Containers with a Glow

When we place our planted containers on our porches and patios, sometimes we neglect our steps.  Dress up your steps with potted containers that also are functional.  Take a small 10 inch pot plant with flowers and an assortment of textures and colors and then simply place a LED Solar light in the middle.  Now your steps flow with not only color but light.

Terrariums are All the Rage

The trend of the terrariums is hot and furious.  Why not decorate with a beautiful piece of glass full of plants, etc.  The interesting thing is........you don't always have to use live plants.  Silk plants and flowers look great as well.  For that matter, you don't even have to use any plants,  live or silk.  Stuff your terrarium with accessories for that special individual look.    Even air plants are great to use.  Never limit the possibilities.

Deer Proof Plants

Honestly, no plant is really deer resistant. If deer are hungry then they will eat most anything green. But there are plants that are found to be less attractive to most deer. Here is a list to help you purchase the right plants for your garden without worrying about if they will be there in the morning.

Deer Resistant Flowers and Herbs

Herbs for all the Senses

Borage, Blue

Catmint, Landscape Ornamental

Chives, "Fine Leaf"

Chives, Garlic

Dill, "Dukat"

Lavender, container, "White Ice"

Lavender, container, " French Perfume"

Lavender, "Hidcote"

Lavender, English, "Munstead"

Lavender, Spanish

Lavender, Multifida "Fernleaf"

Marjoram, Sweet

Oregano, "True Greek"

Oregano, "Italian Heirloom"

Rosemary, French

Sage, Italian, "Aromatic"

Spearmint, Italian Heirloom Sold Out for this season

Thyme, Creeping

Thyme, French

Flowering plants

Alyssum, "Summer Peaches"

Alyssum, "Summer Romance "

Alyssum, "Gulf Winds"

Amaranth, "Cinco de Mayo"

Calendula, "Flashback"

Carnation, "Enfant de Nice"

Cerinthe Pride of Gibraltar

Cleome "Color Fountains"

Columbine, "Mrs. Scott Elliot"

Cosmos, "Double Click"

Cosmos, "Dancing Petticoats"

Cosmos, "Rose Bon Bon

Cosmos, "Little Ladybirds

Cosmos, "Sonata Mix"

Cosmos, "Snow Sonata"

Cosmos, "White Seashells"

Echinacea, "Starlight"

Feverfew, "White Wonder"

Forget-Me-Nots,"Azure Bluebirds"

Four O'Clocks, "Broken Colors"

Four O'Clocks, "Teatime"

Foxglove, "Apricot Faerie Queen"

Globe Amaranth, "Mardi Gras"

Grass, Container "Spiky Blue"

Heliotrope, "Marine"

Love Lies Bleeding, Amaranth

Marigold, "Summer Splash"

Marigold, "Signet Starfire"

Monarda, "Bergamo Bouquet"

Morning Glory, "Blue Ensign"

Morning Glory, "Dawn Star"

Morning Glory, "Early Call"

Morning Glory, "Glacier Star"

Morning Glory, "Mailbox Mix"

Morning Glory, "Grandpa Ott's"

Morning Glory, "Scarlett O'Hara"

Nasturtium, "Cherries Jubilee"

Nasturtium, "Amazon Jewel"

Nasturtium, "Buttercream"

Nasturtium, Climbing "Moonlight"

Nasturtium, Climbing "Spitfire"

Nasturtium, "Copper Sunset"

Nasturtium, "Alaska Mix"

Nasturtium, "Empress of India"

Nasturtium, "Creamsicle"

Nasturtium, "Cup of Sun"

Nasturtium, "Vanilla Berry"

Nasturtium, "Whirlybird"

Nicotiana, "Jasmine Alata"

Nigella, White "Bride's Veil"

Nigella, "Mulberry Rose"

Nigella, "Persian Violet"

Poppy California, "Tequila Sunrise"

Poppy California, "Copper Pot"

Poppy California "Tropical Sunset"

Poppy California, "Buttercream"

Poppy California, "Dusky Rose"

Poppy California, "Native Orange"

Rudbeckia, "Cappuccino"

Scabiosa, "Grandmother's Pincushion"

Statice, "Watercolor Pastels"

Zinnia, "Bling Bling"

Zinnia, cactus "Raggedy Anne"

Zinnia, "Apricot Blush"

Zinnia, "Blue Point"

Zinnia, "Cha Cha Cha"

Zinnia, "Berry Basket"

Zinnia, "Decor"

Zinnia, "Polar Bear"

Zinnia, "Little Lion"

Zinnia, container "Pixie Sunshine"

Zinnia, "Cool Crayon Colors"

Zinnia, "Hot Crayon Colors"

Zinnia, "Cut and Come Again"

Zinnia, "Green Envy"

Zinnia, "Granny's Bouquet"

Zinnia, "Persian Carpet"

Zinnia, "Raspberry Sorbet"

Zinnia, "Girl Scout Anniversary"

Beet and Crisp Green Apple Salad

"Beet and Crisp Green Apple Salad"



Beat the heat with a crisp cool salad that is not only good for you but tasty.



Here is all you need....



Ingredients:

5 to 6 medium to large beets (about 1 ½ pounds)

½ small red onion, chopped

2 tart green apples, cut in halves, cored and thinly sliced (unpeeled)



Dressing:

1 shallot, minced

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon horseradish

1 ½ teaspoons red wine vinegar

¼ teaspoon celery seed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ teaspoon salt freshly ground pepper to taste



Garnish:

1/3 cup chopped green onions

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Wash beets, but do not peel. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook until tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Cool, peel, and cut in half, then slice halves into thin slices. Or you can use canned beets. Place beets in a salad bowl with onion and apple slices. Combine dressing ingredients and toss with salad. Garnish with scallions and dill, and serve. Serves 6 to 8.

Chris' Hot Picks to Make Your Potted Containers HOT!

You know me, don't be shy when it comes to planting your pots this season.  Add interesting and unique plants that will make your pots stand out and grab attention.   Use some of my favorites such as the new hybrid 'Big Series' begonias, White Snow Dieffenbachia, neon pothos, Phoenix palm, Bubblegum petunia, and so many other possibilities.  It not just about the variety of plants you use but their placement.  Do several groupings of each variety in one container.  Don't worry about symmetry, but just think about balance.  Have fun....

Pots with a Twist

Now that you have an awesome potted container, there are a few tricks to even make it better.  Take copper piping (A/C tubing from a local hardware store) and cut it with a pipe cutter into various lengths that range from 3 foot to 4 foot.  Just twist each piece into a swirl and stick right into the potting soil.    About three will do per pot.  It will look like your potted  containers are now a  piece of art. 

The Perfect Set up for your Easter Feast

Make your dining room table look colorful and overflowing with Easter delights.  All you have to do is accessorize your table top with an Easter arrangement bursting with spring flowers and maybe an Easter bunny.  Then go to your local craft store and purchase (probably on clearance by now) some Easter plates and colorful drinking glasses.  Scatter around the table Easter Eggs and colorful votives with some candy here and there.

Now seat back and enjoy....

Beat the Heat

Beat the Heat

Finding heat tolerant plants that thrive in the Arkansas heat is easy.  Pick up any tropical plant and you will be amazed how well it will grow in containers or in the ground all summer and  for that matter, all fall long.  Plant Kimberly and Macho ferns as fluff plants in the garden.  Add color and interest with theAnthurium.  Don't forget about the Arrowhead Plant....love this plant in my shade garden.  Of Coarse, palms are a must.  My favorite is the Chinese Fan Palm.  This plant has light green leaves that will tolerate full sun or very deep shade.  For those dark areas in your garden, plant the common peace lily for textures  and color.