About Window Ledge Gardening

Author: Balaji B

Article: The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges is a form of gardening in which most people can indulge. Those who live in flats, and others who have no gardens, and especially invalids who are confined to their rooms, derive an enormous amount of pleasure from this form of gardening.

Window ledge plants would be more popular if it were not for the fact that a considerable amount of work is involved in filling and emptying the boxes. In addition there is the watering problem, drainage water dripping on to the heads of people in the streets is liable to cause some annoyance. By taking proper precautions in constructing the containers and setting them in position, most of these difficulties can be overcome.

Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Spring Display

Some of the most popular plants for spring are as follows: Arabis albida (double variety)

The procumbent stems of this plant are clothed with grey hairy leaves and bear spikes of double, white flowers.

Aubrietia

It is more compact in growth than Arabis and forms a close carpet of blue, pink or purple flowers.

Bellis perennis flore pleno (Dwarf Double Daisies)

These dainty, free-flowering plants are ideal for window-boxes. There are red, pink and white varieties.

Myosotis (Forget-me-not)

This popular spring-flowering plant is obtainable in several shades of blue and forms an ideal carpeting plant for many types of bulbs.

Primula (Polyanthus)

The Polyanthus does not do well in a hot position and should therefore be used for window boxes which are set in a shady spot. These plants make a bright display, and many variously coloured forms are obtainable.

Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Summer Display

Here again much information can be gained by visiting the public parks in summer, and making notes of the plants used for filling the flower beds... from florists shops many of the plants given in the following list will be readily obtainable. For example :

Ageratum houstonianum (mexicanum)

This is easily recognised by its compact, upright stems which bear small tufts of blue, fluffy flowers. There are numerous varieties in different shades of blue. The plants are compact and the bedding varieties range in height from 4-9 inches.

Lobularia maritima (Alyssutn maritimum)

Commonly called the white or sweet alyssum, this plant is used extensively for edging and carpeting flower beds. The variety Little Dorrit is the most popular. It grows 2-4 inches in height and forms a compact mass of white, sweetly-scented flowers. Lilac Queen and Violet Queen are two excellent varieties of recent introduction.

For edging, the variety Magic Carpet, which has a creeping habit, and forms a profusion of small blooms in many shades of colours, is most attractive.

Begonia semperflorens

For freedom of flowering and for providing a continuous display in summer the varieties of this species of Begonia are unexcelled. The plants grow about 6 inches tall and produce masses of flowers of various shades of red or pink.

<b>** Attention Webmasters / Website Owners **</b>

You can reprint this article on your website as long as you do not modify any of the content, and include our resource box as listed below with all links intact and hyperlinked properly.

About the author: Visit <a href=""http://www.realniches.com/archives/category/gardening/page/ 2/"">http://www.realniches.com/archives/category/gardening/page/2/ </a> to know more about modern indoor gardening.

Wildlife Gardener

Author: Cheryl White

Article: Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me, although I only have a small urban garden I have still managed to fit a fair amount of bird and insect friendly flowers and plants in. Since reading an article about the decline in popular species of birds such as sparrows, blackbirds and thrushes I decided to do my bit to help my local bird population by purchasing two seed feeders, a nut feeder, a bird table and a small bird bath I was ready and waiting for my new feathered visitors, which up to that point was few and far between. After a couple of weeks of patiently waiting and watching I was beginning to loose hope, only the odd sparrow turned up every other day, though still I waited. After the fourth week success, it seemed that word had spread and dozens of sparrows flocked to my garden, amongst them birds that I had never seen in my garden such as Blue Tits, Great Tits and Green Finches. I have found Blackbirds are a lot more common now, along with two grey squirrels which constantly argue over the feeders! The success inspired my enthusiasm and I browsed on the internet to find some plants and shrubs that I could use in my garden which would be beneficial to wildlife with a little help I started to redesign my garden. As I only have a small space trees and large shrubs were out of the question, though there seemed plenty of information to help choose the right plant for the right position, which believe me being a complete amateur gardener I needed all the help I could get! I chose a Conester which is great for attracting butterflies and bees in the summer and supply red berries for the birds in autumn and early winter, Globe thistles which attract Blue Tits and finches when the turn to seed, several sorts of Cranesbill, Tickseed, Rudbeckia and Golden Marguerite which are also good for attracting a variety of insects, Clematis and honeysuckle which provide shelter and nesting sites once matured. Over the last couple of years I have really begun to enjoy gardening, being able to watch all my efforts come to life and benefit the birds in a small way, which if more and more people put wildlife friendly plants, a birdfeeder or two and perhaps a pond if room permits then this would help to make up for some of their decline and help rebuild their numbers.

Even if you have no garden you could hang a bird feeder on the balcony or attach a feeder to a window, you can always make room for at least one! Make a difference to your local feathered friends: you can get a lot pleasure watching all types of birds without even leaving your home.

About the author: Cheryl White is the author and Owner of http://www.money-4-work.com and http://www.work-n-earn.com Business opportunity websites.

Freestanding And Lean-to Greenhouses

Author: Matthew Anthony

Article:

Whether a greenhouse is freestanding or attached (lean-to greenhouse) it is one of the most popular types of garden buildings in use today. It is a self-contained structure in back garden or yard, which helps you grow what you want - flowers, vegetables, or fruits, when you want - in dry summers, winters and even during snow. It serves the practical purpose of extending your garden and aiding your gardening hobby. A greenhouse can also add something to a property. For example, a beautifully built <a href=""http://www.uk-greenhouses.co.uk/timber.html"">hardwood greenhouse</a> also adds to the beauty of your house or home.</p>

Freestanding greenhouses and attached greenhouses (or <a href=""http://www.uk-greenhouses.co.uk/lean-to.html"">lean-to greenhouses</a>) are the two main types of greenhouses that you can construct in your back garden or yard. The difference is fairly obvious. Freestanding greenhouses are independent structures. Attached greenhouses are precisely that – attached!. This means that attached greenhouses have the advantages of instant water, heat and light from the properties utilities. Also, they present no need to alter or disturb your landscaping. <a href=""http://www.uk-greenhouses.co.uk/free-standing.html"">Freesta nding greenhouses</a> on the other hand, require separate heating systems, water and electricity that may increase your initial expenses of setting up such a greenhouse. Freestanding greenhouses are generally preferred to attached greenhouses, as they pose no limitations on size, space and location. You do have more scope with a freestanding greenhouse.</p>

You need to provide such freestanding greenhouses considerable shelter by constructing them at a suitable site or providing additional shading like shade-cloths during the warmer months. A shade helps avoid overheating a greenhouse in the warmer months. This risk is usually present in freestanding greenhouses, since they are not as shaded as lean-to attached greenhouses. The latter share a wall with an existing building and thus receive adequate shade. This same feature works in the favour of freestanding greenhouses during the cooler months as then, they get maximum all-round exposure to the sun. Its small wonder then, that freestanding greenhouses are the most common type of <a href=""http://www.uk-greenhouses.co.uk"">greenhouse</a> used.</p>

A lean-to greenhouse is attached (leans to) a building, garage or house, using the existing structure for one or more of its sides. It gets its name simply because its support is aided by another structure. Apart from the ease in which heat, light and water can be provided the other major advantage is its accessibility. You can tend to your plants at anytime of day without having to brave the elements to get there. You can therefore give them the attention they deserve.</p>

About the author: Matthew Anthony manages and writes for several garden based sites such as <a href=http://www.uk-greenhouses.co.uk>greenhouses</a> and <a href=http://www.uk-conservatories-online.co.uk>conservatories</a> .