With a little tweaking this container should make it for the photo shoot!
"We'd like to take photographs of your summer containers for our magazine"....
so began a recent conversation with the editor of This Old House magazine. Naturally I was thrilled as we discussed that we could do this as a promotion for our book FINE FOLIAGE. Until I realized that she meant this years summer containers.
Do they not have the same seasons as us in New York? As I write this there is a monsoon overhead, my begonias are hanging on by a thread and several containers are on life support. This is fall.
I suggested the story would be how "foliage helps span the seasons with ease" which would allow me to pull out dead flowery things and push in living leafy things. They still want this to be a summer article (they don't publish a fall issue) so photographer David Perrywill have to use plenty of magic tricks to make my fall garden look less autumnal as a backdrop.
The photo shoot was scheduled for Sunday September 30th but we had terrible weather so our backup dates are this Thursday and Friday. Here's hoping; as long as I don't have to wear shorts with my wellies....
FALL WORKSHOPS A HUGE SUCCESS
Beautiful and lush Jennifer
What a fun time we had in the garden last month with two groups of enthusiastic home gardeners joining me for a Fall Container Workshop. Hot apple cider and homemade pumpkin bread to start then touring our 5 acre garden before heading to the barn for a planting demonstration followed by time and assistance to create your own fall container.
Wonderful color choice Peggy
Lots of smiles and proud artists!
Then there was the group of nursery professionals who came for a fall container boot camp! Several nurseries as well as independent designers came along to get the inspiration they need to be able to help YOU. Our afternoon together included a slideshow of design ideas, a garden tour discussing the use of foliage to build a framework then a fun 'designers challenge' that I set up in the barn. Everyone was stretched to step out of their comfort zone to work with unusual colors and plants, the result being that we all got new ideas - including me!
Wonderful tapestry of textures by Deborah
Did you miss out? Be sure to watch out for notices of future events - I'm planning something extra special for the Holiday season.
Follow the links for see the full gallery from September 20th and 27th.
Yes it is that time of year to think about your fall/winter containers!
As the temperatures start to drop the summer annuals will begin to look tired but there's no need to accept less than fabulous looking containers. There are lots of fall and winter hardy plants to work with. Tucking a few dwarf daffodils, tulips or crocus in those pots also makes for a welcome splash of additional color next spring.
Due to seminar, writing and other design commitments I shall not be able to accept as many container planting appointments as usual this season. The good news is that Angela, who has worked with me for several years is ready, willing and more than able to take care of you and your containers, so that between us we should have you covered! Just email me and we'll see what is possible.
or...... take advantage of my new PERSONAL CONTAINER COACH SERVICE detailed below.
For a small space, high impact focal point frame a beautiful sculptural container with foliage. It doesn't even need to be planted!
1. Purple and silver for summer drama; purple fountain grass and silver licorice plant are stunning with this urn from AW Pottery
Design by JoAnn & Lucien Guthrie
2. Echo colors found in the container; fluffy white flowers of Rodgersia work well with this Cretan pot
Design by Le Jardinet
3. Celebrate fall; blue Indian grass turns to shades of rust this month, repeating the color of the distant maple and unglazed rim of the container (Aw Pottery)
Design by Le Jardinet
Need help selecting and purchasing the perfect pot? Email me - this is my favorite sort of treasure hunt.
I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted as a speaker for the 2014 Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle next February - my favorite gardening event of the year!
Idaho and Chicago are also on the events calendar for next spring as well as many talks in Washington State.
Interested in booking a seminar or presentation for your area or garden club? Just send me an email and feel free to read reviews of my talks on the Great Garden Speakers website.
Did you know that FINE FOLIAGE has a full FIVE STAR rating on Amazon and that it is so popular that it is going into it second printing? Woo hoo!
Would you like a signed copy for yourself or as a gift?
Order from my website for priority shipping (2-3 days). You can even request a special message on the last page of the checkout using the 'instructions to seller' box.
Pay by credit card (no PayPal account is needed) or PayPal itself.
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.
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