First day of spring ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCS_6ge2TVdB2xH-_iz2bUHM9RKNs_rmvNJGSoga2qOjxmLFvMdmYa-W7dVdYCJV3TvA2iUS0u3PHN3srX0g_pu-dTzxqz9rIr5FsU45RmK4gqRLH0RFyMOfn59qTNF5fnwY_bEI-LGK/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-19+at+10.44.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegCS_6ge2TVdB2xH-_iz2bUHM9RKNs_rmvNJGSoga2qOjxmLFvMdmYa-W7dVdYCJV3TvA2iUS0u3PHN3srX0g_pu-dTzxqz9rIr5FsU45RmK4gqRLH0RFyMOfn59qTNF5fnwY_bEI-LGK/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-19+at+10.44.50+PM.png" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A snow garden by <a href="http://www.heimlichs.com/">Heimlich</a></i><i><a href="http://www.heimlichs.com/">s Nursery</a> at the</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who else is in denial that winter is not leaving New England without a fight? I think we are all getting a bit tired of posting pretty pictures of snow covered landscapes. Let</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s just pretend that spring will actually start on March 20th as scheduled ...  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fcOP62ImrFSZpla5Zz4BDwHL5Xo0p4GIKlO8PLUkxxKOIKj-4ymqEHQcbWBPh2kcTA9ZXzoVGoI25E4ZaKeIUT9T-EEQiz5LV_1Rrp6kmyfwQx4HGQIYqMLbDPHF4LlEnIju1nq0JCf/s1600/kokedama+at+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_fcOP62ImrFSZpla5Zz4BDwHL5Xo0p4GIKlO8PLUkxxKOIKj-4ymqEHQcbWBPh2kcTA9ZXzoVGoI25E4ZaKeIUT9T-EEQiz5LV_1Rrp6kmyfwQx4HGQIYqMLbDPHF4LlEnIju1nq0JCf/s800/kokedama+at+library.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It felt like spring last week at the Lynnfield Library during the annual Art in Bloom exhibit. As a member of the Village Home and Garden Club, I was asked to interpret a work of art with fresh flowers. My particular inspiration piece was a vibrant cut paper collage titled “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Nicaraguan Volcano</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by Lynnfield high school student Alisha Fodera. I loved her mix of colors: lemon yellow, ocean blue, and emerald green.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The arrangements that I created for the show appeared (by complete chance) to be both submerged and rising out of the library provided cube-stacked pedestal that I draped with a delicate light blue wrap. Yellow tulips and green Bells of Ireland burst boldly from cylinder shaped glass vessels. The centerpiece of the arrangement was a plant form called “</span><span style="font-size: large;">kokedama.</span><span style="font-size: large;">” We were taught how to make these at our last club meeting. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkRdRbZFk9H4MP1UaPcHaRQ5lG1PEI3M9UvyO7gmFdvPbXN_GF_5Y0_cMP-zvztRtbaI7sm3mJchbYwzudj59oK9xtlytm_7Xr8F6gmaR_MvOF48UageM8TGwn8e8xzYz_LaCwsLzrRY/s1600/ingredients+for+kokedama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkRdRbZFk9H4MP1UaPcHaRQ5lG1PEI3M9UvyO7gmFdvPbXN_GF_5Y0_cMP-zvztRtbaI7sm3mJchbYwzudj59oK9xtlytm_7Xr8F6gmaR_MvOF48UageM8TGwn8e8xzYz_LaCwsLzrRY/s800/ingredients+for+kokedama.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plant root systems are wrapped in a clay-based bonsai soil (akadama) then wrapped in moss and bound with twine to create a living container. Typically the </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">moss ball</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> is more rounded, but mine ended up looking more like a triangle, which actually made it an ideal stand-in for the image of the volcano. Thank you, <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/2013/02/moss-balls-not-moth-balls.html">Laura Thomson,</a> for introducing us to this unusual technique which we were told is all over Pinterest these days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXsrOn9eiMZT1BmR8iwJr7U1bxQXdUxF0V-kUlC-YC6DApDnC5TyOK5ENZqSy5-uPZexFF9tW9aR-Sx2Fy3JfF4ONlJHiawEvIEhd_DedK8KOjCvL3PWYV-z90320leXARcG8l5c7EJA/s1600/kokedama+with+bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RXsrOn9eiMZT1BmR8iwJr7U1bxQXdUxF0V-kUlC-YC6DApDnC5TyOK5ENZqSy5-uPZexFF9tW9aR-Sx2Fy3JfF4ONlJHiawEvIEhd_DedK8KOjCvL3PWYV-z90320leXARcG8l5c7EJA/s800/kokedama+with+bulb.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday I attended the Boston Flower and Garden Show and saw kokedamas on display. They were nice and round (although they looked a bit dry – they are watered by either submerging the ball in a dish of water or misting them daily) and inside of each of these was a paperwhite bulb. Kind of a cool idea to create a surprise garden starting with bulbs as opposed to a grown plant like we did (mine is home to traditional ivy).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z3hLXaGfjA2xFXIAl2YgzDCuxLmf_vDd9GTy4knTIj9hVn7xjaOt0ziZb5axc5X2lwTtHuj7LyLjUJKJEUyjqeXF0s-KFfyhrHS6l2eDsmXD095ccyOYsMGitOguuW697ffP9CSTM_CZ/s1600/paperwhites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-z3hLXaGfjA2xFXIAl2YgzDCuxLmf_vDd9GTy4knTIj9hVn7xjaOt0ziZb5axc5X2lwTtHuj7LyLjUJKJEUyjqeXF0s-KFfyhrHS6l2eDsmXD095ccyOYsMGitOguuW697ffP9CSTM_CZ/s800/paperwhites.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>paperwhite bulbs at the Boston Flower and Garden Show</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GG74_htolAJvUgM27TlIDiCrt4s-yhyphenhypheno7IoCpF67470jE3auvzk5nWOjSkzgfFbFhEtR2PUx7hNW8vbLo3G94T2N0HWa-VRTwY_qcdIZcEpObqmeRGIKB5JEaV-Cy-DDr3uoAbe_VdY3/s1600/spring+blooms+Flower+Show+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GG74_htolAJvUgM27TlIDiCrt4s-yhyphenhypheno7IoCpF67470jE3auvzk5nWOjSkzgfFbFhEtR2PUx7hNW8vbLo3G94T2N0HWa-VRTwY_qcdIZcEpObqmeRGIKB5JEaV-Cy-DDr3uoAbe_VdY3/s800/spring+blooms+Flower+Show+13.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>boxwood, daffodils, Jacob’s ladder, ferns, azaleas</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were lots of bulb and woodland gardens at the flower show. These first-up favorites say spring to me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndu5RSuRjx-UtoNXRjiIox09dHoatc07U1hGchwvXMRlizcWVeBaiquaO1iz5iZ4s3b2LipihhSzZVlrNpquqY2sxWTHbfvKys5aFXYWPrkxmfhuGTcE8Ur2yUSm6a5V8rKGs6a-Janl/s1600/captured+garden+at+flower+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGndu5RSuRjx-UtoNXRjiIox09dHoatc07U1hGchwvXMRlizcWVeBaiquaO1iz5iZ4s3b2LipihhSzZVlrNpquqY2sxWTHbfvKys5aFXYWPrkxmfhuGTcE8Ur2yUSm6a5V8rKGs6a-Janl/s800/captured+garden+at+flower+show.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.thecapturedgarden.com/index.htm">vignette by The Captured Garden, Milton, MA</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will be borrowing this idea for my backyard this summer for sure! Vertical containers made out of aluminum air ducts hold twig gardens and sphagnum moss. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Finally a way to make my husband</span><span style="font-size: large;">’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s HVAC supplies look fabulous!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Love it!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYsSuinOXRaUoInzTgPUUwGg5C_1LZh4tPMNsha4mHQRjFPmUuGWz_vNRXbp8QfZezmAm0uCtKKCbe1ek1iQOB71zGJks_ZLaLmyHeRrmKgk9kCz6y26sxRl4QL4eXfkh2ff0Lw2zxA5Z/s1600/shade+garden+flower+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYsSuinOXRaUoInzTgPUUwGg5C_1LZh4tPMNsha4mHQRjFPmUuGWz_vNRXbp8QfZezmAm0uCtKKCbe1ek1iQOB71zGJks_ZLaLmyHeRrmKgk9kCz6y26sxRl4QL4eXfkh2ff0Lw2zxA5Z/s800/shade+garden+flower+show.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>large leaf hostas, curly willow, fern, vinca // <a href="http://www.crystalbrinson.com/">Crystal Brinson</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gardens are more than just plants ... stepping stones and rocks add interest to a predominantly green shade garden at the show.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmEVcbeuEB3_2Eyhvj4xxecLd1J-ZMSfYVrYL5Y6FTtB1AyLUNQNDoZZd-Ilo1btJ-fQs0k4w5goycaafsdjXE1ybtrVXPjfDkAQX_5JgRtvZRdosehIlosdAnyiqxPME3dgv-mK0P_Px/s1600/grass,+moss,+yellow+florals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmEVcbeuEB3_2Eyhvj4xxecLd1J-ZMSfYVrYL5Y6FTtB1AyLUNQNDoZZd-Ilo1btJ-fQs0k4w5goycaafsdjXE1ybtrVXPjfDkAQX_5JgRtvZRdosehIlosdAnyiqxPME3dgv-mK0P_Px/s800/grass,+moss,+yellow+florals.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>forsythia, gerbera daisy, </i><i>Italian ryegrass, </i><i>birch, ivy, </i><i>billy balls</i><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The show had plenty of garden club variety arrangements, too. This was one of my favorite constructions titled “For the Love of the Game – Tennis</span><span style="font-size: large;">” by Andrea Graveline of the Hopkington Garden Club.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It won a blue and red ribbon for creativity and design. Playful!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrdDpnbA1DBN511f1mdqf4vVvXM9xINwfIJudygjTxZoziFfRVygVRHKcyOqoQCICACbtIcZ_QBTvHeSmjHe4wWTZIGNHnzrXSfVivIbbseJMsIQp_JZyS2tdeGBXDnz2icTdzakKZ0vB/s1600/circus+table+@flowershow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrdDpnbA1DBN511f1mdqf4vVvXM9xINwfIJudygjTxZoziFfRVygVRHKcyOqoQCICACbtIcZ_QBTvHeSmjHe4wWTZIGNHnzrXSfVivIbbseJMsIQp_JZyS2tdeGBXDnz2icTdzakKZ0vB/s800/circus+table+@flowershow.JPG" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This birthday party theme table top arrangement was designed by members of the Wareham Garden Club. I could appreciate their explanation: “Life for a six-year old boy can be a piece of cake, but often looks like a circus!” Yeah, I can attest to that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Vqozl7kpxJuQzhGFxFb03OHWTnjzYows31vdxP3AY0IpIhM-XozKcZOdxyo6D4B9fjVcFSNkc-SNJRNsJmth4CkUYzN3aahOQlVNB5YALrsALnjcUWA604SducYHOHGttF2eEtPu2BW/s1600/bamboo+and+moss+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6Vqozl7kpxJuQzhGFxFb03OHWTnjzYows31vdxP3AY0IpIhM-XozKcZOdxyo6D4B9fjVcFSNkc-SNJRNsJmth4CkUYzN3aahOQlVNB5YALrsALnjcUWA604SducYHOHGttF2eEtPu2BW/s800/bamboo+and+moss+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.nelandartisan.com/">New England Land Artisan</a> and <a href="http://www.goshenstone.com/">Goshen Stone Company</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Serenity! If you have trouble growing gardens, why not try starting a collection of moss covered rocks? They are basicaly maintenance-free and verdantly gorgeous, too. And you won’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t find a quicker growing plant to go with them then bamboo. This minimal landscape, artfully arranged, makes gardening look like a simple task.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEC9Wy6npREX0mrVDzri2dCLaSO6mnj58xgqi1RntJMenXPAUaoHBYoAvseIqX4w8LLurn9TzVEiFg4BWCzgBYJxm4iMTTcI_lviFEf9p467VRhH9AjS-xzA71oMdh3DS4iutawWN13VO/s1600/moss+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEC9Wy6npREX0mrVDzri2dCLaSO6mnj58xgqi1RntJMenXPAUaoHBYoAvseIqX4w8LLurn9TzVEiFg4BWCzgBYJxm4iMTTcI_lviFEf9p467VRhH9AjS-xzA71oMdh3DS4iutawWN13VO/s800/moss+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Japanese garden by members of the Newport Flower Show</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you don’t have a lot of room or time, you could start your garden out really small like this Japanese rock garden which was just a few feet across. Sweet. I think I will make one of these in <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-secret-garden-room.html">my patio area.</a> I have plenty of moss, ferns, and pea stone. I love a cost-free plan that isn’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t labor-intensive.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKQNx1-WoII65E0raOV0jG2oLzt0tWc2uEyRAFh8FtAYZbK-1W3n07w_WSxq4S9ruTrjjzQ46a4k_uNTBL_LjTQsledJakgXBVChiaWtCELaXWI3Qx98sVxaaA-SEuWPfRPBxpgA9pC61/s1600/manzanita+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKQNx1-WoII65E0raOV0jG2oLzt0tWc2uEyRAFh8FtAYZbK-1W3n07w_WSxq4S9ruTrjjzQ46a4k_uNTBL_LjTQsledJakgXBVChiaWtCELaXWI3Qx98sVxaaA-SEuWPfRPBxpgA9pC61/s800/manzanita+display.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>design by Hiroko Matsuyama and Keiko Thayer // Ohara School</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am totally into vertical gardens lately. White mitsumata branches are striking in this Ikebana display (Japanese art of flower arranging) when combined with camellia leaves, yellow oncidium orchids and dripping amaranthus caudatus ‘</span><span style="font-size: large;">Rosary.</span><span style="font-size: large;">’ Thankfully names of plants and materials used are posted beside each arrangement!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIVgfr3lcvkJEEUXAEIJ7Y5-vokgCEC0R4iXWcN0bSglViDnui1PdjkCW5j-INO8W6yMJauma5sVs0L2RmRKXABvLjxrjxBDdBa6_8SWMdUtc9FpEvkfu_JL17RehnU11fYayYXHsjyj/s1600/electrical+pipe+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrIVgfr3lcvkJEEUXAEIJ7Y5-vokgCEC0R4iXWcN0bSglViDnui1PdjkCW5j-INO8W6yMJauma5sVs0L2RmRKXABvLjxrjxBDdBa6_8SWMdUtc9FpEvkfu_JL17RehnU11fYayYXHsjyj/s800/electrical+pipe+garden.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.angelarose.org/SculptureGarden.html">Angela Rose</a> and <a href="http://www.lavitabellagardens.com/">La Vita Bella Garden Design and Company</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">More vertical fabulousness. Electrical pipe curls and grows out of a white rocked stream surrounded by dwarf mugo pine and spritely English daisies. This flowing sculpture garden is titled “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Beneath</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and is inspired by the forms and textures found on the ocean floor. Delightful!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrZg2-zGBQCOTAO5fW5S0skgIvcmIyprX4FMf8STuEDas2ddieFyoFskoS1uyY9BDZ3n4fHQXvEvlGwsIOh4fyajEz9UBuhIFTLdN_jVTAI_A1muoBNwAAiz4OKkJcSRK_UkRqBCw1cHQ/s1600/daffodils+@flowershow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrZg2-zGBQCOTAO5fW5S0skgIvcmIyprX4FMf8STuEDas2ddieFyoFskoS1uyY9BDZ3n4fHQXvEvlGwsIOh4fyajEz9UBuhIFTLdN_jVTAI_A1muoBNwAAiz4OKkJcSRK_UkRqBCw1cHQ/s320/daffodils+@flowershow.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year I vow to give my garden the attention it deserves. I have been completely inspired! How about you?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

First day of spring ...

A snow garden by Heimlich s Nursery at the 2013 Boston Flower and Garden Show. Who else is in denial that winter is not leaving New England...

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Winter’s last breath ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9CiCngV6yRceA5XdfTv7s9Fe__JFLsJHyUmJ_ije2TFrfvSUnWMn1CBKkwht-K_aMc1dxBVJe-wUe4BiBjKjYJICsFkOWT5VkO1xFgkv56x46xWBs2Q2-5CssGV7-RVST6lQ8cDH-aom/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.42.42+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are buried under a foot of the white stuff again. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUhxbXf4UbWU_VXcpE7ALnxxRtoa8pNExs6r4BgJLbihLtqm7oJ3GPfzaPmJWPRYBVxdzAMQUXbcH6CTUrEqpKNvhr3tlQPzOOA34Y2JkoMh451HVJsxdGOHbsyuqUyalX94pZVJM0M7s/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+3.52.23+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">While a monochromatic canvas exists outside my window, my thoughts drift to colorful bouquets and flower shows ... </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Spring on my mind ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />On Monday night, the annual <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/events/art-in-bloom-at-the-lynnfield-library">Art in Bloom</a> exhibit at the Lynnfield Library will be opening. I am hoping to find some pretty spring-like blossoms this weekend to use in my floral interpretation of a local high school student’s artwork. Last year was the first time our garden club opened up the show to student artists. The collaboration was really inspiring and brought a youthful energy to the exhibit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This year we have even more students participating. I promise to share some favorite photos after the event.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQST9X6J_1exAZjqP9qeB9gVBj-U_tCg1J0KAJfT4ntwAKG7jl3arTuxWBSxfEyp1sFMDncJ4WsX7rwxfa0Fgi7Tpvdok8MdcNGe7DNn163whRDZdlyBiBw9XzG6DUijpHVTMf94i0utV/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.22.56+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“Pastorale” by Beth Aaronson // floral arrangement by Bootie Stevens</i><br /><i><a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/03/art-in-bloom-2012.html">View Art in Bloom 2012 here</a></i></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you are in town, stop by the library between 7:30 – 9 pm to join us for the opening night reception with the artists and members of the <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/articles/the-village-home-and-garden-club-builds-on-historic-roots">Village Home and Garden Club.</a> Refreshments will be served and there will be some raffle prizes. Last year someone took home a gorgeous tree from <a href="http://www.northeastnursery.com/">Northeast Nursery</a> to plant in their yard. Art in Bloom is open to the public through Friday, March 15th.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxit25-JZvF_1kCx6jRtBweqM1iKqWk2Hugv-13Xbj9Uc68iai5ZyZM75dIUW8uAm7ecn22wydsXrO2BlBldAwdoKEICM0xEgLs25x0JU5ZdRBDKSeIm49bVdKtiLqVe6HlCANMq0tgdhL/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.08.28+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i><br /><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">Stone gate and garden by New England Land Artisan of Stratham, NH </a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/19">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a> </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">The ultimate interior landscape ...</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I just realized that the <a href="http://www.bostonflowershow.com/">Boston Flower and Garden Show</a> opens next week and runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Seaport World Trade Center. I hope I can make it over there before it ends. Like many of my New England neighbors, I am in serious need of brightly-hued flowers, warm sunshine, and the smell of fragrant blossoms to beckon me back outdoors.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1URE0gX79DBYkgD67DsXpBkk46Xn5eayiVy3kpui7T8wlp4tb2itYrLKoHJjf4Rh546HtRG_wdp2pfkKgWAWVY_ksU7qMImNroB2aKvWlCy-4Jrsu-knGsGdBoq_HkY8Q5FxWl5NoUv3/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.07.50+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Boston Flower and Garden Show 2011</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">New England Arts and Flowers of Walpole, MA</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef2-april.may2011/11">featured in New England Finery, April 2011</a></i></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzpkYdNMr9AgRn1V6kEMD4dHMxJQHUpAEZJwUfyKQk7N4igpMwQRsV9jUn2hFBip2NmH72_vBSbpocMiOitwov_O2NZXiV6boYcHiYBq6BTTC4n8iNeYe62f5QpggLP3EZcVqgEcU_Uab/s800/Screen+shot+2013-03-08+at+5.51.18+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">Suzani Design Rug, Hand-Knotted in Pakistan</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Suzani-Ikat-Rug&pic=45&max=68">available at Landry and Arcari</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fabulous florals in silk and wool ...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The final seminar in the <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/passport">Boston Home Magazine Passport to Design</a> series was rescheduled to Thursday, March 14th (canceled from its original night on the 7th because of you guessed it, another snowstorm). I will be at the Landry and Arcari showroom in Salem, MA from 6 to 8pm with my peeps from <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> and the rest of the Passport to Design team members. Registered guests will learn how to select fine carpets to decorate their homes. If you would like to attend, please email contact@landryandarcari.com to get your name on the list. This will be the final opportunity</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to enter to win the $20,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes, which could easily outfit any home with a fresh new look for spring.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

Winter’s last breath ...

The snapshot above was taken last Sunday. I was so excited to see these crocuses making their way out of their frozen slumber! Today we are ...

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Design tip: add orange

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ-Sn3AWbjmSU3QeBXW_Wtc-jiuPTIYIqdHpKPCDlC_eSjcb59iv-jzycWicjEZG3JdhhQKld0mrobSV8LbiOW9lFOADTVgrgTSZ-vO6JYDxHN7lAA8p6-uvdyHiHPijUvV-I7GQZmAj2/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ-Sn3AWbjmSU3QeBXW_Wtc-jiuPTIYIqdHpKPCDlC_eSjcb59iv-jzycWicjEZG3JdhhQKld0mrobSV8LbiOW9lFOADTVgrgTSZ-vO6JYDxHN7lAA8p6-uvdyHiHPijUvV-I7GQZmAj2/s800/IMG_2051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: Laura Thomson</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In case you were unable to attend the <a href="http://www.bostonflowershow.com/">Boston Flower and Garden Show</a> in Boston last week, my friend Laura Thomson who blogs at Designing44 posted some of <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/2012/03/boston-flower-show.html">her favorite takeaway tips</a>. Stop by her blog for a tour!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br />

Design tip: add orange

Photo credit: Laura Thomson In case you were unable to attend the Boston Flower and Garden Show in Boston last week, my friend Laura Thomso...

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Tips on Container Gardening

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxDBhJtpKrlomYl9trvrfpt0vvoFHJ5swDac2CvivKxZt9xPjNpGTCma1rNhURiAMUxAo6ExzVaPDDlRzQ43_RvylV2n3XZ_c3m8CvVdtyX7NdSYNf_onCKytgIQ0v0nu0jCPwrbAIr8u/s1600/hugecontainerBFSsm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589509930674459986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxDBhJtpKrlomYl9trvrfpt0vvoFHJ5swDac2CvivKxZt9xPjNpGTCma1rNhURiAMUxAo6ExzVaPDDlRzQ43_RvylV2n3XZ_c3m8CvVdtyX7NdSYNf_onCKytgIQ0v0nu0jCPwrbAIr8u/s400/hugecontainerBFSsm.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Flower & Garden Show, 2011</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">New England is finally warming up, and now is a great time to start planning for our summer landscapes. A good place to start is with a collection of containers, which when combined, create an above ground garden! Visit <a href="http://lynnfield.patch.com/articles/design-forecast-container-gardening">my latest post at Lynnfield Patch</a> to get some professional tips on putting together a container garden of your own. </span>

Tips on Container Gardening

Boston Flower & Garden Show, 2011 New England is finally warming up, and now is a great time to start planning for our summer landscapes...

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