Dream Home

Perennial Power

By SABRA STAFFORD

If the gardening season has you green with envy over your neighbor’s lush blooms and ripening fruit, then take a look at perennials. A perennial is a powerhouse in the garden that will come back year a er year given the right care, and in some cases the right care is exceedingly minimal. With a variety of options, growing perennials might just be the ticket to a garden oasis. ●

Sun Lovers

Many perennials prefer to grow in a spot with lots of sun and relatively dry, which in the 209 is an asset. ese sun-loving perennials come in a wide variety of sizes and colors to ll in a garden landscape. Sage (Salvia) thrives in a sunny spot, as does daylilies (Hemerocallis) and catnip (Nepeta). Most ornamental grasses also fair well in sunny and dry spots, including moor grass (Molinia) and sedge (Carex). And, of course succulents like stonecrop (Sedum) and houseleek (Sempervivum) are good sun growers.

Made in the Shade

Perennials preferring to spend their time under a canopy of shade are typically not big ower bloomers, but the leaf color, shape and height can be just as eye-catching. Examples include knotweed (Persicaria), fairy wings (Epimedium), and Corydalis. Solomon’s seals (Polygonatum) is also perfect for shade.

Planting Perennials

Giving your perennials a bit of care in the planting stage sets them up to return year a er year. For most plants you’ll need to dig a planting hole that is more than twice the size of the root ball. Loosen the soil at the bottom and all around. Fill the hole up with enough soil so that the plant sits a little deeper than in the (cultivation) pot it arrived in. Water once planted and continue weekly as needed.

Spread the Mulch

Perennials will love you even more if you spread some plant material around to create a layer of mulch. this will protect it from the heat and cold and keeps the plant from drying out. As a bonus, a mulch layer hampers the growth of weeds.

By SABRA STAFFORD

From a craftsman cottage to a midcentury ranch, from an artist’s retreat to a down-sizer’s dream, the recently held 2022 Art of Design: Home & Garden Tour to benefit the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock showcased some uniquely designed homes in some of Turlock’s historic neighborhoods.●

N. Berkeley Avenue

This homeowner wanted the small home to feel larger, so she used color to accomplish it. The walls and ceilings were painted light and neutral to give the appearance of being larger. For continuity and a calming presence, the wholehouse color scheme is two colors: gray tones and shades of lime green. An accent color, sunny gold, adds “pop” to the living room and master bedroom. In 2019, the original combination bathtub/ shower was replaced with a curb-less shower. Glass was used to create a shower wall, bringing light into the room and a feeling of openness. A new vanity, mirror,and light fixture completed the bathroom remodel.