We had a superb visit to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. It was a perfect day to enjoy the grounds. In the central museum courtyard are enormous terra cotta pots with bougainvillea as the only color spots- and nothing more is needed. Classic and simple, and I wanted to live there! Although if I did live there, I would add lemon trees. Then nothing more would be needed.
A couple years ago a family in our neighborhood was leaving for a trip on Christmas Day, so they put their tree out on the curb. As you can imagine, it didn’t stay there for long. A group of guys got together and set it back up on the family’s lawn, complete with tinsel and whatever tacky decorations they could get together. The thing is, though, that people loved it! Little kids, random dog walkers, people driving by, they all got a kick out of it, so last year we decided to put up outdoor trees as a deliberate decorating decision. Some people were frustrated by the number of times their tree blew over, but others of us are hooked and have decided it’s a new tradition. Ours is a bird theme, complete with bird seed and these pre-lit cardinals that I think are the cutest thing ever. (Yes, I have a kitschy streak.)
How’s your decorating going? Have fun, don’t stress, do your own thing.
If you’re looking for specimen trees, Susanna Farm Nursery is a great destination. It feels more like an arboretum than a trade nursery, and you can easily spend an hour or two strolling through the grounds. I was looking for some good-sized maples to use as accents in a client’s back garden, but I also came across some wonderful willow standards for another project. Well worth the trip for the beauty and inspiration and just a relaxing afternoon out.
Wow, DC! The forecast is calling for a perfect weekend to get out and clean up the yard! I know I’ll be out pruning, cutting back perennials, and pulling some pesky weeds. Savor the moments outdoors and TGIF!
Well, this summer went way too fast for me, but one good thing I can say is, it’s almost fall planting time! Autumn is really the best time of year for getting new plants in the ground. Once they winter over, you’ll be amazed how great they look when they come up in the spring.
Everywhere I look, things are blooming and thriving. I have so many beautiful photos that I thought I’d just post a gallery. Our rainy May is really paying off, but hot dry weather is coming- don’t forget to water!
Few flowers are as stunning as peonies. And when I see them I want to make tissue paper flowers! Many are blooming around the DC area already. If yours (like mine) are only in part sun, they are probably still in buds.
Don’t forget to pick them and enjoy them in a bouquet if you have them in your garden!
I’ve always wanted an Aesculus pavia, aka Red Buckeye. Why don’t I have one? They are small, very full, with these wonderfully exotic leaves and great red flowers right now. They’re also native to our DC area and make a great hiding place for birds! I really must get one for my back garden.
Need a dose of the tropics? Head over to the US Botanical Garden! I just went for the first time in several years to catch the end of the Christmas displays. It’s a great place to warm up and dream of spring.
Words of encouragement for our darkest days.