Rain, Run and an iPhone

When the threat of the storm subsided, I decided to trek out to Millenium Park (my favorite) for a quick run. Physical exercise benefits aside, what I gained was so much more.

I wish I could have snapped everything I saw (although, it wouldn't have been much of a run):
ducks, geese, other birds, a beaver (I think), rainbows (yes, multiple), flowers and foliage, gorgeous lilacs so fragrant after the rain...so much nature enjoyed. Can't wait to go back with my good camera. Highlights below!

It started with a rainbow...
























Dramatic clouds passing through as I ran in the rain...







Trillium nestled in the trees...

Fresh foliage, nesting birds and the rainbow still peeking through...

An abundance of birdhouses for an ongoing nature study, tried to snap one but it flew away...

The rainbow returned, firmly anchoring the rising moon...

And, ended with a double rainbow and catching the reflection in the pond...

Ok, one more view, my fave pic of the evening...

Goodnight...

Do You Know Sydney Eddison?

Honestly, I did not. But, I was lucky to be browsing on the Frederik Meijer Gardens website to find this year's Secchia lecture, "Change: A Passage of Time in the Garden" featuring Sydney Eddison.

A nationally recognized speaker and author, Sydney actually has no formal horticultural training. "I feel like a fraud," she laughed. As soon as she started speaking, I knew that she was something remarkable and an expert storyteller.

"All of this for me, all of this to play in," Sydney began, speaking about the farmhouse Sydney and her husband shared and occupied for several years. It was in this house where she not only literally watched her garden grow, but played the role of catalyst and change agent.

Gardening for Sydney was a lifetime of answering the question, "Where do you look?" Rather than positioning one rock, one shrub, one pot, Sydney learned over time to link together elements that create a sweep and tell your eye where to go. You tell the eye where to look by creating depth, thinking about the foreground and the background, creating "pauses" and successful combinations of shapes, and studying form and style.

"It's surprising how long it takes to catch on to things," said Sydney, as she reviewed transitional photos of the change in her garden throughout the years. "I'm still catching on." Sydney spoke about thinking through various forms like rounds, mounds, foliage, colors and manipulating space. What is drawing your eye? What makes people wonder, "What's out there?"

Beyond space and design, Sydney used a gardening narrative to tell her life story. "That's what life is, the comings and goings." The shrubs loved and lost, watching a forest grow up in front of her eyes, the many vivid shades of green, her gardening helper and friend that succumbed to cancer, her various pets that were also part of her garden, and the dedication of her lecture to her late husband. (Have to say, I fared pretty well at holding in tears at that point.)

She even expressed such sentiment toward day lilies, which are commonly thought as such as pedestrian flower. "Day lily. To have perfection for a day, it's beautiful for it's time."

As Sydney came to a close, she explained what her garden was really about. "It was always about something else. Life. Us. It was meant to be played in, fooled around in. A place for people to carry on."

Fraud she is not, Sydney's lecture was dynamic, dramatic, witty and unforgettable. I look forward to reading more in her book I picked up, naturally titled, Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as You Grow Older. She kindly signed my copy as I told her how delighted I was by her stories and having met her. She replied, "You have about 100 years of gardening ahead of you!"

Well, maybe not 100 years, but Sydney does remind us to pace ourselves. We are not gardening for a season or even just a few years, we will garden our whole lives. And that, I look forward to...

Sydney's 5 Steps Toward an Easier Garden

• Simplify borders by limiting demanding perennials
• Use shrubs for easy-to-grow, season-long interest
• Develop a new attitude toward the lawn (reduce lawn size, and live with longer grass and some weeds)
• Love your shade
• Discover container gardening

Why I Wish I Would Have Went Into Horticulture

Last Saturday, I spent the day with industry experts at the Proven Winners Outdoor Living Extravaganza, which conveniently happened to take place just outside of Grand Rapids. The day kicked off with some door prizes. I just so happened to win the first prize right out of the gates, a vibrant tangerine watering can, which was perfect because I always used a makeshift milk jug (not glamorous, but practical and recycled.)

John Gaydos, director of Proven Winners product development, got us started with an engaging discussion on trends for 2012, the role of plant breeders and how Proven Winners develops plants to "work for you." Meaning, it's one thing to develop and test in controlled environments, but how will they work in your own backyard? Proven Winners' goal is to develop strong performers that are more disease resistant, pest resistant (insect and animal) and drought tolerant with continuous blooms, making less work for the rest of us! He also said that some of the best discoveries can happen in our own backyard, so be on the lookout.

Rebecca Finneran, Horticulturalist and MSU/Kent County Extension Specialist, gave us a virtual walk-through of some of the top-rated public gardens across the country, known for their environmentally-sensitive features and timeless design. Inspirational yes, but public gardens are also educational power-houses, or as Rebecca said they "share truth." 
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, has quite the history dating back to the 1700s, you just have to check it out for yourself.
Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI, was voted one of the top 10 most inspiring gardens by Horticulture Magazine.
The Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR, is known for their environmental and sustainable focus.

I hope I'll be able to work with and learn from Rebecca when I begin the MSU Master Gardening Program in August. I also see some public garden road trips in my future.

Susan Martin, Marketing Director for Walters Gardens in Zeeland, kicked off the afternoon with an old-versus-new approach to perennials. Susan had a great story-telling vibe to her presentation with historical nuggets intertwined. From hostas to day lilies and grasses to peonies, she really got me thinking about trading up some of my old-fashioned varieties for more modern picks with prolonged blooms, decorative foliage and expansive colors. The names are half the fun, too. (e.g., Primal Scream daylily, T. Rex stone crop, Bartzella peony, Empress Wu hosta...) Susan also played a large role in the development of PerennialResource.com, a site dedicated to all things perennials, including a library of 2,000+ varieties, articles, care tips and a glossary.

To cap off the day, P. Allen Smith, horticultural and lifestyle expert, and self-proclaimed plant geek (his words!), joined the crowd as the last presenter for the day. Because of my stellar stalking skills, I was able to catch him just after lunch for a brief meet-and greet. Being the geeky fan-girl that I am, I was totally gushing, but landed an autograph and picture with the Garden Home Retreat mastermind, and left happy (and with minimal embarrassment!)

Allen was charming, surprisingly funny and very down-to-earth, even when he was talking about rubbing elbows with British royalty. Big on design, Allen's advice spoke about outdoor spaces or, in his terms, "carving out spaces to enjoy the beauty we create." By creating these outdoor garden rooms, Allen encourages the gardener to become more intentional with design--flanking a patio with containers, composing a "color echo" (I interpret this to mean using monochromatic colors) and overall, just being creative. "There's no end to where we can grow things," Allen said, speaking to the versatile types of containers and vertical spaces that exist.

A common theme throughout the day was the importance of sharing knowledge, especially with new generations and getting them started (and excited) early. Every day, these four presenters, and the rest of the team that produced the seminar, get to work with plants, flowers, garden planning and horticulture, and I have career envy. Gardening is not just a hobby, it's art, science, design, geography, history, it's multi-cultural, and at times, compulsory. I suppose it's never too late for a career change, right?

A final big thanks to the teams that put the event together. It was very well done and I look forward to sharing what I learned with others.

Tons of swag: Proven Winners giveaway bag included a water bottle, trowel, idea books, coupons from local sponsors, among other goodies. Each attendee also went home with a Cherry Star Calibrachoa, and a choice between a watering can or a hanging basket. I opted for the latter (see my orange workhorse above!)

Things to Love Right Now: This Week's Links

This week's web travels really have got me thinking about all of the projects I want to attempt and accomplish this Spring and Summer. With so many resources, online and off, and finding new ones every day, there are really no limitations. Here are some of my fave finds from this week.

My newest blog addiction is Dearest Nature, a stunning lifestyle blog inspired by, well, anything and everything in nature. Dearest Nature is also getting readers involved with Spring Pickin's, a blog and photo project to document anything that nature puts in your path. (This should be a must for me this season!)

Repurposing old and found objects like furniture, antiques and pretty much anything you can find, is all the rage these days. This succulent garden via old dresser before-and-after featured on Curbly, a DIY blog, is something to be admired. What can't you make a garden out of? (The full how-to is on Grizzly Bear Modern.)

Lastly, just for funsies, Urban Gardens, a blog dedicated to city and small-space dwellers, featured this darling pewter sugar and creamer set, complete with miniature shovel for a serving spoon. Adorable yes, but also a pretty penny, at Branca.

Apartment Therapy also launched a new Outdoor section of their website, for your perusal.
And, don't forget about the Spring 2012 issue of Leaf Magazine, a treasure trove of ideas for the gardening and outdoor living enthusiast.

Crushing on Leaf Magazine

This Spring, you have every reason to be inspired, especially with the good looks and charming personality of Leaf Magazine by your side. This relatively new online publication officially launched last fall by co-founders and garden design "senseis," Rochelle Greayer and Susan Cohan. The Spring 2012 issue was just released earlier this week. It's 142 pages of beautifully and thoughtfully designed outdoor living and gardening infatuation. Oh, and by the way, it's FREE. Skip on over to LeafMag to subscribe.  

Want more? Check out Leaflets, the LeafMag blog, for daily bite-sized outdoor-inspired design.

Gardening (and Guinness) Is Good For You!

Spring clean up around here is no joke. I have a pretty good workout regimen, but I know there's no need to feel guilty when I skip my cardio on the weekends. The raking, the squats, the lunges, the pulling, the pushing, a few hours in and I've burned off breakfast and lunch combined.

We all know that gardening is good for you, mentally, physically and even spiritually.
But, here are some fat-burning facts about gardening that you may not know:

Gardening can burn an average of 167 calories for every 30 minutes, and involves strength and flexibility-building moves. If you're into the heavy-duty activities like hauling around 40-pound bags of soil and digging new beds, you'll torch even more calories.

Some experts believe that gardening and activities involving nature can lower blood pressure, boost immunity and reduce stress. My favorite way to decompress after a long day is pulling weeds. Instant gratification and a perfectly acceptable method of projecting rage.

Getting back to nature can increase your attention span and improve your mood. Combat that multitasking mental fatigue by focusing on a new project like containers, windowboxes or digging a new bed.

Remember to protect yourself while outside. Apply sunscreen and/or bug spray, stay hydrated and lift with your legs, not your back. Etc. Etc. Now go sow some seeds, then grill your burger. Put cheese on mine, I've earned it.


Perfect before-and-after photo op. Yes, that's me and my bottom, working away at the soil (very tough soil).

And after. Bottom not included, but I assure you, it got a workout.

Sources: 
CNN 
Livestrong 
WebMD

The More You Know

We're off and running in a new season where I'm fully prepared to give you my unsolicited advice, starting with a brief list of DOs and DON'Ts.

Weeds: Know Your Enemy
Don't let weeds overpower your gardens. Do find a way to manage them regularly, such as pulling out after a fresh rain or on a seriously humid day. Do know your enemy. The antagonistic relationship between you and your weeds will always exist, but not every weed is bad. Check out Good Weed, Bad Weed for a quick reference of what's growing, what to yank and what to spare.

Flowers: Know Thyself
Don't, I repeat, don't use fake flowers under any circumstances. I like to be low maintenance too, but if you use fakes, you're only fooling yourself. Do use real flowers that are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. Don't choose anything overly fussy and demanding of your time if that's not your thing. Do read your labels and become familiar with your zone so you know what you're getting into.

Shrubs: Know Your Boundaries
Don't let your shrubs exceed the size of your house. Surely, there must be some 80/20 rule about shrub-to-house ratios and proportionate size to equal maximum curb appeal. Do invest in some good shears and research best times to prune. Don't ever trim, shape and/or dress your shrubs to look like humans, dolls, animals, or decorate with hula hoops, bows, signage or advertising. It's really humiliating for the shrub. (The only exception is tasteful holiday lights, when the season is appropriate, of course.)


Do have fun. Gardening and landscaping is hard work, but if you're not enjoying the process, you might want to find another hobby or enlist in a professional!

Good Weed, Bad Weed cover image used from this book review at Horticulture Magazine.

Lost in Transition

August has been feeling more like September. The air has been a little crisp, the night has had a chill, mornings have been cooler. I can already see the subtle change in leaves on my daily commute. Summer is definitely making its graceful exit and welcoming in fall. While many of my summer blooms have faded, a walk around my gardens revealed a variety of brand-new buds, and those flowers ready for round two.

Just because the sun is setting on summer doesn't mean your gardens are ready to fade. There's more to come in the next season. Enjoy the transition. 

What's blooming in your garden right now?

Autumn Joy Seedum "thisclose" to opening.

By clipping back the spent flowers, I revealed my yarrow's next generation of blooms.

By now, you know of my love for Pentas, they just keep on going and going... Next year, run, don't walk to get Pentas for your containers. I bet they look fabulous in the ground as well.

I'm not sure what type of Black-Eyed Susan this is, but, it's a little more slender, a little less invasive than some other varieties I've had, and it is still blooming strong right now.

I was especially surprised to see this flowering shrub rebloom. I'm pretty sure it has grown about 3-4 feet this summer. The top is all covered in new growth and fresh blooms.

Hi, I'm a Mess

Here's where I start putting myself out there. I'm not a garden master mind. I wish I was.
I have "that spot" in my yard. The one area that is constantly out of control. The one area I swear every year I'm going to tame like the wild beast it is.

It's my front yard. Not the front of my house, rather the very edge of the yard that slopes into the road. My neighbors across the street have to stare at this mess every day, and sometimes I think they shame me when I walk out to get the mail. Lucky for me, I don't have to look at it, but I know it's there.

It didn't used to be this bad. In fact, at one point, we planted masses of perennials thinking that they would just fill in and take over. If you look closely you might be able to see one, yes one, black-eye Susan that remains. We were so naive.

This is a project that I just can't handle on my own. It might be time to admit defeat and call in professional help. But, first I'd like to you know what you think. What would you do if this was your mess? Share your thoughts. The person with the best idea gets to come over and help me!

Social Media Butterfly

You probably need another social media site to join like a hole in the head.
But, how can you resist gardening-specific social networking? Check out these sites I originally started following on Twitter:

Dig the Dirt

Your Garden Show

Both are free and are a great way to catalog ideas, share your gardens, access tools/resources and peruse how-to's. Most of all, sites like these use the experiences of others to illustrate the importance of gardening, sustainable practices and the impact of building communities on and offline.

I encourage you to be social and start building your gardening community. Then, you can share it on Facebook, tweet it on Twitter, +1 on Google+, pin it on Pinterest...
(Wait, I thought we were supposed to be spending more time outside?)
I don't quite understand it all either, but I'm learning!

P.S. Leaf Magazine, a new digital magazine focused on outdoor design, launches this fall. Click to get a free subscription!

The August To-Do List

It's almost mid-August. Your gardens are tired of working for you all summer. You're probably tired, too. You can feel the season slowly changing ... The air smells a little different ... The days are oh-so-gradually getting shorter again ... Did you just see a leaf fall on the ground?

Hey!
Snap out of it!

Don't be fooled by back-to-school ridiculousness and promises of a new fall wardrobe. (As enticing as those new suede boots might be, they'll still be there in October, I promise.)

Summer is still here, and my calendar says it will stay here until September 23.
If you think your work is done, you're sorely mistaken.
So, grab your shovel and your bypass pruners because your to-do list just got a little longer.

From mulching to compost, bulbs to saving seeds, deadheading to weeding, there's still plenty to do this year and in preparation for next spring. There's even time to plant a late harvest garden. Take it from the experts, About.com and Better Homes and Gardens have compiled some great August tips to keep your garden going through September and beyond.

I think I'm even crazy enough to try a fall container garden this year...yeah, even after I got on my soapbox about containers.

Pretty Little Aprons For Us Dirty Gals

Aprons have been coming back in a big way (not that they ever really left!)

They're perfect for this time of year, whether you're harvesting vegetables or need a tool carry-all in your cutting garden. They're not just for in the kitchen, you know!

The DIY crowd has been having a field day--check out some great how-to sites below to create your own. Or, if you're lucky enough, maybe a super crafty friend will whip up one for you as a wedding present. (Thanks, Jen!)

But, with aprons as cute as these, who'd want to get them dirty? 

Left: Recycled denim "Easy Peasy Gardening Apron" by Wienerdog Tricks, check out the how-to on her blog as well as other cool sewing projects (if you're so inclined).
Top Right: Martha Stewart's up-cycled gardening apron, make old new again with these easy instructions.
Bottom Right: The ultimate step-by-step DIY apron by Design*Sponge.

Left: Not a gardening apron, but fun anyway, I like the cheat-sheet approach of Perpetual Kid's upside-down apron, as featured on FreshHome.
Top Right: My wedding present apron made by my friend Jen! Also came with matching potholders. Cute, right?
Bottom Right: Ruffled goodness, the Seed Apron by Vermont Apron Company, (yes, they are made in Vermont).

The Year of the Zinnia

Apparently 2011 is the year of the Rabbit, Google+ and the Zinnia!

Each year, the professional horticulture industry comes together to showcase one flower (and one vegetable!) of the year, based on popularity, ease, adaptability, versatility and diversity. This year, it's the Zinnia, which perfectly fits all of the defined categories and more. So, what's to love?

• Great in borders, beds, containers, cutting gardens, you name it. 
• Known as the "cut and come again" flower. Some varieties are prolific enough to be a ground cover.  
• Heights vary from 8 inches up to 4 feet, giving you options that are short, tall and everything in between.
• Easy to sow from seed.
• Sun loving, fast growing and super low maintenance, just the way I like 'em!
• Like color? Available in yellow, orange, cherry, pink, purple, scarlet, white, as well as fashionable chartreuse (my personal fave).
• Practically pest free.

There really isn't anything not to love about Zinnias. Ironically, this is the first year that I haven't used Zinnias in my gardens. Regrets!

Random fact: When the Spanish first saw the Zinnia species in Mexico, they thought the flower was so unattractive they named it mal de ojos or "sickness of the eye!" 

For more horticulture history, recommendations and how to grow from seed, check out the Year of the Zinnia page on the National Gardening Association site. (P.S. For all of you vegetable gardeners, 2011 is also the Year of the Tomato, chosen by the NGA.)

Zinnia Giant Double Mix-Pink

 Zinnia Giant Double Mix-Pink, close up so you can see "the eye!"

Zinnia Profusion 5 Color Mix, I've used these in containers and beds before, they spread like crazy and keep until hard fall frost (and then some!)

Zinnia Queen Lime, I totally have a thing for green flowers right now.

All content and photos provided by the National Garden Bureau via the National Gardening Association. 

Welcome Home, Coneflower

Thought you might like to know what I did with all of that coneflower I had. Far be it from me to keep you in suspense and all. (If you haven't been following along, I had a little bit of a coneflower residency issue.)

In our backyard, we have this old clothes line. We never use it and had considered ripping it out. But, I like the charm it brings to our yard, especially considering our house was built in the 40s. My grand plan last year was to plant lots of Russian sage around it, and let it grow all bushy and wild. I bought the sage last year and ended up just throwing it in a vacant spot because it was getting late in the season, and the clothesline bed never happened. Sadly, their current locale is not very hospitable (see pics below).

But, the coneflower needed a home (couldn't let those beauties go to waste!), at least for the time being. And, since the sage was already in the ground, the coneflower won the newly renovated clothesline bed. I figure I can still move everything around later.

A lot of my flowers eventually take up residence in another flower's previous home. Nothing seems to stay in one spot for long. Sometimes I feel like this whole gardening thing is the plant version of TLC's Moving Up. What about your gardens? Are your flowers nomads or do they take up long-term residence in your beds?

My new coneflower bed, close up and a better shot with the clothesline. They seem much happier in the ground. Something I like to do in my gardens is create repetition by using multiple colors of one type of flower. I have also done this with day lilies. In fact, I love the combination so much, I plan on dividing and continuing the pattern all the way around the deck.

P.S. Russian sage should look like this!

Mine looks like this, barely a few inches tall. I think the spot is too shady and too moist.

Things to Love RIGHT NOW!

Before you know it, summer will be here and gone, as evidenced by store shelves already stocked with back-to-school supplies (shuddering!) There's still time to get your hands on some great summer finds for the home, garden and the beach! Here are a few of my faves this week: 

A new twist on a classic: Swan watering can from Blue Ribbon General Store, which if you take a look around on the site, has some pretty neat stuff. The beak is the handle, the tail is the spout! (It's a heck of a lot classier than the plastic milk jug I've been using as a makeshift watering can.)

Tired of the same old rainbow umbrellas on the beach? Me too. These chair and umbrella sets from World Market are super cute, super affordable and perfect for those who are little more sun-sensitive.

Pentas are annual champs. These were recommended to me by Romence Gardens last year, and will always be a summer annual staple. They've been doing amazing in the scorching heat, even when I forget to water. They are also hummingbird and butterfly friendly! 

Share your summer faves!

Daytripper: Time Well Spent in Douglas/Saugatuck

Those of us who are lucky enough to live in West Michigan are able to take day trips to neighboring Lakeshore communities like South Haven, Holland, Grand Haven and Ludington. On Saturday, my husband and I took a day trip to Douglas and Saugatuck, two little sister cities nestled on Lake Michigan, just about 15 minutes south of Holland. These remarkable little communities are known for their arts, culture, and treasure trove of unique shops and galleries. Saugatuck even has its own film festival.

We had been to Saugatuck before, but this time we incorporated some different experiences. Our day started in Douglas with Running Rivers, who offer kayak trips of varying lengths through the forests and wetlands along the Kalamazoo River. They also offer the now-trendy stand up paddle boards. We went for an hour-long kayak, which ended up at Wades Bayou, and spotted a few blue heron along the way.

Douglas and Saugatuck also have quite the garden club, supporting the communities through  beautification projects and other efforts. Both cities have the most beautiful homes and manicured outdoor spaces, and makes me wish I could join their club!

Both downtowns feature very quaint little shops, especially for home and garden (check out my scores below!) and a variety of restaurants for every taste. We had lunch at Coral Gables, watching the boats come and go in the bay, followed by the BEST (and most expensive) MILKSHAKE EVER at Kilwins.

The last stop for the day was Saugatuck Dunes State Park. To get to the beach, you have to walk about .6 miles through the woods along sandy trails. The beach is worth the hike and the hike is pretty great itself. (And, it was the perfect opportunity to start burning off the shake!) After a late afternoon of frisbee in the water and naps on the shore, it was time to make the trek back. We couldn't have asked for a better day.

Do you have a Michigan State Park Recreation Passport?


The gardens were just gorgeous. I wish I would have been able to take more pics of the homes and gardens. They were just magazine worthy!

Best name for a children's store EVER. (It's from Alice In Wonderland, in case you don't get the reference.)

Secluded, tree-lined beach. You really couldn't ask for a better backdrop. I've been a lot of places and West Michigan truly has some great beaches.

Just looking up!

The oak-lined trail to and fro. I would love to go back and just hike the trails.

Good finds: Iron key from Urban Cottage in Saugatuck, black wood apple and pear (just had to have them!) from Circa in Douglas, and wine rack from Wine Sellers of Saugatuck. I do need to make another trip SOON to visit Amsterdam, a real eclectic mix of antiques, vintage finds, garden treasures, you name it!