Learn how to age wood to bring out its natural beauty with these decorative staining and aging techniques. Follow step-by-step instructions to achieve dramatic wood colors and finishes and learn how to distress wood for a time-worn look.
California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) in foreground The buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are among the most important summer-flowering plants in S. California gardens. In a typical year, the period from May through October is replete with their beauty. Beginning with the California, Conejo and Red buckwheats, transitioning into the giant St. Catherine’s lace and ending with the Coastal/dune and Ashy-leaf buckwheats, the Eriogonums span the seasons with floral, seed and foliage color. Our hot dry winter and spring have confused many plants this year. But true to form, California buckwheat is a standout in our June floral display. California buckwheat has a wide geographic distribution compared to other local buckwheats. It grows from California, Utah and Arizona in the north to northern Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, in the south. There are at least four recognized varieties. Two of them (varieties fasciculatum and foliolosum) are native to western Los Angeles County, including the Palos Verdes peninsula and the lowland areas of the old El Segundo dunes (coastal area from El Segundo south to the Palos Verdes peninsula). The species grows in a number of plant communities including Chaparral, Coastal Scrub, Coastal Areas, Desert Chaparral, Oak and other Woodlands and Grasslands. Locally it is found in Coastal Sage Scrub, Coastal Shrubland and Back Dune/Coastal Prairie communities. Variety fasciculatum grows primarily below 1200 ft. elevation, while variety foliolosum will sometimes be found as high as 5000 ft. elevation. Both grow in hot, dry locations with well-drained soils, often on open slopes, mesas and bluffs. It’s not surprising that California buckwheat is a tough, hardy survivor. Eriogonum fasciculatum growth habit - Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Claremont, CA Like many of our local perennial buckwheats, Eriogonum fasciculatum is a mounded sub-shrub with a woody base and more herbaceous new growth. Variety fasciculatum, which is typical of coastal sub-shrubs, is more likely to be low-growing – even decumbent (lying on the ground) - particularly along the coast. Variety foliolosum is more upright and mounded. Both have numerous, rather thin branches and dense growth. Mature plants are 3-5 ft tall and wide, but may spread to 6-7+ feet wide in the garden. Plants have a moderate growth rate and are among the longer-lived native shrubs. Leaves, California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) The leaves of Eriogonum fasciculatum give California buckwheat its name. They are clustered in dense bundles (fascicles) along the stems. As is common for the genus, California buckwheat’s leaves roll under in the dry months. In this species, the leaves become very tightly rolled, giving them an almost needle-like appearance. The leaves are small (3/4 inch or less), dark- to gray-green above, lighter and hairy beneath. Plants are evergreen except in the severest of droughts. Flowers, California buckwheat: Madrona Marsh Native Plant Gardens, Torrance CA Native buckwheats are amongst the prettiest of flowering plants and California buckwheat is a real prize winner. The plants are massed with flowers from late spring through mid-summer. While individual flowers are small (see below), they form dense terminal clusters that can nearly cover the foliage. California buckwheat’s flowers range from white to pale pink. The flowers are in parts of six and the stamens (pollen producing organs) extend beyond the perianth, giving flower clusters a fuzzy appearance. Flowers: California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) California buckwheat is an important pollinator plant. On a warm summer day, plants are alive with insects ranging in size from butterflies to tiny native bees. Buckwheats are probably our best all-round summer pollinator plants. They attract the entire range of pollinator insects: butterflies, European honey bees (honey is delicious!), native bees of all sizes, pollinator flies, beetles and many others. Plant a native buckwheat if you’re concerned about the health and welfare of our pollinators. If you’ve only space for one native habitat plant, let it be a buckwheat. Native buckwheats are long-blooming, supplying thousands of flowers at a time. The flowers produce high quality nectar and pollen, so they attract both pollen- and nectar-seeking insects. Many of them are larval (caterpillar) food sources for native butterflies. For example, California buckwheat provides larval food for Mormon Metalmark, Bernardino Blue and Bramble, Common and Avalon Hairstreak butterflies. Rabbits and some birds (quails) eat the flowers and foliage. Birds and small creatures take cover under the dense, shady foliage. California buckwheat flowers, seeds As if that’s not enough, the Buckwheats also produce small, tasty seeds. On a fall day, it’s not uncommon to spot a group of seed-eating birds on/near a garden buckwheat, busily partaking of the feast. Among those you may encounter are the finches, Dark-eyed juncos and Brown towhees. Many gardeners let their buckwheats go to seed simply to attract the seed-eaters. But that’s not the only reason to hold back on deadheading your buckwheats. California buckwheat through the seasons. Plant is the shrub just behind the right side of the arbor Buckwheats help us celebrate the cycle of seasons. Their fresh new growth indicates the height of the growth season; their flowers the end of growth and beginning of the dry season. And their dried flowers and seeds – with their lovely rust and brown tones - signal the end of the dry season. The color palette of the buckwheats is an inspiration to artists and garden designers alike. But the yearly cycle of the buckwheats – unchanging, unhurried and rhythmic – connects us to the earth and our S. California natural heritage. Priceless! California buckwheat prefers full sun but will take some afternoon shade. While it likes a well-drained soil, it can be grown in any local soil from sandy to clay. If you have a clay soil, consider planting buckwheats on a small berm and be careful not to over-water in summer. Eriogonum fasciculatum and most other locally native buckwheats do well in alkali soils, which don’t bother them in the least. If you use an organic mulch, go lightly. We recommend starting with a 2” layer at planting time, then letting the mulch degrade naturally, without replenishment. Once this buckwheat gets going, you won’t need mulch to control the weeds! For more on mulches see: Understanding Mulches - http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/07/understanding-mulches_23.html. Watering California buckwheat requires an understanding of the plant’s survival mechanisms. This plant has a long taproot, allowing it to access deeper soil water. It also has shallower, fibrous roots. It needs good winter/spring water. In fact, in a dry year like this, we watered our buckwheats deeply about once a month to supplement the rainfall. The dry season is a bit more challenging. Some buckwheats, for example Eriogonum parvifolium, are very sensitive and do best with very occasional or no summer water. California buckwheat – and particularly the cultivars – are more forgiving. They look good with occasional summer water – perhaps several times in a summer in western Southern California. Buckwheats are fairly carefree garden plants. They have few pests and diseases and are generally hardy plants. Local gardeners cut this species back in late fall to promote plant health. This cutting back should begin in the first years of life or the plants will become too woody. Woody old plants should be replaced – with a pledge to prune the replacement properly and regularly. Cut plants back to 4-6 inches above the woody part of the stem. That’s about all it takes. Eriogonum fasciculatum in garden. It is the shrub with masses of pale pink blooms behind the bright pink Red buckwheat California buckwheat is a staple in habitat gardens. It is often used mid-bed with smaller plants in front of it and can be used as a mid-sized ground cover. It works well on dry slopes and in areas that are difficult to water. It complements native Salvias in foliage and flowering. California buckwheat is planted in rock gardens and can easily be included in gardens featuring water-wise Mediterranean herbs like Rosemary and Lavender. Once in place, try not to move it – the long taproot makes it difficult to move successfully. One word of caution: this plant is best planted within its natural range. It has escaped cultivation and is becoming a weedy non-native in some areas of Northern California, Oregon, Arizona and Texas. Be a responsible gardener, particularly if you live near wild areas; plant the species and varieties that are native to your area. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Dana point' There are several cultivars that are widely available. ‘Dana Point’ is a lovely mounded cultivar that does very well in local gardens. It grows to about 2 1/w ft. tall and spreads to 5+ feet wide. We have this cultivar in Mother Nature’s Backyard. It draws raves every year. Cultivar 'Warriner Lytle' is lower growing – usually less than 2 feet – with dark green leaves and somewhat resembling a prostrate Rosemary. It makes a good groundcover and would do well on hot slopes. ‘Theodore Payne’ buckwheat is even shorter (1 ft.) and is also recommended as a ground cover. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Theodore Payne' California buckwheat is used medicinally where ever it grows. Native Californians and other Native Peoples use it primarily to treat headaches, stomach problems, diarrhea and wounds. Both the leaves and roots are used, fresh and dried. For colds, coughs and sore throats and pre-menstrual bloating a mild tea is prepared. A stronger decoction from roots was traditionally used for diarrhea, stomach troubles and to ‘clean the system’. A strong tea from the leaves is reported to cure headaches and a decoction from young flowers is used as an eyewash. A poultice made from dried roots or fresh leaves and flowers was formerly applied to wounds. For medicinal uses, older established plants are reported to be more efficacious. The small seeds and young shoots are edible. The leaves were traditionally used to line granaries to keep acorns dry. In summary, California buckwheat is an extremely useful shrub. It is excellent for habitat, requires little care and is a great addition to water-wise gardens where ever it grows naturally. For a gardening information sheet see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-eriogonum-fasciculatum For more pictures of this plant see: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/eriogonum-fasciculatum-web-show We welcome your comments (below). You can also send your questions to: [email protected]
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Book from Project Gutenberg: The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits
the loan Whelp, we decided to go with our current bank with a single-close to 15-year fixed. It locks in the current rate, yet still allows us to refi at our leisure when we're done. We had to think hard about 15 years v. 30 years. A 15-year note has a much higher monthly payment, but we think it would be better to pay off the house in 15 years rather than 30. Since we're starting to get up there in years, this would allow us to pay off the house before we retire (wethinks that's good as well). Spent a hunk of the weekend putting together the paperwork. The final paperwork package I sent to the banker had 146 pages, and we're still missing probably 20 to 30 pages! baseboards The builder sent us a note asking for details about the baseboard detail. In short, this is the look we're going for: (photo from BUILD LLC) a wood baseboard flush (in the same plane) with the drywall separated by a gap (called a "reveal" by the cool kids). This is a detail that requires a bit more work in that z-metal (or z-molding) or j-metal (or j-molding) is used to "float" the drywall above the baseboard. Typically (and less expensively) baseboards are plopped on top of the drywall. The builder is nervous about running this up the stairwell (but it really needs to go up the stairwell to maintain the gestalt). He hasn't told us no yet (and he hasn't sent the contract yet either), so we'll see... We have a Plan B if this doesn't work out. revised (slightly) plans We had to get "final" plans (in quotes because there are still some details to work out...) to submit with the paperwork to the banker. I love gawking at the plans. It's like that game in the newspaper where you have two similar pictures and you have to identify what is different between the two. The site plan now shows the hardscape from the landscape design, and the architects moved one of the planters away from the house (had to happen because of the gutter). The floor plans are unchanged except for minorish details (for example, the washer and dryer are moved). The big change was in the electrical plan, which now shows the changes we requested and speaker locations. Looking good! There are still details to be worked out, but I reckon that will all happen when we get started building. We're starting to keep a list of items we want to discuss before different building phases to make sure items are considered before those phases start.
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Features:Contemporary slimline designStunning Brushed Brass finishCrafted from solid Brass Ceramic disc technologyFitted with flow straightener for improved performanceComes with aerator for use with high water pressure systemsMinimum water pressure required: 0.5 barBasin waste not included - please see our recommended extrasCovered by a 15 year manufacturer's guarantee (subject to online registration - please click here)Dimensions:Height: 152mmWidth: 50mmProjection: 127mm
Ciao a tutti, in questo foto album, vi vogliamo mostrare come si può recuperare spazio nella vostra casa, idee e soluzioni, molte delle quali non fai da
Nine family-sized houses remake the street on the Old Imperial Laundry site in Battersea
The MPRO Basin Mixer Tap designed by Crosswater will make your basin comforting, attractive and functional. This wall-mounted fixture is a single lever tap that incorporates ceramic disc technology for smooth operation. This tap is highly durable and long-lasting and is made from high-quality material. This wall-mounted tap is available in stunning finishes and is fitted with a standard flow regulator. The dazzling finishes are Matt-Black, brushed brass, matt-white and more. The tap carries a 15-year guarantee from the manufacturer. Give your bathroom a picture-perfect look by accompanying this Tap with a designer bathroom sink of your choice. Select the right finish from the options provided, and give your basin a stunning look. Wall-mounted installation. Supplied without pop-up waste. Single lever operation. 35mm Single lever ceramic cartridge. Inlet connection: G1/2 Inch. Inlet supply - flexi tail with 1/2inch female connectors. Height: 60mm - (6cm). Weight: 2.51kg. Centre of inlet to centre of outlet: 220mm - (22cm). Projection: 140mm or 220mm - (14cm or 22cm). Two spouts are provided to suit the site circumstances. Suitable for medium water pressure system. Required minimum 0.5 bar or above water pressure. Download Installation Instruction PDF File From The Additional Info Section. Refer technical diagram for complete technical dimensions.
Nine family-sized houses remake the street on the Old Imperial Laundry site in Battersea
Every petal is suffused with a bronzed apricot tan on this stunning Jackson & Perkins introduction. Exquisitely symmetrical, opening from pointed, ovoid buds, these fully double flowers exude a light spicy aroma as they gradually unfurl in the summer sun, revealing tones of orange and peach that evoke long lazy August afternoons. Treat yourself to the beauty and fragrance of this floribunda this season.Fully 4 inches wide and boasting 25 petals, these blooms arise in large clusters all over the shrub. The flowering occurs in waves, beginning with the first breath of warm summer weather and continuing, in moderate and warm climates, into fall. This is a bloom to be cut for the vase and appreciated up close, but also a fine garden performer, its unusual color standing out nicely in the perennial or shrub border, its clove-like scent perfuming the warm summer air.Best of all, this shrub is quite disease resistant, staving off two of the worst rose perils: rust and powdery mildew. This makes it ideal for climates subject to late-afternoon summer rainstorms, for instance, as well as perpetually humid or damp areas. Plant it fearlessly in the crowded garden without worrying that it needs extra space for air circulation. Tuscan Sun can take it.And it comes by this disease resistance honestly. Its seed parent is Sam McGredys Singin in the Rain, bred especially for tolerance of damp and moisture; its pollen parent is a cross of two Bill Warriner classics: Pink Pollyanna (one of our all-time favorites here at Jackson & Perkins) and Impatient, a perpetual-flowering variety that might be responsible for Tuscan Suns heavy and frequent intervals of bloom.Tuscan Sun reaches up to 4 feet tall and spreads up to 3 feet wide, with excellent branching. Use it in large containers as well as the garden. We predict that you will become as enamored of these large, perfectly formed apricot-orange blooms as we are.
It was time to get a little more grown up in tables and the train table needed to move on. So I turned to Ana White and her awesome ...
Few roses receive nonstop raves from our customers. After all, Jackson & Perkins roses are shipped to all climates and conditions, to new gardeners as well as experienced rosarians. It cannot be expected that everyone will be pleased with any given variety. And yet, season after season, praise is heaped upon Rio Samba™. This hybrid tea seems to have the resilience and flower power of a shrub rose, as well as the beauty and impeccable form of an exhibition variety.A large measure of Rio Sambas™ charm is its flower colors, which change dramatically as the blooms mature. Fully double, 5 inches wide, packed with about 25 petals, and opening from long, pointed buds, these blooms unfurl a bright shade of golden-yellow, often with red edges. Over time, the red spreads down the petals, often acquiring deep pink or orange hues. A fully blooming shrub is truly a carnival of brilliant color -- which is where Rio Samba™ gets its name, of course!Rio Samba™ is a long-stemmed hybrid tea, but frequently the blooms arise in small clusters rather than singly. Its like a bouquet on every flowering stem, and because the buds in each cluster open at different times, you will often see very different colors on display in a single cluster of blooms!We take a special pride in Rio Samba™ here at Jackson & Perkins because it was bred by our own master rosarian, Bill Warriner, with another of his brilliant creations, golden Sunbright®, as its pollen parent. (The seed parent was a seedling.) Warriner released Rio Samba™ in 1991, and two years later it won an All-America Rose Selection. It has increased steadily in popularity ever since, and as we say, it is a rose we can unreservedly recommend for any climate, condition, or level of gardening expertise. We are delighted to make it available to you this season, and urge you to find a place for it in the sunny border. Order early for availability, please. Zones 7 to 10.
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
Denver-based Interior Designer shares a quick and inexpensive bathroom makeover; from bland and boring to beach-inspired fun.
Residential poject completed by TEMZA: complete town house renovation, build in joinery in Warriner Gardens, Battersea, SW11
