Shady Plants for Hot Weather and a visit to Fresh Press Paper in Champaign

Shady Plants for Hot Weather 

Martie discusses a variety of hosta that isn’t quite as common: “regal spendor.” This hosta has long, frosty blue-green leaves with creamy yellow and ivory edges. Its foliage grows in a vase-like shape, and this giant variety will grow 3-4ft tall. The lavender flower scapes will grow 2-3ft taller than that. Because this hosta is so large, you can utilize it as a backdrop to other shade-loving perennials. Create layers in your landscape! Martie shares a few of her favorite heuchera varieties in various colors and sizes and a few non-invasive groundcovers such as ajuga and lamium.  

 

Transplanting Plants in Late Summer 

It may be late in the summer, but it’s not too late to plant some new perennials or transplant anything that’s outgrown your garden beds. Be sure to make a large enough hole for your plant, but it is better to plant shallower rather than too deep. Water each plant the night before planting, loosen the soil and roots, and be sure to mulch 3-4 inches deep. Do not fertilize any new plants or transplants in the fall. It will cause too much stress on the plant.  

 

Fresh Press Paper 

Earlier this year, we visited Fresh Press Paper, a local paper studio that utilizes agricultural waste and transforms it into handmade paper and paper art. Associate Professor of Graphic Design Eric Benson walks us through the process, and we pull our own sheets of paper with studio managers and artists e. ainsley and Meredith Hislope. There are so many opportunities to get creative, including dying pulp, adding flowers, or incorporating designs and patterns.  

 

Fresh Press obtains fibers such as corn, rye, and prairie grass from the Sustainable Student Farm. Forget trees! Here, they are reviving ancient papermaking techniques using materials straight from the field. First, the crops are harvested and chipped down to a reasonable working size. The grasses are then cooked and beaten to a pulp—literally!—using a traditional Hollander beater before sheets are pulled using a mould and deckle. Sheets are layered and pressed to remove excess water before being placed in a dry box where it rests for about 12 hours.  

 

Papermaking is a very accessible artform, and the makers at Fresh Press hope to inspire, educate, and foster in others a deeper connection with both art and the environment. 

 

Interested in making your own paper? Fresh Press hosts community workshops throughout the year. Visit their website for more information.