Annie's Gardening Corner: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

What's Trending Tuesday

One of the top three most popular outdoor design elements includes fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent). Above firepit - ©Landscape Design by Bilowz Associates Inc.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has just released the top landscape design trends for 2015. Find the results by clicking here. What tops your 2015 list for outdoor design elements, outdoor recreation amenities, landscape/garden elements, outdoor structures, and sustainable elements?

Regardless if your design plans fit into these trends, think outdoors. It is spring - the season of exterior spaces. We've been chatting up landscape design trends and more since this blog launched in 2009 - plus providing inspiration to help put your plans in place.

And if you're shooting for unique, choose a design firm that reaches for the unusual. Discover your own trend. That's the sweet spot of unique. Living our philosophy - 'Creating Design with Balance and Harmony.' Find more of our landscape designs by browsing our portfolios.

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too. And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

Monday, March 30, 2015

Early Signs of Spring

This Iris reticulata dotted with March snowflakes adds a touch of hope & beauty.

This Iris reticulata is always our reliable early, first sign of spring. Its tried and true blossom always pops up in our garden's warm pocket, usually less the snowflakes. But if you haven't noticed, it's been a winter refusing to let go. Mother Nature, maybe you could check your calendar. It's springtime and new beginnings. Maybe hold off on these snowflakes till next December - PLEASEEEEE!

This tiny Iris reticulata echoes what Lilly Pulitzer states. "Despite the forecast, live like it's spring." And just in case it's hard to tell on this March 30th what season it truly is, plan your garden and landscape projects. It really is springtime and new beginnings.

What are your earliest signs of spring? Whether it's in your garden, something you notice in nature, send your thoughts, comments,pics. Happy Monday.

© All Images – Property of Bilowz Associates Inc.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Number One Early Blooming Woodland Shrub

The Why of Witch Hazel

At this time of year, especially in the cold zones, looking for colorful life can be difficult at best. That’s why we’ll do a #ThrowbackThursday post from last February on ‘The Why of Witch Hazel.’ There’s a list of characteristics to peruse, making this woodland shrub an all-time favorite. Take a #ThrowbackThursday peek back down memory lane. Just an FYI - with New England's harsh winter, there's a couple week lag time so keep your eyes peeled. Witch Hazel can be found in bloom right now.

Need more than 'The Why of Witch Hazel' to catch your attention? Here are two more characteristics to add to its extensive list. Where can you find this natural beauty for creating an eye-catching, early spring bouquet? Reminds me of a cross between Pussy Willows and Forsythia.

The unusual blossom makes it perfect for a natural, earthy eye-catching bouquet.

And you can’t underestimate its medicinal purposes. The leaves and bark have beneficial properties. Here’s a Witch Hazel compress recipe, good for sunburn, swollen and inflamed joints, plus aching varicose veins.

Take 1 0z. (25g.) cut bark and 1 pt. (500ml.) water. Simmer together for 10 minutes. Strain and allow to cool. Dip a cloth in, wring and apply for a ½ hour, wetting it again as needed. And while you're nursing some of the remnants of the winter we'd rather forget, a nice spring shot might be necessary of that typical spring bouquet.

We still love that spring bouquet of Tulips but urge you to try something different - Witch Hazel in a vase!

Even though Tulips shout 'perky' and remain a spring favorite, try filling your vase with Witch Hazel. You can’t beat the beauty and its many characteristics. As John W. Foster reminds us, “One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire.” So if you need an early season spark, start with this magical woodland shrub. Find it growing in the woods or add to your plant list for your own garden space.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Mid-week Spring Climb

Mid-week spring climb - check out #bostondesignweek

If it feels like spring is still holding off in New England, here's something to help with that 'first week of spring' climb and final push up the hill.

Everyone can use some fresh design thoughts for inspiration. Here's a perfect solution and it's taking place in Boston - the first ever #bostondesignweek. There's still lots of great talks and events to attend. Plus it's a great mid-week design push up the hill. Click here to see what might interest you. Get out of your box and think DESIGN. And if you still need a little extra push up that Landscape Design Hill, check out last week's post, 'Entertaining in Fresh Air.'

Circle back often and tell us what's going on with your spring to date.