Roses are red. . .

In my other life, teaching music at a public elementary and high school, I was informed by my students that pink and red are lucky on Valentines day.  I decided to oblige them in my wardrobe choice this morning as well as in this post. ;)

A tinge of pink graces this lovely blossom from the Cornus Kousa "Satamoi" dogwood tree.  As the blossoms age they give way to a full dusty pink and finally to raspberry colored bratcs. This is my absolute favorite small landscape tree.   

I have a love/hate relationship with hibiscus, mostly  because of my dogged impatience while waiting for them to bloom.  I wait for weeks in the spring to see any sign of life from the bare stubs.  Just when I am about to dig it up and relegate it to another casualty of a UP winter, it leafs and slowly begins to grow.  In late august I am rewarded with a small window of fantastic blooming.  Just as soon as it begins it is over, but while it blooms, hibiscus is queen of the garden.  

For a compact hydrangea, Twist and Shout is my number one choice.  Pink, blue, and purple, blossoms on the same plant in a lovely lace cap shape.  Stems are tinged red and foliage is rich and dense.  

These garden peonies gave quite the show this year.  They were early and prolific filling my kitchen with their heady fragrance.  They ended up outside because they also worked up my allergies (I know, a landscape designer who is allergic to plants.  All I can say is I am in love with my profession).

There is always something striking about a pop of red.  This beauty was proof I can never leave my favorite annual grower without taking something home.  Towards the end of the season one of the last geraniums  in stock caught my eye and found a home in this pot with some nicotiana and red coleus.

  

Azalea makes a striking showing.  Ruffly pink blossoms burst in vibrate color before it leafs out entirely.  

This was a new variety of hydrangea in 2011.  After two summers in this bed I am still in love with the antiqued mauve of the traditional "Annabelle" form.  Buyer beware, although the blossoms are stunning, the stems lack the support of the standard "Annabelle" and I fought drooping blossoms all season.  

Early morning Peony just about to bloom

Another pretty in pink azalea, a southern variety, taken on last spring's trip to the Carolinas.   

A 100 year old Azalea garden just outside of Charleston said to contain 30,000 Azalea plants.  

A bright red Camellia catches the eye as it dramatically contrasts the marble.

   

Curb Appeal in Hiding

From the moment I stepped into this charming renovated cabin, I was in love with the natural colors, cozy feel to the rooms, the warm kitchen, and the gorgeous woodland views out of each and every window. As I walked through the owner's impressive raised bed vegetable gardens and viewed their other perennial beds I knew that this project would not only be great fun, but also require the same level of design consideration I give my own personal gardens.  This homeowner had a knack for plant combinations and an eye for design which was evident from the care put into their house and other gardens.  Still, there was the issue of the front of the house.  

This home is set almost a mile off a main road on a private drive.  Although privacy is one thing, this large spruce entirely obscures the curb appeal, blocking the view from inside and out.  The couple also wanted to create distinction to the front door and install a path leading from the garage to the house.  

Nope, fooled you. This isn't the front door. . .

 Front entry 

After several meetings a preliminary sketch and a complete formal design. . .

Courtney's initial design

We began by trimming up the large but lovely blue spruce that blocked the front view of the house and hid the front door. We are always hesitant to cut down healthy trees.  The clients loved the tree and once it was not blocking the view of the house, it worked well in the space. 

A new crushed limestone path from the garage clearly defines the front entry 

This garden is a shade loving delight proving that shade does not need to be boring and 

colorless. The earliest blossoms will be of the Amelanchier "Service Berry" followed by rhododendron and azalea. Pulminaria (lung wort) with its distinctive spotted leaves will flower in May followed by a burst of early summer color of mini stella daylily. Other daylily will soon catch up as well as a Lobelia Cardinalis, Astilbe, and Ligularia "Little Rocket". Hosta and shade tolerant grasses and sedges (Carex Morrowii) fill in with texture and shape rounding of this sun challenged spot.

Also included in the plan was a lovely new flagstone stoop that replaced a weathered wood step, eliminated a spring mud issue and defined the front door.  

The Cat's Meow: Working with Nepetas

Nepetas (common name Catmint) are zone hearty, drought tolerant, disease resistant, and easy to grow. Nepetas are vigorous but won't take over and work equally well in formal design and farm garden. 

Nepeta Cataria is the true catnip which drives house cats ecstatic.  It is one of the less showy varieties for garden design.  

Nepeta Racemosa "Walker's Low" is a stunner and by far my favorite Nepeta.  Named for an garden in Ireland, not for a low growing habit, this perennial grows to an impressive three feet by three feet.  Zone three hearty, as long as Walkers Low receives adequate sunlight, it will thrive.  When cut back this Nepeta will bloom all season long attracting bees and butterfly as well as neighbor's compliments.  I have found this plant to be an great substitute for Lavender which can be more fussy to soil conditions and cold, especially away from the lakes.  Walker's Low was 2007's perennial of the year.  You simply can't go wrong.   

Nepeta Racemosa"Walkers Low" 

To duplicate: Nepeta "Walkers Low", Leucanthemum x Superbum "Becky", Salvia "May Night"

This entire bed would be low maintenance, drought tolerant, and for the most part deer tolerant.  (They do not like the intense fragrance of "Walker's Low") 

Calamintha Nepeta ssp "Nepeta" As you can see by the name, this is not a nepeta, but in the Calamintha or mint family.  If you are running for your round-up, stop!  This gorgeous variety is not invasive or extremely aggressive which makes it an excellent choice for almost any garden.  I absolutely love this fragrant, long blooming mint.  White flowers appear in early June and last until frost.  Honeybees make an outstanding appearance and on cool nights the flower turns a light lavender.     

Planting suggestion: 50% Calamintha Nepeta ssp Nepeta, 40% Rudbeckia "Little Suzy" or "Goldsturm", 10% Calamagrotis x acutiflora "Feather Reed Grass" 

Again, this mix is drought tolerant and essentially maintenance free once established.    

Life in the frozen tundra. . .

On days like these as the wind howls, the snow falls, and gray is the only color on the horizon, I am tempted to  believe that spring will never come again, flowers will never bud and bloom, and the sun will fail to melt the frost that set in months ago.  If I sound bitter, I confess I am. . .or was.  While looking through pictures for an upcoming home and garden show (stay posted for details) I found hope that pulled me away from my winter melancholy.  I couldn't help but getting excited!  Spring is coming and it is not that far away. Enjoy!