New varieties help gardens get real
Gardens have issues that catalogs don't.
For example, you might have extensive shade to plant or maybe neighborhood deer think your garden is a smorgasbord.
Great Garden Plants Inc. says it has two new brunnera to brighten these spots.
King's Ransom is a variegated version of Jack Frost with silver and green leaves bordered in yellow. The small spring flowers are blue.
Emerald Mist has gray-green leaves splashed with silver.
They were both introduced by Walters Gardens Inc. of Zeeland, Mich.
The Web site is www.greatgardenplants.com.
Green is the essence of life on earth
While we have been talking about new flowers and plants quite a bit in recent weeks, we will admit we are pushing this spring thing a bit.
There's still some winter to endure before it's time to get out and dig.
At times like this it's fun to visit indoor gardens like Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory.
A new exhibit that opens Saturday takes advantage of the conservator's tropical collection.
"Sugar from the Sun" features water flowing over 200 tons of stone planted with bromeliads and philodendron.
Four exotic environments immerse you in sunlight, air, water and sugar.
What a great way for you and your children to learn how air, water and light make sugar -- the source of all life on earth.
The National Science Foundation provided a major grant to help with this permanent exhibit, which was built to help celebrate the conservatory's centennial.
Color can be tres jolie, mon amie
Call us snobs or Francophiles, but there's something about Elle Décor that makes it fun to pick up.
We like the style, even if the Midwest does not seem to be on the editors' radar.
A favorite article in the March issue shows how a designer chose great colors for walls to enhance a family's art collection.
The Manhattan apartment puts to rest the argument that art needs white backgrounds.
The living room is lilac, which causes a dreamy Kiki Smith pastel etching to look right at home.
A colored photograph with a white mat pops against a coffee-colored wall.
Lavender leather covers the study walls, and pink and white fabric upholsters a daughter's room.
Another article shows what floral prints are hot for spring. Bring on the roses, lilacs and magnolias.