Hot Caladium Coolers

The calming green foliage textures and tones found in a shady garden is refreshing and emits a cooler feeling on a hot summer day. Putting vivid color in a shaded planting is made more outstanding when you add some clumps Fancy Leaf Caladium.

You can choose from huge leaves available in a rainbow of reds, pinks and white patterns with a little green thrown in to set off their tantalizing tropical personalities. They work great in a container too for some impressive mood setting on cool, breezy covered porch. Do make sure to give them a big enough pot to keep their roots cool as late summer temperatures climb. They also will need adequate moisture to stave afternoon wilt. It would be best to try at least an 18" pot with good moisture holding media such as MiracleGro Moisture Control potting mix.

For shorter clumps of sizzling color amidst the hostas and ferns, check out the Dwarf Caladium varieties. These would make better small container and mixed container garden dwellers. The full impact of gorgeous Caladium is best enjoyed when it has room to grow full and lush. They do bloom in white, the shape of which always reminds me of a snake charmer's cobra. The flowers are interesting but the leaves steal the stage.

Through The Eyes of a Child

A month ago the new season's plant selections arrived at every garden center in town. I decided to take my granddaughter to the "flower store". She was very excited at the idea which was huge in her two and half year old mind. While very intelligent she is still a beginner in our world, and I had no idea what to expect when we arrived at our destination.

It was nothing like my imagined trip. It exceeded anything I thought would happen. It was one of those days that you could kick yourself for not having a movie camera in your purse. Her first visit to a garden center was more exciting than Christmas morning. You see, most of her knowledge of ornamental plants was from photos and a few paltry pots on the porch.

She petted the Gerber Daisies, exclaiming over all the colors she saw in the rack. The first one gallon pot of May Night Salvia she saw was immediately hugged to her small, slim body. "Nonnie! We must have this one for Mommy!" She was persuaded to put it back and keep looking. So short of stature I don't think she realized there was much more to look at.

After I showed her how many different things there were to see beyond her level of view, she was everywhere. Darting about smelling this one, oohing over the color of that one and generally beside herself with all there was to discover. Next, she discovered scents which started a frenzied search for "that 'liscious smell' which after much searching turned out to be a table of Dianthus.

The entire live plant area was hugged and fondled as that developing mind skipped and sang through the aisles. The Barbie Princess Kitchen was very pale in comparison to this level of excitement. I was hard pressed to keep up with her and put back everything she had to have. I guess she has inherited more from me than my fingernails. Her poor parents aren't into plants, but thats okay, Nonnie is here for you kiddo.

The Guilty Gardener