gardens

Newport Flower Show June 22-24: Mark Your Calendar

Written on May 11, 2012 at 2:58 pm
By Rebecca Christian

My fellow garden editors tell me that the Newport Flower Show has the Wow Factor in spades (couldn’t resist — I’ll try to make that the only garden pun in this post). So I am really pleased to go to the show that ushers summer into Rhode Island this year June 22-24, staged on and in the grounds, reception rooms, oceanfront terrace and emerald lawns of the opulent Rosecliff Mansion. Rosecliff is one of several mansions Newport is known for. This year the theme is Salsa—A Celebration of Latin Cultures. A fusion of hot colors, passionate designers, exotic plants, cultural adventures and dancing under the stars is promised; I’ll settle for tangos and tapas at the opening night party.

 

 

The Rosecliff Mansion

The Rosecliff mansion has particular cache because it was designed by Stanford White, the architect famous not only for breathtaking Beaux Arts buildings designed for the ridiculously rich (Rosecliff is modeled after Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles), but also for being murdered by the millionaire husband of an actress he dallied with, Evelyn Nesbit.

 

Evelyn Nesbit

(you can see why Stanford White was smitten)

 

Dubbed “The Murder of the Century,” White’s murder was immortalized in E.L. Doctorow’s wildly original novel Ragtime (which later became a musical) and which I devoured in a weekend when it came out in 1975.

During the show, the grounds will be vibrant with Oceanside Boutiques and a Gardener’s Marketplace. Here are some scenes from previous shows.

 

 

 

 

 

The show has tons of programming, including lectures and displays of winners in contests such as garden photography and retail window displays. I’m intrigued by contests tied to this year’s theme — for example, interpretive headpieces that capture the color and drama of Rio’s Carnaval in the form of fresh plant material. Speakers at the flower show include rock stars of the garden world, including Mario Fernadez of Belle Fleur, who has designed stunning arragements for the homes and soirees of Oprah, Gloria Estefan, and Will Smith, and whose arrangements graced the runway of Carolina Herrera’s bridal show. Donna Lane, diva of dahlias (watch out, dahlias with their gratifying dinner-plate sized blooms are as addictive as oxycodone) will be on hand, as will garden writer Derek Fell, talking  about the hot new trend of vertical gardening.

 

The Garden at The Elms Mansion

(The Elms, along with Chepstow, are on a Tree Tour during the Flower Show.)

 

Going to the flower show also affords a chance to explore the rest of Newport, an island city fabled as a New England summer resort in the Gilded Age (I’m picturing behatted Edith Wharton heroines) and the epitome of classic Americana for its Summer White Houses during Ike and JFK’s administrations. Don’t forget your parasol! http://www.newportmansions.org/events/newport-flower-show

Welcome Spring with “In The Garden”

Written on April 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm
By Rebecca Christian

Many garden books come across my desk, and while I can easily resist how-tos on propagation, I don’t stand a chance when a book has a cover that draws me into its world; somehow it feels like glimpsing a scene, powerful and intact, if fleeting, from a train window. Such was the case with the luminous jacket of Stacy Bass’s new book, In The Garden (Melcher Media). Bass shoots at dawn when possible. “That sweet and gentle light,” she writes in the book’s introduction, “coupled often with a morning mist or fog, has proven so seductive that it’s hard to resist.”

 

I want to step away from my desk, into that garden, and under that arbor, with that dog at my heels.  The garden on the cover is in Greenfield Hill, and consists of a series of outdoor “rooms.” The book, with photos by Bass and essays by Suzanne Gannon, tells how the 18 New England gardens featured were brought to life by gardeners inspired by a landscape, a single flower, or a garden seen on travels. The gardens range from orderly, with geometric parterres, to rambling, with wild grasses.

 

The Greenwich garden above, with its sprays of pretty pink peonies, was designed by horticulturalist and garden designer Phillip Watson.

The book’s photographer, Stacy Bass, says, “I love going to a new place, usually before the sun rises, and being taken by surprise about what will be before me as the sun comes up.  Unless it is necessary for an assignment, I prefer not to look at scouting shots so that I can react, in real time, to what I see without any preconceived notions about what to shoot and from what angles.” 

 

Here at another Greenwich garden, the roses — ballerina hybrid musk — are so dense and beautiful they keep the white picket fence from looking clichéd.

 

This garden at Greenfield Hill echoes the gardens of Europe with an array of classic features within — armillaries, benches, tuteurs, and spheres.

The owner of this formal garden in New Canaan once made her living in the theatre. A formal sunken garden (Act I, perhaps?) is ready to steal the scene just inside the gate.

In The Garden releases April 24; you can order it for $31.50 at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/In-The-Garden-Stacy-Bass/dp/1595910735

 

Ta-Da: Jack Frost, Best Actor Winner in the Oscars for Perennials

Written on February 24, 2012 at 2:52 pm
By Rebecca Christian

 

Photos Courtesy of  Walters Gardens

 

In the world of flowers, the Perennial Plant of the Year Award is the equivalent of an Oscar. The Perennial Plant Association this year conferred its highest honor upon Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ because it’s easy to grow, works in a wide range of climate types, thrives on benign neglect, and “exhibits multi-season interest.” I like it because from mid to late spring it blooms blue, a coveted color in the garden because many blue plants, like the aristocratic delphinium, tend to be fickle.  (Father, forgive me, for I know thy flora is resplendent without my paltry human assistance, but I cannot keep myself from doctoring my hydrangeas to bloom blue with aluminum sulfate and, following ancient wisdom, burying rusty nails in thy good earth which surrounds them.)

 

 

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost,’ 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year

Brunnera macrophylla has several fancy names, including Siberian bugloss and heartleaf brunnera (because of the heart-shaped leaves), but grandmothers like me call it  false forget-me-not. Jack Frost thrives in shade but can abide morning sun if the soil is moist. Even when it stops blooming, it has pretty silvery leaves with emerald green veins (below). Their cool look is refreshing on a blistering day.

Jack Frost is a versatile fellow who performs equally well along the front of a shade border, solo in a container, or as part of an ensemble with other ground cover perennials, such as hostas, ferns, and epimediums (which sound distressingly anatomical, so I call them by their common name, bishop’s hat.) Below, Jack is shown playing courteously with others.

Finally, Jack Frost has leaves that are rough in texture, which discourages (though does not eliminate) nibblage by deer.  It grows about 12 to 15 inches high and spreads to 20 wide. It does not do well in places that are very hot and dry. The popular plant is easy to find on the internet and in stores.

Beyond the Tiki Torch (Trends in Outdoor Living, Especially Lighting)

Written on February 17, 2012 at 5:08 pm
By Rebecca Christian

Last week I chatted with Larry Spada of Outdoor Living Brands about trends. With everybody suffering from frugality fatigue, people are investing in their outdoor spaces again for one of two reasons: making their home more enjoyable if they plan to stay in it, or making it more attractive to sell. (In sales shorthand, that’s the “love it or list it” phenomenon.) Spada sees landscaping on the most wanted list of homeowner improvements, with lighting a high  priority.  “We are illuminating a lot of facades for night drivebys of houses that are on the market,” he says. Here’s a Before & After.

 

People are also getting rid of their antiquated coachlights with flame bulbs (which are to the exteriors world what shag rugs and avocado appliances are to the world of interiors). They’re also converting to LED and choosing looks that are soft, warm, and low voltage. Homeowners are uplighting trees to add drama, too. Doesn’t this look cozy?

It’s all part of the trend of seeing the outdoors as bona fide living space—outdoor rooms as opposed to a yard that has to be mowed. That might mean adding a propane heater on a rod so you can use your patio longer when the weather cools, or putting a retractable awning over the postage stamp of lawn outside your townhome, so you can be comfortable when the sun is brightest. The awning addition could cost as little as a thousand bucks, while a big dramatic outdoor room could cost $135,000 (more than many homes are worth). How’s this for posh? (It shows the outdoor room with and without lighting).

 

 

Among Spada’s tips on staging for sale are updating exterior fixtures near doors and walkways and showcasing architectural or landscape features.The Cleavers would be right at home in this All-American scene.

Another trend is that of hardscapes becoming more popular than decks. Natural stone and pavers are growing in popularity for their durability and low-maintenance, especially stacked stone. Tranquil, Zen-like water features are sought after too, with many a koi-stocked pond in the south. Here’s a particularly pretty pool.

 

Of course, part of living more outdoors includes cooking and eating; hence the popularity of outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens, refrigerators, trash bins, recycling centers, and multi-use sinks. Fireplaces and fire pits are still hot and smokers, especially, are smokin’.

For more information, go to outdoorlights.com and archadeck.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historic Garden Week in Richmond

Written on February 6, 2012 at 3:48 pm
By Rebecca Christian

As the editor who manages garden content for Traditional Home, so much publicity about garden events crosses my desk that I become garden blind. But Richmond’s Historic Garden Week, April 21-28, really caught my eye. What sets it apart is not only its setting in a lovely historic city, but also the beauty of the gardens featured, the quality of the accommodations offered, and the variety of events that make it attractive both to passionate gardeners and casual ones (like indifferent spouses) who are along for the ride. Now in its 79th year, the ambitious event includes home and garden tours by the Garden Club of Virginia.

Some event festivities take place at Maymont, a 100-acre Gilded Age estate that has lovely Japanese and Italian gardens.

Japanese Gardens at Maymont Estate in Virginia

Also on the grounds of Maymont is “Herbs Galore & More,” a marketplace on the estate’s emerald Carriage House Lawn, where vendors sell every herb imaginable as well as annuals, perennials, veggies, trees, garden ornaments and crafts.

During Historic Garden Week, package deals for lodging include one from The Jefferson Hotel that offers a traditional Southern breakfast and a spring floral arrangement to guests.

The Jefferson Hotel Rotunda

Maury Place At Monument Bed & Breakfast is also offering a Garden Week Package. It’s located near Richmond’s shopping and entertainment district, Carytown. 

Richmond’s Shopping District, Carytown

Other sites to visit in the area include Agecroft Hall, a 15-century Tudor-style house with grounds and gardens built in England in the 15th century and transported here, with gardens reflecting England’s Tudor and early Stuart periods.  

Agecroft Gardens

For more information on Historic Garden Week, go to vagardenweek.org

Charming Architectural Birdhouses

Written on January 6, 2012 at 2:41 pm
By Rebecca Christian

Do you remember a They Might Be Giants song, “Make a Little Birdhouse in Your Soul”? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAbZzdalZh4)

I’ve had that song in my head ever since seeing architectural birdhouses by Home Bazaar. These little beauties are rendered either in an architectural style—like a salt box cottage, a pagoda, an arts and crafts bungalow, and oodles of others—or are inspired by real buildings, like the garden pavilion at Monticello or the Hotel Del Coronado. (‘m especially smitten with the Arts and Crafts bungalow, because it looks a lot like my house.) Some people display them inside or on covered porches, protesting that they’re too pretty to use outside — but they are created for outdoor use.

 

Gramercy Park Birdhouse

 

The birdhouses and birdfeeders are made out of materials like ply-board, kiln-dried hardwood, and poly-resin for the fine details, using non-toxic, water-based outdoor paint with pine or western red cedar shingles for the roof.  Strict birding enthusiast guidelines are used so that birds can nest, multiply and return: the back comes off so the interior can be easily cleaned.

 

San Francisco Rowhouse Birdhouse

 The reason they are made of hardwood is that this makes them cooler inside for the birds, as opposed to birdhouses made of synthetic materials. The also have ventilation and drainage, and can be mounted on a garden pedestal, like a cottage design mounted on a pedestal with Victorian scrollwork.

Because they are made of mostly natural materials, they become weathered. David Silverman, founder of the company, says, “That’s part of the beauty of them. When they start to get old, they  age naturally, and birds can live in them for many years.”

Hobbit House

 

Prices range from $25 to upwards of $300. For more information: http://www.hbbirdhouse.com/default.htm

Fish in the Garden

Written on October 18, 2011 at 3:51 pm
By Rebecca Christian

I sometimes toss press releases touting garden accents and statuary because it seems to me you can’t improve on nature, and isn’t that what gardening is all about?

Nonetheless I hung on to a flier I got from a place called Fish in the Garden in Falmouth, Maine. There artist Tyson Weiss creates schools of fish out of colorful high-fired glazed ceramics or shiny brushed stainless steel that surge through gardens and interiors in a way that is surreal and calming. I’m particularly taken with this Cobalt Koi. I find myself looking at it several times a day, especially when I’m fighting with my computer.

Grouped together, the fish appear to be swimming in a school.

You can group fish meant to adorn interiors with especially designed tabs that hold the fish an inch away from the wall, creating interesting shadows. Different species of fish are available for the sake of regional relevance—for example if you live on the Florida coast you can order a barracuda, or in Massachusetts, a striped bass or bluefin tuna. (Do you suppose he could make a whiskery river catfish for a landlocked Iowan?). Just as in nature, the fish are weatherproof. Prices range from $49 to $480. The fish are available at fishinthegarden.com.

Old House Gardens: heirloom fall bulbs, perfect for traditional gardens

Written on September 22, 2011 at 4:47 pm
By Rebecca Christian

An old house just cries out for old-timey flowers: brilliant upright hyacinths, peonies heavy with blossoms, buttery Wordsworthian daffodils. A great source for the heirloom bulbs that produce such nostalgic pretties is Old House Gardens (oldhousegardens.com), which bills its wares as “unique, endangered, and amazing.”

For an introduction to antique bulbs, it has a dandy offer of $35 worth of bulbs that can be planted in fall and will work well in your zone.

Frugal Fall-Planted Sampler

Read more

Crazy for Color (and Floral Designer Jane Packer’s yummy new book)

Written on August 19, 2011 at 4:47 pm
By Rebecca Christian

I love color — I have bright red patent leather ankle strap shoes, a baby blue bicycle that makes me think of Nancy Drew’s little blue coupe, and cobalt art glass displayed on the moss green “table”  behind my couch (it’s actually a worn frosted-glass door mounted on a couple of plant stands from good old Hobby Lobby) . Oh, and at the moment my toenails are painted Mattel pink. So you can see why I swooned over British floral designer Jane Packer’s new book, Color, with such deeply saturated photographs by Georgia Glynn Smith that they’ll knock your tie-dyed socks off.

available at Amazon.com for $14.84

(http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=jane+packer+color&x=0&y=0

Packer, who has designed flowers for clients from rock stars to royalty, approaches floral design with the imagination and assured eye of a fashion or interior designer, using color to evoke mood and  intuitively understanding how fashion color trends affect the world of flowers. She notes, “Green has singlehandedly reinvented the chrysanthemum and the much-maligned carnation, reinstating them as desirable fashion flowers. Roses, anthurium and ranunculus have benefited from this infusion of green, too.” (She’s right, I think. At my son’s wedding a couple years ago, the flowers were entirely green and white, and the effect was striking.)

Working her way through the rainbow, Packer offers gorgeous floral takes on red, white, green, yellow, pink, and blue, and gives step-by-step directions for ten eye-popping projects, including a three-tiered “cake” made of scarlet roses. Here’s a topiary tree project from the Green section:

It doesn’t sound too difficult. You’ll need a container, florist foam and tape, a bamboo post, sunflowers, hydrangea flowers, and some snake grass or glossy leaves. There are simpler suggestions in the book, too, like presenting a breakfast tray with egg cups into which you’ve put not eggs, but half eggshells, filled with enough water to hydrate a tiny bloom. In other vignettes, cherry blossoms burst out of a rubber rain boot, and in a ruby vase full of brilliant parrot tulips, Packer has nestled crystal brooches among the blooms to reflect the jewel colors of the flowers and the vase. For the project below, Packer painted tree branches pink and hung them with jars of pink flowers. She’s used alstromenia in the higher jar and nerines in the lower ones, but you could use almost any pink flowers, she says. Wouldn’t the pink branches make a pretty arrangement for Easter or a bridal or baby shower?

Packer has flower shops and floral design schools in London, Tokyo, and New York, as well as a flower shop in Korea  (jane-packer.co.uk).  You can also buy her designs from janepackerdelivered.com. I especially love this arrangement of roses in a turquoise hatbox, a variation of red roses for a blue lady.

a fun arrangement from janepackerdelivered.com

I, for one, can’t wait to try her autumn wreath with oak leaves and perry pears from her book. I’m already jonesing for toasty palettes, and I know the project will put me in the mood for fall.

An Intriguing New Book: Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History

Written on July 15, 2011 at 11:05 am
By Rebecca Christian

In each of the world’s some 300,000 types of flowering pants is the seed of a story. That’s what makes Bill Laws’ new book, Fifth Plants That Changed the Course of History, so intriguing.

Of course we all learned in school how Eli Whitney and the cotton gin prompted the Industrial Revolution, but Laws goes deeper, weaving together vines of economic, political, and industrial history, to show how cotton was not only a mainstay of the slave trade and  the first domino to fall in the  Civil War but also eventually became a part of pop culture as an ingredient in ice cream, propellants for fireworks, and chewing gum. He brings literature in, too, with a quote from poet William Blake about “the dark, satanic mills” of Britain when that country imported cotton from India and began manufacturing it.

The term “Luddite,” today used to mean someone who scorns technology, also comes from cotton manufacturing. Ned Ludd was an apprentice cotton weaver who took umbrage against the mechanization of cotton making, leading protestors who dropped clogs — wooden shoes — into the maws of the machines,  thus literally clogging up the works.

Laws also examines the way fads and fashions influence the use of plants. For example, a 19th-century fashion for eating white rice with the bran removed contributed to an increase of beriberi in Asia; Laws writes that “Beriberi” is Sinhalese for “I cannot, I cannot,” and refers to the paralyzing effects of a deficiency of thiamine and other vitamins and minerals.” (I think I will chant “I can’t, I can’t,” the next time I am overcome with lassitude.)

I, for one, didn’t know that eucalyptus is used in making underwear, that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp, or that coconut was used for sterile IV drips for the wounded during World War II. If you like this sort of thing, you might also like a great little quarterly magazine called Heirloom Gardener (http://rareseeds.com/magazine). The summer issue has an article on strange and wonderful heirloom veggies you can grow, like “Dragon Tongue” beans that look as if they were grown at Hogwarts, and Cucuzzi, which “produces huge light green fruit resembling elephant’s tusks, up to five feet long when mature.” It also has an excellent article on the Paul Robeson Tomato, a gorgeous deep bronzy-purplish tomato named for the famed African American singer, Civil Rights activist, lawyer, and movie star.

Paul Robeson