GardenDesignOnline

In the Magazines Nov-Dec 2012

Sunset Nov 2012

*Firepits: Custom-designed, portable, table-top & many more
*Matching outdoor colors to indoor paint
*"Natural" centerpieces for the holidays

Garden Design Winter 2012
*Wooden fences to transform landscapes
*The private garden of plantsman Dan Hinkley
*Winter inspiration

Fine Gardening Dec 2012
*Uncommon ornamental grasses
*Troubleshooting viburnums around the country
*A tiny courtyard makeover
*Plants for all four seasons
*A laid-back allee

(more to come when magazines arrive)

Happenings November 2012

Selected Events Around the Country

November 2-8, International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo, New Orleans, LA
Exhibits, Workshops, Classes (CEU's Available)  More 866-490-3097
November 3, 10th Annual SALT Conference, New London, CT
8:30AM-3:30PM, "Gardening in a Changing Environment," CT College Arboretum, 860-439-5060
November 3, Garden Conservancy Open Days Tours: NY, TX
Westchester County NY, Austin TX
November 6, Roof Garden Basics, NY, NY
11AM-1PM, Workshop, NY Botanical Garden Midtown Center, 800-322-NYBG
November 7, Designing a Contemporary East Asian Garden, Ithaca, NY
7:30PM, Lecture, Cornell Plantations, 607-255-2400
November 8, Landscape Lecture, Martha Schwartz, Boston, MA
7PM, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 617-568-1401
November 9, Adapting the Japanese Garden for the U.S., Bronx, NY
10AM-2:30PM, Workshop, NY Botanical Garden, 800-322-NYBG
November 10, Spectacular Natives, Stockbridge, MA
10AM-noon, Workshop, Berkshire Botanical Garden, 413-298-3926

November 13, The Understory: Big Ideas, Bronx, NY
1PM-3PM, Workshop, NY Botanical Garden, 800-322-NYBG
November 14, The Layered Garden, NY, NY
6PM, Lecture, David Culp, Hort Society of NY, 212-757-0915
November 15, Annual Urban Tree Symposium, Boylston, MA
9AM-3PM, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 508-869-6111
November 15, Trees Matter Symposium, Silver Spring, MD
8AM-5PM, Sponsor: Brookside Gardens, 301-962-1451
November 15, Architecture & Garden Design, Bronx, NY
2PM-5PM, Workshop, NY Botanical Garden, 800-322-NYBG

November 27, Jesuits & Chinese Garden Design, San Marino, CA
7:30PM, The Huntington, Lecture by landscape architect Maria Rinaldi, 626-405-2100

Books: Flowers - A Garden History

The flower's place in the garden has been a subject of debate for centuries.  At times, it was condemned as a pagan symbol, at others, celebrated as a reflection of society and the world of knowledge.

In Flowers in the World's Most Beautiful Gardens (Abrams Books, 2012), French photographer Alain Le Toquin and landscape architect Yves-Marie Allain trace the history of flower gardens from Medieval times to today with nearly 200 splendid photos of gardens throughout the world.  

As Allain relates, flower gardens existed during the Gallo-Roman period, but after the Roman Empire fell, leisure gardens disappeared for several centuries. By the 14th century, rose gardens were appearing in France and by the 15th century, species from America were being imported into Europe.  Photos of two Medeival gardens are enchanting: Tusson in Charente, France; and Tretower Court in Wales, UK.

The book is divided into nine major chapters with themes such as Pleasure Gardens; New Theories of Color in the 19th Century; Scientific and Technical Progress in the 19th and 20th Centuries; and The Flower Covered Meadow.  In addition there are separate profiles on many flowers, including exotic plants, the rose, the tulip, the water lily, the peony, and grasses.

Most of the spectacular photos are of European gardens (many of which you've never heard of), although there are a few from other locations like New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, and the U.S.

It's a book for perusing, for ideas, for the coffee table, for the pleasure of learning more about fabluous flower combinations and gardens.  A wonderfu present for any serious gardener or garden enthusiast.

New Roses 2013

 

Austin photos - click to enlarge

David Austin Roses is releasing six new varieties for the American market this coming spring, all available bare root.

 Rosa 'Fighting Temeraire' (Leander Hybrid)
This rose is named after a painting by British artist JMW Turner that depicts one of the ships in the Battle of Trafalgar.  The blooms on this shrub rose are a yellow-apricot color, and the foliage emerges red.  At five feet tall and four feet wide, a great choice for the mixed border.  It has a medium fragrance and produces abundant flowers.  Zones 5-9.

Rosa 'Lady Salisbury' (Old Rose Hybrid)
Love the light pink color on this bushy shrub, size 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide.  The flowers have a light scent and bloom from spring to frost.  Zones 5-9.

Named after the 400th anniversary of Hatfield House, the home of Lady Salisbury, which was built in 1611.  The gardens at Hatfield are very well known in the UK and feature many roses.

Rosa 'Wollerton Old Hall' (Musk Hybrid)
Everyone needs a musk rose in their garden ... you just can't beat the fragrance.  This one has strong hints of myrrh with citrus, and it can be used as a shrub rose, 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide, or as an 8-foot climber. The flowers are a soft apricot hue, fading to a creamy color.  In areas where temperatures are hot in summer, plant this rose out of afternoon sun.  Zones 5-9.

Named after Wollerton Old Hall in Shropshire, with one of the best private gardens in Britain. It's open to the public on selected days throughout the summer, so check the website.

 

Books: Small Space Veg Gardens & Tropicals

Two new titles from Cool Springs Press ...

The first is dedicated to those living in apartments, condos, townhouses, dorm rooms ... places so small that growing edibles would seems nearly impossible.  BUT,

In Any Size, Anywhere Edible Gardening: The No Yard, No Time, No Problem Way To Grow Your Own Food (Cool Springs Press, 2012), author William Moss explains what you can grow and how to do it in very small spaces, including containers. From small suburban plots to apartment balconies and even window boxes, Moss guides you to success with the right kind of planting medium, amount of sunlight, specific recommendations for growing, and the varieties that'll work in tiny places. 

Hot colors and big leaves are very "in" at the moment, and this book is simply one of the best guides I've seen on the subject. In her latest book, Gardener's Guide to Tropical Plants: Cool Ways to Add Hot Colors, Bold Foliage, and Striking Textures (Gardener's Guides) (Cool Springs Press 2012) author and radio hostess Nellie Neal notes that tropicals can even be grown in cooler zones, and she notes that the emotional appeal of the plants can easily be explained by their allure and landscape impact.

She takes the reader through all the basics on growing and maintaining tropicals, but the chapter I liked best was the one on designing with tropicals. There's a handy chart on color pairings and leaf shapes that will get anyone started on successful design with these stunning, astounding plants.  The rest of the book is devoted to specific plants -- and it's divided into chapters on herbacious, woody, and vining tropicals.  There's a description and photo of each plant, along with growing tips, care, good companion plants and special cultivars.

In the back of the book, there are lists of plants for dry and wet sites, shade and sun; plants with evergreen leaves, spectacular flowers, extraordinary fragrance, and much more. Once you see the photos, you, too, are going to want to give some of these plants a try.

Garden Design Online: 7th Anniversary

It's difficult to imagine that this month marks the 7th anniversary of Garden Design Online!

Just to repeat for my readers:

I write all my own content.

I do not receive compensation for books or products that are mentioned in my posts.

I strive to bring you news about designers, new trends, new plants and products, the occasional scientific study of relevance to the horticultural world, profiles of great gardens I've visited, and monthly events and happenings around the country that may be of interrest to designers and dedicated gardeners.  I try to keep the focus on design.  This is not the site for how-to information or for info on what's ailing your plants: there are plenty of other sites to help you with those topics. 

If you have suggestions for the future, I welcome them.  And I hope you keep on reading.

All the best,
Jane

 

Books: All About Green Roofs

It's probably the handiest little guide you'll find on the basics of installing a green roof ... and if you already have a project in mind, it'll let you know whether it's a good idea or not.

The book you want is the latest Guide from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Green Roofs and Rooftop Gardens (BBG Guides for a Greener Planet) by Beth Hanson and Sarah Schmidt, Editors.

As editor Beth Hanson notes in the introduction, green roofs are a very good idea:  they lower roof temperature and extend roof life, absorb rainfall, and attract wildlife.  In 2010 alone, 4.3 million square feet of green roofs were installed by members of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, double the footage of the previous year.

The books answers basic questions about green roofs and how they work and case studies of more than 10 different roofs in New York City.  There are also chapters on the basics of green roof construction, plants that work in green roof systems, and yes! even a chapter on rooftop container gardening for those that don't want to go for an entire re-do. 

Plus, a very useful list of green roof resources, including several books that go into far more detail.  If you're interested in "green," you want this book on your shelf.

 

 

 

Landscapes in Danger - 2012

 

photo: h.carterjapanese garden

 The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) has released its list of threatened landscapes for 2012.  This year's theme is "Landscape and Patronage" -- ie, landscapes created by visionary patrons and organizations. Among the sites on the list are the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Los Angeles, modeled on Japanese gardens in Kyoto and considered one of the most notable post World War II private Japanese Gardens in the country.

photo: J. Berger

Another on the endangered list is Innisfree (shown here)  in Millbrook, NY, designed by noted landscape architect Lester Collins. Created over five decades, it's inspired by Japanese, Chinese, and Modernist principles. If you've never been there, it is truly one of the most magical gardens in the country.

 

Other sites on this year's threatened list include Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC; Riverbank Park in Flint, Michigan; Garland Farm in Mount Desert, Maine; the Nasher Sculpture Garden in Dallas, Texas; and several others.   You can see all of the sites and gardens here at Landslide 2012.