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Recommended:
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| Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle 'Major Wheeler' |
'Major Wheeler' is a native selection with a host of attributes. It is non-invasive and does not require regular pruning. It is not prone to mildew like some other varieties. Hummingbirds love its fragrant red-orange flowers, as do butterflies, and in the late season, when it produces red berries, it is attractive to birds. A twining climber, it performs best with open support, good drainage, and full sun.
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| Rhododendron x 'Exbury Hybrid' Azaela 'Lemon Gem' |
Also related to Knap Hill or Ghent Azaleas, these deciduous members of the rhododendron family produce copious quantities of spring flowers in colors not typically associated with azaleas. Often fragrant, in bold oranges, yellows and reds (and variations in between) the bloom display is a welcome burst of joy. An upright grower in sizes ranging from 4' to 10' high and up to 6' wide, these are a hybrid well worth growing. They prefer filtered sun in hot climates and perform best in slightly acidic soil.
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| Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye |
Another native, deciduous shrub, the rather uncommon Bottlebrush Buckeye can be a substantial addition to your landscape. Ranging in size from 8 to 12' high with spreads of 8 to 15', it is a dense, mounding, suckering plant that requires little to no maintenance. Its eye catching blooms come on in in late spring, attracting pollinators of all types including butterflies and hummingbirds. Happily, it is not attractive to deer! Grows well in part to full shade (think woodlands) in moist, well-drained soil.
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| WHAT WE DO We are happy to help you design and build your dream:
- Custom sculpture
- Landscapes
- Hardscapes
- House siting
- Plant selection
- Swimming pools
- Garden rooms & furniture
- Excavation
- Steel fabrication
- Outdoor kitchens & BBQs
- Lighting
- Irrigation
- Fences
- Driveways
- Fire pits
- Arbors, trellises, shade structures
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Jan Kirsh Landscapes & Studio
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There's something about history. Understanding the past can often be a window to the future. Lately, old stories are bringing inspiration to my work. It's a bit like taking the hand of a a dear friend.
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On a recent tour of Virginia's Eyre Hall, a plantation home which has been in the same family since 1668, I was struck by the stunning displays of tulips in the gardens.
 
During the fall and winter, when food sources are scarce, hungry rodents are likely to treat your carefully planted bulbs as tasty treats. Eyre Hall's head gardener, Laurie Klingel, and her crew plant new bulbs every fall using custom baskets made from 1/2" galvanized wire. Also known as rat wire or hardware cloth, the tightly spaced metal mesh prevents access by small mammals. The 12" diameter cylinders, which hold up to 20 bulbs each, keep hungry critters at bay and make the bulbs easier to locate and lift out of the earth when the time comes.
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| Studio Stories
With spring in full swing, I find myself working in garden soil more often than studio clay. But, winter was a fruitful time, literally. After many months of refinement, Pomegranate is moving into the next phase of its maturity. The clay maquettes will soon be transformed into finished pieces, becoming the newest additions to my sculpture collection.
The pomegranate has a rich history of its own dating back to 6000 BC. Though we no longer give them as wedding gifts to wish the couple as many children as the fruit has seeds (can you imagine?!), the pomegranate continues to symbolize fruitfulness and wisdom.
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| Scented Memories
Isn't it interesting how an unexpected occurrence can sometimes connect us instantly to our past? Recently, while visiting a new landscaping client, I came upon a small stand of dainty, white
Lily of the Valley. For just a moment, I pictured myself standing at the bottom of the porch stairs at my childhood home. My mother planted quantities of these little treasures just along the edge of a path leading into the woods, a delightfully fragrant marker to welcome us home from our spring meanderings.
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Last week, I had the great pleasure of talking with Dana Kester-McCabe, publisher o f the Delmarva Almanac, an independent media service providing content relevant to residents and visitors to the region known as Delmarva. Dana's style is so accessible that I almost forgot we were taping a radio interview; it felt more like spending time with a new friend!
The show is available via live stream from the Delmarva Almanac website or on air at 3:30 PM Saturday, May 16th, on WSCL 89.5 and again at 6:30 PM Wednesday, May 20th on WSDL 90.7.
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May your stories, past and present, be filled with delight.
Fondly,
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