To-Do or Not To-Do
Yesterday I finished my last winter pots. Decorating, at least for my clients, is done.
So today I woke up with a wonderful sense of freedom. It was euphoria, really. No need to leave in the early morning darkness in a car fully-loaded with all manner of holiday decorations. I could sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Watch the sun rise. Enjoy the wood fire while I contemplated what to do for the day.
Which is what I am still doing. Hours later. In my pj’s.
Come to find out a day filled with free time and no agenda, rather than being liberating, is terrifying. I don’t know where to start. Should I organize the workshop which, over the last few weeks, has been as busy as the North Pole? Tables are piled high with ribbon, ornaments, and other crafty paraphernalia. God knows we could use a few elves down there to clean up the mess.
Maybe I could fill my own pots for the winter. This is the most wonderful time of the year, unless, of course, you are in the gardening business. Then I refer to it as “The cobbler’s children time of year.” My lights are not hung, the wreaths are not up and the tree is not decorated. An email from a kind neighbor the other day was ecstatic in her praise for surrounding neighbors and their beautiful lights and outdoor décor. No mention was made of the art of the stacked pumpkins still in my urns.
It’s kind of damp and cool out and I am still recovering from Monday’s full day spent outdoors in the snow/sleet/rain. Maybe I could stay in and do some office work. File receipts. When things are crazy lots can fall through the cracks and I should probably make sure that billing gets done while jobs are still fresh on my mind.
The coat closet is a disaster and has become a catch-all for anything people in my family do not want to put away. Which explains the yoga mat and watering can currently on the floor. With cold weather fast approaching I could organize it to make sure that orphan mittens find their match and each person’s winter accessories are in their individual bins.
Should I start work on my new PowerPoint lecture about designing gardens to be more pollinator-friendly? I have lots of great ideas and pictures that need pulling together.
I think today, the first day of vacation, I will end up doing none of the above. I need to learn how not to-do. I am going to enjoy another cup of coffee. Binge watch something on Netflix. Make a delicious dinner for the family that has lately subsisted on frozen burritos and take-out. And stay in my pajamas.
Life is good.
Are You Dressed for the Holidays?
It’s that time of year.
People are beginning to plan their holiday/winter containers.
I want to encourage you to not forget about your door.
After all, with the exception of Santa, it’s how most people enter your home. A wreath, or a beautiful door topper such as this, is a wonderful way to welcome friends and family while also continuing whatever theme you are doing in your pots.
Radical Perennials
Kerry Ann Mendez is in the house
As many of you know I lecture extensively on gardening. One of my favorite fellow lecturers is Kerry Ann Mendez of Perennially Yours. You may have even heard her speak on the “Right-Sized Flower Garden”.” Kerry is a knowledgeable and entertaining speaker who is able to convey lots of information in a fun and informative way.
Now, you can enjoy Kerry Ann’s latest lecture while still in your pj’s! Kerry Ann is offering a webinar where she will discuss “Radical Perennials” – the plants all of us want – beautiful, long-lasting, low-maintenance.
Read More»Good Buy and Good Luck
I’d like to spend some time talking about plants. Specifically, those plants you find in the nurseries now that are WAAYYY in the back. On a table with a big sign that says “Clearance” or “50% off” or something like that. Do you snatch them up, pushing people out of the way like a deranged shopper on Black Friday? Or do you pass them by?
Depends.
I often say it’s like choosing a marriage partner; you have to know how to pick a good one. So if you find a plant on the Clearance table how do you know if it is Mr. (or Ms.) Right?
Look for the signs.
Fall – One of the Best Reasons to Live in New England.
It happens slowly enough. You wake early and it’s not quite light yet. You have dinner on the patio and find you need to turn the lights on or light the candles. Or wear a miner’s cap. The hummingbirds have stopped coming to the feeder. You use the fan, rather than the air conditioner. You find that long pants actually feel comfortable. These are all signs that summer is drawing to an end.
(Read our Sayonara, Summer blog to see some of our favorite summer projects)
While it may seem sad to say goodbye to summer (unless you are one of the mothers at the bus stop I see high-fiving each other) we do have fall to look forward to and it’s one of the best reasons to live in New England. No one is exactly sure how the drought will affect our foliage; the consensus is the foliage may still be good but will not last as long. I’ll take what I can get because I know after the beautiful colors of fall comes the white of winter. Despite summer’s finale, there’s still plenty you can do in the garden.
Read More»Sayonara, Summer
As Fall approaches, we take a final look at some of our favorite summer projects.
Houseplant (sansevieria), perennial (heuchera) and million bells. Who says only annuals can go in containers? This mixed container is looking good 7 stories up!
This riot of colors on a South End balcony gets tied together with coleus ‘The Flume’.
Read More»Landscape Overhaul
Sometimes it’s time for a fresh start. And for this project, we knew it was that time. Our client, a member of the local garden club, was frustrated with the old, tired overgrown plants that were not contributing to the landscape and wanted to completely renovate her gardens. The area around the home had become overgrown, threatening to obscure its classic Royal Barry Willis lines.
So where did we start?
While some designers might favor a “blank slate” approach I prefer not to destroy material that is viable. Maybe it’s my frugal Yankee nature. If a plant doesn’t work where it is we can often move it and give it a second chance. After a thorough plant assessment, decisions are made as to what stays and what goes. When it comes to the “what goes” part all I can say is THANK GOD FOR A GREAT CREW.
Read More»A Fond Farewell
Every once in a while, the perfect client comes along. One who trusts you, gives clear direction as to what he/she wants, allows you to stretch the limits of creativity, and pays the invoice on time! I have had the privilege of working with just such a client for the last five years.
I met this client, let’s call him “Mr. X”, when he and his family moved into the neighborhood and were referred to The Captured Garden by another client of mine. He asked me to give him a quote on 9 extra- large Campania stone planters. The planters were at the front of the home, at the side door and on the back patio. I sent him my proposal and it was a go.
His only direction was “I don’t want them to look like everyone else’s”.
Music to my ears.
Read More»Putting Life on the Patio
I just came back from work and I had a big smile on my face!
It looks absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you so much for putting some life on my patio!
You are a true professional and I can see how passionate and how much you care about your work.
Hard to find people like you nowadays.
It feels so good to look outside and see some green.
I love the character that these plants have!
~~ RH, South End Boston
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