water to dislodge insects.
* Also consider using plants that naturally repel insects.
These plants have their own chemical defense systems, and
when planted among flowers and vegetables, they help keep
unwanted insects away. The table below contains a partial
list of nature's alternatives.
[www.nrcs.usda.gov]
------------------------------------------------------------
------- Are You A Diabetic? --------
Now is your chance to save hundreds of dollars per year on
diabetic supplies. Approximately 1 in 5 people who fill out
this survey will be contacted about saving money on their
supplies. Will you be one of them? Additionally, you will get
a free subscription to the Diabetic Digest, a bi-monthly,
cutting edge e-zine offering the latest information and
research on the cure for this disease. Visit:
Diabetic Survey
------------------------------------------------------------
Variegated Foliage Can Set Your Garden Apart
By Kate Jerome
Color ... it's what we all want in a garden, right? But in
spite of the amazing array of flower colors, an aspect that
we don't always plan for is the color of foliage. Japanese
gardens take the concept of designing a garden with only
foliage to extremes, beautiful extremes. Their meditative
gardens have only shades and tones of green. This gives the
garden a refined air that lends itself to contemplation and
quiet.
Green foliage actually comes in all shades -- from the kelly
green of asters and woodland tobacco -- to the chartreuse of
sweet potato vine and golden moneywort; from the blue-green
of English ivy and baptisia to the gray-green of yarrow.
Each makes a different statement, and combinations of shades
of green with varying textures make beautiful statements.
White, the most versatile color of all, blends other colors
and lightens the garden while tying together garden areas,
softening strong colors, and leading the gaze from one area
to another. Variegated foliage is a natural white element to
do this with, and brightly variegated foliage often gives
the appearance of a floral display. Picture a green and
white caladium; it almost looks like flowers in the shade!
Variegated foliage brightens and lightens a shady area.
Variegated plants are generally used as focal points, so
keep this in mind when designing your garden. Mixing a lot
of different plants with variegated leaves creates a jumble
that isn't soothing. A foundation planting of all variegated
plants would be confusing to the eye, and frankly, have just
too much energy to enjoy.
Keep in mind that plants with white variegation do quite
well in shade, although they will be slower growing than in
sun. Plants with yellow variegation do best in sun as they
tend to fade in shade.
There is also an amazing range of plants with red and purple
foliage, very much in demand by gardeners. Red foliage tends
to make an area recede, and gives a rich subtlety to the
garden. It is spectacular in contrast to bright green or
silvery foliage.
------------------------------------------------------------
Protect Patios, Picnics & Backyards
The Beehive Wasp Trap is Irresistible to Wasps
The Beehive Wasp Trap lures yellow jackets, wasps, bees and
other stinging, dangerous insects with its bright yellow
color. Add sugar water to make the trap irresistible and
once pests are inside, there is no escape! Fully reusable
these traps are available for $4.99. Or save on two or more
for just $3.99 each. To order, visit:
Beehive Wasp Trap
------------------------------------------------------------
Try These
I've listed a few plants with variegated foliage below, but
the sky's the limit!
Caladium; wide range from green and white to pink and gray
Daphne 'Carol Mackie' -- green with yellow
Hosta 'Francis Williams' -- blue-green with chartreuse
streaks (there are hundreds of other hostas with all manner
of color and texture)
Hosta 'Big Blue' -- deep blue
Japanese painted fern -- silvers, pinks, whites, and grays
Pulmonaria 'Milky Way' -- bright green with silvery spots
Red smokebush -- coppery-red
Red-leaved rose -- maroon
Red-leaved grapevine
Red-leaved Polygonum
Indiancurrant coralberry -- matte blue
Variegated aralia -- large tropical leaves with silvery
streaking
Variegated Japanese kerria -- bright kerria with white
streaks
Variegated Japanese sedge grass -- deep green with silvery
margins
Variegated red dogwood -- gray-green with cream
-----------------------------------------------------------
GopherCentral's Question of the Week
Do you agree with Mike Gallagher (Fox News) that airports
institute a "Muslims Only" security line?
Question of the Week
-----------------------------------------------------------
Visit the ARCHIVES:
Garden Guide Archives
***********************************************************
More Fun and Amusements by email: F-R-E-E Newsletters
************************************************************
END OF GARDENGUIDES
Copyright 2006 by NextEra Media. All rights reserved.
 E-Mail this issue
Subscribe FREE to Garden Guides by clicking here.
|