Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/05/01 | 2 Comments »
An easy care combination for a damp, part-shade woodland area that incorporates natives:
Primula japonica ‘Miller’s Crimson’, Carex elata ‘Aurea’, Oxalis oregana (native) and Polystichum munitum (native). The plants are still young,however in a few years when the sorrel fills in, the ferns are larger and the Primula has naturalized, this will be a lovely woodland planting.
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/04/25 | 3 Comments »
A very big thanks! to Sunset magazine for including a Bliss design in the April 2013 issue.
Always an honor to be in my favorite magazine! For more details about this garden, please see Shaded Creek.
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/04/23 | 4 Comments »
Came across this fellow while doing field research on native riparian grasses at a local pond. He was well camouflaged in the dormant cattails. I think my spring garden season stress level dropped 3 notches just watching his silent and purposeful Tai Chi moves…
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/04/04 | 1 Comment »
I’ve already pre-ordered my copy of the about to be released retrospective of Bernard Trainor’s work: Landprints The Landscape Designs of Bernard Trainor. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I have been following Bernard Trainor’s work for the past five years and never cease to be amazed at just how pitch perfect his touch is. Combining the clean lines of modern hardscape with gorgeous naturalistic & native plantings creates the perfect dynamic between wild and subdued. Emulating nature “naturally” is actually not easy to do – you not only need to be a superior plantsman and observant naturalist, you have to distill this down to a program that will work in a residential garden. Hats off to this amazing artist and do check out his book – due out mid-April.
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/03/11 | Leave a Comment »
If you are a home and garden addict and have not discovered Houzz yet, by all means check out this site. Its like an endless magazine with sumptuous photography that is well organized. A place for architects and designers to share their work, it allows you to create “ideabooks” of photographs for everything house. I’ve found it to be a wonderful tool to share my recent work and to be inspired by the talent of other designers. The tablet version is particularly wonderful for cuddling up in your favorite spot and flipping through images. A perfect way to get ready for spring!
The site and a link to my work:
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/02/21 | Leave a Comment »
It’s here again. Signaling spring for the NW. No, not the daffodils about to bloom – the NW Flower and Garden show. You walk in the door and immediately are hit by the scent of early spring followed by masses of eager gardeners drinking it in. As always, the displays were more about putting on a show and less about gardening, but I do marvel at the amount of work that goes into each one. Plantswoman Design’s garden caught my eye. A more naturalistic layout featuring masses of the wonderfully versatile grass Sesleria autumnalis. One of my favorite grasses to design with, yet so hard to find from local wholesale growers (hint hint).
This is a GREAT evergreen grass for creating a meadow effect. Granny apple green blades and dark inflorescence – what is not to like? Intersperse masses of Sesleria with a few naturalistic perennials like Achillea ‘Terracotta’, Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, and throw in some early bulbs such as daffodils and you have a smart looking meadow that also happens to be deer resistant (here at least). Sesleria also combines well with Nassella tenuissima and Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’ for a more textural meadow effect.
Though I enjoyed seeing the grasses used, my favorite part of the show was Ravenna Gardens petite display in the breezeway. I always prefer these displays to their showier sisters…perhaps its the size or maybe the natural light. I’ve never been too excited about the Vegas lighting in the main room. They had a lovely layout with just enough show without breaking into campiness. I especially admired the fabulous ribbed galvanized (or perhaps zinc?) containers which are available at their shop (I inquired).
The seminars are always well worth the time and I managed to catch Billy Goodnick and Susan Cohan on Wednesday. If you go, be sure to catch at least one seminar.
Even though I always walk out a bit overwhelmed, I would never miss the F&G show…it’s a tradition that kicks off spring.
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/01/23 | 2 Comments »
In the non-plant world, its rare for me to see something I absolutely must have. I try to keep my consumption down and can talk myself out of just about anything. In the case of Esther Studios Pottery, my will is no match for these gorgeous handmade pieces that hit all the right notes. I first noticed the pottery in a newsletter from Flora Grubb Gardens. Then I happened to be on Potted’s site (another artisanal garden boutique), and there it was again! It is meant to be, I rationalized. I hunted down a local supplier – Dig Nursery on Vashon. I’ll be island hopping in the near future (actually a long drive to a short ferry ride) to bring one of these home. This is the Big Sur line – check out www.estherstudios.com to see their other beautiful work.
Photo courtesy of Esther Studios Pottery
Photo courtesy of Esther Studios Pottery
Posted in Uncategorized on 2013/01/19 | 4 Comments »
Since my last post was far too many words vs photos, here is a photo post. I’m all about the photos right now as I curate hundreds of shots selecting ones for a new Bliss Garden Design website we are building. I love the current Flash built Bliss site, but Flash is not a mobile friendly platform and times do march on. We’ve got tons of work to do, but hope to launch a new site in spring that will finally be smartphone and tablet friendly (yay!). In the meantime, I’ll post a few favorite pictures of gardens I have designed as I go down memory lane…
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged peonies on 2012/06/21 | 1 Comment »
If you know me or my work, you’d probably be surprised that my favorite flower is the peony. Often dripping in pink confection, in some ways the peony is as fussy as it gets. It reminds me of an over the top, ruffly wedding dress or layers of rich and delicious icing. Yet in other ways, it is quite modern. The intricate and soft petals are like layers of delicate tissue paper, yet the arrangement is so orderly. To me it is the essence of a flower, and I cannot pass one by without burying my nose. A tough plant that only asks lots of sun, fabulous drainage and some help holding up those heavy blooms, it is hard to resist adding a few to the garden. While electric pink may be my least favorite color in anything except bubble gum, I can’t help but fall for these flowers.
Posted in Uncategorized on 2012/06/14 | 2 Comments »
I am always on the look out for easy care plant combinations that pair well. Two plants that I love for their sunny climate looks are Nassella tenuissima and Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’. The fluid blonde grass contrasts well with the upright black stems and rich violet blooms of the salvia. Deer will leave this combination alone, but beware – slugs love salvia. For full sun only and well drained soil. Keep in mind that Nassella or Mexican Feather Grass is invasive in many regions including California. 
