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Capture a pesky witch
Perhaps you’ve seen these colorful glass orbs in neighbors’ windows and gift stores. But now these hand-blown balls are available in greenhouses to brighten gardens. Colorado artist Marty White Elk Holmes creates ornaments and “witch balls” in his studio near Estes Park. Folklore says early glass blowers created these to capture mischievous “witches” who came out at night and wreaked havoc with finished works of art. These beautiful rounds of color glisten in a sunroom, any window, hanging from a tree or in the garden. Holmes’ creations are about $30; visit whiteelks.com or call 970-577-1546.
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See your shady area in a new light
Even in sun-flooded Colorado, most gardens have some shade. Many people see the area as problematic, but author Keith Wiley begs to differ. In “Shade: Planting Solutions for Shady Gardens” (Timber Press, $29.95), he challenges readers to cherish, not chastise, the dappled areas and turn them into garden highlights. Photographs of inspiring shady places and plantings and a directory of appropriate plants make this book a good start for dark-side nay-sayers.
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Foliage helps leaf out floral displays
Foliage in a garden can help highlight a floral display. Try this combination: Wild Lime coleus, a product of Ball FloraPlant, is wild and lime in color. It combines perfectly with orange Prairie Sun rudbeckias, which have green eyes and primrose yellow tips. For a low plant, choose Easy Wave Blue petunia.
– Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
Have a gardening tip to share with others? Send it to GROW, c/o Cynthia Pasquale, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202,
READ IT
See your shady area in a new light
Even in sun-flooded Colorado, most gardens have some shade. Many people see the area as problematic, but author Keith Wiley begs to differ. In “Shade: Planting Solutions for Shady Gardens” (Timber Press, $29.95), he challenges readers to cherish, not chastise, the dappled areas and turn them into garden highlights. Photographs of inspiring shady places and plantings and a directory of appropriate plants make this book a good start for dark-side nay-sayers.
