Who else has an addiction called gardening? Every weekend I find myself at the garden center to look for more flowers, which is one thing I don’t really need right now, or do I? Today’s trip to the nursery revealed the most dainty bloom of purple perennials – the lovely pincushion flower. When I see something so light and airy, but majestic, I find myself saying “I need this in my life.” Each of us is drawn to certain color palettes when it comes to gardening. I lean toward pinks and purples with a shot of orange or yellow for warmth and vibrancy. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite purple p ..read more

Who’s ready for a beautiful garden tour? Today’s serene and elegant garden by Westover Landscape Design can be found in New York’s Westchester county. I love any garden or yard that takes you on a journey. Rather than an expanse of grass, you find pockets of gardens and places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Photo by Westover Landscape Design   Brick and stone steps climb a flowered slope in the yard to a quaint patio for dining, enjoying beverages, or simply having spirited conversation. Hydrangeas pair with petunias for a cool blue and lavender color palette. A few white daisies also ..read more

Seeing bees in my garden always makes me happy. These little winged creatures are beneficial pollinators and are key to creating and maintaining a healthy and beautiful garden. Without them, many plants would not be able to reproduce and provide fruits and vegetables. See how to attract bees to your garden by providing food, shelter, and a proper environment to help them thrive.   1. Plant a Variety of Flowers Attract bees with a wide range of bee-friendly flowers in your garden. Think of your garden as a smorgasbord for bees. Some popular choices include lavender, sunflowers, daisies, c ..read more

Spring is an exciting time for koi pond owners. As the water temperature warms, the fish slowly become more active. After missing them under a sheet of ice all winter, it’s blissfully reassuring to see they’re still healthy. Today I’m sharing photos of my pond that were taken last fall. I love this little oasis that exists just outside our kitchen door. (All photos courtesy of Aquascape, Inc.)   The koi and the water lilies are the things I love most about my pond. There’s a peaceful enjoyment watching the koi swim about while listening to the soothing sound of the waterfall. And every t ..read more

Less lawn, more garden. That’s the strategy behind the landscape makeover this Dutch Colonial home received from Westover Landscape Design. A damaged lawn was reconstructed into a spectacular front yard garden that’s far more appealing than an expansive of grass. Take a look and see if you agree. Photo by Westover Landscape Design A blue stone entry and portico were added to the front of the house, while a cedar picket fence was installed to separate the garden from the surrounding street and neighbors. A fence always provides opportunity for new plantings on both sides, and this home makes gr ..read more

Last week hubby and I went to Kauai, Hawaii for the first time. Being our first trip to the Hawaiian Islands, it was hard to decide which island to visit. After talking to a friend who’s vacationed at each one, I settled on Kauai, which is also known as The Garden Island. With a nickname like that, how could it be the wrong choice? I wanted to see the stunning flowers and rich vegetation and get lost in nature. Today I’m sharing some of the island’s colorful and joyful flora.   Let’s start with the amazing Moon Orchids, also known as Moth Orchids, but “moon” sounds prettier and more ethe ..read more

Are you getting excited about getting out in the yard to do some gardening? Our crocus and daffodils are poking through the dirt and it won’t be much longer before it’s time to don the garden gloves and get outside. When it comes to adding color to your landscape, think about how you can use colorful hydrangeas to complete this task. Big balls of color peek out against the large leaves of the hydrangea, creating a soft, old-fashioned look. Hydrangeas are fairly easy to grow and come in a variety of types and colors, although there are five main types grown in North America. Visit your garden ..read more

Are you counting down the days until spring? I sure am! Winter is officially over on March 19th and spring gets ushered in on the 20th. On last weekend’s walk, I saw my first robin. I think he’s a little early because we don’t typically see them until mid March. In addition to birds returning, spring sees the emergence of beautiful flowers. Here’s my list of must-have flowers for the spring season. Tulips I kind of feel like this flower is a no-brainer since tulips are one of the most popular spring flowers that come in a variety of colors and shapes. Plus if you time it right, you can have th ..read more

One of my dreams is to create a serene green and white garden using only white flowers to beautify the space. I’ve seen photos of all-white gardens and they’re so pretty. But then I get to the garden center and can’t resist all the colors. But still, I could create a small garden section just for white blooms. Here’s a few favorites that I’d choose. White Hydrangeas The classic hydrangea comes in a few varieties, but if you want the bush with large, round blooms, look for Annabelle. It’s the most popular out there and it puts on a dramatic show.   Sweet Alyssum On the opposite side of th ..read more

Bleeding heart is a beautiful perennial that adds a romantic touch to any garden. Also known as Dicentra, its dainty, heart-shaped flowers dangle from arching stems. Its feminine beauty makes it easy to understand why this plant is a favorite among gardeners. In order to keep your bleeding heart in tip-top shape, it’s important to know how to care for it properly. First and foremost, it’s important to understand that bleeding heart prefers to grow in partial shade, rather than full sun. This is because the plant can become scorched if exposed to too much direct sunlight. It’s best to plant it ..read more