Dealing With Mature Landscaping

Our recent move has resulted in dealing with somewhat mature landscaping as far as the ornamental garden beds.  This presents a few problems.  First, we have no idea of knowing what spring or fall plants may be there so it is hard to consider those when it comes to replanting.  Second, any mature landscaping locks the gardens and even tree placement into the vision of the previous own, not you

Planning Our New Garden Beds

When we moved into our then new house a little over four years ago it was apparent that the was a lot of major work to do.  Unfortunately we spent much of those years ripping out garden mistakes as well as vegetation overgrowth.  We put that house on the market eighteen months ago so while we did garden maintenance, added mulch and a couple of raised beds we really did not get to reap the

Our Pear Tree

I was also thrilled to discover a pear tree on our new property.  It is a good sized tree, about ten feet high that was laden with large pears.  I think it is a Bartlett pear tree but will get a positive identification from the nursery.  Like the peach trees, the pear tree likely needs a bit of pruning.  I will be following the pruning guidelines for fruit trees by the Ontario Ministry of

Our Peach Trees

We were extremely pleased to discover fruit trees on our newly acquired property.  The property itself is a smaller, subdivision sized with a good sized house and above ground pool.  This will place restrictions on how we can set up our gardens.  There are some established ornamental front and side garden beds and a good size (about 10' x 20') traditional bed for vegetables.  I will be turning

Coleus

Eons ago I first became interested in gardening as a child but a few years later my environmental science teacher hired another student and myself through the school.  Our job on the surface was easy, to help out with the greenhouse.  The real purpose of the job was to teach us how the greenhouse was maintained including all the operational functions.  I absolutely loved it!  I would spend every

Trend forecast from Maison Objet

Immediately following our group tour the Paris trade show, Maison Objet, was beginning. A home and accessory show for those in the "trade". This massive European event did not disappoint.

Come with, let's view together the trends I noticed and "objects of art" that captured my imagination.

STRIPES, everyhere

Do you like? What do you think? Have to say I liked it

TUFTED UPHOLSTERY. Love the concept of double bench sofa's

Lazy day slipcovered sofa with tufted seat

Check out those legs, the zigzag pattern of the nailheads

LEATHER, and in this particular case on retro styling, a style you would never see in leather

Your thoughts? I have to give credit where it is due, would this have ever occurred to you?

DIMINUTIVE SEATNG, packed with ideas; extra large trim spaced widely

AHHHH, but that back, stunning

LINEN, in natural tones

painting on linen

TRUNKS

England, the tour

The ladies of this past tour are long home. Having the good fortune to still be in England, my partner in travel, Sylvia Benjamin and I are busy scouting and planning for next years tours.

Care to "join" us,  for a moment?    

                                                                                                                               

Let's go!

The lovely Diana created a masterful welcome reception. Everyone's surprise? Amazing food whether dining in or out!

Wine on one of the patio's. Look at the long views surrounding us

Predominately a garden tour we also

                                                              learned flower arranging

                                                                      did this!

                                                              shopping in downtown Sherborne

viewing interiors.......a typical British manor home bedroom. See the surrounding paneling? It is called 'linen fold'. see the close up below? I am always in awe at the artistry and exactness of this hand carved, old school art form. 

Swedish massage and Kinesiology.

How about a quick lesson in English gardens? This home is the standard cottage garden, even though there is nothing "standard" about it

Oftentimes vines clamor up the buildings, it makes the structure more "one with the garden"

This example and the next is my favorite type of garden; formal "bones" usually heavily sheared boxwood and/or yew. This lends order to the garden without being too structured.

Prairies which come second nature in the Midwest are becoming a happy concept in the British gardens, often with a sense of whimsey. Example; a buffalo

This prairie garden has a children's natural hideaway    

with an interior metal 'spider web' being fully utilized

transitioning to the manor home

with more formal bones and a typical austere entrance.

See the white doves? Their coooing was serene

 magic reigns beyond and deep within

Personally I find the British to be numero uno in the container department. As this photo conveys, get some of your containers out in the garden where they can create "exclamation points" of interest.

Having learned to plant in the UK; they plant rootball to rootball while tucking in seeds (in containers). The temperate weather with plenty of moisture and a 'softened' sun keep them looking divine all season.

Next post; Paris, the Maison & Object trade show plus Paris Design week, hint....INSPIRATION!!!

To those of you locally, or to those of you accepting shipments, the velvet pumpkins (real stems)
are in, all three shops.

Cheers!
debra