Year-Round Interest: Plants for Four Seasons of Color
Endless Lavender Enchantment Oh, lavenders – how I adore thee! As a garden designer for over 20 years, I can honestly say that lavenders are a staple in at least 90% of the gardens I create. And for good reason! These low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennials offer so much year-round appeal. However, I’ve noticed that many gardeners […]
Simplify Your Life: Low-Maintenance Landscaping
As someone who has spent countless hours toiling in my own garden, I know firsthand the joys and challenges of maintaining a lush, vibrant outdoor oasis. In my younger days, I was a bit of a plant collector, enchanted by every new cultivar I came across. My garden bloomed with an ever-expanding array of perennials, […]
Planting a Pollinator Paradise
Bringing Nature’s Buzzing Beauties to Your Backyard As a self-proclaimed nature enthusiast, I’ve always had a deep fascination with the incredible diversity of pollinators that call our gardens and wildflowers home. From the delicate flutter of butterflies to the industrious buzz of bees, these tiny creatures play a vital role in sustaining the vibrant tapestry […]
Break the Mold: Unconventional Garden Design Ideas
Unleashing the Extraordinary: Beyond the Conventional Landscape As a lifelong gardener, I’ve always been fascinated by the endless possibilities of garden design. While the traditional manicured lawns and neatly trimmed hedges have their charm, I’ve come to believe that true beauty lies in the unconventional. It’s time to break free from the constraints of the […]
Get Creative With Vertical Gardening
The Joys of Vertical Gardening Oh, the woes of a gardener with limited space! I’ve been there, my friends. When we lived in the city, our small backyard was overrun with concrete and barely had room for a few potted plants. But I refused to let that stop me from indulging my green thumb. I […]
New and Underused Annuals to Grow
As the sun finally breaks through the clouds and the days grow longer, I can practically smell the fresh scent of blooming flowers in the air. It’s that time of year again when gardeners like myself start to get giddy with excitement, dreaming up new and creative ways to spruce up our outdoor spaces. Now, […]
Designing Gardens to Attract Pollinators
Planting a Pollinator Oasis in Your Own Backyard I’ll never forget the day I first saw Roy Diblik speak about the power of “wildscaping” – his term for designing gardens inspired by the natural world to support local wildlife. As he described the beauty and purpose of these naturalistic plantings, I was hooked. Gone were […]
Gardening for the Future: Sustainability Starts at Home
As I stroll through my lush, thriving garden, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of wonder and gratitude. It’s amazing how a little patch of earth can transform into a vibrant oasis of life, color, and balance. But what if I told you that this garden isn’t just a feast for the senses […]
Green Oasis: Creating a Backyard Escape
Unlocking the Door to Your Outdoor Sanctuary Imagine stepping out into your backyard and being transported to a lush, verdant oasis – a place where the worries of the day melt away, and you’re enveloped in the soothing embrace of nature. This is the dream I set out to achieve when I decided to transform […]
Building Beautiful Raised Bed Gardens
The Beauty of Raised Beds As a garden designer, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of raised garden beds. These elevated planting areas not only elevate the beauty of any outdoor space, but they also elevate your gardening experience. From boosting productivity to simplifying maintenance, raised beds offer a wealth of benefits that make them […]