Lacey – Page 11

Plant of the Week- Lady Banks Rose

July 10, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

There’s a certain amount of romance to a climbing rose. Blossom-ridden branches wound around and over inviting arbors, their sweet perfumes heavy in the summer sun, remind me of days gone by. I picture Gone With the Wind, or The Music Man. Call me old fashioned, but I love climbing roses and I’ve got the perfect addition for your garden, of which Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler would approve.

The Lady Banks Rose or Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ is a smaller-blossomed cousin of typicalclimbers. Don’t let their size fool you, what it may lack in size it makes up for in number, blanketing branches in pale yellow. Their blossoms are double which give the Lady Banks Rose a distinctly dainty and feminine appearance. Its natural disease resistance and {mostly} thornless nature make it more friendly for busy spaces. Look for one at your local garden center, or order online from Monrovia Nursery.

For another amazing climber, check out last weeks Bougainvillea post.

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USDA Zones : 6-11
Height: 8-10′
Width: 4-6′
Bloom Time: Summer
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil Media: well drained soil
Water Requirements: Regular Watering

Photo Attributions
Top: greensborodailyphoto.com
Bottom Left: purpleranch.com
Bottom Right: magnoliagardennursery.com

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A Bouquet of Herbs

July 9, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

Talk about aromatherapy!

Today was the day to trim back a few of the herbs in my garden. The oregano and chives are going to seed so they add an extra burst of color in my counter-top bouquet. For this cutting I gathered oregano, lavender, peppermint, chives and fever-few. A light brush of the leaves as I pass them in the kitchen sends a burst of aroma that livens the kitchen. When I start looking for a vase to put flowers in (or in this case, herbs) , I like to find a unique container. Over the years my family has become connoisseurs of different types of root beer. We have collected several different bottles from many different places. I decided to bring one to the kitchen to hold my lovely bouquet of herbs. The clear winner for this project was the Sioux City Sarsaparilla.(who knew there was an “r” in Sarsaparilla? ) Our favorite root beer store is the Old Town Rootbeer Company in Temecula California, an enchanting find of my oldest son while he lived in California.

To make my new vase a little more unique I took the bottle cap and flattened it with a rubber mallet.

I punched a small hold in the top with a small nail, and then threaded in on an old wire. Using a small pair of pliers I created a “curl” by twisting the wire around the pliers and then anchored in the bottle of flowers.

Oregano, peppermint and chives provide the greenery for this bouquet while the perky “daisy-like” flowers of the fever-few adds the focal point. Wrapped up together they brighten any kitchen and bring a spicy fragrance to delight the senses.

P.S. I tossed in a bit of cilantro from the store just for good measure. That’s not cheating is it?

Kate’s Quotables

July 6, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

We are so grateful for the rain yesterday. We have had so many wild fires and one has destroyed hundreds and hundreds of acres in my home town. On any given summer day I love a cooling rain storm but yesterday was something special. I stood in the downpour and let it cover me in a blanket of answered prayer.

Beauty for the Balcony in Valencia, Spain

July 5, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

Near my apartment is Valencia’s Mercado Central. It’s a huge farmers market that’s open from about ten in the morning until the early afternoon when everything gets packed up and taken down just before siesta. Vendors set up their booths inside a gorgeous old building just across from La Lonja {Valencia’s ancient silk merchant market}. Ever since we happened upon the Mercado my husband and I have enjoyed wandering through the market, experiencing all the different sights and smells.

The market is definitely a shock for the senses. There are stacks of farm fresh eggs in white and speckled brown. Huge containers of pickled sardines sit below dried squid strung on large hooks from the ceilings of the stalls. Tall, narrow bottles of locally produced olive oil catch morning sun streaming through the arching entrances, causing the amber liquid to sparkle. Baskets of warm, freshly baked bread, bunches of dried herbs and spices, and crates overflowing with picked-this-morning lemons and oranges crowd the narrow walkways. The other day as we finished picking out a watermelon and some freshly baked baguettes we stumbled upon a garden stall. That’s when I saw her…

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Bougainvillea has long been one of my favorite plants. I remember the first time I noticed its incredible hot pink color absolutely enveloping an arbor near Disneyland’s Rancho del Zocalo restaurant. Ever since then I’ve been hooked on this climbing vine that’s suited for more tolerant climates than my own. So when I caught a glimpse of this one as I walked past with my baguette, I couldn’t help myself. I gave my husband my best Marcus pleeease eyes and for just €8 it was mine.

Our apartment happens to have the perfect exposure to support this blooming beauty: full and hot southern sun on our balconies. Bougainvillea is a wonderful container plant because of their love of hot sun and preference of dry soil. Also, container planting of Bougainvillea allows you to winter the plant in a sunny spot indoors {if you live below zone 10}. They’re great for smaller spaces because they aren’t aggressive growers and provide a ton of color for minimum effort. Go out and grab one for your patio or balcony!

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Plant of the Week- Rose Mallow

July 3, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

For continuous garden color it’s important to stage blooming periods through perennial selection. While waiting for your delphiniums to rebloom enjoy the mid-summer tropical beauty of Rose Mallow! With exotic blossoms spanning up to 10″ in diameter, they are well deserving of their other common name, dinner plate Hibiscus. This is a plant that is sure to add whimsy to any garden!

USDA Zones: 5-10 Height: 36-48″ Width: 24-36″ Bloom time: mid to late summer

Photo by : victoriannursery.co.uk

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Kate’s Quotables

June 29, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

A Different Kind of Green Living: inspired by Paris

June 28, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

American author Christopher Morley once said “all cities are beautiful, but the beauty is grim”. When the beauty of nature is compared with that of a city there is {at least in my opinion} a clear winner. The monotony of colorless living can be exhausting. Yet there are those who would try to bring a bit of green into the long expanses of concrete and canopies of steel and mortar. They battle sidewalks, stop lights, and tightly cramped buildings to bring all things green and growing a little closer than the nearest park or tree lined street. And in the battle to bring life to the concrete jungles of the world they are the first line of defense.

Small garden shops or booths are welcome sights in large cities. Their contents spill out onto sidewalks providing the shocking contrast of color amidst various shades of grey. I found this especially refreshing while in Paris. Near the Notre Dame Cathedral my husband and I stumbled across a small garden market. The sudden burst of color in the city reminded me of seeing the first blossoms after a long and gray winter. The importance of green became even more pronounced as I watched a small Parisian woman struggle to get on the bus with a three foot tall climbing rose, battling thorny tendrils and a five gallon pot on public transportation. It’s a different kind of green living, and it’s being green in the most basic way. So grab a brand-new houseplant, or find another container to fill with blooming annuals,because you can’t have enough green.

Plant of the Week- Agapanthus

June 26, 2012 by Lacey 1 Comment

Alright, I know there has been a little gap in our plant of the week posts. I blame a months worth of European travels. But now that I’m settling into life in Valencia, Plant Of The Week will once again be weekly! Its easy to be inspired in this ancient city. I had to look no further than the plaza in front of our apartment, where I found this beauty…

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Kate’s Quotables

June 22, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

Moorish Style. . .put Moor into your garden

June 21, 2012 by Lacey Leave a Comment

I spent this past weekend traveling to Seville and Málaga. My husband and I visited the palace of Alcázar and the Alcazaba fortress. We srtolled through the high walled courtyards, listened to the trickling water in fountains and pools, inhaled the heavy purfume of jasmine, roses and orange blossoms while admiring the contrast between terra cotta pavers and brightly colored ceramic tiles.

In the eighth century the Moorish invasion of Spain introduced a style of garden design that would remain long after their rule had ended. Islamic and Persian gardens where among the first pleasure gardens in the world, creating a fragrant refuge from the desert. These gardens were very much like our own gardens today; places of sanctuary and escape.

It could be fun to incorporate elements of Moorish style into your garden, Here’s how!

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