January 30, 2014 by Sandra Jonas

A NEW FOCAL POINT

As I walk through the garden I see all the areas that would be much improved with a focal point.

The Circle of Friends (above) has a wonderful pot, an Italian reproduction of a Gertrude Jekyll design. (I want something taller, this is too round & short)

At the end of the Rose & Clematis Walk is the Schiaparelli Bench.

The cutting garden has several focal points as it is divided into four parterres…

The bench .. (On axis with the Potager)

St Fiacre…

and serving as focal point from two views is one of the classic Four Seasons.. ‘Summer’…

and opposite ( below) an urn… (An overturned pot acts as plinth; my Poverty Cycle)

My friend, the brilliant and talented Landscape Designer Tara Dillard posts about focal points on her blog constantly!

This winter when I decorated my dinning room for holiday festivities, I was keenly aware that the view from the window was less than I hoped.So I moved ‘Summer’ from the cutting garden directly on axis with the centerpiece on the table.

She is here temporarily, I do think ‘Winter’ would be more appropriate since that is basically the only time we eat in the dining room, and ‘Summer’ belongs in the Cutting Garden with all the blooming beauties of her season. She has been moved so often that to paraphrase Margery Fish “In time she will learn to walk”

Ah, decisions, decisions… I always opt for more plants and labor when spending my garden $$$$. Perhaps this will be the year I concentrate on accessories.

March 27, 2013 by Sandra Jonas

CREATING A PATH

There are two choices when creating a path.

Curved paths create mystery, one cannot see the end.

Straight paths, on the other hand, require a focal point to stop the eye.

Above, a reinforced focal point. The tree is the main focal point reinforced by the urn and plinth.

photo taken on recent speaking engagement in Ft. Worth TX.

June 16, 2012 by Sandra Jonas

HYDRANGEA TOUR PART 2

The second garden on tour was that of Cheryl & Max Lenker.

It is a perfect English Style Cottage Garden; complete with rose arbor entrance, boxwood lined walk and welcoming plaque…

The mixed borders are masterfully planted …

featuring an elegant shade structure that serves as focal point.

Adjacent to the house is an outdoor living room with all the accoutrements for gracious living & entertaining.

From this area one can enjoy the sound and sight of a split stream waterfall.

If one ascends to the upper level one crosses the waterfall.

Here the character of the garden changes and one discovers a quiet shaded walkway …

and a place for contemplation.

This garden has it all and of course the hydrangeas were fabulous!

We all see different elements in a garden, I have not touched on the amazing front of this house, so for more on this garden see PRETTY OLD HOUSES and LINDARAXA.

December 15, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

A GARDEN VISIT

Yesterday I visited with Margaret Moseley. As usual I came home with a list of ‘must have’ plants.

Margaret has been an inspiration for many gardeners. Every season her garden is filled beauty wherever one looks.

Above, a welcoming entrance… the large tree to the right is a Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), straight ahead is a Japanese Flowering Apricot (Prunus mume).

Margaret laid those stones when she was in her 70’s!

Below, a seating area beneath a flowering cherry tree (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) surrounded by azaleas, camellias and underplanted with a variety of textured & fragrant groundcovers…

Well thought out focal points….

Her philosophy…

Camellias in bloom…. my new plant list…

Some of these Camellias are heirlooms, rare in the trade. While they may be a challenge to locate, don’t give up, they are out there.

One of my personal favorites is Camellia japonica ‘Ava Maria’ (above). When I first saw it in Margret’s garden the hunt to acquire one was on! Her very generous daughter Jane located it for me. It is a gift I treasure, as is Margaret’s friendship.

Note: plant names are visible if cursor is on photo. To read more on Margaret & her garden visit GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY. She is often featured.

July 12, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

A GRACIOUS GARDEN

Last week I mentioned my client the gracious Ms. C and her luxurious flower arrangements. Now lets take a look at her garden.

Like so many homes here in the piedmont, the house was set into a slope which began immediately past the brick patio.

High on one side… ( note patio in left corner)

drop off on the other.

While several talented designers had created plans for the landscape, it was not till Ms. C bought an antique fountain in England that serious consideration was given to getting the landscape ‘done’. Enter me.

Entertaining & a cutting garden were high on the list of priorities .

So, here is what we did.

We cut into the slope to bring it to grade with the patio, and we built decorative retaining walls ( stucco, same as the house). This would create a larger space for entertaining.

The soil that we excavated was then reused to create another garden room where the grade dropped off.

We then terraced the slope on the opposite side …

to create an herb & cutting garden on the uppermost level.

Here there is just enough room to indulge her passion for gardening ,without it becoming overwhelming.

Below, a few more views…

I appreciate it when my clients maintain their gardens, this one was meticulous!

A gracious garden for a gracious lady. Thank you Ms. C.

June 19, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

SHOCKING 2

I LOVE the Schiaparelli Bench!!

In context, with plants of like colour.

This garden space, which separates the “Pleasure Garden” or Viburnum Court from the Potager, has long given me grief. Originally it was conceived as a Rosemary Walk; a brick lined, grass path, planted on both sides with rosemary. Meant to make contact as one passes and release its glorious fragrance.

Alas, that failed miserably.. The soil here is heavy with clay, and although it has been well amended, it is still not light enough for a mediterranean herb. BUT it is perfect for Roses with Clematis as companions. I also allow some Cleome to seed itself….. Still under construction. …. A garden in Homage to Elsa Schiaparelli “that Italian artist who makes clothes!”- Coco Chanel

June 16, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

SHOCKING!

Think pink!

Shocking Pink!

Schiaparelli* Pink!

Same colour as the pink ‘Knockout Roses’ below…

BUT the main purpose was to detract from the mess weeds in that garden space. Distraction as a design tool? It works!

(Paint Behr 680B-5 Strawberry Freeze)

*Elsa Schiaperelli, provocative fashion designer, rival of Coco Chanel.

April 28, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

LESSONS FROM CHARLESTON S.C.

No cameras in the gardens! The only photography allowed was from the public sidewalk. Still there are many lessons to be learned.

All the gardens are small, tiny in fact, some no larger than a postage stamp.

In small gardens, design is more important than it is in larger landscapes; for here, there is a concentrated use of space. Also, because the space is limited and seen all at once, the details & planting must be faultless.

Consider the ground plane, it is significant in all seasons. Below, variety in materials & texture. This is a driveway.

With a little imagination —- garden by day, parking at night.

There should always be a focal point to lead the eye.

Reinforce the design of beds with edging.

Keep the planting simple,

And finally.. co-ordinate…

July 3, 2010 by Sandra Jonas

FOR THE BIRDS!

One of the joys of being in the garden is listening to the orchestra of insects and birds. Here are some ways gardeners have lured them into their sanctuary.

A Feeding Tree, opposite a kitchen window to enjoy them from inside as well.

A supply of fresh water is essential, year round…

Cluster housing, for the average family…

Single residence with plenty of acreage.

For Royalty, a castle. Note servants quarters behind!

Aside from attracting our feathered friends to the garden, these touches of whimsy add character and HEIGHT to a planting, or can serve as nice surprises tucked in the appropriate spot.