I never really saw myself growing annuals from seed. My mum used to grow enough petunias and pansies for the entire neighborhood so call it aversion therapy! Yet nurseries only grow and sell a tiny fraction of the best annuals available; there are so many more great plants in so many different colors. I’m fortunate…

The decorations are back in the barn for another year and the last of the mince pies will probably be eaten this weekend, officially ending the Holiday season in our home. So it was very exciting to receive another gift just a few days ago – a large package of seeds for me to grow!…

I’m not very good at resting – ask my swim coach or my husband! Our recent snowfalls held us hostage at home for a few days since our hill was not safe to drive – which of course I took as a personal affront to my plans! Yet, there is beauty in the stillness and…

Need some inspiration for gift-giving this year? My selection is based on items that are either firm personal favorites or offer significant value well beyond the Holiday season. Garden Gnome Tree Ornament It has become a tradition that on Christmas Eve our family exchanges a small gift – specifically a tree ornament. My husband Andy…

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the historic home of the Royal Horticultural Society: RHS Garden Wisley.  Like its northern counterpart RHS Harlow Carr which I have visited several times, it is jam-packed with inspiration for home gardeners and designers alike. Since I was visiting in May, that helped me narrow my…

I’m not even waiting until this one is available for sale before I tell you about it – I’m that excited!  But let me start at the beginning… I met the author, Ryan McEnaney several years ago over a glass of wine – sauvignon blanc to be specific. We were at a conference for garden…

I’ve just returned from leading a  tour to Gardens of the Delaware and Brandywine Valleys. Such a fabulous group of fun-loving guests! Looking back over my many photographs I realized that in our excitement to visit outstanding gardens we can sometimes find it hard to see the ‘take-home ideas’, especially if our climate or plant…

Do you enjoy those instant makeover TV shows where a crew shows up and magically transforms an uninspiring garden into a magazine -worthy showcase in seven days? Well guess what – that is NOT the reality for most homeowners, and neither is it always the best solution. Not every garden renovation is quick but allowing…

Every detail spoke to me: the rich yet restrained color palette, the clear geometry bringing order, the use of the diagonal axis to expand perception of space, the layering of plants and of materials and the exquisite metal design used both for the pavilion and rill.  I stood trying to absorb it all for at…

The Stitchers’ Garden , designed by Frederic Whyte and built by Champain Landscapes and Brampton Willows won a silver medal at the Show. The theme is intriguing. It was sponsored by the charity Fine Cell Work, which teaches prisoners needlework, the idea being that this skill will nurture their self-worth and encourage them to lead…