The Smile Factor

Whether you consider your personal garden style to be elegant, romantic, contemporary or traditional there is always room for a little whimsy – a special garden moment to make you smile. It doesn't have to be large or extravagant and in fact some of the best are those that are discovered while strolling through the…

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Plant Whimsy

I always want the gardens I design to reflect the homeowners taste and personality. There are many ways to do this such as carrying through a key color from the interior decorating scheme or including signature art pieces in the landscape. However sometimes you can have fun with the plants themselves. This Under The Sea  garden…

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A Garden Wedding; bouquets of love

I can barely put a bunch of flowers in a vase let alone make a boutonniere or bouquet so to say I was nervous about doing the flowers for our daughters wedding was an understatement! Thankfully friends came through and showered us with love, flowers and foliage – you can read about all the wonderful…

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The Grass with Multiple Personalities

A beauty or a beast? A star or a supporter? You decide. Considered invasive in many parts of the country Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima syn. Nasella tenuissima) is merely 'friendly' in Seattle area gardens. Certainly it self seeds, but it does so politely creating serendipitous plant partnerships that I wish I could claim as my design! I consider it an…

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Denver Botanic Gardens – a winter surprise

I had the opportunity to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens last week. As I pulled on thermals, several layers of fleece and my thickest socks I began to doubt my sanity! Temperatures were well below zero and I was the only person outside; other visitors were safely ensconced in the tropical steaminess of the orchid…

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