Wooden Walkways for Gardens

How to make a mini cactus garden

Supplies Needed: A wide, shallow vase (mine is approximately 10 inches wide by 5 inches high), rocks, soil, cactus plants you love (you can mix in some succulents and aloe too if you like!) and a shovel. This project takes about 20 minutes to complete. Cacti and succulent plants rarely need to be watered. Most people say to water them once or twice a month or when the soil is completely dry. Step 1: Add some rocks to the bottom of the vase. This will help with drainage when you water them. Step 2: Add soil. I filled mine to about an inch from the top, but it wasn't densely packed so there was still plenty of room for plants. Step 3: Plant a group of small plants in the soil. Be sure to space out any colorful cacti. Step 4: Cover the top of the soil with a thin layer of rocks. It's just for looks! So cute... done!

How to make a mini Pond

Adding a mini-pond to your garden is a superb, budget-oriented way to incorporate the water element in your exterior design. If you want to find out more about the adding nature elements to your interior and exterior design, A mini-pond is a perfect home for small decorative fish and some water lilies. Moreover, a mini-pond in a bucket is extremely easy to make at home.

Bismarckia nobilis

Description
This massive tropical palm commands attention and inspires awe wherever it is grown. The Bismarck palm's stout trunk and symmetry of the huge crown lends a formal note while the startling blue green foliage amplifies the visual impact of this big beauty. It grows a single trunk that is smooth on mature specimens but young individuals retain old leaf bases.
 This palm may reach an ultimate height of 50-60 ft (15-18m) with a spread of 20 ft (6m) or more. Even young specimens that have yet to form a trunk sport full crowns of about 25 leaves with the maximum spread! The huge palmate leaves are bright light blue, waxy and are up to 10 ft (3m) across. They are supported on 6 ft (1.8 m) stems that can be 10 in (25cm) in diameter. The leaf bases split where they attach to the trunk (like those of Sabal palmetto) and the leaf stems are armed with small sharp teeth.
 Location 
Bismarckia nobilis is native to the island of Madagascar which is off the east coast of Africa. Madagascar is home to hundreds of unique and fascinating plant species including many of our favorite palms like the bottle palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) and the traveler's palm (Ravenala madagascariensis), a palmlike plant related to the bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae). Culture This palm is adaptable to many kinds of soil. Light: Prefers full sun but is tolerant of some shade. Moisture:
Once established this palm is drought tolerant.
 Propagation:
Seeds germinate easily in 6 to 8 weeks.
 Usage :
Because of its huge ultimate size and mass, the Bismarck palm is not recommended for small yards as it dominates its space, dwarfing and obscuring adjacent structures. This palm is best planted where it can serve as a focal point. Planted against a dark backdrop of foliage, it serves as living sculpture adding drama and interest to the landscape. Features Bismarckia nobilis is the only species in the genus. It was a relatively recent introduction to American landscapes (and other warm zone regions of the world). Bismarck palm is rapidly gaining popularity as it is a spectacular species that is drought tolerant and not as subject to disease and nutritional deficiencies as many other landscape palm species. If you have the space to accommodate its impressive bulk, try this handsome brute in
your garden.

 

Palms Common Names & Scientific names

Alexander Palm - Archontophoenix alexandrae Areca Palm - Areca triandra Bismarck Palm - Bismarckia nobilis Blue Hesper Palm - Brahea armata Canary Island Date Palm - Phoenix canariensis Chinese Fan Palm - Livistona chinensis Christmas Palm - Veitchia merillii Chusan Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei Coconut Palm - Cocos nucifera Edible Date Palm - Phoenix dactilifera European Fan Palm - Chamaerops humilis Fishtail Palm - Caryota mitis Foxtail Palm - Wodyetia bifurcata Guadalupe Palm - Brahea edulis Indian Date Palm - Phoenix rupicola Majestic Palm - Ravenea rivularis Montgomery Palm - Veitchia montgomeryana Paurotis Palm - Acoelorrhaphe wrightii Pigmy Date Palm - Phoenix roebelenii Pindo/Jelly Palm - Butia capitata Queen Palm - Syagrus romanzoffiana Senegal Date Palm - Phoenix reclinata Royal Palm - Roystonea regia Mexican Palmetto - Sabal mexicana Dwarf Palmetto - Sabal minor Sabal Palm - Sabal palmetto Sylvester Palm - Phoenix sylvestris Tiger Palm - Burretiokentia vieillardii Triangle Palm - Dypsis decaryi Washington Palm - Washingtonia robusta Sago Palm - Cycas revoluta Travellers Palm - Ravenala madagascariensis

Caryota mitis

Common Names: fishtail palm
Family: Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family)
 Description
Fishtail palms typically form multi-stemmed clumps up to 25 ft (8 m) high and 12 ft (4 m) wide. Each slender stem is topped with several bipinnate leaves than can reach 9 ft (3 m) in length. The light green leaflets are shaped like a fish's tail fin, hence its common name (see photo below). Like other species in the genus (see C. urens), as well as the related genera Arenga (see A. engleri) and Wallichia, mature plants first begin flowering at the top of the stem. Subsequent flowering proceeds lower and lower down the stem. After the last flowering, the stem dies and should be removed. The clump will survive, however, and continue to produce more stems.
 Location
Caryota mitis is native to southeast Asia where it grows as an understory plant in tropical rain forests. Culture Light: Fishtail palm thrives full sun to part shade, and even in shade .
 Moisture:
This palm needs adequate moisture, but with good drainage.
Propagation:
Seeds take 4-6 months to germinate. Fishtail palm can also be propagated by division of clumps and separation of suckers from the parent clump.
 Usage
The fishtail palm can be used in shrub borders and outdoor container plantings. It tolerates heavy shade and is often used in interior plantings in commercial buildings. It does well in indoor containers. Because it is shallow rooted, it should be planted in an area protected from wind. This palm is perfect for understory planting in woodland areas. Features Fishtail palm is a tough, easy to grow palm that makes a great houseplant, and is sometimes available from discount store garden centers at a reasonable price.
 WARNING
Avoid contact with the red fruit produced by this palm. It contains oxalic acid which is toxic when ingested, and contact with skin may result in severe chemical burns.

Brachychiton acerifolius

Brachychiton acerifolius, commonly known as the Illawarra Flame Tree, is a large tree of the family Malvaceae native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless. Along with other members of the genus Brachychiton, it is commonly referred to as a Kurrajong. Brachychiton acerifolius was first described in 1855 by W. Macarthur and C. Moore.[1] It is sometimes spelled as Brachychiton acerifolium, under the assumption that the genus name Brachychiton is (Greek) neuter. In fact, Brachychiton is masculine, and hence the correct species epithet is acerifolius. The name Brachychiton is derived from the Greek brachys, meaning short, and chiton, a type of tunic, as a reference to the coating on the seed. The specific epithet acerifolius suggests the appearance of the foliage is similar to that of the genus Acer, the maples. This tree is tolerant of temperate climates and is now cultivated world-over for its beauty. However, the maximum height of 40 metres (130 ft) is reached only in the original, warmer, habitat. It usually grows to be about 20 metres (66 ft) Similarly to its Kurrajong relatives the leaves are variable, with up to 7 deep lobes. It is deciduous - shedding its leaves after the dry season. The spectacular flowering occurs in late spring and new foliage is ready for the summer rains. In areas where the winter is not particularly dry, this natural rhythm may become somewhat erratic and the tree may flower only partially.[2] Flowers are scarlet bells with 5 partially fused petals.[2] The pod-like fruits (technically known as follicles) are dark brown, wide, boat-shaped and about 10 cm long. They contain masses of thin bristles that stick in the skin of humans, as well as yellow seeds. These are nutritious and were eaten by Aborigines after toasting.

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