Nature's Classroom

The recent trip to Silver Falls was supposed to be about exercise and breathing fresh air, getting "FIT" or at least working towards it. It didn't take long though for our revved-up hike to devolve into a lengthy photo shoot. Two of my three daughters, each equipped with their own [much fancier] camera, me with my point-and-shoot and a very patient hubby, trudged along and snapped away.

I got to thinking about how we design our gardens.

We want clearly defined pathways with lush borders.

We'll install a nice water feature.

With several vantage points.

With a diverse riparian planting scheme.

We'll plan for focal points, both large...

And small.

We'll be aware of our microclimate and take advantage of our sense of place and growing conditions...

And use plants that thrive in these conditions.

Never discounting the luster of GREEN...

The beauty of foliage...

And the quiet allure of serendipity.

 We'll celebrate the garden's own symbiosis...

 And the small part we play in its many seasons of success.

If we're feeling particularly adventurous, we'll take on a particular theme. Such as growing large-leaved plants.

Or plants with juxtaposing architectures. 

We'll relegate a certain area to one specific type of plant and call it a "fernery," for example.

Make good use of succulents.

Grow spiky, dangerous plants.

And perhaps if we've read up on the subject, we'll create a living wall.

I want to thank you all for being so generous with your accolades on my publishing success. It is so much appreciated. To each of you, a big hug!