Is there a tapestry hedge in your future? Story and Photography By Lynn Carlson We are all familiar with long rows of identical evergreen shrubs or trees, Leyland cypress (×Hesperotropsis leylandii) for example. But tapestry hedge includes several species of evergreens, or a mixture of evergreen and deciduous species, some tall, some short. Look to …
From plants to pathways … easy ways to handle a tough site Story and Photos by Helen Newling Lawson Many landscapes have at least some degree of slope. In certain situations, a slope can be a design asset, allowing you to create interesting features or place certain garden elements at eye level. But steep slopes …
Garden thresholds can multiply your green spaces Story and Photography by Helen Yoest Whether it’s to a garden or life, thresholds symbolize new beginnings. For brides, being carried across the threshold of a new home marks the start of a new phase of life. For my own wedding in 1988, my husband and I were …
10 ways to keep critters out of your fruits and vegetables By A.J. Heinsz-Bailey The first vine-ripened tomato of the season is always the best. You have faithfully watered it, delicately weeded around the plant, and carefully inspected it every day. Tomorrow it will be ready for harvesting. The next morning, you enter the garden …
Some like ‘em hot, some like ‘em not Story and Photos by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Nearly all Louisianans have encountered peppers – in a culinary dish or in their gardens. Stuffed bell peppers have always been a church potluck staple and hot sauce – Tabasco or another – is a common table condiment. Banana peppers are …
Creating cozy outdoor rooms in your landscape Story and Photography by Meaghan Clark “Putting together a great outdoor space is like fitting together pieces of a puzzle,” says Kenny Rabalais of The Plant Gallery in New Orleans. With lighting, sounds, water features, outdoor seating, pathways, and lush gardens to consider, it is a task that …
Let the composting process do the work for you Story and Photography by Kristi Cook Of all the amendments one can add to garden soil, compost is the most valuable. Black, earthy compost increases water retention, replenishes nutrients, improves drainage, and can even be used as mulch. Yet, many sources make the process of turning …
Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon Passiflora caerulea, a native of Brazil and Argentina, is a fast growing, semi-evergreen flowering vine that is quite cold hardy and will come back from the roots after hard freezes. If the showy, exotic flowers are cross-pollinated with another species or cultivar, blue passionflower vine will produce egg-shaped …
How to grow healthy and delicious produce without 8 hours of sunlight By Julie Thompson-Adolf Dreaming of delicious heirloom tomatoes? Pining for perfect peppers? Living with a shady garden presents challenges, particularly if your gardening niche focuses on edibles. As a gardener who prefers peas and pac choi to petunias, I’ve learned to search out …
Add movement to your landscape with these plants that ‘dance’ in the wind Story and Photography by Susan Jasn Admittedly, when almost any type of music starts, I’m hard-pressed to sit still. It’s as if something in my spirit is calling me to move, to dance. But then reality hits: Grace is definitely not my …
