Thinking about adding a fire pit to your backyard or patio experience? Think about a custom Copper Olympic Torch to adorn your backyard entertainment space.



This beautiful design was filled with black and amber fire glass and sits in an inverted custom copper spun dome with a 60K BTU Crossfire Burner.



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If you are interested in your own custom Copper Olympic Flame, the contact us at any time and well be happy to help you out. 1-877-556-5255

Scutellaria

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 25 2013 in Howard Co., MD



Scutellaria alpina
A perennial, reaching up to 1 x 2 feet.
The bicolor blue and white flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun to partial shade.

Scutellaria biacalensis
A fast spreading to invasive, bushy, woody-based perennial, reaching up to 15 inches x 2 feet. The narrow leaves form a basal rosette.
The bluish-purple flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

Scutellaria frutescens
A low growing perennial, reaching a maximum height of 1 foot.
The leaves are small and ovate.
The rosy-pink flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

Scutellaria incana ( Hoary Skullcap )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 2 feet, that is native to dry woods in eastern North America ( from Ontario; south to Missouri to Virginia ).
The oval leaves are deep green.
The violet-blue flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. This attractive landscape plant is very easy to grow.

Scutellaria orientalis
A long-lived, mat-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1.5 x 1.5 feet, that is native to southeastern Europe.
The attractive, soft, pinnate foliage is gray-green to mid-green.
The yellow ( with red flower lip ) flowers are borne all summer long.
Easy to grow.

Scutellaria resinosa
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun on well drained soil. Resistant to deer and rabbit.
Drought tolerant as long as it is well watered during the first season.

Smoky Hills
Reaches up to 12 x 15 inches, it is larger, longer lived and showier than the species.
The lavender-blue flowers are borne over a long season during summer.

The two lovers needed a place to be alone together where they cannot be found, due to the density of population on site (the Marks and Spencer’s Corporate headquarters) I reached the conclusion that the most feasible way for the lovers not be found was to divert other people away from them.


I spent a lot of time looking at the use of scrims as divertive tools. This was in order to impair vision through the site and also to instil a feeling of being lost. The feeling of being lost I hoped would encourage movement through the site, this combined with the stepping stones would discourage people from spending too much time in a single place, thus diverting their attention from the far east corner where the lovers nest was situated.

Scrims are generally a fabric of a loose weave, they are most commonly used on stage in theatre for special effects, for example creating the illusion of a ghostly figure. If lit from the front scrims appear opaque however if lit from the back they appear almost completely transparent. I was hoping to use the sun as the site is south facing (ish) and the light emanating from the building to create silhouettes and ghostly images through the scrims when people walk either side of them.
I also discovered that by offsetting a scrim a short distance from a blank wall and lit from the front it is possible to create a secret entrance, which would be perfect for the two lovers to gain entry to the garden nest unnoticed.

http://www.studio-productions-inc.com/ this webiste provided most of the information on scrims and their uses.

Tanacetum

Tanacetum balsamita ( Costmary )
An invasively rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 3.5+ feet.
The leaves are up to 18 inches in length.
The foliage is used as a spice to add a spicy touch to salads.
Hardy zones 5 to 7 in full sun to partial shade.

Tanacetum coccineum ( Painted Daisy )
Also called Pyrethrum or Chrysanthemum coccineum. A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.3 x 2 feet, that is native to the Caucasus in western Asia.
The feathery leaves, up to 10 ( rarely over 6 ) inches, are bright green.
The large, red daisies, up to 4 inches across, are borne during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on fertile, alkaline, light, well drained soil. Cut back hard after flowering. Deadheading encourages continuing bloom.
Divide every 2 or 3 years during autumn or spring to maintain vigor. It can also be propagated from cuttings or seed.
Pharmacology: due to its insecticidal properties, it makes a great companion plant for plants that are prone to insects.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery


Aphrodite
Double white flowers.

Avalanche
White,single flowers.

Brenda
Deep reddish-pink, single flowers.

Crimson Giant
Large deep red, single flowers.

Duro
Reaches up to 32 inches in height, bearing very large, purple-red flowers, otherwise similar.

Helen
Bright pink, double flowers, otherwise identical.

James Kelway
Intense, scarlet-red single flowers.

Poinsettia
Large, red, double flowers.

Robinson Rose
Bright rosy-pink single blooms.

Robinson Single Hybrids
Large single blooms ranging from white to pink or scarlet-red.

Vanessa
Pink ( gold in center ) double flowers.

Robinsons Doubles
Reaches up to 2.5 feet in height, with double flowers of various colors borne all summer long.

Robinsons Red
Reaches up to 3 feet in height, with large, single flowers that are red, otherwise similar.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery


Tanacetum haradjanii
A low, carpet-forming perennial, reaching up to 8 x 12 inches, that is native to Turkey. It is a great plant for the rock garden.
The finely-dissected, lacy foliage is intense silvery.
The very small, yellow flowers, up to 0.15 inches across, are borne during late summer.

Tanacetum huronense
A perennial, reaching up to 1 x 3.5 feet, that is native to the northern Great Lakes.
The ferny foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
The flowers, up to 1 inch across, are golden-yellow.
Hardy zones 4 to 6 in full sun to partial shade.

Tanacetum marophyllum
A rapid growing, rhizomatous perennial, reaching up to 5 feet.
The leaves are up to 8 inches in length.
The large white flowers are borne late summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

Tanacetum parthenium ( Feverfew )
A fast growing, bushy, short-lived perennial, reaching up to 4 feet in height.
The aromatic, foliage is feathery. The leaves are often dried and used for herbal products. Feverfew has been used as a natural remedy for migraines.
The abundant, small, white daisies, up to 0.7 inches across, are borne on branched sprays over a very long period during summer and often persisting into fall.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 ( mulch deeply during winter north of zone 6 ) in full sun on well drained soil. It is propagated from seed and it often self seeds.
Pinch plants back by half at the very end of spring for a more compact habit.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


Aureum
Smaller in size, reaching up to 3 x 1.5+ ( rarely over 2 ) feet, with attractive golden-yellow foliage.
The flowers are single and white.

Double White
Reaches up to 3 feet in height, with pure white, double flowers.

Golden Ball
Compact in habit, reaching up to 1.5 feet in height, with golden-yellow flowers.

White Stars
Compact in habit, reaching up to 1.5 feet in height, with white ( yellow centered ) daisies.

Tanacetum vulgare ( Tansy )
A fast growing to invasive, thickly-rhizomatous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to most of Europe though now also found in the wild in North America from British Columbia to Newfoundland; south through most of the U.S.
The attractive pinnate leaves, up to 8 inches in length, are composed of deeply double-toothed, ovate to oval leaflets. The foliage is mid-green to deep green.
The showy, golden-yellow flowers, up to 0.5 inches across, are borne on flat clusters during mid-summer to early autumn. Very profuse blooming, up to 200 flowers may appear at a time on a plant.
The flowers are foliage are not edible and should not be eaten as they contain toxic compounds. Tansy is does have its benefits, this plant is highly repulsive to insects. It makes an excellent companion plant for Potatoes as it is so repulsive to the Colorado Potato Beetle that is my nearly eliminate that insect thus eliminate need for toxic insecticides. It can also be used to repel ants and is sometimes planted along home foundations for that reason. Tansy also repels Cucumber Beetles and Squash Bugs, also making it a valuable companion for those plants.
Deer do not eat Tansy.
Hardy zones 2 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil; it is very easy to grow.
Tolerates moderate drought.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC


Crispum
A perennial, reaching up to 4 feet with very curly, deeply cut leaves.
The aromatic, fern-like foliage is deep green.
The yellow flowers are borne during summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun.

RELATED PLANTS

Chamaemelum nobile ( Roman Chamomile )
A perennial, reaching up to 1 foot in height. It is often used for filling in between stepping stones and is often allowed to self sow.
The aromatic thread-like foliage is deep green.
The flowers are white.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 on moist, fertile soil.
Pharmacology: the flowers and young foliage are used to make the famous calming Chamomile tea.

* photo of unknown internet source
Flore Pleno Double white flowers.

Maiden Grass Yaku Jima

Ornamental grasses can add much interest to the winter landscape and can be enjoyed all winter long.  Heres a helpful fall tip for pruning and dividing your ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis Maiden Grass or Dwarf Fountain Grass Hameln. Winter cold can do harm to the root system of grasses.  It is best to cut your grasses back in late March to early April in order to protect the roots and ensure the health of your plants.  If your ornamental grasses become a bit unruly by the end of the fall cut them back to only one half the height of the plant and leave the rest for early spring. Another trick is to wrap a bungee cord about halfway up around the center and let the grasses drape over keeping them upright and in place. In late March or early April cut your ornamental grasses to approximately 4-6 inches above the ground so that new growth can emerge. 


Stella D Oro Daylily

When your daylilies are at the end of their bloom in August and the foliage is starting to yellow cut them back half way to the ground. They will rejuvenate giving you lush green foliage and even more blooms throughout September and into October. (Works best with Stella D Oro Daylily).  Dividing daylilies is also best in the fall for the health of your plants.  Simply dig deeply around the perimeter of the plant and gently lift the entire clump out of the ground.  Use a sharp spade to divide the plant into parts and plant each section into a hole twice the size of the root ball.  Be sure to get at least three or more strong shoots and a good root ball around the plant.  Cut the foliage back halfway and back fill with soil around the plant.  Then add mulch around the base to protect the roots and water thoroughly.   Keep the plant well watered until the roots become established.  At the end of the season once the fronds have turned completely brown remove all foliage to the ground to prevent fungal disease over the winter.  Other plants that benefit from fall division are salvia, iris, peony, hosta, goldenrod, monardia (beebalm), nepeta, coreopsis and sedum. 



Nepeta mussinii

It is also good practice to prune back spent perennials to within a few inches above the ground in the fall and to surround the area with a layer of mulch.  This procedure prevents possible infection from fungal disease and helps to insulate the plants during winter. Perennials that benefit most from fall pruning  include hosta, daylily, nepeta, salvia, coreopsis, gaillardia, phlox, monardia, veronica, platycodon and yarrow. Liriope can be pruned in fall or late winter before new growth emerges.  Heuchera (coral bells), astilbe, liatris, lavender, perovskia (russian sage) and lupine are all cold sensitive and should be left to be pruned in early spring.



Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.