A Dream Project
I was recently invited to create some new container gardens for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. What a thrill and an honor!
The Calderwood Courtyard is beautiful and the new planters are perfect for the spot.
I was asked to work with a simple green and white palette since there are so many weddings that take place there. There are mature birch trees in the courtyard so we mimicked them with birch poles at the center of our plantings. This also provided needed height.
The courtyard is a bit shady so we used white hydrangea, asparagus fern, lamium, and white muscari. With a nod to future wedding receptions, we incorporated daffodil ‘Bridal Crown’ – one of my favorites. It smells absolutely delicious. We even managed to squeeze in some white columbine.
The weather on that late April day was gorgeous and with a great crew to help it was an amazing project.
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.
These guys are awesome and if you live in the area you owe it to yourself to check them out.
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.
…… Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’) …..
Yesterday Was The Perfect Day
Recently I headed in to Boston to put one of our roof gardens to bed for the winter. I had not seen my client in a few months and she greeted me at the door. She was very enthusiastic in her praise of the garden. Recently recovered from hip surgery, she remarked that the garden had been integral to her healing. She could not take the pain medications prescribed for her so the garden became her respite. We did not know when we installed it on a 95 degree day that it would become her exercise room. At that point we were looking for beauty, relaxation and a few edibles for cooking. Since her surgery it had also become a gym. Since the garden encompasses two decks she made a loop from one to the other and that became part of her recovery routine.
She was lavish with her praise and told me about all the wildlife she and her husband had enjoyed watching. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and birds had made regular stops in her garden, which she also said helped her recovery. My client then proceeded to give me the most beautiful hand thrown mug with bees embossed on it saying she had thought of me as soon as she had seen it.
She knows I am a beekeeper which also explained the card she chose.
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:
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»Galvanized metal…sigh.
For some girls it’s diamonds or gold jewelry. For me it’s a gift of something made of galvanized metal that gets my heart beating.
I have always loved things that evoke a feeling of history. I like pieces that tell a story and in my home you will find galvanized metal in just about every room. The old watering can in my office reminds me of past gardeners. The galvanized cups hold pencils in the kitchen and the galvanized florist buckets corrals pussy willow next to the fireplace in the living room. Galvanized letters in my office spell out P-R-A-Y, reminding me of the best way to start the day.
Read More»My Apologies to Mary
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.
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