make the season last

Mid-season bloomers include Sensation, which has large trusses of purplish-red florets that are edged in white, and the lilac-purple Chinese Lilac with its refined, spreading branches. The Korean Lilacs are slower growing, thus a good choice for smaller areas or to create a beautiful blooming shrub border. They are mid- to late-season bloomer. Miss Kim reaches just six to eight feet high and wide, with deep purple buds that open to deep mauve flower clusters. Korean Lilac has a dense, upright habit and soft pink to lavender blooms. The last to bloom are the deep purple Ludwig Spaeth; rosy pink Miss Canada; and Redwine, with spicy-scented magenta flowers.

warm region variates

While most Lilacs need winter chilling to bloom, several varieties have been bred to bloom in warmer regions. Angel White produces spectacular clusters of pure white flowers without a chill. Blue Skies® has lavender-blue flowers and is very mildew resistant. Lavender Lady, an incredibly profuse bloomer, and Miss Kim will provide showy clusters of fragrant spring blooms, even in Zone 8. These no-chill Lilacs are mid-season bloomers, with Miss Kim being a little bit later. All Lilacs do best when planted in well-draining soil in full sun. Once established, just deeply water once a week. This easy-care plant doesn’t need much pruning, but if you want to do a little shaping, prune lightly right after they bloom.

grape- a fruit or a color?

Yes! And they’re both hot right now. Grapes are easy-to-grow edibles that look great climbing a trellis or arbor. Did you know that the Color Marketing Group has declared that Mardi Grape will be the hot color trend of 2010? You may recall that purple was the trendy color last year. But Mardi Grape is more gray and brown … making purple somewhat of a neutral color, which is easy to incorporate into the garden.

Diabolo® Ninebark is a very cold hardy shrub with deep purple foliage and creamy white flowers in the summer. Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum tree has interesting coppery purple foliage and showy pink flowers in the spring. Another stunning purple specimen is the Royal Purple Smoke Tree (could be considered a large shrub or small tree). Its wispy seed clusters have a smoke-like look, hovering above the reddish purple foliage.

turquoise - what a gem!

The color experts at Pantone, paint a different picture — declaring that turquoise will be the hot color for this year. Except for the fake-tinted carnations at the supermarket, there are few truly turquoise-colored plants in the garden. But there are plenty of gorgeous bluish foliage plants, like the new Flax Lilies: Little Rev™, Baby Bliss™ and Cassa Blue™. They are water-wise and easy to grow. Hosta is a good choice for shade and colder climates and many have a blue glow, like the new Hadspen Blue and favorites like Blue Angel.

You can bring turquoise into the garden with decorative elements … paint a wall or bench turquoise. Add a birdhouse, gazing globe or chair cushions in this lagoon-like shade. Throughout the Southwest, the traditional brown adobe houses are often adorned with turquoise shutters, window trim, doors or gates. This is a color that brings out the best in neutrals … and screams “wow” with reds and orange … those opposite on the color wheel. Like this shiny glazed container in turquoise, brimming with red fruit on Reeves Skimmia.