RCGroup

31/10/2014

The Knock Out® Family of Roses are easy to grow and don't require special care. Plant them individually among shrubs, annuals and perennials in mixed beds and borders. Plant them in large groups to create a colourful hedge or along a foundation to provide a bright border. For best performance, we recommend cutting them back every year in early spring after the last threat of frost has passed.

25/10/2014

Norfolk Island Pine

The secret to keeping Norfolk Island pine healthy is to give it ample light and humidity. In low light, the lower branches may turn brown and fall off. If the air is too dry, it becomes a prime target for spider mites, a common houseplant pest. In its native habitat, Norfolk Island pine can reach 200 feet tall, but don't worry -- indoors, it seldom grows taller than 10 feet.

Why We Love It: This tree is perfect for decorating for Christmas -- or giving as a holiday gift. Outside the holidays, its soft texture adds a cozy feeling to any room.

Name: Araucaria heterophylla

Growing Conditions: Bright light; 60-75 degrees F.; allow the soil surface to dry between waterings

Size: To 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide

20/10/2014

The popularity of the outdoor room is growing rapidly. Here's why you should invest in your backyard and follow these top tips to make your outdoor space amazing.

- Increase the value of the home
Property sales research has shown that spending 5 per cent of your home’s value on quality, low maintenance landscaping could increase the resale value of your home by up to 15 per cent. It can also increase the speed of resale by as much as six weeks.

- Safe environment
“Outdoor family rooms provide time-poor parents with a safe environment for children to play and families to reconnect,” says Hodges. With 85 per cent of parents believing their children are not spending enough time outdoors, an outdoor family room provides a safe area for kids to play. It is the perfect space for bringing families together with all the comforts of the indoors, outside. “
- Health benefits
The latest research from Deakin University shows that there is a growing link between physical activity, nature and health and the shift to indoor play is raising health concerns that include obesity and poorer cognitive development. One quarter of children are overweight or obese with 64 per cent of kids playing outdoors less than once a week. Spending time in nature has been linked to improved attention spans, boosts in serotonin and shows increased activity in the parts of the brain responsible for empathy, emotional stability and love. Just 30 minutes in the sun can provide nearly a day’s supply of vitamin D through skin absorption.

17/10/2014

Accent Plants -

If you want to create a visual impact in your garden, a well-placed accent plants is the easiest way to do it. Place one beautiful accent plant amongst a collection of hedges or groundcover plants and this one accent plant can stop people in their tracks. Accent plants are usually striking because of their shape, colour or size. You want to take good care of your accent plants since they are such eye-catchers and we have a range of information on the sunlight, soil and pruning needs of many accent plants. Find out how to care for popular accent plants such as the Purple Japanese Maple, Barrel Cactus, Red Hanging Heliconia and more great accent plants.

15/10/2014

The Best Plants for a Window Sill

15/10/2014

Top Plant Picks:

1. Succulents are great as they are extremely hardy and sculptural, . “They generally do best in full sun with little water useful varieties include Crassula Ovate and Echeveria Elegans.

2. When it comes to herbs, flat leaf parsley is generally quite robust and will grow in full sun and water a few times a week, notes . “Perennial herbs such as thyme, oregano and rosemary are all quite tough. They love full sun and not too much water!” she adds.

3. “For shady window boxes plants such as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii' - dwarf mother in laws tongue - are great as they are virtually un-killable!,” she laughs.

4. The French favourite - Geraniums - are a wonderful window box plant seen all throughout Paris. “They are extremely hardy and love lots of hot sun.”

Soil Selection:

“Never use soil in window boxes, always use potting mix,” . “It is made specifically for pots and allows for good drainage and is much lighter in weight than soil. Soil will be extremely heavy and tends to not drain well in pots." Top tip is to always buy the best quality potting mix you can. “Make sure it has been approved by Australian Standards.”

Wonder Water:

There are no general rules with watering plants, , adding that it really depends on the plant itself. “If you have cactus in your window box it would need no water. If you have annual herbs like basil you would need to water it at least three times a week in summer.” Translation? Use your head, water with a gentle hand and see what works.

Sun Smart:

The exposure to the sun in relation to the sprigs on your windowsill something you should take into account prior to planting, . “Many plants love sun, but some plants - like rainforest plants - love shade,” she remarks. “Research the plant, understand what it needs to flourish, put it in a spot it will love and it will be happy!”

15/10/2014

The tips - from soil to sun - on how to get the most out of your window dressing

Safety Steps:

1. Make sure the window box is securely attached to the window/wall. “This is very important!,” “If you are unsure, ask a professional to attach it properly.”
2. Potting mix and plants can be heavier than you think, especially when the mix is saturated with water, so calculate the weight of the pot, wet potting mix, and plant and make sure the structure will hold it successfully. “Use a lightweight plastic or fibreglass composite pot if possible - rather than ceramic or stone,”
3. Ensure you can easily access the window box for maintenance.
4. Plant selection is extremely important, “Understand the growing conditions your plant will be subject to and make sure you pick a plant that is suited to them,” she advises. If you are unsure still, use this checklist as a guideline:

o Is it very windy or protected?
o How much sun does it get per day?
o What direction does it face?
o What size planters can I install?
o Is it under an awning or will it receive rainfall?

“When you have the answers to these, research plants that will grow under the site conditions. If you are unsure, visit your local gardening centre and ask for their suggestions.”

15/10/2014

The Best Plants for a Window Sill

You may have a big green thumb, but only a tiny windowsill to take it out on. Fear not. There are small plants that can make big impact anywhere.

15/10/2014

To Buy or Sell...Lands,House,Flat,Apartments...please visit our website http://www.keralaprimeproperties.com/ and post your needs or send mail to [email protected]. Our team will contact you within 24 hrs.

City : Ernakulam Location : Vyttila Property Type : Commercial Plot Area : 8.50 Cents Sq-ft : 4000 Estimated Price : 30Lkhs/Cnt Suitable For: Service Centers, Car wash, Hotels, …

13/10/2014

This garden was awarded Silver in the most Inspirational Gardens category.

Peta Donaldson - The Pavillion

Peta’s Pavilion shone out through the mud due to the use of its glossy white modern materials. Peta used glossy bricks, polished concrete, ‘Glosswood’ roof lining boards a plunge pool, and a stainless steel fireplace to bounce the light around the space making it feel spacious and luxurious.

The entrance to the garden had Peta’s signature overlapping rectangles and squares as a staircase in polished concrete that added a great highlight to the muted mass planting around it. Walking into the garden the focus of the garden was a great plunge pool by Australian Plunge pools that gave the whole space a resort style feel.

If I had to be ultra critical of the design I would have top say the 3d panels that made up the rear wall of the pavilion could have been broken up with some greenery or shelving. Although I loved the pattern and effect the panels gave I felt with all the other dominant whites and textures there needed to be a break somewhere.

Myles Balwin’s open woodland was my kind of garden with its natural open pavilion being a space to entertain in whilst having relaxed natural surrounds. I spoke with Myles and he confessed the open cedar walls were (mildly) inspired by my own use of Cedar at last years show! I loved the way the muted tones of the deco granite flooring complemented the cedar and paved surfaces in the pavilion.

The structure cantilevered out over a simple but large water feature that was not only a delight to look at from outside the garden but also a delight to be in and to look down upon the body of water from inside the pavilion. Three simple waterspouts broke the hard stonewall to add movement to the design.

If I was to put on my critics hat I would have planted behind the pavilion more densely, to increase its intimacy, but its my understanding that the trees that were supposed to be used there are still living in a field under 2 foot of water!

I feel the biggest revelation at this years garden show was the small and balcony gardens, each a totally different style with it’s own points of inspiration for which I’m sure hundreds of people have been inspired by. My special mentions go to Andrew Davies and Josh Harrison for their city gardens and Kate grace, Kim Earl, Adam Robinson and Rupert Baywill for their gold medal balcony gardens.

11/10/2014

Camellia

Common Name: Hiryu Camellia
Plant Height: 6
Plant Spread: 5
Use: formal screen, informal screen, large planter, espalier, topiary, standard, bonsai, shade tree
Plant Pruning: Tip prune regularly from a young age then prune by up to half after flowering every 2-4 years for density.
Soil Moisture: dry between watering to constantly moist
Sunlight: hot overhead sun to dappled light
Design: Suits mediterranean, oriental, formal, contemporary & cottage designs
Plant Origins: Japan, not found wild
Flower Colour: crimson
Garden Type: tree or shrub
Plant Seasonality: Evergreen

10/10/2014

Planting Information : Cabbage

Sowing Hint: Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4 weeks
Harvest Period: 11-15 weeks
Space Plants: 50 - 75 cm
Companion Plants: Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, thyme)
Avoid Planting Near: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard, parsnip