I miss the beehives that sat at the edge of the our garden for many seasons.  They weren’t particularly special as hives go – not like those that I see from groovier beekeepers, but they were fascinating and I loved observing our beekeepers as they cared for the hives. We don’t have bees in hives […] The post The Art Of The Bee Hive – Inspiration for Creative Apiary appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

My phone rang at 5:15 this morning. Incredulous and startled, I ignored it, even though I recognized the name of the apiarist who sells honey at my farmers market. I hadn’t spoken with him since last fall when we agreed that he would install two hives in my garden this year. Then, at 6:00, there […] The post The Bees Have Arrived appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

Do you wish your garden was less boring and a lot more exciting? But you aren’t really sure how to fix it?  Knowing how to effectively design garden layout is not obvious and getting it right will ensure that every other decision you make in your garden will be more successful. Let’s see if maybe […] The post I’m a Garden Designer – Here’s the 4 most Important Layout Tips You Can’t Ignore appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

It is not often that a perfect picture crosses my desk.  A picture that so precisely shows how, by playing with one the basic principles of design (in this case, scale and proportion), you can create something extraordinary. Playing with scale and proportion are one of the easiest and most fun ways you – as […] The post How to Master Scale and Proportion in Landscape Design for a better garden appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

I suspect most modern gardeners might be asking what a knot garden is. It’s not something you see very often unless you are visiting old gardens in England. A knot garden is a type of garden design that features intricate patterns or designs created using various plants, typically herbs or other low growing plants. These […] The post How to Make a Knot Garden Fit in Your Suburban Landscape appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

As a landscape designer with a penchant for plants, I’ve always been drawn to the diverse and delightful genus of Stachys. Commonly known as Lamb’s Ear, this group of perennials offers not only a tactile treat for your garden but a wide range of unique varieties, each with its own charm.  As a kid – […] The post Woolly to Wild, the Wonderful World of Woundworts – AKA  Stachys appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

I could be tempted to use this plant just for the fun of saying it’s name – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (ark-toh-STAF-i-los u-VA er-SI) or one of it’s common names, kinnikinnick. It’s like I am Jane Fonda in Dancing with the Wolves. The fact is, it is a pretty useful garden plant, too. It is an evergreen shrub and ground […] The post Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)- Massachusetts Bearberry is fun to say + good to plant appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

I’m always poking around blogs on cocktails and spirits and recently read an article about fastening spouts onto hollowed-out melons to be able to pour a drink directly from the melon.  Of course, I needed to try this immediately. I love spectacle – it sells cocktails without even trying. “Ooo, I want what’s in that […] The post The Surfside – A Watermelon Cocktail For the Last Days of Summer appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

I’m no runner, but I can’t help but get outside for a jog when the weather starts to warm up in the spring.  The vitamin D is a big draw, but I tend to follow my nose when I’m on my running route as the spring blooms come out and the air is fragrant with […] The post How to Make Lilac Syrup + Other Edible Flowers for Cocktails appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more

When I conceived of this autumn container planter series, I had a couple of challenges in mind. I wanted to use as few mums as possible (because I am tired of them!). I also wanted to explore different materials, be inspired by colors that aren’t so stereotypically ‘autumn’, and just be creative.  I hope ou […] The post How to Work White into an Autumn Container Garden appeared first on PITH + VIGOR by Rochelle Greayer ..read more