February 2012 Picks for the Gardener

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: February, 2012, Page 104

HENS ’N’ CHICKSWhat better way to show off the unusual hens and chicks succulent than in hen- and chick-shaped containers. The ceramic pots come packaged in pairs, complete with the easy-care, low-water-use plants. Find them at redenvelope.com.

ALFRESCO ART
Fine craftsmanship and a unique shape give the Ellipse Bird Home from Byer of Maine the look of outdoor garden art. The birdhouse, which comes in green, yellow or red (pictured), is handcrafted from mango wood and finished with multiple coats of polyurethane. It comes with pre-drilled drainage holes, a removable hatch for cleaning, and hardware. To purchase, log on to byerofmaine.com.

INSECT SHIELD
If you get bugged by pests when in the garden, Insect Shield® Apparel offers a line of outdoor wear incorporating a bug-repelling material. Called permethrin, the repellent is tightly bound into the fabric of the garment and is said to last through up to 70 launderings. Pictured is the White Sierra Swamp Half Zip Hoodie in green. Find it at REI stores, or at gearbuyer.com.

GOING NATIVELooking for hardy vegetation for Arizona’s high elevations? Jan Busco and Nancy R. Morin, along with staff from The Arboretum at Flagstaff in Arizona, compiled a list in Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens, 2nd Edition (Fulcrum Publishing). The book highlights 150 low-maintenance perennials, grasses, bulbs, vines, ferns and ground covers that work well at high elevations (5,000 feet and above). —LeeAnn DiSanti

KNOW YOUR LIZARDS
Arizona is home to more than 50 native species of lizards. Learn how to find and identify them in Lizards of the American Southwest: A Photographic Field Guide (Rio Nuevo Publishers). Edited by Lawrence L. C. Jones and Robert E. Lovich, the book includes information on lizard habitats, history, taxonomy and viewing tips from 77 experts. —LeeAnn DiSanti