Get Inspired

A common mantra gardeners use when designing containers is thrillers, fillers, and spillers.  I use it as a guide when creating my planters, but love adding a few of my own whimsical elements. 

Annuals bring magic to any garden. They grow quicker, bloom longer, and produce more flowers than perennials do. Available in a wide variety of vibrant colors, annuals can fill in gaps between seasons and add instant pops of color where needed. My five favorite early summer annuals are all deer-resistant and do well in extreme heat. Inspired Garden tip: resist the urge to put them in rows and plant in clusters of 5 instead.

Summer’s intense heat can leave your flowers looking wilted and sad unless you choose plants that actually thrive on hot sunny days. Packing a planter with heat-tolerant flowers will ensure a vibrant, gorgeous pot that can last through October.

The first few weeks of spring are a magical time for gardeners, especially those who planted bulbs last fall. Your efforts are finally paying off! Tulips, daffodils, and crocus are popping up everywhere, and alliums and lilies will soon follow. It’s important to enjoy every moment as these blooms won’t stick around for long (tulips last only 2 weeks!). Once the flowers fade, they require a little extra care to ensure a beautiful return next spring.

In our last newsletter we discussed cool-toned perennials that can be added to a garden in early spring. Today we’ll share our favorite warm-toned early bloomers, boasting beautiful shades of pink, peach, orange, and plum.

Today we will explore our garden team’s three favorite cool toned early spring perennials. One remarkable aspect of early spring bloomers is that there are many options in shades of blue and purple. As blue is the rarest of all flower colors, we suggest taking advantage of this rare opportunity to include it in your garden.

It may not sound fun or sexy, but planting the right foundation shrubs is a crucial step toward boosting a home’s curb appeal.

Who doesn’t love the early days of spring? Bulbs are popping, days are longer, and flip flops are back in the rotation. Celebrate the end of a long drab winter with welcoming pots packed with enchanting early spring flowers.

When planning a garden, I suggest choosing 85%-90% perennials, and 10%-15% annuals. Planting both, and carefully selecting the right plants for your zone, will produce a parade of color from April through October. Before choosing your favorites, it’s important to understand the differences between them.

For those who feel botanically challenged, or are just starting out, here are three of my favorite easy-to-care-for plants.

With thousands of tree species in the world, and hundreds that live in the northeast, there are a daunting number of options. Size is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when buying a tree.

Pairing your plant with the perfect pot is no easy feat. Size and drainage requirements are essential factors, and finding a pot that accentuates the beauty of your plant is key. To help you sort through it all, here are ten tips to keep in mind when choosing indoor containers.

This guide will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to keep your houseplants happy and healthy for years to come.

An Inspired Garden makes you smile. It’s filled with the colors, scents and flowers you love—colors that might resemble your wedding bouquet, scents that evoke memories of your favorite vacation spot, flowers that remind you of a garden you once loved to play in. An Inspired Garden will reflect your personality and style, and whether you choose a cottage garden with a soft and dreamy palette, or a bold and bright design with a dramatic flair…If it’s true to who you are, it will make you feel happy and peaceful for many years to come.