Story and Photos by Melissa Clark

Last August I spent some time in the Rose Garden at Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia. Given the lateness of the summer and the horribly high temperatures the Eastern Seaboard experienced this year, I didn’t expect it to look like much. Fortunately, I was wrong.

I have to admit that the roses weren’t prolifically blooming, but they had been carefully deadheaded and here and there beautiful flowers caught my eye. I’m usually not one for multi-colored roses, but the grandiflora rose ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ shown above was quite eye-catching, with hints of blue in some of the older blossoms. I have a soft spot for grandifloras since they bloom for such a long period, even if their individual blossoms aren’t huge.

What I enjoyed the most, however, was drinking in the overall slightly blowsy, high-summer feel of the garden and seeing what companion plants had been placed in it, to complement the roses. There was the obligatory central-splashing-fountain, attracting children and adults alike, but my eyes kept returning to fennel plants in flower, rising up around Cotinus branches whose dark color provided the perfect foil to the golden and gold-brown tones of the fennel.

In addition to the fennel, there was a great blue salvia in bloom. In the nooks and crannies of the stone walls at the entrance to the garden were sedums and other rock-garden types of plants, softening the stone and giving visitors more details to notice.

The overall views were pretty impressive. At the rear of the garden, tucked away in a corner, there was a small gazebo, through which you could admire the stone pots planted with simple white annuals, which helped define the boundaries of the garden.

Love roses? Love floral design? Visit our new blog “Inside the Flower Studio” by clicking HERE.

The Terra Stone Plant Caddy and the Eco-Terra Watering Can will be on store shelves this spring.  These are all great additions to the host of tools used by gardeners who want to do their part for the environment.

Who could imagine that a granola bag could be turned into a watering can? Or, a drink pouch into a plant caddy?  TerraCycle, the pioneering upcycling and recycling company, has three new products available for the eco-conscious gardener.

Just this morning I was fretting about a big, heavy pot of soil that I need to move to the ledge by the dock, where I will plant it up for spring (having bbq this weekend, trying to get ready).

The Terra Stone Plant Caddy by Plastec is made in the USA from recycled drink pouches and retail price ranges between $12.99 and $16.99. No need to go hunting for this great product. You can find it online HERE.

The Eco-Terra Watering Can by Plastec is made in the USA from recycled granola bags.  It will be available in select True Value, Ace Hardware and independent garden centers as well as Wegmans in Spring 2012 for an approximate retail price of $5.99-9.99.

The palette has an eclectic allure, featuring intricate patterns and designs in vibrant and dramatic tones. The garden-inspired color stories features hues of intensely vivid oranges, corals and reds, neutral terra cottas paired with soft grays and chocolate browns, and serene aqua blues and greens.

Created in the U.S.A., the exclusive designs from Laurie Bell use 100% high UV solution-dyed acrylic fabrics and are individually selected by Laurie Jenkins.

“I spent years researching ways to create performance fabric that is long-lasting, easy to maintain, soft to the touch and beautiful to look at,” Jenkins says.  “I sought out the highest performance textile formulas, fibers and dyes, and craft fabrics with yarns that offer superior weather and fade-resistant colors.”

Color is the great differentiator, she notes.  “I work closely with customers who now have more sophisticated expectations and tell me they are testing the waters when bringing color to their outdoor space.   I tell them not to worry about playing it safe. Start by using color in small doses. Pairing orange and blue can work. Neutrals are an easy way to mute warm pinks and greens. Experiment with pillows, rugs or an expansive umbrella. With today’s technology and a host of fabric and color options, I say go for it and create your own style.”

A customer came to the shop today to order some flowers for a party at her
house next week, and while she was in, she mentioned how much she loved the rose arrangements we did for her parent’s anniversary party four years back. It struck me how incredibly memorable flowers are when they’re done right..and I suppose they’re just as memorable when they’re done wrong.

I hear a lot about how wonderful our roses are–how they last, how they open,
how big their blooms are, how they make people smile–and it is so encouraging to
know that the effort we put intofinding the best roses around has such an
impact. Those roses make their way from our shop out into the world, and they do
everything they’re supposed to.

It is important for our signature designs to be just as unforgettable as the quality of our flowers.

Good design is not always easy to find. The arrangements at the grocery store are usually haphazard, and not every flower shop takes design seriously like we do. In my opinion, if an arrangement does have that je ne sais quoi, it is better to buy loose flowers and lovingly arrange them in a vase you already have at home.

At Bay Hill Florist, we make sure our arrangements do have “a certain something.” In December, we introduced our custom In the Garden arrangements, which truly feel like they were put together from garden-grown blooms. Instead of following those strict rules of floral design where there should be an odd number of each flower, and the placement should be even, I ignore everything but the flowers themselves.

I make a bouquet of several kinds of greens first as a base. I look in the cooler at what’s fresh and a pick a few of this and a few of that, and sometimes one special bloom that captures my heart. I tuck them in at all different heights and make sure there is plenty of color and texture, and when I stand back and look at the design, I make sure there aren’t any off moments that were harder to notice close-up. Usually at this point I add more dimension to the arrangement in the form of an additional color or different size flower than what’s already there.  Finally, I add wispy greens that flow out from the bottom of the vase.

What’s awesome about these designs is that each one is unique, and you know that you are buying one that was made just for your order. There’s no prescription–just a natural creative process that shows off flowers at their best.

Yesterday Spring fever hit me bad. The weather was warm and sunny, so out to the garden I went, ready to work. As I was spreading mulch around, I got to thinking of the spring flowers I like best. I got lost in a daydream and eventually realized I was spreading the same area with mulch for 10 minutes, and there was a bare patch where my hand swished from side to side. I know you are wondering what had me in such a trance. Here’s my list of best-loved spring blooms.

1. Pansies Their sweet little faces just grab me. Every year I find myself unable to stop at just a few—they’re like potato chips! This year I bought some called ‘Whiskers’ which are sweetly scented with pretty lavender and cream petals. They not only look good, but they’re nice to use as a crystallized garnish or in a salad. (See Shawna Coronado’s pansy mystery post HERE.)

2. Primrose The colors are such a vibrant contrast to their dark crinkly leaves, plus they come back every year.

3. Lilac We had 3 lilac trees when I was little. I spent many happy hours playing under their fragrant canopy. I’ve made it a point to always have lilacs wherever I’ve lived.

4. Lily of the Valley Ever notice how so many spring flowers have such an intoxicating fragrance? Those perfect little bells grow up a spring green stem, just glowing in the shade. How can such a tiny flower smell so intensely luxurious?

5. Daffodils “Daffy down Dilly has come to town. In a white petticoat and a silk gown.” I learned this poem when I was about 4 years old. Daffodils do make me think of ladies in ruffled dresses. They are such happy looking flowers. I dare you to look at them and not smile!

6. Tulips Another classic spring flower that comes in a rainbow of colors. Also, if you plan well, you can have tulips blooming for several months. My favorite tulip is a pale pink double tulip called, ‘Angelique.’

7. Bleeding Hearts This a really old-fashioned flower that I just love. My mom always had them in her garden and so did my Grandma. They spread freely, so there’s always some to share, and they make a long-lived cut flower too!

8. Astilbe I’ve found these can be fussy until they’re established. They REALLY don’t like drying out. However once they make up their minds to grow, their floral display is quite the show. Long lasting plumes in shades of red, pink, white and lavender.

9. Johnny Jump Up Kind-of like the “mini me” version of a pansy. They come in beautiful colors and are also edible. They look very sweet paired with lily of the valley in small floral arrangements .

10. Hellebore Also known as Lenten Rose. These are fairly new to me; I bought one last year. They like shady places and are a rather elegant graceful plant. When I have more space I’d like to get a few more. They come in some interesting colors: soft lime green, dusky purple, and mauve.

So that’s my list. Some you may agree with, some not so much. I’d be interested to know what your favorite spring flowers are! Drop a comment on our Facebook page, and also let us know what planting zone you live in.

Photo credits, from top to bottom: John Cygnus, Lene Bruce, dapawprint

Are you inexperienced at growing your own food? Here’s what you need to know to get started.

1. Don’t assume lack of space is a deal-breaker. Most of us don’t live on farms. Nor do we have spacious, magazine-worthy backyards. And in the case of city-dwellers, we may not have backyards of any type! That’s okay, says Ellen LaConte, who is something of an outside-the-box thinker when it comes to gardening in smaller or unconventional settings. (In fact, based on her own experiences, she has written articles on turning suburban outdoor spaces into “tiny homestead Edens.”)

In general, LaConte recommends that neighborhood gardening novices start with one of two easy options: the container garden or the raised-bed garden. (A quick Internet search will unearth a plethora of advice, instructions, and details about each.)

2. Make your bed…raised! A raised-bed garden is one that is built on top of your native soil—in other words, you don’t have to dig into your yard and can build it wherever you want. It can be enclosed by lumber, stone, brick, concrete, or even hay bales, and is filled with whatever type of soil you choose. Advantages include (but are certainly not limited to): improved accessibility (you don’t need to stoop as far to reach your plants), good drainage, fewer weeds, the ability to plant more densely, and improved soil quality. Also, raised-bed gardens heat up more quickly than the native soil, so you’ll be able to plant sooner and you’ll probably enjoy a higher produce yield.

3. Contain yourself! Did you know that almost any vegetable, and quite a few fruits (such as berries, limes, and melons), can be adapted to growing in a pot? It’s true! So even if you’ve got no yard at all, you can still cultivate a container garden on your balcony, patio, or windowsill. As with a raised-bed garden, container gardens are very accessible and offer you total control over soil quality. Keep in mind a few simple guidelines such as making sure that larger plants are in larger containers and that all have adequate drainage holes, and you’re good to garden!

4. Start small. If you bite off more produce than you can chew, you may become overwhelmed and leave your garden to the not-so-tender mercies of nature. If you’re a newbie, choose just a few easy-to-cultivate vegetables, fruits, and herbs, preferably ones that already feature prominently in your diet. You can let yourself gradually catch the gardening bug from there!

5. Don’t panic: You’ll find the time. Prospective gardeners may be excited by the idea of growing their own fruits and vegetables but daunted by the scope of the project ahead of them. If you’re wondering where you’re going to find the time to cultivate and harvest plants, take a deep breath. After the initial effort of planting and potting is over, your daily garden chores such as watering and weeding will usually be done in 15 to 30 minutes. And when you consider how much time most of us waste in front of the computer or TV, well…the task ahead of you might not be so difficult to fit in after all. (And it’ll certainly be more nourishing!)

6. “Grow” easy on yourself. The fact is, some types of produce are much hardier and easier to grow than others. Why make your first foray into gardening more difficult than it needs to be by trying to raise plants that are needy? Start with tried-and-true plants like basil, rosemary, blueberries, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers, for example.

7. It’s as easy as one, two, TREE. When most people think “gardening,” trees don’t necessarily spring to mind. While it’s true that trees can take longer than tomato plants or berry bushes to yield fruit, the wait is usually well worth it. Consider planting cherry, apple, peach, etc. saplings in your yard. As they grow, these trees will be both beautiful and practical. And the yardless needn’t be left out—remember that fruits such as peaches, plums, figs, lemons, limes, etc. (often available in dwarf varieties) can be grown in pots.

8. Farm alongside your flowers. Many people whose patios or yards are livened up by colorful flowers have never given a second thought to raising produce. If you’re one of them, consider this: You already have the knowledge and skills to care for plants. So why not plant some tomatoes or cilantro along with those zinnias and pansies?

9. Grow your own “spice rack.” Many people don’t immediately think of herbs when they hear the word “gardening,” but the truth is that these little plants are generally easy to grow, don’t require much space (think window boxes and small pots), and can really spice up your meals! Plus, with a little advance planning, you can stock your shelf with dried herbs that will last the whole year round.

10. Practice pollution-free pest control. If you are able to grow and harvest your produce with no unwelcome critters taking a bite or two, consider yourself lucky! The fact is, it’s a good idea to have a pesticide plan in place…but you don’t have to risk polluting your yard or harming beneficial insects in the process. For example, hot pepper sprays, garlic, used dishwater, and even some varieties of plants naturally repel insects and animals alike.

11. Make it a group effort… Nobody ever said that gardening had to be a solitary activity! For example, you might grab a neighbor (or two or three) and share the hoeing, weeding, and watering chores. And when your labors bear fruit, you can share that as well. (Also, it’s worth noting that gardening doesn’t have to be an adults-only activity. It can be a great bonding experience for families, too—working outside is much healthier than playing a video game or watching TV, and your kids will learn quite a bit in the process.)

…or a community-wide one! If you like the idea of enlisting aid in your cultivation efforts but don’t have the desire or space to “host” a garden yourself, research to see if there are any community gardens in your area. They may charge a fee for participation and might feature plots that are collectively gardened or plots that are allotted to individuals. One thing’s for sure, though—you’ll be able to take advantage of the expertise of your fellow gardeners, and you’ll probably make some new friends in the process!

12. If you need some guidance, find a 4-H club… Maybe you didn’t leave your 4-H days behind with your adolescence after all! The fact is, 4-H offers programs to its members that focus on plant science. Your local club might be able to give you personalized advice on your fledgling gardening endeavor…and you might find a fulfilling volunteering or mentoring opportunity in the process!

…or hit up the hardware store. Most hardware stores with gardening centers have everything you need to get started—and that doesn’t just include plants and gardening implements (though those are available in spades—pun intended!). Ask employees for advice on everything from which plants grow well in shade to how often to fertilize, and you’ll go home with your questions answered.

…or make friends at a farmer’s market. Chances are, there’s one near you…and who better to ask for tips and tricks than your fellow citizens who have already learned to garden successfully? This is also a good venue at which to learn about community gardens and group efforts. And bonus: You might be able to set up a booth yourself sooner than you think!

Photo Credit: Sean Jones

A beginner’s guide to gardening naturally

For those of you wondering where to begin with all this natural gardening stuff, let’s cover the basic steps to having a healthy, organic garden. I just got back from Austin, Texas, where I visited my parents. My mother has a beautiful garden that was installed two years ago, and because of the warm climate here, it has matured quickly. Since early this summer, my mother has been learning and applying organic gardening techniques. “My first year-and-a-half in this garden, I used granular weed killer, and sprays that killed the beneficial insects as well as the pests,” she says. “It wasn’t working for me because the mosquitoes were ever-increasing and the fire ants were popping up in many places. Some insects, like skimmers and dragonflies, will eat mosquitoes, and I was getting rid of them. Also, fire ants have become resistant to traditional sprays. I decided I had to make a change because my granddaughter was coming over a few times a week and was playing in the grass.” It’s usually something practical that makes people change the way they garden. That a-ha moment doesn’t come out of the clear blue sky—it is motivated by a problem that needs to be solved. The reason people get into gardening organically is because it works. You can have an absolutely gorgeous, largely pest-free garden without using harsh chemicals. So for those of you who are ready to solve problems in your garden, here are five basic steps for going organic.

Step 1: Build healthy soil Healthy soil is the most important foundation for a garden. Gardeners who compost their used coffee grains, vegetable scraps and grass clippings are creating a mixture that will improve their soil’s texture and drainage while adding nutrients. Organic fertilizers and supplements are also important for improving soil. For each soil dilemma, there is an organic solution. Click HERE for a guide.

Step 2: Mulch, and mulch properly Any kind of mulch is fine (although I prefer mulch that’s locally sourced); the key is to put it down properly. Three inches of mulch throughout your planting beds will retain moisture and prevent weeds from cropping up. Another thing: when mulching around trees, start a few inches beyond the root flare. Don’t mulch so high that mulch reaches the trunk of the tree.

Step 3: Create a living eco-system Invite native and well-adapted plants into your garden—and welcome beneficial insects, too. You need both for a thriving garden. My mom worked with her garden designer Liz Klein to choose native and well-adapted plants like Russian sage, Silverado sage, plumbago, Mexican petunia, primrose jasmine, Chinese fringeflower, Tangerine Beauty cross vine, Elaeagnus and Knock-out roses. These plants don’t need to be watered all that often, and because they have adapted to the environment, they are more resistant to pests. To learn how to encourage beneficial insects, click HERE.

Step 4: Water early, deeply, and not too often A quick spray does not satisfy your plants’ thirst. If you’re watering with a spray nozzle, get outside at the crack of dawn when your plants are drinking, and spray around the edge of each plant’s roots—not on the plant itself—for several minutes for each plant. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are even better because the water goes directly into the soil instead of evaporating like spraying water does. If you have a sprinkler system installed, set it to go on at 5 a.m. for 30 minutes per station. For my mom, during rainy times like last winter, she turned the sprinklers off altogether, and in the dry season, she ran them once a week at the most.

Step 5: Control weeds organically This is where good all-around gardening techniques really benefit you, because healthy, well-mulched soil makes your planting beds resistant to weeds. It’s funny how poor soil encourages weed growth. Weeds in the lawn are a big problem for most people, but even there, where you can’t mulch, healthy soil is the answer. The deeper your grass’s root systems the more weeds are crowded out, so encourage micro-organisms by applying compost to the lawn and treat it with organic fertilizers several times a year. Water deeply but not too often, and don’t cut your grass too short. Focus on healthy soil and good gardening techniques rather than weed-killing. When you do get some weeds, use a hoe to remove them. As my mom says, that’s what hoes are for.

If you’re thinking about going organic, I suggest you follow my mother on her quest, so you can see the results for yourself. The benefits are so apparent in her back yard. Read her weekly blog posts by clicking HERE.

And for another great organic gardening site, click HERE and visit About.com’s dedicated organic gardening information.