Planting bulbs in layers

-by Debra Anchors

Layered bulb garden

When it comes to flower bulbs, more is definitely better.  Mass plantings of individual cultivars serve as banners for spring, while groups of three or four bulbs often look like mere punctuation.  For even more impact, distribute your bulbs in layers, like lasagna. “Double-decker” planting is really quite simple.  Plant a layer of early-blooming, tall-growing bulbs eight inches deep (tulips, for example), cover with three inches of soil, and then add a layer of low-growing early bulbs (such as crocus) and cover with another five inches of soil.  Top-dress with an inch of mulch and water well.  Double-decker beds can become triple-decker ones with the addition of snowdrops or glory of the snow three inches from the surface.  Or, substitute hardy biennials such as English daisies, pansies, or forget-me-nots for the lower-growing bulbs.

The key to successful blooming partnerships is timing – Early bloomers should be teamed up, as should mid-season and late-blooming cultivars.  Dynamic contrasting combinations are made easy with help from a color wheel, available at art supply stores.

 Read more about planting and caring for bulbs here.

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Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra



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Predators in the garden - Beneficial insects

-by Debra Anchors

It’s easy to love butterflies, but do you dare attract other insects to your garden?  There are good reasons to create a backyard buffet for predatory bugs and insects that hunt for a living. Find ways to lure the tigers and barracudas of the insect world; they will prey upon many of the organisms that ravage your prized garden plants.

To discover their value to your gardens and ways to attract each of the predators shown below, please click on the text next to its picture.

Green Lacewing

Ground Beetle

Ladybug, Lady beetle

Mantid, Praying mantis

Paper wasp

Predatory spider

Syrphid, Flower fly, Hover fly

Please note:   The images depicted in this article are not mine. I do my very best to either get permission to use photographs (with a link back to the owner), use public domain images, or my own pictures. If I have made an error and you are the owner of one of these images, please contact me to let me know which one so I can either credit you or, if you prefer, remove it.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you enjoyed this article, please let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog. If you enjoy flea market garden style, there is a link to my magazine on the side-bar. 

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra

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Plant a Mood Garden – a color for every mood

-by Debra Anchors

A walk in the garden or park can help us forget our troubles; a bouquet of flowers puts a smile on our face. Quite simply, flowers make us happy.  Research proves nature can improve our emotional and physical health.

When planning your garden, remember that your color choices can influence your mood and even impact your health.  The invisible vibrations of color produce different emotional responses in us – some are stimulating, others relaxing. Here’s a list of our typical reactions to common hues. You can decide what’s best for you, but color therapists suggest that it’s important to include a balance of colors in the garden; if you focus on one particular color, include a smaller amount of its complement as well.

Robin Hood Hedge Rose

Red:  Acts as an energizer, keeping you alert and helping you cope with life’s demands.

Pincushion Flower

Orange:  Warm and welcoming, it promotes a sense of well-being and helps combat depression.

Four O'Clock

Yellow:  An inspirational hue, yellow encourages feelings of self-worth and optimism.

Wandering Jew

Green:  It brings a sense of peace and balance and encourages meditation as well as hope.

Monkshood

Blue:  Extremely calming, blue combats nervousness and reduces blood pressure.

Love-lies-bleeding

Violet:  A spiritual color, violet can calm jittery nerves and bring feelings of self-worth.










If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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