People Garden

 Five Traditional Elements  If you want your cottage garden to be truly traditional, you'll be surprised to learn that up until the 19th century, many cottage gardens boasted little more than potatoes. Nostalgia conjures up an image of a typical cottage garden as beautiful and timeless, but also functional. One cannot forget that country houses, especially if some way from a town or market, are often self-sufficient. 1. A low fence or stone wall often encloses a garden and is a vehicle for planting Fences were given to any cottage garden and served a practical role apart from providing structure to the plants. Their main purpose, of course, is to keep animals and rodents away from vegetables. The yards around the hut were fenced to keep chickens and other domestic animals and predators out. Today the fence still serves this purpose, but its role has expanded. A low stone wall or picket fence provides a backdrop for flowering garden beds and supports climbing plant...

Colorful, deer-resistant annuals Colorful, deer-resistant annuals are a great way to fill your summer gardens and vases. While deer will eat anything if they're really hungry, they have preferences. Some plants aren't too keen on them, especially plants with hairy or fuzzy leaves or strong scents. The following annual flowering and evergreen plants belong to this deer-resistant category (a few are perennials in warmer climates but are usually grown as annuals). Pick a few to fill your beds and container gardens with non-stop color from spring to fall and let the deer go elsewhere for dinner. 1. Calendula Sometimes called pot marigold, calendula produces cheerful flowers in shades of cream, yellow and orange. Although the flowers are edible—they're a colorful addition to summer salads—deer don't like the scent of the foliage, so they rarely bother the plant. Short varieties can be planted along walkways, at the front of a bed or in a mixed container. Tall va...

 Facts About Succulents Succulents are more interesting than you think! Get to know succulents with these fun and fascinating facts. 1. What Is a Succculent? One of our facts about succulents might surprise you. "Succulent" is a loose term with no single definition. It refers to any plant that has fleshy leaves, stems, or roots that store moisture to withstand drought. 2. Succulent flowers once a decade The name century plant might make you think it blooms every 100 years, but it actually blooms every 10 to 15 years. 3. Some Gardeners Can Grow Succulents Outdoors Some say the echeveria is the most impressive of all succulents. If you live in zones 9 through 11, try this beauty in the garden; It is a classic drought tolerant rosette succulent. Everyone else? Grow it as a houseplant or in an outdoor container during the warmer months. 4. Aloe vera attracts hummingbirds There are more than 250 species of cactus plants in the world. In the United States, cacti are co...