Bits and Bobs-Odds and Ends
last month
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (29)
Related Discussions
Odds 'n ends
Comments (5)Beautiful photos, and you've got to be kidding me that you got a hot air balloon in your photo!! Outstanding!! What is the shrub/tree just below the balloon on the right at the corner of the house? You seem to really like shrubs in the gardens. Do you have any deutzia? I find this to be a pretty underused shrub (although I think 'Chardonnay Pearls' is getting them more known) and they are so beautiful. Strawberries on the deck railing is a great idea! I do all my lettuce that way but never thought about strawberries. One other way to hopefully keep the critters out of them. They look yummy!!...See MoreOdds and Ends 2006
Comments (7)Thanks folks for liking my pictures. Organicgardendreams, I don't feel like much of a master with roses but I do like experimenting with the way things go together. My garden style is certainly casual. I learn by mistakes most of the time. The roses and perenials and bushes, etc. were the first things I planted. The hardy survived. The difficulty of fussy roses in this climate made me turn to other plants. Hosta are "it" for me now and for several years there I gave minimum care to other plants but 90% of my concentration was on the expanding hosta collection. A few years ago when I successfully experimented with putting hostas in more sun (with lots of water). I had a renewed interest in my poor daylilies, roses, etc. Because I have pathways dividing up sections, I view each section as if it were a pinting (I do have an art background). I decide whether it looks balanced, never formal, and what needs to be changed. This is section by section, and constantly changing as the hostas grow because I am not one to plant with enough room for the future. I want it to look full this year. Until the hostas get mature and stay put, this involves a lot of moves. There are so many things to take into consideration in a garden and it is all a matter of personal choice. Brenda, I have never taken a cutting of a rose or attempted to propigate them. I am just happy when they live. Unfortunately it is not possible anyway to send plants back and forth across the border. You would be better to look for a local nursery or a mail order Rose nursery to get some of the plants you mentioned. My experience was that as the fancier roses failed here, I ordered the Explorer and Rugosa or bought them from local nurseries that carried these types. I think because of where I live my local nurseries would be more likely to concentrate on those varities than a nursery in zone 7 with so many more choices. There is a huge difference between zone 7 and zone 4/5. One thing I did when adding new roses was to try to get them on their own roots. For anyone in a cold climate like I am, this is essential for the borderline hardy varities like the David Austins. It's obvious that I didn't get The Countryman on it's own roots because the root stock puts up the red roses after the first bloom of the Countryman. The Countryman must be pretty hardy though because my allowing this root stock to stay has not diminished the quality of this rose. You, Brenda, would probably succeed with any of the ones you mentioned but for others in a cold climate I wouldn't recomend the mini's (with a few exceptions). The Snow Dwarf has also not been one of my favourites. The foiliage (minimum sun) always looks ratty. For a white, Blanch de Coubert is far superior, bloom early and heavily and has a wonderful scent....See MoreA few autumn odds and ends.....
Comments (16)Woody, that link worked fine and it was nice to have a look back at gardening years past! You weren't kidding about them blooming at just a few inches, it looks as if they were still in pots and sending up flowers. Thanks for the seed offer but my roses are already on borrowed time with Rose Rosette disease running rampant in the wild multiflora roses and then here and there spreading to garden plants. I'm trying to avoid adding new ones until things settle down... Cyclamen purpurascens seems to be my hardiest, but it flowers midsummer and doesn't go dormant like the other two, which makes it harder to work in than the others. Don't be jealous of the grass. It's perfectly hardy, but frost fades the flower heads and it blooms so late I'm lucky if I get to enjoy the color for more than a few days. Much better suited to the South. Nice to see so many fall flowers. Fall is by far not my favorite season and if it came down to a vote I don't think it would even make the top three but each year I dread it less. Throwing in the gardening towel in September makes for a very long winter, so I'm glad to still have things to enjoy for a few more weeks!...See MorePropagation, Odd & Ends
Comments (5)That’s a GREAT reminder for all of those newbies out there, Karen. ~wink~ For your variegated jade leaves can you tell yet if the new growth has any variegation? I had a leaf that had some nice variegation but none of the new growth had any. It reverted back to all green which I understand is pretty common. But I’ve also heard that sometimes the variegation does remain....See More- last monthlast modified: last month
- last monthlast modified: last month
- last monthlast modified: last month
- last monthlast modified: last month
- last month
- last month
Related Stories

BUDGET DECORATING8 Cost-Effective Ways to Get a High-End Look
Don’t discount that expensive material yet. By using a small amount in a strategic way, you can get a luxurious look without the expense
Full Story
WINDOWSTreatments for Large or Oddly Shaped Windows
Get the sun filtering and privacy you need even with those awkward windows, using panels, shutters, shades and more
Full Story
GREEN BUILDINGHouzz Tour: High-End Luxury, Highest Ecofriendly Rating in California
Solar panels and energy savers let this posh LEED Platinum home produce as much energy as it consumes
Full Story
HOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: High-End Modernism in a Jet-Set Town
Expansive glass highlights the mountains in this four-level architect's home, while stone and wood bring nature up close
Full Story
NEW THIS WEEK7 Smart Ideas for the End of a Kitchen Island
Extend function in the kitchen by building in chopping blocks, appliances, storage and more
Full Story
BATHROOM DESIGNHigh-End and Rustic Finishes Make for a Relaxing Bath
Marble, lime wax and plaster give these Connecticut homeowners the luxurious look and feel they want
Full Story
CHRISTMAS12 Signs You’ve Dropped In on an Aussie Christmas
Christmas in Australia can be a bit odd if you’re not used to it. Here are a few things you could expect to see
Full Story
STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPSHow to Set Up a Craft Room
Keep bits and bobs from winding their way into the rest of your home by setting up a designated area for craft projects
Full Story
HOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: Warehouse Home Goes from Disaster to Triumph
A New Zealand family beats the odds 3 times when its loft apartment is threatened with demolition after a series of earthquakes
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESLose It: How to Reuse, Recycle or Replace Your Sofa
Follow these tips and tricks to keep your worn-out couch from ending up in a landfill
Full Story
















tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱