Take a look at this infographic that explains visually how plants impart healthful benefits to humanity.

The Benefits of Plants infographic by Zabisco.

 

Are you surprised by the benefit plants offer us in our "productivity," particularly the "computer related" one?

Who knew!!

 

Here's a video on the same subject from my webseries, "Way to Grow."

 

 "Plants With Benefits: Juniper, Ivy, Hydrangea and A Tree You Can Tap!"

 

Do you like garden-related infographics? 

I have another information-packed, infographic posted on my Foodie Gardener Blog titled, "Varieties of Fruit!"

Check it out.

Sharp thorns protect the plant from animals, thirsty for the water encapsulated in the succulent body of the Trichocereus.

As an added bonus, the thorns provide shade, acting as a natural lath that filters the sun from the plant's exterior.

Amazing architecture and beauty…when in bloom.

When not in bloom, the Torch cactus looks menacing and  uninviting and is easily passed over by the gardener in search of pretty flowers.

The thick, cylindrical body of the Torch cactus grows to approximately 15"-inches tall by 12"-inches in diameter and has many offsets or "pups."

Multiple flowers emerge from along the top and body of the stem.

Although the Trichocereus is drought tolerant when established, more consistent watering is needed for a new plant.

After one month, taper watering as needed when soil is dry to the touch.

Protect from frost and set is in a sunny spot where it can enjoy the spotlight and flower from spring and through the warmer weather!

I've learned to appreciate the rugged beauty of cacti from my many visits to Joshua Tree, California.

The high desert holds an enormous attraction to me, especially when the plants are in bloom there.

Anyone love this plant or collect cacti or succulents?

Would love for you to share more information about it.

I presented at the "Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival" this year and brought back many beautiful  garden design ideas  to share with you!

Take a look.

Container Garden Ideas

A simple planter filled with a combination of magenta and purple colored pansies gains dimension by adding terracotta pots filled with annuals.

I see pink geraniums and nicotianas in pink and red cascading from the containers. 

These containers are made in Siena, Italy from a distinct clay that imparts the orange color to the vessels.

I was captivated by the sea of pink geraniums dotted with white alyssum.

Fluted terracotta pots rise above the floral mass and contain the same combination.

Notice the added style when containers are incorporated into the planters.

One of the most practical secondary uses for cement blocks are as planters!

Cement blocks can be stacked to create vertical gardens that take up little floor space.

I would stack a few blocks and spread them out in different parts of the landscape to separate and mark different areas.

The blocks are filled with sedums, kalanchoe, agaves and echevarias.

This is more contemporary in style than the terracotta gardens which lean towards antique and rustic in feel.

Planting Schemes

This "bird garden" designed by nature experts at the National Audobon Society is full of jewel-toned annuals.

I've never been much of an "annual color" gardener but this display garden attracted so many birds and butterflies, that I was won over!

Birds houses, bird baths and nesting material provide an added attraction for our feathered and winged friends.

Plants include magenta dianthus, blue and purple pansies, white alyssum, sunflowers, nicotianas and more.

The goal is to reduce the size of the lawn but be aware that some of these annuals require regular watering until established.

Large-scaled planting like the flower tapestry at Epcot is commonplace at Walt Disney World and no one does it better!

Sections of the patterned garden beds are drawn on the ground with chalk or string and filled in with different annuals.

This particular garden is changed at least two times during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival starting with cool-season plants  transitioning to warm season annuals around April or May.

Red, glass poppies shimmer above the garden bed near the "Land of Oz" display at Epcot.

From a distance, I was curious as to what these large flowers were, not thinking that they were glass flower sculptures!

I was inspired to add glass sculpture to my garden, just have to find the right one now!

Lastly, a river of yellow pansies evokes a feeling of movement in an otherwise static garden.

Get away from planting your annuals in straight lines or uninspired blocks of color, if that is your custom.

I'm going to experiment with interesting patterns and start painting with plants!

Have you attended the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival before?

What inspired you most in the garden?

Clean slates are under-rated!

The Home & Family Show deck before the makeover!

Deck Makeover Segment Assigned

The Home & Family Show producer who was in charge of the deck makeover segment is one very determined guy named Nick Birren.

Nick Birren, Producer, Home and Family Show

Nick may look like a "romantic lead actor" but he's clearly channeled all his energy into being a top-notch producer behind the camera!

I got a call from Nick a few days before we were to tape a segment on designing a composting system.

The plans for the composting system were ready to go and I had my bag of food discards packed in my truck.

There was a last minute change- no composting segment, instead, a deck makeover was ordered.

I take my television garden makeovers seriously.

They must meet professional standards which translates to, "no installation shortcuts or planting of plants that look pretty for camera but die a few days later."

I had to measure, assess the site for irrigation, check the grading, soil conditions, sun exposure, etc.

This was a real landscaping job with a super short deadline, high expectations and a camera in your face!

Left side of deck-planting strip

Left side planting strip. Measures two-feet deep, 13-feet wide and one-foot tall.

Right side of deck-planting strip

Right-side planting strip. Measures the same as left side except it's one-foot wider. Take a look at that tall, ugly wall!

Fortunately, the planting areas were restricted to two planting strips located between the deck perimeter and the house.

My challenge was to design a dynamic garden that could serve as a "backdrop" for segments taped on the deck, while reserving deck space for production needs.

At the same time, I had design issues that needed to be mitigated such as tall, gray walls, an unattractive roofline, horrible soil, and the instructions not to install any pergolas or overhead structures!

With limited floor space, I padded the design with vertical garden features such as a trellis against the wall, a window box, wall planters and a trio of three-tiered plant towers- obelisks.

Preparing For the Deck Makeover

It was a rare day in Los Angeles because it was raining.

This meant that the nurseries were probably closed.

The clock was ticking and I was 24-hours away from installation and still had to source, buy, pick up and deliver the plants, soils, containers and garden decor for the deck.

To make matters more difficult, one of my design decisions ended up being a hassle to fullfil.

Instead of planting directly in the ground, I decided to recess plant liners in the small planting areas in order to better control the soil and planting environment.

My problem was, I couldn't find any planters that fit in this specific space!

I had to visit three different Lowes garden centers in order to buy 16 liners!

None of the stores had enough on hand.

After rustling up the liners, my energy turned towards finding plants.

I called my friends at Armstrong Garden Centers and asked if they would be interested in supplying the plants for the deck and help me pull plants in the rain.

Armstrong agreed, and on my way to the Sherman Oaks store, the rain dissipated.

That was a hopeful sign.

Armstrong Nursery pros were a huge help!

My next call was to Kellogg Garden Products, the soils company that supplied my television show, "Garden Police."

"I need a lot of organic potting soil for my TV segment," I cried.

"No problem Shirley," the marketing director responded, "we'll set up a pick up for you!"

Producer Nick and assistant Will, unload the potting soil from Kellogg

"All hands on deck!" Producer Nick and assistant Will unload soil for the garden project.

Oh, to have friends in the gardening industry!

Thank you!!!

Installing the Deck Garden

Plants are ready for installation. Jessie Jane’s baby shower setup is beyond.

Subscribe to EdenMakers Blog to be notified of Part 2: "The Reveal!"

Read and see more photos related to the Deck Makeover Project on Shirley's other website, Garden Center TV!