Daily Inspiration

Japanese Maple

'Tsuma gaki'

Acer palmatum

This small broad tree catches your eye with soft yellow green leaves tipped crimson red; not unlike painted fingernails (and turns brilliant red and yellow in fall). It's a great specimen for small gardens- only growing 4-6 ' tall. 

Hardy to -20 degrees!

Daily Inspiration

Larix decidua

'Horstmann's Recurva'

We love the structure of this beautiful larch tree (and it's a zone 2)!

Medusa comes to mind when viewing this unusual, deciduous conifer with seriously curly "hair". The small tree develops wispy branches that twist and curl to fantastic effect, especially in winter, after needle drop. In late winter, rosy buds swell along the gray curlicues and herald longer days earlier than other conifers. Shaving-brush clusters of bright green needles erupt in spring, soften during summer and fire up to golden-yellow for fall.  A seasonal stunner, for full sun and moist soil in summer (description from Iseli Nursery- who we acquire this specimen from)!

Daily Inspiration

We spent the morning gathering greens, branches, and cones for the store. What a beautiful way to start the day!

Daily Inspiration

Sorry, everyone- we know we have been a bit distracted from our blog the past couple of days, but we are right in the thick of Christmas decorating for our upcoming Holiday Open House! We are so excited! 

But don't think that we aren't noticing the beauty of fall surrounding us. Check this out!

'Red November' Maple

Acer ginnala 'JFS-UGA'

This is such a neat tree. It grows 18' tall and 24' wide, giving it the look of the trees you see in the African plains.

(Okay, it's not EXACTLY like this...but you get the idea! It grows low and wide compared to other maples.)

'Red November' was developed to endure stress from heat- staying fresh and green all summer long- then it morphs into brilliant red in the fall. It's a zone 5, so very tough for our area. I planted one in my back yard this spring, and it is now putting on a beautiful autumn show!

Daily Inspiration

Autumn in Paris

(pictures taken by mom!)

The ease of the french country garden , and it's complete opposite, the formal french gardens of Versailles.

I love them both. I can never choose what style I like, so my garden reflects a little of each!

Daily Inspiration

There is always something to look forward to...even in winter! 

I can't wait to see snow-dusted versions of the plants I put in specifically for winter interest!

Daily Inspiration

This is the picture that inspired part of my garden! I love the formality of symmetry and balance, just as much as I love the wild beauty of cottage-style flower beds.

We are coming into a great time of year for searching and pouring through gardening magazines to get ideas and inspiration for the next gardening season!

So, on the next chilly evening, curl up with some good gardening magazines and start dreaming! That's what we plan to do!