My Experiment

For the past two years I've been experimenting with a sunny perennial border.  The kicker...I only allow plants that are less than 24" tall.  Why?  Because the boxwood hedge behind it will only be three feet, so I'd like to see some differentiation between the two eventually.  Hopefully the hedge will reach that height in a couple of years.

My focus in this border is texture and form.  It's very successful in some areas, while in others it's still a flop.  I constantly move things around, try new plants, and even pull out some ugly ducklings once in awhile.

I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy.  I often pace up and down the front walk taking mental notes of what to change and add next.  I don't think this experiment will ever end.

The Fairy Garden

I was so thrilled last week to see my nine-year-old daughter wanting to play in the garden...especially in the blazing heat.  She sat under a group of trees and excitedly made her own fairy garden.

After moving some bricks around, she placed some cute little plants purchased earlier that day, then carefully placed sticks and grass into a sweet little house.  She tucked some little chairs in and added a pitchfork for good measure.  We already had the neat mushrooms created by a local artist.

We're just waiting for the fairies to appear now. This is a magical way of living in the garden.

The Allure of Gardening

One week ago it was blazing hot here...heat index 100 degrees.  When the temperature is that intense I typically want to stay within air conditioned confines, but for some reason I was compelled to be outside.

For three days I weeded, watered, and planted in that blazing heat.  Oddly, my 9-year-old daughter wanted to be with me (she created a cute little fairy garden...maybe I'll share images of that soon). Don't worry, we drank lots of water and stayed in the shade as much as possible (my daughter even begged me to purchase a small kiddie pool to stand in).

We accomplished a lot, felt good about it, plus had really nice showers at the end of the day.  I can't believe the allure of gardening.

Image courtesy of Jonas Peterson

Nature Quotes

Yes, nature untouched is beautiful, but it can be just as beautiful when touched by human hands in a lovely way.

Image from Design Squish

Strawberries and Eggs

Our neighbors have allowed us to collect their chicken eggs and pick their strawberries this week...and you know, it's been really empowering.

Image courtesy of Jenna Ebert Photography

There is something really special about making morning smoothies with fresh fruit and opening a small chicken coop door to find a collection of beautiful eggs.

I'm not sure if I'll run out and buy the chicks, but I definitely want to start my own berry patch now.  The next big trick is talking my husband into letting me have part of the vegetable garden...permanently.

Garden Shifts

It's always enchanting, yet also somber, when the garden shifts from one bloom to the next.  Our amazing iris are sadly closing their petals, while the bright and happy peonies are currently in full effect.

Photo courtesy of gallery32

I sit here typing while taking in the sweet smells of cut peony blooms on my kitchen table, knowing soon enough these cut flowers will shift to new ones in only a few days.

Photo courtesy of Hilary Upton Photography

A Wonderful Stroke of Luck

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dali lama)

A friend sent this quote to me today and I realized it sums up my life perfectly over the past few months. Back in January I had to make a shift from one position to another. I wasn't sure about it at first, but now am more than elated. My new position is teaching full-time and I'm thrilled to wake up every morning. How fortunate to share my love of gardens and design with eager students.  Can this be true?

Image source unknown...do you know where it originated?