How the other coast non-gardens
Stein: The Southern garden writer in me was in deep trouble from the moment I saw the landscapes that were meant to convince me to give up our Panther Branch Shangri-La and move to this beautiful suburb of Seattle.
Gardener invites wildlife in to share her space
Stein: Myrtle the turtle enjoys watering day in Jan Wilson's North Raleigh garden. The "educated deer" that come over from the woods between Wilson's townhouse and Ravenscroft School visit occasionally to nip the fading flowers from the impatiens planted in a container by the front porch. "It's cool the way they take the tops off the impatiens, but leave the ivy and periwinkle alone," Wilson said.
Parties surpass fundraising goal for arboretum
Stein: The Summer Solstice Celebration on June 21 was a magical evening. Themes were plentiful at the parties in private gardens to benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh -- art in the garden, ice cream socials, wine tastings, cooking lessons by prominent chefs, guests dressed as favorite plants.
Visit reveals living museum of plants
Arriving at Duke Gardens a few minutes early for an appointment at Blomquist Gardens allowed time to enjoy the diverse parade of visitors. There were rowdy kindergartners, reluctantly posing for photos under the beloved wisteria pergola. Students with Frisbees, heading for the South Lawn. Little boys climbing on stone walls; little girls in spring dresses and pretty hair ribbons. Students marching proud parents around the campus. And teenagers strolling hand-in-hand while mothers with strollers, and fathers with babes in arms took in the surroundings. The green landscape seemingly held attractions for everyone.
From unusual to common
I just recently discovered "The Adventurous Gardener's Sourcebook of Rare and Unusual Plants." Imagine my surprise to find that many of the plants I've been growing over the past decade are introduced as rare or unusual.
Blossoms, birds hint of spring
Not too long ago, the weather outside was wet and cold. Old man winter dug his icy fingers into the landscape and spread his cloak across the sky to block the sun. The mood here in Panther Branch turned from a resolute blue to a dreary gray. But, as I settled in with a good book and a warm pot of my favorite tea, a commotion at the window drew my attention.
Good plan, good outcome
Last month, to introduce "Dear Landscaper" I posed a question: How can you make a pre-fab outbuilding unnaturally sitting on concrete blocks fit more naturally in the existing landscape?
Garden design help is a call away
Here's how to landscape around those small, prefab, multipurpose buildings used as tool sheds, storage rooms and workshops.
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