One of these things is not like the Other

Yesterday at O'tooles, this display stopped me dead in my tracks.  I wonder what the monk and the lady talk about.  Come hither Mr. Monk! ...  or I have a nice cassock back at the monastery that would probably fit you!  I am not sure where the alabaster lady will find her new backyard, but I'm sure it's not my garden.   

Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society Show

 This weekend I attended my first CCSS show at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  Fascinating.  I learned about it on Panayoti Kelaidis' blog.  Hands down one of my favorite blogs for plant inspiration.

When I arrived at the gardens there was not a parking place to be had.  The place was rockin!  I noticed a long line of 30+ succulent and cacti holding enthusiasts waiting to purchase their new treasures outside of the show.

All the normal garden variety succulents were there, but what I found most intriguing were the assortment of cold hardy cacti and agave.  I met many fascinating succulent & cacti people including Leo, a grower and author of this book.

Of course, I couldn't resist adding plants to the cardboard shopping box.  A new cacti inspired container garden will be created soon.

Was that a Junco?

Over the last few years I have evolved into a backyard bird watcher. It all started with this HBO documentary. My husband gave me a proper {squirrel proof} bird feeder and the birds are just starting to come in and feed. I noticed a diminutive object darting in and around the feeder this morning. A junco, I think. I will never catch them in action with my camera, the little buggers are just too quick.  Cornell Lab of Ornithology /Christopher L. Wood are to thank for the photo. This website is fantastic if you enjoy birds.

Roses and Czech Teapot

I am inside today watching the snow come down and catching up on paperwork.  I guess it's a blessing.  Right?  I would be craving the outdoors if it were a sunny day.

Made  rose tea in the teapot that was a gift from my mom.  It made its way back in her suitcase from the Czech Republic.  The lid handle is a charming rosette.  I have a collection of blue and white china that I treasure; many pieces were gifts.

Sweet Rose tea...  It's not for everyone, but I enjoy the feminine and floral quality of it.  It's also a great summer brew with fresh fruit, made like a sangria.

The pot and the tea are cheering me today.  Helping me channel fresh, spring energy.  

Spring Equinox

Yes!  it's here.  Spring.

What do you want to experiment with in your garden this spring/summer?  For me, two things come to mind - both involve containers:

1.  Grow dahlias - I understand this is tricky and requires some extra care and a little luck.  I think this container from Amazon Iron looks amazing.

2. Grow a continuous garden of greens - lettuces, spinach, kales, etc.  I eat leafy greens everyday like never before.  It would bring me great pleasure to savor my own homegrown ones every day this spring and summer.

Garden Structure

Yesterday, I took a stroll at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  It's a super close 10-minute drive. Lucky me.  I  wanted to know what the gardens looked like compared to our home's gardens.  I made a couple observations.

1.) Almost all plants are still dormant, just like the garden at our house.  Yes, there were some enchanting irises and a smattering of crocus everywhere, but mostly it is still brown!

2.) My eyes were opened to the structures and hardscape of the gardens.  Oftentimes, I get so googly-eyed over the plants that I miss the thoughtful additions of pergolas, seating areas, sculpture and obelisks and all sorts of garden furnishings.  These objects lend so much character to the gardens.

The Chapungu Sculpture is one of my favorite any time of year, but yesterday, I so loved the co-mingling of the still vibrant red of the Sumac tree with the soft grey of the sculpture.  Notice the sculpture hiding behind?

The most elegant garden was June's Plantasia.  The river stones walkways stops everyone dead in their tracks.  But I was immediately attracted to these Asian bells hanging from the beams in a smallish pagoda.  I wish I could share their story, but I don't remember seeing signage indicating their origins.  DBG docents please help me out here.

In the same garden I discovered this gorgeous plant adjacent to the walkway.  Rohdea japonica, Sacred Lily.  The berries were a lush burst of red fruit with green-leaf coats.  

Garden Accessorizing

Sounds funny doesn't it?  Do you dress up prior to digging in your garden?  Probably not.  But that could all change when I noticed these pretty Orla Kiely gloves in the March issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.  Makes me want to accessorize.  Check out more garden accessories here.

Thinking about Containers for the Garden

Spied these faux bois planters today.  I think they have great legs.  French, circa 1930.  First Dibs was selling them for $2,700.  Yes, a little pricey!  But a girl can dream, can't she?

This pair is from England.  Circa 1900.  Vermiculated Bath stone for $4,732.  Indeed, this is like purchasing an artwork, or a used car, for that matter.  Love them.

Another pair of French pots.  Deco inspired.  $375 each from First Dibs.

Some Enchanted Evening

As the Song goes...  Last night my husband and I had the pleasure of attending a wine dinner at the Denver Botanic Gardens.  The L'orangerie (orangery) was transformed into a ready-for-spring scene that looked like something out of a romantic movie. What a spectacular setting.

As you can see, the ceiling was bedecked with dozens of colorful umbrellas and crystal rain drops.  My wine impaired photos don't represent the scene as well as I would like, but I does capture the essence of the magical evening.













The planters held new doses of vibrant colored flowers that look like spring showers made instant summer gardens.

If our weather pattern continues with cold and snow, then I will be making more visits to DBG's Orangery. March and April are the snowiest months in Colorado.  I remember March 03' when we received over three feet of snow.  So we're not yet in the clear.

signs of new life

This is a spur-of-the-moment planting that happened late last fall in a newly dug out flower bed.  The soil was so compressed and hard that I amending it as I planted these tiny bulbs.  I remember it being quite an endeavor and I can still see a few clay lumps.100 bulbs planted.  

My recollection is that normally the crocus bring their loveliness to the garden in February.  With all of the cold snaps and snow storms, these little sprites decided to wait until now.

Rejoice!  I went outside with my lunch to relish the warmth and this a little burst of spring.  

Snow snow...sun...snow snow...sun

This seems to be the new normal weather pattern.  Not the best photos.  I just wanted to capture the dark-light pattern.  Snow is always beautiful when it delicately graces the trees.  

Good News: plentiful water resources for the spring and summer

Prairie Gardens and Perennials

Lauren's home garden near Ft Collins, Colorado.

Lately, I am thinking about creating a new large garden in a semi-shady location in front of our house.  The current garden's design is more formal and utilizes both Feng Shui and Asian plant forms.  It is a lovely garden, but it is time to make a change.  I am intrigued by prairie gardens and working with native plants.

Another Lauren Springer garden

I reconnected to this idea after seeing a talk by one of my favorite landscape/garden designers, Lauren Springer Ogden.

Since then, I have gathered more inspiration from plantsman  Roy Diblik and landscape designer Piet Oudolf.  The idea of a more natural garden feels fresh and {water} smart and spontaneous.  

Piet Oudolf garden in West Cork Ireland

Another photo of Piet Oudolf's garden in West Cork

Roy Diblik's garden at the Art Institute of Chicago.  Photo Courtesy of Tina Koral

I heard a recent interview with Roy Diblik where he discussed mowing one of his garden creations as a method of care.  What a concept.  I went to Amazon and immediately ordered his new book.

Adam Woodruff's design

This morning I was visiting Houzz and noticed the gardens created by landscape designer Adam Woodruff.

Adam Woodruff's design