Hosta plants? They're those green plants, right? Well yes; however, hosta are so much more than just those "green plants."
From spring until frost, in various shades of green and blue and gold, hosta can provide a remarkable display in your garden. Let's take a look at a few of the hosta varieties available.
Among those to be considered, you'll want to be sure to check out 'Brother Stefan'. This moderate growing hosta features large, heavily corrugated leaves with a wide dark green margin surrounding gold-colored centers. 'Brother Stefan' produces near white flowers in early summer. This spectacular plant should be placed close by so viewers gather the most pleasure available from its beauty.
Suppose you'd like a bluer colored leaf? Then quite possibly 'Blue Jay' has what you're looking for. This small tight mound of round-leafed foliage is perhaps the bluest of any of the hosta. An attractive show of light lavender flowers in late spring make 'Blue Jay' a truly excellent choice for blue foliage in your garden.
Speaking of flowers...if it's fragrant flowers you seek on your hosta, be sure to consider 'Guacamole'. Very fragrant soft white flowers complement the avacado-green foliage with darker edges to make for a truly remarkable plant. Add to this that 'Guacamole' is a rapid grower that can prosper in sun and you're sure to tuck in one or two of these hosta among the flowers in your garden.
But you want even more than green, blue-green, and fragrant flowers from the hosta?
Well, how about a touch of bright red?
That's right. 'Red October' a small to medium rather non-descript arching mound of bluish-green foliage exhibits a spectacular display when in flower. In late summer, the pale lavender flowers on 'Red October' can be seen growing on bright red scapes. One can hardly pass by this unusual plant without noticing the unusual color contrast of the flowers, foliage, and scapes. Be sure to plant this hosta where everyone will have a chance to view this stunning beauty.
So, yes, while it is true that many hosta plants are green...it is also true that hosta are oh so much more than "just another pretty green plant!"
A Comparison of Art Prints and Reproductions: Learn the Difference
If you collect art or enjoy decorating your walls with paintings, you might be wondering what the difference is between art prints and oil painting reproductions. These terms are used interchangeably in the art world often, but they can differ greatly. Knowing the difference is important when you're considering an art purchase.
Art Prints Defined
Art prints are identical copies of original works of art, often produced by a photomechanical process. The word "giclee" is used to describe the method of reproducing art using a printing process. Making prints is similar to making a photocopy of a hand-written letter instead of rewriting it. You have a copy of the handwriting, but not an actual hand-written letter. Artists often create prints in limited editions, and sign each painting. Prints are coveted by collectors who wish to invest in art for future profits.
Oil Painting Reproductions Defined
Oil painting reproductions are hand-painted recreations of original works of art, created by someone other than the original artist. A skilled artist analyzes the original and paints a closely matching replica. Reproductions are painted with oil paint on canvas to create an amazing resemblance to originals. Reproductions are often preferred over prints when used in decor because they are usually very affordable.
When searching for art, you might encounter these terms being used interchangeably. For instance, a print might be called a reproduction also. Technically, a print is a reproduction because it is a copy. However, a reproduction might not always mean "print." If you feel the term reproduction is being used to describe a print, you might want to ask questions before buying to be sure you're getting the right type of painting.
In a nutshell, art reproductions are actual paintings, only not by the original artist. Prints are copies of the original work. If you want real paintings without a high investment, reproductions provide both. If you're looking to invest for future profits or to build a collection, and are unable to buy an original, prints are the next best thing.
Thirty years ago the fledgling video game business was struggling to make a name for itself as it competed with toys, playing cards and board games for customers. The early games like Pong, Pac Man and Donkey Kong were very basic in terms of technology, and they had very little creativity involved with their designs and functions. Today, the computer game industry is a multi billion dollar extravaganza that has progressed dramatically, and it is starting to steal some of the spotlight from the glitzy and glamorous motion picture industry.
With technological advances like next generation motion capture systems, high definition graphics, Dolby Sound and Motion Sensor Remote controls that enable the players to actually get up off their chairs and get some exercise as they kick, swat, punch, jump, fish, golf and dance their way through sessions, video games have become more than just toys. They are an escape that offers a whole new reality. Kids and adults alike are playing Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii games more than ever before and the industry itself is growing bigger every day.
You only need to look at the recent Video Game Awards on Spike TV to see just how far they have come. This televised show was an awards ceremony much in the spirit of the Oscars or Emmys, but with more attitude. It was hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, a major Hollywood movie star, and throughout the show several other celebrities like Michael Irvin, Method Man, Eva Mendez and Seth Green showed up as presenters. James Gandolfini even showed up on the live satellite screen to accept an award for the Sopranos computer game.
Celebrities are starting to notice that video games are getting a lot of attention these days. If there is an awards ceremony that is televised, you can be rest assured that they will show up to get some face time. They are like moths to a porch light with that sort of thing. While the celebrities at the recent Video Game Awards were not quite on the Hollywood A-list, it will not be long before the ones that are will be showing up. They are already starting to license their names for the games, so it only makes sense that they will all be showing up at this event in the future to accept their awards.
The Video Game Awards show began this year with a big-budget open that looked like something out of a Jerry Bruckheimer film. Samuel L. Jackson made his way from his dressing room to the stage as he encountered various strange characters along the way, much like a video game. When he arrived on stage he picked up a laser gun and began to shoot the members of the classic rock group Kansas as they played their signature song Carry On My Wayward Son. There was impressive choreography, elaborate lighting and laser effects. Guys were being shot with laser guns and flying off the stage on harnesses, and the whole thing looked like a high-tech computer game that had come to life.
While the format of the show was very much like a Hollywood award show, it had a certain independent feel to it with a bit of a raw edge. Presenters and award winners were constantly saying things that needed to be bleeped out, edgy, young bands played loud music and Samuel L. Jackson seemed like he was infused with the energy of the crowd as he scream-talked his way through the night.
Being true to the Hollywood awards ceremony format, there were clips of video games that were played throughout the show. This was one of the highlights of the show, for it allowed the viewers to see glimpses inside the worlds of these games. I am quite certain that many viewers who had never seen any of these new games before suddenly had a new found respect for them. They even had clips of games that have not been released yet, like the new one by Tom Clancy called Ghost Recon and another new one called Big Shock that is due out in the spring of 2007.
It is not by accident that the video game industry is starting to look like the film industry. Sony, who makes Playstation 3, also makes movies for Hollywood. They have incorporated many of their filmmaking techniques into the production process of their video games, as have the makers of the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii games. The result is that you get games that seem like movies. The camera angles, storylines, lighting and sound effects are very similar to what you would see with a big budget Hollywood movie that plays in theaters.
All of the old classic movies like Scarface, The Godfather and Star Wars have all been turned into video games. A lot of the old actors like James Caan and Al Pacino were actually involved with the making of these classic movie games in which they offered their voice-over talents.
But there is one great advantage that video games have over movies, and that is that they offer interaction. You can actually be involved with what is happening on the screen, instead of just watching it like you do at a movie theater. This gives one a feeling of empowerment that one just does not get from watching a movie. These games offer more than an escape, they offer a journey into another world where your actions have no real negative consequences on yourself.
Video games have come a long way since the days of Pong, Pac Man and Donkey Kong. While the Video Game Awards are not quite the Oscars yet, they are certainly on a pace to give them a run for their money in the future in terms of publicity. Celebrities are starting to notice that the spotlight on Hollywood is being shared by a newcomer to the world of entertainment, and they are following the light, as they do naturally. It is an inevitable natural progression, much like the relationship between a whale and a pilot fish. Big celebrity names are starting to integrate into the computer game industry, and as this happens it only means more publicity for both parties involved. This is ultimately good for gamers too, for as the industry gets bigger and bigger, the games and the consoles will only get better and better.
Preparing Gameday Snacks with a Baseball Bat in Slow Motion
US $149.99
