(lěn’tĭ-sěl’)
Raised pore on the surface of bark, which provides access for air to the inner tissues.
image source: wlcutler
Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’ is a sport of Heuchera ‘Obsidian’. This selection has the same deep black-purple leaves as ‘Obsidian’ but with bright pink variegation that emerges in spring. As the season progresses the variegation increases in surface area and then lightens to a pale creamy pink. As with all Heuchera they are easy to grow and fit well into any perennial planting. Low growing with a mounded habit.
I took this picture at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon. If you ever have a chance to tour the Oregon Garden take the opportunity.
Learn MoreAccording to a press release from the National Green Centre, Michael Dirr’s Tree and Shrub Finder, is making it’s way to the iPhone in January!
Join Dr. Michael A. Dirr at the 2011 National Green Centre, Jan 9-10 in St. Louis, MO, as he unveils Dirr’s Tree and Shrub Finder. See it on the runway of the Sweet Melissa Fashion Show: the trendiest new plants (and iPhone apps!) in horticulture. Find out more about the unveiling of the app for iPhone at www.nationalgreencentre.org.
Based on Dirr’s classic work, The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Dirr’s Tree and Shrub Finder (Timber Press, Dec. 2010, $9.99) offers the latest and most reliable information on woody landscape plants for the landscape professional and the home gardener alike in an inexpensive and accessible format. Ideal for landscape designers, horticulture professionals, students, and plant enthusiasts, the app includes over 9,400 woody plants, 72 search criteria, 7,600 beautiful, high resolution, full color photos and more than 1,120 line drawings.
As an iPhone user and major Dirr fan I am eager to get this application. In my work and personal pursuits Dirr’s Manual has been my constant go to guide, to have it on my phone and with me constantly should be a great benefit. A few months back I spoke with Timber Press about this application and asked if there would be an iPad version and was told that that was not currently in the works. A copy of this application optimized for the iPad would really work sweet in my design process and education of my clients. The iPad’s larger screen real estate would be ideal during a client presentation. That being said I am excited to get Dirr’s Manual in my pocket! As soon as I get my hands on it I’ll review it here.
Thanks to @WesternPlantPro for the heads up and @treeplanting for RT’ing.
Learn MoreProper selection of a plant for given site conditions is critical. It is more important than your ability to prune, harvest, or mulch. All too often a plant is chosen on its look or size in the nursery. Just because that Colorado Spruce looks great in the pot at the nursery doesn’t mean you should be planting 5 feet from the corner of the house . That spruce has the potential to grow to 60 feet in height and 20 feet wide, not the ideal tree for such a location.
I have often seen this mistake at the hand of the landscaper who’s only concern is to make money and not consider the future of the landscape. The initial cost of the landscape from a lowball bid contractor may seem appealing, but the eventual side effects of a poorly designed landscape will end up costing you more in the future. If you are hiring a contractor, get references, visit projects that they have designed and installed; in short do your homework.
Key to a successful landscape design is understanding the site to be landscaped. What type of soil is present? Is the soil constantly wet? What is the weather like? Does the site get sun? Is it full sun? How cold does it get in the winter? The list could go on. Take time to survey the site, if you have time to evaluate the site over time that is even better.
I did not do much to the landscape of my property for the first year after we moved into the house, but I did take time to observe how the landscape changed through the seasons. This observation has made it possible to design the landscape with an understanding of how it functions throughout the year. I was surprised to find that the north side of the property received more sun in the summer than I thought it would, encouraging me to plant an apple tree in the brightest summer sun location.
Knowledge of a plant’s growth habit and requirements make it possible to select the right plant for the space being considered. Several factors go into proper plant selection.
Understanding a plant’s limitations or its potentials will make a difference in the success of your landscape design and future maintenance. Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing about each of these factors in more detail. I’d love to hear some of the factors you consider when planting in your landscapes.
image: citta-vita
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Perennial. Low growing, (4 to 6in.) spreading, succulents with rosettes of fleshy leaves in shades of crimson and green. Grown for the interesting plant appearance since flowers are inconspicuous. Used primarily in rock gardens and containers. Numerous varieties are propagated primarily by offsets. Easy to grow in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Hardy to zone 4.
DIY Project: Making a Hen and Chicks Wreath (myflowerland.com)
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