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Planter box, June 8

Published June 8, 2007 at midnight

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WHAT'S IN BLOOM?

• Coral bells, Heuchera

Two types of coral bells grace our gardens. Heuchera sanguinea, native to mountainous areas of New Mexico and Arizona, loves a sunny spot and makes sprays of tiny red bell-shaped flowers. There's a form with white flowers and "Snow Angel" sports green leaves splattered with white. The other type, dark-leaved coral bells, have been hybridized from species native to wooded areas of the Southeast U.S. Some are dark red or plum red with silver marbling. They bloom white or pale pink. These coral bells perform best in partial shade and are also popular as container plants to provide contrast with their outstanding leaves.

- Rob Proctor

POLLINATING STAMPS

Do you know when National Pollinator Week is? The U.S. Postal Service will remind you. On June 29, post offices nationwide will release Pollination stamps to mark the week, which focuses on pollinator research, education and awareness. The vibrant stamps, created by artist Steve Buchanan, feature an intricate graphic scheme that emphasizes the important ecological relationship between pollinators and plants.

WATERY WONDERS

How does your water garden grow? Try these water plants for color, texture and garden health.

These can be over-wintered at the bottom of a pond or placed in pots in the garden area, protected with mulch.

• Yellow Flag - Iris pseudacorus

• Sweet Flag - Acorus calamus

• Marsh Marigold - Caltha palustris

• Golden Water Sedge - Carex elata

• Dwarf Horsetail - Equisetum scirpoides

• Water Hibiscus - Hibiscus moscheutos palustris

• Japanese Iris - Iris ensata

- Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

DEER-PROOF GARDEN

Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for The Humane Society of the United States, suggests simple, humane ways for people to deer-proof their gardens:

• There are some plants that deer will generally avoid: strong-smelling plants in the mint, geranium and marigold families; any plant in the daffodil family; toxic plants such as in the foxglove and nightshade families; plants with fuzzy, prickly or sharp leaves; and most ornamental grasses and ferns.

• The most effective way to keep deer away is to install deer-proof fencing. There are a variety of designs and the best type for any given area depends on your specific situation. Fencing options include: plastic mesh, electrified polytape, woven wire and electric fence kits which come equipped with a scented lure.

• Commercial repellents can be successful by making plants taste unpleasant to deer and woodchucks. Deer seem to respond best to sulfurous odors.

PINT-SIZE GARDENING

Hardy, fast-growing flowers and vegetables are best for kids to grow since they'll want instant results. Some examples:

• Flowers: Marigolds, zinnias, petunias, pansies, geraniums, cosmos and begonias.

• Vegetables: Radishes (seeds sprout in 3 to 5 days), lettuce (4 to 6 days) and tomatoes (1 to 2 weeks).

Family Circle, June Edition

BY THE BOOK

• The Way We Garden Now, by Katherine Whiteside, (Clarkson Potter $29.95)

Whiteside, a longtime garden columnist for House Beautiful, offers 41 of today's most popular gardening projects. Basics include preparing beds and coming up with a fertilizing program. More advanced projects take on plotting garden paths or creating places in the yard to gather with friends. Clearly the author is on the reader's side. Whiteside starts each project by identifying the payoff. Next she doles out diagrams, lists of plants and tools, along with step-by-step instructions, turning each chapter into a recipe for success.

- Betsy Lehndorff