Irises, azaleas, rhododendrons, viburnums, and lilacs greeted us as we entered the first path in the Japanese Garden. Many of the plants in the garden are native to Michigan, this ensures they will thrive and continue to grow as they are well-adapted to the growing conditions. The Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden opened in 2015 and was designed by Kurisu International and incorporate the three elements of a Japanese garden: Rocks, … [Read more...]
A Living Wall of Shade Plants in a Colorful Pattern
You never know where you will come across amazing gardening ideas or unique plants. I wouldn't necessarily think a zoo is a great place to find gardening ideas, but on a recent trip to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I came across this gorgeous display of functional landscaping. In a shady corner, near the otters and turtles, the retaining wall has been created out of shade plants in a diagonal pattern planted between the concrete … [Read more...]
Spring Tour of Colonnade Garden in Columbus, MS
As part of the spring tourism season, the city of Columbus holds a Spring Pilgrimage that includes tours of antebellum homes, live music events, arts, food, a 5K race, and stories from the town’s history. We selected the tour that included Colonnade Gardens. The original gardens were installed in the 1860’s and include a boxwood maze, gazing pool with fountain, kitchen and herb garden, and a pleasure garden. Pleasure Garden There were so … [Read more...]
Fuqua Orchid Center
Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is always a highlight of my trips to Atlanta, and stopping in at the Fuqua Orchid Center is always a favorite. The Center was donated by the J. B. Fuqua Family in 2002. Here is a video of the beautiful entrance to the center - it was filled with anthuriums and succulents in a wave pattern that coordinated with the metal sculpture. https://youtu.be/KG39i8dFwa0 And this is what you first see when you … [Read more...]
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Earth Goddess & Cascades Garden Kendeda Canopy Walk Container Gardens at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Fuqua Orchid Center This video shows the formal hedge garden with a water fountain in the center that contains a Chihuly glass sculpture at the Atlanta Botanical Garden https://youtu.be/TfapK0Rx5-M … [Read more...]
Ideas for Container Gardens
I find that I get great ideas for container gardens at botanic gardens, businesses, municipal streets, and garden centers. I recently had the opportunity to visit Atlanta. The Atlanta Botanical Garden had some beautiful examples of different containers and plant combinations. At the entrance to the gardens, these tall, modern planters were filled with shades of green, white, and deep purple. I have to say that lime green and deep purple that … [Read more...]
