May 15th, 2009
Rain chains have gained so much popularity over recent years. More and more people are realizing how functional and beautiful rain chains can be. Rain chains or Kusari doi in Japanese, have been around for hundreds of years. The Japanese have used their roofs in conjunction with rain chains for means of water collection for years. They, in turn, use this rainwater for many household purposes. There are many Japanese churches and buildings that use a very large type of rain chains for decoration. Rain chains on churches and cathedrals are becoming more and more popular. The link-stye chain is more like the original Japanese chains than the cup-style chains, although many prefer the cup-style chains for various reasons. The cup-style chains seem to have less spoashage than the link-type, although both types have the potential for some splashage if the rainfall is heavy enough. Many customers have had success with the gutter reducer, which acts like a funnel to help direct the water down through the chain. Many people like to use rain barrels or other types of receptacles to compliment their rain chains. Some worry that wind may cause their chains to blow around, but usually this is not a problem. If this is a concern, tent-like stakes can be used or even fishing wire can help to stabilize the chain. Having the chain hang into a receptacle with rocks around the bottom of the chain can also help to anchor the rain chain. Rain chains can also be used on roofs without the benefit of gutters. As long as there is an area on a roof where water streams down, a rain chain can be used successfully.
As I have stated in previous blogs, I have a partial chain hanging from one of my trees. I also have chain hanging on a shepherd’s hook in my garden. Rain chains add so much charm and personality to any garden, from the sight of the rain water cascading down through the chain to the delightful, peaceful sound of rushing water going from cup to cup. They are quite easy to attach to the gutter with each chain having its own attachment piece. Most chains can be shortened or lengthened by means of pliars. The hammered cup and the double loop chain, both, need to be cut and soldered for shortening or lengthening the chain.
All our rain chains are 100% copper and over time, and dependent upon different weather conditions, can form a lovely patina to be enjoyed for a very long time to come.
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April 1st, 2009

Hydrangeas are, next to Pansies, my very favorite flower. My mother had a whole side of the house with nothing but hydrangeas, in pinks, whites, lilacs, blues and corals. It wasn’t until just recently that I realized it was not merely luck that made these hydrangeas so lovely…….it was location, location, location! It was the perfect soil mixed with the perfect amount of shade and sun that made these flowers so perfect. And each year, they would come back with ease and little work by my mother…..only bigger and more vivid with color. She even put some in large pots and they were also a success. The Hydrangea, common names Hydrangea and Hortensia, is a genus of about 70-75 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia and North and South America.
Hydrangea flowers are produced from early spring to late autumn. They grow well in flower beds, but I have also had much success with them in large pots. I have not, until recent years, had much success with Hydrangeas. My memories of my mom’s beautiful flowers lead me to a quest to find the perfect location in the many homes I have lived in over the years Alas, I have found a place in the home I live in now. I have them in pots and in the ground. Obviously. the large oak trees that they share their space with, have given them a perfect home. My automated sprinklers give them a drink of water every other day and they get only morning sun. I am careful to “dead head” them regularly and I fertilize them every couple of months with Color Star . This year I had one pot that boomed all winter long. I brought it in and put it on my window sill until the flowers seem to begin to wilt. They are beginning to bloom again this spring and they will give off beautiful blooms until the Fall and if I am lucky again this year, may have a few that will last through the winter.
I am adding a rain chain in the little corner where my hydrangeas seem to flourish. I will put a basin under the rainchain. Rainchains add so much charm to the garden. I have them in my back yard, and now, I am putting them in my front flower beds, also. I even have a partial chain hanging from one of my Crepe Myrtle trees.
Rain chains make a perfect gift for yourself or for a fellow gardener. With the arrival of Spring, which brings Easter, Mothers and Fathers’ Day, birthdays. graduations and weddings. you could not give a more perfect gift. Also, do not forget our Gift Certificates, which can be given in any denomination. How much easier could gifting get?
Check out our other blogs for ideas regarding rainchains and many types of plants and flowers. We even have a blog for container gardening.
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February 6th, 2009
Rainchains, or Kusari Doi, which is the Japanese name for these decorative home and garden accents, are a lovely, yet funtional alternative to the drab, ugly downspout. All our rainchains are 100% copper and are all appoximately 8.5 feet in length. For multi-story homes, which may require longer lengths, most of our chains can be joined together or shortened at any point by means of pliars. The double loop and the hammered cup with ring may require cutting and soldering to change the length or add to another chain. We have a lovely basin (14.5 in. in diameter) that can be paired with any rainchain for a wonderful accent to the garden. If a chain is too short and you do not want to buy another chain, you can get a taller receptacle made of copper or terra cotta, which will hide the fact that the chain is too short. You can also get a link of copper chain from the hardware store and attach it to the shorter chain and give it some length. I have had customers tell me that this helped solve the problem and it looked great. Decorative rocks can also be added around the bottom of the chain, whether it is cascading into a receptacle or just going to the ground. The rocks give it a finished look and help anchor the chain. Fishing line or tent-like stakes can also be used to anchor the rainchains at the bottom, if there is a need.
We have many sizes and types of chains to fit all weather situations. The large cup-style chains, i.e. large copper pails and the aged square cups (which are 4″ in diameter) are suggested for areas where there is heavy rain. While all rain chains will have some splashing, these two seem to handle large amounts of rainfall the best. If you do not have heavy rainfall and you basically want a rainchain for aesthetic reasons, any of our small cup-style chains will work well. Many of our customers prefer the link-type chain. We have the double loop and the traditional link chains which seem to appeal to many builders. We also sell gutter reducers which work well with all our chains and help to direct the water down through the chain.
There are many other ways to use rainchains other than the traditional alternative to the downspout. Some have used rainchains in conjuction with pumps and fountains, creating a unique alternative to traditional landscaping. A creative imagination and a rainchain can come together to produce a unique garden setting. Water gardens and ponds can be enhanced by rainchains. Customers who do not have traditional gutters have also managed to use rainchains. If there is a location on your roof, where two sections come together to a point where a stream of water is formed, a rain chain can be successfully attached. I have a section of chain (approx. 4 feet) that I hung from a crepe myrtle tree outside my kitchen window. It works quite well in a heavy rain and is quite enjoyable to watch.
Check out the pictures on our website that have been sent from some of our satisfied customers, who have successfully incorporated rainchains into their gardens and landscaping and have been willing to share their wonderful ideas with us. Rainchains make a wonderful and unique gift to give and receive. We have Valentines Day, the arrival of Spring, Easter, birthdays, and anniversaries to celebrate with our friends and loved ones. What a wonderful gift for the gardeners on our gift lists or for a potential gardener to peak his interest in gardening! Also, our gift certificates are so easy to give and they come in all denominations.
www.rainchainsdirect.com
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January 15th, 2009

Happy New Year! For we garden lovers, winter can sometimes be a realy boring time of the year. I have a few ideas that can brighten up those dreary winter days. Paperwhites or Tarzetta Narcissus are special daffodils that can bloom indoors in the winter. Paperwhites are an excellent choice for forcing because of the charming little flowers and the wonderful fragrence that can fill the room. I gave these bulbs as Christmas gifts to some of the gardeners on my Christmas list. They are very easy to grow, needing only a few rocks and some water. Paperwhites consist of clusters of white, fragrant flowers that can last a week or two. The foliage and flower stems can grow about 15 inches tall. You can use an attractive container about four inches deep and wide enough to hold about 4″ without them touching each other. Fill the container halfway with stones, gravel or marbles. Set the bulbs with the flat side sitting on the stones and the pointed end up. Place the bulbs close together but no so that they touch. Put more stones around them so that they can stand up. Only the top half to the top of the third of the bulb should be seen. Next, add water to just below the base of the bulbs. The bulbs should not touch or sit in the water or they will rot. They will grow roots down into the water. Keep the level of the water just below the bottom of the bulbs. They only need water. No fertilizer is needed. Store your potted paperwhites in a cool, dark place (45 to 50 degrees is perfect) for a few weeks. As they begin to sprout, move them to a bright, sunny location with a cool temperature. Turn the dish a little each day to keep them growing straight. You may need to stake them if they get so tall that they start to fall over. To make the flowers last longer, keep the room relatively cool. Good luck! They are beautiful to look at and the smell is an added bonus!
Please remember our beautiful 100% copper rainchains when thinking about upcoming Valentine gifts or birthday gifts. They also make wonderful Easter and Anniversary gifts. Or, if you are not sure which chain to get who, don’t forget our gift certificates that can be bought in any denomination. A perfect gift for any occasion for the gardeners in your life.
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December 11th, 2008



Cycla
men is a popular plant for Chrstmas gift giving and receiving. I have thought in the past that this pretty little plant was a high maintenance plant that may look good for a while but was a “tosser” after the blooms all died and the greenery began to look bad. Not true! I have since learned the necessities for this plant to stay alive and even pretty all year long. Cyclamen is a small but diverse genus of plants. The most popular of these plants is the Cyclamen Persicum or Florist’s Cyclamen, which has sweet scented small flowers that are produced on long stems, held upright above the foliage. It is a tuberous perenneal with heart shaped leaves that come in shades of pink, red, or white. Even the foliage of the Cyclamen is attractive, often having silver-streaked marbling on the top sides of the leaves.
Florist Cyclamen can be grown outside, but may not survive if temperatures go below 50 degrees F/10 degreees C. When grown outside, expect Cyclamin persicum to bloom in late winter or early spring. Greenhouse Cyclamen, like so many Christmas flowers are usually forced into bloom sometime around the holiday season. Cyclamen does best planted in a soil-based potting mix, with the top of the tuber just slightly above the soil line. Water whenever the soil feels dry, avoiding getting water on the crown of the plant. As the flowers fade, gradually allow the plant to dry out for 2-3 months New growth will probably start to appear around September. At this point, resume watering and feeding. Bring it back indoors before the cold weather. Feed with low-nitrogen fertilizer. Cyclamen enjoy bright, indirect light in the winter. Cyclamen love high humidity in the winter. They do not like heat but are not frost hardy. When indoors, keep the Cyclamen on a tray of water with a layer of pebbles or something else to form a shelf for the Cyclamen pot to sit on. Do not allow the plant to sit directly in water. While the plant is in dormancy, you can repot with fresh soil and move to a larger pot.
There are many wonderful cyclamen hybrids available and since they stay in bloom for a long period, you can choose your plant while the blossoms are open and know exactly what you are getting.
There is only 14 days until Christmas! You can avoid the crowded stores and sit at your computer and shop for those gardeners in your life. How easy is that! We have many lovely types of rain chains in stock. Order today, it will ship tomorrow and you will have it next week, in time to wrap for Christmas; or have it shipped to someone else. Don’t forget our gift certificates in any demomination to let the recipient pick out their own chain! A rain chain and basin makes such a nice Christmas gift. Order now!
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December 2nd, 2008

When searching for a Christmas gift for that gardener in your life, or, if you want to treat yourself to a plant that will delight you all year long, consider the Christmas Cactus. While you typically think of Cacti as heat tolerant, the Christmas Cactus will keep their blossoms longer if kept in cooler temperatures. They come in lovely shades of reds, pinks and whites. They are a bit temperamental as they do not like drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the delicate buds to drop from the plant before even getting a chance to open. While the Christmas cactus is considered to be a tropical- type plant, it is not quite as drought tolerant as its desert relatives and may drop buds if the soil is too dry. Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. Watering times will vary with the air temperature, amount of light and humidity. The plant does not need to be fertilized while in bloom, but it is quite a challenge to keep the plant blooming through Christmas to keep for re-bloom for next year I have several Christmas Cacti that have bloomed several times throughout the year and I was surprised to see blooms at Christmas also. These cacti can adapt to lower light conditions but I have found that mine do best in a sunny west window sill. They can be moved outdoors in the summer but they like to be kept in a shady or semi-shady location. The leaves may turn a pretty scarlet or red if exposed to sun but be careful as too much sunlight can actually burn the leaves and cause the leaves to turn limp and fall off. When you bring the plants indoors in the fall, you can adjust the plants back to indoor life by gradually increasing the number of hours they spend indoors each day. Well-drained soil is a must for the Christmas Cactus and if your plant tends to dry out and have wilted leaves frequently, it may be time to repot the cactus. You can prune your cactus after blooming, which will encourage the plant to branch out. You can also remove a few sections of each stem by pinching them off with your fingers or cutting them. You can them root them in moist vermiculite to propogate new plants.
Christmas Cactus like long, uninterrupted dark periods, about 12 hours each night, which encourages blooming. You can begin the dark treatments in mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. Christmas cacti will also bloom if they are subjected to cooler temperatures of about 50 to 55 degrees which can eliminate the need for dark treatments. You should have abundant blooms for Christmas if these cool treatments are started by early November.
Check out our website for the variety of rainchains we have to offer. One of our lovely, 100% copper chains would make a unique and special gift for the gardeners on your list. If their garden space is very large or as small as a porch area, one of our chains coupled with a basin would be ideal. If you are not sure what type of chain they might like, you can purchase one our convenient gift certificates in any denomination. Shopping could not get easier! Also, check out our previous blogs for information on fresh Christmas trees, Poinsettas and Winter Bulbs.
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November 10th, 2008



Snapdragons are a favorite of children who like to pinch the tiny blossoms and make the “dragon mouth” open and close. Their large flower heads, which are full of
blooms, have a faint fragrance and come in a variety of beautiful and vibrant colors. During the Fall, they add so much color and character to the garden. They come in burnt oranges, browns, yellows and shades of pinks and reds. They come in two heights, dwarf varieties, which grow to about 10 inches in height and the taller types which grow to heights of 18-24 inches. There is a variety that can grow to around 5 feet but they do have to be staked. One single snapdragon plant may produce seven or eight blossom spikes in the course of a planting season. Snapdragons make wonderful cutflowers for the table. I like to add them with mums for delightful table arrangements. They do well in a well fertilized soil and love full sun. I have several window boxes that I have mixed mums and burnt orange and yellow snapdragons in. I also have some that are flourishing in my flower beds adding wonderful bursts of fall color to my landscape. Sow seeds indoors eight weeks before the first frost. You can move seedlings started in a sheltered seedbox outdoors any time in the fall for winter and spring flowering. Plants should be planted 6 to 12 inches apart, depending upon the size of the variety planted. When the plants are 2 to 4 inches tall, pinch off the stem tips for more abundant flower spikes. Feel free to cut for bouquets as the cutting forces plants to produce additional stems that will bloom later in the season. Snapdragons, as so many other flowers I have written about, really benefit from deadheading. This prolongs the flowering period for so many flowers.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us. When making your Christmas lists, consider all the gardeners in the family. A rainchain and basin will make a perfect Christmas gift. Take advantage of our online ordering to help make Christmas shopping so much easier. Last Christmas, I put a maze of poinsettas under one of my rain chains for a little Christmas color. We also have gift certificates for rainchains so your gift recipient can pick out their own chains. Also, you can go back to our past blogs for information on a variety of plants and gardening tips.
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September 17th, 2008
As I have stated in my previous articles, Fall is my favorite time of the year. For lovely Fall color, mums are always a good choice. You can refer to my article I wrote last year on mums and their care. After cleaning up the garden, and dead-heading and pruning your plants, mums are the perfect burst of color to add here and there. They make a great filler in the garden and make great flower arrangements for your fall table. Another good, reliable flower for Fall is the black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta). These spectacular flowers start blooming in mid-summer and continue right on into the Fall. They also make great table arrangements. Calendula or pot marigolds are also a great plant for the Fall. These shots of garden color are extremely low maintenance and easy to grow. Another good plant to add to your Fall garden is verigated sedum. This plant is easy to grow with low maintenance. Please refer to my blog on Succulents/Cacti to find out further about sedum.
Do you love to watch hummingbirds interact with each other? You can provide a haven for them with the multi-toned, red-orange, yellow and green cigar plant (Cuphea Micropetala). This hardy plant will start blooming in mid-summer to late Fall. This beauty likes a sunny location with well-drained soil. Watch those hummers fight over this plant! I like to keep a hummingbird feeder next to this plant and watch them go back and forth……..it is quite a show!
Don’t forget to add a rainchain or two with our lovely copper-rimmed basins to your Fall garden. I am sure there is a gardener on your Christmas list who would love a rainchain. We have gift certificates also if you don’t know exactly which chain to give to who. What better gift can you give a friend or loved one…….one that reminds them of you every time they go into their garden. Sounds of running water and the sight of lovely flowers soothe the soul and brings your landscape to life.
See you next month!
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July 15th, 2008

Do you have an area that does not get much water and/or you just forget about watering that particular area or plant? Try succulents or plants in the cactus family. There are some wonderful, easy-to-grow plants that can thrive in your garden. I have a plant called hen and chicken that is as attractive as it is maintenance free. I have it in the ground and also in pots which I have literally propogated from one little frosty gray rose-looking leaf. I have rocks all around my cactus garden. Keep in mind that succulents or cacti store their water in their leaves and/or stems which enable them to require much less water than most plants. Other forms of succulents that I have enjoyed through the years is the beautiful Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia Millii). It has continuous blooms and I also have this plant in the ground and also in pots. They come in red, which I like to use as a decoration during Christmas and also yellow and peach. I recently purchased a crown of thorns that is a combination of peach and yellow on the same flower. It is breathtaking!
A wonderful ground cover is “Acre” sedum. This tiny-leaved, low-growing, ground cover is full of sunny yellow flowers that add abundant color to any garden and is so low maintenance. There are sedum that also do well in pots that do not get that much rain or are in a place that tend to be neglected, which they love. I started a hanging basket from leaves of a sedum that is now hanging in one of my oak trees and is thriving. I also have started a plant that is now growing in my kitchen window. Try one of these easy-to-grown succulents.
Check out our other blogs and read some of our customer comments and see some of the different ways they have incorporated rain chains into their garden decor. In our next feature, I will give you some different ideas for using our rain chains other than the traditional way which is attached to a gutter system. I get questions frequently about how to use rain chains without benefit of gutters. Hopefully, this will answer some of these questions!
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