I’m still here, how about you? |
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I am thinking about the easy hugs, shoulder squeezes, and sweet kisses on the cheek that used to be part of daily life. My extrovert self misses casual interactions in the check-out line, and spontaneous conversations shared while table-hopping at a favorite restaurant.
Those small pleasures that provide a connection to community are sorely missed, though it's beginning to feel like they will return at some point.
In the meantime, I feel lucky when I spy a friend these days—anywhere—in my limited sphere. It happened a few times last week and we cherished the conversation catch ups, albeit muffled behind our masks, genuinely using eye contact to convey emotions.
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So, here we go, I am checking in again. We are making progress. It’s time to regroup and keep going. Let’s think about what’s next.
How are you doing?
How are YOU getting through this pandemic winter? I’m hoping that there’s a little reserve of optimism in your heart as S-P-R-I-N-G finally approaches.
My salvation has been focusing on multiple landscape design drawings and collaborative outdoor meetings with engaged and engaging clients, mixed in with enough art projects to keep me amused. Super-fast walks down my lane, yoga and reading, reading, reading have all helped to maintain my momentum.
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What’s your trick for keeping your ‘balance’? |
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Valentine's for my little sweeties |
Planting plans ready for spring |
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Spring is on the way. I can’t wait to share photos of these ‘works in progress’. |
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Project One: The long anticipated Hedgerow
We are ready to go on a favorite planting type—a privacy hedgerow. Late winter pruning and clean-up underway.
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This privacy screen was inspired by the native plantings that fill the spaces between farm fields in our agricultural county. There will be a tall back drop of evergreens, sweeps of native grasses, and seasonal flowering plants that will be icing on the cake. |
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Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' |
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Guara 'Walberton's Silver Fountain'
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Juniperus virginiana 'Idyllwild' |
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Shades of green, lots of color, texture, and pollinator friendly plants will be planted on a riverfront property with a gorgeous, wide water view. Anticipation is high.
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Project Two: A Contemporary Cottage Garden
My client and I are collaborating closely on her new garden, scent and color are driving the design, along with a list of practical requirements. We are starting with a nearly clean slate and a brand new swimming pool.
The color scheme includes a great deal of blue and pink with splashes of white. Hydrangeas, hardy gardenias, iris, peonies, ornamental grasses and perennials, will provide sequential bloom and varied textures.
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Pulmonaria x 'Trevi Fountain' |
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Hibiscus Head over Heels 'Passion' |
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Hellebeborus Frostkiss 'Dorothy's Dawn' |
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Add in climbing roses, shrub roses, and clematis vines draped along the fence and there's no doubt that this will be a joyful garden. |
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Project Three: A Fresh Look
The renovation of this existing garden is demanding that I pay attention to the classic architecture so I'll reshape the beds with simple geometry. The previous overly serpentine planting beds will be no more. The new garden will reflect the architecture; the views from inside and out will be dramatic, colorful, and at my client's request "a lot more fun".
We worked with a drone to take 'before' photos in December. The glorious day and the fact that the trees had shed their leaves provided a first class view of the property.
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The revised garden will be a bit more complex, with the addition of flowering perennials, ground covers, and shrubs. Planters will be part of the new look; we’re still working out those details. Stand by! |
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What's in a name?
Assigning names to garden areas provides a simple way to describe the newly designed spaces when I communicate with my clients, the landscapers, or caretakers. There’s a need for this descriptive ‘title’ as the gardens are designed and planted because it keeps us all organized. Plus, we know what area we're referring to as the gardens mature and it's time to discuss maintenance.
It’s sometimes a spontaneous form of I.D. that happens for obvious reasons; ‘the pool garden’, or 'the guest house bed’. The ‘woodland shade garden’, ‘the East side entry’, ‘the lilac allee’; they all make sense describing the area or garden room.
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I am amused by a few other names that have been added to the list; ‘the boat shed bed’, ‘the compost lane garden’, and the ‘weather watching patio’ are slightly off the beaten track, but that’s part of what makes garden building fun.
It's no surprise that we have been spending more time at home these days, and we are heading back into the garden as the weather improves. Choosing descriptive names for your outdoor sitting spots and garden niches may provide lively conversation. Think about it. Any man cave or she shed gardens out there?
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Coffee Room 'Pocket' Garden |
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Thinking about Wine?
Grape vines, leaves, and the luscious fruit are the focus of a new artful outdoor screen project. The original design was initially displayed at my solo show at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. This work focuses on fruit in a way different from my other 3D sculpture.
The 8’ tall triptych will be fabricated in aluminum and installed in a glorious poplar woodland as part of a residential garden design project. The shaded site has mature rhododendrons and stunning sweeps of native moss ground cover. The setting will be perfect.
The ideal way for my clients to admire their new three-part 'Grape Screen' will be from the nearby deck with a glass of wine in hand.
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The luan plywood center section was cut with a water jet. The two side panels were printed in bold colors on high quality gloss paper for this 'Show & Tell.'
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Two local companies will be combining their efforts to complete the Grape screen: Solid Tops, LLC who specialize in sophisticated countertop and tile installations and E.R. Harvey - Metalworking Company, who can fabricate virtually anything in metal are teaming up. It's a joy to partner with my Eastern Shore collaborators to make this project a reality. More details soon!
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A water jet at work, cutting a small sign for sculpture installations. |
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Want more stories and photos?
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Optimism returns.
Be well
Continue to stay safe,
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