Not Your Usual Cut Flower

Living in the South I am very familiar with the flowering shrub commonly know as an Azalea.  My town in fact is widely know as the Azalea City.  These delicate flowers come in colors like shocking pink, white, and baby pink among others.  These Rhododendron are a joy for a few weeks in spring and then forgotten almost entirely until the following spring.  This year however, I have discovered that they are not only lovely outside, but inside as well.

Azalea's delicate tissue like petals do not seem like a practical choice for a cut flower.  On the contrary, it is a wonderfully resilient cut flower.  Kept in water they will last the better part of a week and look fabulous the entire time, closed buds even blooming and all.  Since Azaleas grow in clumps it is very easy to get a big punch from just a handful of cut stems.  If you are going for an elegant look try the common white variety, whereas shocking pink can add an element of fun.  Happy cutting.

Getting Ready for Spring

These planters were just what I had in mind for the pool.  Filled with blue tip juniper, deep purple violas and blue star creeper, they add interest.  They would also be really pretty with large rounded boxwoods.

This is the time of year that so many of us get the itch to start preparing the outdoors for spring.  Although the weather may still be cold out, we know it will not be long until we will be enjoying balmy afternoons on the back porch. I find that one of the best was to prepare for the coming spring and summer is to take time to evaluate your outdoor living spaces and make changes accordingly.

Unlike many popular TV homes shows, most people cannot afford to overhaul the backyard in an afternoon.  In my design experience, I find that focusing on a few high impact pieces at first, and then adding other pieces on an as-you-go basis works for most spaces.  I like to make a wish list and prioritize based on that years budget.  There is nothing wrong with having a multi-year plan for an outdoor space, as long as you start with a well thought out master plan.  Always buy durable pieces with great style.

I started to evaluate my own patio and garden spaces in January.  I needed some work space on the back porch as well as some planters to give the pool a little boost.  I find this to be a common, as well as constant dilemma when designing.  Do I focus on functional pieces or go for the aesthetic ones that will give me the look I want?  The answer is, a little of both.  Just like with most things, striking a balance is important.

As I have discussed in prior writings, I have an affinity for concrete elements in the garden and on the patio.  They are my go-to items for their durability, permanence, and beauty.  Terracotta is great too, just not as durable.  I don't generally recommend fiberglass anything unless there is a weight issue with where it will be placed.

If you are looking to add furniture, most home improvement stores and online retailers have their selections ready for purchase early in the season, so shopping for items from your master plan can be done fairy early.  Take your time to decide where things will fit in your plan, and avoid impulse buying.  

By being deliberate in your planning, purchasing and implementing you will make the most of your time and budget.  Getting an early start, your will be able to enjoy the very first warm spring afternoon. Good Luck!

This is the console table for the back porch.  After looking at the photo, the visible outlets underneath really bugged me, so I moved a larger terracotta planter with a medium sized boxwood in place of the mint plant pictured.  The scale is much  better and outlets are obscured.

The grass is still brown, but I can't wait for spring!

Fall Container Gardening

This container has rosemary (great to clip and use for cooking) in the center with pansies and elfin thyme around the perimeter.

Container gardening is a great option for fall and winter gardening.  It is very easy to compose a lovely container with the many varieties of fall plants readily available.  All of the plants as well as the urn pictured in this post came from a chain hardware/garden center.

Containers can add a big look to a drab corner of a porch or patio.  Planting in a container is a wonderful choice in colder months because in many parts of the country the ground too hard for easy planting.  It is easy to do if you follow a few simple steps.

There are several things to consider when putting together a container.  Choosing a lovely container will get things off to a good start.  It is worth looking around to find just the right one.  I really like stone (concrete) containers because they seldom crack (like terracotta), and their heavy weight gives them a sense of permanence when placed strategically on a porch or in a garden.  If you cannot find what you want at a chain store, try looking at smaller, locally owned garden centers.

Once you choose the container, soil is the next thing to consider.  Although it may be tempting to choose the cheapest, or on-sale potting soil, it is worth the extra money to get a high-quality soil.  Containers loose their water much quicker than plants in the ground, so it is important to look for potting soil with fertilizing and water retentive properties.

The only thing left is choosing the plants.  I find the best aesthetic results when I combine plants of different height, colors, and textures.  Choose plants with your container location in mind.  There are great plant varieties for all locations; shade, part-shade, and sun. Plants can be changed seasonally, or left indefinitely, depending on your selections. Work from the center of your container with taller plants, and then out to the edges with shorter ones.  

Once you are happy with your results, water well (and regularly) and enjoy!

This elfin thyme is wonderfully fragrant with diminutive purple flowers  It also has a trailing habit, so in the coming months I expect it will be spilling over the sides of the pot providing an elegant look. For this container I purchased one plant and divided it, putting a section on both the front an back sides of the container.  This helps to create a balanced looking container.

Beat the Heat with Night Gardening

One problem many gardeners face is how to spruce up planting beds in triple didget temperatures.  A good solution is to garden during evening hours when temps are lower.  If your home is not well-lit at night, wearing a head lamp may be a solution (the kind miners wear).  Handle lighted areas at night and less lit areas in early morning hours. 

At our house we involve the entire family.  My teenage son helps with things like carrying heavy watering cans, while the younger kids help pull weeds and pick up yard debris.  During our time in the garden we discuss the different plants and their needs, and what else we may want to plant later in the season.  Working together in comfortable temperatures at night, when we are all relaxed and unhurried, is a wonderful way to bond and get those planting bed ship-shape.

Inexpensive Botancial Looks for Spring

As spring is being revealed all around us here in the South, I like to reflect the seasonal excitement indoors as well. While I admire what I see in the florists window, I generally don't like the prices or the short life span of what is available. One solution I have found is to search my immediate envinronment (my yard and my neighborhood) for botanical options that will not only give seasonal appeal, but go easy on the budget.

The arrangement I have displayed this year in my entry hall was an easily achieved look. I simply cut three g00d-size magnolia branches and placed in them in an old, large candle holder (purchased at Target some years ag0) with a some water. The key to making anything look good in clear glass is to make sure the glass is exquisitely clean. The reflections of light off the glass and water therein is what gives it a clean, fresh look. The other consideration is to be certain whatever is removed from the outdoor environment is prepared for being displayed inside. In this case, I wiped all visible pollen of the magnolia leaves with a wet paper towel, and discarded small pieces of moss and pine needles.

This arrangement should stay looking great for several weeks. Total cost: $0.00