May/ June 1998

Articles		Page
OVER THE FENCE More moonlight magic; fire ants don't eat grits; invasive plants		4
TIPS Stop slugs in their tracks; low-cost soil tamper; chain-link camouflage		8
Q&A Companions for lilies; pruning crape myrtle		12
BASICS It's a jungle out there; How plants compete for limited resources		18
PRAISEWORTHY PLANTS Seven son flower; Pennisetum setaceum ÔRubrum'; Indian Pink		22
SPLENDID, SPUNKY PENSTEMONS by Ellen Wilde You can grow these high-performing, easy-care perennials anywhere in North America		28
DIGGING A HOLE WITH EASE by Adam Levine Proper tools and techniques make this task less daunting		35
DESIGNING A LAWNLESS FRONT YARD by Allan Earp One gardener's bold solution for gaining garden space is to trade greensward for a yard of trees, shrubs and perennials		38
ANCHOR YOUR GARDEN WITH STRIKING ANNUALS by Barbara Blossom Ashmun With bold foliage and exotic flowers, these statuesque plants steal the show		42
CHOOSING PAVERS FOR THE GARDEN by Vincent Laurence Bricks, concrete pavers, and stone will all keep your shoes from getting muddy - here's some help in picking the paving that's right for you		46
TO REDESIGN YOUR WINDOW BOX, JUST CHANGE THE POTS by Danny Hills Creating new combinations is easy in an outdoor container filles with potted plants		52
PRUNING PERENNIALS IN MIDSEASON by Tracy DiSabato-Aust Cutting-edge techniques coax shaplier plants and prolonged bloom times		55
A CUTTING GARDEN FOR ALL SEASONS by Valerie Easton Plan a garden that never looks plundered - no matter how many vases you fill		60
HARDY WINTER IRISES by C. Greg Speichert Graceful and elegant, yet tough as nails, these beauties work well in any garden, but shine in wet sites		67
CONTAINER GARDENING Create an elegant hanging basket		72
REVIEWS Gardening with Nature; The Smaller Perennials; Naturalizing Bulbs		76
READERS' EXCHANGE The true jasmine; attention all lefties; lady's lippers or balsa		80
LAST WORD Vernal Obsession		98

Splendid Spunky Penstemons, Digging a Hole with Ease, Designing a Lawnless Front Yard, Anchor Your Garden with Striking Annuals, Choosing Pavers for the Garden, To Redesign Your Window Box -- Just Change the Pots, Pruning Perennials in Midseason, A Cutting Garden for All Seasons, Hardy Winter Irises