Make the most of the sunshine

Everyone wants to be outdoors, especially in the summer time when the weather is fine and the sun is shining. People nowadays, having perfected their homes, are increasingly looking at the best ways to give their gardens and patios a touch of colour and character. Summer is a social season and more time is spent in the garden, so people not only want their garden to look its best, but for it to have a unique style of its own.

Makeovers and accessories are not limited to people and clothes anymore; a dash of colour and a bit of originality can be applied to almost anything these days. More and more people are finding that a bit of imagination can go a long way in the small confines of their gardens and that some personal touches in the garden add to the character of the home as a whole.

The size of your garden and your ambition will determine what you can achieve, but there are many options available for those simply looking to make a few small improvements; perhaps a small visual treat to add a little character and individuality when the sun is out, for example. No major fashion statements are required, just a desire to freshen things up and have a few things to admire amid the social banter of an outdoor gathering of friends or family.

The need to be conscious of the environment is felt a little more deeply when strolling around your garden in the summertime when its natural wonders are at their peak. The outdoors can also be a harsh place, so your thoughts naturally turn to items that will prove durable as well as pleasing to the eye. Solar water features meet both these needs and the fact that they function via direct sunlight only adds to the sense of them being natural, safe and environmentally friendly acquisitions for your garden.

Solar power means these water features require no mains power connection and therefore, can be moved around the garden when required. Many of these features also come with a useful remote control and battery back-up, which means you can remotely switch it off, allowing it to charge when not in use during the day, then switch it on again and it will function perfectly - even if it is a cloudy day.

The soothing sounds of running water in your garden can help make it a place of peaceful relaxation and calm, contrasting nicely with the noise and chaos of the outside world-a gentle reminder that you are back in your tranquil place of comfort which is now looking a lot better!

Summer Window Box Gardening Ideas

Window Box Gardening is a new concept that makes an old concept simple and convenient. It's a convenient way to start a mini garden from your window without having to dig, till, and pull from your backyard land. It's a great summer window box idea and a great way to learn the basics of gardening with a small time commitment before you get involved with a much bigger project in your backyard. There's a few tips and tricks though to learn before you get started.

Window box gardening is a pleasure for both the gardener and the chef who will prepare the fresh fruits and vegetables. Wether you're a beginner or a pro, a window box is a simple and convenient way to maintain a miniature garden. Depending on the season, different plants and techniques are recommended to best optimize your garden. With summer winding down, your garden will need a little special care in order to produce a banner crop.

Now is the time to plant additional vegetable seeds for the fall harvest. Peas, spinach, lettuce, endive, beans, carrots, turnips, swiss chard, and beets are all excellent late summer plantings and perfect summer window box ideas. These vegetables thrive in cool and humid temperatures and do not require deep root space to grow. Aloe and cactus are also great summer window box gardening ideas to consider.

When starting a window box garden in the summer, it's a good idea to harvest early when still tender and cook right away. This will increase your yields and extend your harvest. Be on the lookout for insects and treat without pesticides if possible. Monitoring plants for infestation from your window box will be much easier and will allow you to quickly remove any plants should the become infested.

With heavy rainfalls, you will need to give your garden an extra boost of fertilizer. Rainfall leaches the nutrients from the soil and robs the plants of vital nutrition needed to produce. Now is a perfect time to side dress the plants with granular fertilizer or to water with liquid plant food.

Afterwards, what do you do with all of your vegetables that have been planted and are now ready for harvest? Freezing and canning are the answer. You will have vegetables in your freezer or on your shelf to enjoy long after frost ends the season. Almost everything you plant can be frozen or canned. Blanching or steaming is very important in freezing all vegetables. Vegetables should be heated and steamed then immediately cooled before freezing. This process eliminates any unwanted bacteria.

And of course, even a window box needs weed prevention and care to make sure you are maximizing your efforts. The weeds are robbing your plants of moisture and nutrients and are encouraging insects and diseases in your garden. Maintain the window box free of any weeds and use granular fertilizer if possible. Water on a daily basis and use weed prevention such as Preen or Concern. These weed killers will help you stay weed free towards the end of the summer season and into the fall.

Window box gardening is a fun way to simplify the garden process on a level that is convenient and manageable. This also gives you ideas of what window boxes can be used for in the hot and colder seasons when spring flower blooms begin to disappear.

Sprucing Up Your Front Yard

The weather is very hot and the lawn is turning yellow. The front yard does not look inviting for any prospective buyer - for that matter - it doesn't even look inviting every evening when you drive home to it.

The small amount of money that can be spent to enhance a front yard is a really good investment. Some of the larger trees and shrubs can be more expensive, but only two or three of these will be needed. Smaller plants that can be grouped around them, and a few well placed rocks will swell the garden foliage without swelling the bill too much!

Three of the most important factors to consider when trying to improve any yard are color, variety, and design definition. Design definition could be qualified as the use of paths or gravel areas or fencing. Also, areas of foliage contribute to the feeling of varied levels of elevation. Any of these will give 'form' to your yard. Variety will be found by use of different mediums and different textured plants.

Sometimes, the simple act of cutting a pathway and placing two trees in large pots each side of the front door can make an immediate difference. However, the pathway must have neat edges to look really effective (this applies to curved pathways as well). A simple manual edging tool (rather like a half moon on the end of a stick) is very cheap to buy.

A boring front yard can be broken up by things other than flower borders and pathways to have some interest. A rock wall or a rock garden are easy to build; the rock garden being by far the cheaper and easiest of the two. It will be even cheaper if you make it a fun project to scour the water's edge and country-side for some of your smaller rocks!

Sometimes a whole cluster of smaller shrubs and rocks placed in front of a tree will offer sufficient interest in a yard. Many people plant a small tree and sink dozens of daffodil bulbs around it to bloom each spring.

Ground cover shrubs are very practical for a front yard, they provide variation and color (many have white or red striped leaves) and they will spread to take up a large patch where grass would have been.

If you feel that your neighborhood is a secure one, you can buy a bird bath and place it on a circle of an attractive circle of gravel or stones to make a focus point in your front yard.

Keep your garbage bins well out of site, and do not let the kids' toys accumulate in the front yard. Finally, a small thing like always keeping the grass cut and watered, can make a huge difference to the look of your front yard.

Why Contemporary Flowers Are Back in Fashion

Contemporary flowers bring a whole new exciting perspective to flower designs. The funky trendy arrangements are works of art in their own right. Contemporary inventive designs by skilled florists can be used for sending flowers for any occasion, aimed at the increasing demand from young adventurous people who wish to move away from the classical designs. With the flower industry in the UK importing exotic and tropical flowers and foliages there is infinitive scope to design concepts.

South African protea, gerbera and leucospermumin subtle tones of rich pinks and oranges combined with folded pandanas leaves in a simple hand-tied design is an unusual arrangement which would be suitable for any occasion. Striking bouquets made from tropical red heliconia flowers in a variation of sizes and interspersed with tropical palm leaves are flamboyant and chic. Muted creamy Cala lilies with intricately placed foliage can be produced to make a real personal statement.

Bird of Paradise flowers with their striking blue and orange colours artistically placed in a trendy vase and simply complimented with a single gerbera in the same burnt orange is remarkably stunning.

The most delicate of pink hues found in oriental lilies displayed in a clear circular vase and woven with steel grass is so breathtaking anyone receiving such a design will be blown away, the contemporary design blends timelessly in any style of home.

Compact contemporary designs made to sit on coffee tables or shelving units arranged in deep coloured stylish vases have maximum impact when packed with white roses and steel colours. Stunning bouquets comprising of clusters of the brightest yellow roses and separate clusters of fragrant blue hyacinths divided by folded banana leaves is exquisitely elegant.

Contemporary flowers are being increasingly used in hotels and businesses by adding opulence to foyers in the most fashionable designs and arrangements. Large vibrant tropical flowers and spiky foliages create an impressive eye catching display. The taller sunflowers that may be overwhelming in a small home can be used on their own or mixed with tropical flowers in a dazzling contrasting colour such as the deep red of the heart-shaped antirrhinum to provide a feast of colour to the eyes.

Designers of contemporary collections often combine flowers with fruits to make their arrangements good enough to eat, an abundance of fragrant sweet peas displayed in a vase full of strawberries give a terrific look to any summer dinner party. Slices of limes and lemons work wonderfully with white roses to give a clean crisp effect. Miniature trees, stripped of their leaves and replaced by single heads of pastel shades of asters provide an interesting focal point for a large room.

With the massive increase of women sending flowers to men is enabling contemporary flower designs to be accepted probably more readily than a traditional style bouquet . Deep jewelled tones combined with deep green foliage provides a supernatural, bewitching, dark and sexy effect which any man, irrespective of age, will be charmed to receive.

Planting Around the Foundation Hide Those Unsightly Bases

Foundation planting is a process popular among home builders and home owners, as it enhances the dimensions of your house and relates it to the ground. The most widely use foundation plant is evergreens, both for their stature and style and because of their ability to prosper in the shade.

If there are no evergreen plantings elsewhere on the property though, the process of evergreens around the house may give off a sinister or forbidding vibe. In this case you can resort to a variety of other options, like flowering shrubs, roses, or dwarf fruit trees in spring climes, and quince, forsythia or Japanese redleaf barberry, among others, in summer time.

In the planning stages for your foundation planning, consider the elevation of your house, at least as it relates to the immediate wall facing the planting, and also the size of the shrubs or trees you're considering planting when fully grown. You want to avoid blocking off windows with your plantings, as this will obscure your view and make your room gloomier. In the case of a wall which faces another home's wall with just a short distance between, this may not be a bad option though.

The entrance is generally the most important visual point of your house, so planting to highlight your entrance and/or front porch is a good idea. Plantings in front of the porch and around the front walls of the house should be kept low and bowl-shaped to give the impression of a broader base and larger house.

For your backyard area, you can keep it attractive and elegant while still allowing room for the children to frolic about. While it may be tempting to place flower or plant beds all around the backyard, you should limit these to a small area that the kids will know to avoid playing around. Having a sunken or raised sandbox for the kids to play in is a great idea, though you may want to keep an eye on the cat or dog to make sure they aren't using it as their personal facilities.

Your yard will also need to contain service areas and a drying yard if needed. These areas should be out of sight from the patio, preferably tucked behind the garage or a shed, but close enough that they aren't an extra inconvenience. Remember that your compost pit should be a good distance away from any garden you may plan on having, so plan this in advance. Garden are ideal close to the back door, while the compost bin can be tucked in a far corner of the yard, along with piles of fire wood, a tool shed or storage locker, and any other services needed.

Vegetable gardens are a great source of fresh food that can prove quite bountiful. Tomato plants especially will likely need to be placed alongside fences and tied to them for support, otherwise you'll need to employ a lattice. These should also be shielded from the elements if possible by being tucked away into corners.

Growing Berries

Growing small berries in a home garden is an excellent way to have beautiful plants, fresh fruits, and attract plenty of birds, bees, or other wild life too. Berries are best planted in very sunny areas too, so they come in handy when you can't find much else that will grow in the sunniest spots of your yard and garden.

Here are several fruits which can make wonderful sweet summer snacks, or be used for canning, jelly making, and other kitchen endevours.

Grapes - Grapes can take some time to become established and start producing berries. Depending on the variety you buy and the planting conditions, it can take two to four years before you'll get any fruit from them. Many nurseries sell mature plants though, and though you'll pay more for them, it's an excellent way to start getting fruits from your berries more quickly.

Grapes grow really well in poor, dry, sandy, rocky soil. This makes them an excellent choice for slopes and hills, or in rocky areas of the yard. The soil needs to be well drained though, and you'll need to plant the vines about eight to ten feet apart.

Grapes grow very high, so it's best to train them to grow a strong trellis, arbor, or other support. In the beginning you'll need to work with them often to get them trained though, because they always seem to want to point the wrong way. As they become older and you continue working with them however, they'll climb your chosen support willingly.

Blueberries - Blueberries grow best in moderate temperature climates, and it can take four to five years before they'll start producing fruits. The plants can reach a breadth of five to six feet wide too, so you'll need plenty of room to grow these berries.

Blueberries produce flowers from about April through May, and the berries can start being harvested as early as July, and as late as the middle of September depending on which kind you're growing.

You can increase the healthiness and production of blueberry plants by putting two different kinds close together. A word of caution though: Blueberries seem to be the favorite for birds, so you may find yourself fighting to harvest any for yourself when you start growing them!

Blackberries - Blackberries grow as a stand alone plant, bush or bramble, and they can be made to climb a trellis or other strong support too. Blackberries usually need to be tied securely to strong supports if you want them to climb, and most of them tend to grow best in full sunlight. There are some varieties which will still produce berries for you in the shade though, and some which will also tolerate poor soil materials as well.

For the best results though, plant blackberries in a location which gets at least five to six hours of sun each day, has plenty of water, and rich soil material. Composting the planting area for blackberries will help tremendously.

A Serenity Garden For Your Home

Most people think about their backyard garden as a place to provide them peace and quiet, a place to relax after a busy day, or maybe a place to draw closer to God. Whether you rise early, to enjoy your garden before heading off to work, or come home from work and retreat to your garden to unwind, a serenity garden can help to induce a state of calmness.

A serenity garden does take some planning, and some care. There is no real format in how this type of garden should be structured. You need to think about what serenity means to you. The design of the garden should reflect your ideas on peace and tranquility. It can include your favorite colors, and comforting landscapes. You may want to jot your ideas on paper, to get an idea of what you want before you start planting the garden. Some common themes for a serenity garden are relaxation, spiritual themes, and memorial themes. You'll want to locate the garden away from loud noises and strong odors. It should be in a location that will help promote tranquility.

When you start creating the garden, you should add features that reflect the theme. If you want a memorial theme, for example, you may want to add items that reflect a loved one who has passed on. If you want relaxation, a gazebo and/or furniture for lounging would be appropriate. Consider also the plants that you want in the garden. Varying shades of green fit in well with a relaxation garden, with touches of color from various flowers. Just be sure to provide a place to sit and relax, and enjoy your garden.

Rocks are another element that can be incorporated into a serenity garden. Rocks of varying sizes can be used to build walls or footpaths in the garden, as well as edging for a footpath. Or large rocks can be placed here and there throughout the garden to provide accents, and a contrast to the plants.

Wind chimes can add a gentle, relaxing sound to your garden. A waterfall or fountain will also add to the ambience of the garden. If you desire, you can also add speakers and an outdoor sound system to play music while you relax.

If you plan on using your garden after dark, you'll want to think about illumination. Tiki torches or candles provide a gentle, flickering light. Just be sure the flames are a safe distance from any tree branches or anything flammable. Low voltage or solar lights can also be used to light a pathway, or to highlight certain features of the garden at night.

A garden is ever changing. Season to season, year to year, you'll see the garden growing and changing. Your garden will continue to grow with you as you make changes to the garden, and as the garden makes changes to you. Whatever the size of the garden, from a small apartment balcony to a large backyard, you can create your own personal retreat, where you can relax, and find your peace and serenity.

Which Greenhouse Building Do You Need For Your Greenhouse Project

In the past it was assumed that all greenhouses were massive glass and metal structures that required a great deal of space, and care to keep them in good working order. Today's selection of available greenhouses is much more expansive, however, with options available for a variety of different levels of expertise and amounts of available space. Are you looking for the best possible greenhouse for your needs and situation? Consider the following options that are available to you as far as green house buildings and greenhouse projects go.

When beginning a greenhouse project, the first consideration to make is how much space you have. If you are a homeowner and have a decent yard to work with, then a medium sized greenhouse is usually best. There are also small and even miniature green house building options for people who have less space or who do not think that they can utilize all of the space in a medium sized building. There are also larger green house building options available, but unless you have an over abundance of free space and serious dedication, it is better not to start out with something larger than what you can handle.

The next consideration to make when beginning any greenhouse project is what materials you would like your green house building to be constructed from. Traditional greenhouses were constructed mainly from glass and metal. Now there are a myriad of other options available, leaving it up to you what materials you use. For example, in terms of the type of frame your green house building is constructed from, your options include the following:

- Aluminum or other high quality, maintenance free metals offer greenhouse frames that can withstand a great deal of weather without rusting. Aluminum is especially popular because these frames can be combined with a variety of different coverings, including traditional glass, polycarbonate and plastic.

- High Quality Woods like Red Cedar are ideal for dry climates or for people who want aesthetically pleasing green houses. Wood is naturally an insulating material, absorbing heat during the day and then releasing it when it is most needed. Wood is capable of rotting, however, which means that it requires a level of care beyond what other frame materials may need.

- Plastic or PVC green house frames offer simple assembly without much expense. These green house building frames are also the easiest to move. The one thing that you need to understand though is that these greenhouse frames must be anchored down in areas with high winds, as they are light weight and can be tipped over or pushed around in heavy weather.

The third and final consideration to make when it comes to choosing the features for your greenhouse project is what material to cover the framework with. You essentially have three primary choices here: Glass, Plastic and Polycarbonate.

- Glass: Glass is the most ideal covering from greenhouse projects which is why it has been the traditional choice for so long. However, glass is not the economical choice and people who are working on a budget may be limited to other alternatives.

- Plastic: Plastic is a sturdy and versatile material for green house building covering, but it does not offer the same level of clarity that polycarbonate or glass offer, so visibility is largely limited.

- Polycarbonate: This is an inexpensive option, and provides clarity close to what is offered by glass. Unfortunately, polycarbonate coverings need to be replaced regularly as they are not as sturdy as other materials.

Color In the Garden

Color is often handled in the garden in a haphazard, random fashion. Many a home gardener is satisfied by the simple fact of colorful patches in the garden, without giving much thought as to whether the color scheme works, or if one can speak of a color design in any meaningful sense of the word. A garden that is described by a visitor as a "riot of color" may cause its owner to beam with pride and fulfillment, but should the recipient of the "complement" be quite so satisfied with him or herself?

Allow me to be personal for a moment and ask you to imagine that your sitting room was so described. Better still, how would you feel if someone said that the outfit you wore at a dinner party was a "riot of color"? The crucial point is that what works and does not work in interior design or in dress, does not work in the garden either. Professional garden designers, while trying to achieve an artistic effect, actually approach the question of color in a systematic, almost a scientific way. Let's consider some of the points they would cover.

The first question is what mood are you trying to create? Two facts are worth noting here. One is that the eye generally picks out color before shape and size, so the colors you choose will inevitably have a considerable influence on people who use the garden. The other is that different colors definitely affect peoples' mood. The "hot" colors like red and orange tend to excite and stimulate, while the "cool" colors like blue, tend to exert a calming influence.

Secondly, the garden designer makes a strategic decision at some point in the design process as to whether the color scheme will be monochromatic, (based on a single color) harmonious, or contrasting, although the decision in favor of one type of scheme, does not necessarily preclude elements of the other two types. A design could be essentially harmonious, based say on greens, pale lemon and gold, with a small splash of light blue for contrast.

A monochromatic design is inevitably simple, bold, and powerful, although it could be boring and one-dimensional if not handled imaginatively. A harmonious design, based on colors that are adjacent to one another on the prismatic color wheel, is likely to be relaxing, while if drama is called for, or the composition requires uplifting, then contrast is one of the means at the designer's disposal. The strongest contrasts are achieved by the complementary colors, that is those that are directly opposite each other on the wheel. Differing hues of red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet can create stunning affects if used wisely, but horrible clashes if not.

The simplest way of learning which colors go well together, and the affect they create, is to thumb through fashion and design books. For a deeper understanding of color though, it is worthwhile visiting art galleries and try to discern how the artist creates mood, movement, and perspective. The impressionists especially, were masters at using color for these purposes. The trick then, is to apply the abstract principles to the reality of your garden. That needless to say, is easier said than done!

Turning Trendy into Timeless

When it comes to home décor, nothing loses its luster faster than trendy modern furniture. We are always excited to bring home a trendy new home item, but all too often these items end up looking cheap and silly before long. Here are four tips to ensure that your trendy new furniture visions will turn into timeless rooms you’ll enjoy for many years to come. Quality – Though you undeniable must pay for quality you don’t always have to pay much. Choosing quality materials and well crafted items will greatly increase the likeliness of creating a timeless room. Many trendy items are made of cheap veneers and plastic which go out of style even faster than they come in. What you’re paying for is the trendy new style and not a quality item. Purchasing well made rugs, solid wood furniture, good lighting and quality framed art will ensure a room you won’t regret. The Nick Knack Test– A few well placed accessories such as books, vases, book ends and even door stops are essential to completing a room and making it feel lived in. One way to ensure your accessories belong in a room and not the nick nack box is to ask yourself if the accessory is functional. If you buy a few nice coffee table books that nobody including yourself has any interest in spending time with than its just clutter and get it out. Timeless rooms are functional and every design element has its purpose. Style – Styles come and go but any style if done well can stick around. Asian furniture is a great example of a modern furniture trend which has become popular (again). Though cute Asian trunks and boxes look great in catalogs they may not jive well with your room. If you’re going to create a room that makes a dramatic statement make sure you committed to the style and are willing to invest in the right details. Some of the most amazingly decorated hotels and restaurants feature Asian furniture. Color- Colors come and go in the fashion and design industry faster than anything else. Think back over the last five decades and consider all of color pallets that have been buried. Thankfully pastels are gone still but neon is back again this year. Rather than riding the color coaster, predicting timeless colors is not as hard as you think. Natural colors and quality wood grains tend to look good the longest. Also take it easy on your paint jobs or wall coverings as these can make a room look great one day and feel like a prison the next. Remember floor to ceiling wood paneling? So whether you are ready to create a zen palace with all new Asian furniture or just want to spice up your existing décor, take these four design tips to heart and you’ll end up with timeless vs trendy style.

Basic Lawn Tools For A Well Manicured Lawn

You've just purchased your new home and it came with an expansive patch of green grass known as a lawn. Since you care about curb appeal, and the opinion of your neighbors, you purpose to have a golf course lawn all year long.
But first, you have some major and minor purchases to make. Here are the basic tools you'll need to keep your lawn in shape for years to come.

The Lawn Mower

You need this one not only to keep the manicured look, but also to avoid fines from your city of township for an overgrown lawn. You can spend anywhere from $125 to over $1,000 or more for this tool, and it will probably be the most expensive tool in your garage.
A good quality walk behind mower with self propulsion will run you around $300. Make sure your mower is at least 5.5 horsepower and has both bag and mulch features.

The Weed Whacker

Also known as a string trimmer, the weed whacker is the tool that gives your lawn the clean edges that will set it apart. There is nothing worse than a lawn that is cut but not edged or trimmed along driveway and fence lines.
String trimmers come in electric and gas powered. Gas powered trimmers are more mobile but cost more to operate and give off fumes and more noise. There are also cordless rechargeable trimmers available that will do a fine job for smaller homes.

Power Sweeper or Blower

This may not seem like a necessity, but if you live in a part of the country where trees lose their leaves in fall, your blower will come in very handy. Most homeowners can get away with an electric corded blower for about $30, but if your lawn is larger and you have multiple large trees, you may decide to invest in a back-pack blower that packs more power for around $500.

Fertilizer Spreader

All beautiful lawns need fertilizer and weed control, and the best way to deliver these products is through a spreader. These come in handheld models, push models and tractor pulled models.
I always recommend using a broadcast-style spreader and NOT a drop spreader as the broadcasting type offer more even coverage and are easier to use. If you buy a push spreader, look for one with air filled rubber tires and a metal frame. It will cost you around $60 but will last a lifetime.

Sprinklers and Hoses

Watering the lawn is important too. Choose a sprinkler that keeps the water in large droplets and low to the ground. This will minimize water lost to drift and evaporation. Impact sprinklers are the most common and are adjustable to cover just about any size or shape area. A metal-bodied impact sprinkler will cost you about $10.
When buying a hose, you don't need the most expensive, but definitely not the cheapest. You should buy at least 2 medium duty hoses in varying lengths so you can run 2 sprinklers simultaneously to save time.

Before you close on your new house, consider adding these basic lawns tools to your garage collection.

Promoting Environmental Relief One Putting Green at a Time

At Southwest Greens Chicago, we’ve allowed countless golf enthusiasts to bring the game home with them courtesy of both our backyard putting greens and indoor putting greens. In the process, they’ve managed to enhance their game while increasing the value of their homes. There is an added benefit to installing one of our golf greens, however, and that is the positive effect it will have on the environment. Did you know that mowing and maintaining natural grass is one of the worst things you can do for the environment? It’s true. And while we won’t pretend that anyone installs a home practice facility with an eye toward the ozone, it’s certainly a cool byproduct!

Exactly how can home putting greens made from the finest artificial grass in the industry benefit the environment? They can do so simply by reducing the amount of natural grass in your yard. Eliminating natural grass means eliminating the yard work in which environmental pitfalls abound. For example, did you know that using a gas lawnmower is the equivalent of gassing up your car and embarking on a 100 mile trip? Or that each time you mow you release what are known as hydrocarbons into the atmosphere? These unfriendly little guys eventually reappear as smog. Finally, natural grass lawns result in an amazing amount of water waste. In fact the average American homeowner squanders some 25 gallons of water per square foot of lawn a year. For obvious reasons, we can help you conserve and reduce your water bill significantly.

The convenience of playing the game you love whenever you please and in the comfort of your own backyard is all the reason you’ll ever need for installing a Southwest Green. Even so, the knowledge that so many environmental issues can be addressed at the same time is a powerful and appealing bonus. And in the realm of unexpected surprises, it’s nice to discover the many ways you’ll be making a difference while at the same time having so much fun.

Discover what so many have discovered before you and what more and more golf fans like yourself are discovering every day. Namely, all the great ways a Southwest Green can bring a sense of convenience to your game and uniqueness to your backyard. The game as you’ve always imagined it is now within your reach. In fact it’s just outside the door if you want it with a little help from Southwest Greens.

Basement Golf Greens Make Winter Practice Easy

There is no shortage of golf enthusiasts throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Still, you’d be hard pressed to find even one eager to pursue the game outdoors in the dead of winter. Southwest Greens Chicago is making it easier for you to work on your short game on the coldest winter day, and every other day for that matter, courtesy of our indoor putting greens. Our basement golf greens are the warmer, more comfortable relative of our backyard putting greens, and provide a wonderful opportunity to eliminate the winter-related excuses and shrink your handicap through the force of sheer convenience.

Consider your typical routine when it’s time to work on your short game. Then install one of our putting greens and put your old routine on the backburner. Made from the finest artificial grass in the industry, a home practice facility is a quick and easy installation matched only by the ease of accessing the game you love on a moment’s notice. Often times the difference between a short game that soothes the mind rather than tortures it is simply the amount of practice time one can find to put in. An addition such as this promises that your will to be great will be matched by your ability to pursue that greatness. Your game can only benefit as a result.

Installing a basement green offers an intrinsic benefit that goes beyond your game. Consider for a moment not only the unique aesthetic it will add to your home but the added value it’s certain to bring. It’s safe to say that very few homes in your neighborhood or any other will be able to boast of such a unique and versatile basement area. And because it’s indoors there is of course no maintenance involved. Your only responsibility will be to enjoy your basement green and reap the benefits when the golf season comes around again.

If you’re like most serious golfers you don’t mind doing the work it takes to become better. Of course the winter months make that pursuit a difficult one, which is why it makes so much sense to bring the game home with you. Make your basement ground zero for the evolution of your putting game while adding value to your home in a unique and exciting way. An amazing amount of fun, and a lower handicap, is just down the stairs and within your reach with a little help from Southwest Greens.

How to Prepare Your Lawn for Fall This Year

The process you need to follow will vary with the type of turf on your lawn. The two main types of turf grasses are cool season and warm season. The main difference is that cool season grasses require regular maintenance throughout the fall and winter seasons, while warm season grasses need to be prepped for the following spring. Common cool season grasses are ryegrasses, fescues, bluegrasses, and bentgrasses. Common warm season grasses include St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and Buffalograss. If you are unsure what type you have on your lawn, you can take a sample to your local county extension and find out which type you have. The most important thing to remember is that maintenance doesn't end when the grass stops growing.

The process of fall lawn care consists of the following steps:

* Test Your Soil
* Apply Herbicides for Weed Control
* Water
* Fertilize
* Mow
* Seed or Sod
* Remove Leaves and Thatch
* Maintain Equipment

Test Your Soil

The first thing you should do this season is perform a soil test to determine levels of nutrients, pH and other factors that affect the growth of your lawn. These results will help you understand what your soil needs this fall. If you need to reduce the acidity in your soil, you should apply lime. If alkalinity should be reduced, then you should apply sulfur. The Cooperative Extension Service of state universities will usually perform a soil test for a reasonable fee. You can contact them or a local service to determine how you should collect samples and where to send them.

Apply Herbicides for Weed Control

Many broadleaf weeds start to show their ugly faces in the fall. Dandelions, plantain, clover and creeping charlie are just some of the perennial weeds that come out to play. If the weeds are spread out and few in number, you can spot treat them with an herbicide. Spray container products make it easy to do spot treatments. You should complete this task while temperatures are still above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you carefully evaluate the number and types of weeds in your lawn. It is not necessary to apply herbicides over your entire lawn unless there is significant infestation. Don't worry about crabgrass and other annual weed-like grasses. These are controlled more effectively in the spring.

Water

Even though temperatures are cooler and the growth of your grass is slowing down, the lawn still needs to be watered. This is often one of the most neglected areas of fall lawn care. Visions of cool fall and winter weather often cause lawn owners to take a vacation and forget about their lawns. But, you should continue to water until the ground is cold and freezing temperatures are on the horizon. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you will need to use compressed air to blow out the pipes and sprinkler heads before damage occurs from a freeze.

Fertilize

If you are a lawn fanatic like me, you can make two applications of fertilizer, once now and another in the late stages of fall (late October/ early November). This will provide nutrients to your lawn over a longer growth period. Late season fertilizing often causes lawns to be the first to grow in the spring. However, the longer you wait to fertilize, the less likely it is to be beneficial. When in doubt, simply skip the final application. If your soil test indicates that your lawn has a shortage of phosphorus, then you may consider using a 'winterizing' type of fertilizer. Otherwise, leftover spring fertilizer or a weed and feed fertilizer is sufficient. One final thing to avoid is slow-release fertilizers. During this time of year, soil has a lower level of microbial activity which means it takes longer to break down fertilizer and make its nutrients available to the grass.

Mow

You should continue to mow your lawn throughout the fall until growth stops. It is important to keep your grass 2" to 2 - 1/2" tall during fall. If your grass gets too long, it will mat and risk lawn diseases like snow mold. However, if you cut it too short (less than 2"), you can diminish the lawn's ability to make and store food for growth in the spring.

Seed or Sod

This is not always a necessary lawn care practice, but this time of year is the best time to establish or repair a lawn by seeding or sodding. Seeding and sodding should be completed as soon as possible before really cold weather sets in. If you are overseeding your lawn, you need to rake up debris and dethatch your lawn if thatch is thicker than half an inch. This ensures that the grass seed will be as close to the soil as possible. You should also aim to keep the soil moist for a few weeks while the seeds are germinating.

Remove Leaves and Thatch

When leaves begin to fall in autumn, it is important to remove them before a thick layer forms that can smother the grass. Simply raking often removes thatch from your lawn, but in bad cases of soil compaction, you may need to get a lawn aerator to perform core aeration. If you have the funds, and you're serious about lawn care, you may want to buy an aerator. Otherwise, you can simply rent one at a local hardware or garden supply store.

Maintain Equipment

Lawn care equipment requires constant maintenance throughout, but the fall season involves a more thorough maintenance process. Upkeep can save you tons of money and heartache in the long run. Fall is a great time to perform an oil change on your mower. You should also drain the gas from your mower or add a gas stabilizer. Consult your manual before using a stabilizer, because it may void your warranty.

Remove the mower's spark plug with a spark-plug wrench. Lubricate the spark-plug cylinder with a teaspoon of oil through its hole. Install a new spark plug, but keep the spark-plug wire disconnected. Grease where necessary, especially the rear height-adjuster on a self-propelled mower.

You should check your blade and the bolts on the unit to ensure tightness. You should also inspect and possibly sharpen your mower blade. After you have completed these steps, store the mower in a clean, dry place away from any possible ignition sources.

Final Thoughts

Following the fall lawn care practices outlined in this article will prepare your lawn for winter and reward you with a healthy, thriving lawn in the spring.

Synthetic Backyard Putting Greens Befriend the Environment as Well as Your Game

At Southwest Greens, we realize that no one ever installed one of our backyard putting greens solely to benefit the environment. In the process of bringing the game home to countless golf enthusiasts nationwide, however, that’s exactly what has happened. More and more we’re learning how environmentally unsound mowing and maintaining natural grass can be. By installing one of our putting greens made from the finest artificial grass on the market, you’ll not only be drawing attention to an important issue but also doing something about. Best of all, you’ll be doing something about it while having the time of your life.

Exactly how can one of our indoor putting greens or outdoor golf greens benefit the surrounding environment? By virtue of what you won’t have to do to maintain it. Did you know that using a gas lawnmower for an hour is equal in emissions to gassing up your car and taking off on a 100-mile trip? Or that while you’re mowing you’re releasing something called hydrocarbons into the air that have a nasty habit of reappearing as smog? Because there is no mowing involved with synthetic grass all of these issues simply fall by the wayside, as does the issue of wasting water. No watering means no waste, and in a country where the average household uses some 25 gallons of water per square foot of lawn per year and water conservation is an issue that is a significant savings indeed.

The correlating benefit of all of the environmental good you’ll be doing is that our greens have virtually no maintenance involved. That means no mowing, no watering, no fertilizing or chemicals, ever. Your sole responsibility will be to enjoy the convenience of playing the game you love, whenever you please, in the comfort of your own backyard. The added bonus of environmental soundness is yet another great aspect of your purchase.

More and more of your friends, neighbors, and fellow golf enthusiasts are discovering the many ways they can benefit from the installation of one of our backyard putting greens. Will you be the next to follow sit? Bring a sense of convenience to your game, renovation to your backyard, and relief to the environment. At Southwest Greens, we can help on all three counts.

Backyard Putting Greens Enhance Landscape While Shrinking Handicap

Often times the difference between a good short game and one that consistently comes up short is finding the time to practice. At Southwest Greens, we invite you to remedy that problem by bringing your short game home with you. Our backyard putting greens promise to shrink your handicap through the force of sheer convenience. Made from the finest artificial grass in the industry and customized to fit your backyard, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the combination of easy access and increased practice time make you a consistent threat around the cup.

Consider how often you make it out to the local practice green. Time and responsibilities probably dictate that those times are few and far between, and your game suffers as a result. As a golf enthusiast adding a putting green to your home makes sense on so many levels. The most important reason is that it opens up the possibility of an entirely new practice routine, one that consists solely of walking out your back door. Installing a golf green at your home is a quick and easy process, but not as easy as it will be to access the game you love at a moment’s notice. In other words, if you’ve got the will to work on your game, we can give you the means. The rest, as they say, is up to you.

Of course, installing a backyard green means your game isn’t the only thing that will look better. Think for a moment of the unique and aesthetically pleasing quality one will bring to your backyard. Talk about a gathering place for family and friends. As the centerpiece of your backyard a green will provide a wonderful opportunity to share the game and your leisure time with those around you. Best of all, there’s no maintenance. No need for mowing, watering, fertilizing, or otherwise slaving away in the yard. Just sheer enjoyment and a flawless surface 365 days a year.

If you’re serious about the game of golf, it makes sense to bring the game home with you. Make your backyard the cornerstone of your game while adding value to your home and leisure time in a unique and exciting way. It’s within reach, and just out the back door, with a little help from Southwest Greens.

Affordable Backyard Remodels a Matter of Simplicity, Creativity

In economically challenging times such as these, Flowing Wells Landscape Construction would like to remind you that while a complete overhaul of your landscaping may not be in the cards presently, a remodel built around the twin concepts of simplicity and creativity can redefine a backyard in an equally dramatic way. As an experienced Arizona landscaper, we can say the good news is that such a wonderful yet simple transformation can be achieved by incorporating elements you might not have previously considered.

An inviting patio area is a must-have for entertaining family and friends throughout the year. And while bigger ticket items such as patio decks may be on the to-do list one day, there are simpler, more affordable ways in which you and your local landscaper can make your patio a centerpiece of your backyard. The incorporation of Flagstone, for example, can change the entire feel of a patio area and create an entertaining surface that is both beautiful and durable. Likewise, the addition of something as simple as patio lights can create a variety of moods, all controlled by you, when entertaining friends and family after the sun goes down. In this and many other ways Scottsdale landscaper Flowing Wells can help transform the look and feel of your yard.

Outdoor barbeque grills and outdoor fireplaces can also add a great deal of style to your patio. In the case of outdoor fireplaces the right choice, combined with the existing design elements, can quite literally create an extension of your living space. Or bring a campfire feel to the proceedings by installing a fire pit in your backyard. Sitting around a fire on a cold winter night is one of the great joys of life, and instills a sense of community and friendship that can't be beat. Plus it just looks cool!

The number of ways you can remodel your yard is limited only by your imagination. Garden arbors and outdoor gazebos, for example can bring an entirely different feel to any yard. Wood or metal garden arbors make excellent decorative items, and provide a simple yet inviting touch that welcomes family and friends to your backyard or garden. Gazebos, meanwhile, offer a great and stylish way to enjoy quality time in your backyard rain or shine.

A stylish remodel of your backyard is a goal you can achieve in affordable fashion with the incorporation of a few simple elements. Make your yard a centerpiece for family fun. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve.

Poles Point to Yunnan Neolithic Age Site

More than 2,000 wooden poles recently unearthed at a site in Jianchuan county, have been found to be more than 3,000 years old.

The poles, still standing, were dug 4.5 m into the ground.

Archaeologists said carbon tests showed the poles were from the Neolithic age, and were probably the foundations for a structure built by a community that existed at the time in southwest China.

They said this community may turn out to be the largest Neolithic one of its kind that has ever been discovered in China, or even in the world. It could be older than the Hemudu community in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province, birthplace of the Yangtze River civilization.

"I was shocked when I first saw the site. I have never seen such a big and orderly one. This could be only a small fraction of the actual community that existed at the time," Yan Wenming, history professor at Peking University, said.

Excavation of the site is still going on. A total of 28 excavations have been made so far of an area that covers 1,350 sq m. Min Rui, a researcher at the Yunnan Archaeological Institute who leads the excavation, said the area could eventually cover 4 sq km

Yan said the poles could have been the foundations for a house as these types of structures have been found in Hubei, Guangdong, Zhejiang and other provinces, the most famous being the Hemudu site.

"Right now there is also such a site being excavated in Switzerland. But that site is smaller than the one in Yunnan. The Yunnan one could be the largest in the world," Yan said.

Archaeologists have also found more than 3,000 artifacts made of stone, as well as pottery, wood, iron and bones. The most eye-catching piece is a red jar, Min said.

The site, which lies on the banks of the Jianhu Lake, was discovered in 1957 during the construction of a canal. Broken pieces of pottery were found nearby. Excavation started in January this year - five decades after the discovery.

Artificial Turf and Synthetic Grass, Perfect for Commercial Applications

With a name like Southwest Greens Hawaii, it's pretty obvious to the average onlooker where our bread and butter lies. Some might assume that with us it's all about Hawaii putting greens, but the truth is you'll find our products all over the landscape of the great state of Hawaii. In fact, the addition in recent years of our Hawaii synthetic grass and Hawaii artificial turf has allowed Southwest Greens Hawaii to spread our wings a bit, and suddenly our products are finding a home in the commercial world as well.

These days, Hawaii golf greens and Hawaii backyard putting greens aren't the only place you'll find our phenomenal lines of artificial turf and synthetic grass. Take a look around, because it's a big world and we're prepared to green it up a bit. For every college campus, park, or office complex you come across in your travels, you'll see a prime candidate for our artificial turf and synthetic grass. Already Southwest Greens products have been incorporated and used by clients as diverse as AOL, the Texas Rangers, Nicklaus Design, and even carnival cruises. Can your corporate entity benefit from a landscape design that incorporates our artificial turf and/or synthetic grass? No matter what the setting, the answer in terms of time and money is absolutely.

Think of the pristine lawn of a neighborhood park, or the perfectly manicured grass of a well cared for office complex. Now imagine you're in charge of keeping them that way, and that there was a way to do so with virtually no upkeep at all. With artificial grass or synthetic turf the need for water, mowing or costly lawn maintenance is instantly eliminated. Fertilizers, chemicals, or allergens that were once part of maintaining healthy grass will also be a thing of the past.

It all adds up to significant savings that only increase with time. And because both artificial turf and synthetic grass are both UV resistant, even the harshest summer conditions won't make a dent in your pristine sea of green. Keep the commercial area looking like your backyard... if your backyard was perfect and required no upkeep that is. See how artificial turf or synthetic grass can work for your commercial area while insuring that you won't have to work on it.

Southwest Greens..the Greens the Pros Bring Home

It's the dream of every golfer to play like the pros, but very few of us will ever experience such dizzying heights. Which is not to say you can't play on the same amazing surfaces the pros play on. Southwest Greens Hawaii is proud to be the choice for over 26 PGA tour professionals’ own backyard greens. The Hawaii golf greens you enjoy on courses can just as easily become the Hawaii backyard putting greens of your dreams. Play it how the pros play it, and do it in your own backyard.

Thinking of adding a putting green to your residence or even to your business? Greens made from Hawaii artificial turf and Hawaii synthetic grass are our calling card. In doing your due diligence, look for the types of Hawaii putting greens similar to what you play on at your favorite course. That is why the pros have chosen Southwest Greens as their green of choice. The list includes names like Vijay Singh, Hale Irwin and Sergio Garcia, to name just a few. Need a few more names? How about Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin and Jesper Parnevik? In fact, over 25 PGA professionals in all entrust the time they spend on their short game to a Southwest Greens putting surface. In the ultra-competitive world of professional golf there is no greater endorsement.

Spend any time on a Southwest Greens putting surface and you'll soon see why the pros are so enamored. You'll immediately discover a unique and realistic putting surface that offers a true roll every time. Your game will benefit immediately, if for no other reason than the convenience of having a putting green in your own backyard on a surface custom designed especially for you. And remember, our backyard golf greens and synthetic grass don't need to be watered, mowed, or fertilized. That's time and money in your pocket, and a bank account that goes up even as your scores go down.

So you're not going to make the PGA tour. Once you make it through the five stages of acceptance, do the next best thing and play on the surface the pros swear by. Make your backyard ground zero for a wicked short game, with a putting green courtesy of Southwest Greens Hawaii.

Gardening at Its Best

Let’s face it: We all want lush green lawns with lively plants and flowers blooming 365 days a year. It sounds simple, but realistically, it is not easy for everyone. However, there is a trick to the trade that many people overlook – the use of fountains.

Not only do fountains spruce up the life around it, they add a sensational look and feel to existing gardens or areas in the lawn that are not quite up to par. The use of fountain landscaping is not a new craze; in fact, it is quite a traditional practice that has gained a renewed sense of popularity in the past few years. Talented manufacturers are also making it hard to resist the designs.

A simple search online will provide a variety of results for water, outdoor, indoor, wall, and garden fountains combined with unique, custom made statues as well. The recommended site is PlazaFountains.com, though. This online distributor features designs from well-known manufacturers, such as Henri Studios, Campania, Hunter Kenroy, and Adagio.

If you’re not familiar with the names, don’t worry – the designs speak for themselves. From resin fountains to brass creations sculptured in tiers or as a stand alone, these constructions will surely highlight the lawn.

So, if you’re concerned about producing the type of garden found at established garden museums, consider cheating a little with a fountain or statue that will catch the eye and shadow over the wilting buds that have plagued wanna-be green thumbs for years.

For more information about Plaza Fountains, browse PlazaFountains.com or contact a fountain consultant at 1-800-609-1650. As a premier distributor of fountain and statue products, Plaza Fountains is committed to providing quality, creative, and durable pieces of art to residential and commercial customers.


Spruce Up Curb Appeal With Simple Landscape Fixtures

Spruce up Curb Appeal With Simple Landscape Fixtures

It doesn’t matter how much time and money people spend on fixing up the interior of a home when the exterior doesn’t compare. An old car here, a rusted front porch swing, or growing weeds will turn away guests, neighbors, and potential buyers quickly.

Curb appeal is crucial for many reasons:

1) It says something about the owner’s ability to care for property. A perfectly manicured lawn complete with flowers full of life and water fountains that gleam in the sunlight can highlight not only the residential property but also a home owner’s bragging rights.

2) Curb appeal can increase the value of the property. It is amazing to see how a trim here and there and some simple planting can change the entire look and feel of a residential or commercial property. Add a garden statue or outdoor fountain to existing or new landscaping and everyone will be driving by to view your hard work.

3) Maintaining the lawn and landscaping provides a new arena to entertain guests and provide opportunities for a little rest and relaxation. The sound of trickling water from a customized water fountain and the beauty of lush lawns and growing gardens emulates both refreshing sounds and scents of the season.

While it is still important to update the interior of a home, know that it is just as important to maintain and improve the beauty of the surrounding outdoor landscapes. Be proud of the inside and out with a little help from professional fountain distributors and landscaping professionals, such as PlazaFountains.com.

Plaza Fountains is an independently owned and operated distributor of water fountains, bird baths, garden statues, and pool fountains. For a complete selection of outdoor fixtures to liven up your curb’s appeal, log on to PlazaFountains.com.

Outdoor Fountain Benefits

Time after time, Realtors have vowed that landscaping does not necessarily increase the value of a home. They continue to attest that home value is based on square footage, floor plans, and the quality of structures alone. I’m here to tell you otherwise.

When most people show interest in a home, the first impression is crucial and without clean, manicured lawns, gardens, and landscaping, a further inquiry is probably not going to happen. Accents such as garden fountains, centerpiece fountains, water fountains really enhance the elegance of the home. They offer an initial impression that is breathtaking and most importantly, they show the potential owners that this home and land was well taken care of.

Even though it sounds superficial, looks are important. Face it, people judge neighborhoods by what they see driving by. Don’t let your home devalue itself with worn out gardens, dilapidated landscapes, and less than stellar bushes and trees. Spruce it up with garden fountains and outdoor accessories from manufacturers that personalize and handcraft these beautiful creations.

Plazafountains.com features some of the most impressive designs including cast stone fountains and pool fountains. The beauty also lies in the fact that home owners can increase the appeal of homes, gardens, and landscaping at an affordable price, too. Investing in a structure that is ultimately going to satisfy you and add value to your property is not vein, it’s smart.

Wood Fencing

There are many different wood fences types to choose from. Wood fencing in the west coast is primarily western red cedar, it's natural beauty shines in the privacy fences that adorn many residences. You can also find douglas fir becoming a bit more popular because it is much less expensive than cedar. In the midwest, wood fences are often installed with pre-made fence panels. Fence installers come to your house set the posts and then place the panels. In the Pacific Northwest it is more common for the fence to be built on site because the terrain is very uneven and hilly, making it difficult to use pre-fabricated panels.

The most ubiquitous wood fence is called the estate style fence. The estate fence is built with a 2×4 as the bottom rail of the fence panel and a 2×4 as the top rail. Most often wood fences are built with 6 foot tall fence boards that are approximately 1 inch think and 4 inches wide. Most large fence builders will use posts that measure 4 1/8 inch by 4 1/8's inch. These posts are much bigger than posts you will find at Lowe's or Home Depot which commonly measure only 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches.

Experienced fence builders know that you need to set your posts in concrete between 18 and 24 inches into the ground. For the sturdiest posts you should let them cure at least 24 hours before you come back and build the fence. Setting your posts is the most important step in building your fence, if you get off line the whole fence will be crooked, so make sure to take extra care on this step!

If you're looking for a fence that is more intricate than a basic estate style fence, try looking into a modified panel fence. A modified panel fence has a 2×4 that runs on top of the fence boards to give the fence a much cleaner, more sophisticated look. In addition, there is a 1×4 and a 2×4 that run just under the top 2×4. When you finish the fence off with custom post caps, it's easy to see why this fence is extremely popular.

If you want to go for the grand-daddy of them all wood fence, look into a full panel construction. This type of fence is similar to a modified panel, except that there is a 2×4 that runs parallel to the ground. If you ask your local fence builder about any of these types of fences, they should be able to build these for you. There are lots of extras you can add to these fences, such as: spacing between the fence boards, custom post caps, lattice, trellis, gate arbors and much more!

Solar Deck Lighting: Decorative and Fun

Solar deck lighting is an energy efficient method of providing accent and safety for any outdoor deck location. These lights rely on energy derived from sunlight to charge batteries through miniature solar photovoltaic (PV) cells located on top the lights. This eliminates the need for installing unsightly electrical wires or cables around a deck. Also, these are ideal for existing decks to keep from disturbing the deck to install electrical wiring.

Solar lights can be used in a variety of situations and locations on a deck, for example:

Deck Lamp Posts
Deck Post Lights
Deck Spot Lights
Deck Bar Lights
Deck Steps
Pool Deck Lighting
Deck Lighting
Motion Sensor Deck Lighting
And More

Solar lights have the advantage easy installation anywhere they are needed. They can by just be attached to the deck in any desired location. An important point to remember when placing these lights in the desired location is to ensure they receive direct sunlight on the PV cell for charging the batteries.

The disadvantage with these lights is that their tops must have direct sunlight to the solar PV cells to fully recharge their batteries, because this is where the PV cell is located. Indirect sunlight will charge the nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries, however the charge will not last long. If the desired use for solar lights on decks which have trees or the home blocking direct sunlight, then traditional electrical outdoor lighting is required.

There is no cost to operate solar deck lighting. However one drawback for solar lights is that they do not produce enough light for security lighting or bright lights. They only produce enough light for someone to see steps and other features of a deck.

The rechargeable nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries will produce enough power to light solar deck lights for approximately 14 hours when full charged. Typical light times actually run 10 to 12 hours and 5 to 6 hours in the winter.

Solar deck lighting works effectively anywhere; however it is important to remember these lights require direct sunlight all or most of the day. Indirect sunlight will charge the NiCad batteries, however the charge will not last long.

Another advantage of adding solar deck lighting for safety and accent is that it can increase the value of a home. Many people deciding to purchase a home will visit in the day and night time to get a feel for the neighborhood. When they see a beautifully accented deck with solar lighting, they are more inclined to purchase the home.

The Philippine Flowers of the Philippines

Are you a person that loves to be with some flowers? Don’t worry, that’s a very common with a lot of people nowadays. Well who wouldn’t love a flower? Flowers are one of the most elegant, beautiful and majestic artistry the world has to offer, which is why flowers are sometimes the best source of profit.

You don’t believe me? Well listen to this, the most expensive flower in the world is an orchid, an “Orchid”, that was sold for a mere $202,000.00 USD, I’m not kidding. This is why many have come to realize the untapped potential of flowers when it comes to profit.

In the Philippines, there are almost a thousand flower shops across the country that sells different kind of Philippine flowers. Well if we’re talking about flower shops here in the Philippines, you don’t have to go to a province just to see one; you just have to go to manila, on a place called “Dangwa”. Dangwa is situated in the heart of manila, which is famous for its different flower shops that have gathered together in a single place, selling different kinds of Philippine flowers .

Flower shops are not only present on the streets or on mall, flower shops can also be seen on the internet, such as the online flower shop Flower Express.

The Flower Express is an online flower shop that specializes in selling different kinds of Philippine flowers such as Philippine flowers Roses, Philippine flowers Alstroemerias, Philippine flowers Carnations, Philippine flowers Ecuadorian Roses, Philippine flowers Gerberas, Philippine flowers Lilies, Philippine flowers Orchids, Philippine flowers Spring Flowers, Philippine flowers Tulips and many more Philippine flowers.

The Flowers Express does not only sell different kinds of Philippine flowers, but also some gift items such as Chocolate, Fruit Basket, Gift Baskets, Men's Fragrances , Wines & liquors, Women's Fragrances, Mass Prayer Cards and many more.

So if you are flower lover like us, then visit Flower Express at www www.flowers-express-philippines.comfor information about the different kinds of Philippine flowers.

Delivering the Greatest With Flowers Express

Have you ever given flowers to someone? Well how about giving some flowers to someone very far away? Well you don’t have to spend thousands of pesos on travels fees so as to give some flowers to your loved ones. You could give them some cash to buy themselves some flowers, but that won’t be very romantic, isn’t it?

But you know, there are some flower shops that can have their own Philippine flower delivery services. But if you want to be sure that your flowers will be delivered on time and fresh, your best bet will be the Flowers Express’ Philippine flower delivery services.

The Flowers Express is an online flower shop that offers a large variety of flowers such as Roses, Alstroemerias, Carnations, Ecuadorian Roses, Gerberas, Lilies, Orchids, Spring Flowers, Tulips and many more.

Flowers Express’ Philippine flower delivery services is the best when it comes to Philippine flower delivery service. This is because Flower Express is owned and operated by eLBC Direct, Inc., an LBC company that is dedicated to providing Filipinos access to products and services apart from the traditional products offered by LBC.

Flowers Express is the all-occasion, no-occasion Philippine flower delivery. Their Philippine flower delivery service is a fast, reliable and affordable way to send premium flowers to your loved ones anywhere in the country. Flowers Express’ Philippine flower delivery service’s partners are no less than LBC and the country’s best producers of world-class flowers. LBC, the country’s dependable domestic and international courier service brings to the group over 50 years of experience and an intensive network of branches nationwide. Flowers Express’ world-class suppliers provides the team with premium flowers that are produced using state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology. That’s why Flowers Express’ Philippine flower delivery services are sure to deliver the highest quality at the best value.

So if you’re planning on sending some flowers to your loved ones, then Flowers Express’ Philippine flower delivery services can be the perfect way of sending you flowers.

The Philippine Flower Colors

Looking for a flower shop that can provide you with a wide collection of Philippine flowers? As we all know, flowers are the most beautiful and the elegant type of plant in the world. Flowers are also the best way of showing ones feelings towards the receiver, which is why flowers are the best kind of gift that anyone can receive.

Well there are a lot of Philippine flower shops that offers such services of delivering flowers to their customers, but there are also some online Philippine flower shops that also does this kind of service and among them is the Flowers Express online Philippine flower shops.

Flowers Express is an online Philippines flower shop that sells different kinds of Philippine flowers such Rose Philippine flowers, Alstroemerias Philippine flowers, Carnations Philippine flowers, Ecuadorian Roses Philippine flowers, Gerberas Philippine flowers, Lilies Philippine flowers, Orchids Philippine flowers, Spring Flowers Philippine flowers, Tulips Philippine flowers and many more Philippine flowers.

Aside from Philippine flowers, Flowers Express can also provide their customers with gift items such as Chocolate, Fruit Basket, Gift Baskets, Men's Fragrances, Wines & liquors, Women's Fragrances, Mass Prayer Cards.

Flowers Express is also the best when it comes to flower delivery, for in which Flowers Express excels. Flowers Express can not only provide the best Philippine flowers, but also a free door-to-door delivery on all of their flowers and gift items. This is because Flowers Express have teamed up with the most reliable and dependable courier service in the Philippines, the LBC.

LBC is the first to introduce 24-hour air cargo delivery and Flower Delivery Philippines service. And with over 500 branches, covering practically every city and municipality of the country, Flowers Express makes the moment perfect for you. So if you’re planning on buying some Philippine flowers, then visit Flowers Express at www.flowers-express-philippines.com.

Delivering a Flower for you

Want to send some flowers to your loved ones back home? Well there’s only one problem with that, delivering such delicate things such as flowers requires an utmost care and preparation. Finding a suitable delivery service that can deliver flowers can be very complicated, but here in the Philippines, there is one delivery service that really “Delivers”, and that is the Flowers Express’ Flower Delivery Philippines.
The Flowers Express Flower Delivery Philippines is an online flower shop that specializes in delivering different kinds of flowers to any place in the Philippines. The Flowers Express Flower Delivery Philippines can deliver a wide collection of flowers consists of local Philippine flowers and imported flowers such as Flower Delivery Philippines Roses, Flower Delivery Philippines Alstroemerias, Flower Delivery Philippines Carnations, Flower Delivery Philippines Ecuadorian Roses, Flower Delivery Philippines Gerberas, Flower Delivery Philippines Lilies, Flower Delivery Philippines Orchids, Flower Delivery Philippines Spring Flowers and Flower Delivery Philippines Tulips.
The Flowers Express Flower Delivery Philippines also provides delivery services of different kinds of floral arrangements appropriate for a certain occasion or sentiments Anniversaries, Congratulations, Christmas, Get Well, Love & Romance, Sorry, Thank You, Welcome Home and Valentines Special.
The Flowers Express Flowers Delivery Philippines can also deliver different kinds of gift items such as Chocolates, Fruit Baskets, Gift Baskets, Men's Fragrances, Wines & liquors, Women's Fragrances and Mass Prayer Cards.
All of this has been made possible because Flowers Express Flowers Delivery philippines is owned and operated by eLBC Direct, Inc., an LBC company that is dedicated to providing Filipinos access to products and services apart from the traditional products offered by LBC.
So when it comes to flower delivery here in the Philippines, the Flowers Express Flower Delivery Philippines can prove to be a very suitable flower delivery service.v

Online Flowers Sometimes Look Even Better Than Their Real Counterparts

We love sending flowers to various people and depending on the type of occasion we will send flowers that the person may like or flowers that are perfect for that occasion. To help us in this endeavor you will find online flowers.

There are many different places on the internet where we can buy our flowers. These shops sometimes will have online flowers that you can use for many occasions. These online flowers or virtual flowers are in many ways another way to send some flowers to someone that you know or care about.

The internet stores where you can buy online flowers will generally have a variety of different virtual flowers that you can look at before you choose the ones that you want to send.

As with the real flowers your online flowers can be designed to look like seasonal floral arrangements, special holiday flower designs where instead of ceramic figurines you will find virtual figurines that sometimes look even better that their real counterparts.

When you want to see the various online flowers that are available there will be links on the internet flower shop pages where you can see the different flowers stocks to order. Likewise some of these flower stores web pages will allow you to design how your online flowers will look.

To help you in this task you can choose the many flowers that are in their virtual stock. Besides the online flowers you should see what the options are that you have for sending your floral design arrangement. This means that you can select a virtual vase, a basket or even a whimsical wheelbarrow to place your online flowers in and send them.

When you are thinking of buying your flowers as virtual flower designs you should look at the various flower shops that are online. This way you will develop an idea of the different services that are available in these flower shops.

Besides sending virtual flowers you can also select real flowers to buy and send. These online flowers are chosen from pictures of real flowers that are available in the real-time flower shops. From these shops your order will be taken and your selection will be wrapped for you.

Many of these online flower stores will have an interesting selection of flowers for you to choose. You can see if you would like to buy tropical like Ostrich Plume Ginger flowers, Lobster claws, or Peruvian Lilies. You can also choose assorted roses, many different orchids, tulips, daisies, asters and many others

Online flowers are just one way that you can show your artistic talents at the same time that you are sending a special present. With these online flowers you can be sure that your unique present will be very appreciated and you will receive many compliments for the beauty of these flowers both the real flowers and the virtual flowers.

Virtual Flowers Sometimes Look Even Better Than Their Real Counterparts

We love sending flowers to various people and depending on the type of occasion we will send flowers that the person may like or flowers that are perfect for that occasion. To help us in this endeavor you will find virtual Flowers.

There are many different places on the internet where we can buy our flowers. These shops sometimes will have virtual Flowers that you can use for many occasions. These virtual Flowers or Online flowers are in many ways another way to send some flowers to someone that you know or care about.

The internet stores where you can buy virtual Flowers will generally have a variety of different virtual flowers that you can look at before you choose the ones that you want to send.

As with the real flowers your virtual Flowers can be designed to look like seasonal floral arrangements, special holiday flower designs where instead of ceramic figurines you will find virtual figurines that sometimes look even better that their real counterparts.

When you want to see the various virtual Flowers that are available there will be links on the internet flower shop pages where you can see the different flowers stocks to order. Likewise some of these flower stores web pages will allow you to design how your virtual Flowers will look.

To help you in this task you can choose the many flowers that are in their virtual stock. Besides the virtual Flowers you should see what the options are that you have for sending your floral design arrangement. This means that you can select a virtual vase, a basket or even a whimsical wheelbarrow to place your virtual Flowers in and send them.

When you are thinking of buying your flowers as virtual flower designs you should look at the various flower shops that are online. This way you will develop an idea of the different services that are available in these flower shops.

Besides sending virtual flowers you can also select real flowers to buy and send. These virtual Flowers are chosen from pictures of real flowers that are available in the real-time flower shops. From these shops your order will be taken and your selection will be wrapped for you.

Many of these online flower stores will have an interesting selection of flowers for you to choose. You can see if you would like to buy tropical like Ostrich Plume Ginger flowers, Lobster claws, or Peruvian Lilies. You can also choose assorted roses, many different orchids, tulips, daisies, asters and many others

virtual Flowers are just one way that you can show your artistic talents at the same time that you are sending a special present. With these virtual Flowers you can be sure that your unique present will be very appreciated and you will receive many compliments for the beauty of these flowers both the real flowers and the virtual flowers.

How to Spruce Up your Cake With Cake Decorating Flowers

Cake decorating flowers help spruce up the cake. And of course, decorating a cake is the most difficult part of the entire process. If you can come up with innovative ideas to decorate the cake, everyone appreciates the delicious cake thoroughly. Cake decorating flowers give a new dimension to your cake.

You have a choice to select cake decorating flowers. You can use the real edible flowers to decorate your cake. Before you use real flowers to decorate your cake here are some things that you should keep in your mind.

Pick up only those flowers that you are absolutely sure are edible. Make sure the flowers you use are from your own backyard. So that you are sure that no pesticide is used. Do not use flowers bought from a florist. If you pick up flowers from garden centers or nurseries they may be treated with pesticides which can be harmful to you.

Some of the edible flowers that can be used are daisies, nasturtiums, Johnny-jump-ups, roses, calendulas, violets and lavender. Sometimes only petals are used to decorate the cake instead of the entire flower. Only thing is go easy on flower decoration as sometimes people have allergic reaction to the flowers.

You can sugar glaze the flowers by covering the flower with egg white and then sprinkle the flower with sugar. Let them fry which will take a few hours. The end result will be sugar glazed cake decorating flowers for your cake.

Another option is to use artificial flowers. You can choose from the wide variety that is available in the market. Cut the stems short. Put together the flowers. Arrange in any way that you feel looks good and put it on the cake.

You can get edible sugar flowers. With the help of food colors in paste form and dusting powder you can change the color of the sugar flowers to match the theme of the occasion. If you are decorating a wedding cake then you can match the flower color to the theme of the wedding hall or to the colors of real flowers the girls are carrying. The possibilities are immense as well as endless.

There are different types of flowers made from different ingredients. You can get flowers made with Buttercream, Royal icing, gumpaste or readymade silk flowers. Royal icing is used for making many flowers such as roses, pansies, daisies, violets etc. The royal icing dries hard so the flowers made from this icing can remain firm and do not wilt easily.

But if you want really hard flowers use gumpaste. It is sugar dough that can be easily rolled out. It can be shaped like flowers. Flowers made from the gumpaste look very realistic.
You can use Buttercream to make roses with or without leaves.

You can use the cake decorating flowers directly on the cake. Some of the manufacturers have come up with flower holders. You can use those holders to arrange your cake decorating flowers. Or you can bake the cake which has some space in the cake. You can put some kind of flower holder in that gap and then put real flowers in it so the flowers will not touch the cake but a stunning effect will be achieved.

Searching for the London Flowers

Flowers represent happiness and joy. They are the ideal gifts for almost every person because they stand for fertility and life force. Flowers are genuine tokens of gratitude and sympathy. The online flower suppliers are able to provide you with flowers uk; they will also provide you with attractive offers. For instance, you can take full advantage of various discounts. Free shipping and delivery schemes can also be chosen. Every online shop is going to provide you with fresh flowers.

Every online provider is going to guarantee the quality of his services. The flowers uk are going to stay fresh because the flower providers are highly interested in maintaining a perfect relationship with their customers. People love flowers and this state of facts is quite evident in the UK. These lovely creations and products of nature are among the most wanted gifts in UK. Actually, Brits are quite famous for this; they love flowers and they know how to take care of them. They also know how to handle them. Caring for plants is not an unusual fact in the UK. The london flowers are famous all over the world.

Actually, there is no celebration in this country without these flowers. No celebration is likely to be complete without the flowers uk. People are keen on sending gifts and flowers to their dear ones. Even if you are not able to make it to a particular jubilation, you can deliver the flowers because the online delivery services are here to help you take care of this situation. These services are your best friends when it comes to showing your true appreciation; every emotion and feeling can be embodied by the london flowers.

Flowers are more likely to succeed when the words fail to. The london flowers are to be regarded as the best method to show your genuine feelings. You can use the flowers in order to express your feelings towards a particular person. Actually, there are flowers for each of your emotions. For instance, there are london flowers for peace, there are flowers for love and there are flowers to cheer up your friends. You can also buy flowers that come along with a special message; this message can be delivered to the person receiving the flowers.

There are so many emotions and feelings to convey; the only thing that you will have to do is to choose the proper flowers in order to do this. The flowers can make your life worth living and beautiful. They are likely to fill up all your senses. They can even cheer up your soul. The flowers uk are a genuine and visual delight for every recipient; they can be used for special decorations too. So, why not deliver some flowers today? Surprise your friends or your beloved one with a fresh flower delivery. What are you waiting for? You should try and put a smile on your friends’ faces. Just brighten up their days with this beautiful gift. Send them some fresh flowers in order to fill their lives with joy and beauty.

Every person loves to get fresh flowers; flowers are great gifts because they can be displayed all over the house. By sending some flowers, you can make their recipient think about you every time she looks at the flowers. Flowers are beautiful things in themselves; therefore, you may also buy them for yourself in order to brighten up your day. Flowers are a natural symbol of the positive forces that can influence your life in the best manner ever.

Therefore, you should provide your home with fresh flowers in order to remain just as fresh as them. You can enjoy their presence and their lively colors thus forgetting about your daily stress. Every online provider can deliver flowers according to your preferences and you will have to choose from a wide range of possibilities. Every Internet search is going to show you that there are plenty of possibilities for you to choose from. So, you should take your time and choose the one that suits your needs and budget. You should not worry that these online services are too expensive for you because this is not the case. On the contrary, you are going to find online providers that suit your wallet.

Making Flower Essence Remedies for You and Your Family

Bach flower remedies are becoming more and more popular in natural healing because of their profound yet exceptionally gentle healing effects. There are many books and websites describing the action of each flower essence, along with sources for buying essences already prepared. These sources are very valuable for both natural health professionals and the 'home' users. However, EVERY flower essence has some vibrational effect when properly prepared. If a flower really catches your eye, you may consider whether the flower speaks to you on another level - the vibration of that flower may have the potential to deeply affect your own healing process. Whether you can find information about that flower remedy's healing effects shouldn't stop you from giving it's essence a try. Flower essences are simple to prepare, and you and your loved ones may really benefit from their use.

To make a flower essence, you'll need the following equipment: A clear glass bowl; fresh spring water; sharp scissors; a journal or notebook and pens or pencils; a glass funnel; strainer or muslin/cheesecloth; tweezers; a glass bottle; a preservative - apple cider vinegar, vegetable glycerin, or brandy; a wildflower guide can be useful, along with a camera.

It is wonderful to also bring a gift to offer in gratitude to the plants that you intend to harvest. Some lovely gift suggestions might include Lobelia or other herbs including: Sage, Sweetgrass, or Cornmeal; a prayer; a song or poem; or a personal offering of your choice. This offering of the gift is an opportunity to cultivate a relationship with the flowers so as long as the offering is genuine and from your heart it will be blessed and well received.

After gathering your equipment, you'll want to clearly identify the flowers that you would like to make into an essence. In order to make the highest vibration essence possible the following guidelines are helpful: the plants should be growing in a natural setting or cultivated organically; away from traffic; and should be growing abundantly.

Prior to harvesting it is wonderful to enjoy spending some time meditating with mediation with the plants. Getting clear and grounding yourself before making the essences is helpful in developing the relationship with the plants. Before you harvest it is proper to ask permission of the plants to harvest the flowers. When harvesting, please do not take the elder plants. These can be identified by noticing the largest and oldest flowers. After asking permission to harvest, wait for an 'answer' from the plants. Stay open to recognizing when your answer appears. After sitting with the plant in meditation and when you feel the timing is appropriate begin by making your offering. This is a precious opportunity to commune with the plant.

The process of making the flower essence blend is beautiful and sacred. Begin by preparing yourself through meditation or prayer. Open to the peaceful present moment in order to make a blend that is clear and full potency. It is not helpful to make the flowers when your thoughts or emotions are in turmoil or hectic. The best point in time to harvest the flowers is when the plant is at its peak power, which generally occurs sometime between 11:00 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. It is a wonderful choice to use the pure flowing water that is found near the flowers that you intend a harvest.

The next step is to take your glass bowl and fill it with water. Using the new scissors cut the most auspicious of the plants blooms. Remember to never touch the flowers themselves. Allow the flower blooms to drop gently into the top of water. Cover the entire surface of the water in the glass with the flower blossoms. Then allow the flowers to sit in the water for several hours to allow the flowers to transfer their vibrational energy to the water. While waiting for the remedy to infuse the water it is wonderful to meditate or journal as well as to take pictures of the plants and vistas.

As you sit with the plant you may become dear friends. Allow your intution to open and learn everything from the flowers that they are willing to share. Enjoy this time to become fully acquainted with the plant. Learn about the plant by drawing or photographing it. You might enjoy noting any physical aspects of the plant that you suspect are related to its healing properties. Some ideas include noting the colors; textures; energies; aroma; shape; arrangement and number of petals.

After the water has been infused you will remove the flowers from the glass bowl with your tweezers. Release the flowers back to the earth and the surrounding environment. Then place the funnel in the large glass bottle. Pour the flower water through the strainer and into the bottle. If there is any remaining water you can either drink it or offer it back to the plants or both.

Once you arrive home you'll want to label the 'mother tincture' with the name of the plant, the location, date, and any other pertinent information. The next step is to preserve your hand-made flower essence in an equal amount of brandy or other tincture preservative. The preserved flowers will last for two years if stored amber or cobalt blue glass bottles kept in a cool dry place. You may also want to place a crystal or other beautiful object near your flowers.

Instructions on making a flower essence dosage bottle: Fill a one ounce clean dark glass or cobalt blue glass dropper bottle with water. Add in seven drops of your 'mother tincture' flower essence to the bottle. Add a small amount of brandy or other preservative. Spiral the bottle in your hands while holding an intention of love and peace or other personal intention. Personal doses of four to six drops of this bottle can be taken as needed. Remember, more drops are not necessarily better - trust your instinct when deciding how many drops to take at one time.

In order to most effectively use your personal flower essence, you'll want to Use your flowers on a regular basis. Remember that being consistent in using the flowers is the key to receiving the beautiful benefits. It is lovely to always set an intention or prayer before using your flowers.

The flowers can be taken in the mouth (neat); added to one's drinking water; added to a bath; applied to the crown of the head of feet (this works great for children and animals); any variety of ways that feels appropriate to you.

It is safe to take flower essences when taking homeopathic or personal prescription medications. You can also use flowers when taking herbs or other nourishing foods. Flowers can also be used when fasting, when pregnant and with children and animals. The flowers will not conflict with other methods of healing. Flower essences are vibrational medicines that support healing from within and without. Trust the healing process. You are whole. You are divine.

Buy A Flowering Tree For Fall Planting

A flowering tree is best planted for spring blooming in the fall when dormant, however, container flowering trees can be planted any season, but preferably fall and winter is best. Gardeners can buy many colors of flowering trees: red, white, yellow, peach, pink, plum, lavender, blue, and apricot. You can buy a flowering tree that can bloom during any season: fall flowering, winter flowering, and spring flowering when most trees bloom, and then, summer flowering. The weather is a determining factor in tree flowering; some trees require chilling, yet other flowering trees require hot, humid temperatures. The flowering dogwood tree, Cornus florida, blooms in Florida in March, but it can flower in Tennessee in April, largely because of the temperature differences. A flowering apricot tree, Prunus mume, can bloom in Georgia in January, but in Illinois, the flowering is delayed until April or May, depending on the large temperature difference. Flowering cherry trees bloom in red, pink, and white colors, and some varieties bloom over a period of one to two months.

Flowering magnolia trees of the Japanese cultivar, Magnolia stellata, and Magnolia x soulangiana can bloom in winter, with colors of red, white, pink, and purple, yet the Southern flowering magnolia tree, Magnolia grandiflora, blooms during the summer with large, white, fragrant flowers. The Sweetbay flowering magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, blooms in summer and fall. Magnolia flowering trees can bloom any month of the year, some evergreen, some deciduous.

Flowering crape myrtle (crepe myrtle) trees have been hybridized to flower in spectacular colors of red, pink, white, lavender, and purple during the summer and fall. Some crape myrtle flowering trees will rebloom and others flower over a period of 90 days.

Flowering crabapple trees bloom mainly in the spring in flower colors of white, red, peach, plum, and apricot. Not only are the large blooms fragrant on the flowering crabapple tree, but plum red fruit grows for wildlife during the fall. The fruit of the flowering crabapple tree can be made into crabapple jam or crabapple jelly.

Flowering cherry trees are native (Prunus caroliniana) to the U.S., and the beautiful Japanese Kwanzan and Yoshino, flowering cherry, hybrid trees blossom in Washington, D.C. During the Spring as an exciting American National Treasure. Civic pageants are held to celebrate Spring festivals at the Nation's Capitol, Washington, D.C. at Macon, Ga., and other cities and are scheduled to begin with the blossoming of the Japanese, flowering cherry tree. Grafted flowering, crabapple trees bloom with fully red, white or pink flowers very early in the Spring. Flowering dogwood trees bloom to announce the arrival of spring in colors of red, white or pink. Flowering plum trees are fragrant and white in native or grafted forms, developed as Japanese hybrid cultivars.

Flowering pear trees are fully covered with white, one-inch flowers as grafted hybrids developed by scientists to grow in Northern and Southern gardens. Fall and Winter flowering trees, such as camellia, cassia and apricot, bloom in seasons where color and fragrance are rare. Flowering peach trees are available to buy in colors of red, white, pink and peppermint.