January/ February 1999

Articles		Page
OVER THE FENCE		4
TIPS Beating wet winters; do-it-yourself rain catcher		8
GARDEN ARCHITECTURE Fences, walls, and hedges enclose a garden with character		10
BASICS Mycorrhizae matter; witches' brooms		14
PRAISEWORTHY PLANTS Cut leaf lilac; sweet black-eyed Susan; Verbascum 'Southern Charm'		18
JAPANESE MAPLES FOR SPRING COLOR by Nancy Fiers Though most often prized for their fall foliage, many Japanese maples shine brightest at season's start		22
REDESIGNING THE BACKYARD Fine Gardening's Landscape Design Challenge We challenged three designers to transform a simple space into a garden retreat		27
OUT OF THE GARDEN AND OUT OF CONTROL by Todd Meier These ornamental plants may look nice growing wild, but they're wreaking havoc on our environment		34
KEEPING UP WITH AN EVER-CHANGING GARDEN by Ken Druse As a garden grows, rely on good bones, a design theme, and responsive tactics		38
GROW YOUR OWN CONIFERS FROM HARDWOOD CUTTINGS by Charles W. G. Smith It takes a little patience, but the technique is straightforard and gives good results		43
FETCHINGLY FESTIVE FORGET-ME-NOTS by Mary Whipps Bolster your spring beds with these versatile little flowers		46
NURTURE SEEDLINGS ON A TIERED GROWING STAND by Walter Pickard This inexpensive, homemade stand holds 20 flats under fluorescent lights		50
SCULPTING TREES AND SHRUBS by Jim York Pruning tools, fishing line, stones, and a little limagination can turn woody plants into works of art		52
COVERING GROUND WITH CREEPING PLANTS by Erica Glasener These herbaceous ground covers spread quickly and are easy-care favorites		56
DESIGN TECHNIQUES FOR PICTURESQUE PLANTINGS by Douglas Ruhren Making the most of shape, size, and texture is just as important as creating colorful combinations		60
REVIEWS		67
GARDEN GEAR		68
Q&A Ivy on stucco walls; English garden design		70
CONTAINER GARDENING Planting containers for all-season interest		77
LAST WORD A Monster in the Garden		82

Japanese Maples for Spring Color, Redesigning the Backyard, Out of the Garden and Out of Control, Keeping Up with an Ever-Changing Garden, Grow Your Own Conifers from Hardwood Cuttings, Fetchingly Festive Forget-Me-Nots, Nurture Seedlings on a Tiered Growing Stand, Sculpting Trees and Shrubs, Design Covering Ground with Creeping Plants, Techniques for Picturesque Plantings