Did you know that path lights or spotlights are the most commonly used outdoor lights? These are typically placed along the sides of a driveway, are low to the ground, and spread the light down and out so you can see where you are walking.
Do you have a line trimmer that keeps on jamming? Next time before you install your line, try taking it and spraying it with a thin layer of vegetable oil. The oil will provide just enough lubrication to not cause any jams.
Blackhaw viburnum is a great choice for homeowners who want to add shrubs that offer gorgeous fall colors. This shrub has no thorns and yields white flowers in May, which become an edible fruit at harvest time. The plant creates fall colors through both its bluish-berries and colorful leaves, which change from a dark green to purple to reddish-bronze to crimson.
If you want to grow your own vegetables, don't be discouraged by a small balcony. A vertical herb garden is ideal, with trellis and climbing plants. How about using bamboo to create additional privacy?
Garden ponds make a spectacular outdoor design feature and can add a whole new dimension to your backyard. Consider adding a waterfall to create the relaxing sound of running water and some lighting to dance off the water at night.
Irises are prized for their beautiful, delicate appearance, but they are surprisingly resilient flowers. These flowers bloom best in direct sunlight and are relatively drought-resistant. Birds and butterflies are especially drawn to this type of flower.
Savvy gardeners appreciate plants that offer year round interest. The Orange Bell shrub, for example, grows quickly, is semi-evergreen and produces flowers over three seasons. In addition to its value as an attractive background plant, it attracts hummingbirds.
Want a beautiful solution to a tough hillside on your property or to narrow strip of bare earth? Groundcover roses like Flower Carpets of Pavement roses offer a beautiful and hardy solution to trouble spots.
Small rounded cacti which feature gorgeous occasional blooms are the Pincushion Cacti. These types of cacti almost look like round birds’ nests and they generally reach only about 6 inches tall with an average width of 5 inches.
Do you know the difference between heirloom varieties and hybrids? Heirlooms are, broadly speaking, those varieties that have been around for years and can reproduce true to type. Hybrid varieties- even those that have been around for decades- do not reproduce true to type.
Cacti are classic examples of plants that have evolved to grow in environments where water is scarce for most of the year. They have swollen stems that contain water-storage tissues, and have a thick waterproof epidermis, usually covered with a waxy cuticle to help prevent water loss.
Perennials are plants that stay alive for multiple growing seasons. While these plants' flowers may die in the winter, the roots and leaves stay healthy, and fresh blooms should regenerate regularly. Hibiscus and purple coneflowers are examples of perennials.
Do you plan on starting an ornamental cactus garden? These cactus varieties are attractive, hearty, and relatively easy to cultivate: bishop’s cap, goat's horn, star cactus, Baja yellow barrel, queen of the night, big needle, and elephant's tooth.
Water plants with less water for a longer period of time, because it saturates the entire root system. Watering heavily for a short period of time will run off and not saturate the soil deeply enough.
If you're looking for a more permanent fire pit option, an in-ground construction may be your best bet. These are dug into the ground and then lined with stones or fire bricks to insulate the fire from the soil.
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to desert landscaping has to do with planning and design. By thinking ahead, you can maximize beauty and functionality while minimizing water needs.
Peanut cacti are a popular indoor and outdoor cactus in America. They grow in clusters of finger-like, ribbed stems that can reach a height of around six inches. Each stem has several rows of relatively soft spine clusters, which run down along the stem ribs.
A common pruning mistake people make is doing it at the wrong time. Some plants make flower buds on new growthp; however, others make buds on growth from the previous year. Pruning at the wrong time removes flower buds and results in no blooms.
If you crave a burst of color late in the season, consider the Black Dalea shrub. It has a compact, rounded form, grows at a moderately fast pace and produces attractive clusters of rose-purple flowers from fall to early winter.
For the best results, use fertilizer and amended soil. After you amend the soil to plant your new plant, add transplant fertilizer to the soil, and then backfill around the plant.
You may think it's impossible to grow herbs in the desert, but that's not true. A number of herb varieties grow well in hot, dry climates. They include: salvia (sage), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Mexican tarragon (mint marigold).
Remember, your lawn will go through phases of dormancy depending on the climate. A lawn that's still brown and dry at the beginning of the spring isn't necessarily dead. Give it a little time and fertilizer.