January/ February 2004

Feature Articles		Page
INTERVIEW: STRETCHING THE SEASONS by Virginia Small Designer Piet Oudolf recommends using perennials with appealing seed heads and distinctive structural outllines to add interest to the fall and winter garden		32
SHARPENING PRUNERS by Melissa LeVangie Ten minutes spent with a diamond file and your blades will cut like new		36
OLD-FASHIONED ANNUALS by Denise Adams No matter what your design scheme, these colorful, time-tested favorites will add a touch of nostalgia to your garden		38
SPECIAL SECTION: SEED-STARTING AND DESIGN GUIDE		42b
MAINTENANCE PRUNING by Lee Reich By relying on a few timely, well-placed cuts, you can keep your deciduous trees and shrubs healthy		43
A FINISHING TOUCH by Steve Silk Painted furniture and structures add visual interest to a garden year-round		46
ABUNDANT INDOOR BLOOMS by Steven A. Frowine Success with African violets and their cousins depends on consistent moisture and light		50
CONTAINERS: CHOOSING TERRA-COTTA by Julia Janiak Thickness and weight are just two signs of quality		54
WEAVING A GARDEN TOGETHER by Barbara Blossom Ashmun Repeat geometric shapes, sweeps of color, and strong plant forms to tie beds and borders into a cohesive design		58
Departments		Page
CONTRIBUTORS		6
OVER THE FENCE		8
GARDEN VARIETY		12
TIPS		14
PLANTS TO KNOW AND GROW Geranium 'Rozanne', Hesperaloe parviflora, Tiarella 'Spring Symphony'		16
REGIONAL REPORTS Northeast, Florida, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, Southwest		18
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE and HARDINESS ZONE MAP		63
INSPIRED DESIGN Enclosing a garden can make a space feel more expansive		68
READERS' GALLERY		70
BOOK REVIEWS Best of the year		72
HEALTHY GARDEN Handling ice without harming plants		76
TOOL HOUND The ancient mystery of wheelbarrows		78
Q&A		80
ADVERTISER INDEX AND WEB DIRECTORY		88
LAST WORD		90

Interview: Stretching the Seasons, Sharpening Pruners, Old-Fashioned Annuals, Seed-Starting and Design Guide (special pullout), Maintenance Pruning, A Finishing Touch, Abundant Indoor Blooms, Containers: Choosing Terra-Cotta, Weaving a Garden Together