Aloe vera     This succulent is native to northern Africa and has been used medicinally for centuries. Snip off a piece and use the sap to treat minor cuts, burns and bites.  Grow indoors in bright light and water when dry.

 

 

Bird's Nest Fern     Native to southeast Asia, Australia, Hawaii and India, bird's nest fern is usually found as an epiphyte, growing on another plant for support.  Long, lush fronds can reach up to two feet.  Grow in medium to bright light and keep soil moist.

 

 

Bromeliad     Close relatives of bromeliads include,

surprisingly, pineapples and spanish moss and this epiphyte is native to the tropical and subtropical Americas.  Dramatic, colorful blooms last up to thirteen weeks and plants will eventually produce numerous "pups" or baby plants!  Grow in bright light and water when dry.

 

 

Kalanchoe     Succulents with bright, long-lasting blooms, kalanchoes are the best choice for lots of color and little care.  Grow indoors in medium to bright light and water only when dry.

 

 

Spider Plant      Native to South Africa, this member of the Lily family has been shown to reduce indoor air pollution!  Grass-like, variegated foliage looks spectacular in hanging baskets.  Small, white flowers develop on long stalks and are followed by miniature spider plants that can be cut off and rooted separately.  Grow indoors in bright light and water when dry.           

  

In suburban America today the lawn is integral to our idea of a beautiful home and, of course, lawns offer both functional and aesthetic benefits.  But where did the idea of lawns come from?  And do the benefits of a lawn always outweigh the amount of time, energy and money spent to maintain it?

 

Lawns originated in Europe during the Middle Ages and early lawns were much like pastures.  During the 16th century lawns made up of meadow plants were used as walkways and recreational areas.  In the early 17th century the first manicured lawns appeared- a luxury afforded only by the wealthy class.  The 18th century brought about a shift in garden design from formal, enclosed spaces to informal, open gardens.  The manorhouse, surrounded by park-like lawns grazed by cows, sheep or deer, became the garden ideal.  This idea travelled across the Atlantic and most notably influenced gardens surrounding southern plantations and later, New York's Central Park.  Following the Civil War, lawns first appeared around middle class residences in the United States.  The emergence of suburbs in the late 19th century, along with the invention of the sprinkler in 1871, improved mowing machines and eventually the creation of the five day work week in 1926 when Henry Ford began shutting down his factories on Saturday and Sunday, gave Americans the tools and extra time needed to maintain lawns.

 

The fact that specialized tools and extra time were needed before lawns could be enjoyed by the masses signals an important underlying point: lawns are not self-sustaining.  Firstly, lawn grasses are native to cool, wet regions such as Great Britain.  Successful growth in hot, dry climates requires supplemental water and fertilizing.  Secondly, lawns are ecological monocultures, that is, one plant occupying a given area.  This is an artificial existence not found in nature, where ecosystems are composed of many plants so that if one is lost the ecosystem can continue to flourish.  Thirdly, lawn grasses naturally grow 6 to 8 inches tall but much time and energy is exerted to maintain lawns at lesser heights.

 

So should we do away with our lawns?  The functional and aesthetic benefits, as recreational space and a backdrop and contrasting "carpet" to other plantings, are reasons enough to enjoy and maintain lawns.  However, less is more and re-thinking the size of your lawn procures monetary, time-saving and aesthetic benefits.  Eliminating sections of lawn and creating natural areas planted with trees, shrubs, groundcovers and herbaceous plants can save you time, money and energy in the long run.  The remaining areas of lawn will be more striking in contrast to these plantings.  Here are some ideas to make your lawn more beautiful and easier to maintain: