Showing posts with label and. Show all posts

Friday, March 7, 2014

Late Summer and Fall Blooming Perennials

As the weather starts to change so does the garden. There are a number of perennials that can add beauty and interest to the late summer-Fall landscape. When designing I always take into consideration what the garden will look like throughout all the seasons so I plan accordingly. Late summer to Fall blooming perennials can add color, texture and movement to your outdoor space and extend your gardens prime time. Through experience these are a few of the favorites that have proven to be hardy and dependable in my zone 7 Long Island garden.

(Black Eyed Susan)

Rudbeckia Goldstrum

Rudbeckia or "Black Eyed Susan" blooms July-September on 24-32 " high stalks. They are characterized by the distinctive brown "eye " at the center surrounded by vibrant orange-yellow flowers. This perennial prefers full sun but will also thrive in partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil in zones 4-9. Rudbeckia is an aggressive grower and will spread so alot sufficient space. Rudbeckia looks lovely in informal perennial borders, mass plantings and cottage gardens.

Coneflower

Echinacea Purpurea Kims Knee High

Echinacea displays lovely rosy pink flowers from June-September on 18-24 " high stalks. Echinacea prefers to be grown in full sun and is hardy in zones 4-9. There are many varieties and colors to choose from and butterflies are attracted to them. Echinacea (Coneflower) serves nicely in perennial borders, cottage gardens and mass plantings along with Rudbeckia and grasses.

Balloon Flower

Platycodon

Platycodon (also known as Balloon flower) blooms July-September on 24-36" high stalks. Flowers are vibrant blue and balloon-shaped and create a quite the conversation piece in the garden. Pinch stalks back in early July to create a fuller more compact plant. Balloon flower serves nicely as a single piece and brings much interest to the late summer-Fall garden in zones 3-8.

Liriope

Liriope muscari Variegata

Liriope produces purple spiked flowers on 10-12 " high variegated foliage followed by berries in Fall. This perennial blooms in late summer (August-October) and can be grown in a range of conditions from full sun to full shade. It is hardy in zones 4-10 and prefers a rich but well-drained acidic soil. Liriope provides interest all season long as a lovely addition of texture to the garden and the late summer blooms just add an extra punch!

Montauk Daisy

Nipponanthemum

Nipponanthemum (Montauk Daisy) displays full white flowers with yellow centers on 2-5 stalks. It blooms in late summer through Fall (September-November) in zones 5-9. Montauk Daisy prefers to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil. These perennials serve nicely in perennial borders, mass plantings or in a cottage or seaside garden. Pinch back stalks before budding in mid-late summer to produce a fuller plant.

Aster

Aster Professor Kippenberg

There are many varieties of Aster to choose from ranging in color and size. This particular cultivar produces Blue-lavender flowers on 12-15" stalks that bloom September-October. Asters prefer to be grown in full sun and are hardy in zones 3-9.They serve nicely in a perennial border and can also add late summer color to any formal or informal garden.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides Hameln

Ornamental grasses can add much interest to the late summer-Fall garden as well as throughout the entire season. On this variety, delicate plumes emerge on 2-3 blades in late summer through Fall (August-November). Fountain grasses prefer to be grown in full sun in a well-drained soil and are hardy in USDA zones 4-9. There are a number of sizes and selections of ornamental grasses available and they can add interesting texture and movement to any garden.

Sedum

Sedum Brilliant

Sedum produces rose colored blooms on 18" high stalks in late August-September and adds some nice color to the Fall garden. It prefers to be grown in full sun and in a well-drained soil and is hardy in zones 3-9. Sedum serves nicely as an accent in either a formal or informal garden and when grown next to grasses complements them beautifully. There are a number of varieties of sedum ranging in size from a ground cover to 24 inches in height.

If you are looking to add late season interest to your landscape then be sure to add one or more of these lovely perennials to your gardening list and enjoy the Fall benefits!

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Black and White Interior

Black and White Interior Design

Black and White Interior Design

Black and white are always in for interiors decoration and they never go out of style. The use of white and black in interior design can create a dazzling and spectacular interior decoration. The use of black and white in decorating gives a fresh, clean, and unquestionably urbane and elegant look to any room.

Black and White

Interior Design
I must say that Im not normally a big fan of black and white interior. In fact, I have never claimed that a customer will decorate with, until this meeting. Sometimes I find that black and white art is very boring.

Black and White

Interior Design
One of my favorite sources of black and white interior design has become antique shops. I found the most beautiful pieces of black and white art at various antique shops lately.Knowing exactly that you can decorate with black and white interior design is not often enough. Realize that you have a good impression of the specific type of design that you hope must be found. I found that there are many varieties of black and white interior design to choose from. Some pieces are vintage look, and its definitely a lot of modern pieces of black and white art to choose from.

Black and White Interior Design
Get online and search for black and white interior. Youll be surprised how much comes. This is my favorite to encourage customers to the process of narrowing their style and preferences to begin. You can often have a pretty good idea of what you want, when you see them first. So take your time and see as many samples of black and white interior design as you can. The better the idea you have what you want, the better chance you will find to have it.I love to decorate anything more than helping people to their homes and offices with style and creativity. The world of black and white interior design has recently been opened up to me, and I was back in love with its possibilities.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Landscape Design and Ideas for the Backyard

It is a perfect thing to have the Backyard undergo a landscaping project for it can create a comfortable atmosphere as well as help increase the value of the home. Yet, the first thing that you should remember in every task you want to do is to have a plan before hand. There are various ways you can do in order for you to create a plan for the landscaping project.

One is through the traditional way of using paper and pencil. This is undeniably effective for those who have drawing skills. The only thing you have to do is to sketch your Backyard and add the Design that you want to come up to. Yet, this method is good only if you already have an idea in mind on what you want to achieve.
For those who lack skills in drawing, there is still another way to plan for the landscaping Design. This is through purchasing software for Landscape Design. Having this will help you come with a Design which looks professionally done. It can also allow you to experiment on different landscaping Designs and come up with a unique one. Having this software can help you visualize what the outcome will be for you can see the whole Design already.

The last thing you can do is to get the help of Landscape Designers to help you come up with a plan on what you want the Landscape to look like. Another benefit you can get from professionals is that they can be able to help you do the Designing process in order to come up with the outcome you desire. Thus, there is no need for you to work hard for it.

After the plan is visualized and made, then there are some considerations still that you need to decide on. One is on the theme of your Landscape. Coming up with a certain theme can have a great effect on the mood of the garden Design that you will have. You also need to come up with a certain focus on the whole theme. Say you want a pool to be the focus of the Design or come up with other great options. Just make sure that it is well incorporated with the whole plan as to not ruin it. You should also know how to create balance with the items you add to your Landscape.

After the garden is done though, you need to look for ways in order to maintain the garden and keep it looking beautiful. You can do so by selecting plants which can withstand the amount of shade you have in your Backyard without compromising the style, of course. You should also tend the soil well as to keep it healthy and good for the plants. You can also get the help of professionals when it comes to landscaping in order for them to give some advice on what things you can do to maintain the beauty of your garden.

Having the Backyard can really add to the beauty of a home. Yet, there are things that one should learn and apply in order to achieve this.