A Step in Thyme

Save the Date!

2012-02-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

Here is a little info about our March seminar!

Daily Inspiration: Getting With It!

2012-02-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is my makeshift vegetable garden/raised bed my husband and I built (due to the fact that I planted a French knot garden in my vegetable garden spot...priorities). It looks quite pretty when it is full of beautiful plants in season. Last year I grew a cucumber up a topiary form on one side, had trailing petunias spilling out of it, PLUS was able to grow green onions, cilantro, red mustard, kale, 5 different types of greens, carrots, peas, peppers, and other misc. flowers! It could definitely use another coat of stain (last years has worn off), but it still gives me about 10 sq. ft. of space which will grow quite a bit of produce! I am too impatient to wait for March to sow my spring crops, so I ran a heating cable about 3" underneath the soil, and put together these hoops to create a sort of mini-greenhouse. I will attach some greenhouse plastic to it tonight after I have sown and watered in some carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuce, kale, and peas! If it doesn't work like I hope it will, no worries. I will just start over next month sans heating cable! At least it makes me feel like I am doing something in the garden other than cleanup- I want to grow some food! :)

Daily Inspiration: Branches

2012-02-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

Today, I was inspired to bring branches from an ornamental pear inside to force. My mom sent me her article for our March newsletter, and that's what it was all about-what shrubs to look for to bring some early spring beauty into your home! That was all I needed to hear. I dragged Monica outside with me, and she lifted me up and down on a forklift into the pear tree in front of the store to gather some of these branches!

Now I have three galvanized containers of various shapes and sizes full of these branches! They will soon boast bunches of beautiful, white flowers!

What do you have outside that you could bring in now?

Daily Inspiration: Massive Blooms

2012-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like a peony in full bloom... Just look at these!

Both of these peonies are growing happily in my parent's garden. The lavender variety (a tree peony: Paeonia suffruticosa Kamata-nishika) has dinner plate sized blooms. Absolutely breathtaking. The yellow one (shrub type: Paeonia x 'Bartzella') is a harder to come by variety. If you see one of these...don't even think about...buy it!

Daily Inspiration: Bulbs!

2012-02-08T08:20:00.000-08:00

I am just loving this early spring weather! Yesterday, I was able to work outside for several hours cleaning up beds, edging grass, planting bulbs (I still had a couple hundred to plant from fall!), and running heating cables in my patio raised beds to try and force some spring crops! Some areas of my garden were still fairly frozen, but some areas were pretty well thawed and ready to go. I was able to easily lift soil and pop the bulbs into the ground. Most of all, I loved getting my watering can out and soaking the bulbs after I planted them. It just felt like spring.

Daily Inspiration

2012-02-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

This pretty much sums it up...

Daily Inspiration: Indoor Jewels

2012-02-02T09:39:00.000-08:00

String of Pearls

(and it's not so common name Senecio rowleyanus)

This is one interesting houseplant.

They are a succulent so it receives the same care as all my cacti (water every 10 days, fertilize every other time), and they have delicate white blooms a couple times a year. Of course, when I first saw one of these plants, I just HAD to pop on of the beads (I have no idea why :)...I was expecting the same outcome as bubble wrap for some reason, but encountered a wet mess with no sound effect. Sad.

Daily Inspiration

2012-02-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that when I first started working with cacti and succulents I wasn't a huge fan. They seemed so unfriendly and boring.

I was wrong.

The more time I've spent caring for them, the more I have been able to see their subtle beauty. The intricate design each has, and let me tell you, you won't find such beautiful color and intricate patterns in other plants as you will in some of these cacti and succulents! I have grown to really love all cacti and succulents-to the point of wanting to collect some of the more rare varieties (have you ever seen a Calamar Squid Agave, a 'Bloodspot' Mangave, or a Spiral Aloe? I would love to have any one of these!). They have a beauty uniquely their own, and were created to be survivors. Most other plants would shrivel at the site of where these relish and thrive.

This is an Aeonium 'Zwartkop'

Beautiful.

I have found the best schedule for the cacti and succulents in our sunroom is to water them every 10 days, and add a little cactus fertilizer every other time you water. They do great!

Daily Inspiration: Deadly Beauty

2012-01-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's deadly...

the seed, that is.

This is a seed head from one of my Castor Bean plants. If you have an area where you need a quick growing screen, this is a great choice. Planted from seed in the late spring, it quickly grows 10-15 ft, providing great screens to cover fences, ugly buildings, or your neighbors view. Sadly, they are an annual, but when they grow this fast it almost doesn't matter!

Just make sure no one gets a hold of one of the seeds! They are deadly. Just one seed can take out a full grown man. Don't let this keep you from planting them though! Just make sure the seeds ends up in the ground, and not in someone's mouth! Easy enough!

I didn't take this picture, but it shows how huge their beautiful, glossy leaves get!

(http://printsofjapan.wordpress.com/tag/hideyoshi/)

Daily Inspiration

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

It's almost berry planting time!

I picked these beautiful berries sometime late last summer! I planted 'Heritage' and 'Fall Gold' ('Fall Gold' are my absolute favorite). Even though I dug the mother plants up and gave them to a close friend, their vigorous roots still produced a few canes. It's amazing how many berries just a few canes will produce!

We will have our berries toward the latter part of next month! Click HERE to see our 2012 berry & grape lists!

Daily Inspiration

2012-01-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

I took this picture in my garden in May of this past year. When you are planning out this year's garden, don't discount any open space in your flower beds! I grew lazy rows of leeks, red cabbage, giant red mustard, and swiss chard right in my flower beds! They were surrounded by Rudbeckia, Ivory Halo Dogwoods, Peonies, Campanulas, and Delphiniums, and they fit right in!

(as a sidenote...I think I need to have some more of the bright yellow Rudbeckias!)

Daily Inspiration: Basil

2012-01-20T15:17:00.000-08:00

Remember that Basil I started back in December???

Well, this morning I potted them into larger containers! So much fun! Yeah, I LOVE my job!

It smelled so good, and made me long for summer...

Daily Inspiration: Humor

2012-01-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

Geeky-Beaks

Some think they are hilarious, some think they are vile...

Me? Well, I think they are a crack-up!

No, you probably won't find one in my yard, but they make me smile every time I walk by them!

They seem to be a growing trend in some circles of the gardening sphere, so we get them in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes! We have fun sneaking one or two of these in to each other's displays on occasion. :)

Daily Inspiration: Spring!

2012-01-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

If you are feeling the need for spring, you should come down and stroll around in our plant filled sunroom! We received a huge load of houseplants at the end of last week! Here is a little picture teaser...

Beautiful hybrid lily.

Azaleas blooming like they mean it!

Tropical bromeliad. We got them in yellow, peach, orange, and red.

African violets!

Daily Inspiration

2012-01-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a pretty Coleus?

I don't see plants that are true pink very often- this one is pretty darn close. Coleus are extremely easy to start from seed, and now is a great time to get some started inside!

Daily Inspiration: Bell Jar Look-a-Like

2012-01-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

I love bell jars, but they can be so darn expensive (especially the antique sort)! These are an excellent alternative! They are made of heavy duty plastic and have a built in vent so you can control how much moisture stays inside! There will definitely be some of these in my garden this year!

I think they look quite a bit better than the classic, white, paper, hot caps!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

'California Gold'

Bougainvillea

Our Bougainvilleas have been blooming like crazy for quite awhile now. I covet the warm southern climate where these wonderful, tropical beauties flourish! Even though we can't leave them outside all year, they do make an excellent, easy-care houseplant! I water once to twice per week, and keep them in the sunniest location we've got. The picture is proof that they do well indoors!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-29T15:55:00.001-08:00

This is the current state of my Improved Meyer Lemon Tree!

If you have a citrus plant inside, and have not had luck getting them to set fruit, it's most likely because there is no flying critters to pollinate it! To remedy this, take a feather or soft, thin paint brush and dab the pollen from one flower to the pollen of another. Continue until all flowers have been pollinated. I did this the last time we had blooming citrus inside, and had great luck (all of them went out the door with fruit set and growing)!

The smell of the blooms is to die for.

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

I just ordered these! They will be here in the spring!

Aloe

'Christmas Carol'

(image from http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2942/christmas-carol-aloe.php)

Isn't that an interesting color pattern on the foliage?

I was also taken with the variety pictured below, 'Guido'.

Unfortunately, they won't have any ready by spring...so sad.

(image from http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3270/guido-aloe.php)

Daily Inspiration: Agave love.

2011-12-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

I want one of these...

Victoria reginae

Last Shopping Day till Christmas!

2011-12-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

2 Shopping Days Left!

2011-12-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

3 Shopping Days Left!

2011-12-22T07:41:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Rex Begonia

Begonias are a plant that I could have many of, and still want more! They are the first houseplants I look for when looking at other nurseries on nursery tours (just in case they have some obscure variety that I haven't been able to order), and they are also the first category of plant I look at when a houseplant order arrives. Each one is so different! Couple their beauty, with the fact that they don't require (or prefer) much care and we have an absolute houseplant winner!

4 Shopping Days Left!

2011-12-21T07:07:00.000-08:00

5 Shopping Days Left!

2011-12-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas present to myself!

2011-12-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

I thought this would be really fun to try:

These mushroom grow kits are available at www.backtotheroots.com!

It comes complete with grow box, mushroom 'seed', and mister bottle (replacement mushroom 'seed' bags are available for order as well, so you can keep growing mushrooms from the same box). All you have to do is mist it twice daily, and in ten days you will have a 1 1/2 lb. mushroom crop! You can yield up to 4 crops per box!

I'm all about trying new things, and learning all I can in the process! What fun!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-19T08:03:00.001-08:00

Bacopa

Apparently Bacopa, the blooming, trailing plant we most often use in summer pots, also makes a good houseplant! It's always fun to discover a plant that works well both in and out of doors! I always experiment bringing in a couple things every year; some successful, some not. Bacopa is a success so far! So, next year, when you are cleaning our your summer pots, remember to save your bacopa to bring inside! I have it planted in a basket that hangs in the sunniest part of our sunroom, and fertilize it every other week with Fox Farm's 'Tiger Bloom' fertilizer.

Remember the Lipstick plant bud I showed you recently? Here is that bud, fully opened and beautiful...

6 Shopping Days Left!

2011-12-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

Moonflower

(Ipomoea alba)

(picture from www.design-garden.com)

The moonflower belongs to the same family as the ever-popular, chartreuse-green potato vine that you see spilling out of many summer pots. The bonus with this variety- giant, white, fragrant blooms! Moonflowers are just as vigorous a vine, quickly growing 10'-12', covering trellises, arbors, etc. The most interesting thing about this plant is that the blooms open in the evening and last until morning, so be sure to plant this one where you will be able to see it at the appropriate times!

7 Shopping Days left!

2011-12-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-16T07:23:00.000-08:00

Sweet Pea

'Mammoth Salmon Cream'

Of all the pinks out there, salmon is our favorite. It falls somewhere between a warm and cool color palette, making it an easy choice in any spot (pairing it with reds could possibly be the only no-no). Put it with purples, blues, and whites, or with yellows, and oranges, and it will look phenomenal.

I'm going to try this seed out next season. It's a fragrant, short climber, growing 4'- perhaps a fun choice to grow up a small trellis in a pot?

8 Shopping Days left!

2011-12-16T07:10:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

Recycling at it's finest.

Lightbulb terrariums!

All you need is a clear light bulb, needle nose pliers and tweezers (for removing the insides of the lightbulb and for placing your objects inside), and a few ingredients from nature.

You first put a dot of silicone on the bottom side of the lightbulb so it sits the way you want it to. After the silicone dries, layer the bottom with sand, and last, place a few sticks, stones, and/or other elements to get your desired look. Air plants work exceptionally well for these terrariums as they don't need to be watered to survive- they absorb nutrients and moisture through the air. If you don't have any of those on hand (I didn't!), use anything that you think is pretty! I put a tiny homemade birdnest in the large bulb. (I am still trying to figure out what else to put in the small lightbulb- it's opening is less than 1/4 of an inch. The large lightbulb's opening is 1/2 inch.)

Thank you, http://thehipsterho.me, for the idea and the how-to!

They got a WAY better picture of theirs (I had a heck of a time with lighting!).

On the 9th Day of Christmas...

2011-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

If you are looking to seed some climbing annuals, this might be a fun, different choice for you!

Cobaea Scandens

Cobaea Scandens has a Willy-wonkaesque quality to me- with it's giant teacups that look good enough to eat! This vine is better off started inside, 4-6 weeks before last frost, because it takes a while to germinate (21-30 days). Once in the ground it will quickly grow 10-12', and will be covered in large purple bell-shaped blooms summer through fall!

On the 10th Day of Christmas...

2011-12-14T08:05:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-13T07:42:00.000-08:00

This is another flower seed that made it to my stash!

Five Spot

(Nemophila maculata)

This is an especially good annual flower for dry areas. It is a low-growing, carpet-forming flower that is great for borders or even containers. I am excited to see if it is a self-seeding annual or not (I hope so)! Five Spot blooms spring through summer!

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

2011-12-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

As we get our 2012 seeds in, I get inspired (and impatient!). I love to collect seeds of flowers, veggies, and herbs that I haven't grown yet, or those that I haven't even seen before.

Here is a pretty one I am going to try this year:

Hummingbird Salvia

'Coral Nymph'

We get this seed from Renee's Garden. The description says: This premium variety is more compact and earlier blooming than other salvias, with clouds of nectar-rich, orchid-like blossoms in an enchanting shade of salmon-coral with tiny white stamens. Hummingbirds seek out and flock to Coral Nymph plants literally from dawn to dusk, and sprays of these charming flowers are lovely in mixed bouquets. Coral Nymph grows readily in a wide range of conditions throughout summer. Ideal for big containers or as easy-care, free-flowering border plants.

On the 12th day of Christmas...

2011-12-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Today marks the first day of our annual 12 Shopping Days of Christmas sales event!

For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be putting a different item on sale. Once that item has gone on sale, it will remain that way until Christmas! Take advantage of this sale, and find the perfect gift for anyone on your list!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

A teapot with purpose!

This silver teapot is the genuine article...but it has a broken handle.

Bummer.

As long as it isn't good for serving up some hot beverage, why not use it for something else!?

Possibly something a tad prettier or whimsical?

In all the English garden and homes my family has toured, there was a common theme that we all noted- no matter how formal the garden, there was always something of a whimsical nature tucked in here or there. This is what gave even the stuffiest of gardens a 'real' quality and a charm that we all love to see in gardens!

P.S. Here are the first signs of lavender! Woo hoo!

(Seeds were started Dec. 1st.- with the help of the seedling heat mat and grow light, we beat the stated germination date by 8 days!)

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-09T15:11:00.000-08:00

Lipstick Plant

(Aeschynanthus radicans)

One of our Lipstick plants started to bloom today! Lipstick plants are an easy-care, hanging plant- good for almost any room! They tolerate low-light and dry conditions better than most, and bloom intermittently throughout the year. I love the way this plant sends out dark purple calyces which are followed by bright pink tubes of lipstick!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Terrariums have always been interesting to me. I love that every single one of them is different--each one utilizing different and unique containers and materials. I have terrariums at home ranging from a large, free-standing iron and glass terrarium that has room for several plants and larger decorative items, to a small copper-bottomed terrarium that has room for only one, small plant. When my nieces visit, they always look very intently in them to see if some sort of living creature is hiding somewhere in it. Who knows, there might be!

For most terrarium projects, you can find almost all the supplies you need just by looking around your home with a creative eye. You need any size/shape of clear glass container, and a few other supplies to get going! I started with an old, copper, plant mister that I'm sure was longing to be useful again! The actual glass part stands only 4 in. high and wide, with the opening being only 1 inch. I also found a little sand, moss-covered sticks, polished stones, a butterfly that had been pinned to the wall for I don't know how many years, and some seed pods to use. With a little patience, I got them all stuffed in the mister and arranged so that the lid can easily screw on and off (I warned everyone else not to shake it...or else!). It's helpful to have a pair of long, slender tweezers (or a skewer) if the opening of your container is small.

Butterfly on moss-covered sticks.

Seed pod and stone.

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-07T13:19:00.001-08:00

African Violet

'Blackie Bryant'

You don't see an African Violet with variegated leaves and double, ruffled flowers very often!

I'm in love with this variety!

A lot of customers say they have a hard time with violets. Through trial and error, I have found the easiest way to care for them is to let them dry out, not completely- but close, before watering, and then I water them from underneath (meaning I fill their saucers up with water and let them drink it up)! Violets bloom best on stress, that is why I let them dry out fairy well before watering! They also like consistent feedings. Ours are fertilized every two weeks with Schultz African Violet food.

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-05T08:04:00.000-08:00

I'm a winter girl for about 1 week, after that, I have had quite enough and find myself wanting spring so bad I can taste it. To ease the dreary, freezing, winter days, I cleared off a spot on our indoor potting bench and set up a seed-starting, plant-growing station. To speed things up, I use a seedling heat mat that stays on constantly to keep the soil temperature 10-20 degrees above the room's temperature, and a grow light set on a timer to give the new seedlings 16 hours of sun (sounds pretty ideal, doesn't it? I wouldn't mind at all having a human-sized station like that set-up!).

Here's what's coming-up!

'Sweet Italian' Basil

I used a mixture of one-part Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Mix, and one-part milled sphagnum moss/no damp off seed-starting mix.

Looks like I am going to need to do a little thinning...

On the other side of the flat is 'French Perfume' Lavender

No sign of it yet.

(Germination time is 18-28 days- maybe a bit shorter due to the consistent soil temperature- we'll see.)

Now is a great time to start herbs on your windowsill. You don't need all the fancy gadgets, just a container with drainage, seed-starting/potting mix, saran wrap to make a make-shift grow dome, seeds, and a sunny windowsill!

I like to grow basil, cilantro, parsley, chives, rosemary, and salad greens on my windowsill!

Daily Inspiration

2011-12-02T08:09:00.001-08:00

Poinsettias!

We just received a huge load full of them!
Traditional reds, whites, and a plethora of pinks and painted varieties!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun with all of you at our Garland & Wreath Making Seminar this past Saturday! It inspired me to make some garland of my own to go around my front door!

...and mom made 6 (yes, 6!) wreaths for various french doors around her house!

As a sidenote: If you weren't able to join us at the seminar, the garland and wreath making room is still set up and ready for you to come make your own creation until our green supply runs out! We have some beautiful greens, holly, branches, and bows left! We are standing by, ready to help you!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Taxus baccata

'Amersfoort'

(picture courtesy of www.atouchofgreen-gardenwebshop.nl)

We just recently began to carry this unusual specimen yew. Unlike other yews, 'Amersfoort' produces short, flat, oval needles on stiff, dark-green, outward-spreading branches. It's also a fairly slow growing shrub at 6-12" per year. The wonderful part about slow-growing specimens is that you can easily mold and shape them to maintain specific shapes, but this yew is equally stunning grown in its natural form. If you are a collector of unusual specimens, consider adding this one to your space!

Don't miss this!

2011-11-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first day of our open house. The most interesting and fun part of the day for me was hearing about what everyone collects to decorate with for Christmas. I wish I could step inside everyone's homes to see the collections in action! One customer said she was in a 'naturals' phase- meaning anything burlap, paper, wood, etc. Another said she collected Christmas trees, teeny-tiny to huge, made of all sorts of elements. And another said she loved reindeer.

Personally, I have an affinity for tartan plaid. It reminds me of England, and it seems cozy and warm. I also love anything ornate and gold: angels, ornaments, ribbons,etc. It is fun to always be 'on the hunt' for specific items-- it gives me a complete thrill when I find something that will fit in perfectly.

What do you collect?

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but we wanted to make sure you were planning ahead if you are thinking about going with a living Christmas tree this year! We have many wonderful varieties available- many that would look beautiful in your home as well as in your landscape! I have heard reservations from some about caring for a living tree, but don't worry, it's very easy! Check out our 'Caring for Living Christmas Trees' guide HERE.

Pictured here is a 'Mission Blue' Spruce (picea pungens).

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

Barberry

'Crimson Ruby'

Barberry shrubs are a favorite for their bright red foliage and low maintenance nature. I also appreciate them for their berries! These are from 'Crimson Ruby' which only grows to 24" tall and wide, making it a perfect accent in any sunny location!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-11T14:34:00.000-08:00

Japanese Maple

'Tsuma gaki'

Acer palmatum

This small broad tree catches your eye with soft yellow green leaves tipped crimson red; not unlike painted fingernails (and turns brilliant red and yellow in fall). It's a great specimen for small gardens- only growing 4-6 ' tall.

Hardy to -20 degrees!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Larix decidua

'Horstmann's Recurva'

We love the structure of this beautiful larch tree (and it's a zone 2)!

Medusa comes to mind when viewing this unusual, deciduous conifer with seriously curly "hair". The small tree develops wispy branches that twist and curl to fantastic effect, especially in winter, after needle drop. In late winter, rosy buds swell along the gray curlicues and herald longer days earlier than other conifers. Shaving-brush clusters of bright green needles erupt in spring, soften during summer and fire up to golden-yellow for fall. A seasonal stunner, for full sun and moist soil in summer (description from Iseli Nursery- who we acquire this specimen from)!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

We spent the morning gathering greens, branches, and cones for the store. What a beautiful way to start the day!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry, everyone- we know we have been a bit distracted from our blog the past couple of days, but we are right in the thick of Christmas decorating for our upcoming Holiday Open House! We are so excited!

But don't think that we aren't noticing the beauty of fall surrounding us. Check this out!

'Red November' Maple

Acer ginnala 'JFS-UGA'

This is such a neat tree. It grows 18' tall and 24' wide, giving it the look of the trees you see in the African plains.

(Okay, it's not EXACTLY like this...but you get the idea! It grows low and wide compared to other maples.)

'Red November' was developed to endure stress from heat- staying fresh and green all summer long- then it morphs into brilliant red in the fall. It's a zone 5, so very tough for our area. I planted one in my back yard this spring, and it is now putting on a beautiful autumn show!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Autumn in Paris

(pictures taken by mom!)

The ease of the french country garden , and it's complete opposite, the formal french gardens of Versailles.

I love them both. I can never choose what style I like, so my garden reflects a little of each!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

There is always something to look forward to...even in winter!

I can't wait to see snow-dusted versions of the plants I put in specifically for winter interest!

Daily Inspiration

2011-11-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is the picture that inspired part of my garden! I love the formality of symmetry and balance, just as much as I love the wild beauty of cottage-style flower beds.

We are coming into a great time of year for searching and pouring through gardening magazines to get ideas and inspiration for the next gardening season!

So, on the next chilly evening, curl up with some good gardening magazines and start dreaming! That's what we plan to do!

Daily Inspiration: DIY

2011-10-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

November Garland DIY

You may think there isn't much difference between October and November decor, but there is at my house! My black crows, spiders, creepy moss, and anything orange and black are put away in favor of golds, reds, oranges, browns, and natural decor brought in from the outdoors (branches, leaves, cones, etc.).

This is an easy (super inexpensive) project you can do to make a beautiful table centerpiece, or a beautiful piece to drape anywhere! The best part of the project is that you can put your own spin on it. You can make it as long as you like, with whatever kind of leaves you like, and with whatever ribbon you like!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Ribbon, Glue Gun, Scissors, Metallic Spray Paint, and Leaves!

For my garland, I chose magnolia leaves.

They are a nice broad shape, and boast beautiful fall colors that stay true once they have dried.

I used a gold metallic spray, but you can use whatever metallic you like: silver, copper, etc.

Here are my two boxes of leaves- ready to go!

Next, heat up your glue gun, and cut a length of ribbon to what size you want your garland to be. You can even use twine if that's what you have on hand. I like to use something pretty; it makes nice tails at either end, and it looks nice peaking through the garland here and there.

Next, it's time to start gluing! I start a few inches from the end of my ribbon (which you can't see in the picture because my ribbon was bent...I fixed that straight away). Having ribbon at the end makes it easy to pick up and move around when the garland is done, and it's pretty!

I like to stack my leaves up according to color in my work space before gluing, making it easy and quick to rotate through them, giving my garland a nice even appearance. (*Note: If you choose a ribbon that has holes- like mine- be sure to lift it up off the counter a bit when you need to glue leaves straight to it or else you will have a mess...speaking from experience! :) At some point, you will need to start gluing your leaves in the opposite direction you started, so you will have two ends that look the same. The first picture below shows the garland right before I began my transition, and if you look closely at the next picture below, you can see where I did my transition (about 10 inches from the right end).

And here it is, all done! I made mine about 3' long, and I haven't decided whether or not it's going to go on the table, the piano, or any other number of places it would look pretty! Maybe I need to get busy making some more!

And here's a close up...so you can see the colors!

HAVE FUN! And Happy Halloween!!!

~Laura

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like us, you love to be surrounded by beauty the entire year...nice weather or not. What objects do you have tucked away that would look pretty in you winter landscape?

Old pots look beautiful with branches or seed heads tucked into them!

Take a look around your landscape now and begin planning for a beautiful winter!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Oh, how we love herbs and flowers that start their show early in summer and continue bravely through hard frost! Here you see the broad-leaved borage with it's delicate blue, cucumber-tasting flowers, and a pretty yellow calendula peaking from behind!

Both of these plants are tough and come back reliably every year!

Do plant these in an area that you don't want too controlled...they are a free-spirited bunch!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

This Witch Hazel stopped me right in my tracks this morning! Up against a blue spruce, the orange almost glows. Witch Hazels are a favorite around here for a shade-loving shrub (I think it's safe to say that it's my mom's #1 favorite). The get rather large if left to their own devices, but they don't grow fast enough to get out of hand, making a nice shrub to train to a specific size. They come in all sorts of varieties, and boast a spectrum of fall color (reds, yellow, orange, and a mix)!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-24T15:12:00.001-07:00

This Japanese Anemone ('Party Dress') is just blooming its head off! Anemones are such a great perennial! They bloom through the cold, blustery fall days!

Important Dates!

2011-10-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here are the dates and times of our upcoming events!

Don't miss our annual open house!

And our November Seminar! This one is great fun!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

Weeping Willow Leaf Pear

Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'

This is one of my favorite ornamental trees. My parents have two of them that are trained into an arbor right before a descending stone staircase. They look almost ethereal, with their dusty silver, wispy foliage, and their quirky branching habit. When I got a place of my own, I just HAD to have a few. So, I planted three of them, staggering the length of a winding grass path, that will be trained to grow over the path (a sort of tunnel in the end).

Weeping Willow Leaf Pears are an outstanding ornamental. They do great in infertile, poor soil, and don't seem to be bothered by any problems of note. They get to be approximately 20' x 20', but grow slowly enough that they are easy to train and shape to look the way you want them too!

Their white blooms come out in early spring in large clusters- we always bring an armful of branches into the house for forcing. The blooms are then followed in the late summer-fall by beautiful, chartreuse green pear shaped fruit that are also great for arranging indoors.

More and more, I find myself leaning more toward the unusual, rare varieties...not just the typical red-in-fall maple (which I love, too), but plants with a wider spectrum of color. But, if you are in the market for a tree that has brilliant red, fall color, the Redpoint Maple (Acer rubrum 'Frank Jr.') is one of our favorites right now!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Juniper berries!

We have the most beautiful juniper shrubs in the nursery! They are chock full of berries! Won't they look pretty tucked into some garland or a wreath (or planted in a flower bed) this winter!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

Campanula

Bellflower (Campanulaceae)

'Birch Hybrid'

We love these! We both have them in several places in our gardens- mostly lining the edge of flower beds. They only grow about 6-9" tall, so you can tuck them into almost any space! They like sun to partial shade, but the best part is that they bloom all season long!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is just the beginning of my parent's harvest!

Do you see their 'helper' gaurding the produce??? (That is Tessa, my other sister :)

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

This morning was wonderful. The kind of morning you dream about in July, when it is already 85 degrees before 8am. I would imagine that most would prefer to stay inside until the sun at least begins to peak its way through the fog, but we would rather be outside, relishing every ounce of fog, dew, and cool temperature that we can! Fall color is at its peak right now. The sumacs, maples, witch hazels, dogwoods, oaks, parrotias, crabapples, and hundreds of others are to. die. for. We try to soak as much of it in as we can!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

For the love of lanterns...

These are a few of the BEAUTIFUL lanterns that just arrived!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Add a bit of Halloween spookiness to your pots! I love these great big spiders! Spanish moss is a great thing to add trailing out of the side of pots or under your table centerpiece for a spider-web 'creepy' look!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-12T16:42:00.001-07:00

Sadly, there is no info I can tell you about this rose, but I thought it too beautiful not to share an image of it! It was a tester sent from J&P a year ago, so I planted it to 'test' it. Well, so far so good!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Smooth Sumac

You can't beat the color of sumac trees in the fall! This one is just starting to put on its brilliant color! There are male and female sumacs- you know it's a female if it produces fruit clusters which ripen into a beautiful red! The smooth sumac is a zone 3 and grows 9-15' tall and wide!

A few of its fall-colored branches would be beautiful in a vase!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Hemerocallis

'Stella de Oro'

YYou gotta love this happy looking bloom! These are a great repeat blooming daylily (that now have a 'sister' plant, the 'Purple de Oro' which reblooms as well)! They only get about 18" x 18" (although I have seen them just a tad bigger if they really like their spot) and have beautiful grassy foliage, which makes them great for a color and texture accent anywhere!

We love Stella! :)

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hybrid Tea Rose

'Sugar Moon'

This exquisite pure white hybrid tea glows like moonlight and smells like heaven. The full, classically formed blooms are saturated with intensely sweet citrus and rose fragrance that nearly bowls you over. Big, pointed buds spiral open to show off broad petals. Very dark green, glossy leaves make the white flowers pop all the more. Good re-bloom, natural vigor, superior disease resistance and long stems make this a perfect rose for garden display, the show-bench, floral arrangements, and, above all, for smelling! Flower size: 4-5". Fragrance: Intense sweet citrus and rose.

(description borrowed from edmundsroses.com... I couldn't have said it any better myself!)

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

Home Run Rose

Home Run roses are a favorite around here! They boast non-stop flowering, the ability to thrive in any soil, and do not need to be sprayed! I know of no complaints about this rose!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

We've got to start thinking about winter interest in our pots and gardens! This Cotoneaster (kuh-tony-aster NOT cotton-easter...but don't worry, we've all said it like that at one point!) has great berries throughout the winter! Winter interest comes in a variety of forms: evergreen foliage, interesting bark or branching, and berries!

P.S. Don't you just LOVE the rain? It officially feels like fall-like a time of rest is coming for all!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Salvia

officinalis

'Purpurascens'

Better known as Purple Sage.

Purple sage is such a great plant. It is a great pick if you are wanting to mix up the colors in your herb bed. Sage prefer well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and this variety is hardy to -20F. 24" tall and 18" wide.

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love Coleus?

They not only make great color accents in shadier areas during the warm seasons, but they will also do the same thing in your home during the cooler months! They are a low-maintenance, bright houseplant!

If you have some Coleus in pots or in your beds, think about digging them and potting them up to tuck somewhere inside your house! The weather is supposed to get cooler very soon!

Daily Inspiration

2011-10-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help it...I just had to share this picture (we got in some of the most fun decor)! I don't know about you, but I am decorating it up for Halloween today!

P.S. We made a trip out to Purdum's Produce Stand this morning! They have a great selection of squash (small and large), Indian corn, and the beginnings of a great pumpkin harvest ready to go! We loaded up!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

A good reminder for the season!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

Fern Leaf Yarrow

Achillea x 'Moonshine'

The stunning contrast of colors makes this a great pick for any sunny area in your garden. Yarrow is an extremely easy to grow and easy to care for perennial (and it's hardy to -40 degrees)! It's foliage reaches 12" tall, and flowers to 24". It's canary-yellow flowers are used often to cut and dry for bouquets.

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

David Austin Rose

'L.D. Braithwaite'

(auscrim)

I can't wait until this rose opens up a little more! They are gorgeous when they first come out, but, oh my, an English rose in full, open bloom...there is nothing like it!

L.D. Braithwate is a nice size rose at 4.5' tall and 4' wide, providing lots of color and structure. It has a delicate rose fragrance and is very free flowering.

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

Coreopsis

'Sunburst'

We have so many beautiful, blooming plants out in the nursery right now! It just reminds me of how important it is to view your garden with a critical eye during each season. By doing this, you will be able to tell which areas need a little work. Whether you need more plants that provide color in the fall, more early spring interest, a different texture in a spot during the summer, or plants that give some much needed winter structure and color, they are all easy to fix! Visit us during each season to see just what that season offers!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Echinacea

purpurea

'Hot Summer'

These really catch my eye both in the nursery and in landscapes! They are great for butterfly gardens, blooming all summer up until frost, and grow 24-30" tall and 18-24" wide...talk about big bang for your buck!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Caryopteris

clandonensis

'Gold Giant'

The combination of true-blue flowers against delicate, golden-yellow foliage makes for a very striking plant! 'Gold Giant' blooms from June-September and does a great job attracting butterflies! It gets 36-48" tall and 36" wide.

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

Plant yourself some salad!

(Lactuca Sativa 'Gourmet Salad Blend')

I love the look of salad greens-even tucked into flower pots for texture and color accents.

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Gaillardia

'Fanfare'

You can't beat this! We have been enjoying these blooms since June (and they bloom all the way through October) on a compact (18"x18") plant!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Garlic!

We just got 25 lbs. of beautiful 'Italian Pearl' garlic in! Just the sight of it makes me want to go cook something!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Tried another recipe out of the new Farmer's Almanac cookbook today!

Carrot Cake with Creamy Pineapple Filling...

It has three layers of carrot-pineapple cake goodness, with two layers of sweet-pineapple-buttery gooeyness, and a generous layer of smooth-cream cheesy-orange frosting! And I can't forget about the sprinkle of toasted walnuts on top!

I am thinking this cookbook is a keeper!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

Leucanthemum

superbum

'Lacrosse'

I love this daisy because of its compact nature. Though I love the regular, taller daisies ('Becky'), sometimes I find myself needing a pop of white in a plant of smaller stature. 'Lacrosse' only gets 10 in. tall and 20 in. wide. It's in its full glory right now- blooming since June and continuing on through October! Tough as nails too--hardy to -30 degrees!

Save the Date!

2011-09-17T06:57:00.001-07:00

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

We think you should be inspired to come to our 'Creating with Fall Bulbs' seminar tomorrow (at 10am!) because we are cooking some very yummy treats for you right this very moment!

Proof is in the picture!

Haha! I got to be the lucky one not in the picture! Someone has to take it! :)

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of the huge load of beautiful fall plants we unloaded this morning...

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

How about this for beautiful foliage?

Heuchera

'Obsidian'

This zone 4 perennial is the perfect choice for pot accents or your shady flower beds. It gets 10" tall and 16" wide. The wonderful thing about this particular plant is that its color does NOT fade! I currently have one in a pot with a red sedge grass, 'Lacinato' kale, and a 'Red Rover' mum, and I LOVE it!

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

If you have extra apples laying around, you should try this recipe out!

It's a recipe out of the new Farmers Almanac Cookbook we just got in at the store- Upside Down Apple Pie! There are a lot more great sounding recipes in the book!

I couldn't just stop at an apple pie though! I really wanted to try out the Praline syrup I put up a few weeks ago (recipe from Balls Blue Book Guide to Preserving)..

...with it I made some Praline Pecan Sticky Buns (my own adaption from a recipe found in Sur La Table's The Art & Soul of Baking)

Now, I am in desperate need of some exercise! :)

Daily Inspiration

2011-09-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

This is what Miracle Grow does to mom's plants at home...

Keep in mind this is a 16" planter that now measures 6' across!

The plants have taken over not only the pillar it sits on, but also the chairs on either side of it!

Amazing!

Also- I have been nursing a sick, sad, anemic-looking cucumber vine all summer in my planter box with nary a fruit...well, guess what I found yesterday???

A cucumber!!! Woo hoo! :)