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Garden Shrubs: Uses and Maintenance

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So, you don’t have a fence. It’s alright because you can just grow a shrub that you can form into some sort of boundary marker. This is one of the most common uses of shrubs; and many times, homeowners just let their plants grow without thinking about how to properly maintain them. Shrubs definitely have so much more to offer, aside from being great as hedges. These come in all shapes, colors and sizes, and with proper maintenance, you won’t only have a beautiful natural barrier, but you’ll also have healthy plants that are a joy to see.

Uses of Shrubs

1. Forms a Boundary and Offers Protection

As mentioned earlier, most people plant shrubs in order to define their property line. There are all sorts of shrubs that can be used here, such as the King’s Mantle (Thumbergia erecta), which has vivid green and lush foliage and intense purple flowers. Many kinds of viburnums (Newport and Allegheny), evergreens (holly, spruce, pine), and other low-growing perennials can be used as shrubs. For those who want to amp up the security of their perimeters, they can also use thorny shrubs to help discourage prowlers. Examples are rose, barberry and quince.

2. Provides Privacy and Acts As Shield from the Elements

If you have a shrub that you have formed into a tall hedge, it will provide you some privacy. Naturally, you wouldn’t want your nosy next door neighbor to know what you’re doing in the yard or inside your house. (Remember Samantha’s snooping neighbor on Bewitched? How annoying, right?) So, even though you might like to share a few things with your friends and neighbors, you wouldn’t want to share every little detail of your life. Having a hedge will give you a bit of privacy. Plus, the shrub will also help in protecting you or your home from the brunt of the sun and wind.

3. Gives You Pleasure

Of course, if you’re growing healthy flowering plants or lush, vibrant shrubs, you’ll surely enjoy staying outdoors and just enjoying the visual pleasure of having beautiful flora all around you. Gorgeous ornamental plants provide dramatic foliage which are also a joy to care for or prune. Flowering shrubs can also be trained to grow on your trellis, which will really add beauty to your home.

Maintenance: About Pruning Shrubs

It is a must to keep your garden or landscape well-maintained. If you allow your plants to grow without proper care, these will soon form dense vegetation where thieves or prowlers can easily hide. So, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Home security experts suggest that you grow your hedges to just below 5 feet. More than that and you endanger yourself and your family by having areas where burglars can easily hide. Shorter hedges will delineate your property line while also helping to deter people from peeking into windows on the first floor.

Plants are also best pruned during specific times. This will depend on the type of shrubbery that you have. So, ask an experienced gardener about when is the best time to prune your shrubs to reduce damage to the vegetation. Don’t feel too bad about pruning because this actually encourages plants to develop flowers or fruits when done correctly.

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Claire Davidson is a freelance writer who also happens to love plants of all kinds. She writes about flowers, orchids, grasses, as well as landscaping in Idaho Falls and other gardening or planting-related issues.

A small pond would be a great feature in our garden

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My husband has always wanted to put a pond in our back yard garden.

When we first moved in to our house we landscaped the front and back yards and we now have a lovely rose garden. Well … it’s not all roses, it’s a good mix of roses, flowering plants and greenery. It’s quite beautiful.

The only major thing that’s possibly missing from our little back yard oasis is a pond or fountain. I think I can make some room for a pond fountain somewhere near the patio where we can enjoy it.

I think I’m going to do a little research as to how to put in a pond and what we’ll need .. you know, things like pond pumps a liner and maybe some pond plants and surprise my husband with my new knowledge. Then, maybe in April or early May we’ll start putting in a pond. It will have to be a small one, but I know he’ll love it.

Have you ever built your own pond or installed a garden fountain? Tips?

How To Build A Pond In Your Backyard

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The warm summer weather draws people into the backyard. First there are the cleaning chores after a long winter and readying the garden for the summer months. When the garden is tidy it will be ready for barbecues and picnics with family and parties in the garden parties that are always popular during summer.


If your garden is ready for an overhaul, why not build a garden pond. If you are unsure about how to build a pond you will soon discover that with some preparation and planning, you can build a garden pond in a weekend. Your garden can be transformed from ordinary to extraordinary with this easy addition.

A Garden Pond Offers A Peaceful Haven

Research has shown that the sound of running water is soothing for the soul. If you close your eyes you can imagine the sounds of a running stream, as you sit on the bank with your toes being tickled by the water as it rushes by; you are surrounded by the sounds of nature and the water as it flows past. This image of peace and tranquility is stimulated by the familiarity of the sounds of the water. By building your own pond you can experience this joy every day.

Deciding On The Design For Your Fish Pond

As you begin designing your garden pond, choose a area that will not be subject to too many falling leaves which will rot in the pond. Depending on the size of your block you may choose a location at the end of a winding path to draw people through the garden to the sound of running water from a waterfall. In a more urban area you may choose a location close to the house so that you can hear the sounds of the pond from inside the house.

Other Creatures Can Benefit From Your Garden Pond Design

There are other benefits in addition to the calming effects that your garden pond design will provide; the wonders of nature may also become available to you. A garden pond provides not only an oasis for humans but also for small animals and water creatures. You shouldn’t be surprised if your new pond attracts song birds, frogs, turtles and other water-loving creatures. You can also consider adding fish to a pond. Brightly colored fish with their colors of gold, yellow, black and white provide a brilliant contrast to the dark waters of the pond and the deep greens of aquatic plants.

Use Curtains And Furniture To Improve You Patio

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Patios these days are becoming so much more than just a place to barbeque on the weekend… They’re becoming more like outdoor living rooms. It’s always a good time to do something with your patio, to turn it into a nice place where you can relax and appreciate the free time with your family.

Start by putting some effort into decorating and furnishing your patio using the latest decor, door draperies and furniture. There isn’t cookie-cutter patio furniture anymore. Consumer is able o satisfy all his needs with the patio furniture, since it’s changed a lot.

Besides the good olf chairs and table style, you can find plenty of other styles you can use with your patio. You can find bars stools and low chairs in stores and place them around outdoor table you have. To endure in the weather, there are plenty of drapes, pillows, benches and luxurious loungers that are made of special fabric.

Add to the atmosphere of your patio by applying some of the same decorating ideas you’d use inside your home. For example, you can purchase outdoor drapes made from weather friendly materials to provide privacy and create the perfect mood. You patio living room can be additionaly improved with a new outdoor rug that will allow you to go without your shoes and relax completely.

It is the lighting that will make a great addition to any patio atmosphere. Your guest will wonder are they inside or outside your home when they see an outdoor lamp being plugged into an outlet and making a nice, cozie atmosphere. If you do not want to hassle with candles that are blowing and burning out, the outdoor lamp is better solution for you, although candles do make a better ambiance.

You want more ideas? Figure out what are all those things that you like about your living room and bedroom and start using those decorating ideas for your patio and outdoor decoration. And find some cheap window treatments.You’ll leave your guests wondering if they are in your living room or on your patio!

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