Begonia Show Report
Book Nook by Bob McLaughlin
Gift Corner by Betty Hargrave
Independence Day Ideas
Long Stem Tips by Sally Moore
New Herbs by Don Miller
NOW's The Time
Pond Particulars by Joe Steele
Pond Plants by Jill Zeagler
Sedum by Tonita Viana

North Haven Books by Bob McLaughlin

There are always interesting new arrivals in our Book Department. Here are some:

The Hosta Book - Beautiful color photos, a wealth of experience from Hosta growers around the world and updated cultivar selections are used.

The Old Rose Advisor - More than 2,300 cultivars are listed. Fullest descriptions and history with remarks by the original breeders. Lush illustrations.

Water Gardening, Water Lilies and Lotuses - One of the most definitive books on water gardening we have ever had. Every aspect of designing, building and planting is covered.

We are into the Herb books big time. Some of our latest selections include, Herb Gardening in Texas, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Mother Natures Herbal, Southern Herb Growing and Basil.

If you haven't tried Orchids or always wanted to know about them try: Slipper Orchids, A Manual of Orchids, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids, Kew Gardening Guide to Orchids and Dendrobuim Orchids of Australia .

Over 200 people attended the annual meeting of National American Begonia Society in Houston. Some came from as far away as Britain and Japan.

This year the big winner was our own greenhouse manager Don Miller. Don brought home 7 blue ribbons and 3 red with the 10 plants he entered. His first prize winnings included Best in Show for his Black Joker a rhizomatous begonia. Best Southwest R egion Hybrid for his Wee Paws rhizomatous begonia, a dwarf begonia with black mottled leaves and light pink blooms. We can look forward to seeing this one at North Haven Gardens in the near future. Best Cane In Show with Guy Savard a silvery-mottled begonia with pink flowers. Congratulations Don. Well done again!

Plant: Fall blooming perennials annuals and start fall garden crops from seed now. There is plenty of time to plant summer blooming annuals like Cosmos, Zinnia, Cleome, Cypress Vine, Thithomia ect.

Fertilize: Lawns with slow release fertilizer. Keep those vegetables well fed with foliar feed and organic fertilizers.

Pests: Watch for spider mites. Spray at three day intervals with Sun Spray. For fireants use Logic bate and a safe mound drench like Pyrethum-Rotonone or True Stop. Boiling water poured on mound works well too.

Water: Patio pots dry out quickly in summer heat. Check these twice a day.

Sedum by Tonita Viana

How would you like a plant that is sun-loving, drought resistant, and provides masses of color. Try Sedums or often-called Stone Crops. There are over 400 species and they have many uses. They are perfect for rock gardens, useful as deciduous grou nd covers, and attractive houseplants and hanging baskets.

Most Sedums tolerate a large range of temperatures and are very drought tolerant. Stone Crops will grow in almost any soil except heavy peat moss.

Sedum spectabile gets to approximately 18" tall with dark green leaves. Their large flat top purple blooms attract nectar-feeding butterflies.

Sedum spurium is the most common Stone Crop. It is used for a fast growing ground cover and its colors range from white, purple and bronze flowers. Most species range to 18 " tall. This is the best species for a ground cover.

Sedum Acre is a beautiful low growing (to 4" tall) plant with tiny yellow flowers.

Sedum sieboldii is great for rock gardens or potted plants. The stems branch out to 12" long. Pink flowers bloom in Oct. This species is one of the most winter tolerant and great for a perennial border.

As you can see Sedums are very versatile plants. Come in today and see our wide variety of Sedums. Even if you don't like the heat of summer your Sedums will.

Long stem tips by Sally Moore

I ventured down to south Texas this past April for the Roundtop Antique and Folk Art show. If you haven't heard of this festival you must try to make it! Artisans from all over Texas show their wares, which is how I found Randy Martin.

Randy makes functional Victorian birdhouses or bird Chapels, as I like to call them. This East Texas artisan found himself unemployed four years ago. He was a sales representative in the grocery business and his company sold out.

He says his wife, Sherri, a gardener and antique collector, asked him to build a birdhouse for her mother on Mother's Day. Little did he know that bird house would give him a name all over the country as well as Australia and Japan.

Each birdhouse is made of western red cedar. The copper vines and flowers that adorn each house are as handmade as the houses themselves. Each house or chapel as it were has some old Victorian hardware functioning as the roof, porch, perch or stee ple While they are built for outdoor function most people have no intention of putting them outside.

We invite you to North Haven to see these new found Victorian treasures. You're sure to want one to decorate your home, but please, buy one for the birds too!

The Gift Corner by Betty Hargrave.

Take a break from the busy summer activities and relax at North Haven Gardens. You will find gifts for all the birthday, wedding and thank you gifts you need.

We have a wonderful collection of Victorian birdhouses and a delightful Victorian bench. These are designed from old boards and trimmed with glass doorknobs, fence tops and whimsical flower trim. They are a perfect touch for any garden. The bench will take you back to the Victorian era. It is just waiting to be piled with bright pillows and invite you to read a book and enjoy a glass of iced tea. This isn't all… we also have a new group of unusual wrought iron benches.

We have a great collection of traditional style Hummingbird and Butterfly feeders. We continue to offer a wide collection of traditional bird feeders and a selection of seed, suet and other supplies for the bird watchers.

A great addition to the garden is a sundial. We have many unusual styles. Remember they give standard time not daylight saving.

The wonderful tuned wind chimes add a musical touch to your patio or garden. Several styles from traditional to whimsical.

Summer tropical plants are a great gift idea and at North Haven you will find a large collection for the poolside, patio and house. Many magazines and garden books are featuring tropical plants in the garden and landscape. These give the garden th at special tropical look.

Be sure to see our large collection of native trees and plants. These are especially easy to grow. A beautiful desert willow with its orchid like blooms adds so much color to the garden.

A wide collection of containers for the home and patio can always be found at North Haven. Bird baths and fountains are great add-ons to the summer garden. We have an interesting collection of terra cotta pots of varied sizes and an unusual finish that gives them an aged look.

Remember, if you can't decide just what to give - a North Haven Gift certificate continues to be the perfect gift. See you soon f