Delano Willing Workers 4-H Club helps with fall gardening project (Delano Eagle)
Delano Willing Workers 4-H Club work on the fall gardening project at the Crow River Villa Apartments on Nov. 15. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are: Lauren Degn and Annika Sorenson.

There are no pessimists in the gardening center (Lancaster Eagle-Gazette)
SOMEWHERE in my mental makeup lurks an unsinkable - if unrealistic - optimism that seems to apply principally to gardening. This would explain our thicket of asparagus, the hopeless tangle of grapevines and of course the rhubarb, none of which have fulfilled my original lavish expectations. Optimism would certainly explain the structure of concrete blocks and water pipe I built this spring upon ...

Decisions based on gardening successes and failures yield a good harvest (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Much of life involves making decisions. We make some good ones, take wrong turns on others and fail to act on still more. It's better when a writer doesn't drag himself into his columns, but, for the purpose of sharing some life lessons I've learned, I'll speak in first person this time around. I learned early on that gardening, for me, was an obsession. Some people like sports, others like ...

Consider giving books to gardener in your life (The Iowa City Press-Citizen)
If you are stumped as to what to get those gardening enthusiasts on your list, maybe I can help you start.

Child in need loves animals, building things (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
Eleven years old, David is an active, curious and happy Caucasian child. He loves to be outside, whether he's playing or helping out with some gardening. David is naturally talented at working with his hands and is proud of his ability to build things. Recently, he built a bird feeder and then tried to catch a bird while it ate from the feeder. He succeeded after an hour of trying. He has a real ...

Different kinds of holiday trimmings (Delano Eagle)
Several members of the Delano Willing Workers 4-H Club gathered at the Crow River Villa Apartments on Saturday, Nov. 15, to work on a fall gardening project.

Gardeners Unite (San Jose Mercury News)
There have been quite a few lively discussions going on in the gardening blogosphere lately about the lack of quality garden-related programs on HGTV, DIY and others anymore.

Gardening Q&A (The Cincinnati Enquirer)
Question: I enjoy potted Norfolk Island pine trees in my home during the holidays. But I can't seem to keep them alive all year. Are there any tricks to growing Norfolk Island pine trees as houseplants?

Garden equipment (Jersey Insight)
All things to do with gardening wanted.Water butts essential.

BHPB RECRUITS FORMER RIO EXEC (Mining Journal)
One year after announcing he would take over from Marius Kloppers as non-ferrous group executive and chief executive, BHP Billiton said Andrew Mackenzie (pictured) has started in the position bringing an end to one of the longest gardening leaves in history.

Orange Perennials For Your Garden

12/01/08

Carol A Cass

Perennials are wonderful because, they bloom year after year. Sometimes, I forget that I even have them planted and then they spring up to my surprise and delight! I like to add some zip to my garden with flowers that are orange in color. They add a vibrant touch and the brilliant colors attract birds and insects.

Here’s some of my favorite orange perennials:
Butterfly Weed – This flowers in summer and can get as high as three feet. It has compact clusters of flowers and as the name implies, it does attract butterflies!

Day Lily – I see this beautiful flower growing wild all over the place here in New Hampshire. It blooms in summer and sits on 30” tall stalks. These perennials are virtually care free and will grow in most locations. Since 1 stalk can have over fourty flowers, you can have a bed of these that blooms for a month or more in the summer.

Gaillardia – This comes in a regular size that has 4” daisy like flowers and a dwarf size. The plant is short growing to about 2 feet and blooms in summer. These like to be planted in the full sun but are quite hardy and you can extend the bloom time if you cut off the fading flowers. And the best thing is that they also attract butterflies!

Helianthemum - Blooms This is a good ground cover that blooms in summer It is easy to grow on rocky slopes and creates a border of color. If you are lucky it will bloom twice, once in early summer and then again in late summer.

Oriental Poppy – Beautiful orange flowers that bloom in spring and grow to 24”. These beautiful perennials like a sunny spot with well drained soil.

Torch lily - This interesting perennial blooms in summer and produces spikes of orange cone shaped flowers that can grow to 6 feet. It likes to be planted in a sunny location and is great for zones 5 – 10. This plant attracts hummingbirds!
Trumpet Creeper – I had one of these beautiful vines growing wild up my chimney. It blooms in mid to late summer and has trumpet shaped flowers that hang from it’s lush vines. It will cling to anything and can grow up to 30 feet. It can also grow as a shrub when it has nothing to cling to. It grows quickly and also attracts hummingbirds.