When you think of spending time outdoors, you might envision hiking, swimming, and outdoor sports. Maybe you picture the kids playing on a swing set, or yourself digging in your vegetable garden. All of these activities focus on action and exercise. While these are important (and healthy) concepts, without a doubt, there are other ways…
Imagine relaxing on your porch or patio, admiring the beautiful blooms and sensuous scents of your garden… at night! Yes, there are plenty of flowers that bloom only at night, offering you the chance to create a unique landscape that even night owls will enjoy. Typically, we think of flowers blooming during the day, but…
Sometimes the best way to gather inspiration for your own gardening projects is to see and experience what others have managed to accomplish. Plus, visiting area gardens can become a fun family outing, a creative date idea, or just a way for you to spend quiet time alone in nature. With that said, this week…
Think about the typical office, and in your opinion, what seems to be missing? Most offices feel sterile, tense, perhaps a little cold, and definitely stifling. If you’re like a lot of people, you might even dread going to the office each day. In fact, many of us notice that our creativity plummets in the…
Each Halloween, hordes of ghosts, goblins, monsters, and other creatures come knocking at your door. Many people choose to welcome their trick-or-treaters with a few jack-o-lanterns, themed decorations, or fall blooms on the front porch. If sprucing up the garden and front steps are your thing, we have one more idea for you: How about…
Don’t you just love relaxing on your porch or patio, enjoying warm summer evenings? Perhaps you enjoy entertaining outdoors, or maybe you’re more of an introvert who prefers solitude. But there’s just one little problem: As tranquil as the setting might be, you can’t really enjoy your garden in the dark. …Or can you? If…
Who doesn’t love a fresh bouquet of flowers on the dining room table, or displayed on the mantle? Of course, the downside of fresh arrangements is that they don’t stay fresh for long. You need to consistently replace them, whether with plants from your own garden or by purchasing fresh flowers. An alternative is to…
If you’re considering the addition of a garden feature that will add both visual interest and a soothing appeal, you might be interested in the trend of “tunnels” created by shaping trees or other plants. Not only will your garden be the talk of the town; you can provide yourself with a soothing meditative space…
Just as in any other industry, the landscape design world sees its share of trends that come and go. Lately a fun trend that we’ve noticed is something called the “bedhead garden”. Could it be a fun project for you? You might recall seeing pictures of women who post their “bedhead” on social media. “I…
You love your garden and your neighborhood park, but there are times you must spend indoors. Maybe you’ve wished you could bring more of nature inside with you, but you’ve felt hesitant because of kids, pets, and other concerns. Which indoor plants are safe to grow? And which ones will actually fare well, apart from…
Do you prefer straight lines, perfect, polished surfaces, sleek technology, and absolute symmetry? Or, do those things feel cold, impersonal, and unnatural to you? If you find most modern design to be overly rigid, and prefer a more wild, natural design theme, you might be a fan of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi… Without even…
Do you wish you could grow your own fruit, but you think it’s not possible in your small yard? Or perhaps you’ve always dreamed of owning an orchard, but that seems out of reach at the moment. Learning about espaliered fruit trees might come as a happy surprise. Many people have never heard of espalier,…
Your backyard can serve a variety of purposes, from hosting play dates for children to entertaining your friends with cocktails and barbecue. However, many of us need outdoor time that is soothing and peaceful. You can accomplish more than one goal in your backyard, of course, but setting aside a “sacred space” is ideal for…
Most of us think of gardens as something beautiful to look at. However, a sensory garden can be designed to appeal to all five of your senses, so that spending time in your backyard can become a relaxing, immersive experience. Since research has shown that spending time outdoors can lower blood pressure and reduce stress,…
Since prehistoric times, humans and even animals have naturally gravitated toward medicinal plants. It’s as if we instinctively knew where to look for the healing we need! Even today, many pharmaceutical medications are derived from plants. But you don’t need to rely on medications from the drug store, particularly for common mild ailments. Many healing…
Do you picture yourself lounging in a shady area of your yard, your favorite book and a drink in hand? As much as we all love warm weather, too much sunshine can be brutal, and we tend to crave a shady, cool spot to relax outdoors. If you’re considering a new landscaping project, adding shade…
We often think of our gardens as something to be enjoyed during the day. But moon gardens are growing in popularity, allowing homeowners the opportunity to peacefully enjoy their landscaping by the light of the moon. The trick is to choose the right plants, which will stand out in dim light so that you can…
For some of us, the best way to cope with grief is by nurturing new life. Whether you’ve lost a parent, child, or family pet, planning a memorial garden may be the welcome distraction you need. The garden will also honor the memory of your loved one, and give you a sense of closure.
Landscaping is about more than adding curb appeal to your house. When planned appropriately, landscaping can increase your enjoyment of your home, by providing you a place for recreation or relaxation. If you think you’d enjoy an outdoor area where you can meditate or practice yoga while soaking in fresh air and sunlight, consider the…
In most cases, you will choose to combine the two methods described above. You’ll have to experiment to find out what works for your garden. Just be sure to use plants that are common in your area, so the good insects will already be looking for them.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and hardy flower for your garden, some Camellias might be just what you need. These plants produce big, beautiful blooms in an array of colors, and they aren’t overly difficult to get started.
A swimming pool can provide not only leisure time, but adds a lovely and soothing touch to your landscaping as well. If you have a pool in your yard, you may wish to landscape around it to make it blend into the surroundings more naturally. However, if you use saltwater in your pool, it’s important…
Living walls have recently become very popular, as parts of a structure or as free-standing walls. They’re very unusual and eye-catching, since we aren’t accustomed to seeing a garden growing vertically, and they instantly add color and life anywhere you install one. Although they’re a beautiful way to add more greenery to almost any space,…
A growing trend in gardening focuses on planting flowers that are not just purely decorative, but also attract desirable species of butterflies and hummingbirds as well. If you’ve ever thought it would be fun to enjoy a garden literally buzzing with life, you might enjoy cultivating this type of garden.