It’s a rainy Tuesday morning in March and still I can’t help but think how much I love this time of year. The weather is perfect—temperatures are in the upper sixties, pollen has not yet arrived in full force, and the grass is turning green. One of my favorite parts of living in the south (other than nice manners and collegiate football) is that we are lucky enough to have distinct seasons. Usually spring in Atlanta is our shortest season with summer quickly replacing winter, but this year we have been able to enjoy temperate weather and the abundance of new life that is associated with this time of year. Although the official first day of spring is not until next Sunday, it’s already spring to me. I see many trees, shrubs, and flowers that are about to burst with color and new growth. I hope that you all are spending plenty of time outdoors enjoying this wonderful time of the year.
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Posted in Spring
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One benefit of the landscape design field is the amount of creative people who cross your path. We have the pleasure of announcing that opening next Friday, March 4th at The State Botanical Gardens in Athens is Andrew T. Crawford’s newest exposition: Forged From Nature, An Exhibition of Garden Gates. Andrew T. Crawford Ironworks was founded in the early nineties and focuses on making sculptural and functional objects of original design.
A gate is your access to a space; it can be formidable or inviting depending on the design. Think of the creaking of a tall, sharp, rusty gate compared to a low, rounded, wooden gate and the image that comes with each gate. (I think of a haunted house with the first and maybe the gate leading to the Seven Dwarf’s cottage with the second gate.) Having a good garden gate is so important because it creates the setting through which your garden is first viewed. Andrew Crawford understands this importance and when combined with an artistic eye, Andrew Crawford creates one of a kind garden masterpieces.
Note: All pictures courtesy of http://www.andrewtcrawford.com/
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Posted in Garden Features
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The weather we’ve been having has been perfect—high in the mid to upper sixties, sunny, and mosquito-free. With all these glorious afternoons, I have been spending as much time outside as possible—and guess what—I found spring! The Autumnalis cherry, Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ is just beginning to bloom. It is one of the first trees to remind us that winter is nearing its end and that spring is on the way. Before the leaves appear, the trees are abundant with semi-double pink flowers. In nice fall weather, the Autumnalis will grace us again with a second or a third round of flowers. When it begins to cool, the leaves change to attractive fall colors of yellow and bronze. The Autumnalis cherry is a lovely mid-size tree; it will grow to 25-35’ tall and wide, usually with a multi-trunk, a rounded canopy, and upright, slender branches. I hope you’re taking advantage of this wonderful weather and enjoying spring’s first blossoms!
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Posted in Spring
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Gardens to Love is again a proud supporter of the Cathedral Antiques Show. We have been sponsoring the show for the last 6 years. In past shows we have created a central garden in the foyer that correlates with each year’s theme. This year, however, due to the show’s overwhelming popularity and limited amount of space, we created a series of pots and urns complemented by fabulous red Richardson Allen bench. The pots, urns, and bench were placed around the edges of the foyer so that guests could mingle in the center.
Each year the Cathedral Antiques Show picks a wonderful charity to support. This year’s beneficiary is H.E.R.O. for Children, Inc. HERO is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children infected with and affected by HIV-AIDS. HERO’s logo incorporates a red ribbon and so red was the theme for this year’s Cathedral Antiques Show. In our Italian terracotta pots we had red cyclamen surrounding an evergreen juniper spiral, we had a red bench (borrowed from Logan Gardens) as our focal point, and we all had red ribbons on our name tags.
We enjoyed visiting with many of our friends and colleagues and Marcia even found a Valentine’s Day present for her husband!
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Posted in Gardens to Love
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Kolo 2011 Spring Cover
We are pleased to announce that our planted containers made the cover of Kolo Collection’s latest brochure. Kolo Collection is a high-end, modern, indoor/indoor furniture store that opened in 2003 in the Westside Urban Market. They sell many of the containers we use on a daily basis. If you’ve ever been to Kolo, the first details that catch your attention are the two large containers by the entrance. We, Gardens to Love, plant, maintain, and change those containers seasonally. In the past we’ve planted Yucca and Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (Contorted Filbert) but currently we have a Ligustrum standard underplanted with Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera ‘Gold Charm.’
In addition to regular landscape services, we plant and maintain many of our client’s containers, both indoors and out. If you’re interested in seeing our container portfolio, we’d be happy to set up a meeting with you, or you can check out our container album on facebook.
Kolo Collection is located on 1189 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA.
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Posted in Gardens to Love
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If you’re an art enthusiast, as many of us at Gardens to Love are, then you have probably been to The High Museum of Art. The High has several ways to access the main entrance, including a side path from 16th Street. This auxiliary entrance takes you from 16th Street, past a trident maple tree, up a flight of steps, and around to the main entrance. If you have walked past that trident maple in the past few months, you may have noticed that it had been looking neglected and unloved. Well this one tree was driving us crazy. Gardens to Love volunteered to prune this trident maple tree to improve its health (and our sanity). The objective of good pruning is to produce well structured, healthy, and attractive plants. We pruned the trident maple at The High to remove many of the twig-like branches which gives the central leaders more room to grow. Removing the smaller, less important branches will increase air circulation within the tree and encourage better growth. If you are near The High or near 16th Street, stop and take a look at the now very attractive and loved trident maple tree.
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Posted in Gardens to Love
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Mark Richard Fleming, Gardens to Love’s lead designer, recently returned to England to visit his family for the Christmas holidays. Mark’s mother lives in the beautiful village of Brigsley in Lincolnshire. Brigsley is known for its historic beauty and charm. Christmas morning Mark took a leisurely stroll down snowy country lanes and captured some wonderful pictures to share with us.
The snow-covered residence is Laurel House in Waithe Lane. The courtyard garden was designed and built by well-known Lincolnshire-based landscape architect Ian Stubbs. The classic plant selection includes Phormium tenax, Hydrangea petiolaris, Cotoneaster,Euonymous fortunei, roses, and winter hellebores.
Laurel House in Waithe Lane
In the next picture you’ll notice the beautiful bell tower of St. Helens Church, which dates back to the 11th Century. The origins of the church go back to Saxon and early Norman times and some of the original details are still visible. England has a rich architectural and design history that many find appealing.
St. Helen's Church Bell Tower
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Posted in International, Winter
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Snow is a rare event in Atlanta and even the smallest bit will cause mayhem for a day. However, six inches of snow turning to ice is enough to shut the city down for a week. Like most of Atlanta, we are also suffering from cabin fever so really enjoy hearing from you. Penelope Malone sent Mark, our lead designer, the nicest email and picture of her garden in the snow. It is great to know that all the time and effort we put into your gardens gets enjoyed year-round.
One design aspect that can be found in all our designs is a strong foundation. We like to use evergreen trees and shrubs, deciduous trees, and built structures to give all gardens a sturdy foundation. When gardens have a strong base, they look good year-round. We add color and interest with annuals and perennials, however the structure of the garden remains true to its original design.
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Posted in Winter
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With the economy in its current doldrums, many people are hesitant to spend money; however investing in your landscape has a guaranteed return.
Landscapes only increase in value. As plants grow and become established, their value escalates. The concept of curb appeal is real. You’ve probably seen at least one of the shows on a home improvement network that is focused solely on increasing the value of your home through street-side improvements. In addition to monetary value, a well landscaped yard is an investment in your environment and your happiness.
A new landscape does not have to be expensive. The first step with any budget is to have a plan designed because it links everything together. After you have a plan, work can be done in phases. In addition to working in segments, you can install smaller plants to reduce the price. Smaller plants are less expensive but they lack the instant gratification found in larger plants; however, with a little patience, they will grow to their desired size.
Another way to save money on your landscape is to use native and drought tolerant vegetation. Plants that are originally found in an area typically do well there and require less water and maintenance than introduced plants. With Atlanta’s water prices, using drought tolerant plants is another way to lessen your expenses. No matter how much or how little you spend, sprucing up, renovating, or redoing your yard will always be worth it. Give us a call to get started on your plan! Office: 404-603-9705
Almost every Christmas, Marcia and her husband, Charlie, escape the cold Atlanta winter and fly to their home in San Miguel, Mexico. San Miguel is located in central Mexico about 170 miles from Mexico City. Marcia and Charlie love the city’s rich culture and bustling atmosphere. San Miguel is a leading force in Mexican arts. It has two of the most popular international art schools in Mexico, the Instituto Allende and the Escuela de Bellas Artes. The city and nearby sanctuary were declared a World Heritage Site when UNESCO met in Quebec in 2008. San Miguel was chosen for its well-preserved Baroque colonial architecture and layout as well as its role in the Mexican War of Independence.
While in San Miguel, Marcia enjoys seeing all the local crafts and talent. One of her favorite pieces this trip was a wreath made entirely of succulents. What a clever way to have a wreath that you can enjoy for more than just a month—pending you water it now and again! Perhaps next year we will offer this kind of wreath for our customers. If you used a living wreath before, we would love to hear about it.
It’s a rainy Tuesday morning in March and still I can’t help but think how much I love this time of year. The weather is perfect—temperatures are in the upper sixties, pollen has not yet arrived in full force, and the grass is turning green. One of my favorite parts of living in the south (other than nice manners and collegiate football) is that we are lucky enough to have distinct seasons. Usually spring in Atlanta is our shortest season with summer quickly replacing winter, but this year we have been able to enjoy temperate weather and the abundance of new life that is associated with this time of year. Although the official first day of spring is not until next Sunday, it’s already spring to me. I see many trees, shrubs, and flowers that are about to burst with color and new growth. I hope that you all are spending plenty of time outdoors enjoying this wonderful time of the year.
