Zester Daily Soapbox: "Waking From Our Lawn Coma" by Margie Grace, Grace Design Associates

Margie Grace was named the first Landscape Designer of the Year by APLD. GMG has gotten to Margie through her award, work and outgoing pesonality. She is the type of gal that when you meet her you love her. She has created a video (click on the link below) about getting rid of your grass and replacing it with garden space! We love this idea, and we love Margie. Margie doesn't just talk - she lives it! She can walk out her front door and pick veggies. I had a great time with Margie at the APLD conference in Dallas. She has enough ideas and energy for all of us! :) Kathleen at GMG

Zester Daily Soapbox: "Waking From Our Lawn Coma" by Margie Grace, Grace Design Associates on Vimeo GMG

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Chanticleer: A true pleasure!

They call it a "pleasure garden." This past Friday we visited three great gardens in our area. I must admit I was smitten by Chanticleer in Wayne, PA. Wow. A true pleasure and visual treat.

Chanticleer was formerly a private estate and is now available for the public to enjoy the trees and plants and amazing gardens.

From Asian gardens and a water garden to artistry among the paths that end in surprising whimsy, (like a carved stone "settee"), there's something that will delight just about everyone looking for an escape from the hub-bub of our busy lives. (Stacey is trying out the built in remote on the arm rest!)

Enjoy these images but better yet, plan a visit. You won't be disappointed.

~Lynne
GMG

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Taking on a bromeliad

Today I decided to take on the Aechmea Blanchetiana bromeliad, (not sure if this is the correct name) this bromeliad is in the front of the house, and is overgrown crowding the beautiful crown of thorns.

I was dreading this job. The spikes on this bromeliad are painful and I have the scars to prove it.

I will be dividing all these pops.

Now you can see the crown of thorns.

Would you pay $5 for these bromeliads if you find them in a garage sale?
My wife is planning a garage sale later this month and I am thinking of having a bromeliad sale. Should I ask for more???

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Master gardener Nancy Bell, from Gateway Garden Center, shares her tips and tricks for preparing your garden now for a fabulous spring. Check out some of her favorite plants and bulbs that those pesky deer won't eat!

-Stacey
GMG

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Fall for container gardening!

I spotted this container at the Dallas Arboretum last week while attending the APLD conference. It reminded me of a spider, creeping out of a witch's cauldron. At home, I filled my window box with ornamental cabbage, mums and the potato vine is hanging on from the summer months. Campania International has a wonderful line - www.campaniainternational.com - but get ready to be wowed! Kathleen @ Garden Media Group.

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Golden-yellow beauty!

Native plants are hot - and no wonder! Gardeners love them for their beauty and ease. Plus, they attract wildlife and beneficial pollinators like butterflies, bees and birds.

We love this new golden-yellow beauty, Solidago shortii 'Solar Cascade', exclusively available from North Creek Nurseries, that's low-maintenance, attracts wildlife, and is drought tolerant and deer resistant. Gotta love it!

Description for all those wanting the skinny: The golden-yellow flowers enjoy full sun to part shade and bloom starting late summer and through fall. It's a clump forming perennial that shows well around borders, or mass plantings and reaches about knee-height (anywhere from 24-30 "- depending on your knee height) And, it looks great as a cut flower.

'Solar Cascade' is part of The American Beauties Native Plant collection. Proceeds from sales of plants benefit the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat Program. Very cool.

~Lynne GMG

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Fall is in the air

Today I worked on the road-visiting clients, I drove over 300 miles between Miami to West Palm Beach; by the end of the day I was exhausted. The thought of going biking was not very appealing.

The weather was so nice that I couldn’t resist a long bike ride; it truly felt like fall. The temperature was in the low seventies with a nice breeze blowing from the Everglades.

There is nothing like an intense exercise outside in pleasant weather, it takes away all the stresses of the day.

Ibises or as they are known around here “Florida pigeons”

This lonely Great Egret was looking for diner.

Another spectacular Florida sunset.

Today was the official start of the dry season, according to an article in the local newspaper. Scientists predict a particularly dry season this year, I hope the plentiful rainy season will get us through the winter. The year around water restrictions are in effect.

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