Annie's Gardening Corner: May 2014

Friday, May 30, 2014

Can’t Live Without…

Daisies – a favorite simplicity of the garden; a springtime blossom I can’t live without.

Hal Lindsey puts it all in order of priority when he stated that “Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.” And Daisies – it’s a springtime favorite I can’t live without.

© Image by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

May’s Frosty Bite

In looking back at last year’s blog posts and images, the spring garden was a bit ahead of the curve.
Unfortunately this year, we’re starting to see a few more additional twists and turns. Last night’s disappointment – an unprecedented late May frost. This unforeseen turn is no doubt going to hinder the health of the tender tomatoes planted this past weekend amongst a few other things set in place at their ‘normal’ time. Again, there’s nothing typical in New England. What’s happening in your garden this May 29^th? Let’s hope this Supersonic tomato can supersonically survive.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Peony Magic

It’s a trending Tuesday look at a magical Peony moment over the long holiday weekend. A short and sweet entry for what is still on the horizon – with plenty more Peony blossoms to come.

Need a quick peek at some of the different types you can plant? Here’s one Peony grower that has great root stock and plenty of Peony info to boot. As Rachel Carson once stated, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter.”

Friday, May 23, 2014

Remember

It’s a break in protocol of my own flower, garden and design images and content. In celebration of Memorial Day weekend, it’s a collage of Google Images to help us remember what this upcoming weekend is all about.

Most of us kick off and celebrate the unofficial start of summer this Memorial Day weekend with cookouts, trips to the summer cottages and planting the gardens with delicate materials we hope are safe from frost ... but before you head out, a few chosen images to help us not forget.

'Remember' - it's the word we forget about the most. Safe travels on the roads.

© All images from Google Images

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Loaded…

Loaded with buds and fruit that is. Some imagery of what’s sprouting up in the garden today … will get back to content when there’s a bit more time to catch my breath. Enjoy today's imagery. It’s the best part about planting something that comes back every year.

As Gaston Bachelard once said, “When the image is new, the world is new.” Wherever you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, hopefully it’s somewhere in nature, your garden or the landscape.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Pinwheels & Attitude

Though many of the Tulips in the garden are starting to fade, it’s all in your attitude in what you still might see. Is it a tattered Tulip blossom or a pinwheel effect - those magical, colorful vanes that on windy days twirl faster in the breeze? When we look at our world and our garden from a young child’s perspective, we might see it all in a different light. With the right pinwheels and attitude, your garden can always look beautiful.

As we plunge head first into our busiest season (spring/summer/fall) what we strive for most is to accomplish making our outdoor living spaces beautiful, to be enjoyed by all. So it’s worth taking a peek at this young entrepreneur, Vivienne Harr’s story about a lemonade stand with a different swirl. When @TwitterSmallBiz asked @vivienneharr “How did you know your idea could work?” she replied, “I didn’t – but I knew my heart would lead me in the right direction.” Rule number one for any business or garden lover – your heart cannot be left in the garden shed. And if we think that big is always better, her fresh perspective gives us another take on this. “It’s not how small your business is, it’s how big you think it can change the world.” Sometimes the smallest garden spaces, just like small businesses can get it right because they aren’t focused on big and beautiful but getting the whole picture, the vision, the end result. And as Vivienne shares one other important rule of thumb - “Small actions can make a big difference.” In other words, plant something - the difference will be all yours.

@vivienneharr, this blossoming entrepreneur spreads a perfect Monday morning lesson that can spill over into our landscapes and gardens – that with the right pinwheels and attitude, you can change the world.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Friday’s Garden Pinks

It’s a splash of garden pinks to finish off the week. As Ellis Peters once said, “Every spring is the only spring – a perpetual astonishment.” Enjoy the blossoms. Enjoy the imagery.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Soil it is!

Tuesday’s quick “t” tips for soil:

Test it.
Turn it.
Top-dress it.

Today’s post is a brief technical bulletin. As was pointed out before, my paved pathway for blog posts, well, my winter intention was to get out and experience the soil myself again rather than be holed up writing every morning – that is once I am completely back on sure footing. Plus I find more fulfillment from using imagery and inspiration to fill the posts. Anyone can be technical but creative is the reach for me.

So for those needing a few technical reminders, it all starts with soil. Check these archived posts below for additional reading to help you get the extra soil boost this spring. And if you missed any opportunities to get your soil tested, make room for containers and raised beds.

The Sweet Spot

Soil Call

Are You Digging the Dirt?

© Image by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Mid-May Highlights

It’s a no-fluff Monday - just a few highlights from our mid-May #Spring2014 garden. It's amazing - this chemistry of spring unfolding. Enamored by the presence of fruit and spring flowering blossoms abound, this waking of the earth makes May such a beautiful month.

All that was carefully planted and tucked beneath the soil slowly reaches for what's above. It’s as though we are breathing simultaneously with our living landscape, taking in the spring showers and sunshine. We revel in all the green foliage; we know there is much more to come.

What are your favorite mid-May highlights?

What opens up your garden heart?

© Images by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Woodland Edition

It’s a repeat performance from last Friday – don’t forget to check out the best place to find Epimediums. Here’s the link from last Friday’s post, ‘Spring Bucket List’ because this open nursery is happening again today until Sunday. Did I mention these woodland beauties are perfect Mother's Day gifts? The treat in today’s post – fresh Epimedium images blossoming now in our own spring garden.

And if you missed yesterday’s other woodland edition, Hellebores are absolutely a one of a kind, perfect addition to your shady borders.

It’s been a scramble to get back into the daily routine. As Sydney Smith reminds me, “To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back… but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.” Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend somewhere in the garden. And don't forget to add these woodland spring beauties.

© Epimedium & Hellebore Images by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Spring’s Up

There’s nothing boring about this beautiful spring perennial – it’s like the ‘Surf’s up’ of spring blossoms when I see this particular favorite in flower. Hellebores or Lantern Rose (its common name) should not be confused with boring. Far from…just take a peek at this one blossoming in our spring garden.

Need a few talking points on why you might want to plant this favorite of ours, Helleborus is its genus:

Early flowering spring perennial
Its dainty distinctive bloom compliments and balances the Daffodils and Tulips
Perfect for the woodland or shady border
Can tolerate a wide range of soils and its bloom is long lasting
Received top honors as the 2005 ‘Perennial Plant of the Year’

Accelerate your spring look with something a bit different this year. If you haven’t made the plant dive into Hellebores yet, spring’s up. Get planting. As Kary Mullis said about surfing, “Sometimes in the morning, when it’s a good surf, I go out there, and I don’t feel like it’s a bad world.” Yes, a boost in nature, including what you plant in your garden has a way of generating this same feeling. Spring’s Up; get plant surfing!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The Daffodil Value

On this beautiful May morning, it’s a favorite Walt Whitman quote and a Daffodil image for #WordlessWednesday. “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”

© Image by Ann Bilowz

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

#TransformationTuesday – #Garden Style

There are so many long lost arts including a cobbler, which can be a rarity these days. But I am determined to repair the remnants of my hiking accident as it reminds me, despite the scuffs, this boot still has some hikes left in it. Yes, everything can be transformed including what’s transforming outdoors, #Garden style on this beautiful May day.

For those that missed the Trillium images on our Facebook page last week, here are a couple more Greg recently captured while filling my hiking boot ventures with the dogs. It’s brought him back to discovering some of the beautiful spring wildflower patches that can be found in nature’s understory, transforming, yes it is!

And while the last minute bulb planting of these beautiful red Tulips continue to sprout each day, a wonderful discovery is this spring favorite of mine; it brings me back to my May garden days when I was a kid. This patch of Phlox below was transplanted from my mother’s own May treasure. It’s a small reminder of the prolific Phlox that grew in every single nook and cranny of her prized rock garden. It was always a showstopper during those early May days. Everyone in my family and many of her neighbors inherited a piece of this special plant transforming itself somewhere in their garden today.

But let's switch to something that's taste related. It's an all-time transforming favorite and this process lasted longer than usual this year. It’s the local Maple syrup – one just bottled and shared with us. Talk about transforming your pancakes or waffles. And it’s great for marinades, salad dressings, you name it. Transform your kitchen with a dash of fresh maple syrup that the Sugar Maple trees so graciously just shared with us.

Well, that’s enough transformation for a Tuesday. No selfies here of yesteryear. It’s transformation #Garden style. What’s happening in your neck of the woods?

A P.S. for all the #quote lovers; it’s a witty observation from Scott J. Simmerman. “Caterpillars can fly, if they just lighten up.” Let the past be something to reminisce about while you discover #TransformationTuesday - #Garden style. Enjoy this beautiful May Day.

© All Images by Greg &Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Sprung Art from the Spring Garden

Vincent Van Gogh once said, “I dream my painting and I paint my dream.” A few, small pieces of sprung art from the spring garden…it’s where I paint my dreams. What do you love most about what’s popping up in your spring garden?

© All Images by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Spring Bucket List

Are you filling your spring bucket list yet? Okay - it's a Friday #Spring2014 reminder for those that love the idea of diversifying your plant palette. Shade and woodland gardens anyone? You aren't a true plant geek until you've experienced one of our favorite plants. Don’t forget to visit the open nursery weekends coming up at Garden Vision Epimediums, 10 Templeton Rd., Phillipston, MA. Starting today through Sunday and next weekend as well - it's a not to be missed event. It's a must add to your spring bucket list - that is if you haven’t been there before, done this trip. This is an Epimedium lover’s paradise. It’s where you’ll find unusual and hard to find varieties because of Garden Vision’s large collection.

For all those newbie plant folks, this is a rare, local gem specialty nursery that is still left. We’ve lost too many of these small, boutique type nurseries that only plant lovers dare to delve into. It's time to get those newbie garden folks excited and put this open nursery visit on your spring bucket list. Make sure the GPS is set to New England back roads. It's the May, primo place to discover Epimediums, one of our favorite perennials for woodland shade gardens. For those who live too far from Garden Vision to take advantage of these two open nursery weekends, you can always go with the main thrust of their business – which is mail order. Remember little gems like this nursery should not be lost.

Are you ready to fill your #Spring2014 bucket list with Epimediums? Did I mention it it’s an easy to care for, low maintenance plant? That is, once you get past its establishment phase. And remember to check my past blog posts under the search button if you want to see more about this FAB plant.

So to wrap up the bucket list thoughts, this quote seemed appropriate for today’s post. Not certain of its roots, it's getting listed as UNKNOWN. "Never take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day one day and discover you lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones."

© All Epimedium Images from our spring 2011 Garden by Greg Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Contact me direct at Annie You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. Don’t forget Google+ where you can find us under Ann Bilowz and Bilowz Associates Inc.