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...................................................................... Create an Oasis of Joy! B Y J EFF S TABLER , L ITTLE M OUNTAIN N URSERY P HOTOS COURTESY OF L ITTLE M OUNTAIN N URSERY S INCE THE H EART OF A LABAMA IS SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME , MANY PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPRUCE UP THEIR YARDS . G ARDENING AND FLOWERS CAN BE A NATURAL STRESS RELIEVER AND MOOD BOOSTER . I F YOU HAVEN ’ T ALREADY , NOWWOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO START BEAUTIFYING YOUR YARD ! H ERE ARE A FEW POINTERS ON HOW TO TURN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE INTO AN OASIS OF JOY ! t’s summertime in the South and plants, like people, can be put in three distinct categories: they either thrive in the sun or need the cover of shade, or they are somewhere in between! Several species of blooming plants thrive in the heat of full sun. Purslane, angelonia, dark leaf begonias, Joseph’s coat, vinca, pentas, zinnias, and salvia are just a few varieties of annuals that can take our summer temperatures. These se- lections perform well both in containers and in beds. Perennials, meaning plants that come back year after year, are a favorite for summertime gar- dens and beds for their ease of care and showy blooms. Lantana, echinacea, day lilies, Queen Anne’s lace, ginger lilies, black-eyed Susans, and asters provide colorful flowers year after year. While shade selections are more limited in color, they are not lacking in beauty. Impatiens, green leaf begonias, coleus, caladiums, rex bego- nias, and torenia prefer to stay out of long stretches of daily sun. Morning sun is fine, but the heat of the afternoon is too harsh for these tender varieties. Perennials for the shade garden make up for lack of blooms with fantastic textures and patterns. Hostas, which come in all sorts of colors and intensities, have fabulous foliage! Heuchera has leaves in neon green, purple, and everything in between. These mounds of color also shoot up whispy blooms in early summer. Astilbe, ajuga, holly fern, southern wood fern, INSIDE OUT............................................................ 14 AL/ Metro360 www.almetro360.com I