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Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Gardens of Aruba A Look Beyond

Allamanda cathartica Sunee (Dwarf Allamanda )

I recently traveled to the island of Aruba in the Dutch Caribbean and of course brought along my trusty camera to photograph some of its flora and fauna. The island of Aruba has a daily average temperature of 82° F with an average rainfall of less than 20 inches per year making it a semi-arid climate. While mostly inhabited by cacti and aloe Aruba is also home to tropical plantings that one can view around the resorts. Being out of my gardening zone I am not familiar with the species of many of these plants but the colors and textures are so magnificent that they were definitely worth sharing. They are in full bloom throughout the year and are a welcome site to the avid gardener! You will also view some of the local fauna that by the way are not at all camera shy!

Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium Red)

Duranta repens (Golden dewdrop)

Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium Orange)

Tropical Berries

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium Pink)

Garden Arch

Tropical Blooms

Gardens

Tropical Tree

Iguana

Black Swan

The Bananaquit or chibichibi (One of the most common birds of Aruba)

Colombigallina passerina (Common Ground Dove)

Aruba Sunset

Aruba Sunset

Hope you enjoyed the gardens of Aruba: A Look Beyond. As the sun quietly sets below the horizon it is time to head back home to the gardens of the northeast. Farewell.

As Always ~ Happy Gardening!

Deciding on the Placement of Landscaping Using Design Software

Planning a beautifully landscaped outdoor space is made simple with sophisticated, enjoyable to use landscape Design Software. Even if you have no discernible Design skills, the straightforward, drag and drop capabilities of most Design Software makes quick work of the once complicated aspects of landscape Design. Landscape Design can help you make extensive plans that include plant placement, lighting, pathways, and outdoor living spaces. Design Software makes Landscaping not only foolproof, but fun.
The primary step in deciding your landscape Design is considering your current layout. What works, and what doesnt? If your Software allows it, upload photos of the current state of your yard; otherwise, create a space inside the Software that reflects your yard. Consider the architectural Design and color of your home when planning your yard; the types of plants and other Landscaping elements should match the façade of the house. Try to draw attention to the most attractive elements of your home through clever Landscaping color and placement choices. Think of your Landscaping placement as a flowering frame for the front and back of your home.

Trees

Consider first the placement of your trees, as they will anchor the Design and probably be the largest elements. Use the drag and drop function to play with the possibility of removing existing trees, or planting new ones. Favor trees which are planted on either side of the house, as larger elements create the frame effect most homeowners favor. Trees can increase the value of your property probably more than any other single traditional yard element. However, an improperly placed tree, such as one with roots that may encroach on a homes foundation or plumbing, need to be replaced with other Landscaping elements. For this reason, if you are on a small lot, avoid planting many large, quickly growing trees. Some Landscaping Software can predict the size of trees and other plants over time; use this to get a good idea of how much space your trees will eventually need. You will also need to consider how the shade from the tree will affect the amount of light needed by other nearby plants.

Flowers, Smaller Plants, and Ground Cover

Use the library of plants in your Software to search for the perfect plants for your Landscaping needs. When browsing through the thousands of options likely available, factor in information about your local climate, the amount of available light, how frequently you can maintain the plants, as well as matching the plants to your homes façade and your personal tastes. Experiment with plant placement using the drag and drop feature, favoring smaller plants closer to the front door, as this directs the eye to the entrance of the home. Drop some ground cover in a line down the driveway or footpath, as ground cover very effectively softens hard lines.

Structural Materials and Accessories

Finally, add in accessories and structural materials as needed and for maximum effect. Possibly expand a driveway using a different material or add in a gazebo or deck.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Is the grass greener on the artificial side

After years of mockery, belittling and ridicule of the fake plant brigade, Im going over to the dark side. Ok, Im not going over all the way. Im just going over to admire the artificial grass.

Ive always been adamant that there is no proper place for fake in gardening - gardens are one of the few places that are real in the high-tech, modern lives we lead. (There is little place for gnomes in my gardens... unless they are real of course).

But lately Ive found myself looking at artificial grass in a different light. Its got a lot going for it that I couldnt see when I couldnt see past the word "artificial":

1. It doesnt need any water. In our water conserving times, this is a big plus. Anything that stays green, and doesnt need to be watered twice a week deserves a little recognition.

2. Its durable. It will take a fair amount of traffic without looking untidy or worn.

3. It doesnt need to be trimmed. For those of you who find the process of mowing lawns cathartic, you can close your eyes for this one. But the costs in time, labour and resources in keeping a lawn in perfect condition can be a strong argument against lawns.

4. It seems to be much improved from the strange green colour and texture that it used to have. There seems to be better and more choices these days.

5. There is also the argument that large areas of grass are artificial anyway, and do little for the environment anyway.

Im not arguing that artificial grass is on an equal footing with grass - it isnt. For one thing, that feeling of walking barefoot on cool grass cant be replaced.
I think the place for artificial grass is for areas where the look of a lawn is whats needed, but for any number of reasons it wont grow without undue amounts of work to keep it looking at its best.

Will you be going over to the dark side?

The Art of Landscape Ecology The Paintings of Philip Juras

Shining Rocks Wilderness, Pigsah National Forest

Landscape painting once had a rich dialogue with landscape design. The English landscape garden, for example, was greatly influenced by paintings. This rich connection hardly exists today. But painter Philip Juras might have something to say about that.

Formally trained as both a painter and a landscape architect, Juras is the perfect link between landscape painting and design. His large scale paintings capture the beauty of specific ecological communities. Juras paints primarily remnant native landscapes. Like the Manahatta project in New York, Juras’ work focuses on depicting specific ecological communities as they may have looked before European settlement.

His canvases are large and luminous, capturing the feeling of space as light moves across it. He deftly balances abstraction and ecological specificity. The compositions are serene yet teeming with life. Juras most recent series are paintings used to illustrate a book on naturalist William Bartram’s travels through the American South.

I first met Philip when I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. My professor and native plant expert Darrel Morrison developed a class that took students to remnant virgin landscapes around the Southeast. Juras joined us on some of those trips. The landscapes we witnessed changed the way I thought about design. The complexity and majesty of these spaces were unlike any other human disturbed forest or meadow I had experienced. The patterns created by the mature plant communities were strong, legible, and distinct, a offering a storehouse of ideas for modern design. Juras’ paintings recall these landscapes.

To see more about Philips work, visit his website: http://www.philipjuras.com/index.htm

Green Swamp Savanna, Brunswick County, NC

Stop River, Medfield, MA

Black Belt Prairie c. 1775, Montgomery County, Alabama

White Top Pitcher Plant, Splinter Hill Blog Preserve, Alabama

Happy Holidays from Warming Trends The Fire Pit Company

Happy Holidays from Warming Trends!

We here at Warming Trends wanted to wish all of you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season.

We hope that these upcoming weeks are spent with family, friends and other loved ones and that whatever faith you celebrate, that you do it with style and in a fun and safe manner.

May love and light find you over the next few weeks. See you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Ray Stone

President
www.warming-trends.com
Warming Trends LLC
1-877-556-5255
303-346-2224

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Congratulations San Diego for the Ability to Maintain Your Beach Fire Pits

Way to go San Diego city council. You have successfully set a standard by eliminating spending which has resulted in a surplus in your budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Watch the video here:

For the first time in three years, San Diego will not have to rely on private donations to maintain their 186 beach fire pits.

"Because of the savings from structural reforms and rising revenues, the city of San Diego has a budget surplus of 16.5 million dollars," said Mayor Jerry Sanders. "Were going to use some of this surplus to fully fund the up keep and maintenance of our beach front fire pits."

San Diegos beach fire pits are a popular tourist attraction as well as a contributing factor to the quality of life for residents.

Way to go San Diego! And if you like custom fire pits, so do we, so visit us online or call today! 1-877-556-5255