Nesling Coolfit Canopies

How bad ass are these?!? What a cool, trendy way to ditch that pain in the ass umbrella you’ve been tripping over for the past 10 years. Inspired by the shade sails found in Australia and NZ, these canopies are made with high-density polyethylene that provides 95% protection against ultra violet rays. They can stay outside the whole season, are mold-resistant, and come in a variety of shapes and colours. Add one to your patio, or several for a sweet layered look. Check out Nesling for add the deets and ask me to help design you an amazing shaded area over your patio this year.

New & Noteworthy Plants

Bloomerang Lilac

Proven Winners Bloomerang Lilac’s are the hottest new thing. Everyone loves a lilac. Everyone loves that time of year when they’ll clip a few lilac blooms off a neighbouring shrub and bring them home to enjoy 🙂 Now, Proven Winners has created a new lilac, in purple, dark purple and pink that will bloom spring, summer and right up until frost.  These lilacs are the strongest rebloomers on the market. Bloomerang lilacs have a compact habit and small foliage, making them ideal for smaller gardens and container designs. Fragrant, mildew and deer resistant. Growing an average of 5’x5′, remove spent blooms promptly to promote new flowers, and fertilize with a controlled release fertilizer in early spring. Zone 3-7.

Denim ‘n Lace Russian Sage

Russian Sage is always loved for its airy texture and the ability to blend with pretty much any flower color. However, the cultivars available tended to be too large to fit in your garden or the stems wouldn’t be strong enough and they would flop over. Another Proven Winners beauty is Denim ‘n Lace, which doesn’t get too tall, has stronger stems and a more upright habit than most older varieties. Lacy-like, bright sky blue flowers are held on amethyst calyxes. Its calyxes are spaced very close together to give the flowers a very full look. The colorful calyxes make it look like it is still in bloom even when it is past peak. You’ll have great color nearly all season long. Be sure to plant in full sun, and since Denim ‘n Lace is drought tolerant, it thrives on neglect. Grows 28-32″ by 34-38″ wide, hardiness zone 4-9. Deer resistant and attracts hummingbirds.

Honorine Jobert Anenome

The Perennial Plant Association has name the Anenome ‘Honorine Jobert’ the 2016 Perennial Plant of the Year. ‘Honorine Jobert’ is a tall, elegant, woody-based Japanese anemone that has dazzling white flowers. Produces a multitude of pure white flowers on graceful branching upright stems for 5 weeks or more, above a solid clump of dark green, deeply cut leaves. Lovely massed in a woodland setting or spotted into wild rock gardens and an excellent cut flower. A slow-growing to 2′ tall, and 5′ tall with blooms, spreading to 2′ wide. Blooms in late summer, hardiness zone 4-8.

 

 

Botanical Photography by Emma Mitchell

There is a radio show here in Toronto, where the infamous Kim Mitchell (well infamous here in Canada…everybody knows “Patio Lanterns”….) has a spot that he dubs “Damn I wish I wrote that” where he highlights various famous songs that he wishes he wrote. He plays a little diddle on his guitar, fumbles a few notes trying to play some extremely tricky Zeppelin riff, and natters on about how amazing the song is and how he wishes he wrote it. I always chuckle to myself as I know he wishes he was a better musician, and that he could come up with something better than “Go for a Soda”, but I love that he can put all his admiration on the line, and be humbled by it.

Every time I highlight one of these artists on Photosynthesis, I feel like Kim Mitchell. Because I wish I wrote that.

Emma Mitchell is one of those artists. To do something as simple and beautiful as her Botanical Photography, it immediately turns into an art form. She has found the beauty in each individual stem or leaflet that she discovers, and groups them together in a neat little row, and labels them for all of the other plant nerds out there to admire.

She lives in a little village somewhere across the pond, and highlights her creativeness on her blog silverpebble. Every post is a fascinating read, and I am in the process of picking all the chicken off the bone and devouring her posts one at a time. I have just signed up for her handwritten letter exchange, which some 700 people have signed up to exchange creative handwritten letters to random pen pals all over the world. I am in love.

Design like a Pro

Designed by Living Rooms Landscape Design, Construction by Darsan Contracting

When you break it all down, designing your own yard can be very rewarding, and not as hard as one may think. Keeping in mind certain principles, you can design your own yard, and hopefully have fun doing it. Below are a few of my own tips that I follow, when undertaking a new project.

1. Keep things simple. People find the need to try to cram too much stuff into one space, or simply try too hard to fancy it all up. A busy garden isn’t pleasing to the eye, and will quickly date itself. Monochromatic colour schemes (with a splash of colour is always nice), organized planting, and simple lines are a common favourite in my book.
2. Be aware of scale. A backyard design that is 85% stonework, and 10% grass and 5% planting is not very appealing. I always find that keeping a healthy amount of rich green grass is an easy way to please the eye, even if you don’t want to cut it. You could always install turf! And if you hate grass, then make sure that your plant ratio is complimentary to your hard surfaces. As well, a 24″ wide walkway is not a comfortable width to walk on, so bump up the scale and make transition areas as easy to navigate as possible. You should be able to pass someone quite easily without bumping one another off. Plants that are too large (or too small) for a space is something to be mindful of. Plants should feel like they belong there, and that they have actually been there all along.
3. Use fewer plants. I can always spot a homemade garden a mile away. I know everyone loves plants. I am guilty of the same. So be choosy. Planting every variety you love in your backyard is not helping your cause. Choosing a few complimentary colours to one another, or even monochromatic, is the best way to calm your eye muscles. So choose a few plants, and repeat. You want cohesion. Seeing different groupings of plants throughout the design creates that familiarity, and is comforting to those spending time in your space.
4. Odd Numbers?? I think many people have heard the common rule of “planting in odd numbers”. I don’t always follow this rule, but most often. When the quantity of plants exceeds five, I don’t find it makes a difference. One is nice, three and five is great, but I find I will never plant only 2 plants in a row.
5. Create focal points. Everyone likes something to look at, whether its a beautiful Japanese Maple by your patio, or a piece of art amongst the shrubs. I like adding focal points where they are not expected, like at the end of a long walkway, a detail in stonework, or something architectural. Be different.
6. Go vertical. I find nothing more boring than everything on the horizontal. Its flat. It always costs more to go up, but I find it is well worth it and necessary to an original design. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, and can be achieved with stone, wood or even plants. Build a stone seat wall. Add a decorative arbour or wood screen. And be sure to plant that beautiful shade tree or linear hedge to help balance out your horizontal surfaces.
7. Create a destination. I always try to separate each area into zones. By having a cooking area, dining area, lounging area, play area, etc. it creates that destination. You could be dining out back with your friends, and see those comfy lounge chairs by the fire across the yard calling out your name. Everyone loves a change of scenery from time to time. It creates a completely different experience for you and your guests, and they will already be planning the next get-together at your house again soon.
8. Add texture. Everyone tends to do the same thing. Put down a patio or deck and be done with it. It functional, it works, right? But you could step things up drastically by just adding in a few different textures here and there. I like to use both wood and stone if I can, or integrate two (MAYBE three!) different stone materials. I like to border my different zones, which helps to break up that “sea of stone” look that I love so much. And have fun with your plant choices. Place plants with miniature leaves beside one with larger ones. Use wispy ornamental grasses that blow in the wind. Use something spiky. Or incredibly soft. And have fun with it.

Flowers by Claus Dalby

I stumbled upon Claus Dalby on Instagram a few months back, and he is absolutely one of my favourite people that I follow. A man of a few different hats, he is a plantsman, publisher, author, broadcaster and photographer. If you want to get all squirmy and antsy for spring, then jump on board and follow Claus. His photos are s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g. I love to play in the garden as much as the next, but when I look at his photos, and peruse his blog, he makes me want to grow these fascinating specimens myself, as he does. There is truly a science behind the growth of a plant; watching these beauties take shape, and admiring the vibrance of colour from one to the next. When I look through his blog, and absorb every bit of information he puts forth, he reminds me more and more of a male Martha Stewart. Their beautiful estates are similar, their disposition, their love for the plant, and their plethora of knowledge that I will never tire of. I dream, one day, to be as fortunate as both of them, to be able to grow and enjoy ALL of these beauties throughout the year.

Gloster Outdoor Furniture

Grid Collection

Grid Collection

Maze Collection

Maze Collection

Maze Collection

Cloud Collection

Dansk Collection

Bells Collection

Bells Collection

Bells Collection

Dansk Collection

One of the most premium lines of outdoor furniture, Gloster continues to amaze me with their creative and quality product lines. They create heirloom furniture using teak, stainless steel, aluminum, and synthetic fiber and upholstery. Teak is one of the best materials for outdoor applications as it has a tight grain and high oil content which is very resistant to the elements. Gloster’s furniture lines are very appealing to me as they offer that high end look that my customer’s are looking for. You sit in a Gloster chair and you can feel the quality underneath you. The teak is so smooth it almost feels fabricated.

Another popular material that Gloster uses is their woven, man made fibre. It is tear resistant, UV resistant and weather resistant.  This furniture can be left outside year round and is able to withstand temp’s from -20 celsius to +55 celsius. As a bonus, it is also resistant to chlorine, salt water, and tanning lotions and oils.

I have only highlighted a few of their product lines, so do be sure to check out Gloster’s full collection here and start planning your landscape around your new furniture 🙂

Fire Pits by Paloform

Ok, my ideal fire is always real wood. Always. Nothing beats the smell of a real fire burning. But with it come a few headaches. You have to find the wood. You have to chop the wood, hopefully without chopping off your digits at the same time. And you have to build the fire itself. Not everyone is able, or even wants to do this. And you need the perfect location of course. So when my clients ask me to include a fire pit in their design, a real fire isn’t always feasible. Most of us live within the city limits, and most cities are unwilling to allow you to have a real fire in your backyard. So what is the alternative? The mention of a gas fire pit isn’t always received well. “Its just not the same thing.”

However, when I show them the options and possibilities for a gas unit, they are pleasantly surprised when I show them Paloform. Crafted right here in Toronto, they make each piece made to order for each and every client. They have 8 different units to choose from, in various colours and finishes, and they top their fire pits with honed basalt river rock or lava rock. You can choose from either propane or natural gas, and are supplied complete…all you need is a fuel source. Their burner systems are designed and manufactured in-house and ETL listed, certified to CSA and ANSI standards for the U.S. and Canada and have CE certification under the Gas Appliance Directive 2009/142/EC for Europe.

So for the fire snob out there like me, you may be convinced. These are beautiful units. I, myself would love to have one of these in my own backyard. A flick of a switch and you’re ready to go. No mess, no campfire smell, and all 10 fingers in tact.

Ken Gangbar

Pottery at a whole new level. Artist Ken Gangbar creates art installations and sculptures that “feature organic shapes arranged in nature inspired patterns” (Stacy Lee Kong, House & Home p. 46). Take each piece for what you will….nuts or cones in the grass, petals floating to the ground, fungus growing on a tree, birds in flight, waves of water, or dandelions blowing in the wind. I could just sit and stare at each piece for hours.

An artist who dabbled in pottery, even from a young age, found his mark after taking different courses in school and experimenting with pottery. “We are inspired by the cyclical patterns and intricate compositions of the natural world. We thrive on spontaneity, and the spirit of experimentation made possible by fearlessness. We strive to emulate the abstract found in the organic.” (Ken Gangbar, Website)

I always admire the process of art…how you can create a shape or an object, a certain brush stroke, and have the vision to turn it into something incredible, like each one of these pieces. Absolutely beautiful.

Borealis by Techo-Bloc

Borealis-Hazelnut Brandy

Borealis-Sauvingnon Oak

Borealis-Smoked Pine

Boy have precast pavers come a long way. The options for achieving a beautiful landscape on a budget are increasing every year. I have many clients tell me, “I don’t want those ugly pavers anymore.” But not many people can afford (or want to afford!) natural flagstone. So thanks to some of these amazing companies out there, like Techo-Bloc, they are creating some really innovative precast (which is just a fancy word for a block-formed concrete product) materials for us to use. This Borealis is one of my favourites….stone made to look like hardwood. You have an option of a 5″ or 10″ wide plank, the colours are modern, and the pattern is incredibly realistic. They even offer a wallstone that looks like those old railway ties. So don’t think that you are stuck with a standard tumbled paver anymore….explore your options and think outside the box.

Flower Constructions

This is some of the most amazing plant art that I have ever seen. The artist, Anne Ten Donkelaar, takes pressing flowers to a whole new level. Instead of gluing flattened, pressed flowers to a page, she preserves the colour and beauty of these flowers, and elevates them on the page using pins. And she uses some of the most unique varieties, so whimsical, so creative. My brain literally hurts just thinking about how tedious this whole exercise must be. To me, you can tell how passionate an artist must be to be able to complete a process such as this. Each an every piece tells some sort of a story, and I love that Anne wants people to make up their own rendition of what they see.

“A damaged butterfly, a broken twig, a bumblebee, some strangely grown weeds: I find all these unique discoveries in my path and then take them home to my studio. Here, I take my time to explore the objects and try to work out how I can show each one to it’s best advantage. My finds inspire me. While looking at them I can invent my own stories about their existence and their lives. By protecting these precious pieces under glass, I give the objects a second life and hope to inspire people to make up their own stories about them.” (Anne Ten Donkelaar)