Winter Archives - Page 6 of 11 - Indiana Yard and Garden - Purdue Consumer Horticulture
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Category: Winter

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ the 2008 Perennial of the Year

The Perennial Plant Association named the hardy Geranium ‘Rozanne’ as its 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. Also known as Cranesbill, perennial geraniums have long been a staple on the gardeners’ palette.  The cultivar Rozanne is relatively new on the scene and was selected for outstanding flower size, unique color, and long blooming season. ‘Rozanne’ was originally discovered by a couple in their Sommerset, England garden, a result of collecting seed from existing plants and […]
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Snow Is Good for Gardens

Though your aching back may not agree, recent heavy snows actually will be good for your garden and landscape. Snow provides moisture as well as protection from cold and wind. Snow is an excellent insulator against low temperatures and excessive winds. The extent of protection depends on the depth of snow. Generally, the temperature below the snow increases by about 2 degrees F for each inch of accumulation. In addition, the soil gives off some […]
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Terrariums

A terrarium is a delightful way to grow an indoor garden of small plants in an enclosed glass container. With proper care, a terrarium will create a humid atmosphere that protects tender, tropical plants that are difficult to grow in the normally dry atmosphere of our homes. The concept of a terrarium as we know it was discovered quite by accident by an English physician and botanist named Nathaniel Ward. He was trying to raise […]
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Terrariums

A terrarium is a delightful way to grow an indoor garden of small plants in an enclosed glass container. With proper care, a terrarium will create a humid atmosphere that protects tender, tropical plants that are difficult to grow in the normally dry atmosphere of our homes. The concept of a terrarium as we know it was discovered quite by accident by an English physician and botanist named Nathaniel Ward. He was trying to raise […]
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Change in “Yard & Garden” column schedule

Normally, you would receive two columns, “In the Grow” and Yard & Garden” the first week of the month. Beginning this month, January 2007, “Yard & Garden” will be distributed once a month, instead of twice a month. It will continue to come out the third week of every month, along with “Yard & Garden Calendar.” The new monthly schedule for news columns will be: First Week “In the Grow” by B. Rosie Lerner Second […]
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Catmint ‘Walker’s Low’ Named 2007 Perennial of the Year

The Perennial Plant Association has Catmint (Nepeta) ‘Walker’s Low’ as its 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year. ‘Walker’s Low’ is a versatile, hardy, herbaceous perennial that is terrific for edging, ground cover, and container and rock gardens. It also makes an excellent substitute for lavender, which really struggles in our climate. This particular cultivar of catmint has much to recommend it. The long-lasting, blue-violet flowers contrast beautifully with the mounds of grey-green foliage. The plant […]
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Pomanders Make Fragrant Gifts

Pomanders are easy and fun and make great gifts that bring the scent of the garden indoors to brighten cold winter days. Today, most pomanders are ornaments made of glass, ceramic or fabric filled with a mixture of fragrant herbs and spices. But, originally, pomanders were made from pieces of ambergris, a fragrant, waxy substance passed from the intestine of the sperm whale. The word pomander comes from the French “pommed ‘ ambre, “meaning “apple […]
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Pomanders Make Fragrant Gifts

Pomanders are easy and fun and make great gifts that bring the scent of the garden indoors to brighten cold winter days. Today, most pomanders are ornaments made of glass, ceramic or fabric filled with a mixture of fragrant herbs and spices. But, originally, pomanders were made from pieces of ambergris, a fragrant, waxy substance passed from the intestine of the sperm whale. The word pomander comes from the French “pommed ‘ ambre, “meaning “apple […]
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Holiday Cactus

The plants we call Holiday Cactus may be either Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncatus) has oblong, bright green stem segments 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long with 4 to 8 prominent sawtoothed marginal projections that point forward. The flowers have a short tube-like form with spreading, pointed petals, similar to trumpets. The plant bears deep pink, red, orange, or white flowers, up to 3 inches long, from late autumn to winter. The […]
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Earth-Friendly Decorations

Although tinsel, artificial snow, and plastic balls are attractive decorations, often they last only one season and are not biodegradable. There are many substitutions that can be made: Purchase a living tree with roots in order to plant it in the yard or garden later. Instead of tinsel or artificial snow, substitute sprays of tiny white flowers such as baby’s breath to insert among the green limbs. To reduce the number of electric lights on […]
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