Fruit dip recipe from the kitchen of Diane Winslow: This is es-
pecially good with fresh strawberries, although any fruit will do:
1 8oz. package cream cheese | 1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream | 1 tbsp. orange liquor (optional)
1 tbsp. lemon juice | pineapple juice
Soften cream cheese, then whip with powdered sugar. Add the whip-
ping cream, lemon juice and orange liquor (if desired). Continue to
beat, adding just enough pineapple juice to achieve desired consist-
ency. Serve with fresh fruit(s) of your choice. ❦
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From laundry to garden: learn how to use graywater (household
waste water from washing machines, showers and sinks) to irrigate
your garden from Brian Barth. This design is focussed on watering
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In Praise of Encore Azaleas
by Chris Winslow
At my nursery I am often asked to suggest a plant for a particular
location.'Can you name an evergreen plant that blooms profusely, has
large, showy flowers, and thrives in the shade?'
This used to involve a lot of head-scratching… until the introduction
of the beautiful Encore Azaleas. This patented grouping of flowering
shrubs blooms up to three seasons a year. They thrive in the shade
and don’t care a bit about extremes of summer heat and winter cold.
'They begin their performance with the spring flowering season. Once
this ‘first act’ of blooming concludes, new shoots begin to grow and
The Encore Azalea's ‘second act’ opens when these buds begin
blooming into full flower mid-summer. This unique bloom season
continues through the fall, the curtain dropping with the onset of cold
weather.
(We have some 3 gal azaleas for $25.99)
Encore Azaleas are easy to grow if planted in the proper soil and kept
moderately moist. Remember, shade is a must. Cool sun exposure is
fine in the morning; however, protection from the hot afternoon sun
is essential.
Proper soil for azaleas is peat moss. Either sphagnum or reed peat
will work. The peat moss gives them the acidity to withstand the
alkalinity of our soils and water.
Two parts peat to one part pine bark mulch will make a great soil
mix. After planting, use additional pine bark to mulch around the
base of the plant.
Encore azaleas also look beautiful when planted in containers. Placed
in shady entryways or on porches or shady decks, they will add a
startling array of color throughout the year.
Speaking of colors, you can choose from Encore Azaleas selection
of 23 varieties, from a dozen shades of pink, to purple, lavender,
white, salmon, coral, deep orange-pink, and shades of light to deep
red. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have an evergreen plant
that blooms throughout the year.
Encores can and they are easy to grow. A little peat, a little water,
and a little (or a lot) of shade is all you need. (We have some 3 gal
azalias for $25.99) Happy Gardening Everyone! ❦
