Using Lladro Porcelain Figurines To Decorate Your Home

Decorate Your Home With Lladro Porcelain Figurines

Additionally, Lladr� creates commemorative ornaments, like the porcelain Christmas tree ball, exclusively created to commemorate a specific year, these ornaments are retired shortly thereafter. Beautifully engraved silhouettes and hand-painted matte finish ensure these pieces will become cherished family heirlooms that will be the obvious centerpiece of the Christmas tree.Tranquility For The BedroomThe stunningly rich wedding gown is masterfully sculpted to realistically mimic the draping of silk, while the happy couple's faces gracefully tilt toward each other with the bride shyly meeting the groom's eager gaze. Here the magic of a Lladr� piece can be experienced. This simple sculpture transports you instantly back to this special moment and those cherished emotions, whether for a first or 50th anniversary.This is one of Lladr�'s most colorful pieces and features a charming little boy gently prodding his newly fashioned snowman to life. Full of animated detail and elegant shades of blue, white and brown, this is one piece that will make you want to curl up next to a fire with a cup of hot cocoa and hope for a snow day.Looking to inspire a restful sleep or create a sanctuary for relaxation in the bedroom? Lladr� specializes in figurines that convey a peaceful demeanor and comforting display. The "Sleeping Girl" piece for example, is a gorgeous display of serenity and spirituality. The crisp white porcelain angel is uniquely both sensuous and demure. This angel�s celestial appeal will fill any room with her soothing grace."Elegant Touch" is another perfect piece for a home's gathering spots. Guests to your home will delight in this piece's endearing display of childhood fancy and the bond between a girl and her dog. Show your love for laughter and your soft spot for animals with this charming figurine which showcases Lladr�'s skill for crafting pieces featuring innocent faces and evocative scenes.Lladr� also creates special pieces that are perfect for the winter holiday season. It is sure to be a happy holiday when you display one of Lladr�'s specially created winter-inspired pieces like "Talk to Me," a figurine that joyfully celebrates the winter tradition of snowman construction,right down to the carrot nose!With a youthful frame and delicately crossed legs, this angel strikes a contemplative pose while resting on her elbows in a gentle prayer pose. Intricate details like realistic feathers on the wings, an ornamental arm band featuring green ivy and crisp leaves and flowing hair in the softest shade of dusty blonde make this a true collector's piece. The piece is completed by its overall soft matte satin porcelain finish.A Truly Happy HolidayGive the Gift of Beautiful Memories With A Lladro Porcelain FigurineEveryday EleganceLladr� figurines are highly prized collector's pieces, which offer a great investment to anyone looking to become a connoisseur of porcelain art. But they aren't just for putting on a shelf somewhere safe and out of the way. The beauty and appeal of Lladr� porcelainis in the joy it creates for the owner. These are pieces that you'll want to have close by, on an office desk, on a nightstand, anywhere you can easily see them. They are also pieces that will show guests your personality and style. Collect Lladr� handcrafted pieces for their artistry, but love them for the way they make you feel.But you don't need a holiday to celebrate the beauty of Lladr� porcelain figurines. Many figurines are perfect for a living room or dining room and will add a distinct feel of artistry and luxury to any d�cor. "Soft Breeze," for instance, will cheer up any room with its vibrant joy and charm. The young girl stands poised, looking forward as her shoulder-length hair, wispy dress and aquamarine scarf are moved by the wind. Floral touches on her dress and in her hair add a burst of pastel color to the piece, while her dress is elegantly detailed next to the tuft of grass under her feet.With its origins in a small farming village of Alm�cera, Spain, Lladr� has created a respected tradition of finely crafted decorative figurines. In operation for over half a century, the family business prides itself on artisan craftsmanship. And now you can bring these distinctive pieces into your home to add a touch of warmth and artistry to any room. Lladr� has figurines to match any motif or mood, making decorating with the pieces so easy. The figurines also make the perfect gift for someone who has a new home, recently remodeled or anyone who would appreciate a unique piece of craftsmanship in a special room.

Lladr� figurines are highly prized collector's pieces, which offer a great investment to anyone looking to become a connoisseur of porcelain art. But they aren't just for putting on a shelf somewhere safe and out of the way. The beauty and appeal of Lladr� porcelainis in the joy it creates for the owner. These are pieces that you'll want to have close by, on an office desk, on a nightstand, anywhere you can easily see them. They are also pieces that will show guests your personality and style. Collect Lladr� handcrafted pieces for their artistry, but love them for the way they make you feel.

Author: Jose S Lladro

Special Plants for Large Containers

Containers are so versatile � often we design with a combination of plants, however, to add special interest for an overall display, consider including some large plants or special plants and grow them in a single pot or garden planter.

For shady conditions, there are a number of plants that look wonderful. Consider caladiums (Caladium spp.) or begonias, both tuberous and Sutherland begonias are great options. Other shade plants of course include the Coleus � they now have cultivars that are suitable for sun conditions too. Plectranthus is a great plant and excellent for partial shade.Your large container pots also look great planted with a single, good sized clump of low growing plants. Consider variegated society garlic (Tulbaghis violacea �Variegata� and variegated leaved geraniums (Pelargonium spp.). Both are very effective displayed in a single garden planter or container. Sedge grass is also one of those easy plants to have in your containers and can be combined with trailers to give a more finished look. Although the low growing plants are not as spectacular, they do offer a contrast and are nice accents when included with your large container planters.Like all good container plants, the best choices feature those plants that have long blooming periods or foliage that remains attractive throughout the summer. Here are some good ideas. Consider Angel�s trumpets (Brugmansia spp.) and Lantana (Lantana camara), just to name a couple. One of the best uses for ornamental grasses is the large special container planting, purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum �Rubrum�) with its wonderful burgundy leaves and even consider using pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), Another great plants are the dwarf grasses such as �Pumila�. These grasses are considered annuals in a lot of growing regions and can be taken indoors over the Winter.A number of shrub-sized plants, including most perennials, are effective when displayed along or surrounded by mixed containers. This is especially true when trying to eliminate the expansiveness of a fence � mix those specimen large planters with your garden border to create interest instead of boredom along the fence line.Theme areas can be created using your specimen plants and other annuals. Group one of your shrub-like specimen planters with a large group of pots containing annuals or perennials for an interesting look. Ground cover plants are certainly effective when used around plants such as angel�s trumpet as the leaves fall off the base as they grow. Don�t forget to add a low growing layer of trailing plants to add a splash of color into the container. Superbells (Calibrachoa) go so well and one of our favorites, of course bacopas (Bacopa spp.) and licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) are lovely too.Create a distinct break between your patio or terrace and turn this into an outdoor room. This can be accomplished by incorporating large garden containers filled with just a single spectacular plant and then infilling with border plantings. More than just providing a view, the design is provided from the inside out.

One of the most stunning combinations is using the braided hibiscus as the specimen plants and surrounding them with trailing variegated ivy and pink geraniums for that extra splash of color to soften the arrangement and balance the arrangement.

Author: Marion Stewart

Fertilizing to Create More Blossoms on Your Flowers, Flowering Shrubs and Trees

The secret to making your flowering trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials bloom more is in the numbers. All fertilizers have analysis numbers on the package. These numbers represent the percentage of each chemical the fertilizer contains.

Most lawn grasses are vigorous growers and therefore require significantly more nitrogen than the other plants in your yard. A lawn fertilizer would have an analysis of 26-3-3, indicating a fertilizer high in nitrogen. You would not want to use a fertilizer containing such a high percentage of nitrogen on landscape plants because it would be very easy to burn them. You must also keep in mind that many lawn fertilizers contain broadleaf weed killers, and most ornamental plants have broad leaves. The fertilizer doesn�t know the difference, and it will damage or kill ornamental trees and shrubs.4. Tall FescueDuring the summer months the growth rate of most plants slows down, and when plants are not actively growing, they need very little nitrogen. Although not vigorously putting on new growth, many plants such as Dogwood Trees, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas are quietly working to produce flower buds for next year. Annual and perennial flowers are also busy making new flower buds.The La Paloma Bermuda grass is an excellent choice for that finely manicured garden appeal. A favorite with golf courses and sports fields, the La Paloma Bermuda grass produces a dark green and finely textured lawn that performs well with most weather conditions.6. Mohawk BermudaEnclosures are also part of the basic design of a Japanese garden. Fences and gates create a feeling of seclusion, and also of retreat. Entrance and exit are important, not only to seal the garden away (often symbolically) from the outside, but also because it indicates moving in and moving out. Additionally, fences offer a barrier from the world, where the garden can be enjoyed fully without reference to the cares that exist outside the garden.Water can be literal, as in a built water feature, or simulated, as with raked gravel or sand. You can even make symbolic water by fitting river stones tightly together. The sound of actual water is calming and soothing, and it adds to the serenity of the garden. The Japanese also view water as the symbol of the passage of time.

You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm

Author: Michael McGroarty

The Principles Behind Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens are becoming more and more popular as landscaping features. This is because Japanese gardens seem to have an inherent feeling of peace and calm attached to them. Additionally, if properly planned and maintained, they do not need to be expensive, nor do they need to be time consuming to take care of. One of the biggest misconceptions that many people have is that a Japanese garden is supposed to have exotic flowers. This is not true, as most Japanese gardens actually make more use of structures and plants to give them their distinctive look. It is a good idea to understand the principles behind Japanese gardens in order to have one that is truly authentic and one that is not hard to take care of because of high maintenance exotic flowers.

The Mohawk Bermuda is richly texture and adaptable to extreme cold and drought season. In addition, the Mohawk Bermuda grass is an excellent pasture seeding for munching and grazing while maintaining its star quality for landscaping and turf.About those hose end sprayers. I purchased one that is supposed to automatically mix the proper ratio for you. I used it to apply a general insecticide, and it worked, but it sure seemed like I went through a lot more insecticide than I needed. When I used it for the fertilizer the screen on the little pick up hose inside the jar kept getting clogged with the tiny solids in the fertilizer. I recommend using a solution of one part liquid fertilizer to one part water in the sprayer jar, and applying at a heavier rate.2. Southern Plains Native GrassOne of the first principles in planning a Japanese garden is to take into account nature. Square ponds are not natural, but round ones are. Also, using shapes that occur in nature, such as rounded edges, complements the feeling of nature and peace. Also inherent in the principles of Japanese gardens is the elements of space. Many people feel that there are �empty� portions of such gardens and the impulse is to fill them in. Leaving some attractive empty space accents the other portions of the landscape. Also understanding the concept of size is important. Do not put something large in a small space. It looks out of place and is not in balance with its surroundings. Try to create a garden space that complements the rest of the landscape, and use elements that complement each other.Most garden centers and discount stores carry similar products. I chose a liquid fertilizer because liquid fertilizers are absorbed both through the roots and systemically through the foliage, so they work quicker. I used a sprayer that attaches to the end of the garden hose to apply the fertilizer, but do not use the same hose end sprayer that you use for lawn fertilizers. There could be residual weed killer still in the sprayer.The Dichondra grass is a maintenance free lawn coverage that offers a deep green tone and ovular-shaped buds. This love it and leave it variety requires almost no lawn care and adds a dark green layered look to open spaces. The Dichondra grass does well in warmer climates where the air temperatures remain above 25 degrees at night and requires only one inch of water per wetting session.

Ornaments are things that serve to enhance the garden. They should not be main focuses. They are simply accents and not to be treated as main architectural elements in the garden. Some ornaments include lanterns, basins, stupas, and even some sculpture. Borrowed scenery consists of element that can be seen from within the garden, but that are not actually located inside the confines of the garden. Different elements can be placed to accent a distant mountain or to reveal a beautiful tree on someone else�s property.

Author: Janeth Duque

Grasses For Texas Yards

Planning your perfect lawn in the great state of Texas offers a variety of grasses, each unique to the four climates across the state. Most of the favorite grass species are homogeneous with the spring or summer planting and at a dept of 1/4 to 1/2 an inch below the surface of the soil. Certain grasses thrive in the region's select weather conditions, so be sure you have chosen your lawn seeding carefully to allow a robust growth with minimal maintenance. And if you need a head start with your options, take a look at the Texas Top 10:

Plantings are secondary to the role of stones in a Japanese garden. However, they are important and a main concern of the design. Placement of the plantings, as with the stones, is important to the harmony of the landscape design. You need not use bamboo trees or maples for your garden if you do not find them pleasing. Ornamental grasses, evergreens, and a variety of deciduous trees can be very attractive in your garden, and still fulfill the basic principles of the Japanese garden.For example, 12-12-12 is a typical garden fertilizer that would contain 12% nitrogen, 12% phosphorous, and 12% potassium. The quick explanation is; nitrogen produces vegetative, or top growth, phosphorous produces flower buds, fruit, and root development, while potassium builds strong healthy plants.1. Native Buffalo Grass8. Dichondra3. RyegrassThe Weeping Lovegrass species grows in ornamental bunches, adding drama and flair to a special corner of your landscape. This beauty sprouts leaves of up to twenty inches in length and can stand up to four feet at full maturity. This South African import has adapted well in the United States and prefers to thrive in the southwest Great Plain regions.9. TallgrassThe ryegrass comes in a variety species, one of which is a Texas favorite for turf grasses. The delicate sheaths grow upwards and collapse into a graceful fold, with the glossy green shading on the underside. Ryegrasses prefer moist soil and thrive in stable climates that do not suffer extreme heat or cold.You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm5. Weeping LovegrassTo encourage flower bud production you can apply a fertilizer that contains a small percentage of nitrogen, a higher percentage of phosphorous, and a little potassium. I recently purchased a liquid fertilizer with an analysis of 5-30-5, ideal for flower production. Because the product is sold as a bloom producer, the manufacture also added a little chelated iron, manganese, and zinc, all good for your plants as well.Ornaments are things that serve to enhance the garden. They should not be main focuses. They are simply accents and not to be treated as main architectural elements in the garden. Some ornaments include lanterns, basins, stupas, and even some sculpture. Borrowed scenery consists of element that can be seen from within the garden, but that are not actually located inside the confines of the garden. Different elements can be placed to accent a distant mountain or to reveal a beautiful tree on someone else�s property.The Argentina Bahia grass works well for both pasture and lawns and favors the northeast region of Texas climate. The best time for planting is spring and summer for a dense growth with excellent tolerance for the sun. The Argentina Bahia is durable, requires minimal watering, however, does not do well in shaded areas.The Tall Fescue grass does well in the Texas northeast regions and holds up well in hot temperatures. You can count on this species to be shade tolerant and thrive with a rich green color all year round. In addition to the pure Tall Fescue, blended seed varieties such as Kentucky Bluegrass and Ryegrasses make a nice appearance for any lawn. If you have exceptionally shady areas and wish to blend in a tailor-made variety, try adding Bonny Dunes Fescue Blend, Chewings Fine Fescue or Creeping Red Fine Fescue for minimal maintenance and dramatic results.The Tallgrass species thrives in southwest Texas and is partial to lower elevations below 6000 feet. This native grass can grow to 96 inches and prefers a moist soil for maturity. This beautiful free-flowing grass makes a great companion to wildflower seedlings for a landscape bursting with color and a sweet aroma.10. La Paloma Bermuda GrassThere is no singular design in a Japanese garden, and many people prefer to take elements and aspects of the garden and incorporate them in unique ways. Some elements of Japanese gardens include rock, water, plantings, ornaments, and borrowed scenery. Each of these has a specific purpose.Rock is the main foundation of the garden. After properly laying out the stones, the rest of the garden practically builds itself. Stone elements include tall vertical stones, short vertical stones, horizontal stones, arched stones, and reclining stones. Stepping stones and rock pathways are also used. Placement of the rock is important, as the rocks have meanings. However, if you are more about aesthetics, you can simply place the rocks where you feel they best complement the look and feel of the garden.Native Buffalo Grass is the ideal choice for seeding your landscape with minimal care and maintenance. This low growing, curly shaped species is resilient in extreme hot and cold temperatures and prefers a planting in firmer soils. The tufted growth patterns adds drama and dimension to any landscape, yet requires low irrigation outside of the warmer months. The Native Buffalo species makes a nice appearance and is a good match for adding a few colorful wildflowers to the mix.

The La Paloma Bermuda grass is an excellent choice for that finely manicured garden appeal. A favorite with golf courses and sports fields, the La Paloma Bermuda grass produces a dark green and finely textured lawn that performs well with most weather conditions.

Author: Joe Cline

Common Landscape Problems (And How to Fix Them)

There are plenty of common landscape problems that can really mar the beauty of your yard. These problems range from something aesthetic to things that can actually affect the over all health of your landscape. When you encounter these problems, it is a good idea to fix them as soon as possible. If you have ideas of your own to fix landscape problems, so much the better. If not, here are some suggestions for making simple improvements to the landscape.

Soil Improvement: Ideally, your soil in this type of landscape will do two things � provide quick drainage and store water at the same time. You can do this by improving your soil quality with mulch and compost. If you have soil with a high alkaline (pH) and low phosphorous content, the addition of bonemeal and rock phosphate can help.Maintenance: Although there is much less maintenance required in tending a xeriscape garden, it is important to stay on top of any weeds that do pop up and ensure your garden is fertilized regularly. Pick off faded flowers to extend blooming times.It is interesting, and educational, to see wild birds interact as they feed and bathe in your yard. It�s also beneficial for them. In many areas, birds have lost their natural habitat and their traditional sources of food have become truly sparse. In addition, they often must compete for available food with birds such as house sparrows and starlings which are not native to North America. Your feeders can make a difference and may help them survive.Excess mulch is a landscape problem that has pant health implications. The problem is especially prevalent near driveways, walkways, and lawns. Mulch often overflows from flowerbeds or gardens, and this can create an untidy look to the yard. Additionally, if you have too much mulch (preferred depth is 2 to 4 inches) you can damage the plants and cause root rot. There are a couple of thing that can be done to prevent mulch overflow (which can happen if you put 3 inches of mulch on top of the soil bed). One of the things you can do is to use ground cover plants along the borders. This will be attractive and help to contain the mulch. Another possibility is to lower the soil level about 3 inches. Then you can add the mulch and rather than being higher than a nearby hard permanent surface, the mulch will be level with it, but still performing its job of plant care.

Solving landscape problems is not too difficult if you use a little creativity. These problems can transform eye sores into beautiful additions to your yard that create enjoyment for you and add distinction to your home environment.

Author: Janeth Duque

Why Should We Feed Wild Birds?

The US Fish & Wildlife Service reports that approximately 54 million people in the US feed wild birds. Feeding the birds has become the second most popular �passive� hobby in our country. Gardening ranks as number one, and I have to wonder what kind of gardening they studied, as I would never have termed that hobby �passive.�

Providing food for the birds doesn�t just mean having bird feeders. You can create a bird-friendly environment in many ways. Deciduous and evergreen trees provide both seeds and shelter, as do shrubs and ornamental grasses for ground birds. Many birds have an appetite for fresh fruit, so bushes, weeds and trees that have berries are especially tempting. Flowers attract insects and can be left to go to seed which provides food during the winter.Water Conservation: Begin your planning around this one main feature of xeriscaping. Research the drought-resistant and native plants common to your area. Know what the annual precipitation is for your area and how it is spread throughout the season.Another important reason is that wild birds are bug-eating machines. The birds you attract to your feeders and garden will also seek out mosquitoes, caterpillars, slugs and snails to dine on. Those much-maligned starlings wandering over your lawn will eat Japanese beetle larvae and also go after gypsy moth larvae, which most native birds scorn. A Baltimore oriole can eat seventeen hairy caterpillars a minute, and a pair of flickers can polish off five thousand ants as an appetizer. Hummingbirds have the highest relative food consumption of any bird and consume half their body weight (about two ounces) in food every day, most of that being soft-bodied insects (mosquitoes!) and spiders.Use Proper Plants: Native plants are the best choices for drought resistance and low maintenance. Consider the size of the plant upon maturity and whether it will require pruning or pest treatment. Keep plants with similar needs together. Don't plant drought resistant varieties side by side with those that require regular watering.Take note of the shape of the land and the drainage patterns. Plan areas of run off to flow toward plants that require more watering.Put your irrigation system on a timer and set for early morning waterings, before it starts to get hot.

The final argument for feeding the birds? Maybe we owe them. It�s very true that extinction of the species occurs naturally, but man�s interference has accelerated the rates to an alarming degree as our population has expanded and their natural habitat has been decimated. Surely, it�s only fair that we help them out by making our yards more welcoming to them.

Author: Susan Woodward

Xeriscape Your Garden

Xeriscaping is a form of gardening that was designed for dry areas where watering can be a challenge. By spending some extra planning time choosing the specific plants and garden design, you can conserve water and save time on maintenance.

Allow areas for seating, and walkways. Plan larger trees, ornamental grasses, and shrubs for extra shade, privacy or sound proofing. They also reduce evaporation by blocking the wind and keeping the soil cool.Certainly, the joy of watching wild birds at close quarters is more than enough reason to put out bird feeders. We like birds and enjoy having them around. We like to hear their songs through our open windows on a spring or summer day, and their vibrant colors brighten up a winter day when much of our landscape can look pretty bleak.Feeding the birds is a hobby you can start at any time of the year with very little trouble. Winter is the obvious time, as their natural food supplies are low. But different species will visit your feeders during their annual spring and fall migrations, as well as during the nesting season. I get a kick out of the wren that sits on the bar at the feeder and throws seeds, one after another, onto the ground. I don�t know what she�s looking for � maybe a bug. The young cardinals and towhees sit on a branch overhanging the feeder, shivering and cheeping plaintively until their father flies up and stuffs regurgitated seeds into their open beaks.Mulch should also be spread to retain moisture, keep the soil cool and block out weeds.Solving landscape problems is not too difficult if you use a little creativity. These problems can transform eye sores into beautiful additions to your yard that create enjoyment for you and add distinction to your home environment.Irrigation: Use drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses for regular watering. They prevent over watering and are less prone to evaporation than sprinkler methods. Don't waste your rainwater. Set up some rain barrels and use them with your irrigation system, or direct your drain spouts towards plants that require more watering.Limit Grass Areas: While you want some grass these areas should be limited due to their high maintenance and high moisture requirements. Wherever possible plant water-saving varieties of lawn seed. Consider converting existing lawn areas to rock gardens, or patio.The Basic FundamentalsSide yards are usually among the most common of landscape problems. They are so narrow that they may be hard to maintain as far as lawn is concerned, and they also make better passages than practical places to play or sit. Sometimes they seem like the perfect place to �store� odd items and then simply turn into junk heaps. To prevent junky or barren side yard from tainting an otherwise beautiful landscape design, turn into a cottage garden or courtyard garden. Perennials and ornamental grasses, all in a variety of colors, are perfect for side yards. Turn it into a kind of wild little garden full of color. It will look beautiful and will not be an inviting place to stack junk. If you would still like to use the side yard as a pathway, it is possible to install a little pathway made from stone.Exposed air conditioners and swamp coolers can be very visible blights on the landscape. While this is mostly a problem of aesthetics, exposed appliances can be heated by the sun, causing them to work harder and use more energy. Both of these problems can be fixed simply by planting a small tree or a hedge. The offending appliance is screened from view, and the shade helps keep the unit cooler, resulting in lower energy bills. This can even be done in areas where space is at a premium: you can plant a narrow hedge of nandina (should be 30 inches from the unit) or you can add a trellis with a colorful vine or climbing roses.There are areas in your landscape that are too small for grass, and sometimes you may have odd corners that are not feasible for you to plant grass. Most of these areas are near an entrance, or at the edge of a patio or deck. Some of them are near walkways. No matter where they are, these areas are hard to mow and otherwise maintain. Solutions to these problems are also varied. Making use of containers with plants is an attractive solution. One large container with one plant can be used, or it is possible to make a small container garden with a variety of plants in containers of various sizes, shapes, and colors. Problem areas such as these are also ideal locations for accent objects such as an obelisk, a stature or even topiary bushes. Water features can add cooling and soothing effects to your landscape, and there are a variety of water features that can be built to fit into nearly any space.Plan your garden on paper by noting the north, south, east and west and any features that may affect your planting choices. For instance are there any large shade trees, or areas that receive more sun than others. On hot, dry areas facing the south and west, use plants that require less moisture. For north and east-facing slopes, choose plants that need more water.

Maintenance: Although there is much less maintenance required in tending a xeriscape garden, it is important to stay on top of any weeds that do pop up and ensure your garden is fertilized regularly. Pick off faded flowers to extend blooming times.

Author: Mike Askins

Fall Leaf Collage

Here's what you need for this fun fall craft project:

And as officers appeal for witnesses to the thefts, they have released CCTV images of a man caught near the scene of one of the raids, during which a unique 6ft bronze painted lamp was stolen, at around 1am on Wednesday, April 6, in Lemington."Some are very rare with only a few made.As well as the pounds 300,000 restaurant, pounds 100,000 has been invested upgrading the gates and pounds 240,000 has been spent on reinstating the ornamental lake.Instead, the rotting timber window frames and glass have been painstakingly replaced and the building will be used to house a small restaurant and an exhibition space."Although this may seem like a low-level crime, these items are often expensive and have sentimental value to the owners and it's important the thieves are caught."You will be using crayon shavings to get the sheets of waxed paper to stick together. This also adds some color to the collages. Choose some old crayons in a variety of fall colors and use the old cheese grater to get some shavings from the crayons.Flower petalsIT has taken much longer than expected.But bad weather over the winters of 2009 and 2010 delayed much of the work.Fall leaves"We're carrying out inquiries into where the items may have gone and this is continuing.PC Kevin Pentland of Northumbria Police's Outer West Neighbourhood Policing Team, is also urging residents to photograph and mark garden ornaments in case they are taken.IronNext use the iron to press the two sheets of waxed paper together. Unless you're using an old iron, you should use a thin cloth between the waxed paper and the iron, or you might get crayon shavings on your iron, which will transfer onto the next thing you iron...believe me, I know!And there is no doubt the work has created a superb feature so close to the town centre.CAPTION(S):

Photo of finished project: http://www.crafty-moms.com/fall-leaf-collage.shtml

Author: Rachel Paxton

Revamped park ready for summer crowds; Final touches after long refurbishment

Byline: NEIL ATKINSON

The restaurant will be run by Kirklees Council's in-house caterers.But the massive revamp of Huddersfield's historic Greenhead Park is now nearing an end.Police are today investigating a spate of garden raids in which rare, expensive ornaments were stolen.Ornamental grassesNewspaper"We expect the final touches to the conservatory to be made over the next few weeks, so that this and the restaurant can open in time for the summer holidays.Anyone with information about the thefts should contact Northumbria Police on 0345 604 3043 ext 69191.CAPTION(S):STALKING the streets at night, this suspected garden raider was caught on camera."The brand new children's play area is proving to be a great hit, as are the new lake and fountain.The revamped bandstand and cafe have been welcomed by many visitors and the addition of railings and gates have returned the look the park would have had before railings were removed for their metal in the Second World War.Working on a piece of newspaper, lay one sheet of waxed paper down and arrange the leaves, grasses, and flowers as desired.Kirklees Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund are spending pounds 5.4m revamping the park.And raids have taken place over the past week, in which a stone bird bath, a bench, an ornamental cherub birdbath, two stone owls, a stone frog, stone horse's heads and a statue and lamp were taken.Sprinkle crayon shavings all over the sheet of waxed paper, so that when you iron the sheets together, they will completely stick together.Final touches to the outstanding projects are expected to be ready for the start of the school summer holidays in late July, although the main grassed area will not be available for events this year.Due to the size and weight of some of the items, police believe the thieves may have needed a car or van to shift them.A council spokesman said: "With work on the lotteryfunded scheme now almost complete, we've been delighted to see so many families making the most of the good weather and flocking in their thousands to enjoy the refurbished park and its new facilities."The items are unusual and some are difficult to move, with most being stolen overnight. It's possible those responsible had a vehicle and that some of them are linked," he said.That's it! These leaf collages look great hanging in a window as a pretty fall decoration. You could also hang them on the refrigerator, frame them, or even use them as placemats.Since the end of March there have been around 10 thefts from gardens the Walbottle, Callerton and Lemington areas of Newcastle.Old cheese grater

* REVAMP: The park gates at Park Drive South, above, open on to the new children's play area and, left, the park cafe which has also been upgraded as part of the park refurbishment Pictures by Julian Hughes (JH030511Dpark) * NEW FEATURES: The park lake and, above, the conservatory which will house a restaurant (JH030511Dpark-06/05) Purchase: www.examiner.co.uk/buyaphoto 01484 430000 ext 7778

Police plea to grass on this garden raider; CCTV captures suspected thief casing victim's yard

Byline: SOPHIE DOUGHTY

"However, if residents do have items such as this which they want to keep in their garden, they should take photographs of it and ensure it is marked with their postcode so that if it's stolen and then recovered, we can return it."And we're looking forward to later in the summer when the new planting and seeding schemes will have bedded-in to reveal the full effect of the transformation we've managed to achieve.Start by choosing the size of the collage. Tear off two pieces of waxed paper to the desired size. You will be pressing the leaves between the sheets of waxed paper.The gleaming conservatory with its new windows is almost ready and will house a restaurant."Work begins on a new scheme next week to resurface and replace fencing around the tennis courts, which we also hope will be in use again by mid-summer."* REVAMP: The park gates at Park Drive South, above, open on to the new children's play area and, left, the park cafe which has also been upgraded as part of the park refurbishment Pictures by Julian Hughes (JH030511Dpark) * NEW FEATURES: The park lake and, above, the conservatory which will house a restaurant (JH030511Dpark-06/05) Purchase: www.examiner.co.uk/buyaphoto 01484 430000 ext 7778Waxed paperSTOLEN One of the statues taken by thieves SUSPICIOUS One of the suspected thieves is caught on CCTV peering into a garden TREASURED Some of the ornaments that have been stolen from gardens around the Walbottle, Callerton and Lemington areas of NewcastlePhoto of finished project: http://www.crafty-moms.com/fall-leaf-collage.shtml"I'd advise people to be wary about decorating their garden with expensive items.It was decided that the dilapidated conservatory, which is a listed building, would not be demolished.The newly-created ornamental lake is another fine feature."Residents should also look out for suspicious people or vehicles in the area and ensure anything unusual is reported to police as soon as possible.On a rainy day when there's nothing else to do or maybe on Thanksgiving Day while you're waiting for dinner to be ready, bring out the dried leaves and grasses to create the leaf collage.The treasured objects vary from a cherub bird-bath to a stone frog.This project can be done on two different days. One afternoon can be spent outside looking for different colored leaves, pretty ornamental grasses, and interesting flower petals. After the kids have a good collection, have them lay everything out on some newspapers to dry.It was in August 2008 that work finally started on the huge restoration project.

STOLEN One of the statues taken by thieves SUSPICIOUS One of the suspected thieves is caught on CCTV peering into a garden TREASURED Some of the ornaments that have been stolen from gardens around the Walbottle, Callerton and Lemington areas of Newcastle

How to Grow Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses have become extremely popular in the past ten years or so, and if you buy them at a garden center they are kind of pricey. Learning how to grow them yourself is actually quite easy. They can be grown from seed, but I won�t pretend to be an expert at that for several reasons. One, I don�t know anything about growing them from seed, and two, I have no desire to propagate them from seed because seedlings require too much care.

Expert tip: Red hot pokers will generally thrive in a sunny border, providing the soil is not too dry in summer and as dry as you can possibly arrange in winter.Expert tip: Grow these droughtresistant perennials from seed - they thrive in corners and narrow beds.RED HOT POKERSRED HOT POKERSpounds How much? Pack of six for pounds 7.99 (www.jparkers.co.uk, 0161 848 1100).pounds How much? Three plants cost pounds 15 (www.rhsplants.co.uk, 0844 557 2622).

You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm

Author: Michael McGroarty

GROW GETTERS

ECHINACEA

Expert tip: Monarda foliage produces a pleasant, citrus-like aroma when crushed.The easiest and most effective way to propagate them is through simple division. Of course you will need at least one parent plant of each variety that you would like to grow. If you shop around you might be able to find some 4� inch pots at a fair price.Red hot pokersExpert tip: Coneflowers combine especially well with ornamental grasses and achillea or yarrow in a natural prairiestyle planting scheme, and in flower beds with globe thistles and bee balm to attract bees and butterflies.In both cases, good drainage is absolutely critical to ensuring good health.TALL and imposing, these plants are traditionally yellow with red tips but they also come in other colours, including dazzling yellows.pounds How much? Buythem from pounds 2.49 (www.thompson- morgan.com, 0844 248 5383).Expert tip: Monarda foliage produces a pleasant, citrus-like aroma when crushed.pounds How much? Three plants cost pounds 15 (www.rhsplants.co.uk, 0844 557 2622).IN midsummer there are no better plants to sum up cottage garden style. These flowers, left, can reach 10ft tall, with spikes in rich and delicate colours.Their fiery, torch-like flowers lend height, vibrancy and drama to any garden, and they work particularly well in planting schemes based on "hot" colours and featuring heleniums, achilleas, crocosmia and day lilies.EchinopsEchinopsBee balmYou are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htmIN midsummer there are no better plants to sum up cottage garden style. These flowers, left, can reach 10ft tall, with spikes in rich and delicate colours.Red hot pokersBLUE flowers will give the garden a welcome cool feeling. Make an instant feature with echinops, partnered with Perovskia atriplicifolia and Sedum matrona.YOU will enjoy a more fruitful garden if your flowerbeds attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, so make sure you include bee balm or monarda in your planting scheme. The variety Cambridge scarlet is a good choice as it produces bright, scarlet flowers growing in a whorllike cluster on top of tall stalks during July and August.When spring arrives you can divide them at any time as long as they are not well into putting on new growth. The earlier the better. To divide them simply dig up the root mass and start dividing it into pieces. The divisions do not have to be to be very large. It�s difficult to describe, but as long as you have some roots, the new plant is likely to grow. If you have small young plants you can probably just tear the root mass apart with your hands, but if the root mass is very big then you are going to need some tools. You might need some heavy duty tools!Expert tip: Red hot pokers will generally thrive in a sunny border, providing the soil is not too dry in summer and as dry as you can possibly arrange in winter.Along with the flowers, it is edible and can be used to garnish salads and deserts. The fresh or dried leaves can also be brewed into a refreshing, aromatic and medicinal tea.Along with the flowers, it is edible and can be used to garnish salads and deserts. The fresh or dried leaves can also be brewed into a refreshing, aromatic and medicinal tea.Bee balmHollyhocks

Red hot pokers

Author: Anonymous

GROW GETTERS

ECHINACEA

ONE of the best perennial flowers for late summer and early autumn is the coneflower, or echinacea. The daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colours, including purple and creamy-white, that surround high brownish-orange cones.YOU will enjoy a more fruitful garden if your flowerbeds attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, so make sure you include bee balm or monarda in your planting scheme. The variety Cambridge scarlet is a good choice as it produces bright, scarlet flowers growing in a whorl-like cluster on top of tall stalks during July and August.Last spring I divided several grass plants that had been in my landscape for a few years. When I dug out the root mass it was much larger and more dense than I expected. Using a very good digging spade and some real elbow power I was able to chop the root mass into quarters, and I replanted the quarters back into my landscape. That still left many clumps that I wanted to divide into very small plants that I could pot up in 2 quart containers. The root mass was too dense to tear apart with my hands, so I literally got a hammer and a 4� wide mason�s chisel and chiseled off pieces. It worked and I now have a couple of hundred beautiful little grass plants in 2 quart containers.Expert tip: Coneflowers combine especially well with ornamental grasses and achillea or yarrow in a natural prairiestyle planting scheme, and in flowerbeds with globe thistles and bee balm to attract bees and butterflies.Since then I have talked with a friend of mine who works for a large wholesale grower, and he told me that you never want to let an ornamental grass plant get that big if you intend to divide it. He said they plant small divisions in the field in the spring, and dig them up the following spring and divide them again. He assured me that if you get them just 12 months later, they can be easily torn apart by hand.TALL and imposing, these plants are traditionally yellow with red tips but they also come in other colours, including dazzling yellows.HollyhocksExpert tip: Although echinops are perennials, it is best to plant new globe thistles every four years.BEE BALMOne of each variety is good for a start. I find that the best time of the year to divide them is in the spring, just before the new growth emerges. If you buy the stock plants in the early spring, you might be able to divide them right away. If you buy them at any other time of the year, just plant them in your garden or other suitable location, knowing that you are going to dig them up in a few months, or a year or so.Expert tip: Grow these drought-resistant perennials from seed - they thrive in corners and narrow beds.Their fiery, torch-like flowers lend height, vibrancy and drama to any garden, and they work particularly well in planting schemes based on "hot" colours and featuring Heleniums, achilleas, crocosmia and day lilies.Expert tip: Although echinops are perennials, it is best to plant new globe thistles every four years.BLUE flowers will give the garden a welcome cool feeling. Make an instant feature with echinops, partnered with Perovskia atriplicifolia and Sedum matrona.BEE BALMThese tough plants repeat bloom throughout summer, even when there is a drought.They also look fantastic when planted against a background of ornamental grasses and also in dainty, prairies-style planting schemes.They also look fantastic when planted against a background of ornamental grasses and also in dainty, prairies-style planting schemes.pounds How much? Three plants from pounds 18 (www.hayloft- plants.co.uk, 01386 562999).That sounds like a lot more fun than what I went through!ONE of the best perennial flowers for late summer and early autumn is the coneflower, or echinacea. The daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colours, including purple and creamy-white, that surround high brownish-orange cones.

Red hot pokers

Author: Adrienne Wild