October 28 , 2010
What does design mean to me? And to you?
Well , look who finally showed up at the party .
Last winter ’s 14 ° did n’t kill my shrimp plants , but boy , did it daunt their bloom bracts off ! This one ’s courageous enough at last to show the white of its flowers .
I lost a few of the ‘ Country Girl ’ mums , but most were n’t fazed by FDD ( freeze , drowning , and drouth ) .
My ‘ Patrick ’s ’ genus Abutilon was n’t thrilled about FDD , but is n’t about to miss out on Halloween .
No matter how carefully we project our gardens , weather still rule . Just as a prima plant is at its best , it ram , leaving a blank cakehole in our pipe dream . We move on and change our design conception . Then we question : is this a design ? What is blueprint really all about ?
A few month ago , Melissa fromZanthan Gardensand I get together withlandscape architect C.L. Williamsto talk about the ideas that C.L. and I had been tossing around for this week ’s CTG on design philosophy .
It begin with C.L. ’s watching that there are gardeners who are : 1 ) plant collectors , 2 ) plant composer ; 3 ) stylists . And artists , since every garden starts with an creative person . It does n’t matter if you give out sixth degree art year : you ’re an artist in your garden .
That ’s what I care about it . I ’m a dabbler . I do n’t fit it into any category except for stretching my resourcefulness .
My compositions involve think to plant needs , heights , textures , seasonal interest , yammer yammer yammer . Often , though , they spring from a dear passalong or drop - numb rage at the nursery , and I find a spot for the newcomer .
Since that ’s what it ’s like for many of us , we can get intimidate by “ design . ” We fall into the black hole of doubt : “ Oh my gosh , I ca n’t do a design . ”
But , asC.L. explicate on CTG this workweek , “ If you put three plants together , you ’re a couturier ! ” His conversation with Tom capture the unfeigned essence of what design think of to you . Get more of his concepts .
On tour , visit one of his designsthat reveal the concepts that make a garden meaningful . It can be as wide-eyed as a originative margin with your cherished rock aggregation that needs standout realisation .
It can be plants that are pregnant to you , no matter what anyone else says about them . Really , it ’s all about capturing your imagination and doing what makes your garden home to you .
Right now , sens contribute a design element , include prostrate spurge , especially prevalent right now . This week , Daphne tacklesthis native euphorbia to spurn spurge from your garden .
Since spring weeds are popping up like crazy , particularly in those beds you just worked over for fresh industrial plant , nab them now ! Pluck a few as you tramp about , before they whelm you when they hit adolescence .
On good plants , comfrey is one of them . But did you know that it ’s also an excellent plant food , compost friend , topical healer of wounds , and hair rinse?Trisha explain this workweek on CTG .
Steviahas become a favorite natural bait for people who want to avoid sugar . Trisha explainshow to grow it , how to dry it , and how to make our own nutritionist’s calorie - spare extracts . Get her comfrey and stevia formula .
On plants you DON’T desire to exhaust , but are still fascinating , assure outIt ’s About Thyme’sHallowe’en Special on Horribly Poisonous Plants at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 . Master Gardener Amanda Moon will make gardeners of all ages fawn with horror at her tales of the unexpected effects of innocent - await plant . Costumes welcome ! Free admission .
Plus : if you love the Taniguchi Japanese Gardens atZilker Botanical Garden , celebrate their 41st anniversary of this gift to the city of Austin on November 7 from 1 - 4 p.m. Along with turn , nobble up with the Texas Bamboo Society and the Ikebana Study Group . learn the Taiko Drummers at 2:30 , and bring the kids for taradiddle - tattle .
Until next week , Linda
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