Uncategorized
FIVE STEPS TO CONTENTMENT
I read the following recommendations for contentment while doing my devotionals last week. These really inspired me, especially during these turbulent times. 1) Never allow yourself to complain about anything, not even the weather. 2) Do not imagine yourself to be somewhere other than where you are. 3) Never allow yourself to dwell on wishing…
Read MoreAn Amazing Woman’s Unique Enterprise
I had the pleasure of meeting Alaya Boisvert when I spoke in Vancouver, BC this past spring. What a brilliant, inspirational, and deep-thinking woman. Her father is the proprietor of Plantskydd Animal Repellants, a SUPERIOR product that I use in my gardens. Alaya and her former husband, Douglas, recently started an amazing website and blog titled Adventures in Co-Parenting. As…
Read MoreJeffrey D. Cole’s Memorial Garden
Garden space in front of Cole-Harrison Insurance Agency before (above) and after (below) memorial garden installed On Memorial Day weekend my twin sister and I installed a memorial garden (that I designed) in honor of her husband, Jeff. The garden was planted in front of Cole-Harrison Insurance Agency, located on the main street in Kennebunk.…
Read MoreGarden Design: The Foliage Factor
One of the easiest ways to add three seasons of color to a landscape is with foliage. Let’s face it, leaves require a lot less maintenance than most flowers. Yes, we need flowers for their beauty and as a food source for pollinators, but if we introduce more color from leaves (other than various shades/tints…
Read MoreCONTRIBUTING WRITER FOR GARDENER’S SUPPLY COMPANY
For fourteen consecutive years I have travelled to Gardener’s Supply Company in Burlington, VT to lecture to sold out audiences about the joy and rewards of high impact, low-maintenance flower gardening. For much longer, I have been a loyal customer, always eagerly expecting the next garden-tested, earth-friendly product. And now I am thrilled to have been…
Read MoreAwesome Astilbes
Astilbes are the drama queens of the shade garden. You cannot help but admire these ‘no-fuss’ divas for their beauty and grace. Flowers can be delicate and frothy or stiff and compact. Blooms range in color from red, burgundy, white, purple, rosy-purple, peach and various shades of pink. The handsome, fern-like foliage is a delightful…
Read MoreNo More Deer Damage!
Mosquito Madness!
The mosquitos are worse than ever this year. The minute I step out into my gardens, I am attacked by swarms. Usually I am not bothered by these blood-lusting creatures. Studies have shown that certain blood types are more pestered by mosquitos than others. Mosquitos are most attracted to Type O blood and least attracted…
Read MoreCONTROLLING LEAF ROLLER ON SMOOTH HYDRANGEA
Having recently raved about smooth Hydrangeas, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that these native beauties can sometimes be bothered by leaf roller caterpillars (Olethreutes ferriferana). Leaf rollers will not kill the shrub, but rolled leaves, and possibly diminished flowers, can be frustrating. Until this year, I only noticed leaf rollers on my…
Read More