"I think if I were living in a utopian world, then it wouldn't be political commentary; it would be about daffodils." —Emily Haines As the days get longer and the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to start searching for signs of spring. Bright and sunny daffodils are one of the first perennials to pop onto the scene, adding a much-needed burst of color after a long gloomy winter. Symbolizing hope and new beginnings, daffodils are the most cheerful way to celebrate the changing season. Learn more about our ONLINE COURSE Designing Luxurious Gardens and Containers: The Inspired Garden Masterclass. While tulips may offer more color options, you’ll get more bang for your buck with daffodils. Not only will they come back...
“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I was a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”— George Eliot September is a wonderful time to consider container planting. The vibrant colors and beautiful textures in a fall container create instant curb appeal-- a refreshing update when your summer flowers start looking tired and worn out. Learn more about our ONLINE COURSE Designing Luxurious Gardens and Containers: The Inspired Garden Masterclass. A common mantra gardeners use when designing containers is thrillers, fillers, and spillers. I use it as a guide when creating my planters, but love adding a few of my own whimsical elements. Thrillers are the statement piece. The excitement. Literally the center of attention. ...
“Summertime. It was a song. It was a season. I wondered if that season would ever live inside me.” — Benjamin Alire Sáenz Annuals bring magic to any garden. They grow quicker, bloom longer, and produce more flowers than perennials do. Available in a wide variety of vibrant colors, annuals can fill in gaps between seasons and add instant pops of color where needed. My five favorite early summer annuals are all deer-resistant and do well in extreme heat. Inspired Garden tip: resist the urge to put them in rows and plant in clusters of 5 instead. Learn more about our ONLINE COURSE Designing Luxurious Gardens and Containers: The Inspired Garden Masterclass. Photo credits: Aimee Ryan Zinnias come in so many...
"Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year's all about." — John Mayer Summer’s intense heat can leave your flowers looking wilted and sad unless you choose plants that actually thrive on hot sunny days. Packing a planter with heat-tolerant flowers will ensure a vibrant, gorgeous pot that can last through October. Learn more about our ONLINE COURSE Designing Luxurious Gardens and Containers: The Inspired Garden Masterclass. To create a bright and cheery summer container, I rely on the tried and true thriller, filler, spiller technique. For anyone needing a refresher on this, thrillers are the eye-catching, taller plants that go in the center of the pot; fillers are midsize and surround and enhance the thriller; spillers are the dreamy, cascading...
"Daffodils, blossom and tulips jostle to the front of the stage in April. I love these early perennials: they may be more modest but they nearly all have that one special quality that a plant needs to transform your affections from admiration to affection – charm." — Monty Don Photo credit: Anna Herbst The first few weeks of spring are a magical time for gardeners, especially those who planted bulbs last fall. Your efforts are finally paying off! Tulips, daffodils, and crocus are popping up everywhere, and alliums and lilies will soon follow. It’s important to enjoy every moment as these blooms won’t stick around for long (tulips last only 2 weeks!). Once the flowers fade, they require...
