Posts Tagged ‘Focal points’
Springtime in England
Fewer crowds, pleasant weather (usually), and generous garlands of fragrant wisteria draped across sturdy arbors and weathered stone walls all make spring one of the best seasons to visit England. My own childhood memories of English springtimes include strolling through beech woods, thickly carpeted with wild garlic and bluebells, picking posies of wild primroses (frowned…
Read MoreUnexpected Inspiration from 7000 miles away
What design ideas can I possibly glean for soggy Seattle from a garden in the driest and coldest part of New Zealand? It turns out, many. Not only that but my visit to Jo Wakelin's garden at the foot of the Mt. Pisa range in Central Otago is one that has stayed with me, almost…
Read MoreDesigning Fall Vignettes
Is the fall interest in your garden limited to the decaying foliage of summer perennials? That can often be the case without some advance planning. Here are a few ideas to help you create vignettes that truly celebrate the season rather than apologize for their demise. Temper The Fire The temptation is to focus on…
Read MoreEasy Fall Containers
With my new garden still being firmly in the 'planning and dreaming' stage I decided to plant up a couple of containers to feed my creative spirit and bring some much needed color into the space. Seattle winters are so grey and I knew that would be compounded by the expansive concrete patio, weathered cedar…
Read MoreHide & Seek: Design Tricks from Sudeley Castle
There are so many castles in England that choosing which ones to take a tour group to can be tricky. All are fascinating in their own way whether their medieval history, tales of renovation or collections of priceless art and most have gardens that are worth a visit but truthfully the only reason I included…
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