Mind the gap! Amateur Gardening reveals five reliable pick-me-ups to bridge the gaps in your August garden, taking you from high summer into autumn…
Fill that flowerless hole in the border with something that’s going to keep the colour coming right through to autumn. You should be able to pick these plants up from garden centres, or see individual suppliers listed.
1. CAPE DAISIES
Sunlight is vital to the performance of osteospermum. They’ll survive most winters as long as you can ensure they’re grown in gritty, free-draining soil. These low-growers are best at the front of borders.
Recommended varieties: ‘Buttermilk’, ‘Hopleys’, ‘Falling Stars’.
2.RUDBECKIA
Black-eyed Susan doesn’t do much until late summer, so either add individual plants to borders or plant in containers that can be moved into key positions at the right time. Plants tolerate some shade and hate drying out. Divide perennials in late autumn or spring.
Recommended varieties: ‘Indian Summer’ (annual), ‘Herbstonne’ (perennial) ‘Goldsturm’ (perennial)
3.DAHLIAS
Leave in their pots and plunge into the border, planting singly or in threes. Tall plants may need support from carefully placed bamboo canes. Dead-head regularly. Lift plants before the frosts strike, storing the tubers somewhere dark and dry for the winter.
Recommended varieties: ‘Blackberry Ripple’, ‘Bishop of Llandaff’, ‘Jescot Julie’, ‘Marston Velvet’
4.NANDINA
The heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is really quite special. The species has the most attractive leaves, but bear in mind that it’ll reach 5ft (1.5m) after 10 years. Nandina prefers a sheltered spot in full sun and may need some protection in hard winters.
5.CANNAS
Like dahlias, cannas need to be lifted before the first frosts, or the fleshy stems stand no chance of surviving. However, cannas are best treated as annuals as their performance wanes after the first year. They need rich, moist soil – water well during dry spells.
Recommended: ‘Alaska’ (white), ‘Brilliant’ (red), ‘Lenape’ red spots on yellow, ‘Lucifer’ (yellow-edged red)
America is home to some of the most beautiful sights on the planet, from teetering skyscrapers to wildflower meadows and glacier-filled national parks. Here we take a virtual tour of the USA’s most stunning sights, so you can travel America from your armchair.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches across the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, and has been the subject of country songs, the star of movies and the muse for many a painting. Mountains, old-growth forest, wildflower meadows and waterfalls make up the preserve’s great expanse, where American black bears, elk and bobcats roam free.
It’s easy to see how this stunning state park earned its name. Fiery sandstone formations, spread out across more than 40,000 acres, are colored orange-red and splashed with bands of pink, creamy white and gray. Evidence of settlement here dates back millennia and the park contains striking petroglyphs from more than 2,000 years ago.
The Mars-like landscape of Monument Valley is one of the most famous images of the USA. Sitting astride the Utah-Arizona border, the desert area, part of the Navajo Nation reservation, is studded with towering buttes and shard-like pinnacles. The most famous formations are the East and West Mitten Buttes, which both rise to more than 6,000 feet (1,829m).
This fabled natural wonder needs little introduction. The canyon, carved out by the Colorado River over millions of years, plunges a mile (1.6km) deep and stretches on for some 277 river miles (446km). It’s a picture of burnt red bluffs, broken up with bands of green, pink and orange. Bighorn sheep, mountain lions and elk call this rocky expanse home.
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I have found that successful people and specifically successful women have certain defining characteristics.
Let’s take a look at some of these telltale signs of successful women.
Successful women are self-aware
Successful women are self-aware. They are in tune with the inner workings of their minds, their strengths, and weaknesses. They know what they are capable of.
Success women have goals
Success requires goals. How else would you know what you are working towards? Successful women set up goals that drive well-placed actions. They implement SMART GOALS. Success requires well-thought action plans. Goals help you forge a path toward something. A successful woman formulates her goals and works on them. She sees them through.
Successful women write things down
Think for example how many times you go to the store without your list and you come home with a basket full of things you didn’t mean to buy? But you forgot the one thing you were going to buy. Okay, maybe I am the only one.
They keep distractions to a minimum
We are living in one of the most distracting times in human history. While technology has opened up the world of communication, distractions have also become part of our daily lives.
They are always learning
Successful women never stop learning. They are life long learners. They know they need for learning because life is not static. Business practices are not static.
Do you see these habits in you ? Read all 21 habits that make some women more successful than other women. You might be surprised to learn that’s it not rocket science, not being lucky, or not being born with a silver spoon. These are realistically possible habits to start that can define what success means to you, and help you achieve it. Check it out:
These are perfect for those areas that only get a few morning rays of sun. Keep them watered (but not soggy) and you’ll have another perennial plant that will come back year after year. Varieties of pink, white, and purple flowers will add some gorgeous color to your shady yard.
Facts about Astilbe
Zones 3-8
Perennial
Large feathery blooms in shades of white, pink, red, and purple
Perfect shade plant companion for Hostas
Needs well drained, fertilized soil for ideal growth
Wide varieties from compact (12″) to over 5 feet
Caladium
Easy care (especially if you live in a warm climate), Caladiums have bright, big, showy leaves and they thrive in shade. These are a good choice for inexperienced gardeners (or black thumb peeps like me). If you start them when the soil is warm, you’ll have a perfect shade plant year after year.
They have vibrant hues of pink, green, white and mixed varieties. And for all you hot climate living gardeners, these are perfect for you!
Caladium Facts
Ideal for hot weather climates (perennials in zones 9 or higher)
Prefers shade and humidity
Does not like soggy soil
Can be grown as houseplants
Prefers and thrives in soil temps over 70 degrees
Primrose
These are part shade perennials that can thrive in warmer climates year after year. I’ve never actually grown these so I don’t have any personal experience, but it appears that you can buy seed packets of varying colors and have a brilliant display of color in your garden for years!
On my to do list for sure! You can grow them from seed or purchase plants from a garden center.
And one other plus about these is they are deer resistant. Nothing worse than walking outside to discover the deer feasted on all your gorgeous flowers all night.
Primrose Facts
Perennials
Zones 4-9
Doesn’t grow large, so ideal for borders – they grow about 4-18 inches wide and 6-12 inches high
They can thrive in the heat as long as you keep them watered
Primrose do best in soil that is enriched with organic matter
Ferns
If you’ve ever been hiking through the woods or in a shady park, no doubt you’ve seen ferns hanging around. There are tons of varieties of ferns that will love your shady areas in the yard! Holly ferns are one variety in particular that love full shade but will also thrive in partial sun.
It can tolerate some cold temps and will be evergreen throughout the year. If you’ve ever seen a big front porch in the South, you’ve probably seen hanging baskets of ferns! These are very popular for their showy green color.
Fern Facts
Prefers shade/filtered sunlight
There are several thousand varieties of ferns and can be annuals or perennials depending on your zone
Must be kept watered and ferns like organic soil
Thanks to Melissa of createandfind.com for this article. Read more at:
The beauty of yellow flowers is that there are so many different shades, ranging from the more mellow to the downright vibrant. While the color is often a bit softer and more inviting than, say. orange or red, it still manages to pack a bold punch. Read on for our top picks for the prettiest plants (perennial or annual!) with yellow flowers to add to your garden this season.
Dahlia
Dahlias come in a host of different colors, and while they don’t love long, hot summers, they do like full sun and well draining soil in more moderate climates.
Hollyhock
These full-sun lovers can grow up to 7 feet tall—so they’re great for to plant along a fence. Not only will they add a splash of color to your garden, they also have a lovely scent, which will attract bees and butterflies!
Daffodil
Cheerful and trumpet-like, the daffodil signals spring’s arrival.
Graham Thomas Rose
With its sweet scent and buttery hue, the Graham Thomas Rose is one of the most widely grown yellow roses—and it’s also a flower with a hidden meaning.
There are many flowers that can be beneficial to your garden. The ones below were selected for ease of growing and the multiple benefits that each provides. This is definitely not an exhaustive list – there are so many more beneficial flower varieties out there! Without further ado, here are the 5 flowers you should grow in the vegetable garden.
Marigolds
The bright blossoms of marigolds and the strong scent are what make these flowers a great addition to vegetable gardens. These are very popular flowers among vegetable gardeners. The bright colors of marigolds vary from yellow, orange, and red. The colors attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, while the scent is said to deter pests. Interplanting marigolds with your vegetables like beans, tomatoes, and squash can help deter pests and small rodents. The roots of marigolds are also very beneficial. Planting marigolds in your garden during a down season and tilling your marigolds into your bed can help with nematodes.
Marigolds also make excellent borders. In the past, I’ve alternated between the big, bright blossoms of marigolds with the delicate, purple flowers of Mexican heather around my raised garden beds. They both deterred pests and attracted beneficial insects. When planting marigolds you can start them from seeds or transplants. I’ve used transplants for years but recently started planting marigolds from seeds to save money. Check out these marigold seed varieties for inspiration.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are bright, cheery flowers. They can also be mammoth is size. Sunflower varieties range from 2 feet in height all the way up to 12 feet in height (though the tallest recorded was actually 30 feet!). Sunflowers can be any shade in between a light yellow to a deep burgundy. They attract beneficial insects, and can also be used as a trap crop for stinkbugs and aphids. Small blossoms make beautiful cut flowers for bouquets and large blossoms can provide healthy edible seeds. Sunflowers can also help detox your soil. Sunflowers are “phytoremediators” which means they can remove toxic heavy metals and poisonous chemicals in the soil. Check out these sunflower seed varieties for inspiration.
Borage
Borage produces a striking, vibrant blue flower that is also edible. The bright blue flowers attract bees. The flowers fade to a soft pink with age which is also quite beautiful. Borage is a bit gangly and wild and can reseed where it’s planted by the seeds that fall, so keep that in mind when you plant it. Borage is an herb where both flowers and leaves can be eaten. The leaves have a velvety feel and taste lightly of cucumber. Leaves are better eaten when they’re small and tender.
Borage is great if you have an area dedicated for flowers or as a companion plant among your vegetables. When planting with vegetables it may need to be maintained a bit, but it is known for deterring tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, and can even add trace minerals to the soil. Borage can be used in compost or as a fertilizer tea, similar to comfrey.
Mexican Heather
If I could give one flower a gold star for bee attraction in my garden, it would be the hedge of Mexican heather that I keep around my garden beds. It’s not uncommon during the spring to count 50+ honey bees stopping by for a quick meal.
Bee attraction is actually what originally attracted me to this plant. While at a nursery looking at flowers, I decided to go with what attracted the most bees while I was there. That’s when I spotted some Mexican heather plants that were covered in bees. Without knowing anything else about the plant I decided to purchase some.
Luckily for me, not only did it attract beneficial insects, but it was also a good match for my location. Mexican heather, also known as false heather, can be grown in the south where temperatures are warm. They can be grown as a perennial in hardiness zones 9 and above (when covered during frosts), and as an annual in cooler climates. It’s also a hardy plant, despite the delicate looking flowers. It’s heat and drought tolerant. Mexican heather is great in a pot or used as a border. They grow anywhere from one to two feet tall and can be trimmed to size and shaped as desired.
Zinnias
Zinnias are an easy flower to grow from seeds. These beautiful, cheery flowers attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds! Their long stems make them nice cut flowers that you can make a bouquet from. They’re a great flower to grow with children and come in a variety of colors (some even two-toned). They’re great for warmer climates (like Florida) and can take the summer heat. Zinnias are also low maintenance and do alright if you forget to water them. Depending on the variety that you grow, they can get anywhere from 1 foot tall to 4 feet tall. Taller varieties do well planted in clusters or staked with single stem support stakes. Check out these zinnia seed varieties for inspiration.
Any mom would rather receive something meaningful and from the heart as opposed to an expensive present. After you serve her a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed or even bake up a delicious Mother’s Day cake, it’s time to give Mom a special keepsake to remind her how much she is loved. These easy Mother’s Day crafts will make for the best Mother’s Day gifts—because they’re simple for even the littlest ones to put together. Mom will happily display these crafty creations around the home. From homemade picture frames to our instructions on how to make paper flowers, these beautiful ideas will look stunning in any room.
photos by Brian Woodcock
Photo Coasters
Mom will enjoy her morning cup of tea even more when she looks down and sees her child’s smiling face. Start by printing a photo (either in black & white or color) on card stock paper that is 1/4-inch smaller than a glazed white tile. Brush the back of the photo with glossy Mod Podge and place on the tile, making sure it’s centered. Brush the top of the photo with Mod Podge to seal. Allow to dry completely.
Lavender Pouches
Cut a 2-by-4-inch rectangle from a handkerchief or piece of fabric. Fold in half crosswise with the pattern facing inward. Stitch two sides closed; turn pouch right-side out. Fill with dried lavender. Hand-stitch opening closed.
Photo by a few shortcuts
Craft Stick Picture Frame
Once the kids have picked out their favorite photo with Mom, they can proudly display it against a handmade frame. The brighter, the better!
Enjoy one of nature’s most breathtaking sights, all while staying safely away from others.
Cavan Images Getty Images
The annual Lyrid meteor shower officially started up last Thursday and will be visible until Saturday, April 25.
The Lyrid meteor shower will be visible each night from 10 p.m. to 4:45 a.m., with a peak viewing period from 3:45 to 4:45 a.m.
Lyrid’s peak viewing time will take place Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
Tired of watching TV, staying cooped up inside, or staring at a computer screen? You’re in luck: For the next few days, all you need to do is look up. The annual Lyrid meteor shower, spring’s only such visible event and one of the oldest known meteor showers, officially started up last Thursday and will be visible each night until Saturday, April 25. Over the course of their 10-day appearance, thousands of shooting stars will dart across the sky.
Lyrid’s peak viewing time will take place Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, according to NASA. (A peak at dawn on Earth Day is a wonderful cosmic coincidence, right?)
The Lyrid meteor shower will be visible each night from 10 p.m. to 4:45 a.m., with a peak viewing period from 3:45 to 4:45 a.m., according to the Griffith Observatory. Early risers, you’re in luck—that’s the hour right before dawn. Sharp observers should be able to spot about 10 to 20 meteors per hour in optimal viewing conditions. With a new moon on Tuesday night, expect the perfect amount of darkness.
You probably feel good after you complete a household cleaning task; it’s not much fun, but needs to be done and is definitely beneficial. Or is it? Frustratingly, there is a right and a wrong way to clean. Find out if you’re making any of these mistakes that could actually be sabotaging your home’s cleanliness.
Mistake 1: Using the same rag around the house
Why it’s dirty: Despite spritzing it with a cleaning solution, when you use the same rag in multiple spots around the house, the rag hangs on to the grime from the previous surface and spreads it to whichever surface it touches next. That means bathroom germs get wiped onto kitchen counters, the living room coffee table, and anywhere else that cloth is used, definitely making this one of the ways you’re cleaning your kitchen all wrong.
How to fix it: Use a new wad of paper towel for each surface cleaned, or have a microfiber cleaning cloth designated for each area of your home. Microfiber cleaning cloths can be tossed in the laundry or thoroughly washed after each use to remove gunk or grime.
Mistake 2: Using a feather duster
Why it’s dirty: No matter how much the advertisements for these dusters say the feathers “trap and lock dust,” they don’t. Feather dusters are notorious for spreading dust around a surface or pushing it off to fall to the ground, rather than removing it.
How to fix it: Use a microfiber cleaning cloth or a disposable paper towel with an appropriate cleaning solution, depending on the surface being dusted. The idea that feather dusters actually “dust” is one of the common cleaning myths you can stop believing.
Mistake 4: Tossing any kitchen tool into the dishwasher
Why it’s dirty: Smaller kitchen tools like a garlic press, zester or cheese grater have small nooks and crannies that a dishwasher isn’t always able to blast. When food is left in these tools, it can become moldy and get into food the next time it is used.
How to fix it: Skip the dishwasher and wash by hand with dish soap and hot water, paying particular attention to corners and small holes. You can also try these other helpful cleaning tips for hard-to-clean objects.
Mistake 7: Cleaning from the ground up
Why it’s dirty: When sweeping, mopping or vacuuming the floor before cleaning the furniture, dust, and crumbs fall from tables, counters, and shelves, requiring you to re-clean the floor.
How to fix it: Clean a room from the top down. Start with windows, working down to tables and counters, chairs and couches, side and coffee tables, ending with the floor.
I know. I skipped a few. To see the whole story (and you should), click below:
