Daily Inspiration: A Winning Combo!

Sometimes, plants just work together...sometimes, they don't. 

This is a time when color and texture work beautifully:

The tight form and the glowing color of the Variegated Boxwood is at its best when it is backed by the loose and dark foliage of the Eupatorium 'Chocolate'.

It can take awhile and a few trials (and errors) to find the right plant combinations. Don't get discouraged if things in your yard aren't working quite yet...they will! Don't be afraid to dig plants up and move them around a bit, or give them to a friend. It's worth a little extra work to get a combination that is pleasing to look at! (I have a Pyramidal Blue Cypress and a 'Scarlet Curls Willow' that are both in their 3rd locations. I love how they look now, and am so glad I moved them!)

~L

Daily Inspiration: Succulents!

I took this picture at Bauman Farms (in Gervais, OR) on our nursery tour. I've seen several different ways to use broken fountains and birdbaths, but I think they did an exceptional job planting these up! I love their use of color and texture with these succulents!

Daily Inspiration: Nursery Tour!

It's good to be back! Mom, Monica, and I were gone for the last week on a garden tour! We toured several nurseries and wholesale grow operations in the Portland/Salem/Corvallis area. It's always such a great time of inspiration and learning. We stayed at the Oregon Garden Resort. It was gorgeous. I would go back in a second! They have gardens like this...

 this...

this...

and my most favorite...the hobbit hole!

We toured Bauman Farms, Al's Garden Center, Bountifal Farms, Sun Gro, Ferguson's Fragrant Nursery, French Prairie Gardens, Munn's Nursery, Terra Garden's Nursery, Shonnard's Nursery, and Garland Nursery! Phew! 

While all of the above brought inspiration, our favorites were Bauman Farms with its fun and family feel (their goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies, and BAKERY made it easy to fall in love!), and Garland Nursery whose beautiful setting and products made us all never ready to leave! My personal favorite was Bountiful Farms-a wholesale grower specializing in topiary and espaliers! I now have two apple trees tagged out in the nursery, ready to go home and be trained into espalier submission! 

We weren't ready to leave the 70 degree weather, but we were ready to be home with our families and with our own gardens! Now we can go let some creative energy out! 

I will leave you with a little more inspiration...

Daily Inspiration: Echinacea

It was a beautiful day yesterday for the 4th!

We spent the day at my parents house, so I was able to see some of their beautiful Echinacea!

'Magnus'

'Big Sky Sundown'

'Big Sky Sundown' planted beside a hedge of 'Berggarten' Sage, with three of the four seasons statues looking on.

'Green Jewel'

Daily Inspiration: The Dirt!

It's a new month! Check out 'The Dirt' for July HERE!

Have a great Fourth of July everyone!