David's Landscaping Blog February 2008 Archive

Perennials to Trim Back in Spring
Marie Iannotti's helpful list of perennials to trim back in spring might be daunting at any other time of year. "What, you mean I have to trim back all those ... Read More

Friday February 29, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Norfolk Island Pine Trees
Norfolk Island pine trees are those adorable little specimens so popular in the U.S. as patio plants, house plants or (increasingly) even as miniature Christmas trees. But Steve Nix tells ... Read More

Thursday February 28, 2008 | permalink | comments (3)

Cold Hardy Palm Trees
Are pink flamingoes still your idea of lawn and garden decor, even though we're in the dead of winter? If so, then let's face it: winter landscape design is just ... Read More

Wednesday February 27, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

2008 Wistaria Festival in Sierra Madre, California
The Wistaria Committee of Sierra Madre, California has announced that tours of the blooming plant purported to be the world's largest, the famed Sierra Madre wistaria vine, have been scheduled ... Read More

Monday February 25, 2008 | permalink | comments (3)

Lantana Plants
Lantana plants can be grown as perennials in zone 8 and higher. They've naturalized in Florida, where they are widespread. In more northerly zones, lantana plants are treated as annuals, ... Read More

Saturday February 23, 2008 | permalink | comments (2)

Rudbeckia Pictures
"For a dependable, long season bloomer that brings a smile to faces, you can't go wrong with Rudbeckia," asserts Marie Iannotti. And I couldn't agree more -- especially that part ... Read More

Friday February 22, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Canada's Official Trees and the Maple Leaf Flag
In a recent blog post, Steve Nix presented Canada's official provincial and territorial trees. You'd probably expect many of them to be conifers, and you'd be right. But some deciduous trees ... Read More

Thursday February 21, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Groundcovers for Shade
In this column on groundcovers for shade, Steve Jones offers resources on a Dicentra, an ajuga and two types of pachysandra. If you're "in the dark" concerning your planting options ... Read More

Wednesday February 20, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

The Essential Steps in Building Decks
Building a deck extends your living space out into the yard. So what are you waiting for? Need some ideas to give you a boost in the right direction? ... Read More

Tuesday February 19, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Japanese Garden Design
In her book, Ideas and Adventures: 1200-1700, Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss includes a section on Japanese garden design that summarizes some of its salient features. For instance, in speaking of Japanese ... Read More

Sunday February 17, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Home Landscaping Pictures
Browsing my home landscaping pictures may furnish you with numerous ideas for the grounds around your own home. But in this resource, you'll find more than just landscaping pictures: I ... Read More

Saturday February 16, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Apple Tree Pruning
"Most fruit trees should be pruned while they are dormant. Unfortunately that's also the time most gardeners would prefer to be hibernating indoors; which would explain why there are so ... Read More

Friday February 15, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Sycamore Trees
On Valentine's Day, some readers might identify sycamore trees with Mama Cass belting out the lyrics, "Birds singing in the sycamore tree." But Steve Nix has a different sort of ... Read More

Thursday February 14, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Valentine Hearts: The Best We Can Do for Valentine's Day?
Although we "celebrate" Valentine's Day, it is not a "holiday" in the sense that people get the day off from work. Something of a slap in old Cupid's face, wouldn't ... Read More

Wednesday February 13, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Easy-to-Grow Rose Bushes
Poinsettias grace many a dining room table at Christmas, to be replaced by Easter lilies a few months later. Saint Patrick's Day has its shamrocks, the autumn holidays their chrysanthemums. ... Read More

Tuesday February 12, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

How to Care for Your Valentine's Day Flowers
Wondering how to care for your Valentine's Day flowers? "I'm sure we've all had rose buds that drooped the day after we put them into water," observes Marie Iannotti. So ... Read More

Monday February 11, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Tips on Lawn Care
What do beginners need to know about lawn care? For starters: How to use and maintain a mower Weed control Fertilizing Irrigation If you're open to new ideas, you may also be interested in hearing ... Read More

Sunday February 10, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Mugo Pine Trees
Not all mugo pine trees are created equal. People sometimes plant mugo pines under the false assumption that they're all dwarfs and end up with plants too big for the ... Read More

Saturday February 9, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Regional Gardening Calendar for February
"February is the toughest month in the garden," asserts Marie Iannotti. "Gardeners in warm climates don't know what to expect from the weather. Those in cold climates would give anything ... Read More

Friday February 8, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Making Your Own Maple Syrup
Do you have sugar maple trees in your backyard? If so, perhaps you've pondered making your own maple syrup. "Each year in early spring, maple producers, also called 'sugarmakers,' head ... Read More

Thursday February 7, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Snowdrops
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you are still ensconced in the dead of winter and may not wish to hear a single sentence containing the word, "snow" -- ... Read More

Wednesday February 6, 2008 | permalink | comments (1)

Bonsai Trees for Outdoors
Erik A. Olsen, bonsai specialist, notes that people often use tropicals as indoor bonsai trees, as they perform well in indoor conditions; but pine, juniper and even deciduous trees are ... Read More

Tuesday February 5, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Meanings of Roses -- Buying the Right Valentine Roses
Don't wait till the last minute to buy your Valentine roses. As a reminder to the romantically-challenged, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. And to truly "get it right," you need ... Read More

Monday February 4, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Building Simple Water Features
Water features enhance landscaping with sound and bring serenity. I show you how to build cheap, low-maintenance water features in this simple do-it-yourself landscaping project, using a "big fish ... Read More

Sunday February 3, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Groundhog Day and Looking Ahead to the Spring Equinox
The spring equinox is a prominent marker on that great circular route of the seasons that we travel annually. For plant-lovers, the spring equinox marks the end of winter and ... Read More

Saturday February 2, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Snow as Winter Mulch
Mulch plays as important a role in winter as it does in summer, as Marie Iannotti discusses in this article on winter mulch. Sometimes, Old Man Winter does the mulching ... Read More

Friday February 1, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)