A Gardener's World
A Celebration of all things in the garden
A Feature of History at Home
by Emilie Lapham, Conservancy Board Member, avid gardener, botanical artist, and active participant in several noted local and national garden organizations.
Gardens are one of life’s pleasures! A garden is a resource for its owner but it is also an asset for the community, the natural environment and wild life also. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants combine to make gardens and contribute to making a sense of place.
Chestnut Hill is known for its “Wissahickon Style” with gardens that embrace the natural landscape. The term “Borrowing from the wild” is often mentioned in describing local gardens. The park land that threads through the area provides a very special connection to our gardens.
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is publishing articles about gardens and hopes to educate, inspire and promote gardening in this area. Plant selection, garden design, garden history and how to respond to changing climate and environment will all be part of this resource.
Photo by Emilie Lapham
DECEMBER – HOLIDAY DECORATING WITH NATURE
Decorating the house in December can be very festive. Our family, like many has boxes of decorations that are old favorites, but each year I like to create something
new. The opportunity to explore a new idea and try to use materials from the local
landscape is the challenge.
A classic, but lovely decoration is a pomander. They are made with citrus fruit and studded with cloves. Oranges, lemons and limes are good for pomanders.
Pomanders were very popular in the middle ages as some thought wearing a pomander would protect from the plague. This is a very easy project, just pierce the
fruit with a toothpick before pushing the cloves in.
I surf the internet and find concepts that seem possible and collect material from the garden. The ideas that I find are just a start and they can usually be expanded or
adapted in some way. I found some amusing acorn ideas to try this year. They are small and a bit tricky to glue, but fun. Creating an environment for the figures to play in, was a quick stroll in the garden. The moss is borrowed and placed in the garden later. Think in miniature scale when choosing plant material and of course some Wissahickon Schist is a must! A plant saucer works well for a low container.
It is a good idea to line the container with foil or a plastic bag as there will be some moisture. For snow, I used sugar. Candles might be a nice addition, but make sure
they are safely placed. A pond? A bridge? There are lots of possibilities…My collection of small metal sheep usually graze on our window sills but for a special occasion they enjoy a custom countryside.
Some very quick and easy ideas: small vases of mixed greens with pods or berries sprayed gold and bronze. Baby’s breath creates a snowy effect. Holly gives a hit of red. Another very easy decoration is filling empty glass balls. Any dry material that fits into the top is possible. Ribbon and cut paper could be interesting and more ambitious, would be a tiny winter landscape.
A seasonal craft night with a few friends is a great way to try some new ideas. Decorating wine corks could be an interesting idea, especially if the corks are right
from the bottle! The cork idea works for all levels of ability. Some possible supplies for decorating projects: Tacky glue, hot glue, sewing pins, yarn, string, ribbon, nuts in the shell, card board, wire, sticks, pods, dry plant material etc.
Let the natural world inspire creativity in your home and enjoy the season!
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
NOVEMBER – HOUSE PLANTS
Interior Nature, House Plants
Bring nature into your house with plants. Plants add decoration and also add good health to a home. Plants can actually help purify and remove toxins from the air inside the house. Cohabitation with plants also has physiological benefits, lowering our stress levels. Winter brings us inside but it is important to bring some of what we love about the warm season in with us: plants!
There is so much variety in the plant world to choose from that house plants can be very easy and low maintenance. For some people it is a hobby and they like the challenge of more rare or tricky plants. What a joy it is when your plant appreciates the care you have given it and rewards you with beautiful blooms. Determining the best environment for successful plants is matching their needs with your house. Think space, light, water and maintenance in choosing where plants will enjoy living with you.
Space
Even with space, there are options of how to fit plants in. Hanging plants from above or on a wall can save space. There is an interesting trend to utilize vertical spaces with living walls. Group plants and stagger heights for more effect. Line a window sill with a copper tray and wet gravel for a great space saver.
Light
All plants need light, but how much light varies. If you have a sunny warm location try some succulents. A cool spot with less light might be good for Orchids. Research the needs of plants you prefer and match them with your available conditions. Grow lights can make any location work.
Water
Plants need moisture, but water required for various plants does vary. Locate thirsty plants near a water source to make it easy. A place near the kitchen sink is a great area for plants if you have appropriate space. You are there often to enjoy and maintain the plants as they grow. That said, I tend to choose plants that do not need much water because I travel and I forget to water sometimes. Maintenance should be factored in when choosing what to grow. Remember to protect the surfaces below the plants.
I went on a little field trip to Primex in Glenside to look for plants and survey some possibilities. Primex has a large selection of plants and offers growing advice, containers, potting mix and anything else that is needed for indoor care.There are many other places to purchase plants such as garden centers, box stores, plant sales, nurseries, and the internet. Some plants have information right on the tag which is very helpful. Terrain and Longwood are also excellent places to learn about and acquire plants. These days webinars offer lots of education and there are even some in person classes in places like the Morris Arboretum.
So think about bringing plants into your home this winter and enjoy their beauty and health benefits.
Photos by Emilie Lapham (See gallery below for more photos)
OCTOBER – COLOR IN THE GARDEN
Color in the Garden
Color is one of life’s pleasures. Talking about color can be an intricate topic as there are so many associations and emotions that color brings about. Around the world, cultures attach some surprisingly different attitudes to a given color. The color wheel explains how all colors are derived from the 3 basic primary colors red, yellow and blue but color in nature color is so much more subtle and blended. In talking about the use of color in your garden, let’s think about what pleases you.
House & Garden
Context and the relationship of architecture and the surrounding landscape should be thought of in a harmonious manner. Does your house present a color palette to complement or would contrast be a good idea? If you like a color scheme that is not in keeping with the house, choose a location that is away from the house. Gardens can be thought of by area and plantings, so different color schemes can add interest.
Color can even drive design concepts and ideas. The famous English gardens of Sissinghurst are a fine example of color as an important design tool. Vita Sackville West and Harold Nicolson developed the elegant White Garden and several gardens based on a single color. Sissinghurst is a must for garden travelers.
Seasons
The Philadelphia region enjoys a climate that offers four seasons with some distinct differences. As seasons vary so can the colors, and some plants change with the season in lovely subtle ways, for example hydrangeas. It is no surprise that after the monochromatic grays and browns of the winter landscape, bright and even rather garish colors are most welcome! However, the winter landscape has a special kind of beauty also. Color definitely affects physiological disposition, and flowers are known to make us happier. Think of the many ways we use flowers for celebrations and events. Color is part of why we love flowers. In planning a garden think about interesting combinations of colors with some related and some contrasting groups of color. That said, foliage alone can provide an interesting color palate that can be very elegant and calming. There are soft blue greens and bright chartreuse and yellow greens that can combine with deep greens or bronze as a backdrop. There are no rules, color is personal. Never underestimate the power of white, especially near a sitting area enjoyed on summer nights.
Change
Try some new colors from one year to the next. Experiment with ideas through planting some annuals and containers with bursts of color. One success in my garden this year has been some Iceland Poppy seeds. Given the name and the instructions you might think Maine would be a more suitable place to plant these poppies, but I sprinkled some seeds on bare soil in July and this fall there is a daily show of exquisite colorful flowers and they change daily. One more idea for color in the garden is the objects. Furniture, pots, sculpture and even pumpkins can add a spot of color to a garden. Grow in living color!
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
SEPTEMBER – POLLINATORS
Pollinators, are vital for life
Remember the diagram of a flower and it’s parts from grade school? A pollen grain moves from the anther ( the male part) to the stigma (the female part) and pollination happens. Pollinators are huge part of this process when they visit for a drink of nectar or to collect pollen. Birds, bees, bats, butterflies, beetles and other insects are a large part of the pollinators. Most flowering plants need pollinators to assist in the pollination process. Agriculture depends on pollinators to be a part of growing food. In fact, 75% to 95% of plants need the help of pollinators and about one third of the food we eat was pollinated.
Problem. The insect population has declined by 75% since 1950. The use of pesticides, loss of habitat, and pollution all contribute to this issue. Much of this problem is beyond our individual control but we can try to improve our relationship with nature on our own properties.
Plant for pollinators. Reduce lawn areas and plant more wildlife friendly habitat. Invite insects and birds and bats to your garden and watch them thrive. Here are some of the plants that will attract pollinators to your property:
Columbine
Goldenrod
Magnolia
Be sure to plant for blooming throughout the spring, summer and fall. Take walks around your neighborhood to see what other plants have attracted pollinators.
With some luck you will even spot humming birds and Praying Mantis. Install a bat house. Try to eliminate the use of chemicals and insecticides on your property. You will be rewarded by beautiful insects, bats and birds and a more sustainable environment for living creatures.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
AUGUST – CONTAINER GARDENING
Another dimension to gardening
Gardening in containers can add dimension and interest to any place or property. Actually, no land is required for this kind of garden, making it possible for almost any location, including public spaces. Planted containers can be up in the air, on the building or freestanding on the ground and can be seasonal or year round. Many of the examples shown here are located in Chestnut Hill on Germantown Avenue and are planted by the Garden District Fund and in Wyndmoor on Willow Grove Avenue as part of the restaurant, Enza. Public spaces are greatly enhanced by container plantings adding living decoration for all to enjoy. Containers can be planted for decoration and for practical reasons such as privacy or herbs for the kitchen .
Containers
Look first at the architectural context the planting will be in, to choose containers that are complementary. Color, scale, texture and shape are good things to think about when selecting containers. Another important detail to remember is weather conditions; freezing temperatures will crack some containers if they will remain outside year round. Repurposed vessels can be interesting choices, so be creative. It is possible to make hypertufa troughs or wood boxes but start simple. Think about moisture retention, although containers can also be lined to improve moisture levels. Containers should have drainage.
Plants
Color scheme might be the first thought, then size and texture combinations. Monochromatic plantings can be a very sophisticated and elegant choice. Boxwood in an urn is very classic and easy. Sometimes keeping to just one potted plant is plenty and grouping planters with various plants makes a pleasing visual display. For a large pot, a big upright with bold leaves contrasts well with a variety of colors and textures midway and then cascading plants down the side of the pot. Consider it a small landscape with graduating heights and contrasts. Select plants that have similar light and water requirements per planting.
Planting
For most containers a potting mix will provide a good environment and some mixes help retain moisture and also contain slow release fertilizer. You may need to add fertilizer later in the season. Very large containers might need filler to reduce soil needed and reduce the weight. Broken pots or gravel can be used for filler. A top dressing can be attractive and help with moisture retention also. Snip leggy growth and deadhead spent flowers as the season progresses and of course water as needed. Be careful to water more frequently during hot spells.
Here is a chance to experiment and try new gardening ideas each year.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
JULY – HYDRANGEA
Hydrangeas, it’s Summer!
Hydrangeas are both anchors and show stoppers of the summer garden. Hydrangeas are shrubs, trees or vines and add lots of dimension to a garden or a building. This article is about the shrub forms. When you walk around the neighborhood you will see hydrangeas blooming in many gardens and that is partly because they are quite easy to grow and require minimal maintenance and they are fun. Let children have a few clusters for a summer snowball fight but no eating as they are somewhat toxic.
Hydrangeas are native to Asia, Europe and the US, and there are over 70 species. Hydrangea macrophylla are divided into two groups, mophead and lacecap. Mopheads are round clusters and can be very large and the lacecaps are quite flat and usually face upward. They look layered on the plant and have an interesting texture in the middle and to me they look like mosaics with orbiting flowers. There are so many colors and details in the hundreds of cultivars of this group. Hydrangea quercifolia or Oakleaf hydrangeas as the name denotes, have leaves shaped like oak leaves and the flowers are long conical sprays. They are native to this area and the flowers and foliage bloom into the fall with exceptional color.
Location
The ideal situation is sun and a bit of shade with good drainage. This part of Pennsylvania is usually moderate and suitable, temperature wise as long there is not a long period of cold. Hydrangeas like deep watering about once a week but if it’s hot or dry they will wilt to remind the gardener to water. They perk up right away. Plan the planting space for the eventual size.
Soil & Color
Hydrangeas can act like a litmus test. Soil PH on the acidic side will produce blue flowers and alkaline soil will produce pink blooms. This is general and sometimes both colors will appear on the same plant. This only happens with some varieties. Oak leaf compost will make the soil acidic and hydrated lime will make the soil alkaline.
Pruning
Old growth is usually what you cut but I recommend looking at the instructions or looking up your actual variety for this information . If you cut the wrong shoots you might not see flowers and that would be disappointing.
Try a few hydrangeas in your garden or add some more unusual choices to your existing collection. There are some choices that stay small and have rather delicate blossoms and some that can even be planted in containers. In my experience deer like some but not all hydrangeas so I am researching the more toxic varieties that deer have no interest in. I will plant more. A vase full of hydrangeas takes 2 minutes to arrange and lasts for days of enjoyment.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
JUNE – CLEMATIS
Stars in the Garden, Clematis
Vines are a wonderful way to embellish your garden and clematis are one of the most exciting plants to grow and offer a great deal of “show”. Growing in very little ground space, clematis can provide color, texture, backdrop, and seasonal interest. The vines can be trained to a fence or wall but can also grow on a separate structure. There are also bushy varieties that require no support. With more than 300 species there are more than enough to choose from!
Choose a few varieties of clematis to plant and think of color combinations and try to stagger blooming times so there is blooming splendor to enjoy throughout the season. Clematis are available in a range of colors from white to deep purple and the size of blooms can vary from clouds of tiny flowers to huge stunning blossoms.
There are 10 different shapes of flower to select from as well : Single, double, bell, open bell, tubular, star, saucer etc . Where you buy plants and availability might narrow the choices as well as the correct zone for growing. This area is zone 7a – 7b. To collect unusual varieties there are good sources by mail order via catalog or internet.
Plant in a location where the roots have some shade to keep cooler. Ground cover or mulch can help provide cooler roots for a happy plant. To assist the vine getting started, netting, string or wire might help to encourage growth in the intended direction. In my garden the willow fence has provided lots to grow in and out of with no assistance. Both sides of the fence are covered in flowers.
For years I tried to grow clematis on a stone wall with full sun and the plants never flourished, but now I have a thriving clematis garden in a cooler partial sun location. Pruning is recommended for some types, but to best understand what and how to clip, refer to the information supplied with the plant or check on the internet.
I plan to add more varieties now that I have found out where they like to be. Clematis are not favored by deer or rabbits but you might attract a hummingbird, so go ahead, plant lots of clematis and enjoy vertical gardening!
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
MAY – COMPOST
The magic ingredient for a thriving garden
Sustainable, environmentally friendly, and the smartest use of garbage and trash, what is it? Compost!
Composting is easy and one of the best practices for good heathy gardens. Make good use of what you might have discarded in the past and enjoy much better soil in your garden. Cut down on purchasing fertilizers and soil additives for your garden and reduce the municipal waste pick-up.
Compost is made by the layering of greens and browns. “Greens” provide nitrogen which is crucial for microbial growth and organisms and promotes decomposition. “Browns” provide the carbon part of the mix and add air circulation.
GREENS
Fruit & vegetable scraps
Egg shells
Flowers (organic)
Grass clippings
Coffee grounds & filters
Tea, loose & bag
Left overs (no meat or dairy)
Plant clippings without seeds
BROWNS
Dry grass
Twigs and sticks chopped small
Dry leaves, chopped up is best
Saw dust (not pressure treated)
Shredded news paper, egg cartons
Hay & straw
Corn cobs and husks
Pine needles
Collect kitchen scraps in a small bin in the kitchen. Garden centers and hardware stores sell them. You can even use an open bowl if you empty it frequently.
Locate the compost production in an accessible but maybe less visible spot and possibly near a water source. We use old hay and manure bins that were for the horses in the stable. IN, put fresh material in one year & OUT, take ready compost to the garden the following year. The material is out of view because the bins are deep.. Ready made bins and tumblers can be purchased and there are many to choose from. There are closed tumbler container systems and open cage like systems. Space might stipulate the choice. Layer the greens with one part to two parts brown. It is not an exact science and when the compost is established, the process is faster. Compost decomposes more quickly in the warm season and rain helps but if conditions are dry, give it a drink. Sometimes it is a good idea to turn the pile and burry the green material.
It is very rewarding to make trash into treasure and be a good steward of the planet in the process. Your garden will thank you for all the nourishment with abundant growth and you might even find squash and tomato volunteers in August. Plants love compost!
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
APRIL – DAFODILLS
One of spring’s wonderful pleasures is daffodils! In my opinion you can never have too many daffodils as long as you give some thought to where they are planted.
Narcissus is the botanical name for daffodils and they originate in Europe and North Africa. Narcissus was the Greek hunter who fell in love with his own reflection, hence the name is about their beauty. Depending on the research source, there are 40-200 species and over 25,000 cultivars or hybrids registered. Don’t worry, they are not all available. Late summer is the time to order or purchase bulbs but the spring season is a good time to make choices and plan.
To plan for daffodils in your garden, first select a location. Daffodils prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade and remember, most trees leaf out after the bloom period of daffodils. The best location is an area that does not require any maintenance of foliage after blooming. The bulb produces flowers with foliage and the leaves are necessary for replenishing energy to the bulb. Do not cut the foliage until it turns yellow. This is why it is good to consider a location where you can relax and do nothing. Select an area with moisture but also drainage. I actually think as long as you plant the bulb, twice it’s size deep and the flat or root side down, you will enjoy flowers in the spring. Bulbs are about the most rewarding and easy gardening. Daffodils are of no interest to deer, yay.
Selecting which bulbs to plant.
Trumpet, large cupped, small cupped, double; Triandrus (multi blooms on one stem); Cyclamineus (early bloom & smaller); and the division list goes on. Choose by time…..early to late blooming. Choose by color and size…yellow, white, orange, pink, green and combined colors. Choose fragrant, or become a collector. Mix with other kinds of bulbs also.
Sources.
Probably the best way to choose and order is by catalog and internet. Start by ordering a catalog online. Holland is the main producer of bulbs. A few sites…..Brecks, Dutchgrowers, Edenbrothers, Van Bourgondien, and of course, local garden centers have bulbs.
At this time of the year we have a vase of daffodils in every room in the house. Each spring there are more because each bulb multiples and we plant more bulbs every November. Like I said, more and more flowers make spring beautiful.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
MARCH – HELLEBORES
Spring Magic.
The snow melts and like magic there they are, Hellebores in bloom! In reading about Hellebores, common names have an association with the Christian calendar. Christmas Rose and Lenten Rose are common names as well as winter rose and although the flower has similarities to a rose, the family they actually belong to is Buttercup or Ranunculaceae. Another Hellebore species is Helleborus ordorus because as the name suggests, the flowers are fragrant.
Where do these plants come from? The Balkans and several areas of Europe and even China are where the species have been found. We now have many hybrids to choose from and they range from whites and yellows to mysterious deep purple.Some colors are very subtle and there are interesting patterns of spots on many. The blooms are mostly single with 5 petals but there are very lovely double varieties also. How to choose? For more rare choices, search the internet and rare plant nurseries. More common varieties are available at most nurseries. These plants are poisonous, but not usually lethal so there is folklore history to be found also. The internet can lead to some interesting research on this.
Plant Hellebores out of full sun areas in light shade but in places where you can appreciate them in the early spring. The soil should have lots of organic material and be neutral to alkaline. Lime can be added if necessary and the crown should be close to the soil line, not too deep. If you are lucky, you might eventually find some seedlings near the parent plants. The plant is attractive almost year round and the foliage is robust and leathery with serrated edges.With gloves on, cut away old foliage in late winter or early spring and your work is done. This is an easy plant that deer don’t like and Hellebores are very resistant to insects and disease. The foliage is a wonderful base for low flower arrangements, but one of the most lovely ways to enjoy Hellebores in the house, is just floating the blossoms in a wide shallow container. Easy, quick and how nice to bring early spring into the house!
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
FEBRUARY – EDIBLE GARDENS
I look out my window and there is 15 inches of snow covering the landscape. This is actually good for most plants as it provides insulation from wind and harsh temperatures, but it will melt and spring will emerge. Now it is planning season for gardeners so let us look at the possibility of edible gardens. Imagine a colorful salad picked in your garden!
Functional or edible gardens have always been of interest to me. Every place I go, I scan for vegetable and fruit gardens and I photograph them even if my fellow travelers keep walking. Gardens reveal a great deal about the culture and lifestyle of a given place. When I look through my many garden images I see a variety of ideas and ways to make a garden.
LOCATION
Location To choose a good spot for a garden, first look at light. Full sun or sun for most of the day is optimal. Water is the next consideration as the garden will need plenty of water but you also want good drainage. A rain barrel might be a good sustainable addition. Irrigation?
STYLES
There are many ways to construct a garden and the perimeter can be an aesthetic choice including decorative details. Research materials with which to build fences, walls, hedges and gates. It is a good idea to expect hungry garden visitors and plan solutions ahead of problems. Wildlife can range from deer to much smaller creatures like rabbits and birds. Some choices depend on where your property is located and what you plan to grow. Next, will it be raised beds or directly in the ground or a combination? Raised beds are very popular and make it easy to have good quality, stone free soil. Add organic material, compost is gold! Raised beds can be custom built but there are also many kits available in garden centers and by order. A cold frame will also extend your growing season at both ends.
PLANTING
When the garden is ready for planting, start with some cool season seeds and plants. It is also possible to start seeds indoors or in a cold frame. Stagger the planting schedule to extend the harvest. Seed packets offer a wealth of information and instructions. As the season warms, add more varieties of plants. Growth can be surprisingly vigorous and supports and structures to grow on offer opportunity for style.
HARVEST
In just a few weeks there will be delicious food to pick from your own garden. Experiment with what grows best for you and always try new selections too. Grow extra produce and share it with friends and neighbors. Have a tea party with cucumber sandwiches in the garden.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
JANUARY – SEEDS
The promise of new growth.
A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed by a protective outer coating. Seeds are an incredible aspect of nature and immensely important to our existence. The beginning of the year is a good time to talk about the start of life in the horticulture world. Seeds offer promise, change, nourishment, beauty, entertainment and excitement. Yes, excitement!
The science of seeds is a huge topic but here is a bit of information before we talk about a project. World’s largest seeds…Lodoicea or coco de mer can grow to 12 inches long, while the smallest seeds are produced by the orchid Gomesa…dust like seeds that blow into the rainforest canopy to find the best conditions to thrive.
Seeds are dispersed in three ways…by wind, water or animals. Just in case you are picturing how animals “garden”, think about squirrels hiding acorns in the ground, but most of the dispersal comes from birds and animals eating in one place and excreting in another.
The winter season keeps us inside more than other times of the year and this year we will spend much more time at home than usual. Thus, we need projects to engage our attention. Watching a plant germinate and grow can be very rewarding – especially if you can eat what you have grown. Here is a project for everyone to enjoy and it is an easy, sustainable thing to do.
Grow microgreens and cat grass indoors
Seeds Purchase seeds from a garden center or order online. I order from Botanical Interests because this company has a large selection, instructions and supplies. Primex is an excellent local resource. A few of the possibilities for micro- greens are lettuce, broccoli, mustard, kale, beets, cress, radish and peas.
Supplies For containers I recycle take-out containers as mini greenhouses. This might be an opportunity for a take-out night! You want shallow containers with a top, if possible (plastic wrap also works), potting mix or vermiculite, and a spray bottle.
Plant Punch a few drainage holes in the container and if you have a matching one place it below as a tray with a spacer like a bit of gravel. Add a one inch layer of potting mix that has been moistened ( warm water is helpful ). Sprinkle seeds across the surface, pat lightly and cover with a thin layer of mix. Spray if needed and put the lid on or plastic wrap. Place your mini greenhouse in a sunny spot in the house. Grow lights are great too.
Do not let the plants dry out. Check every day to be sure it remains moist but not wet. Mist periodically, if necessary. In a few days there should be activity -germination is exciting. Adjust the cover if it looks too wet but don’t remove until the plants seem sturdy enough. Grow until the plants are about two inches high and in two to four weeks you should be able to harvest and enjoy tiny delicious microgreens! Just clip at the soil line with sharp scissors and enjoy.
Your cats would love for you to grow fresh grass for them also. The procedure is the same. Flora & Jax highly recommend you grow grass for your cats, but I am not sure what the dogs would say about that.
Seeds are so important to life on earth that there is a cold storage seed bank in Norway. More about that in the future. Here is one of my favorite seeds.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
DECEMBER- SEASON OF GREENS
The landscape is more gray in this season so we crave green inside and outside of our houses. This has been such a challenging year in so many ways but there are some good aspects many of us have experienced also. We walk more, we garden more and we appreciate the natural world more. I would like to share some green ideas for this season and I am challenging myself to decorate the house entirely from what I find in my garden and house. Sustainable decorating.
Start with clipping and gathering. Most evergreen shrubs and trees have grown well this year and there is extra growth to clip. Cut a generous selection of textures and colors to work with but snip here and there to cover your tracks. There might be sap so wear gloves.
WREATH
Here is an easy way to make a wreath. Take 2 wire coat hangers and pull them into a circular shape and twist or join them together. Take advantage of the hook for hanging later.
Make bunches of greens combined or solo. Wrap and twist bunches with fine wire on a spool.
Attach one bunch at a time to the wire circle with a continuous wire. Overlap the bunches and plan the design as you go. It is possible to include nuts and pods for contrast or add later. The bunches help make a repeated pattern and spinning direction.
GARLAND
Make your entrance green. It looks inviting and cozy to enter through greens and you can add lights too. I used garden twine for the base material. Measure a length somewhat longer than the doorway and fold it back to double it. Make a knot about every two feet to keep it strong and together. For our door I found the center point and made a loop to hang the garland from.
Make large bunches or clip branches to regular lengths. Wire the bunches or branches to the twine base with continuous wire on a spool. Think about the direction or flow desired. I start at the center loop and work a flowing line in each direction, then I add a tassel of greens to the center. The garland can also flow one way.
TABLE TREES
It’s fun to create small trees for surprise arrangements around the house. I made 3 very different “trees” from what I found in the garden.
One traditional, one mixed and one modern. The traditional tree is a assembled on a small block of floral foam. The foam is made with formaldehyde so I do not buy it anymore but have some in my basement to use up. It is very easy to work with and I just stick small branches in the foam block working around in a circle from bottom to top. Keep the tree moist and it will last for a month. Add decorations or keep it simple.
The mixed tree is less shaped with a soft look including a variety of greens and pods. The pods have been sprayed gold. This is arranged in a pronged wire holder (kenzan). Kenzans are heavy and help secure the arrangement and they can be reused for years .
The modern tree is the branch tips of Euonymus Green Spire. The branches are assembled in a kensan container and dried yellow Billy Ball or Craspedia added to the greens.
There are no rules, let your garden be the local supplier and let the ideas flow. If you don’t have a garden, maybe your friend will share or it is time for a walk in the country with clippers. Enjoy creating festive decorations from nature.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
NOVEMBER – BULBS
Invest in the Future. Plant Bulbs in the Fall for Spring.
If you want to see a culture that values bulbs and flowers as part of life, visit the Netherlands in the spring. Agriculture and particularly the growth and production of flowers and bulbs is a 10 billion dollar industry there. Two of the photographs to the right are views of vast fields of bulbs seen from the train and one is the famous gardens of Keukenhof.
Planting bulbs in the fall basically guarantees a show of color in the spring and a green thumb is not required for success with bulbs. Catalogues or the internet will provide the largest selection of choices to select from but there are local sources too. When looking at these resources, it will be obvious why I have mentioned the Netherlands. The suppliers make it very easy to learn how to garden with bulbs, and they provide lots of information about planting also.
The Romans planted Daffodils as early as 300 BC but a remarkable part of horticulture history is Tulip mania. Shipping brought great fortunes to the Dutch and some spent vast sums of money on single bulbs in the 17th century. Anna Pavord wrote a wonderful book, The Tulip, about this part of history.
The blooming season can start very early with Snow Drops, sweet little bell shaped flowers that brave the cold and as the name suggests, even snow. Narcissus, or the common name Daffodils, can brighten the landscape for many weeks in the spring.
I plant varieties of Narcissus that are are labeled to naturalize, and look how well they spread along the landscape. Planting in a natural location eliminates the need to cut or remove foliage after the blooming period but that depends on the available space. Deer leave Daffodils alone but be careful where you plant Tulips – they are a favorite treat. There are so many exceptional colors and shapes of Tulips to choose from.
Allium is another wonderful show stopper to add to the garden. Tall stems with floating spheres of purple, pink and white add personality to a spot.
The list is long but here are some bulbs to try: Allium, Amaryliss (Indoor), Anemone, Camassia, Crocus, Daffodils, Fressias, Fritillaria, Galanthus, Hyacinths, Hyacinthodes, Leucojum, Muscari, Narcissi, Ranunculus,Scilla, and Tulips. Experiment with some bulbs indoors to make your house fragrant and colorful even on the coldest day. And now I am going to plant some bulbs…
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
OCTOBER – NASTURTIUM
Hot colors in the late summer and fall garden
Nasturtium, or the botanical name, Tropaeolum is native to South America and Latin America. This rewarding plant has many reasons to grow it in your garden. First, it is very easy and undemanding. The seeds are large and about pea size and Nasturtiums are happy with average to poor soil.
I plant seeds directly in the soil in June or early July and although they germinate fairly quickly they go into action in late August or September. In October they take off and seem to grow a few inches a day.
In my garden I plant two or three varieties. Some grow in a rambling scramble and find their way through hedges and along pathways. They have a kind of a vigorous personality and a willingness to preform when many plants have finished for the season. The leaves on this variety are huge and some are 8” across. If your soil is too rich you might not see many flowers and just get foliage. Light watering is all that is necessary.
Salmon Mousse grows in a more compact bush form. The leaves are more regular in size and have a particularly nice shape that is ruffled and is compliments the soft color of the flowers. This is a new introduction and if you search the internet you will find a many varieties to choose from. Make sure to fill your bud vases with Nasturtiums as they are great cut flowers and the plant will keep producing.
Nasturtiums have so many attributes! The leaves, flowers and young seeds are all edible and highly nutritious. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and lutien are found it the plant. To me they taste mustardy but some say peppery. They have some spunk! Here is a salad of leaves, flowers, new seeds and a bit of lettuce. The young seeds can be pickled in brine and used like capers. When exploring the internet you will find many recipes and even medicinal uses.
There is the good and bad side to this plant as is that it attracts aphids. Gardeners plant nasturtiums in vegetable gardens to lure the aphids away from the vegetables. I do find the aphids are eating the plants I enjoy but there is a chain or cycle to nature. The Praying Mantis love the tasty aphids and we enjoy discovering Praying Mantis when we are out in the garden. I highly recommend Nasturtiums for all gardens and even planters.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
SEPTEMBER – ZINNIAS
A Celebration of Color
Zinnias are plants that never disappoint. Zinnia is part of the sunflower family and native to the southwest United States to South America. Mexico hosts the center of diversity. Plant some of these arrowhead shaped seeds in a well drained area of the garden and in a few days they will emerge. In only a few weeks they start to flower and burst into vivid colors. They will bloom for a long time until frost. Seed companies offer many choices from 6” to as tall as 48” in many shapes and vibrant colors.
Deer and rabbits do not love zinnias but butterflies and hummingbirds do. Easy brilliant colorful flowers attracting birds and insects, what more could you want?
There is more! They are wonderful flowers for the house. When you cut zinnia blooms, you encourage more to grow. Arrange cut flowers with greens from your garden and enjoy them for at least a week. Be sure to remove all the leaves that would be emerged in water.
And still more… remove some spent flower heads from the plant that are fairly dry. When they are dry enough to fall apart when rubbed a bit, collect the dry seeds and put them in labeled envelopes and plant them again next year.
A local resource that is lots of fun is Maple Acres Farm and Market. Maple Acres is a family owned farm since 1916 with fields of zinnias that you can pick and farm animals to visit and a large selection of vegetables and fruit. Maple Acres Farm and Market, 2656 Narcissa Road, Plymouth Meeting. Good seed sources: Park Seed, Swallow Tail Garden Seeds, Eden Brothers, Kilian Hardware, Primex Garden Center.
See gallery below.
All photos by Emilie Lapham
AUGUST – GRASSES
A must in your garden
Grasses are in the Poacae family and account for 26% of plant life on Earth. This impressive family also provides the world’s most significant food source. Rice, wheat, oats, barley are just a few or the foods from grass. Appreciate the importance of grass, but what does this mean for gardeners?
Lawns can be the backdrop of your garden rather like a matt sets off a picture. Grass can be so much more for your garden! Ornamental grasses can add real excitement to a garden design and can provide scale, texture, line, color, form, contrast and extended seasonal interest even in winter. There are so many choices in the grass family and they are some of the easiest plants to grow. Most grasses require little water and care, making them a good sustainable choice. Grasses can be incorporated into a herbaceous bed as a detail or accent but it is also possible to design a wonderful garden that is just grass. Few plants capture light and motion the way grasses can. Sometimes a meadow can resemble the rolling waves of the ocean on a breezy day.
Here are just a few grasses that grow well in this area and all are available in local nurseries:
Pink Muhly – Muhlenbergia capillaris
This grass is evolves slowly producing abundant radiating lines over the season and is spectacular in late summer and into the fall and winter. It creates a soft pink
cloud like bloom. A large group will produce a dreamy effect for months. Full sun to light shade, ordinary well drained soil, heat tollerant. Tufts 2-3 feet high.
Bouteloua gracilis – BlondeAmbition, blue gana
Gentile tufts with small brush-like inflorescences that are like floating musical notes. Attracts birds. Cut to ground late winter. Full sun, well drained average soil,
2 feet high.
Hakonechloa macra – Japanse Hakone grass
Native to South Asia this vigorous grass grows in graceful mounds that cascade in a wavelike form. It is variegated bright green and likes shade to light shade. It
creates a dramatic bright color in contrast to a shady location partners well with bronze and deep purple plants. 12-14” high, average to fertile soil soil, not too dry, spreads slowly, cut back in winter.
Sorghastrum nutans – Indian grass
Native to central and eastern United States this sturdy grass is very easy to grow and sometimes naturalizes. Tall tufts of blue blade foliage with blooms of pale wheat color. Average well drained soil, full sun to part shade, 2 -3 feet high. Drought tolerant.
See gallery below.
JULY – ECHINACEA OR CONEFLOWER
Echinacea or Coneflowers are a true winner and highly recommended in the garden. This plant is native to America and was used for healing by the first Americans. It is still used for medicinal purposes today. It is part of the daisy family and has a similar structure of a pronounced center with radiating petals. The petals bend back slightly giving a kind of motion to the flowers and show off the special center cones.
GALLERY
Holiday Decorating with Nature
Lemon & clove pomander.
Wine cork creature.
Sheepscape for the table.
Acorn skater.
Mixed greens with poppy pods.
Frosty oak on a table.
Poppy pods in a terracotta pot.
Winter acorn athletes.
Milkweed seeds in a glass ball.
GALLERY
House plants
Color! Euphorbia milii, Crown of Thorns.
Sansevieria trifasciata, Snake plant and Euphorbia hypericifolia, Graceful spurge.
Agave filifera, Thread agave.
Begonias, humidity and moderate light.
Creative wall planting.
Pepper plant, Capsicum annuum.
Good selection with information tags.
Succulents at Primex.
GALLERY
Color
Bold color from an Islandic poppy.
A band of bright colors lights up the block.
Chartreuse repeated in tiny splashes.
Foggy Fall morning.
Harmonious color of Dogwood and house.
Icelandic Poppy.
Let a pretty weed stay for a while.
Light yellow baptisia.
Rising Sun Eastern Redbud, Cercius Canadensis.
Soft pink tones of October.
The first burst of color, early spring.
GALLERY
Pollinators
Bee enjoying fennel.
Hummingbirds love nectar.
Bee covered in pollen.
Spring Magnolia.
Blue Winged Wasp.
Moth with proboscis.
Buddleia is sure to attract butterflies.
Monarch and Butterfly Weed.
Elegant Swallowtail.
GALLERY
Container Gardening
Containers create a garden at Enza, Wyndmoor.
Bold colors light Germantown Avenue.
Blend colors and textures.
Variety of containers, grouped.
A well dressed window.
Hard and soft.
Just one plant.
The container disappeared.
Robertson’s harmonious colors.
Strawberry.
Hypertufa trough with Dwarf Lilyturf, Ophiopogon.
Chestnut Hill blooming!
GALLERY
Hydrangea
Beautiful at every stage.
Very large mopheads.
Lacecaps.
Oakleaf Hydrangea dancing.
Hydrangeas enjoy sea air.
Double Lacecap.
Wonderful gradation of color.
Color!
Color change on petals and frilled edges.
Summer colors.
GALLERY
Clematis
The center!
Nelly Moser.
Large Blossoms.
Clematis, Dr. Ruppel.
Clematis Viticella, Violet Stargazer.
Clematis, Roquchi.
Clematis growing on and through the Willow fence.
Seed head.
Betty Corning, Clematis viticella
GALLERY
Compost
Compost ready for the garden!
A compost enriched garden.
Greens.
Brown.
Kitchen bin.
kitchen compost bin.
Greens and browns in layers.
Compost bins used to be for the stable.
GALLERY
Daffodils
Spring Sunshine.
Flowers for the house.
Fortissimo.
Double Star.
Early Bloomers.
Olive oil bottle. instant arrangement.
Spring Meadow.
From Holland to Wyndmoor.
GALLERY
Hellebores
GALLERY
Edible Gardens
Wales, Potatos and Fruit trees
Isle of Skye
Wales, Figs, Artichokes and fruit trees
Mohonk, NY
New Jersey, drip irrigation
Italy, Lemon trees for sale
Wyndmoor, gate
Wales – edible garden
England, Scare dog protects artichokes
Wyndmoor, evening harvest
GALLERY
Seeds – The promise of new growth
Milkweed.
Avocado.
Dill Seed.
Poppy.
Wild Rice.
Cat Grass.
Microgreens.
Oak.
GALLERY
Season of Greens
Entrance garland
Greens.
Greens.
Wreath.
Bunch greens.
Form wreath.
Garland.
Garland detail.
Traditional table tree.
Mixed table tree.
Modern table tree.
GALLERY
Bulbs
View from the train, Holland
Holland on a train.
Keukenhof.
Tulips at Keukenhof.
March 29th, Foxlea Meadow.
April 14, Foxlea Meadow.
Allium.
Allium going to seed, just as fun.
Select and purchase bulbs.
GALLERY
Nasturtium
Nasturtium, Jewel Blend.
Nasturtium, Fiesta Blend.
Nasturtium, Salmon Mousse.
A tasty salad.
GALLERY
Zinnias
Fields of zinnias at Maple acres.
GALLERY
Grasses are a must for your garden
Pink Muhly – Muhlenbergia capillaris in July
Pink Muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris in August
July Bouteloua gracilis, Blonde Ambition
Muhlenbergia capillaris – End of summer.
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass
Sorghastrum nutans. Growing in an old horse trough
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass
Sorghastrum nutans. Growing in an old horse trough
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