PHOTOS: (SANSEVIERIA) BLAINE MOATS: (MISCANTHUS) PETE KRUMHARDT

garden | know-how

*

TEST GARDEN TIP

E a r l y t o

B e d ,

E a r l y

t o

R i s e

As spring spools up,

check out w h at’s

bloom ing in your

neighbor’s yard, in

nearby w oods, and at

local public gardens.

Early risers include

Hepatica,

colum bine

(Aquilegia),

and

hellebore. Plant these

perennials as soon

as th ey ’re available.

Early-spring bulbs

include w inter aconite

(

Eranthis

) and snow -

drops (

Galanthus

).

Make a note to plant

them next fall.

N a t u r e ’s

A i r

F i l t e r s

H o u s e p l a n t s

m a y

n o t

c u r e

t h e

c o m m o n

c o ld ,

b u t

t h e y

c a n

h e l p

y o u

b r e a t h e

e a s ie r .

It’s a jungle of germs and fumes out there.

By growing houseplants, you can at least

surround yourself with cleaner air. The natural

filtration process within plants can remove up to

87 percent of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

from the air, according to NASA research. That’s

nothing to sneeze at, considering the EPA

currently ranks indoor air pollution as one of the

top threats to public health. Need a home

remedy for what ails you? Treat yourself to an

easy-care

Sanscviaia

,

lefty

which thrives in low-

light areas, such as offices and bathrooms. For

more information on the health benefits of

houseplants, go to

02f07y0u.0rg.

B E T T E R H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1 |

B H G . C O M

1 1 9

C r a y o n s

&

F r e s h

L a u n d r y

K e e p Y o u r

H o m e

S m e llin g L ik e

H o m e

W

h a t e v e r s c e n t s f i l l y o u r h o u s e h o l d , P u r i n a ® T i d y C a t s * S c o o p h e l p s n e u t r a l i z e o d o r s

i n m u l t i p l e - c a t h o m e s , g i v i n g y o u j u s t w h a t y o u n e e d t o k e e p y o u r h o u s e s m e l l i n g l i k e

i t s h o u l d . E x p l o r e t h e f u l l r a n g e o f P u r i n a " T i d y C a t s * l i t t e r f o r m u l a s a t t i d y c a t s . c o m .