Pleasant outdoor spaces for eating

Did you know that some plants attract flies? The otherwise wonderful Euonymus ‘Manhattan’ shrub, for example, attracts flies when it blooms during the summer. Why? According to Leslie Land in The New York Times 1000 Gardening Questions and Answers, the Euonymus is pollinated by flies instead of bees. Other plants that attract flies are hollies, hawthorns, and willows. Land writes that “flies are major pollinators if the flowers are white, pale yellow, or greenish; if they are more wide open than tubular; and if their aroma is more musky than sweet.” This is something to keep in mind when trying to create comfortable outdoor spaces. 

Another pest that you probably don’t want to invite to your party is ants. Ants love the sticky stuff that some flowers secrete. The Peony, for example, attracts ants—as do Penstemons and some tropical plants. In What good are bugs?: Insects in the Web of Life, Gilbert Waldbauer writes that some plants attract ants to help defend themselves against chewing insects. Good for them, but bad for you if you don’t like ants. You may also find ants around Roses, Clematis, Cosmos, and other flowers, but they’re probably there because aphids leave behind honey dew that the ants love. If you want to avoid attracting ants to your outdoor spaces, then you probably want to avoid flowers attractive to ants and to take care of any aphid problems.

In addition to attracting annoying pests, some flowers actually stink. The unique Petunia ‘Pretty Much Picasso,’ with its purple and lime green blooms, is beautiful in every way—except for its aroma. Its aroma has been described as rank sneakers and dog poop. Other flowers that smell bad—and that you may find in your local nursery—are Skunk Cabbage and Crown Imperials. Also keep in mind that some trees emit an unpleasant smell when they’re in bloom, such Ginko, Dogwood, and Pear trees. (The Asakawas write in California Gardening Rhythms that you can avoid the smell if you get male trees.)

What about bees? Yes, many flowers attract bees because flowers are pollinated by bees. But you may not want them flying around your BBQ during a party. You can plant ornamental grasses (they’re pollinated by wind) and plants with colored foliage (that have no flowers). You could also try flowers that aren’t generally pollinated by bees. Based on A Spring without Bees: How Colony Collapse Disorder Has Endangered Our Food Supply, flowers with long tubes and double varieties with “extra petals instead of anthers” aren’t favorites of bees. Also keep in mind that bees prefer flowers that are blue, purple, and yellow. Flowers that are typically pollinated by hummingbirds or butterflies instead are Columbine, red Salvia, and Fuchsia. You could also try self pollinating flowers that do not need help to pollinate, such as Sweet Peas and Tulips.

With these tips in mind, you can create very pleasant outdoor spaces for entertaining humans.

By Shannon Mendez

If you want a serenity garden with a spiritual retreat theme, here are a few suggestions for a winning design. The following steps outline the main elements of a serenity garden which offers flexible choices of plants and material.

1. Choose a spot to be your focal point and make it your area of retreat and reflection:

Place a small set of patio table and chairs there; a round table with two to four small chairs made of wrought iron material or all-weather wicker will provide rest, serve as an attractive reading and reflection area; a simple bench made of stone or wood can serve the same purpose if you have less space.

2.  Near this seating area add a small fountain:

This fountain, which you can buy from a garden shop, can be functional or purely decorative in design. It needs to add to the sense of being quiet and joyful. Examples of a fountain design: a fountain stand with a leaping fish at the top, a small cascade with layered rocks, a simple bird bath, etc.

3.  Choose a corner near this focal spot to cultivate your favorite plants:

If it’s a sunny location, plant a perennial variety of ornamental grass such as cloud nine prairie grass or fountain grass. If it’s a semi-shady location, plant a tall variety of hosta or an azalea bush. You can also grow winter bamboo in a large container at this corner.

4.  Establish an inviting walk path from the doorway to your retreat corner:

This pathway doesn’t need to be very wide; it just needs to be safe. Use natural material such as bricks, larger pebbles, or random shaped stone slabs to pave the walkway. Make sure the ground is leveled and the surface is not slippery. This path can have a gently curved shape for a soft look as long as it’s comfortable to walk on.  

5.  Along the sides of this walk path you can play with many options:

Grow long-blooming flowers like marigolds, begonia, or lush evergreens and ferns. Grow edible plants such as chives, basil, rosemary, or other herbs. If you have room for a tree, plant a Chinese pine, a Japanese maple, or a magnolia bush. If you have a fence, you can grow climbing vines like morning glory or honeysuckle. A climbing cherry tomato plant can add delight to the eye as well as the guest table.

Now you have achieved a serenity look for your garden of spiritual retreat. It offers you options of a delightful ingredient in edible plants. It provides you with a restful atmosphere in a textured landscape design.

By C. Spring Stillman