The Miracle Worker
I can be described by many roles…daughter, wife, mother, gardener, speaker, UMass alum, etc. But, despite what you may like to believe, I am not a miracle worker. It is a role I have never felt comfortable taking on.
As a garden designer I have clients that come to me to change their landscape. I love the process. We sit down, talk about needs, function, do a site survey and then I get to attack the project. From the beginning however I make sure my clients have realistic expectations. I am NOT a miracle worker.
Read More»Local
Whenever I am speaking at Flower Shows or Garden Clubs I always stress the importance of doing business with a good local nursery. The big box stores are fine for rakes, leaf bags and the occasional bag of potting soil but when it comes to plant material you cannot beat a local nursery. Many of the staff are devoted plant people, “geeks” if you will. Many have worked and studied hard to achieve accreditations from industry groups like the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (shout out to my fellow MCHs and MCLPs). Many are Master Gardeners. In other words, these are typically people who know plants. You want to get to know them. Get on their good side. Bring them brownies. Or beer. They have access to the plant material and they need to know your name. Once they realize that you are a true plant lover they might let you know when the delivery of that really cool plant is arriving. They may even put one aside for you.
I could not be successful in my business without the support of great local nurseries. One of my favorites is A. Thomas and Sons in Milton, MA.
Read More»A Winter Garden
The first snowfall of the season has reminded me again of the importance of planning for a winter garden. Here in New England the winters can seem well…long. Often we are looking at nothing but white and brown from November until late March. Lack of planning for a winter garden means the garden that wowed you in June will leave you wanting in January.
Evergreens are certainly one way to add color to a stark winter garden but I am also a huge fan of deciduous trees and shrubs that have a structural beauty. Even without leaves these plants can be breathtaking due to exfoliating bark, colorful stems or berries. Birches, Japanese maples, dogwood shrubs, winterberry hollies – these are all-stars in a winter landscape and when I am designing gardens I try to incorporate them whenever possible.
But even if you only garden in containers, consider winter.
A new client tasked us with creating a beautiful collection of containers to decorate his deck. He wanted it to be beautiful year round since his family looked out on it from several rooms. Of course we used evergreens but we also featured a beautiful deciduous tree commonly known as Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick.
Read More»What a Tool
As a garden designer I love plants. That’s a given. But not too far behind my love of plants is a love of tools. Especially those that make my life easier. When I first started in this business over 15 years ago I did most everything the hard way. I slept well, due to exhaustion, but my back hurt, my knees ached, and my fingers tingled. As I have gotten older, and wiser, I have realized that tools can be a really good friend.
Read More»Boston Roof Garden
Since a picture is worth a thousand words we’ll let these photos do the talking.
Just know that this was a new client in Boston who wanted a lush, “wild” garden that incorporated blues, purples and reds with a healthy dose of edible plants.
We used hydrangea Cityline ‘Rio’, caryopteris, nepeta and verbena bonariensis to bring in the purple pow. We contrasted the purple with rosa ‘Popcorn’. Added structure with boxwood and ornamental grasses and a punch of red with various annuals.
For the edibles we used many different herbs, as well as cucumbers, tomatoes and beans which climbed up the obelisk that we used as a design element to mimic the Old North Church.
We often joke with the client who says she has so many vegetables she could start a CSA in her condo building!
Of course installation was on the hottest day in May but with a great crew, it all got done!
Enjoy these photos of the transformation process:
Accessories in the Garden
I was recently going through some pictures and came across a bunch that I had taken a few years back when entering Fine Gardening Magazine’s Container Challenge. The magazine tasked entrants with creating a container garden using a unique “accessory.”
You can see from the pictures the, accessories I chose were quite varied.
Read More»True Confessions
I confess. I’m selfish.
While I may give you the last cookie, or iron your pants when you are running late, even if I am running late, there are certain times a more base nature rears its ugly head. Like when it comes to plants. There are times when it is very hard for me to share.
Every garden and container I design begins with a shopping trip. Because I am always on the lookout for new and cool plant material when I find it, I scoop it up. While deciding where to use these lovelies they decorate my yard.
And sometimes they never leave!
Read More»Alli…yum
Okay, so it’s not really spelled that way but allium is one of my favorite summer plants and in my humble opinion no garden should be without them.
Allium’s round heads bring so much excitement to the early summer garden and are the perfect bridge between spring tulips and summer bloomers.
Read More»Every End Is A Beginning
This quote seems especially appropriate during the month of May, with its many endings. This month my daughter graduated from college and while that chapter is over, a whole new world is beginning. One that may seem quite scary, but one she will navigate, I am sure, with grace as she does everything else.
Read More»Color
When designing a garden or container, don’t underestimate the importance of color.
Colors can help you set the mood, attract attention or make a statement. Colors can convey a style, whether elegant and traditional, or playful and fun. Color is a very powerful design element and learning to use it properly is not always easy.
Read More»
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