Another one of my favorite flowers are blooming now: Four o’clocks or Marvel of Peru. It is an unusual plant, in that it may produce flowers of different colors on the same plant—including white, yellow, and a variety of pink, red, and magenta colors. Individual flowers may also feature a mixture of colors. The plant can be expected to bloom from mid-summer all the way until frost.
They typically bloom in the late afternoon, from about 4:00 to 8:00 pm, although on cloudy days they may not close at all. Since four o’clocks bloom in the evening, plant them where you’re sure to see them and catch a whiff of their fragrance. They mingle and grow through other plants nicely, making a nice underplanting. Hummingbirds will visit your garden because they are attracted to four o’ clock’s tubular flowers.
Exterior siding for your home is the first line of defense against the elements and the first thing buyers see from the curb. From brick to stucco to vinyl to wood, there are a number of different options for your next build. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the seven most popular varieties.
Vinyl
The pros: Relatively inexpensive and quite versatile, vinyl can be installed over existing materials, making it a nice retrofit option. Since it’s easy to handle, it can also be installed quickly, which can help reduce labor costs. Modern vinyl is also available in a variety of colors and textures, which can mimic wood shingles, wood-grain lap siding and even stone.
The cons: While promoted as a maintenance-free material, vinyl siding does require some work. Mold and grime can build up on the surface. Vinyl is also vulnerable to weather damage, which may result in occasional repairs. Since the typical panel is 12-feet long, the ends require overlapping, which results in seams. Extra-long panels are available; however, they cost about 30 percent more than standard-length panels.
Wood
The pros: Easy to
cut, shape and install, wood siding is prized by designers and homeowners for
its natural aesthetics. Whether it’s board and batten, shakes, clapboards or
shingles, there are an array of wood species and grades to consider. Quality
wood siding can last decades with proper maintenance.
The cons: Quality
wood grades cost a lot, and the siding will always demand diligent maintenance.
Wood siding is also vulnerable to woodpeckers, termites and rot.
Fiber
Cement
The pros: A
mixture of clay, cement, pulp and sand, fiber cement has a strong reputation
for low maintenance and stability. It can be made to mimic stucco, shingles,
masonry and wood clapboard. It’s also easy to paint and available in a
diversity of attractive finishes. Fiber cement siding is termite-proof,
fire-resistant and comes with a 30-year warranty.
The cons: Because
it is so heavy, fiber cement requires special installation tools and techniques,
which can drive up building costs. After about 15 years, it usually needs to be
refinished; however, maintenance duties are virtually nonexistent otherwise.
Stucco
Pros: Valued
for its durability and unique aesthetics, stucco includes epoxy, which helps to
prevent cracking and chipping. Well-maintained stucco can last a lifetime,
especially in drier parts of the country.
Cons: Because
it usually requires three coats, stucco siding can drive up labor costs. It’s
also not an ideal option in wetter climates; however, with proper application
techniques, it is still a viable option.
Engineered
Wood Siding
Pros: Made
from exterior-grade resins and wood fibers, this siding material is strong
enough to tolerate the most extreme weather conditions. It’s available in a
nice variety of textures and styles, such as rough-sawn clapboard, beaded lap
and wood shingles. It also usually comes primed and ready to paint or with
existing factory finishes.
Cons: While
currently backed by iron-clad warranties, earlier versions have prompted
class-action lawsuits, due to moisture issues. Many builders feel the modern
varieties haven’t been on the market long enough to prove reliable.
Brick
Pros: Masonry
offers substantial aesthetic appeal, along with impressive durability. It
requires very minimal maintenance and typically lasts the life of a home. Brick
is also resistant to fire and won’t mold or rot.
Cons: Since
masonry veneer is non-structural, builders must tie it back to the building
structure to prevent movement under weather and earthquake loads. It’s also
expensive, compared to most other siding options. Color options are also
somewhat limited.
Synthetic
Stone
Pros: Made
inside molds from a mixture of sand, cement and aggregate, synthetic stone
siding can mimic virtually any stone type, including limestone and granite.
While rarely used to cover an entire home, it makes a great accent on chimney
exteriors and lower portions of walls. Synthetic stone looks very similar to
real stone at a fraction of the cost. Because it’s lightweight, there’s also no
need for builders to reinforce foundation footings.
Cons: While
it does cost much less than real stone, synthetic stone is still quite
expensive relative to other siding options. Also, because it is made of concrete,
synthetic stone is less structurally sound than actual stone.
My favorite rose (and the only one that survives) is the
Fairy Rose is a Polyantha which means it has many clusters of blooms and
there are many sub-varieties.
It is a low growing shrub which is absolutely
smothered in blooms from spring right through to autumn. It grows to about 2 or
3 feet in height and spreads up to 4 feet in width, so when you put it in, give
it plenty of room.
It has a slight fragrance, but its blooms make up for
that. Each cluster of blossoms always has shades of rose pink, pale pink and
white as each flower head goes through its birth to death phases. This may mean
a lot of deadheading, depending on your taste, but I never had to deadhead mine
even once, except after the flowers finished. Some pictures show up a lot of
dead blooms, but I never saw that many on my bush. This rose is very prickly –
its only downside. So just wear thick gloves when working with it.
It is resistant to rust, powdery mildew and even black spot
(ideal for South Dakota). It is also shade tolerant; ideal for at the base of a
tree or in a corner (although it must have good air circulation around its
base, like all roses).
The Fairy Rose needs very little attention. It is hardy,
drought and disease resistant and blooms ‘as if it meant it’. Wherever you put
it, it asks for only one thing: good drainage. Like all roses, they hate wet
feet. It loves a good organic or compost mulch, and if you must give it
fertilizer, use a slow release, occasionally. Early pruning after the flowering
season will promote new growth and deadheading will extend the life of the
flowers well into autumn.
