Activity has definitely slowed down during mid-day. Scarcely a leaf stirs. One of the pleasures of the July garden is the tree-shaded patio or terrace where the outdoor garden enthusiast may relax and survey the results of their labors. During this period of reflection it is good to take a second look at the results of the planning done in January and make further plans for the fall garden. In this day of air conditioning, big screen TV and Wii many people are prone to stay inside all day and not relax in the out-of-doors.

Patios and Terraces

Lucky indeed is the family which has a part of the garden developed as a retreat from the excessive heat or cramped interiors. These areas are easily designed and constructed and make a wonderful project for the entire family. They provide an ideal place for outdoor picnics and BBQ or regular eating and in the late evening they are delightful. Have you ever thought of providing a cable connection for the TV on these out-door terraces? There are many possibilities that when properly planned will give a wonderful use of the garden and relieve the house from much heavy traffic.

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The factors that most influence the ways in which a plant develops in a garden are the plant’s hardiness, and the site and the aspect of the garden – that is, the amount of shade and the possibility of physical damage by wind if no support is provided.

A plant’s hardiness is possibly the most important of the three, and it is judged not just by the plant’s ability to withstand winter cold but also the degree to which it might be damaged by Spring frosts.

If you are planning an island bed – that is, one surrounded by lawn – make sure that the largest plants are in the middle, with the smallest ones all around the edges.

All these factors affect the amount of time a plant is exposed to levels of cold that can cause damage to the stem, foliage or, less often, the roots. In the directory each entry includes a minimum temperature that can be tolerated by any plant. If a plant is particularly prone to damage by spring frosts – as are hydrangeas and pieris.

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