VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

photocourtesymichaeltrapp Peeps, The work-week draws to a close, and I look forward to sleeping late tomorrow, at least until 9am.  Rains during the week, especially last night and this morning were quite pleasant.  In the garden, dahlias and zinnias are still quite vigorous and the pineapple sage is almost chest-high and shows no sign of slowing-down.  At this time of the year, ferns, Japanese anemones, and maples are glorious, as are clematis-covered fences highlighted by tiny, fragrant flowers.  John Brooke's Small Garden has been a late-night read for the past week or so; on the subject of small gardens, he states that, " Resist the temptation to work on a small scale just because you are dealing with a small space. " I live in a tiny space where larger furniture, objects, and paintings, when placed carefully and used most judiciously, are dramatic, unexpected, and blur the distinction between real or physical space, and perceived space.  The same appro...

photocourtesyarterra.com Peeps, Too often lighting is an afterthought.  Beds are planted and a light layer of fine mulch has been applied; sprinklers set for 540 am; the cafe table and chairs beckon invitingly and visions of paradise fill the evening sky as well as the imagination.  Yet, in the time between waiting for the landscaper's truck and helpers to leave, loading a picnic tray with wine-glasses/snacks/sparkling, fruity Portuguese white wine, and finally getting all the gang out in the new garden, night has fallen and very little can be seen because landscape lighting was forgotten in the hurry to get everything perfect for Easter Sunday supper and Grandpa's visit.  Planning and planting done in the fall allows one to fully visualize the completed garden which entails hardscaping, plantings, irrigation, and lighting requirements.  To trample and unearth newly-planted beds in order to run electrical wires is no fun; solar-generated path lights and spo...

photocourtesydesiretoinpsire Peeps, I love the sense of purpose one gets in viewing and experiencing this path.  As well the feel of a lush, carefree and joyous garden.  In the distance, shrubs and plants spill deliciously over the walk's border, and little creepers seem to wink impishly and lead the eye forward.  An ingenious combination of old brick, pea-gravel and clam-shells have been utilized to great effect.  Old bricks, cedar landscape timbers, slate shingles, molded concrete forms, and metal edgings (of iron) work best at containing the garden within and keeping the lawn or hardscaping materials out; it's much easier to run the lawnmower to the edge of the bed, or if one is so inclined, slanting the weed-trimmer to cut alongside the edge.  The roll of plastic edging commonly sold at the box-store garden centers quickly breaks after a few encounters with a lawnmower or wheelbarrow, never sits quite level, and is pretty expensive for something that i...

photocourtesydesiretoinspire Peeps, I love the manner in which this enclosed garden both envelops and expands the visitor's experience.  Lush plantings on the perimeter soften the garden's barriers and actually foster the illusion of greater depth; sculptural tree forms give much needed interest and variety.  The center of the garden opens to the brilliant sky above, and makes one cherish evermore the shadowy recesses where imagination and fantasy take flight, and woodland elves hold secret tea-parties -- undisturbed by prying eyes.  Fences between adjoining properties are always nice when they are tall and sturdy, and lush plantings makes these upright barriers much softer and seem more friendly.  They can act as sound barriers, as well as creatively borrow from the vista beyond.  I shudder whenever I pass tiny suburban gardens where rows of Leyland cypress have been pressed into service as hedges; they rarely provide any visual interest, frequently decre...

photocourtesydesiretoinspire Peeps, The month of October is the perfect time for planning the winter garden, as well as for any thoughts of a more vibrant spring (garden).  Retailers have started discounting container pots as they prepare to empty the shelves in preparation for the arrival of holiday decorations, ribbons and paper-products, and catchy objects such as imported cookies, scented candles, chip-and-dip platters and the like.  One of my favorite sources -- Home Goods/Marshalls Mega Store-- for Asian glazed pots and Italian-style ceramic containers, had prices slashed by 50%, and Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft stores had Martha Stewart garden accessories in limited quantities at a hefty 70% off the original price.  Likewise, garden centers are offering substantial savings on evergreens such as holly trees, boxwood bushes, junipers and assorted shrubs, and perennials.  Any of these will overwinter reasonably well in container pots situated on the patio or i...