Creative ideas magazine & spring 2008 by Jane FMAI

SPRING 2008

creative TM

WELCOME BACK

SPRING!

4 Signs of the Season 18 Rain Gardens 22 Plant a Tree

FROM OUR GARDEN

L OWE ’S GARDEN CLUB SELEC T

LET’S GROW SOMETHING

TOGETHER

If you’re a gardener, you know that working the dirt is only part of creating a beautiful outdoor environment. Hardscaping—decks, patios, pergolas, and walkways—provides a showcase for your landscaping, with its rich color and texture. Both elements add up to comfortable, beautiful outdoor spaces that work almost like rooms inside your house. We have recently changed our name to Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living to reflect that relationship. You’ll still see nuts-and-bolts gardening information, but we’ll also include stories on outdoor decorating and entertaining. I hope you enjoy everything that this refreshed newsletter offers to enrich your life outdoors. Let us hear from you! Fill out a quick survey at LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OLSurvey, and you’ll have a chance to receive a $100 Lowe’s gift card. Hurry, the survey ends April 11, 2008.

The colorful gerbera daisies on the cover signify spring. Wherever you might see the gerbera daisy in stores or in this newsletter, you’ll find tips and products for enjoying the season. Visit Lowes.com/Spring to learn more.

MELISSA BIRDSONG VICE PRESIDENT, TREND, DESIGN & BRAND LOWE’S COMPANIES, INC.

GERBERA DAISY Planting: In spring add plants

P.S. Lowe’s is teaming up with Learn2Grow, a Web site that educates consumers about topics such as planting gardens, fertilizing lawns, dealing with pests, and building raised beds. Registered users can participate in gardening forums with experts and other users, search for plant care and maintenance information in the plant database, and take in-depth gardening courses for a fee. Visit Lowes.com/Learn2Grow to discover more about this resource.

Find Your Products

OUR GIFT TO YOU: Simply bring this magazine in to your local Lowe’s and have the bar code scanned.

OFF WHEN

Offer is valid April 1–30, 2008. applies to a single-receipt purchase of $50 or more * Discount of live nursery items. This offer is only valid for shrubs, trees,

YOU PURCHASE $50 OR MORE OF LOWE’S LIVE NURSERY ITEMS.*

annuals, perennials, houseplants, and patio plants. Coupon is not redeemable for cash, is nontransferable, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or discount. Void if copied, transferred, or sold through any online auctions. Limit one coupon per household.

By relying on regional and local growers for quality plants and products, Lowe’s is able to provide you with selections that are best suited to your climate. The plants mentioned and shown in this issue may not always be available at your local Lowe’s, but your Lowe’s Trained Nursery Specialist will be glad to help you find comparable selections. And if your perennials, houseplants, trees, or shrubs don’t survive a year, just bring the plants and your receipt in to your local Lowe’s, and they’ll be replaced at no charge.

Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living™ is published by SPC Custom Publishing, Inc., 2100 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. Copyright 2008 SPC Custom Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher. Lowe’s®, the gable design, and Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living™ are registered trademarks of LF, LLC. All rights reserved. Address all correspondence to Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living, Attn.: Sandy Culver, P.O. Box 523-G, Birmingham, AL 35201. Lowe’s Creative Ideas for Outdoor Living is staff produced and cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material. Printed in the U.S.A.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

This distinctive flower adds eye-catching color to planting beds and floral arrangements.

to planting beds and outdoor pots when danger of frost is past. Choose plants with at least one bloom to make sure you get the hue you want. To avoid crown rot, place each plant crown—where the roots join the top structure—slightly above the soil line.

BOTANICAL NAME:

Gerbera jamesonii

Soil: Plant in compost-enriched soil with excellent drainage. In containers, use a special mix such as Miracle-Gro Enriched Potting Mix (#93762).

Watering: Gerbera daisies require moist soil but are susceptible to crown rot, so avoid overwatering. Keep soil consistently moist, but not soaking wet. Consider using drip irrigation to avoid splashing water on foliage. Otherwise, try to water plants early in the day.

Fertilizing: Feed plants consistently, every two to three weeks, with a bloombooster fertilizer. Yellow foliage may signal a lack of fertilizer.

Flowers: Open blossoms measure 4 to 5 inches across. During the long blooming season—from midspring to midfall—flowers lure butterflies, birds, and bees. Gerbera daisies make good cut flowers, lasting up to 14 days in a vase. Use a commercial fresh-flower food to avoid petal-tip burn from fluoride in metropolitan water supplies.

Special considerations: Good drainage is a must for plants to overwinter. Mulch with a layer of pine straw or hay as plants die down. Remove dead foliage to avoid fungal diseases. P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A DA M B A R N E S

COLOR:

Bright green, toothed leaves grow in a clump; flowers in shades of white, red, pink, orange, and yellow HARDINESS:

Zones 9–10 PLANT TYPE:

Reliable perennial in Zones 9–10; tender perennial in Zone 8; annual in other zones SIZE:

6–18 inches high, 9–15 inches wide EXPOSURE:

Full sun in northern zones; partial shade in southern regions; morning sun ideal in all zones To find your planting zone, see “If You Live Here” on page 23.

Alternate Selections

Add a daisy-style bloomer to your planting beds and pots this season. ■ common cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus): annual; pink, red, or white; 24–36 inches tall, 18–24 inches wide ■ ‘Indian Summer’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’): annual; golden yellow petals, black center; 6–8-inch flowers; 36–48 inches tall, 12–14 inches wide ■ melampodium (Melampodium paludosum): annual; yellow; 18–24 inches tall, 12–14 inches wide ■ Summersong marguerite (Argyranthemum frutescens Summersong Series): annual; yellow, rose, white; 18–24 inches tall, 15–18 inches wide ■ Gulliver bacopa (Sutera grandifolia Scopia Gulliver Series): annual; white, lavender; 2–5 inches tall, 10–17 inches wide Visit LowesCreative Ideas.com/ OutdoorLiving to see photos of alternate selections.

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

GARDENING

“The hummingbirds begin to linger.”

Showy 'Annabelle' smooth hydrangea dries beautifully and is great for indoor flower arrangements.

Minnesota ZONES 4–5

Connie Erickson

A WELCOME BACK

Three gardeners tell us how they know spring has arrived where they live.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y C H A S C A M P B E L L

OTO SIDE PHO O KREDIT

SPRING!

After years of watching the hummingbirds just passing through, Connie has finally convinced some of them to stay awhile. When they do, she knows that spring has come to her garden. “Winters here are very cold. We really have only four months maximum for gardening season,” Connie says. “It begins with a frenzy around May 15.” Her medium-size suburban yard—bright and sunny in the front, shady in the back—is filled with flowerbeds and rustic antiques. She especially enjoys growing roses, which she feels are worth the extra care they sometimes need. Her casual, cottage-style garden is also filled with more than enough hand trowels—her tool of choice. “I have many of them scattered throughout the garden in hopes that I can always find one when I need it,” she explains.

After danger of frost has passed, Connie sows zinnia and Mexican sunflower seeds directly into her beds. Zinnias make great cut flowers, and butterflies love them.

Connie’ s Rose Recommendations Feed regularly. Fertilize roses every four to six weeks during the growing season, beginning in early spring. Bayer Advanced 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care granules (#67672) feed the flowers while protecting them from insects. ■

Toss the peels outside. Connie gives her rosebushes an extra treat by digging in banana peels around the base of the plant. The roses get a boost from the potassium. ■

Provide more vitamins and minerals. Roses also benefit from magnesium. In early spring when leaves are forming on the bushes, Connie sprinkles a couple of teaspoons of Epsom salts at the base of each rosebush, scratches the salt in a little, and waters well. ■

Let them sunbathe. Plant roses in a sunny location—the more sun the better, but at least six hours each day of direct sun in the morning or afternoon. ■

Give them some space. Benefiting from air circulation, roses do best with a little room to breathe. ■

Lo LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

GARDENING

“The rain turns warmer.”

Washington

A wisteria-laden arbor shades a gravel path lined with perennials.

ZONE 8

“Bunnies suddenly multiply!”

Florida ZONES 9–10

Aly and her husband transformed this formerly sunken, unused corner of their yard. They created a patio, planting a dwarf selection of mondo grass between the pavers.

Peggy Franklin

Aly Evans

While warmer spring rain is a good clue, Peggy also knows her gardening season has begun when the crocus bloom. In her region of the Pacific Northwest, this usually happens in late January. Peggy and her husband own about five acres and actively maintain two. Their rural property’s location— near Puget Sound and on the western foothills of Mount Rainier—offers moderate weather, making it easy to grow a variety of plants. After successful careers in computer software, the Franklins realized their true passion and became owners of a large landscape company, Lifestyle Landscapes, Inc. They have installed various gardens on their land, and all are wheelchair-accessible. “I am happy to say that a person in a wheelchair can enjoy every part of my garden complex, even our fire pit and water feature,” Peggy says.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

B Creating an Accessible Garden Down the garden path. Consider all levels of mobility when designing garden paths and entryways. Make sure paths, gates, and entries are wide enough (around 3 feet) to accommodate a wheelchair. To allow a wheelchair to turn around comfortably, the path must be around 5 feet wide. Minimize uphill or downhill slopes in paths, and use materials that are firm and slip-free. ■

Easy grows it. Choose low-maintenance plants, and consider placing them in raised beds, which minimize bending and stooping. Place plants at the right height for any person by gardening vertically—mount hanging baskets on fences, walls, or trellises. ■

Hands-free watering. Have an irrigation system installed, and set its watering patterns with an electronic water timer (#172428). This device can be programmed for specified days of the week, times of day, and lengths of time. ■

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y J A M E S R . A N D E R S O N

Because Aly describes the style of her suburban yard as “tropical meets petting zoo,” it’s no wonder that for her, spring’s arrival has nothing to do with plants, which flourish in her area almost year-round. Her four children care for an astonishing variety of pets in the midst of the family’s gardening projects. “We garden all year long, so I get to play all the time,” she says. Spring planting in her part of Florida cranks up around March. Winters there have only the occasional cold snap, so most foliage is green in all seasons, and tropical plants overwinter easily. Aly’s handiest tool in the garden is her scissors: she uses them for clipping and trimming small branches that she turns into decorative arrangements. And what is the best gardening advice she ever received? “My mom said, ‘Just try it. You can always move it.’”

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y A L L E N R O K AC H

Aly 's Tips for Tropicals

Inside or out. Citrus selections love the outdoors in warm weather. When the weather starts to cool, bring them inside. Wipe dirt and dust from leaves using a soft, damp cloth. ■

A drink of water. Most tropicals are fairly drought tolerant, but they prefer moisture, and indoor air during the winter can be too dry. Set pots atop saucers of pebbles and fill with water—this will add humidity. ■

Let the sun shine in. Citrus plants love sunlight. When you have them inside, place them no farther than 6 feet away from a sunny window. ■

Feed me. Give citrus and tropical plants soil and fertilizer that are made just for them. Try Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Soil (#248406) and Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Tree Fertilizer Spikes (#69689*). ■

Go for bulbs. Plant tropical summerblooming bulbs after danger of frost has passed. Canna, lily-of-the-nile, elephant's ear, and fancy-leafed caladium do well in most regions. ■

*Available only in Florida and California.

Lo LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

L ANDSCAPE DE SIGN

Good To Know Check into native plants to discover drought-tolerant beauties that thrive with little care or rainfall. Many natives unfurl nectar-rich blooms that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Plan a drought-tolerant, fire-resistant landscape.

EXTREME GARDENS

OTO SIDE PHO O KREDIT

Rock mulch warms soil in spring, conserves soil moisture in summer, and provides an ideal habitat for creeping plants such as ‘Aureum’ gold moss.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y J A M E S R . A N D E R S O N A N D B R I A N F R A N C I S

Natural events grabbed headlines last year as communities from coast to coast grappled with drought and wildfire. Drought destroyed crops and gardens throughout the southern regions, and fire consumed millions of acres nationwide. For water conservation purposes, as well as regulated water supplies and the threat of wildfire, many of our urban and suburban landscapes—lawns and gardens, for example—can benefit from being updated to thrive under extreme growing conditions. To begin planning your own yard and garden’s “herb-an” renewal, you should consider potential risks. Do you live in an area prone to wildfires? Is your region presently in the grip of a prolonged drought? Or is it common for your locale to experience drought on a seasonal basis? Be realistic in your evaluation. For instance, even if you live outside the West, realize that any area where drought reigns also will be susceptible to wildfire. After you appraise your region’s risks, it is time to determine the best ways to outfit your yard for beauty and survival. Start by embracing growing practices that are environmentally savvy. These techniques consider all aspects of landscaping, from soil preparation to plant selection, and they yield beautiful scenery that not only survives on limited rainfall but also forms an effective firebreak around your home.

Mix drought-proof annuals and perennials for season-long drifts of color. This planting features ‘Indigo Spires’ sage.

Grouping plants that have similar watering needs will increase the overall efficiency of irrigation.

Lo LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

L ANDSCAPE DE SIGN

Choose DroughtTolerant Plants

Focus on Proper Plant Selection Begin by studying your yard. Plant all selections according to light levels, soil composition, and moisture levels. For instance, for a corner where water collects during the rainy season, choose plants that can thrive in both damp and dry soils, such as daylily (Hemerocallis selections) or bee balm (Monarda didyma). In shady spots, rely mostly on fern, lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra), brunnera, or monkey grass (Liriope selections). Droughttolerant, sun-loving plants include penstemon, blazing star (Liatris selections), blanket flower (Gaillardia selections), and Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). For more plant choices, see the plant list at right. No plant is truly fireproof, but you can select those that offer fire resistance with proper maintenance. Typically, fire-resistant plants have moist, supple leaves; a thick, nonpapery bark; and watery, not resinous, sap. Healthy turf also acts as an effective firebreak.

Know Your Soil and How To Amend It For new gardens, determine your soil type with a soil test. If you’ve never tested your existing landscape’s soil, consider doing so. Your goal is to cultivate the ideal soil for the plants you’ll grow. Many drought-tolerant plants do best in lean soils, where organic matter is low. Others demand a richer footing and will thrive only in soil rich in organic matter, which helps hold moisture near roots. Generally, drought-tolerant plants can derive necessary fertilizer from an annual application of compost on top of soil (in a 2- to 4-inch layer). Over time, compost breaks down, feeding plants and building rich, loose soil that retains moisture.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

Create a garden filled with plants that don’t guzzle water. Look for these water-wise plants at your Lowe’s Garden Center. Perennials ■ ’Aureum’ gold moss (Sedum acre ‘Aureum’): Zones 3–8 ■ ’Big Ears’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears’): Zones 4–9 ■ ‘Carolina Moonlight’ false indigo (Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’): Zones 4–9 ■ common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): Zones 5–8 ■ ‘Dragon’s Blood’ two-row stonecrop (Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’): Zones 4–9 ■ ‘Indigo Spires’ sage (Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’): Zones 7–11 ■ Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa): Zones 4–9 ■ ‘King Edward’ woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa ‘King Edward’): Zones 3–10 ■ ’Lidakense’ stonecrop (Sedum cauticola ‘Lidakense’): Zones 5–10 ■ ‘Limerock Ruby’ tickseed (Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’): Zones 5–9 ■ nettle-leaved mullein (Verbascum chaixii): Zones 5–8 ■ purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Zones 2–10

Correct plant spacing, pruning, and maintenance are the keys to a healthy landscape that can survive.

To provide interest, juxtapose broadleafed ‘Carolina Moonlight’ false indigo (foreground) with feathery ‘Limerock Ruby’ tickseed (background). Purple coneflower (inset) is a good selection for drought tolerance as well as color.

“Create a beautiful bed by pairingg different perennial leaf textures.”

Ornamental grasses and succulents thrive on rainfall alone. But check your local regulations before planting in the public right-of-way between the sidewalk and the curb or street.

Tailor Maintenance to the Extreme The first year after planting, droughttolerant plants need an inch of water per week, but once established, they rarely require moisture beyond rainfall. An exception would be, for example, a dry winter followed by a dry spring. In these conditions, water plants deeply every few weeks through spring to prepare them for summer. A 2-inch-thick layer of mulch conserves soil moisture and helps rain soak into soil better. Rock mulch is an ideal choice in high-risk wildfire areas; firebrands can ignite bark mulch. Pests don’t pose a significant threat in drought-tolerant gardens. Most plants that are drought-tolerant feature thick,

hairy, or leathery leaves, which often aren’t palatable to pests or deer. In fire-prone areas, remove deadwood, leaves, and anything else that could fuel flames. Fire-wise principles of landscaping call for arranging fireresistant plants in zones around your home. On the perimeter of a property, position low-growing, drought-tolerant plants in an area that’s irrigated. Near the house, grow fire-resistant plants with irrigation. Install hardscapes, such as paving, right next to the house. And avoid growing any highly flammable plants, such as juniper, ceanothus, sagebrush, or manzanita.

Grasses ■ Gulf muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaries): Zones 6–9 ■ ’Hameln’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ’Hameln’): Zones 5–9 ■ ‘Morning Light’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’): Zones 5–9 Bulbs, Tubers, Vines ■ climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris): Zones 4–7 ■ society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea): Zones 7–10 ■ tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa): Zones 8–10

Lo LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

OUTD O OR RO OM

What could be better than a lakefront property with plenty of yard to spare? A cozy, covered outdoor room right next to the water.

Landscaping around the gazebo helps it blend into the setting.

OUTDOOR COMFORT

These homeowners love the view from inside their house, yet they wanted to spend more time relaxing outdoors in their lakeside setting. What they needed was a spot near the water that would be as comfortable as an indoor space. A fully outfitted gazebo did the trick, and it provided a beautiful incentive for their landscape design efforts. Considering the lake as a backdrop, the couple decided to place the hexagonshaped cedar gazebo near the water. Surrounded with a variety of colorful, fragrant plants, the gazebo becomes a focal point in the yard. Furniture that’s heavy-duty as well as attractive, combined with outdoor accessories, makes the space feel a great deal like an indoor room. “We wanted a way to extend the warmth inside our home to the outside,” says the homeowner. “The gazebo will allow many more years of wonderful memories for our entire family.”

Good To Know

O KREDIT SIDE PHO OTO

OTO SIDE PHO O KREDIT

Natural cedar will weather to a beautiful silvery gray, but applying a stain or sealant can extend the life of your gazebo.

PH H OTO OTO G GR RA AP PH HY Y B BY Y N AR WA DE ; S T Y L I N G B Y T R AC Y S I S S O N P AD MEENTO KORM

OUTD O OR RO OM 2

Hanging baskets are a great way to add seasonal color to any outdoor room.

Complete the Look 1. A gazebo-style feeder adds whimsy and welcomes birds. 2. An orchid planter completes the outdoor table setting. 3. An outdoor ceiling fan with remote creates a cool breeze. 4. Eco-friendly fixtures use solar energy for spotlighting the gazebo.

Check out Lowe’s complete selection of outdoor storage buildings, utility sheds, and gazebos. Lowe’s can provide professional installation of storage buildings. To learn more about these and other ways to welcome the season, visit Lowes.com/Spring.

Lowe’s List ■ ■

Pick the Best Location

1 ■

Skill level: Intermediate Rough cost estimate .. $5,525* Cedar gazebo and path ................... $4,925** Outdoor furniture ........... $140 Accessories .....................$460 Rough time estimate: 3 days (with at least 2 people)

A bit of forethought can make all the difference when selecting and siting a gazebo. Use this checklist as a guide.

CEDAR GAZEBO AND PATH

10-foot hexagon gazebo kit (CedarShed, Special Order) pavers (tan/charcoal, #59765)

■ Choose a model that complements

OUTDOOR FURNITURE

your home in scale and materials. ■ While most structures the size of a gazebo don’t require a permit, check local building codes to make sure. ■ Find a spot that will have a nice view from the gazebo, and consider the view of the scene from inside your home. ■ Start with a level area to reduce the need for grading. Build on a foundation appropriate for the structure and for your yard’s conditions. The manufacturer can offer several options. ■ Consider your route to and from the gazebo. A paver path not only will make for an easier walk, but also can help incorporate the gazebo into the landscape. ■ Check with the manufacturer for more information about siting and setting up your gazebo.

30-inch bistro table (Key Largo, #115980) 4 barrel-back chairs (Key Largo, #119225) ACCESSORIES

pillows (#112686) ceiling fan with remote (Harbor Breeze, #70085)

solar landscape lighting (Brightscapes, #135213)

Natural Addition

bird feeder (#235778) hanging baskets (#110623)

Make a gazebo part of your design plan by surrounding it with the right plants. Consider these tips when landscaping around the structure.

orchid planter (#33208) PLANTS

Choose native plants that complement the gardening style already established in your yard. ■ Achieve a ready-made privacy screen or canopy with mature plantings, or plant evergreen selections that mature to a large size. ■ Bridge gaps between mature plantings and the gazebo with moderately sized shrubs or perennials. ■ Flank the entrance with a pair of evergreen plants, but make sure their ■

wax myrtle gardenia Encore azalea mondo grass boxwood dianthus pansy

HOW-TO VIDEO Learn how to install landscape lighting at Lowes.com/Videos.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

*Does not include labor costs, the cost of plants, paver setting materials, or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

mature size won’t interfere with easy access. ■ Lend a pleasant scent to your outdoor room with fragrant plants, such as gardenias. ■ Bring color and texture to the space with plants that bloom in different seasons. ■ Add a generous layer of mulch around plants. Select a color or a texture that blends well with both the gazebo and plantings.

**Roof options and accessories vary and cost extra.

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLivingLowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

shop smar t

Weed Control Want a weed-free lawn and garden? Take steps to control these unwanted guests before, during, and after planting. Before You Plant

Take these measures before planting to deter weeds. Try DuPont Garden Products Landscape Max Maximum Weed Defense Fabric (#254519) on hardto-maintain areas in your yard—weeds can’t grow on top of it or break through from beneath. ■ Use DuPont Garden Products Landscape Anchor Pins (#160807 or #86416) to keep the fabric in place.

■ DuPont

Garden Products Landscape Ready Ring Pre-Cut Weed Defense Circle (#254514) controls weeds while still allowing air, water, and essential nutrients to reach the roots of your plants. This product comes ready to use, and it will fit around both new and old trees and shrubs.

■

While You Plant

Choose mulches and sprinkle-on formulas to eliminate the possibility of weeds in your planting beds.

■ Stop weeds before they start by using Preen Mulch Plus (#255154) around flowers, trees, and shrubs. This multitasker gives your garden a finished look while smothering weeds more effectively than regular mulches. ■ The Perm-A-Mulch MulchMat tree ring (#80694) has the look of mulch but will not wash away. It blocks weeds around trees while allowing air, water, and nutrients to pass through. ■ Sprinkle Miracle-Gro Garden Weed Preventer (#14396) or Preen Garden Weed Preventer (#252811) around vegetables, flowers, trees, and shrubs to keep weeds from sprouting. Both products last for up to three months.

After You Plant

Use these products if weeds spring up on your lawn or in other spots, such as the cracks in your driveway.

■ Bayer

Advanced All-in-One Weed Killer for Lawns (#165368) kills weeds and crabgrass in one step and will not harm your lawn. ■ Bayer Advanced Southern Weed Killer for Lawns (#146850) will eliminate weeds and crabgrass in one step as well, but it has been specially designed to work on southern lawns.

Outdoor Living

spring 2008

Roundup Ready To Use Extended Control Weed & Grass Killer Plus Weed Prevent (#26779) kills existing weeds and stops new weeds for up to three months. Use this nonselective product in driveway and sidewalk cracks, along fence lines, and in mulched areas. ■

p h oto g r a p h y b y B r i a n F r a n c i s

ON THE ROAD

Good To Know Build your own rain garden at home. Kansas City’s 10,000 Rain Gardens Web site offers custom garden designs as well as step-by-step instructions for planning, prepping, and planting your rain garden. Go to www.rainkc.com/gardens.

DISCOVER

RAIN GARDENS

A Kansas City, Missouri, initiative provides inspiration for cleaner, greener community landscapes.

Let It Rain! These native plants won’t cower when the forecast calls for wet weather. bee balm (Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’): Zones 4–9 ■ cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Zones 2–9 ■ blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium): Zones 3–9 ■ crinkled hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa): Zones 3–8 ■ false sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides): Zones 3–9 ■ ‘Moonbeam’ threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’): Zones 3–9 ■ New England aster (Aster novaeangliae): Zones: 3–9 ■ purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Zones 2–10 ■ goldenrod (Solidago rugosa): Zones 3–9 ■Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Zones 5–9 ■ smooth aster (Aster laevis): Zones 3–8 ■ smooth penstemon (Penstemon digitalis): Zones 3–9 ■ corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’): Zones 4–10 ■ spike blazing star (Liatris spicata): Zones 3–10 ■ swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Zones 3–8 ■ switch grass (Panicum virgatum): Zones 2–9 ■ white turtlehead (Chelone glabra): Zones 3–8 ■ wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Zones 3–8 ■ wild geranium (Geranium maculatum): Zones 3–8 ■

A rain garden at Visitation Church (here, and opposite page, bottom left) prevents thousands of gallons of runoff into Brush Creek each year.

When urban landscapes replace any natural terrain, rain must find a new path to streams and wetlands, often traveling along roads, parking lots, and rooftops rather than soaking into the soil. Along the way, this runoff collects pollutants, such as grease and oil, before entering waterways, compromising water quality, and threatening wildlife. Managing stormwater is a major concern for cities large and small, and many—including Kansas City, Missouri—are turning to rain gardens for help. Based on a rather simple concept, rain gardens are slight depressions in

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

This rain garden at the University of Missouri-Kansas City serves as a dry creekbed that manages runoff.

the soil, usually a few yards in diameter, filled with native plants that will absorb rain more effectively than most common landscaping techniques. While cutting down on runoff, a rain garden serves as a natural filter for rainwater, which seeps through the garden’s soil and back into the water table. By soaking up standing water, rain gardens also eliminate many breeding grounds for mosquitoes. When Kansas City introduced its 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative in 2005, the city was troubled with flooding due to the runoff from heavy storms. Waste products and contaminants in storm-

At the bottom of a slope, a small residential rain garden is filled with water-loving native plants.

sewer overflow threatened waterfowl and fish in area streams and rivers and made lakes unsuitable for recreation. The city currently has approximately 1,000 public and private rain gardens, but the ambitious goal of 10,000 comes closer to reality each year, encouraged by the efforts of community programs that continue to introduce the concept to homeowners and businesses. Kansas City’s public rain gardens are open to visitors, and a July home tour offers a glimpse of residential gardens. Visit www.rainkc.com for more information on the Kansas City program. P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y B R U C E N . M E Y E R

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y N A M E TO KO M E

DIG GING IN

Green and White 1. ‘August Beauty’ common gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’)

2. Japanese fatsia (Fatsia japonica) 3. ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern (Dryopteris

Shade offers refuge from the heat and an opportunity to play with plant textures, shapes, and even colors. Dig in, and plant your own shade garden.

erythrosora ‘Brilliance’)

4. fancy-leafed caladium (Caladium selections)

5. dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) 6. Aztec grass (Ophiopogon intermedius

‘Argenteomarginatus’)

COOL ESCAPE

Make It Welcoming Plan your shade garden with elements that will make it inviting, comfortable, and easy to enjoy. As in any new outdoor space, install outdoor lighting. Add some light-colored edging (shown: charcoal, #13868), and include statuary if you wish.

Outdoor Living

SPRING 2008

3 7 4

Because a shady zone encourages slowing down, include seating using fabrics in shades that will complement plants and brighten the space. Consider adding the sound of trickling water, but you may want to avoid a sizeable pond. Overhanging tree branches will drop debris in the water, and you’ll have to fish it out. Instead, include a fountain that adds to the ambience.

A bed planted with a green-and-white palette is simple and soothing.

Crave Color? With the right selections, you can find success with shaded color.

Strike It Rich Choose a planting palette that’s rich texturally. Variegated foliage provides contrast in the shade, so plant variegated Japanese pachysandra, ‘Patriot’ hosta, and variegated Solomon’s seal to offer visual interest all season long. Combine foliage textures to create a planting tapestry. Pair the broad, bold foliage of Japanese fatsia or fancy-leafed caladium with fine-leaved perennials, such as ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern. In early spring and fall, this fern will add a rich, bronze tone to the garden; in the summer, it’s a rich green. If trees cause your shade, watch sun patterns throughout the day in different seasons. To weave more interest into your garden, fill puddles of sunlight with perennials that grow in partial sun.

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y B R I A N F R A N C I S

O KREDIT SIDE PHO OTO

Most of the shady areas in nature occur beneath tree canopies. In a woodland setting, soil is moist, rich, and full of humus: all conditions that cause shade-loving plants to thrive. Duplicate this soil in your own shade garden to help plants grow robustly. Add compost to existing soil to increase humus. Continue to build up soil by adding a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost around plants annually, in the spring or fall. Unlike sun-saturated areas, shade gardens require less frequent irrigation; however, soil needs to stay moist, so you’ll want to incorporate a convenient water source. To deliver water with accuracy, add either soaker hoses or a method of drip irrigation. Also, realize that pockets of your shade garden may get a little more sun than others. Fill sunnier spots with plants that will be able to tolerate both shade and sun.

OTO SIDE PHO O KREDIT

The Basics of Shade

7. ‘Patriot’ hosta (Hosta ‘Patriot’) 8. cast-iron plant (Aspidistra selections)

Pretty Pastel (blue, pink) ■ astilbe (Astilbe selections) ■ ‘Blue Panda’ blue corydalis (Corydalis flexuosa ‘Blue Panda’) ■ blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) ■ Chinese meadow rue (Thalictrum delavayi) ■ columbine (Aquilegia selections) ■ common bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) ■ cranesbill geranium (Geranium sanguineum) Bold Blend (yellow, orange, red) ■ astilbe (Astilbe selections) ■ coral bells (Heuchera selections) ■ daylily (Hemerocallis selections) ■ masterwort (Astrantia major ‘Rubra’) ■ water avens (Geum rivale) ■ yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea) ■ yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata)

Lo LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

D ONE IN A DAY

GARDEN CALENDAR TIPS

Good To Know Keep your trees healthy and growing with Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed (#216528).

To learn more about your planting zone, visit Lowes.com/ZoneMap.

5 6 3

Step-by-Step

2 1 10

Refer to the tips below that apply to your zone.

It’s good for you and for the earth. Trees offer more than just beauty—they also work hard for the environment. They conserve energy, shielding our homes from cold winds and hot sun to help keep our utility bills low. They provide shelter for birds and food for wildlife. They even scrub the air of carbon dioxide and pump in vital oxygen. Plant a tree this spring to celebrate two eco-friendly

Outdoor Living

observances: Earth Day, on April 22, and Arbor Day, on April 25. The simple act of planting a tree is the focus of Arbor Day, and it supports the emphasis of Earth Day, which promotes all efforts toward a clean environment. You also can choose to celebrate a momentous event or honor an individual by digging in the soil. Through the Arbor Day Foundation,

SPRING 2008

you can donate funds to plant a tree in a person’s honor or memory, or to mark an anniversary, a birthday, or a wedding. You’ll receive a certificate documenting the tree and what it celebrates when you donate online.

Visit ArborDay.org for more information about the Arbor Day Foundation, or to donate.

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y B R I A N F R A N C I S

APRIL

TREE

Zones 3–5

MAY

PLANT A

7 8 10

9 10 11

IF YOU LIVE HERE … MARCH

Select a tree that fits your yard as well as your needs. Consider its mature size, the shade it might cast on existing flowerbeds, and any nearby power lines or paved areas its branches and roots may disturb. Before digging, be sure to contact your local utility company to mark gas lines, water pipes, or underground cables. Dig a hole as deep as the tree’s root ball and twice as wide. A round-point shovel and a mattock are the best tools for this task. Try excavating soil onto a tarp to protect your lawn throughout the planting process. Mix organic filler into heavy clay or sandy soil, replacing up to one-half the volume of the excavated soil. Slice roots by scoring the sides of the root ball with a shovel, which will encourage new roots to grow. Place your tree in the hole, replace some of the soil, and straighten the tree. Fill the rest of the hole with more soil. Add a ring of mounded soil 12 to 18 inches out from the trunk, creating a moat so that water can soak into the roots. Mulch with organic matter, such as shredded bark or pine straw, beginning 3 to 5 inches away from the trunk to allow air to circulate freely. Water the tree at least once a week during the first growing season.

Zones 6 – 8

Zones 9 –11

■ LAWN

Apply crabgrass killer before forsythia flowers fade. Treat with a pre-emergent broadleaf weedkiller now if you didn’t last fall. Don’t overseed if you’re using any pre-emergent herbicide. ■ ANNUALS Plant cool-season annuals for early color: pansies, ornamental kale, or sweet alyssum. Don’t overwater; soil dries slowly in cool weather. ■ SEEDS Start seeds indoors; provide lighting 14–16 hours per day.

■ WEEDS

Either overseed bare spots on lawns or treat with a pre-emergent broadleaf weedkiller—but don’t do both. Spot-spray existing weeds with the Bayer Advanced weed killer that’s best for your region (#165368, #146850). ■ BLOOMERS Prune flowering azalea, quince, and forsythia after blooms have appeared. Avoid pruning crepe myrtles until foliage has fully emerged; remove any deadwood.

■ GRASS

■ FERTILIZER

Feed young trees (less than three years old), perennials, and shrubs with an all-purpose blend that’s higher in nitrogen and potassium, lower in phosphorus. ■ BULBS Remove mulch from around bulbs and perennials on a cloudy day. Scratch a complete fertilizer into soil around the plants as leaves emerge. ■ PONDS Clean ponds before frog-egg masses are visible.

■ LAWN

Let grass clippings lie on the lawn, especially after the first mowing, to add valuable nutrients to soil. ■ VEGGIES Dig vegetable gardens. Plant all crops—broccoli, onions, peas, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and summer squash. ■ ANNUALS Plant flowering annuals. Attract hummingbirds and butterflies with sage, pentas, lantana, spider flower, or zinnia.

■ PRUNING

■ GRASS

■ ENERGY

■ LAWNS

Let grass clippings lie on the lawn to add valuable nutrients to soil. ■ INSECTS Treat any Eastern tent caterpillars as soon as you spot webs. Cut nests from trees and bury them, or spray with Bacillus thuringiensis, an organic caterpillar-killing product. ■ PERENNIALS Dig and divide fallflowering perennials, providing 1 inch of water per week as plants establish.

Increase the efficiency of your air conditioner’s compressor by up to 10% with shade from shrubs or trees. Evaporative coolers, however, need sunshine for efficient operation. ■ BULBS Set outside for the summer any amaryllis bulbs that were forced for holiday blooming. Scratch a slowrelease, all-purpose fertilizer into the soil, and place the plants in a lightly shaded spot.

Fertilize lawns in early spring, particularly St. Augustine and Bahia grass. Seed Bermuda grass lawns; plant sod for St. Augustine, centipede, and Zoysia grass. Keep newly planted areas or lawns moist. ■ ROSES Prune roses, making cuts just above any outward-facing buds. Remove deadwood, crossing branches, and spindly shoots. Prune climbers after flowering. Remove dead foliage on ornamental grasses before new growth emerges. Cut plants to a height of 12 inches. ■ WATER Irrigate your landscape during this hot, windy month. Install soaker hoses in planting beds, and apply mulch to conserve soil moisture. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks; keep it pulled back a few inches to allow airflow. Fertilize Bermuda, Zoysia, and centipede grass with a product that delivers quickly available nitrogen. Use a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. ■ WATER Replace missing heads and repair leaks on your irrigation system. ■ CITRUSES Feed citrus trees with a specialized citrus fertilizer. Broadcast the fertilizer beneath the tree’s foliage canopy, and water it in.

By relying on regional and local growers, Lowe’s is able to provide you with selections that are best suited to your climate. The plants mentioned may not always be available at your local Lowe’s, but your Lowe’s Trained Nursery Specialist will help you find comparable selections. And if your perennials, houseplants, trees, or shrubs don’t survive a year, bring the plants and your receipt in to your local Lowe’s, and they’ll be replaced at no charge.

LowesCreativeIdeas.com/OutdoorLiving

To subscribe, log onto LowesCreativeIdeas.com/Subscribe, or call 1-877-LOWES-02 (569-3702). If your address has an error that needs correction or you would like your name removed from our mailing list, please send your request with your address label to: Lowe’s Mail Preference, P.O. Box 35256, Greensboro, NC 27425-5256. P.O. BOX 35256

PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PA I D PERMIT NO. 1455 PEWAUKEE, WI 53072

Greensboro, North Carolina 27425-5256

S43003051633444S

jus t in

Best Bloomers Lowe’s Garden Club Select annuals and perennials are developed to make gardening easier for you.

Long before you see them in the Lowe’s Garden Center, these plants must pass rigorous breeding, testing, and growing standards. Here’s why they’re guaranteed to grow and thrive in your yard. ■ Each Lowe’s Garden Club Select plant is specially chosen and tested and then retested to ensure top-notch performance in the specific region for which it was developed. ■ Every plant is selected for its superior bloom size, form, or color, as well as its hardiness and readiness for planting. ■ Each container’s packaging and plant tag provides you with extensive information and tips about planting, growing, and maintenance. ■ To view the wide selection of Lowe’s Garden Club Select annuals and perennials, stop by your local Lowe’s Garden Center today, or visit Lowes.com/Learn2Grow.