Ornaments for the Garden

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    A complete garden needs more than plants. To beautify the garden, one can add decorative elements such as a garden bench, a table and chairs, a fountain, and plant containers. As ornaments, they should serve as focal points and should be suited to the style of the house and garden.

Benches placed for viewing the garden, preferably from the shade, are always welcome. They are an ornament in themselves and should be chosen to reflect the aura of the garden. 

      

The beauty of adding a birdhouse to your yard is that you can find one to fit any style of garden  An attractive birdhouse not only enhances the beauty of the garden. but also helps to create a habitat inside a beautiful garden.

Let the plants and pots you choose reflect the style of your house for a cohesive look.

There are literally tens of thousands of different fountains available for today’s gardeners. These garden ornaments can add both a focal point and the pleasurable sound of running water to your garden.

      

Finally, ornaments add character and beauty to a garden. Unfortunately, a garden can begin to look like a junkyard if these decorative items are not used correctly.

GLORIOUS GRASS - Adds drama and dimension to your garden.

Ornamental grasses can change the face of the landscape and they look great all year long. I love how some decorative grasses develop into graceful, weeping mounds of thin blades that wave in the summer breeze.

Some grasses form tidy clumps, while others spread. Large varieties make great privacy screens or stand alone.

Smaller grass used for border

Smaller grasses are ideal for borders, ground cover and rock gardens.

Colored or variegated types provide interesting contrast.

All photos - Copyright - ©2011 - La Casa e Il Giardino – picasaweb

Tall, columnar grasses make an attractive backdrop for shorter annuals and perennial flowers.

Rock garden - work in progress - 2nd year

Presently

As flowers fade and die, lush mounds of grass remain attractive.

Caring for grasses
Best time to plant ornamental grasses are in the spring.
Most ornamental grasses do not need fertilizing.
Divide ornamental grasses before overcrowding chokes out the center of its clump. Divide cool-season grasses every two years.

Spicy Peppers and Weight Loss

According to a new research at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, eating your chili peppers may reduce your waistline. Supposedly, the heat generated by the hot peppers can cause your body to burn calories.

Horn Italian peppers (our favorite)

My husband just picked the hot peppers, strung them and hung to dry.

Strung (incrollati) peppers hanging to dry

Once the peppers dry naturally, we make pepper flakes.

Semi-dried red hot peppers

ARUGULA SALAD FROM OUR GARDEN - Insalata di Arugula dal Nostro Orto

As you can see from the photo, my husband picked a lot of arugula so that it wouldn't go to waste.   As I understand it, if the arugula is not picked on a regular basis, it flowers and  creates seeds. Incidentally, if arugula is allowed to flower, the seeds are picked and saved to be used again.   So he picked it all and reseeded again for another crop.   Do you know that arugula survives under snow?  Actually in November and December arugula is at its best.  I went ahead and removed all the tiny leaves and discarded the rest.  Tonight I made a delicious arugula salad. 

Ingredients:  Arugula, sliced cucumbers (also from the garden), red onion, hard boiled egg, extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbs. fresh lemon juice, salt and crushed black pepper.

Pronto a mangiare!

LA MIA TERRAZZA - My Terrace

             My Italian heritage is reflected throughout my home, especially in our patio and garden.

All photos - Copyright - ©2010 - La Casa e Il Giardino

Welcome to our TERRAZZA.

    

   I wanted to create a space with outdoor elements reminiscent of my homeland (patria) - concrete walls, potted planters, and flowers like geraniums and ivy.

   

 

  It might not be the Amalfi Coast but a place full of  tasteful, colorful memories to come home to  and  welcome family and friends.

Daylilies Explode Color in the Garden

Daylilies are referred to as the gardener's perfect perennial flower because they are easy to grow. I use them in my garden with other perennials as companion plants with trees and shrubs. They provide fragrance and extended color and variety throughout the summer.

 

Express Your Personality in The Garden

Like our homes, our garden is a reflection of who we are. Inject your personality and enhance the beauty of your yard with plants and items you love. I enjoy birds, so I added several bird houses. I also love ivy, especially against a brick wall. The goal in choosing garden décor is to enhance the garden and not overpower it with accents.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas - Long-time Gardening Favorites

I enjoy the beautiful pictures that rhododendron paint on my landscape.

Worked in My Garden

 

 

 

Glad I worked in my garden yesterday because today is raining.  It was a perfect day - sunny and 60 degrees - perfect for working and enjoing the results.