The Forsyth County news. (Cumming, Ga.) 19??-current, April 14, 1996, Image 60

The Forsyth County news., April 14, 1996, Page PAGE 28D, Image 60

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Newspaper Page TextPAGE 28D FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Sunday, April 14,1996 Catch the Olympic spirit in your landscape You may not have front row seats to the opening ceremonies, but you can still show your Olympic spirit by displaying the colors of lhe Centennial Olympic Games in your landscape. Most Georgians have seen Izzy, the mascot chosen for the 1996 Games . But did you know that each Olympic Games also selects its own unique set of theme colors? The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games chose blue, green, magenta, purple and gold as its col ors. Front a horticultural perspective these are great colors, not only because a number of plants have either foliage or flowers matching them but also because they combine well from the design standpoint. Each Olympic Games also has its own unique visual signature or Don 7 buy a garden weed problem this spring Homeowners routinely buy mulches, topsoil, plants and vari ous soil amendments in their quest to create attractive landscapes. However, these inputs may also bring in unwanted pests, particu larly weeds. Weeds are part of any garden ing or landscape maintenance. Soils arc naturally infested with weed seeds, and watchful weed control must be practiced. No one wants to sell or buy a weed problem. But just as they are in home landscapes, weeds are a fact of life in plant nurseries, sod farms and commercial seed-pro duction farms. At most of these sites, produc ers make everv effort and usually <9 Scott's ALL SEASON LANDSCAPING (706)216-2649 -LAWN MAINTENANCE •PRUNING •PLANTING •TIMBER BORDERING •EDGING •SPRING AND FALL CLEANUP •POWER WASHING ALL YOUR LAWN CARE NEEDS COMMERCIAL * RESIDENTIAL “look,” and ACOG has chosen the “Quill of Leaves” for the ‘96 Games. Called Quiltscape, the color combinations symbolize Atlanta’s grace and natural beauty, the ancient traditions of the Olympic Games and the cullural heritage and hospitality of the American South. The quilt effect is also intended to reflect the diversity and unity achieved in the patchwork of Georgia communities all working together to host the Games. To achieve the fastest “look” in the shortest time, annuals and herbaceous perennials are your best bet. If your Quiltscape is planned for full sun, good choices for blue include blue agcratum (Scaevola ‘Blue Wonder’); Russian sage succeed in controlling weeds. However, a few don't do a good job. When you shop for ornamental plants, turf sod and seed, mulches, topsoil and soil amendments, you can see that the same item often varies widely in price. Those price differences may reflect the retail outlets marketing strategics, or they may indicate quality. With respect to weeds, a low-price product may contain a high percentage of weed seeds or seedlings. Each year many homeowners experience the tribulations of buy ing topsoil contaminated with See WEEDS, Page 29D SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT (Perovskia atriplicifolia); Brazilian verbena (Verbena bonariensis); or Veronica spicata ‘Sunny Border Blue.’ Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’) provides a fast-growing green background. For gold, try Lantana ‘New Gold,’ Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum’ or one of the gold sun-loving coleus. Crimson fountain grass (Penniseum setaceum Rubrum), is among the best and most durable plants to provide a warm magenta. Bachelor’s buttons (Comphrena globosa) is another good choice. Purple is no problem with Setcreasea ‘Purple Heart,’ Verbena ‘Homestead Purple’ or Salvia fari nacea ‘Victoria.’ For shady spots, Quiltscape col ors can be achieved with blue hosta or Plumbago auriculata (blue), WAREHOUSE CARPET ■: 5 CLOSE OUT! ■! “■ »CUT LOOP ‘BERBERS ‘SAXONY ,■ WALL TO WALL PAD 100% NYLON UP TO 350 sq. ft. 1 “■ ■" Guarantee of LOWEST PRICES ■" "■ $lB9 $299 $439 ■" Multi • Colored Solids Stainmaster y PA?OppCo — — nJ ■ local jr ■■CARPET DEPOT 770-889-9753 L — N g wO 1/4 Mile From Leon’s at Hwy. 369 • Open Mon.-Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-3, Closed Sun. - - : : — 1 i i Is this the best cleaning team you can find? We don’t think so. Merry Maids is better. Here’s why: • Bonded • Insured • Social •We bring our own equipment and supplies £ • „ . „ _. . , , ~ Security & Workers Comp Paid • We re bonded, insured and covered by i zn Workers’ Comp .<> 1 P\ / •We guarantee your satisfaction * flgV (770)271-9202; • We don’t get sick, take breaks, and, best of all, •WE DON’T WHINE! || BHLjfnefTV Merry Maids we do what they I ) FTiaidS dont Want to! 1 * . W j I New customers only. Not valid with _ . fK I • * ! other offers. Offer Expires 5/14/96. © 1996 Merry Maids L.P. BBvVB ! '■’-'■■MbMOW ■fa—l*- *’**■*’ ferns (green), gold coleus or golden star, Chrysogonum virginianum (gold), caladiums (magenta), and Setcreasea ‘Purple Heart’ (purple). There are several other choices in each category, so don’t limit yourself to these plants alone. If small-scale container garden ing is more your style, any of the plants mentioned above will adapt well. For a dramatic statement in a large pot (at least 24 inches across the rim) try one crimson fountain grass in the center with three or four plants of Petunia ‘Purple Wave’ along the side to cascade downward. Another good color combina tion would be Brazilian verbena (Verbena bonariensis) in the center for the upright, wispy look, sur rounded bv Lantana ‘New Gold’ trailing over the side. One of the best places to show your Olympic colors is at the mail box. For a single-pole mailbox, one possible combination would be one crimson fountain grass at the base allowed to engulf the pole,sur rounded by crimson Comphrena and Setcreasea ‘Purple Heart.’ Another attractive combination would be Russian sage at the base of the pole, surrounded by Lantana ‘New Gold.’ Whether you plant a single pot or a yard full of colorful flowers, Quiltscape is a great way to show community pride and support for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Your local nurseryman, county Extension agent or garden center retailer can give you more informa tion on the Quiltscape program.