MARCH Newsletter from Le Jardinet

February 2013

Our very first book signing at the show!

Our book is officially launched! Fine Foliage made its debut at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show (it sold out on the first day) and we have been getting rave reviews ever since. Actually the first comment every time is "It's beautiful". as much as I would like to think that is a personal compliment to Christina and I, I know it is really about the quality of the outstanding photography by Ashley DeLatour!

You can now order signed copies from me, order online or head to the nurseries! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did creating it.

MARCH GARDEN CHECK LIST

DAFFODILS

March is an exciting time in the garden. The birds sing, the borders become more colorful every day as trees and shrubs break bud, spring bulbs open up in the gentle sunshine and the greenhouse goes into full production. Finally we feel we can start really gardening again.

My tips for the Pacific Northwest are ready and waiting for you on Houzz.

Live in a colder or warmer area? Got you covered too;

Mid Atlantic, Central Plains, Great Lakes, Rocky Mountain, Texas,

Other areas will be posted in the next 24 hours; check here

WANT TO GO NATIVE?

Then one of my recent articles on Houzz is just for you!

Western bleeding heart

There is something magical about taking a woodland walk, especially in spring. It's the time to rediscover the native treasures of our landscape.

Enjoy my short article on our native Western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) as my Great Design Plant.

SAN FRANCISCO FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

If you live in the Bay Area we'd love to see you! We have two talks booked at the show;

March 20th 2013 (3.45-4.45pm)

Spotlight on Foliage

Focus on foliage for a memorable garden. Join Christina Salwitz and I as we use color and variegation to create beauty that survives the seasons.

March 21st 2013, (2.45-3.30pm)

A World of Leaves in Color.

Join Christina Salwitz and I as we show you how to select foliage plants to reflect your style, share ideas for luscious combinations and take the mystery out of the design process.

We will be offering book signing after both talks.

Show details

NEED IDEAS FOR A GARDEN SWING?

This caught my eye at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show in Portland last month. Love the frame on it - and yes I did point it out to my woodworking husband. Several times!

FINE FOLIAGE MEETS FLORA GRUBB!

We are SO excited to have been invited to give a seminar at this prestigious nursery in San Francisco. This place has a cool factor of 100+. Can you imagine - we get to play with oodles of fabulous plants, chat with enthusiastic gardeners, enjoy the sunshine AND we get paid?! I wonder if the airline will notice a few plants in my carry on?

Join us at Flora Grubb Gardens if you can;

March 23rd 2013, (11am-noon)

Keys to Unlocking the Foliage Treasure Chest

No more guesswork! Christina Salwitz and I will take the mystery out of foliage inspired design for you. Learn to create eye catching combinations and vignettes, discover hidden jewels and explore new ways to use old favorites. Book signing to follow.

TO FEED YOUR FOLIAGE FANCIES...

Love it? Check out the Fine Foliage blog to learn why I can't take credit and what makes it such a great combo!

Just for all you leaf lovers - welcome to FINE FOLIAGE - THE BLOG! This design is called Beauty and the Beast - read about it here.

This is an exciting companion to our new book where we will share bonus ideas for unique foliage combinations - and just like the book, we will tell you 'why it works'. Consider it an appetizer - none of these lip-smacking combinations will be in the book.

Head on over and be sure to sign up to receive these weekly beauties. We'll be hosting a free book giveaway shortly too!

www.fine-foliage.com

KEEP UP WITH THE FUN AT LE JARDINET!

Photo courtesy of Monrovia

BLOG

Garden Adventures - for thumbs of all colors, is a lighthearted, information packed blog for all gardeners and garden lovers. Laugh while you learn, pick up new ideas and be inspired by others is the theme as I cover everything from container design to slug patrol.

The most popular post last month was Skinny Conifers for Tight Spaces. Click on the link to enjoy ideas on which are conifers are best for sun or shade, for pots or walkways.

FACEBOOK

Take a moment to sit back, enjoy photographs, see what has been happening in my own garden plus get links to the latest garden products and plants: all in bite sized chunks. Always fresh - take a look!

PINTEREST

Enjoy garden photographs on my virtual pin boards - visit Pinterest! You don't need an account to enjoy the boards, just a cup of tea will do as you sit back and get new ideas for containers combinations and garden designs, pathways and art work.

HOUZZ

As the Pacific Northwest regional garden writer for this great website I'm helping you stay on track with monthly garden checklists. Being a total plantaholic I also love sharing one of my favorite Great Design Plants with you each month.

Thanks to the popularity of the above I have also started a new monthly feature called Great Plant Combos.

Want to find out more about Houzz? One of my recent blog posts will tell you all about it and how to get started.

SHARE THE NEWS

Love these newsletters? Want to tell your friends about some of the fun events or share some of my design ideas? Either click or use the social media links at the top of the page

to send via Facebook, Twitter and the like. Encourage friends and family to sign up so they don't miss out on special offers, plant news and local garden events!

Want more? My newsletters are now archived on my website so you can look up seasonal tips and photographs from previous editions.

Have a wonderful month!

Karen Chapman CPH

Le Jardinet

425 765 3574