Two kinds of people use the stars. The first romanticize their beauty and dream by them, the second use them to steer their course by. It is much the same with roses. There is much to be done in this world to beautify both the garden and spirit of our fellow man with roses.

We can devote our time to simple enjoyment of the joys we have found in roses or we can set about the vitally important task of bringing this pleasure to more people. With a new year unfolding before us we might well take stock and see which path we have followed in the past and if we are willing to enrich the lives of our fellow men by following the second course.

If we find the challenge of the latter course inspiring there is one factor which will help greatly in gaining successful results. That is the importance of retaining an affirmative attitude. I used to hate the fact that my garden soil is full of rocks until I found these came in mighty handy when I issued forth with my trusty sling-shot to ward off the innumerable rabbits which plagued our new rose plants.

I am building another lamplight greenhouse, so I can expand my study of roses under artificial lighting. I had some very astounding results from cuttings made during the winter and, believe it or not, several are blooming at this very moment in the garden.

My failures were also ever present, but from each 1 learned a lesson, be it in rooting mediums, temperature, hardening off, or what- ever problems beset the indoor gardener. One thing I do know is that it works if you know how to properly balance the lights and take certain other precautions.

I bought a dormant rose the second week in March, planted it in a pot and set it alongside my propagating box under lights. On April 27 I cut my first rose of the year, and I believe the first one in this area. It caused quite a commotion. When I told people I raised it in a basement they said I was “nuts.” The rose had never seen daylight until it was cut and brought out of the house.

Since ours in an age when sadly, most of us simply do not have the time necessary to properly care for a tree which needs tending, you may have noticed a growing number of artificial trees about. You havent you say? Thats probably because newer artificial trees are just so realistic that you may not have even noticed that the tree you were admitting was in fact artificial! In fact, a lot of artificial trees produced currently incorporate real bark and other wooden elements for added realism. They are created by expert craftsmen and look simply amazing.

These trees are so life-like that they are the next best thing to nature itself and will attract birds and butterflies to visit amidst their leafy canopies and branches. Much of the popularity of these trees is undoubtedly due to the ease of care and the low maintenance that they require. Instead of fertilizing, watering, trimming, and providing adequate sunlight, you can bring the look of tropical splendor to any indoor space with only a bit of dusting needed on occasion, to sustain the look.

A vigorous, shade tolerant, truly evergreen ground cover of neat habit, and resistant to Mid-America’s climatic adversities was years ago, only a dream.

In 1934 a dreamer and unusual plant curator from the central Midwest, Dr. Edgar Anderson of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, was “browsing” in the far corners of the world. From Europe he brought home many varieties of ivy. Two of those from the Balkans had by 1945 survived here and proved worthy of formal introduction and naming. To one of these Hedera helix of the Ginseng family he gave the name MBG Bulgaria (The MBG comes from Missouri Botanical Garden.)

He had found it growing vigorously in the deep shade of a beech forest behind the Rila Monastery at the head of a valley in the Bulgar mountains. This is a land of rigorous winters and languorous summers. Now for 20 years the ivy has been growing vigorously in the Mausoleum grounds near the old Shaw residence of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It remains verdant and live looking winter and summer. As a ground cover it is attractive with its uniform six-inch height and horizontal leaves averaging four inches wide, shallowly lobed, and not prominently veined. Although somewhat denser in deep shade, it stays uniform with no bare spots in areas of light shade and even full sun.

To preserve flowers they should be dipped in melted paraffin which should be just hot enough to maintain the fluidity. The flowers should be dipped one at a time, held by the stalks and moved about for an instant to get rid of air bubbles. Fresh cut flowers, free from moisture, are said to make excellent specimens when treated in this way.

There are other methods listed for preserving flowers as well. I have been giving preserving roses with wax some thought and while never having tried wax on rose blooms (not artificial blooms), I question being able to apply a finish. My experience finishing cloth, lightweight print cloth as well as heavy duck causes me to make this statement.

The heat necessary to melt the wax plus the vehicle (solvent) would be harmful to the petals. Application and even distribution of the compound by dipping. or brushing would present a problem as tension, roller coating would be harmful. Perhaps a starch or other clear film would be the base product you are looking for instead of wax?

Laura Ashley has moved into the garden. There has never been a more perfect marriage, the beauty of high quality garden furniture combined with classic timeless Laura Ashley fabric design.

The Edwardian inspired deckchair, the Sandbanks Deckchair, is crafted from quality Balau hardwood and though it retains its original timeless design, it hides some modern improvements. This is one of the highlights of the Laura Ashley Garden Furniture range.

The problem with deckchairs, altering the position, has been made simple and efficient with a foot operated click lock mechanism. With this innovation, you can enjoy any of the 3 positions without difficulty. Deckchairs are no longer something to be approached with trepidation!

The sun shade canopy is adjustable and can be moved up or down to protect ones face from the sun. The Lloyd fabric sun canopy is the reverse of the seat design which is dominated by the black coloured background with the classic Laura Ashley pattern in printed in biscuit.

The foot rest is easily removable and has a folding base support leg. It is a delightful and inexpensive classic piece of designer garden furniture.

For those living in the North the March winds can do more damage to plants than the hard freezes of winter. Right now plants are moving from a dormant to an active state. Growth impulses take place, not in the roots, but in the buds, which are exposed to all changes in temperature. Azaleas, forsythia, and other early – flowering shrubs become active with the slightest rise in temperature.

Chill, drying winds can harm unprotected plants. Be careful, therefore, about uncovering plants too soon; many will have started growth. Sudden exposure at this time could be disastrous. Uncover gradually, leaving some protective covering until the new growth becomes a little more hardened.

Digging and soil preparation can begin just as soon as the frost is out of the ground. If the ground is at all workable, get your plowing or digging started. Light, sandy soils can be put into shape sooner than heavier soils.

Nearly all gardens need lime. If quantities of organic matter are used it is absolutely necessary. It neutralizes acids in the soil which result from decomposition of organic matter and other causes, thereby aiding bacterial action. Heavy clay soils are more friable (easier to break up) and their structure improved. Lime supplies plants with calcium; a lime deficiency in the plant will mean a deficiency in food value.

We all like roses, but what can we do if we are allergic to them, or if they are just too expensive? There is an option of having gorgeous roses in your home without breaking the bank – “replica roses,” these silk roses are just as beautiful as fresh ones, except that they’re even better in many ways. They last indefinately, they won’t cause allergies, they don’t need to be watered, and you can’t kill them.

Replica roses can be used wherever you would have fresh roses. Send them to loved ones for anniversary presents or birthdays, say thankyou to friends or family with a single rose, or present a whole giftwarapped bouquet of fake roses to a sick friend in the hospital to brighten up their day.

Advantages of artificial or replica roses as compared to “real” ones Replica roses have other advantages, too. Because hospitals are increasingly asking visitors not to bring in fresh flowers or live plants, fake roses can provide this type of gift to raise spirits without breaking the rules. And lest you think this “no live flowers” rule is simply frivolous, think again. In fact, fresh flowers can bring in bacteria, too, which can be dangerous to patients in the hospital. Therefore, many hospitals have simply outlawed fresh or live flowers or plants. That can be depressing, even if it’s for patients’ own good! Silk or artificial flowers can provide the same benefits as live flowers can, without any of the drawbacks.

Because of our economy and the global warming crisis, you want to drive smarter and yet save some green too. It is not just about having an eco friendly car. Common sense tells us that if more people took up the challenge our whole country – even the whole world – would benefit in a big way. So You are asking yourself just how can you make a difference to the environment even if you are not driving a hybrid car? This article provides you with 5 great tips that you can put into action immediately. You’ll save money and help the environment too. OK, so just how can you drive smart, save green…

1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! Well unless you are a college student, you may not have that option any longer. The best alternative then is just to drive slower instead. You see, most cars appear to save gas when driven at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. So drive like Goldie Locks, not too slow and not too fast. This is how to drive smart, save green.

Planting a vegetable garden can be a very rewarding hobby as well as provide you with a healthy food source. Planning a vegetable garden gives you the chance to grow only the ones that you and your family love and it gives you the satisfaction of knowing that they are healthy and contain no pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

While many people think putting out a vegetable garden is too much trouble, it really isn’t that hard and can be quite fun for everyone involved. If you take care of your vegetable garden properly, then you will be able to grow some of the most delicious, fresh vegetables.

The area you choose for your vegetable garden needs lots of bright sunlight at least 6 hours a day. It is fine to pick an area that might be shady for part of the day if you are planning on planting leafy vegetables because most of these can thrive in partly shady areas and can handle the cooler temperature.