PAS Gardens: Inviting Areas
Broadcasting the Week of 05-09-11
In this episode of P. Allen Smith Gardens see how to make a mossy drink cooler out of a galvanized container, try a recipe for a simple tomato sandwich and visit Starkie Brothers Nursery to learn about shrubs and trees for small space.
Feature Highlights:
Mossy Drink Cooler
You know, it's always fun to have parties and people out to the farm. The rustic setting is perfect using a galvanized container to hold ice and cold drinks. But if the occasion calls for something more refined, like a wedding, or if you just don’t like the look of galvanized metal you can dress up the container by covering it with moss. It's really easy to do. You start with sheet moss and a spray-on adhesive.
Starting at the bottom and working in small areas spray a bit of the adhesive and press on the sheet moss. Just go around from one side to the next, attaching the moss. You can add additional decorations too. If you're having some sort of bridal affair, you can match the color theme with ribbons or flowers inserted around the top edge.
Proven Winners® Diamond Frost® Euphorbia
Of all the plants I saw this past year and planted in my garden, this one really turned my head. It's called Diamond Frost® Euphorbia. It's so delicate and ethereal-looking I was surprised to discover that it can be a real toughie. Initially, I planted it in a mixed container, using it as filler like baby's breath or lantana. Then I grouped several plants together in mixed borders and found they added a certain effervescence with their frothy blooms.
Allen's Mailbox: Container Garden Tips
Angela in Louisiana wants to know about creating a focal point around her front door with container gardens.
Garden to Table: Tomato Sandwich
This sandwich is simple to prepare and tastes great with fresh, homegrown tomatoes and basil.
People and Places:
Starkie Brothers Nursery in Farmington NY is the place to learn about shrubs and trees for small spaces. Jim Markham points out a few.
- ‘Blue Shag’ Dwarf White Pine (Pinus strobus)
- Blue Star Juniper
- Golden Hinoki Cypress
- Silver King Euonymus
- Variegated Dogwood
- Golden Pillar Barberry
- Sargent’s Crabapple
Jim takes us inside the garden center to discuss container gardens and the importance of potting soil.
Garden designer Elizabeth Lear takes on a tour of a beautiful parterre garden in South Hampton Long Island. Some of the plants she mentions are Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla), Purple Palace Heuchera, Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’. The garden also includes a labyrinth with a Poetry Pot by Robert Dash.
Terry and Cathy Gheta with Classic Marble and Granite installed the beautiful marble counter tops in the cottage kitchen at the Garden Home. Terry explains how to remove scuffs on granite by buffing the spots with a very fine sand paper.