Horticulture Haute Couture – the little black plant

Horticulture Haute Couture – the little black plant
By Rebecca Stott-Savage

An important element to consider when designing a garden or even just one flower bed is the use of colour. Recent studies have suggested that colour is not seen with the eye, but felt with the heart. Perhaps this is why it can coax emotional reactions out of people.

My favourite colour is purple; lilac, lavender, violet, amethyst, aubergine ... any and every shade of purple is welcome in my home and garden. Purple, I have learned, is not just the colour of royalty but also of wisdom and spirituality; in a garden, it is often viewed as exotic or sophisticated.

Although it is not considered a colour, because it does not reflect light, black has become popular with gardeners. Often described as achromatic, black is regarded in the fashion world as representing sophistication. Similarly, black plants are becoming the horticultural world's answer to haute couture. (Please note : when discussing black in the garden we are really referring to plants with deep, dark purple tones; although there has been much hype suggesting the contrary, black has yet to be produced by horticultural scientists.)

In an article posted online,  “Black Plants Tipped for Trend”, horticultural expert Ian Howell explains how black is always in style. "It is no wonder black is becoming so popular in the garden," Howell says. "In the same way that black clothes are famously flattering and lend themselves to virtually any occasion, black flowers and plants look great in gardens of all shapes and sizes and have that same timeless quality.” http://bit.ly/hIfDiF

In fashion, black can go with anything. In the same way, black can be dressed up or down in the garden by surrounding it either with a combination of colours, which greet the viewer's eye with a pop, or by supporting it with more black, as in a monochromatic garden, which can be less-distracting to the eye, affording its owner an opportunity to focus more on texture, rhythm, form and balance.

Personally, I still enjoy the warmth and cheeriness of a multi-coloured garden, with significant purple accents, of course. For those of you interested in incorporating black into your landscaping, here is a list of plants and flowers we carry that you can try:

1.      Elderberry (Sambucus ‘Black Lace’). Cut back this fast-growing shrub in the spring, and it will still grow to eight feet by midsummer. Its pink flowers contrast elegantly with its leaves, and its dark berries can be used to make elderberry wine. Use in a mixed border, or plant en masse as a hedge. Zone 4. Sun.

2.      Bugbane (Actea simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’). This stunning plant’s purple leaves provide a striking backdrop for other shade lovers. In fall, its cream-colored flowers bloom on wandlike stems. Zone 3. Partial shade.

3.      Jack-in-the-Pulpit A. sikokianum, is a large flower, with a dark brown spathe that turns blackish as it ages. The other, A. costatum, has a dark purple spathe that, again, matures to black. Both plants are hardy to zone 7, or zone 5 with winter protection. These woodland plants need well-drained, rich soil and protection from strong afternoon sunlight.

Look for new “black” annuals & perennials this year.
The Psychology of Colours in brief:
Yellow is a bright that is often described as cheery and warm.
Yellow is also the most fatiguing to the
Yellow is the most attention-grabbing color
Red is a bright, warm color that evokes strong emotions.
Red is associated with love, warmth, and comfort.
Red is also considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity.
Orange is a combination of yellow and red and is considered an energetic color.
Orange calls to mind feelings of excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth.
Orange is often used to draw attention, such as in traffic signs and advertising.
Pink is essentially a light red and is usually associated with love and romance.
Pink is thought to have a calming effect.
Green  represents tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy.
Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.
Blue can also create feelings of sadness or aloofness.
Purple is the symbol of royalty and wealth.
Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality.
Purple does not often occur in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic or artificial.

The L'eau Down on Garden Irrigation

The L'eau Down on Garden Irrigation

By Rebecca Stott-Savage

Seedlings and other small plants trying to take root require water every couple of days. The soil should not be sopping wet as this is a breeding ground for fungus. On the other hand, you want to prevent the ground from hardening and drying out or your plants can become droopy with dehydration.

Maintaining a healthy water level for your growing garden can feel like a full-time job. When it comes to watering the garden, most hobby gardeners opt for one of the following two evils: Either they make frequent trips back and forth from their gardens to a water source, hauling heavy buckets, or they fight with a long, kinking uncooperative garden hose which may or may not hold them hostage to its coiling. Hoses can be particularly wasteful when it comes to watering. 

This week’s blog offers an eco-friendly solution for garden hobbyists when watering their gardens. An inexpensive and efficient idea is to install a drip irrigation system. You can recycle your garden hose and buckets in this project.

To create a garden hose irrigation system, poke holes in the hose and coil it around your flower beds . With one end attached to your water source (a tap or water barrel), you can use a pressure regulator and a timer to disperse the water; if your water source is a tap in your yard, you can turn it on and off by hand as necessary. A water barrel is quite useful in recycling rain water, although it may prove to be a problematic water source during a drought.

 It is a good idea to poke bigger holes for faster water disbursement and smaller holes for a slower flow. It is important to make certain the holes line up closely with the roots of your plants. This way you won’t lose any water to evaporation or runoff, and you won't inadvertently water the driveway or the side of the house as often happens with an automatic sprinkler system.

One article on the subject suggests that drip irrigation systems use anywhere from 30-50% less water than conventional watering sources, such as sprinklers  (www.eartheasy.com). Your plants will be healthier because they are receiving water directly at the deep root level, where they absorb it most effectively. Also, smaller amounts of water over a longer period of time are beneficial to plant growth.

(Pic from Getty Images)

Birds & Blooms

Birds & Blooms

By Rebecca Stott-Savage

When Tom decided to offer bird seed and supplies at the Garden Centre, some of our customers were perplexed.  ‘What do birds have to do with gardening,’ they wondered.  To be honest, I have loved working in my garden for years and have never set out feeders, baths or houses for the birds; it never crossed my mind. However, I have discovered over a very short period of time that bird lovers and gardeners have a lot in common; when both these passions are combined in a backyard, serenity is unveiled.

In an effort to educate myself, I picked up a magazine called Birds & Blooms.  I couldn’t resist the stunning photographs on the cover and throughout its pages. The Backyard field guide in the January 2011 issue contained bird profiles with tons of information on everything from physical attributes, nesting, habitat, diet and breeding.  Once I collaborated this reading with some online research, I found that the majority of the birds listed in the magazine could in fact be found in my own backyard. 

The more I learn about birds and their place in the garden, the more I realize that building a garden with these feathered friends in mind can be quite rewarding.  I have decided this spring I am going to renovate my backyard to include some cozy nooks, with a mix of sun and shade. I’m going to include a water feature with some audible running H2O and a shallow bath nearby. 

I was fascinated last spring at Tom’s Eldon with all the little nests we found in the nursery.  I loved watching nests being constructed and eggs hatching.  I especially enjoyed watching the babies feed and grow and learn to take flight.  I could enjoy all of this action at my own neck of the woods if I just planned it properly, I realized.

I don’t want any big, ugly, bullying type of birds in my backyard so I will have to plant some perennials that attract the kinds I want to watch.   I already have lots of nectar-producing flowers that attract bees and butterflies.  The butterflies especially love my lavender.  Perhaps I should add a few shrubby perennials to serve as shelter and maybe one big shade tree for mamas and papas to build their nests in. The tall, ornamental grasses I planted last year offers privacy; I bet the birds will love it too.

Here are a few plants we carry that birds love:

1.             Serviceberry – irresistible to many birds, including robins, cardinals and blue jays.

2.             Liatris – attracts hummingbirds, goldfinch and other seed-loving birds.

3.             Weigela  - attractive flowers and hummingbird friendly.

4.             Black-eyed Susan – seed-eating birds will feast on these, including chickadees and house finch.

5. Echinacea - attracts birds & butterflies

6. Joe Pye Weed - seed-eating birds enjoy

My mother feeds the birds regularly and she often complains about the squirrels that make off with the peanuts she sets out for the blue jays.  Here’s a little trick I read on-line … hang feeders five feet from the ground, seven feet from tree limbs and nine feet from any overhang as squirrels cannot make the jump from these distances. Remember it as the 5-7-9 rule.

It certainly is interesting how bird lovers, garden lovers and even pet lovers enjoy the outdoors and possess a healthy respect for Mother Nature.  I guess that’s why Tom has also decided to supply dog and cat food here, making this place like a one-stop shopping spot for the outdoors person.

(Photo contributed by Suzanne Fraser)

Growing a Gardener

Growing A Gardener – by Rebecca Stott-Savage

As I sit here mulling over a subject matter for my first blog, I can’t help but think it slightly serendipitous that the great-granddaughter of a gardener, the grand-daughter of a gardener and the daughter of a landscaping entrepreneur, despite her best efforts , would end up making a living knee deep in peat moss and loving every minute of it. 

Whether your interest in gardening is hereditary or self-adapted, it doesn’t matter.  If it’s something that you feel passionate about and you want to share it with your children this blog has some ideas to get you started.  Please keep in mind : not all gardeners are born , some must be nurtured and grown. 

How do you introduce a child to the world of gardening? A great place to start is with a common interest.   Gardens offer so much variety that a child can easily become overwhelmed.   If your child is attracted to bright colours, colour combinations, shapes  and sizes planting their own annual or perennial bed would be a good option.   If your child is more into creepy crawly things like worms and toads and tadpoles, you could build a small pond.  Don’t forget to include some fish! For the junior horticulturalists and future chefs, a vegetable or herb garden would be best.  For the nature lover, crack open some peanuts, set out an orange slice, mix up some sugar-water and watch the wildlife flock to your backyard.

Whatever you decide to do with your little ones, be prepared with all the necessary resources for your activity.  There is nothing worse than having to wait for the fun to start.  For any young gardener I would suggest a pair of gardening gloves, some clogs a hat and some shades.  It helps to dress the part and to be well protected from the elements.

Also, involving the kids in decision making helps them gain a sense of accomplishment.  Ask them what kinds of vegetables they would like to plant or what colour of annuals they want to see grow.  Having recognition for their involvement will keep them coming back for more. With a little bit of paint or a gardening marker you can easily indicate on a rock or a board which garden is theirs or which row of peas they planted.  

Gardening with your kids is a fantastic way to get them outdoors and active. Every visit can be a new learning experience and a new opportunity to bond with them.  It is a gift that my great-grandmother passed on to her daughter.  An appreciation my grandmother gave to my father.  A love my father gave to me.  And a --- I am sharing with you. Here’s a great idea that we recently tweeted and received a lot of feedback about:  http://gardentips.co.za/gardening/getting-your-kids-involved-and-interested-garden

If you’ve got the kids, we’ve got the seeds!

“Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children” – A Kenyan Proverb

My step-daughter Renée & I in the garden some years ago.