| Today, gardeners are using California redwood more | | | | can be taken of the shorter growing seasons in |
| and more for such diverse purposes as plant boxes, | | | | some sections of the country. After they have been |
| fences, tool sheds, potting flats, outdoor work | | | | started indoors, young plants may be transferred to |
| benches and greenhouse benches. Because of | | | | garden boxes as soon as the weather permits. |
| modern methods of selective cutting of redwood | | | | Plant boxes are often a valuable addition to a house. |
| forests, the price of redwood is within easy reach of | | | | Ribbons of colorful flowers in window boxes have |
| the home gardener. | | | | long served as counterpoint to large window areas. |
| In addition to being extremely durable, redwood is | | | | Container designs may be used to emphasize |
| non-toxic and nearly immune to decay and termites. | | | | horizontal lines or repeat a pattern. Colors can be |
| Its shrinkage is slight, and it has a high resistance to | | | | chosen to match the trim of the house or roof or to |
| cupping and swelling. Easily worked, redwood glues | | | | provide contrast. Always, a rustic effect is obtained |
| readily, and holds paint and stain better than most | | | | when boxes are allowed to weather. |
| woods. Even when untreated, it survives years of | | | | Brick courts, patios and terraces may tic in house and |
| severe weather exposure. In color, it ranges from | | | | garden or serve as the garden with use of plant |
| the rarer ebony-like hue through rose, pink and the | | | | boxes. Large containers planted with shrubs may be |
| white of sapwood. Its grain may be intricately figured | | | | placed where foliage is desirable for shutting out a |
| or straight and dead true. | | | | view. Flowering plants relieve an overly stark |
| California's mild climate and the patio style of living it | | | | geometric pattern of brickwork or tile. They provide |
| engendered has encouraged the use of flowers and | | | | color and fragrance over a cement apron, and, on a |
| shrubs in containers placed about outdoor living areas. | | | | city lot, they enable the owner to satisfy his |
| As redwood has become available in larger quantities, | | | | horticultural cravings. |
| the idea of gardening in boxes has moved eastward. | | | | Plant containers permit greater flexibility of garden |
| With the advent of portable gardening, fertilizing, | | | | design. On the Florentine estates of Italy, great |
| weeding and watering, instead of remaining in the | | | | sculptured urns were filled with plants. These were - |
| chore category, have become experiences in | | | | and still are - studied along with statuary for their |
| nourishment and growth. Also, maximum advantage | | | | design element in formal gardens. |