One of our latest projects involved turning a messy, weedy area at the base of our client’s steep driveway into a contemporary pollinator garden. The style of the house is mid-century modern, so we kept our design very linear and planted in rows of material. We started with a tall Joe Pye weed (eupatorium maculatum) and fronted that with wild quinine (parthenium integrifolium). Next came a row of agastache and then in front coreopsis. Finally, we planted sedum ‘Fuldagut’ and allowed it to wander down the slope a bit.
Joe Pye Weed (eupatorium maculatum)
Planting in blocks is best for pollinators since it makes plants easier to see and also helps them to conserve energy while foraging. A planting like this is also conserving energy for the homeowner since all these plants are low maintenance and, once established, will do well in hot, dry conditions. By designing with perennials, which die to the ground in winter, we will minimize any damage that could be done by the snowplow as it comes down the drive.
I am excited by the potential this garden has to help all kinds of pollinators. Before we had even started digging, while we were arranging plants, a few butterflies came by. That’s always a good sign!
For me, excitement in the garden is caused by contrast…and the occasional snake that slithers by when I’m on my hands and knees weeding. Contrast is described as “to compare in order to show unlikeness, or difference” and can exist between colors, forms, textures, and shapes. Contrast creates tension and gives life to the garden. Without it things can seem flat, boring, lifeless. Imagine a garden of all daisy-shaped flowers. Or rounded shrubs. Or rounded shrubs with daisy-shaped flowers.
Read More»
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.
These guys are awesome and if you live in the area you owe it to yourself to check them out.
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»
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»
Shinrin-yoku is a term that means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in Japan during the 1980s and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. Researchers primarily in Japan and South Korea have established a robust body of scientific literature on the health benefits of spending time under the canopy of a living forest.
The idea is simple: if a person simply visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way there are calming, rejuvenating, and restorative benefits to be achieved.
Read More»
Years ago, a very wonderful friend of mine was espousing the virtues of hostas. Conjuring up an image in my mind of the cemetery variety, I replied that they were nothing but slug bait.
Thankfully my friend did not slug me! As a former president of the New England Hosta Society, she must have looked at me as a challenge and over the years kept pointing out unusual varieties. Her persistence paid off, and now I’m hooked. Having already mentioned that my favorite color is green, hostas already have one thing going for them. And the more I use them the more I love them.
There are really only three problems when growing hostas:
Bambi. Thumper. Slugs.
Read More»
Follow Us!