Anemone "Pretty Lady Diana"

In the Jan/Feb issue of The American Gardener, there is an article titled, “New for 2012″ by Mary Yee. It’s always fun to look at the new hybrids that the seed and plant companies are offer. The American Gardener provides glossy photographs of many of the new plants and information on the growing preferences of the plants including USDA Hardiness Zone and AHS Heat Zone recommendations.

Lewisia Longipetala "Little Mango"

Two new perennials suitable for Kansas weather that caught my eye were Pretty Lady Diana and Little Mango.

The article “Plant This, Not That” in the April 2011 issue of Fine Gardening takes a thoughtful look at alternatives to commonly used or overused plants. Susan Morrison’s suggestions are based on her personal experiences growing the recommended plants.

A couple of books that caught my eye were A Garden Gallery and Dream Gardens Across America.

George Little and David Lewis invite you into their garden and share their years of design experiences in A Garden Gallery. They began gardening together as an artistic endeavor, focusing on finding ways to mix their sculptures and artwork into gardens. Take a peek at the results by looking at their website filled with glorious photographs.

Dream Gardens Across America is a Better Homes and Gardens book. So, just as you would suspect, this is more of a gorgeous picture book than a how-to manual. This book provides delightful dreaming. The editors have chosen a wide variety of inspirational gardens (including Little and Lewis) for their color, charm, and design.

Check out the 712s in the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood for more garden design inspiration. What would like to change about your lawn or garden this year? Or tell me what’s in your dream garden? I’d love to have a small, trickling water feature.

The two easiest bulbs to grow indoors are paperwhites and amaryllis because they do not require pre-chilling or cold storage before growing and blooming indoors.

However most spring bulbs can be grown indoors if you allow a chilling period.

To learn more about forcing bulbs, read this pamphlet from the Kansas State Extension Office, or this guide written by the Iowa State University Extension Office.

Also consider growing colorful houseplants such as African violets, orchids, or Christmas cactus. You can find more information about choosing house plants in the Lawn and Garden Neighborhood at the library.

Floral Design
6/9/2011 (Thursday)
7:00-8:00 PM
Marvin Auditorium 101C

Presenters will demonstrate how to arrange fresh flowers and discuss the guidelines for entry into the floriculture competition at the Shawnee County Fair. This year, the fair will be held July 21st-24th at the Expocentre.

UPDATE: This class is currently full.

If you have a garden-related problem, you can the Master Gardeners at 785-357-4769 for advice.

If you want to see their research and expertise in action, visit one of their demonstration gardens:

• Perennial and Native Plant Garden at the governor’s residence
• Native Plant Garden at the Kansas History Center
• Prairie Star Garden at the Shawnee County Extension Office
• Xeriscape Garden at the Shawnee County Extension Office
• Woodland Garden at Lake Shawnee
• Vegetable Garden located near the Expocentre
• Composting Site located near the Expocentre

African Violet Club
Call Lorraine Pain at 246-1871

Capital City Garden Club
Call Bill Feleciano at 286-3761

Topeka Daylily Club
Call Jess Danner at 272-3621

Floral Art Club
Call Carolyn Litwin at 272-6252

Meade Garden Club
Call Virginia Eisenbarth at 286-7442

Queen of Spades
Call Elaine Holstrom at 267-6316

Topeka Area Water Garden Society
Contact Don Taliaferro (phone number unknown)

Please leave a comment if we have your club information incorrect, or if we don’t have it listed. Happy Gardening!

At Home in the Garden (Martha Stewart Living)

Editors for Martha Stewart Living share their gardening expertise. From garden pests to container gardening, this website offers a wide array of information. In true Martha Stewart style, the photography is beautiful.

Dave’s Garden

Filled with videos and articles, this website is an excellent resource for both the beginning gardener and the gardener who has years of experience. From starting seeds to pest identification, this website will help you create and maintain a wonderful garden.

Fine Gardening

Find practical information, tips, and resources from the editors of Fine Gardening on hundreds of topics including plants, plant care, gardening techniques and composting.

Garden Rant

Four gardeners, from different parts of the United States, blog about their gardening experiences. This blog is full of witty, insightful articles about the trials and tribulations of gardening without pesticides.

Gardening (Better Homes and Gardens)

Learn more about how to grow and care for flowers, plants, and trees. Find backyard and front yard landscaping ideas, landscape plans, a home garden planner, as well and lawn and yard care tips.

In My Kitchen Garden

Farmgirl Susan writes about organic kitchen gardening in a remote area of Missouri. Susan includes information about heirloom vegetable gardening, anecdotes about living on a farm, and recipes using items fresh from the garden.

Missouri Botanic Plant Finder

This website contains information on 5000 plants (perennials, shrubs, vines, and trees) which have been grown in the Missouri Botanic Gardens.  Identify and print lists of plants to meet your criteria.

National Gardening Association

The NGA’s highly respected website provides consumers and educators a wide array of gardening content including a weed library, plant finder, pest control library, how-to articles, and garden guides.

A Way to Garden

Martha Roach, former garden editor for Martha Stewart Living, blogs about organic gardening and provides “horticultural how-to and woo woo.” From vegetables to flowers, Margaret provides fact filled guides, FAQs, and gardening tips.

You Grow Girl

This blog is written for gardeners with less than ideal space. Blogger Gayla Trail writes with a contemporary, laid-back approach to organic gardening. placing equal importance on environmentalism, style, affordability, art, and humor.

Spend an Afternoon at a Local Garden:

Ensley Botanical Garden

Lake Shawnee, Topeka
37th Street and West Edge Road
785-267-1156

Kansas State University Gardens

Manhattan, KS
1500 Denison Avenue
785-532-3271

Old Prairie Town’s Garden

Ward Meade Historic Site, Topeka
124 NW Fillmore Street
785-368-3888

Reinisch Rose Garden and Doran Rock Garden

Gage Park, Topeka
4320 SW 10th Avenue
785-368-3838

South Park Butterfly Garden

Lawrence, KS
1141 Massachusetts Street
785-832-3450

Take a Day Trip to these Nearby Gardens:

Botanica

The Botanica has 24 themed gardens, exhibits, and a horticultural library. The gardens cover over nine acres and display more than 3600 different species of plants.

Wichita, KS
316-264-0448

Deana Rose Children’s Farmstead

This farmstead has farm animals, show gardens, butterfly gardens, a nature trail, Kanza Indian display, one room schoolhouse, fishing pond, wagon rides, and pony rides.

Overland Park, KS
913-897-2360

Dyck Arboretum

For the gardener attempting to forge a new landscape, the hundreds of labeled wildflowers, native plants, grasses, shrubs and trees are a lexicon of native plant gardening.

Hesston, KS
620-327-8167

International Forest of Friendship

The Forest is a living, growing memorial to the world history of aviation and aerospace. Trees from all fifty states and thirty-five countries are featured.

Atchison, KS
785-367-1419

Kansas Landscape Arboretum

Over 1,000 species of exotic and native woody plants can be observed on these 193 acres.

Wakefield, KS
785-461-5760

Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

This 300 acre garden and arboretum was created as an educational, recreational, and cultural resource.

Overland Park
913-685-3604

Powell Botanical Gardens

Set on more than 915 acres of lush, rolling hills and wind-swept meadows, Powell Gardens offers breathtaking display gardens, interesting architecture, a nature trail, and a year-round calendar of special events and classes.

Kingsville, MO
816-697-2600

The American Gardener

Published by the American Horticultural Society, this magazine features in-depth articles on new and native plants, influential garden personalities, garden history, and earth friendly gardening techniques and products. There are also regular sections on design, children’s gardening, book reviews for gardening books, and a calendar of nationwide gardening events.

Fine Gardening

Fine Gardening magazine provides breathtaking design ideas and helpful techniques to assist readers in getting great results in their own gardens. In each issue, editors provide a section on: garden design basics, expert advice to improve your garden, in-depth information on plants, useful techniques and time-saving tips, honest tool reviews, and planting advice for your region.

Organic Gardening

Organic Gardening shares information about creating a beautiful yard year-round that is safe for people, pets, and wildlife. It also provides in-depth reporting on choosing the best plants to grow, the most effective pest and weed control strategies, tips, and techniques for keeping plants healthy, sustainable living ideas, plus how to grow and prepare the freshest foods.

Other magazines with lawn and garden sections:

Better Homes and Gardens

Each issue of Better Homes and Gardens includes articles on smart, approachable design, decorating, gardening, food, entertaining, and personal and family well-being.

Herb Companion

This magazine focuses on herb gardening, herbal home remedies, and cooking with herbs.

Kansas City Homes and Gardens

In each issue, KCH&G publishes beautifully photographed and professionally researched articles covering Kansas City homes and gardens.

Martha Stewart Living

Take advantage of Martha’s smart and easy entertaining, cooking, decorating, and gardening ideas. Learn how to host  simple, warm, creative, and memorable gatherings. Grow easy, spectacular flowers and vegetable gardens. Discover ways to preserve and protect the things you love.

Midwest Living

Midwest Living magazine delivers the best of what the nation’s heartland has to offer. Each bimonthly issue features region-specific coverage of travel and transportation, building and gardening, food and nutrition, sports and recreation, and culture and humanities.

Mother Earth News

This magazine provides an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life (i.e. fighting rising energy costs, protecting the environment, avoiding processed foods, and tips for growing fresh, natural produce at home.)

Natural Home

Natural Home is the authority on sustainable home design and materials, earth-friendly decor and natural lifestyles. Readers can find information, advice, and inspiration to create beautiful, indoor and outdoor, earth-friendly living spaces.