California Dreamin’

Who remembers this beautiful garden?

The Donnell Garden

The Donnell garden in Sonoma, California was designed by Thomas Church and Lawrence Halprin in 1947.  According to Architectural Historian Mark Treib, it is the “most famous garden of the twentieth century.”  Truly, an icon of classic modernism, the gardens’ owners Sandra Donnell and Justin Faggioli, have maintained and protected the original design of the garden.  What an inspiration it was then and now!

2011 Perennial of the Year

This year, the Perennial Plant Association has named Amsonia hubrichtii, more commonly known as Amsonia or Arkansas Blue Star, as the perennial of the year.  It truly is a plant for the seasons:

In Spring, it is covered with small blue star-shaped flowers:

It’s foliage is very delicate, like a thread leaf.

And, in Fall, this is what you can expect:

  

 

From Garden Rant

The amsonia plant grows to 3-feet tall x 3-feet wide in a soft billowy mound and is a native of Arkansas and Oklahoma.  It thrives in full sun to part shade in zones 4 through 9.  Although I live in zone 8, I have yet to see one growing here.  I must get one to see how it grows in my garden.

How does a plant get such an honor you ask?  Each year, the Perennial Plant Association “Perennial Plant of the Year” committee selects four plants to be voted on by members of the association.  Each plant must be suitable for a wide range of climate types; be low maintenance; be easily propagated; and must exhibit multiple seasonal interest. 

To see past Perennial Plant of the Year winners go Here.

Skateboarder’s Dream House

Imagine, a house built for grinding, carving and flying tomatoes?!  This home is a skateboarder’s dream.  Actually, the living area of this home was developed by Pierre-Andre Senizergues (PAS), founder of Sole Technology and a former pro skater.  It is a prototype for a single-family home to be used for indoor skateboarding.  Too fun not to share. 









Check out the back of that chair and the wall partition.  Is this home for you?  To read more about this prototype house, go to Inman News.

     

I’m published!

It’s the first time I’ve ever been PAID for it … 

Wrightsville Beach Magazine

I was asked by the magazine to identify some well-designed gardens and explain why.  Many of us know when we are in a pleasant space, but few of us can identify why.  Enjoy, darlings!

A few more pics with my own camera …

Garden Number 1.

Poetry in motion! 

 

Fell in love with this arbor with a rose on top.  The large candelabra was designed by the owner of the home. 

 

A proper way to end an axis.

 

Curves!

 

Garden Number 2.

 

View of the home from the street.

 

The view from my car of the front entrance.  The formal parterre garden is obscured by a sea of maiden grass.

 

Inside the parterre garden at the entry courtyard. 

 

Loropetalum chinensis espalier.

The rill garden consisted of two round pools connected by a nine-inch runnel. 

The owner designed this so that water could flow in either direction. 

 

I love the granite block and the perennials on this terraced garden.

 

Curved walls terrace down to the natural wooded area beyond.

 

View from the other direction.  A symphony of herbaceous perennials!

 

Big leaf hydrangeas behind a Japanese boxwood hedge.

 

Such harmony! 

Note:  Did you see any green grass in these pics?  No – there is none.

 

Garden Number 3.

 

A restoration of an historic home in Wilmington, NC.

 

Magnolia soulangiana “Saucer Magnolia”

 

 

Lilies and ferns.

 

Focal Point.

 

Fountain and fenestration.

 

A year later.

Motor Court with red brick and crushed slate.

 

Garden Gates

From Strawberry Pots to Tabletops

Suddenly, succulents are not just for strawberry pots anymore.  Remember when succulent plants looked like this?


Nowadays, in our waterwise world, they are looking more like this…
 
or this …

or this …

 Bend Weekly 

Yes, our beloved Hens and Chicks have found a new use or should I say many new uses.  They have become the plant of choice for living walls, green roofs and even tabletops! 

quinn tessentially me's blog

Sunset Magazine online can teach you how to make a tabletop garden such as this, step by step.

Sunset Magazine

Janice Eaton Kilby wrote the book on beautiful tabletop gardens.

 

And J Peterson at Garden Design gave it a pretty good review.

Yes, succulents have come a long way.  With their good looks, low water requirements and low maintenance appeal, they have become the plant poster child for the green movement.

Besserina

 

It’s Earth Day!

I’m hoping everyone will join in and do something to create positive change for our planet.  This year’s Earth Day theme is  “Earth Day 2011:  A Billion Acts of Green.”  To get involved with Earth Day events go Here.  Take action!  You also might consider visiting Oceana, the largest international organization whose focus is Ocean conservation.

Please take a moment this Earth Day to think about what small measure you can do to help our planet!

Happy Earth Day and Happy Easter!

Black Friday gift ideas

Tis the season to get busy shopping!  For those of us who prefer to let our fingers do the walking, here are a few gift ideas from the internet.

 

Fabulous semi-custom stationary from fabulousstationary.com   Set of 20 notes and envelops. $45.00

 

Succulent Wreath from VivaTerra.  13” diameter hand-assembled wreath made out of living plants! $79.00

 

Tin can Angels with bottle cap faces are hand made in Guatemala!  Made from old aluminum cans from VivaTerra.  Set of 4: $17.00

 

 

Colorful handmade beads from Bead for Life, an organization whose mission is to eradicate poverty in Uganda.  You can purchase these colorful bracelets or necklaces (made from paper) that range in price from $5 to $20.

 

“Love our Oceans” Gift set from glassybaby.  These glass candle holders are made from a multi-layered glass blowing process.  100 per cent of the sales price of this set goes to assist Conservation International, an organization whose mission is to “responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity” including our beautiful oceans.  Set of 3:  $120

 

This recycled sailcloth collection of bags, shower curtains and dog beds is a must have for all those who are nautical-minded!  The bags are durable and affordable and come in a wide range of sizes!  Available from Ella Vickers.

 

Amaryllis Flower Kit.  Make beautiful flowers out of paper!  Visit Paper Source to find this kit and many others!  $14.95

 

At last, tools designed for fun!  Get these hammers and screwdrivers in mulit- or nauticual-stripes from Delight.com for $24.50.

 

Finally, here are some wonderful gifts available on Etsy …

 

This “Blooming Neck Gardens” scarf features hand-crocheted flowers on a crocheted chain.  It is handmade with love by Scarf it up at Etsy.  You can own it for just $48.00!

 

Delicate and dainty, this Family Tree Initial necklace features your initials and creates a personal statement for the wearer to keep close to her heart.  From Soul Peaces on Etsy.  $47.00

These chalkboard plant stakes will assist you with labeling your garden this summer!  The best thing about them is that they don’t cause glare from the sun AND they are reusable!  Get this set of 5 plant stakes from  bradensgracewallart on Etsy for just $12.

This beautiful line of clothing pins can dress up any outfit!  Get them from Bien Aimee at Etsy for under $30.

Happy Black Friday everyone!  Feel free to post about any other great gift items you might find when you are out and about on the internet!