Endless rain and grey skies had me scurrying outside a few days ago during a rare lull in the storms to see if I even had a garden left or if it had all washed away! As it turned out I discovered far more than just flowers. Not only were the hellebores in full bloom…

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We all want instant gratification in our gardens; plant today – fabulousness tomorrow. At some point most of us have learned the hard way that plants just don't work to our schedule and we have to wait for the plants to fill in and mature before they really fulfill our vision. Yet occasionally I come…

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We all have challenging areas in our landscapes, but perhaps one of the toughest is the proverbial "hellstrip", that narrow planting bed sandwiched between the road and the sidewalk. To passers-by and visitors alike this appears to be part of YOUR landscape simply by virtue of its proximity. It has to tolerate foot-traffic, swinging car…

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While the large island border is always a reliable kaleidoscope of color and texture at this time of year (see photo above), I have a smaller planting bed next to our main patio that is rather more fickle. It receives blazing sun all day, has terrible, sticky, clay soil, is a magnet for rabbits and…

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I have just returned home after a short trip to visit my friend Jill in the Yorkshire Dales, England so thought I share a few highlights with you. It's a beautiful part of the country, rich in history, gardens, quaint pubs, and breathtaking scenery. Ripley Show Set in the grounds of Ripley Castle, the Ripley…

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