Once again we broke records with the number of visitors to the site. Brian has been very busy adding more bulletins to the News Series, so check them out if you haven't been there in a while. I know he added quite a few bulletins to the SwimmiNEWS section, and with Summer right around the corner, you might want to take a look. Vines are underused in gardens of the desert, and I cannot think why.
Vines are the jewelry of a garden, that little splash of color that makes it all come together.
They are evocative and romantic reminiscent of bright sunshine, crisp patios wrapped with floral sides, and languid days. In my fondest fantasy about vines a truly great meal is served under an arbor awash in bloom, with the scents of flowers and food mingling in the late afternoon. It is certainly hot enough in the low desert to benefit from the cooling effect of vines. Vines are important in cooling desert buildings by a process known as passive cooling. Planted against a southern or western wall or window, vines prevent the high, hot summer sun from warming walls.