Big News!
I finally have the shed I have been dreaming of for years. Thanks so much to Post Woodworking out of New Hampshire for the beautiful work and great attention to detail. They were a pleasure to work with.
This is less of a shed and more of a workshop where I will be crafting, designing, filming tutorials and holding the occasional DIY class. My husband wondered where the lawnmower would go and I said, “the old shed!”
This new space is a work in progress and if you have been reading along you know it has been too busy for me to yet accomplish all I would like. First off, is a coat of white paint for the interior. Next will be slate-look vinyl flooring. Then will come shelving, etc. etc.
For now, I just sit inside on the lone wicker chair, and dream.
Look ma, No Flowers!
Flowers are beautiful. They provide incredible color and interest to our containers and gardens. But they also require deadheading, fertilizing, more deadheading and a midsummer nap to perform at their best. And, if you are like me, the last bloom drops right before your big party!
Why not forego flowers and plant a container of all foliage? These are some of the best options for time-pressed gardeners. The containers on my back patio are all foliage. Because after I have been out in my client’s gardens deadheading all day it’s the last thing I want to do when I get home. Best of all, containers made up of great foliage plants will look better in September then when you plant them in June. You can’t really say that about flowers.
Creating a great composition using foliage is not that different from getting dressed in the morning. It’s all about combining patterns. Choose one boldly patterned foliage plant, one that might be a bit smaller and then a neutral. Of course, all the plants you put together should enjoy the same light and moisture requirements. I often go around the nursery with my inspiration plant in hand and find out what it looks good with. Some of my favorite foliage plants include: heuchera, dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, coleus, colocasia, strobilanthes and cannas.
So this summer why not focus on foliage? After all, nothing says “enjoy that glass of wine” like a container that needs no maintenance.
I miss hugs.
I miss hugs. I never realized until COVID but I am a hugger. When I see friends I inevitably hug them; it can be pretty humorous when my large 5’10” body pretty much engulfs one of my more petite friends. When I see neighbors I typically hug them. Co-workers and those I know in the business also get hugs. Family goes without saying. When I hug someone, it means I like them and am really glad to see them. Now that I can’t hug it’s hard to convey the same feeling. Lord knows I can’t even give them a huge smile because I have a mask covering my mouth. I try to crinkle my eyes a lot so they know my smile is extra-large but they probably think I am squinting! I miss going out to dinner, to the movies, to gardening events but not as much as I miss hugs.
One of the original family therapists Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”
There are so many health benefits to hugging and touch in general (just Google it and you will see what I mean). Hugging and touch can decrease anxiety among other things. During a hug, which should be held for 20 seconds for maximum benefit, we release oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes us and lessens anxiety. It’s often called the “cuddle hormone,” and when it’s released during these longer hugs it can effectively lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Seems ironic that during an incredibly stressful year we are unable to turn to something that can actually help. Maybe that’s why alcohol and drug use are up.
I am grateful for my son who, like me, is a hugger. If you have those in your bubble that you can hug I encourage you to do so. It really is good medicine.
Let me introduce myself.
I realize I have been in business for 17 years now and while many of you know me and have been with me since the beginning (thank you!) there are so many who don’t know my story. As I gain more and more followers I thought I’d stop and reiterate who I am and what The Captured Garden is.
In my life BC (before children) I was in marketing. More accurately I was an advertising copywriter. I loved the fast-paced creative environment. Days were long but laughter was abundant. Then came kids. (BTW two of the most wonderful humans you could ever meet). I realized early on that I wanted to stay home and be with them and my husband agreed. I had grown up in a family of gardeners and as we bought our first home, and the children became more independent, I found myself gardening more. I especially loved container gardening which I found a perfect fit for my busy lifestyle. Neighbors began to notice my windowboxes and ask for help with theirs and a seed began to grow. After talking it over with my husband we decided I should start a small business.
People often ask where I came up with the name The Captured Garden and I answer, “Prayer.” And it’s true; I am a praying woman and I have a strong faith. I knew if this venture was from God He would have to be the CEO. Lots of ideas for names crammed my brain but driving over the Tobin Bridge “The Captured Garden” came to me and it stuck. Over time my unusual container gardens prompted clients to ask me about garden design. I became a Master Gardener, MCH and MCLP to learn as much as I could.
Fast forward a few years and I have been blessed with opportunities to speak at Flower Shows, Garden Clubs and Symposiums. Now I am finding a whole new audience through Zoom presentations. I find that I LOVE sharing my passion, whether live or virtually. Today The Captured Garden is a business with three distinct segments: container gardening, garden design and garden presentations.
On a personal note, my first love will always be the Lord. A close second is my family. If you ask my children what my mantra is, they will tell you “Faith and family”. When making decisions these are the two criteria: it must be pleasing to God and good for the family. I also love animals, Masterpiece Theatre (especially Downton Abby and Poldark), long walks in the reservation behind our home and a nice glass of red wine. I love hugs, but you already know that if you have been reading this newsletter. I prefer the warm weather over the cold weather and my favorite month is May. Favorite color is green. I am a beekeeper which has really impacted how I garden and inspired my presentation “Beauty and the Bees”. Finally, if I could have a superpower it would be super speed because then I might actually accomplish everything on my to-do list!
Ultimately, I am sure I am like many of you. Just a simple gardener who is happiest when her hands are in the dirt.
A look back. A look ahead.
During the somewhat quieter winter months I look back and take stock of the previous year. I spend a lot of time going over photos and looking at combinations. I evaluate what worked and what didn’t. I make a list of what plants I will use again and which ones I will send packing. This winter was another challenging one as Thanksgiving was late and time for decorating was compressed. Thanks to a great team all was done before the dreaded hard freeze.
This time of year I am not planting, rather planning. As I look forward to spring I gather info from previous seasons and make notes of what we will do. Client’s suggestions, color schemes and even dates of special events are made note of and become part of the overall design plan. Of course, as with all planning, flexibility is key. If I build a whole design around a certain plant and it is unavailable or not healthy, we need to quickly switch to Plan B. I love these spring projects from our portfolio and hope they inspire you in your planning.
Winter containers
Spring containers
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