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Tour of Taos homes and gardens set for Aug. 3

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The four Taos homes showcased in the 2013 Garden and Home Tour are energy efficient and are surrounded by low-water landscaping.

The four Taos homes showcased in the 2013 Garden and Home Tour are energy efficient and are surrounded by low-water landscaping.










Damon Scott
Reporter- Albuquerque Business First

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Four unique Taos homes and their respective gardens will be featured next month at an annual event in the northern New Mexico village. The homes, showcased in the 2013 Garden and Home Tour, are energy efficient and are surrounded by low-water landscaping, organizers said.

One of the houses, designed by owner Alan Powell, is billed as Taos’ only Platinum Leader in Energy and Environmental Design — a 2,500 square-foot home that meets LEED’s specifications. Some of the specs included wood from certified forests, thermal breaks in the walls, solar heating, triple glazed windows and a heat recovery and ventilation system. Bamboo cabinetworks and Alaskan yellow cedar doors are featured in its interior. There are also floor-to-ceiling windows that open to a field and drought tolerant plants dot the acre of irrigated grass.

Other homes to be featured include a pueblo-style house built in 2003 and an owner-builder remodel of a 1985 pueblo-style house. Two restaurants are sponsoring the tour — Sabroso Restaurant Bar and Lambert’s of Taos. In addition, the tour will feature six Taos artists that will be painting in the gardens of the tour houses.

The event is organized by the Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos and takes place August 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For ticket information, click here.

Additional event sponsors include Albertsons, The Enchanted Florist, 5 Star Burgers, Giant Plumbing, Lily’s in the Garden of San José, Loveless Stone Tile, Petree’s Nursery Greenhouses, Plants of the Southwest, Red Cat Melissiana, Rio Grande ACE Hardware Garden Center, Wayne Rutherford General Contractor, Tooley’s Trees and Verdant Gardens.

505.348.8315 | damonscott@bizjournals.com

Commercial/residential real estate, retail, restaurants

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Winners Announced for WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest

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The first annual WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest was launched this spring to celebrate attractive and water efficient residential gardens in the County.

WaterWise

WaterWise

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Homeowner’s association digs in over Brandermill garden war

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CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WTVR)–A garden could soon cost a Chesterfield family a lot of money, because their patch of flowers and vegetables has upset the homeowner’s association.

Chris Gilson loves his vegetable garden and loves teaching his daughters and other neighborhood kids how to care for it.

But a controversy is growing.

Gilson says it started when the Brandermill Community Association (BCA)sent a notice of violation and asked him to remove this planter box.

“We got another letter stating removing your vegetable garden and planter box or else get fined $10 dollars per day,” he said.

He said he could incur the fine every day for 90 days if he doesn’t comply with BCA property covenants..

Gilson says he was told to submit plans to the architectural review board and they were denied.

He and his neighbors were floored.

“Nobody has a problem with it,” said neighbor Lisa St. Louis. We know that’s how he and his family live…not a bad looking garden.”

They are growing in the front because they don’t get any sun in the back.

“They say we can grow something in the back yard but we have nothing but trees and a creek…doesn’t get any sun,” said Gilson.

He knows some people would argue that when you buy in an area with a homeowners association, you must follow the rules to the letter.

Brandermill’s  community manager John Bailey declined an on camera interview, but explained  gardens are considered major landscaping and they require approval.

He said the BCA is reviewing the matter and could consider future changes to residential guidelines that will provide clearer language as it relates to vegetable gardens.

CBS 6 asked Bailey why Gilson was allowed to have a garden for 10 years if it’s a violation of the rules.

He said he wasn’t aware of that, and speculated it could have been an oversight as there are more than 3,000 homes in Brandermill.

Gilson says he’s not ready to give up the fight, even though he lost one appeal he plans to take his case to the full board on August 5.

“I would like to change the culture; Brandermill has been around for 40 years. I think people want to plant in their yard.”

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Landscaping Live a hit at RHS Hampton Court

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The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) has had great success with ‘Landscaping Live’ at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

A first for both the APL and the RHS, the Landscaping Live concept demonstrated to the public how to create the perfect garden with a range of “How to” presentations.

As part of the Low Cost, High Impact gardens in the Inspire section of the show, the feature consisted of two gardens, one showing a professional approach and demonstrating how to make the most of a small space, the other showing a complete contrast, highlighting that good quality preparation and installation is essential for carrying out successful garden improvements.

The garden was designed by Mark Gregory of Landform Consultants, constructed by Arun Landscapes and planted by Claudia De Yong.

The construction of the planting took a mere two days with Claudia being aided by Paul Baker of Holland Landscapes and Phil Tremayne of the APL.

The plants were sourced from Hortus Loci with Claudia planting a running theme of white and blue with a splash of deep red to liven the garden up.

The plants in the garden ranged from Pittosporum tobira nana to Dianthus Cruentus and Astrantia Florence to Rosa Seagull.

The garden was an instant hit with the Hampton visitors who could immediately relate to both the un-landscaped garden as their own and the professional garden which was achievable.

APL’s Phil Tremayne did daily demonstrations with members Landform Consultants, Arun Landscapes, Garden House Design, Holland Landscapes, Arbour Design and Build and Claudia De Yong Designs on how to lay turf, plant trees and shrubs and how to lay decking which attracted phenomenal interest from the public.

APL Chairman, Mark Gregory said: “Landscaping Live was a runaway success with the public as they could immediately connect with the two contrasting gardens in front of them, realising that a beautiful garden is within their reach.

The event also did wonders for promoting the APL brand to the consumer and we hope that this will be their first port of call when choosing an accredited landscaper.”

Filed Under: gardens and landscaping

Written by Press Release

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  • 03 Jul 2013 10:55

  • Written by Press Release

  • Category: Human Interest


Oak Park, IL—(ENEWSPF)—July 3, 2013. If you think a landscape should be about more than a lawn of non-native grasses, and want to learn more about native plants, attracting pollinators and birds, and the restoration of natural landscapes, you’re invited to attend a kickoff meeting to form a local chapter of Wild Ones, an organization devoted to creating natural gardens and landscapes.

This first meeting will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m., Sunday, July 21st, at Green Home Experts, 811 South Blvd., Oak Park, Illinois.  Local Wild Ones member, Stephanie Walquist will give a butterfly presentation.  She has been gardening for butterflies and rearing/releasing some species over the years. Stephanie has also been assisting in the installation of a native plant garden at Beye School with the hope of getting other schools and local residents to join in to create wildlife corridors.   Plans will also be discussed for future educational programs, seed and plant swaps and field trips, and anyone interested will be invited to join the organization.

Wild Ones members help and learn from each other – beginners and experienced members alike – about identifying native (and invasive) plants, creating natural landscapes, protecting threatened native species, dealing with “weed ordinances,” and a lot more.

Members plan monthly educational chapter meetings, field trips, and presentations by experts in the field of native plants and natural landscaping. Chapters are supported by a national organization, and each member receives handbooks related to natural landscaping along with a bimonthly publication, the Wild Ones Journal.

For more information – and to let us know you’ll attend – contact Pam Todd (pamtodd5@me.com), Ginger Vanderveer (gingervbrown@gmail.com) or Marni Curtis (sassyspider@gmail.com).

Wild Ones began in 1979, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation in 1990. With approximately 40 active chapters, Wild Ones has approximately 3,000 members across the United States and Canada. See website at www.for-wild.org.

 

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The Week Ahead: Guided Garden Tour, Wall Art Projects

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Woodbury Democratic Caucus

Woodbury Democrats will endorse candidates for their slate for the Municipal Elections in November at the Woodbury Recreation House Monday night. 

Guided Garden Tour of Pine Meadow Gardens

Well known landscape designer and owner of Pine Meadow Gardens, a nursery and landscaping service in Southbury, Wesley Rouse, has invited visitors to tour his personal gardens.

Woodbury Budget Vote

A third referendum vote will take place on Thursday, July 25, at the Community Center. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Drop-in Crafts: Make a Frisbee

Drop into the teen department for fun crafts. This week, drop in and design your own mini frisbee! All materials supplied.  Free and open to grades 6 and up. 

Recycled Paper Tube Wall Art Project

Teens currently attending high school are invited to the Middlebury Public Library to learn how to turn everyday items such as paper towel rolls into beautiful wall art.

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Richard Wesley Eddy

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Richard Wesley Eddy, 93, born Dec. 29, 1919 in St. Paul, Neb., to Earl Dawes Eddy and Minnie Belle (Wolf) Eddy, passed away unexpectedly at Mission Ridge on Sunday, July 14, 2013.

Richard grew up in the Spokane, Wash., area and attended Whitworth College in Spokane, where he met the love of his life: Margaret Lindau. They were married on Jan 10, 1941. In 1943, they moved with their baby daughter, Wilma, to Alaska, where both Margaret and Richard worked as aircraft communicators.

From Alaska, they were transferred to the Panama Canal Zone, where another daughter, Celia, and a son, Richard Jr., were born. In 1951, there was another transfer to Great Falls, where another son, Timothy, was born in 1958. In 1960, the family moved to the Ashuelot Bench, north of Ft. Shaw, where Richard became a rancher, as well as continuing his career with the FAA until he retired in 1974. He was active in the Sun River Valley Lions Club, Simms UMC and the Soil Conservation Service until moving to Billings. After Richard and Margaret retired from ranching, they lived in Great Falls and, in 2006, moved to Mission Ridge in Billings.

Richard needed all 93 years of his life to fit in all his interests and activities. He and Margaret enjoyed traveling, and among the places they visited are the Philippines, Hong Kong, Europe, Puerto Rico and Mexico, where they could practice their Spanish. He made many friends while tutoring English as a second language in Great Falls. His favorite place in the world was the Eddy Cabin on Flathead Lake. He enjoyed working and improving the cabin and grounds, and especially liked tending to the landscaping. His love for the Eddy cabin was only surpassed by the love he had for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and entire extended family. He thoroughly enjoyed his last vacation at the lake in mid-June.

Mission Ridge provided him with gardens and flowers that always truly amazed him. He enjoyed all of the gardens as he took his daily walks. Singing with the Missionaires, attending daily devotions and socializing with the many friends he met gave him the best quality of life.

He and Margaret were true friends of Rocky Mountain College. Because of their service and commitment to Rocky, an endowment scholarship has been established in their honor. He was especially proud of his church’s (Evangelical United Methodist Church on Broadwater) involvement in supporting the children of Broadwater School. Richard was a true gentleman. He was a generous, loving and intelligent man who lived a full interesting life.

He will be missed greatly by all those who knew and loved him. No day will go untouched by the memory of him as he is lovingly survived by his children, Wilma (Jack) Tokarczyk, of Yelm, Wash., Celia (Dan) Scheihing, of Billings, Timothy (Joyce) Eddy, of Portland, Ore., daughter-in-law, Annie Eddy, of Centreville, Va.; sister-in-law, Jean (John) Stephenson, of Yelm; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son, Lt. Commander Richard W. Eddy Jr. (Annie); his brothers, John (Katie), and Earl (Carol); and his sister, Catherine Campbell (Arthur).

Although our hearts are aching, the memories of the past will always be sweet.

A memorial service will be held Friday, July 26, at 2 p.m., at the Lillis Chapel in Mission Ridge, 3840 Rimrock Road, Billings. Memorials may be sent to the Rocky Mountain College, Richard and Margaret Eddy Scholarship fund, c/o Obert Undem, Development Office, 1500 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and remembrances may be shared with the family at www.michelottisawyers.com.

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Landscape Now: Do Your Own Rain Garden This Summer

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Saturday, July 20, 2013

Frank Crandall, GoLocalProv Landscaping Expert

Instead of letting storms ruin your summer fun, get something out of it by putting the rain to work in a rain garden.

The installation of properly designed rain gardens can offer many benefits to your landscape. Rain gardens can reduce storm water overload in streams, rivers and in storm drains, help to increase groundwater recharge, provide habitat for wildlife, birds and butterflies, require less maintenance than lawns and increase property values. These gardens offer an alternative to traditional lawn and water runoff that may cause pollution to be carried into local waterways. A well-designed rain garden can hold water, help settle out pollutants and return runoff to the groundwater table.

What are Rain Gardens?

Rain gardens are depressions in the lawn designed to catch runoff water from roofs or paved surfaces with help from planted shrubs and perennials that catch the water and help return it into the ground. This allows runoff to infiltrate the soil in your yard preventing water from leaving your property and ending up carrying pollutants into local streams and rivers. Along the coast rain gardens can serve as buffers collecting runoff before it heads into salt water ponds or the ocean. Properly sited rain gardens help to moderate flooding by holding excess water and giving it a chance to infiltrate the soil before running into storm drains.

Locating Your Rain Garden

Depending on your site, rain gardens can be positioned in an area directly out from a downspout (at least 25’ from the foundation to keep water from entering the basement) in the lawn. Keep gardens away from septic areas, low, wet areas on the property (you want to encourage water infiltration into the soil which will not happen in a wet, pond area), wells or deep shady spots. In sunny areas with a properly constructed garden ponding should disappear in 4-6 hours and all water will be infiltrated into the soil within 24 hours.

Sizing Your Garden

Typically the rain garden will be 30-50% of the size of the impervious surface you are draining into the garden. For example if the downspout is catching water off 1200 square feet of roof area your rain garden should be about 480 square feet (40% of 1200 sq. ft.) to catch the runoff. There are more detailed formulas for calculating the size of rain gardens…see URI Cooperative Extension, Rain Gardens: A Design Guide for Homeowners in Rhode Island and UConn Cooperative Extension System, Rain Gardens in Connecticut: A Design Guide for Homeowners and CT NOFA, www.organiclandcare.com.

Drainage in Your Rain Garden

The type of soils you have will determine the depth and drainage materials you will need for your garden. Try a small percolation test where you want to install a garden….dig a test hole 6-12” deep and fill with water…if it has not completely drained in 24 hours you will need to provide additional drainage materials. Typically, for a simple rain garden with good drainage, a depression will be excavated at least 12” deep and building a berm on the downward side if the area slopes. Make sure the material in the excavated bottom is permeable and will allow water to seep through…if not you will need to dig deeper and fill the bottom with crushed stone, place a layer of textile fabric over the stone layer and add soil for planting leaving an approximate 6” depression in the center and sloped areas on the sides. Poorly drained sites will require extensive excavation, several layers of stone, mat, soil and ultimately 3-4” of mulch after the plants are installed.  

Plants for Your Rain Garden  

This part of the rain garden process should be fun! There are many lists available for choosing your plants, Rhode Island Wild Plant Society (www.riwps.org), New England Wildflower Society (www.newfs.org) and the URI Cooperative Extension Sustainable Tree and Shrub Guide. Several good native choices are: winterberry, blue flag iris, panicum, carex sp., summersweet, lobelia, iris sp., monarda, dwarf fothergilla, Joe Pye weed, interrupted fern, wild geranium and woodland phlox.

Mulching Your Garden

Once the planting is done the entire garden area should be covered with 3-4” of a natural (non-dyed) pine bark mulch. The mulch will help to filter the water, slow the runoff off and help to prevent weeds from growing in the garden. In the event of a heavy storm it would be a good idea to install an overflow pipe on the downside berm so water can escape in an unusual rain event. Periodically, a refreshing of mulch, dead heading and pruning may be necessary for the plants in the garden to thrive. Inspections after a rain event will be wise to monitor how the garden is functioning and completing any additional planting or adjustments to the garden.

Landscaping for Droughts and Water Bans!

In my next article I will detail ways to landscape during droughts and maintaining your gardens and landscapes during water bans. It begins with water conservation, preparing your plants for droughts and selecting plants that will perform well with minimal watering!

“With landscaping you never seem to reach the point when you feel the job is complete.”

 

Frank Crandall, Horticultural Solutions. Frank is a R.I. resident specializing in coastal landscaping, organic land care, small business consulting, writing, speaking photography and will be submitting biweekly articles about Landscape Solutions. Frank just published his third book, Creating a More Peaceful, Happy and Successful Life! You can read more about his book on his website, www.FrankCrandall3.com. Comments about Frank’s articles are welcome by contacting him at FrankCrandall3@gmail.com.

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Garden column: Crape myrtles are the Southeast’s versatile landscape choice … – Florida Times

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Crape myrtle, known as the lilac of the South, is one of the most popular landscape plants in the Southeast. And rightfully so because they are easy to grow and create landscape interest year-round.

Most of its popularity is from the crepe-like, crinkled flower petals in shades of red, pink, lavender and white. Now is the showiest season, with vibrant 4- to 16-inch-long flower clusters that, depending on the variety, begin in May and continue into fall.

Crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia spp., are deciduous shrubs or trees native to southeastern China. The crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, was introduced into England in 1759 and met with dismal failure because it didn’t flower. But when it was brought to the South via Charleston in 1786 by plant explorer Andre Michaux, the plant flourished.

Upon rediscovery of L. fauriei in 1965, breeding programs hybridized L. indica with seedlings of L. fauriei to create popular cultivars like “Muskogee” and “Natchez,” which have increased disease resistance, beautiful exfoliating bark and increased cold hardiness.

In addition to the National Arboretum breeding program, Carl Whitcomb (Lacebark Inc.) has created hybrids with new and enhanced color, plus other desirable attributes like disease resistance, drought tolerance and cold hardiness. The University of Florida/IFAS, under the direction of Gary Knox, plays an important role by growing these new varieties in field trials to determine those that are best suited for Florida.

Versatility is another benefit because crape myrtles can be matched to the site based on height requirements. Mature heights vary from dwarf shrubs (4 to 6 feet), semi-dwarf (6 to 15 feet), intermediate (12 to 20 feet) and standard (20 to 30 feet).

Depending on the variety, they can be used as foundation plants, street trees, framing trees, hedges, in groups, or as a specimen tree. They are usually grown as multitrunk plants but can be purchased as standards with a single trunk. If purchased as a small tree, remove the smallest stems leaving one main trunk to develop a single leader tree or select three to five main branches to create a multitrunk tree. 

Unlike spring blooming plants that need winter-chilling hours, crape myrtles actually need heat to flower, so plant in the sunniest, warmest area of the landscape. With the exception of standing water, they tolerate most soil types and are drought tolerant. Although they will tolerate dry conditions, they grow better if provided water during dry periods to avoid stress.

Powdery mildew is the main disease concern, but resistant cultivars are widely available and include Acoma, Comanche, Fantasy, Hopi, Kiowa, Lipan, Miami, Natchez, Near East, Osage, Pecos, Sioux, Townhouse, Tuskegee, Tuscarora, Wichita, and Yuma. If you purchase a cultivar that is not resistant, plant in full sun and away from buildings or other groupings of trees to improve air circulation. Thinning the branches may also help improve air flow through the tree.

Crape myrtle aphid is the No. 1 pest and feeds on leaves while excreting a sugary substance called honeydew. Honeydew serves as a food for the fungus sooty mold that creates a black residue on leaves and branches. Aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soaps, but some nurseries actually plant crapes to attract beneficial insects and wouldn’t dream of spraying to control the aphids. Left untreated, aphids on these trees will build up a population of beneficial insects like lady beetles, green and brown lacewings, predatory plant bugs, assassin beetles and others.

Now is a great time to shop for crape myrtles because they’re in bloom. Some nurseries don’t label trees by cultivar, so this is the only time you can be sure of the flower color; still, the mature size will still be a mystery. Check for nurseries that sell named cultivars so you can match the plant to your landscape needs based on color, shape and mature size to avoid unnecessary pruning.

Knox has grown many varieties in trial gardens and recently presented his top picks for North Florida. For the small shrub category up to 5 feet, he suggested Cherry Dazzle (low mounded plant), Sacramento (rose pink flowers, mounded almost weeping plant), Pixie (white flowers, rounded plant) and New Orleans (deep purple flowers, spreading plant). Unfortunately, the smaller shrub cultivars are not very resistant to powdery mildew.

For patio trees that range from 8 to 15 feet tall, he recommends Cheyenne, a hybrid from the U.S. National Arboretum, with bright red flowers, rounded plant form and good disease resistance. Another is Hopi with medium pink flowers, beige bark, with a broad rounded plant form. For a white flowering variety, Acoma was his top pick with creamy beige bark, excellent powdery mildew resistance, and a spreading, pendulous growth habit.

For larger trees reaching 20 to 30 feet in height, the best red flower color is Red Rocket, which has an upright, rounded growth habit and tan bark. Osage is the best pink with large compound flower panicles, dark orange bark, glossy foliage and a round plant shape. Natchez is the most planted white blooming variety with great cinnamon bark and excellent powdery mildew resistance. The best lavender in this height category is Apalachee with dark green leaves, beautiful cinnamon-orange bark and light lavender flowers that are slightly fragrant.

In addition to flower color, some varieties have spring growth that is burgundy or bronze that fades in mid-summer. Examples include Burgundy Cotton, Houston, White Chocolate, Pink Velour, Raspberry Sundae and Royal Velvet. One that will soon be released is Black Diamond Series Delta Jazz, which boasts burgundy leaves all spring and summer. 

As the days get shorter, look for fall leaf colors in shades of yellow, orange or red. Miami, a great selection for Florida, is a larger tree maturing at over 20 feet tall with dark pink flowers, chestnut brown bark, with good orange fall color. If trees are not butchered by pruning, winter adds yet another dimension to the landscape because they create a living sculpture.

Many have interesting shapes with exfoliating bark that peels off, unveiling interesting colors like cinnamon-orange or rich dark brown bark that add to the winter interest.

For more information on crape myrtles: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg266 or www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/CrapemyrtleGallery/.

 

Terry Brite DelValle is a horticulture extension agent with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.

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Pond culture: Soak up atmosphere on tour of area water gardens

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Enthusiasts gush over water gardens and ponds.

It’s an element of outdoor living that continues to spur interest in fountains, waterfalls, streams, natural and manmade ponds, water gardens, bogs and decorative landscaping.

The public can soak up the ambiance and atmosphere during the Northern Iowa Pond and Koi Club’s annual tour. It takes from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine, featuring more than a dozen ponds and gardens Parkersburg, Ackley, Eldora and Wellsburg.

“We all strive to develop our own little piece of paradise. That’s sometimes a small cubby in the backyard where we can come home from work and completely immerse ourselves in tranquility and peacefulness, if only for a short minute. Like the flickering flame of a winter fireplace, the garden pond, with its trickling water sounds, has the same soothing effects,” says Jackie Allsup, club president.

Whether the project is large or small, the relaxing sound of water is one layer in creating a serene retreat. With the availability of materials, filtration systems and supplies, as well as plant material, it’s easier than ever to build and maintain a water feature. And if you don’t have a backyard, containers can be transformed into simple water gardens with the addition of a submersible pump or a fountain set to burbling with a solar cell system.

For people pondering the hobby, the tour is a good time to ask questions. Club members will be available at all pond locations.

Admission is $5 per person; children under 12 are free. Participants can start at any pond site for maps, tickets and information.

Featured gardens are:

Parkersburg: 908 S. Johnson, 1023 Conn St. , 1211 Wemple St. , 405 Lincoln St. and 506 Third St.

Ackley: 104 Prospect Drive, 1021 First Ave., 509 Seventh Ave.

Eldora: 1401 22nd St. , 1509 Eighth Ave.

Wellsburg: 610 Eighth St., 608 Seventh St., 805 S. Monroe St., 501 W. Fourth St., 309 N. Jefferson St. and 200 N. Washington.

Free brats — one for each ticket purchased — will be available at 501 W. Fourth St., in Wellsburg.

Club members will be available at all pond locations to answer questions.

Many of the communities on this year’s tour have been hard-hit by recent flooding. The club hopes to use proceeds to help beautification efforts raised by showcasing members’ ponds.

The Northern Iowa Pond and Koi Club, established in 1999, is a non-profit organization. The club promotes the hobbies of ponds and aquatic gardening and keeping koi and goldfish, and includes educational and social activities. Membership includes areas surrounding the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.

Meetings take place at members’ ponds on the third Tuesday of each month from February through November. Membership is $12 annually per family and includes a monthly newsletter.

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