Clik here to view.
A Garden of Celebration, Reflection & Healing
Cairns are an ancient way to denote a path or memorial site. Photo credit; Alyson Ross Markley Do you feel the need for a personal outdoor space to call your own and simply ‘be’? Are you looking for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Art Imitating Life Imitating Art
Neither a snow storm nor a Superbowl championship parade could stop intrepid garden lovers making it to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show this year. The theme for the 2014 show was Art in the Garden...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Find your Inner Artist
A stone cairn designed by local artist Luke DeLatour has special significance. Photo credit; Alyson Ross Markley I’ll be the first one to tell you that I’m not an artist. I can’t draw a straight line...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When Gardens and Glass Talk
Perfect color communication between the glass and orange daylilies, golden conifer and dark leaf maple tree We have just hosted a really exciting and extremely successful event; Meet the Artist, Become...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sticks and Stones
Blue and teal shades work so well with the white stones. Photo courtesy Alyson Ross Markley Sculptor Luke DeLatour of Stones and Steel knows a thing or two about rocks which is why we invited him to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Focal Points; Garden Art + Foliage
Whether your style is whimsical, elegant, traditional or contemporary you can find a unique art piece for your garden that let’s your friends and family know that this is your garden. However it is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Captivating Ideas from a Petite Garden
I wrote a post recently for my other blog Fine Foliage (co-authored with Christina Salwitz) called The Ones That Got Away. You see Christina and I are on the final countdown for our new book with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Finding Focus
I knew something was wrong; it was that little niggle in the back of my mind that prompted me to stop what I was doing and call Mum’s doctor. Sure enough Mum had just been admitted to hospital for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Plant Whimsy
I always want the gardens I design to reflect the homeowners taste and personality. There are many ways to do this such as carrying through a key color from the interior decorating scheme or including...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Serenity in Seattle; my favorite display
While most visitors to the 2016 Northwest Flower and Garden Show were jostling for position to photograph the large display gardens, I found myself drawn to the smaller City Living exhibits. Each...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Smile Factor
Our newest family members Whether you consider your personal garden style to be elegant, romantic, contemporary or traditional there is always room for a little whimsy – a special garden moment to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Path Less Traveled
Sapphire Blue sea holly is a favorite for deer resistant, drought tolerant drama Have you been into your garden recently? Not to weed the borders or cut the grass – just to see what is happening? Set...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Design Inspiration from Chihuly in Atlanta
Seemingly rising from the earth is the botanical sculpture ‘Earth Goddess’ I had the opportunity to visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens last month while speaking at a symposium for the Garden Writer’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Thoughtful Hand-Crafted Gifts
It’s that time of year again when the post-Turkey coma gives way to a shopping and wrapping frenzy. Let me make life a little easier. Put the kettle on, enjoy a cup of tea and use these ideas to get...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making TWO Containers Work
I’m often asked how many containers should be grouped together, do they have to be in groups of 3, do they all have to match and should they all be planted identically. The answer is NO to all those...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pinterest Peer Pressure – baring it all!
I thought it would never happen. Sunshine finally arrived in Seattle for two days in a row! Enough time to get 21 yards of mulch on the garden and persuade me to take some photographs. To celebrate...
View ArticleClik here to view.
From Coast to Coast – Travel Snapshots
Laguna Beach area – one of many pristine coves It’s been an exciting few weeks visiting North Carolina and then southern California. Both trips were work-related but of course there is always time for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pathway Transitions: Designer Details
Every garden needs pathways for navigation. Whether it is a means to get from the driveway to the front door, a short stretch from the back door to the garbage cans or a meandering trek through an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Little Purple House
There are whimsical gardens and then there is Lucinda Hutson’s “Texican” garden – an unapologetic explosion of color that is pure FIESTA. Brought up in El Paso, Texas she regularly traveled to Mexico...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lessons from Chanticleer – when a Path becomes an Experience
The Teacup Garden features plantings with a tropical flair Have you ever visited a garden that literally took your breath away? The sun was barely cresting the horizon when I drove into Chanticleer...
View Article