This week, we have a wonderful display of sunflower cushions! What a simple, unique, and natural decoration for outdoor seating. The cushions are simply large, white sunflower seed heads arranged like big, plush pillows on this garden bench at Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, MI. They look fantastic for as long as the chipmunks and weather permit, which varies from year to year… Enjoy!
Filed under Photogenic Friday
My family and I decided we wanted to do something… a little different from our usual christmas decor this year. After much deliberation, brainstorm, and “lively” debate, we decided on creating a single, simple piece. It is neither innovative nor revolutionary in terms of the design – it’s the sheer size and “surprise” factor we’re going for. Begun last week, we’ll soon finish wrapping our 15′ ish crab apple tree – every, single, twig – with white lights. (see what I mean by not revolutionary?)
However, here’s the fun part: the tree we’re wrapping, used to be in our backyard. Keyword: used to. This crab apple is the “smallest” of three located in our back yard, but after dragging it from the back to the front, I can definitely say it’s anything BUT small. Several years of severe apple scab infection had led to decreased vigor, twig die back, and decreased bud production, so we decided it’s time (finally!) to rip them out in favor of something better suited to the site (gee, what a concept). So, to send them out with a flair we decided that, in their final moments, they would become the centerpiece of our outdoor Christmas display. The part I like most about this plan is the fact that for people who normally drive by our house, one evening – BAM – there will suddenly be a massive lit tree where there was never a tree before. Although we chose the smallest of the three crabs, as you can see from the picture below: it’s going to be quite an endeavor to complete, not to mention disassemble.
Despite that, I’m determined to enjoy admiring its (what I think to be) bad branch structure, that just so happen to lend themselves wonderfully to a crap-ton of Christmas lights.
Filed under Fun FYI
This week’s Photogenic Friday comes to us from the View from Federal Twist, a wonderful garden blog I just discovered through a mutual garden friend. Not only are the photos absolutely extraordinary, but the writing is just… humbling. It’s poetic, introspective, and a wonderful read. Follow this link to check out the full post, and let the below picture act as a teaser trailer.
Filed under Photogenic Friday
I simply have to share this article I found a few days ago, an open letter to the Green Industry from one C.L. Fornari. It, quite simply, made my day/week/life. Anyone who has ever been involved with/been touched by/cared about gardening or horticulture in any way, shape, or form will come away inspired after reading C.L.’s piece. I’m absolutely smitten with the idea of seeing this happen, and I’m fairly confident America is poised for such a transformation, a transformation we haven’t seen since the days of Julia Child and the foody movement which has since spawned a network, TV shows, celebrities, specialty stores, and more.
Follow this link to C.L.’s website and read her article. You’ll come away a horticultural zealot.
Filed under Fun FYI
If you follow The Plant Studios blog, you’ll remember my posting from a few weeks ago about Spring at Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles, MI. What I didn’t mention was that, very soon, I’ll be working full-time at Fernwood come January!
(dramatic pause for celebratory dance party)
Not only is Fernwood a very special place in the local community, but it’s a very special place in my personal history as well. I often joke that Fernwood is to blame for making me into the garden-nut I am today, thanks in part to the dedication and patience of supportive parents who indulged me when I asked to go to visit several times a year. Fernwood was my first and only exposure to public gardens for several years until we realized this “little” fascination I had for horticulture wasn’t going away anytime soon. I can’t tell you the hundreds of happy, blissful memories I have of exploring Fernwood as a child. Now that I’ll be working there next year, I have the unique opportunity to help create a new, interactive layer of the Fernwood experience as we begin construction on our new Nature Adventure Garden.
Our Nature Adventure Garden has one simple goal: to provide the template for families, children especially, to celebrate their connection with nature. We very much want this to be a unique garden, one that lets families create their own experience each time they visit. Each child will discover something new and gravitate to something different. As we’re currently in the exciting throws of the design process, I’d like to share a few “inspirational” photos I’ve become attached to during our design process. These photos were taken at the Chaumont International Garden Festival in France by the talented Karl Gercens, a horticulturist at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.
Filed under Photogenic Friday
A fantastic follow up to the video I posted a few weeks ago.
Filed under Fun FYI
Check out this TEDxDirigo video on “revolutionary” gardening ideas.
Filed under Fun FYI
