This middle of the border combination of white on white features a delicate white cloud of baby’s breath and the large, sturdy daisy-like flowers of white cone flower. Although the color is the same the contrast provided by the difference in texture and size makes the combinations eye-catching. The cone flower begins blooming before the baby’s breath makes its appearance and may continue after the baby’s breath finishes. Both plants like full sun and well-drained soil. [click to read full post]
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Meyer lemon is native to China where it is a popular patio and container plant. Brought to the United States in 1908 by Frank Meyer, it is believed to be a cross between a lemon and either a mandarin or common orange, and is commercially grown in Texas, Florida, and California. The plant can be either a shrub or small tree, is evergreen, and attractive all year long. It has glossy dark green leaves and fragrant white blossoms in spring. The fruit is rounder, sweeter, and less acidic and has a thinner skin than standard lemons. It is egg yoke yellow with a tinge of orange, and has dark yellow pulp with a complex citrus taste. Fruit production continues all year but is heaviest in the winter. Meyerii lemons make excellent patio or container plants and can be grown inside during the winter in cold climates if sufficient light is provided. The lemons are excellent for cooking. The originally trees brought to the United States were symptomless carriers of Citrus tristeza virus, a deadly disease that has destroyed Citrus crops all over the world but an “Improved Meyerii lemon” that does not carry the virus was released in 1975 by the University of California. 
Tall buttercup is a perennial weed native to central and northeastern Europe and is now found in most of the United States where it is considered a noxious weed in Montana and Minnesota. It thrives in moist soil with full sun to part shade and can be found in a variety of habitats including wet lowlands, rich woodlands, moist pastures and meadows, and along roadsides. It invades lawns and flowerbeds where it looks beguilingly attractive in spring when it blooms. Also known as blister plant because it contains an oil that irritates and blisters the mouth of grazing animals but is usually avoided by them due to its unappealing taste. 
A native of high elevations in Chile and Argentina, blue wheat grass is a cool season, clump forming perennial grass. Its metallic blue foliage is outstanding and may be the best blue of any grass. The leaves are 8-12 inches long and one to 1½ inches wide. The plant is evergreen in mild climates. Bluish green flowers emerge in early summer, mature to straw color, and are attractive in fresh and dried arrangements. Blue wheat grass makes a fine accent in a perennial border and goes well with most other colors. It is especially attractive when paired with purple flowering plants or those with bronze foliage. 
If you are lucky enough to have a stream or pond on your property you might have fish that add to the life and interest of the place. Fish certainly attract the attention of young children and Cathryn Sill’s book, About Fish, is an excellent introduction to these aquatic beauties. Written for children from pre-school to grade 2, the book presents basic facts about fish and provides a look at the diversity of the group. 
Roses that lack thorns (actually, prickles) are rare but very desirable. They are especially good choices for areas where children play and along walkways and paths where people pass by. Pruning thornless roses takes on a whole new character as does flower arranging. Who really likes working with plants that grab at your clothes and claw you hands, arms, and legs? Some types of roses, like Polyanthas, have less thorns than most, and a small number of roses are almost thornless. An even smaller number are classified as thornless 
A native of South America, this tropical vine is also known a corkscrew vine, climbing shell vine, and snail vine. It is a tender perennial, tropical vine that climbs by twining. The flowers are fragrant, range in color from white to purplish pink and appear as early as spring but more commonly in late summer. They have the typical pea form with a hooked keel but are spirally twisted. The fruits are pods up to seven inches in length. The leaves have three leaflets and are about three inches long. Caracalla bean is very vigorous but must be given a support to climb. It can be controlled by cutting back or withholding water. In cold climates it is grown as house plant or brought inside for the winter. 
