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Succulents Explained: How to Identify and Grow Graptos

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If only we could identify our particular succulents, we’d know how to keep our little friends happy—no more droopy, shriveled leaves, yellowing stems, or threats of sudden death. At least that’s the theory.

This is the third installment of our Succulents Explained series (you can identify Kalanchoes and Sedums and Crassulas and Sempervivums with tips from our previous posts). We’re focusing on Graptosedums and Graptoverias today (hereafter: Graptos) because these hybrid succulents, which result from crosses between cousins, are everywhere we turn these days. At the plant nursery the other day there were so many that the Graptos were grabbing my pants legs and begging, “Please, miss, can’t you take me home?”

So … why are there so many Graptosedum and Graptoveria cultivars, how do you know if your succulent is one, and are Graptos the succulents for you? Keep reading to find out.

Photography by Mimi Giboin.

Graptoverias

Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’.
Above: Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’.

First, what is a succulent? We’ve covered this before, so a summary: “Succulent” is an adjective that describes a plant’s characteristics, not its formal botanical name. There’s no single plant family (or genus, or species) called succulents. Instead, there are thousands of kinds of succulent plants with similar physical characteristics: pillowy leaves where they store their own water supply, thick stems, and swollen roots.

In the world of succulents, plants get hybridized frequently. Breeders are always crossing one succulent with another to try to come up with a super offspring that embodies the best characteristics of its parents. Plants that belong to the succulent family known as Graptopetalum, with colorful rosette shapes, are frequently crossed with compact Sedums or waxy Echeverias with the intent to emphasize the best features of both.

In the Graptoveria cross shown above, for example, you can see its parents in its shape (rosette), leaf structure (pointed), and color (ghostly gray-blue).

Sedums

Sedums to grow indoors or out include (clockwise from left:) Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Pork and Beans’; non-red-tinged Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Pork and Beans’; Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’; Sedum ‘Lime Gold’; and Stonecrop ‘Golden Glow’.
Above: Sedums to grow indoors or out include (clockwise from left:) Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Pork and Beans’; non-red-tinged Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Pork and Beans’; Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’; Sedum ‘Lime Gold’; and Stonecrop ‘Golden Glow’.

Sedums never get woody stems, are perennial, and produce diminutive flowers with five petals. The main reason to cross these low-growing, hardy succulents with Graptopetalums is to create attractive, compact perennial ground covers.

Graptosedums

Three hybrids talk things over; (from left:) Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’, Graptosedum ‘Ghostly’, and Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’.
Above: Three hybrids talk things over; (from left:) Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’, Graptosedum ‘Ghostly’, and Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’.

The hybrids have more interesting shapes, colors, and textures than their parents. I think this is what we all want for our children, by the way.

Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ is a favorite edging and ground cover plant because of its handsome, burgundy colored leaves.
Above: Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ is a favorite edging and ground cover plant because of its handsome, burgundy colored leaves.
Graptosedum ‘Ghostly’ has an eerie, Casper the Ghost coloration that plays well against grays, blues, and purples in a garden bed.
Above: Graptosedum ‘Ghostly’ has an eerie, Casper the Ghost coloration that plays well against grays, blues, and purples in a garden bed.

So, are Graptos for you? In general, they will perform better outdoors in the garden than indoors as houseplants (this is true of most succulents with blue-gray or purple leaves). If you can offer them sandy soil, bright, indirect sunlight, and the promise of good drainage, they will spread quickly to create plush perennials mats in garden beds.

If, however, you’re looking for a houseplant, these may not be the best succulents for you. To choose the best indoor succulents, see our earlier posts,  9 Secrets to Growing Succulent Plants Indoors and Succulents: 8 Tips to Help Your Favorite Indoor Plants Survive Winter.

See more growing tips in our curated guides to our favorite Succulents & Cacti 101, including Aloes, Agaves, and Aeoniums.


Current Obsessions: In Full Color

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Among the things we’re noting this week: the return of a favorite magazine, two spring must-reads, and more.

An artful arrangement spotted at Scribe Winery in the foothills of Sonoma during our visit there a few months back. (For our tour of the winery kitchen, see Kitchen of the Week: A Hacienda Kitchen in Sonoma’s Hippest Winery.)
Above: An artful arrangement spotted at Scribe Winery in the foothills of Sonoma during our visit there a few months back. (For our tour of the winery kitchen, see Kitchen of the Week: A Hacienda Kitchen in Sonoma’s Hippest Winery.)

Recently in Current Obsessions:

Gardening 101: Poppy Anemone

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Poppy Anemone, A. coronaria: “Lilies of the Field”

Of the more than 100 species of perennial anemones, the colorful poppy anemone is one you are likely to see in spring gardens (and to covet for yours). With its large, velvety petals and wide range of colors, Anemone coronaria flowers also find their way frequently into florists’ refrigerator cases and bridal bouquets. But be warned: This charming cut flower has a short vase life (from three to five days, on average).

Are poppy anemones the right flowers to grow in your garden (or your container garden)? Read on.

Photography by Christin Geall.

Anemone coronaria ranges in color from white, to purple, to magenta and red. The plant’s fine deep green foliage lays low as the flowers emerge.
Above: Anemone coronaria ranges in color from white, to purple, to magenta and red. The plant’s fine deep green foliage lays low as the flowers emerge.

A favorite since ancient times, anemones were made mythic by the ancient Greeks (the scarlet red flower symbolized the blood of Adonis, Aphrodite’s lost love) and their habitat extends throughout Mediterranean climates. Botanists and Bible scholars have long debated whether the New Testament’s injunction to consider the carefree nature of “the lilies of the field” referred to poppy anemones rather than to lilies.

Anemones are best known today as a large group of plants grown for decorative purposes. The species A. coronaria (‘corona’ refers to the crownlike arrangement of the stamens), is grown as a cut flower, seen most commonly in its black-centered purple, red, or white form. It’s available in single, double, and semi-double forms.

Easily grown, the tiny corm-like tubers of A. coronaria can be planted in the fall (in warm climates) and in spring (in colder regions). They are hardy to USDA growing zone 7 in light soils.

Anemones send up many stems at once, each flower gradually unfurling before opening to the sun.
Above: Anemones send up many stems at once, each flower gradually unfurling before opening to the sun.

Cheat Sheet

  • To grow poppy anemones, soak dried tubers until they become plump (this may take a day). Keep the water running at a drip, to provide oxygen.
  • For container plants, place the tubers directly into deep pots filled with loamy soil. To grow poppy anemones out in the garden, keep them cool (about 40 degrees Fahrenheit) in a tray of damp coir until they sprout. This could take upwards of two weeks.
A pre-spouted anemone tuber is ready to plant in the garden.
Above: A pre-spouted anemone tuber is ready to plant in the garden.
  • After poppy anemones sprout, choose a sunny site in the garden with light fertile soil, amended with a balanced organic fertilizer. A. coronaria likes free draining soil, so avoid wet ground.
  • A. coronaria produces a tasteful rosette of deeply cut leaves before sending up flowers. Snip flowers at the base of their stems and the plant will deliver numerous blooms.
  • On arid hillsides where they grow wild, anemones go dormant after blooming when the weather heats up. If you live in USDA zones 7 or warmer, the tubers can overwinter in the ground. (I lift mine in the Pacific Northwest in midsummer after the foliage has browned off, hang the tubers in mesh bags to dry, and pre-spout them again in the fall for winter planting under cover. Occasionally I miss a few in my garden beds and they re-sprout in January of their own accord.)
An Anemone coronaria flower is ready to be picked. Notice how the sepals have formed an open ‘ruff’ around the flower.
Above: An Anemone coronaria flower is ready to be picked. Notice how the sepals have formed an open ‘ruff’ around the flower.

Keep It Alive

  • Nurseries carry plants in spring. These can be popped right into a sunny location in the garden or planted into a pot.
  • To harvest, cut the stems from the base of the plant when the green “ruff” of sepals surrounding the flower is at least 1/4 inch from the base of the bloom. (You also can cut anemones after the flowers are open, but they won’t last quite as long).
  • Support the stems of anemones in a tall vase while they open and treat them as you would any cut flower: keep them out of direct light and change the water often to discourage the buildup of bacteria.
Try harmonizing the dark centers of anemones with matte black or plum-colored foliage and flowers such as heucheras, Sambucus nigra, and Fritillaria persica.
Above: Try harmonizing the dark centers of anemones with matte black or plum-colored foliage and flowers such as heucheras, Sambucus nigra, and Fritillaria persica.

N.B.: For more about spring flowers, our Garden Design 101 guides, including our primer on Bulbs & Tubers 101, can help answer your questions:

Plant-Based Diet: How to Grow 5 Delicious Foods You Never Find in Shops

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“I wish we’d stop growing potatoes, carrots, and onions,” says Mark Diacono. “Life is too short to grow unremarkable food.”

Welcome to Throwback Sundays: Readers’ Favorite Posts from the Past.

Diacono, award-winning blogger, author, and photographer (and head gardener at River Cottage HQ), says: Don’t grow things because you think you should: Instead make a wish list of “un-buyables.”

Vegetables and fruit that are no trouble to grow—but almost impossible to find in the shops—are just as easy as growing something dull. Take quince, for instance.

Photography by Mark Diacono, except where noted.

Quince

Quince, like all top fruit, is double value, performing early and late with its spring blossom, followed later by evocative and picturesque fruit.
Above: Quince, like all top fruit, is double value, performing early and late with its spring blossom, followed later by evocative and picturesque fruit.

A three- to four-foot-tall Jumbo Quince Tree is $19.95 from Willis Orchards.

Consumer demand for quince is relatively low, so those that want it can’t find it in shops. Grow your own and give away extra fruit (though it is unlikely that you will have a glut).

Salsify

Salsify. Lovelier looking above ground than below, but below is where the unique flavor is stored. Heritage fruits and vegetables are sometimes criticized for their comparatively low yields. But do you really need to harvest vast quantities? Choose flavor over yield, says Mark Diacono.
Above: Salsify. Lovelier looking above ground than below, but below is where the unique flavor is stored. Heritage fruits and vegetables are sometimes criticized for their comparatively low yields. But do you really need to harvest vast quantities? Choose flavor over yield, says Mark Diacono.

A packet of Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify Seeds is $1.85 from Victory Seeds.

Wineberries

Japanese wineberries. We buy more vegetable seeds than those of flowers in the UK and enjoy the idea of circumventing the supermarket to put our own food on the table. But has the practice of growing our own made us any wiser? There are still plenty of things out there which we have never even heard of, but which are perfectly able to grow.
Above: Japanese wineberries. We buy more vegetable seeds than those of flowers in the UK and enjoy the idea of circumventing the supermarket to put our own food on the table. But has the practice of growing our own made us any wiser? There are still plenty of things out there which we have never even heard of, but which are perfectly able to grow.

Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) plant is $13 from Fruitgarden via Etsy.

“Japanese wineberry has wonderful fruit that arrives in the lull between summer and autumn raspberries,” says Diacono, who sells all kinds of recherché edible plants at his nursery. “It is deeper-flavored than raspberries and more wine-y; hence the name. The canes are covered in deep pink hairs: very beautiful, especially in autumn and winter.” The Japanese wineberry also makes an informal boundary or hedge.

Alpine Strawberries

Alpine strawberry, filed under Easy. Some would say too easy as alpine strawberry plants run amok among the flower beds. And yet, they are sought after by chefs and restaurateurs, served up as an un-buyable delicacy.
Above: Alpine strawberry, filed under Easy. Some would say too easy as alpine strawberry plants run amok among the flower beds. And yet, they are sought after by chefs and restaurateurs, served up as an un-buyable delicacy.

A potted Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) plant is $10 from The Shop at Monticello.

Freckles Lettuce

Rows of Freckles lettuce. Salad leaves come under the category of “you can never have enough,” shared with peas, parsley and, arguably, all soft fruit. Autumn raspberries come along to cheer us up after we’ve said goodbye to the too-short summer raspberry season. These can be expensive and their autumn counterparts are simply not for sale, at any price. Photograph by Kendra Wilson.
Above: Rows of Freckles lettuce. Salad leaves come under the category of “you can never have enough,” shared with peas, parsley and, arguably, all soft fruit. Autumn raspberries come along to cheer us up after we’ve said goodbye to the too-short summer raspberry season. These can be expensive and their autumn counterparts are simply not for sale, at any price. Photograph by Kendra Wilson.

A packet of Freckles Lettuce Seed is $2.75 from Organic Seeds.

Wondering what other delicious things you ought to be growing? See our guide to Edible Gardens Design 101 and our Edible Plants 101 growing guides, including spring garden favorites Arugula, Peas, and Lettuces.

Pros and Cons: Artificial Grass Versus a Live Lawn

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Artificial grass has been gaining ground—and a reputation for being eco-friendly because it doesn’t need water, fertilizer, or to be mowed. Plus, the newest generation of artificial grass often looks good enough to fool us into thinking it’s real.

But have we been too quick to extol the virtues of artificial grass? After Michelle included it on a list of 13 Landscape Design Ideas to Steal in 2015, some readers revolted: “It might be better to grow something, rather than smother the living soil beneath it,” Susan Krzywicki wrote. Another reader pointed out, “Artificial turf is extremely hot. Ask any child who plays soccer in the DC. region. On a bad day, the turf can burn through your cleats.”

Our readers got us thinking. Does artificial grass offer salvation to drought-prone climates—or it is one of those inventions that will eventually end up in the too-good-to-be-true file? Here’s a close look at the pros and cons of live lawns versus artificial turf.

Where do you stand on this issue? Tell us in the comments section below.

Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
Above: Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.

Our London editor Christine Hanway’s backyard has lush green grass—real or fake? Read on to find out. But first, the backstory.

Turf Grass Lawns: Drawbacks

If you have live grass, a Brass Turned Sprinkler will spray water into the air in a circular pattern, “for those parts of your garden where a rather narrow, but precision-adjustable sprinkling water radius is required,” notes Germany-based home and garden shop Manufactum. It is €68 (approximately $75 US).
Above: If you have live grass, a Brass Turned Sprinkler will spray water into the air in a circular pattern, “for those parts of your garden where a rather narrow, but precision-adjustable sprinkling water radius is required,” notes Germany-based home and garden shop Manufactum. It is €68 (approximately $75 US).
Velvety green lawns come at a cost to the environment. They account for one-third of all residential water use and pose an environmental disaster in dry climates. Our efforts to maintain lawns–mowing, blowing, and trimming with gas- and electric-powered tools–create air pollution that far outstrips the oxygen-producing benefits of grass. If you use fertilizers on grass, the chemicals pollute the groundwater.

The issues surrounding the environmental impact of real turf have caused some municipalities to restrict the size of lawns in new projects. For instance  in Mill Valley, CA regulations allow only 500 square feet of real grass for a new home or major remodel. Will we soon have grass police?

Turf Grass Lawns: Benefits

An aerial view of Christine Hanway’s London garden. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
Above: An aerial view of Christine Hanway’s London garden. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.

“A lawn is a beautiful, emotional thing, like a pool, and it has an emotional value. It makes a garden look beautiful and serene,” says environmental crusader Sally Dominguez, who invented the Rainwater Hog rainwater catchment tank.

A transplant from drought-plagued Australia, architect Dominguez says, “Don’t give up your lawn. My take on it is this: When we moved here from Australia, we went to a house for a cocktail party and saw this lush lawn. My kids and I couldn’t believe it. It looked so rich and inviting, we all immediately took off our shoes and walked in it.”

Rather than get rid of real lawns, Dominguez recommends recycled laundry and shower water–known as graywater–to water our lawns. If you stick with organic fertilizers and can tolerate a less-than-perfectly-green lawn, you don’t have to feel guilty about having a patch of real turf, she says.

Photograph courtesy of Rainwater Hog.
Above: Photograph courtesy of Rainwater Hog.

For more of Dominguez’s tips, see Ask the Expert: 7 Ways to Save Water in the Garden, from a Graywater Crusader.

Artificial Grass: Benefits

A true outdoor carpet, artificial grass directly addresses the primary environmental concerns of real turf. It requires no watering, no mowing, and no feeding. Some manufacturers use recycled materials, such as old tires or plastic bottles. And, while expensive, the life expectancy of artificial turf can be upwards of 25 years, making it a less costly alternative to real turf over its life span. For a crash course in artificial turf, see Hardscaping 101: Artificial Grass.

Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
Above: Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.

We can’t ignore the aesthetic value of synthetic turf. Available in an array of blade lengths, colors, and textures (including variegated strands), the new generation of synthetic grass can fool most.

A lawn of artificial grass in SF-based architect Barbara Chambers’s garden. Photograph by Liesa Johannssen for Gardenista.
Above: A lawn of artificial grass in SF-based architect Barbara Chambers’s garden. Photograph by Liesa Johannssen for Gardenista.

“I would never had thought I would be a fan of fake anything, but I’m sold,” Chambers says. For more of her garden, see Architect Visit: Barbara Chambers at Home in Mill Valley.

“I love my artificial grass. They have come a long way with the design, texture, and color,” Chambers says, “There is no way you can tell my lawn is fake unless I confess.”

How has the synthetic grass fared in Chambers garden? “I’ve had my artificial grass for almost two years, and it still looks like new—no maintenance, no fuss, no gophers, and no water,” she says. “While the cost was very high to install, I’m certain it’s paid for itself by now. Best of all, it looks amazing all the time.”

In Brooklyn homeowner Rony Vardi’s backyard has a lawn of artificial turf. “It’s the greatest,” says Vardi. “Five kids play here, it drains well, we have fewer mosquitoes, and no one has to mow.” Read more at Brooklyn Makeover: A Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret on Remodelista. Photograph by Pia Ulin, courtesy of Bangia Agostinho Architecture.
Above: In Brooklyn homeowner Rony Vardi’s backyard has a lawn of artificial turf. “It’s the greatest,” says Vardi. “Five kids play here, it drains well, we have fewer mosquitoes, and no one has to mow.” Read more at Brooklyn Makeover: A Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret on Remodelista. Photograph by Pia Ulin, courtesy of Bangia Agostinho Architecture.

Artificial Grass: Drawbacks

While synthetic grass may look and feel like the real thing some simply can’t get past the fact that it’s plastic. It is hailed for its water-saving benefits, but artificial turf has its own environmental drawbacks. It is a petroleum-based product that creates pollution and waste in the manufacturing process. And, while it is often made partially with recycled materials, it is not biodegradable. After a long life of from 15 to 25 years, it will, ultimately, end up in a landfill.

Critics point to synthetic turf as an environmental heater. It absorbs heat and feel hot to the touch in direct sun. Pet owners give synthetic grass a mixed review. It does not absorb animal waste (but is permeable so liquids pass through to the ground underneath).

Lawn Alternatives

Nonplastic alternatives to real turf that will stand up to heavy foot traffic and offer soft landing for kids’ play areas include: wood mulch (sometimes called “playground chips”), ground covers that require little water and maintenance (see Fields of Green: 5 Favorite Lawn Substitutes), and decomposed granite (see Low-Cost Luxury: 9 Ways to Use Decomposed Granite in a Landscape).

Christine’s backyard terrace is carpeted with artificial grass, a surface that stands up to pets, teenage boys, and variable English weather. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
Above: Christine’s backyard terrace is carpeted with artificial grass, a surface that stands up to pets, teenage boys, and variable English weather. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.

For more environmentally friendly ways to live with a lawn, see:

Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow and care for various grasses with our Grasses: A Field Guide.

10 Easy Pieces: Rectangular Wooden Dining Tables

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With the official start of outdoor dining season weeks away, it’s time to take stock. We’ve rounded up a selection of rectangular wooden tables suitable for dining in the open air. They all meet the requirements for longevity, capacity, simplicity (and in some cases, expandability). Here are 10 favorites.

A George Table Outdoor with a trestle base is approximately 94.4 inches long and made of recycled teak. It is 16,995 SEK ($2,061.50 USD) from Artilleriet.
Above: A George Table Outdoor with a trestle base is approximately 94.4 inches long and made of recycled teak. It is 16,995 SEK ($2,061.50 USD) from Artilleriet.
An 80-inch Terassi Dining Table by husband-and-wife designers Julie and Mika Tolvanen of Helsinki is 60 inches long and made of teak; $2,507.50 at DWR.
Above: An 80-inch Terassi Dining Table by husband-and-wife designers Julie and Mika Tolvanen of Helsinki is 60 inches long and made of teak; $2,507.50 at DWR.
From Ikea, an Ängsö outdoor dining table measures 80.7 inches long and is stained white; $299.
Above: From Ikea, an Ängsö outdoor dining table measures 80.7 inches long and is stained white; $299.
A 59-inch-long Barlow Tyrie Equinox Rectangular Dining Table has a teak tabletop and stainless steel frame and is $1,899 at Didrik’s.
Above: A 59-inch-long Barlow Tyrie Equinox Rectangular Dining Table has a teak tabletop and stainless steel frame and is $1,899 at Didrik’s.
Made of sustainably sourced teak, a 102-inch Teaka Table seats eight; $1,399 from Article.
Above: Made of sustainably sourced teak, a 102-inch Teaka Table seats eight; $1,399 from Article.
A 79-inch Kayu Teak Dining Table is constructed of solid, unfinished planks that will develop a patina over time; $2,210 at DWR.
Above: A 79-inch Kayu Teak Dining Table is constructed of solid, unfinished planks that will develop a patina over time; $2,210 at DWR.
 

A Regatta Natural Extension Dining Table made of solid FSC-certified teak has two self-storing butterfly extension leaves (expanded, it seats 12); $2,339 at Crate & Barrel.
Above: A Regatta Natural Extension Dining Table made of solid FSC-certified teak has two self-storing butterfly extension leaves (expanded, it seats 12); $2,339 at Crate & Barrel.
 Pure II Rectangular Dining Table by Henry Hall Designs measures 70.75 by 37.5 inches; $2,700. For more information on showrooms or purchasing, contact Henry Hall Designs.
Above: Pure II Rectangular Dining Table by Henry Hall Designs measures 70.75 by 37.5 inches; $2,700. For more information on showrooms or purchasing, contact Henry Hall Designs.
 The Dakota Dining Table is made from white oak wood and measures 77 inches in length; $1,799 from Crate & Barrel.
Above: The Dakota Dining Table is made from white oak wood and measures 77 inches in length; $1,799 from Crate & Barrel.
From venerable UK-based teak furniture maker Barlow Tyrie (known for its high-quality products); the 59-inch Monaco Dining Table is $1,569 at Didrik’s.
Above: From venerable UK-based teak furniture maker Barlow Tyrie (known for its high-quality products); the 59-inch Monaco Dining Table is $1,569 at Didrik’s.
Are you designing or updating a dining area on an outdoor deck or patio? For tips and inspiration, see our curated guide to Decks & Patios 101. And if you’re in need of a different size or style of outdoor table, see:

Gardening 101: Plum Trees

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Plum Tree, Prunus: “Early and Late”

Plum trees open and close the growing year. They are among the loveliest and earliest trees to blossom after winter, and their fruit is one of the last to ripen in late summer. In Japan plums are celebrated for their blossoms, with ume festivals preceding the more famous Hanami (cherry blossom festivals) by a couple of months.

Continue reading to learn more about which plums are which, and how to grow them.

Photograph by Annelies Deslé via Instagram.
Above: Photograph by Annelies Deslé via Instagram.

Billowing with white blossoms, the common or European plum is Prunus domestica. The fruits of its numerous cultivars and subspecies are yellow- or green-fleshed. They are usually used commercially for drying or canning because they have a short season and do not travel well. Grown at home, though, common plums are a good choice because they only have to travel from the tree to your mouth; their flavor is highly valued. Common plums include the subgroup of famous gages (think greengage). As they are mostly self fertile, you only need one tree for fruit production. They are hardy from USDA zones 5 to 8.

A Mirabelle Plum tree is $32.50 from Raintree Nursery. A Blue Damson tree (from seven to eight feet) is $109.95 from Willis Orchard. Photograph by Herb.master via Flickr.
Above: A Mirabelle Plum tree is $32.50 from Raintree Nursery. A Blue Damson tree (from seven to eight feet) is $109.95 from Willis Orchard. Photograph by Herb.master via Flickr.

Damsons and mirabelles are closely related to P. domestica although there is disagreement about whether they are subspecies or different species altogether. Gorgeously dusky-fruited damsons are widely available, but mirabelles are the (online) subject of some confusion, in the US: Although a trade agreement with France prohibits the import of the fruit, it is entirely legal to grow and sell mirabelles within the US. These plums are hardy from USDA zones 5 to 7.

Photograph by Autan via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Autan via Flickr.

The fruits usually found in supermarkets, month in, month out, are cultivars of Prunus salicina, or Japanese plums.

Photograph by Tanakawho via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Tanakawho via Flickr.

The blossoms of P. salicina vary widely in terms of color, and their fruiting season is longer.

Photograph by Coloredby via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Coloredby via Flickr.

Japanese plums are usually not self-fertile, so two or more trees are necessary for fruit-set. They are hardy from USDA zones 5 to 9.

Photograph by Roger Bunting via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Roger Bunting via Flickr.

Then there is Prunus spinosa, the celebrated sloe or blackthorn of English hedgerows. Knitting itself into thorny thickets (or living fences, depending on your point of view), the large shrub’s pure white blossoms open in succession across western and northern Europe to signal the end of winter.

Photograph by Drew via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Drew via Flickr.

Sloe bears the small, darkly intense fruit famous for infusing sloe gin. It is traditionally gathered after the first frost. The plants “sell like hotcakes,” say the purveyors at Forest Farm, Oregon. Get them while you can. Sloes are hardy from USDA zones 4 to 9.

A 12-to-18-inch Beach Plum is $18.95 from Oikos Tree Crops. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.
Above: A 12-to-18-inch Beach Plum is $18.95 from Oikos Tree Crops. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.

North America has its own native plums, of course. Native to northeastern shorelines beach plum (Prunus maritima) shrubs burst into a froth of white bloom in early spring. The sprawling shrubs are very hardy and also more drought tolerant than most plum species. Their purple, cherry-size fruit ripens in early fall. Hardy from USDA zones 3 to 7.

Photograph by Jim Culp via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Jim Culp via Flickr.

Keep It Alive

  • Plum flowers are susceptible to frost; it is important to position your new tree or trees in a spot sheltered from biting wind.
  • Plums love plenty of moisture, but well-drained soil is essential.
  • To improve drainage, add compost to the pot (and make sure it has drainage holes) or to the hole when planting your tree.
  • Mulch newly planted trees in summer to prevent moisture loss (but do not mound the mulch against the trunk, or it will lead to rot).
  • Indigenous plums will tolerate local conditions.

Cheat Sheet

  • If you are not sure what is in bloom near you, look closely at the petals: Plums have rounded petals; cherry petals each have a tiny cleft at the tip (and peaches, blooming in between, have teardrop-shaped petals). Plum blossoms also grow tightly against the branches, while cherries have noticeable stems.

For more of our favorite flowering trees, see our curated design guide to Trees 101, including Apple Trees 101, Dogwood Trees 101, and Lemon Trees 101. For more inspiration, see:

Before & After: A Landscape Where ‘Horticultural Worlds Collide’ at Scribe Winery

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In California, our architecture is young. We joined the Union in 1848 and since then have endured so many biblical calamities in the form of fires and earthquake that it’s a shock to find any building with a history that dates to 1850—much less a grand Spanish-style mansion with a pillared front porch and a terracotta tile roof, presiding over Sonoma County’s velvety green, rolling vineyards.

So you can understand how the hacienda at Scribe Winery sets the tone for the rest of the landscape. When landscape architects Alain Peauroi and David Godshall of Terremoto LA took on the job of creating new gardens to surround the grande dame that brothers Adam and Andrew Mariani purchased in 2007, they realized no ordinary garden would do.

The hacienda, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1906, had been abandoned for 20 years before the Mariani brothers bought the winery.

“How does one do ‘landscape architecture’ in a place where wild coast live oaks cascade down from the foothills and crash into grapevines?” wondered David Godshall. “How do you build a garden in a place where culture and wilderness physically touch?”

Here’s the answer to those questions.

Photography courtesy of Terremoto LA, except where noted.

 A grand survivor; the hacienda and vineyards escaped damage during last year’s devastating northern California wildfires.
Above: A grand survivor; the hacienda and vineyards escaped damage during last year’s devastating northern California wildfires.

Sonoma is an enchanting place, and Terremoto took full advantage of warm temperatures, a lack of humidity, and the magical quality of light to create “a microcosmic daydream” of northern California, says Godshall.

The hacienda makes a grand entrance. To reach it, turn off Napa Road and drive down a long allée of palms.
Above: The hacienda makes a grand entrance. To reach it, turn off Napa Road and drive down a long allée of palms.
 A whimsical mix of ornamental grasses, succulents, low-water perennials, and a monster palm tree welcome guests to the hacienda.
Above: A whimsical mix of ornamental grasses, succulents, low-water perennials, and a monster palm tree welcome guests to the hacienda.

“We planted a wild garden that will be a place where landscape ecologies meet,” Godshall says. “Coast live oaks are confronted by palms, artichokes run wild, native buckwheat will stumble into twining white roses, and dune grasses will sweep into the edible garden.”

Terremoto created tiered edible gardens and paths that invite visitors to explore the landscape.
Above: Terremoto created tiered edible gardens and paths that invite visitors to explore the landscape.

Before

“We extended the existing stacked rock walls on site to almost touch the hacienda,” Godshall says.
Above: “We extended the existing stacked rock walls on site to almost touch the hacienda,” Godshall says.

Santa Rosa–based Manuel Fernandez Landscape oversaw landscape construction and planting.

 Sturdy redwood timbers from a local mill were laid as garden steps; over time, they will bleach and age in the elements, Godshall says.
Above: Sturdy redwood timbers from a local mill were laid as garden steps; over time, they will bleach and age in the elements, Godshall says.

Napa-based Cello & Maudru oversaw construction of the new hardscape elements.

After

“We elongated the olive grove to push farther out into the site,” Godshall says. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: “We elongated the olive grove to push farther out into the site,” Godshall says. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

“There is beauty and meaning in the provocative moments when horticultural worlds collide, and so that, in a nutshell, is what this landscape project is about,” says Godshall.

Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

A gentle slope, paved in gravel, leads to the hacienda’s entrance.

Unobtrusive pathway lights blend into the landscape; the Architects Path Light from Lightcraft is $80 at Yard Illumination. An LED light bulb, sold separately, is available in three wattages for $26 to $43, depending on the wattage. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: Unobtrusive pathway lights blend into the landscape; the Architects Path Light from Lightcraft is $80 at Yard Illumination. An LED light bulb, sold separately, is available in three wattages for $26 to $43, depending on the wattage. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

Prominent among the succulents on site are what Godshall calls “floating feral agaves” (and their offspring).

Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above:Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

In restoring the hacienda, the Mariani brothers worked with architect David Darling of San Francisco firm Aidlin Darling to “preserve the patina” of its past, Andrew Mariani recently told Architectural Digest.

After a redwood tree fell on the property, Petaluma-based woodworkers Noah Elias and Dan Ford transformed its lumber into weather-resistant outdoor dining tables and benches.
Above: After a redwood tree fell on the property, Petaluma-based woodworkers Noah Elias and Dan Ford transformed its lumber into weather-resistant outdoor dining tables and benches.
 Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

Inside the hacienda, “in addition to extensive structural work and an upgrading of all its systems, the project involved a careful uncovering and preservation of its many layers, which mark the passage of time,” the architects say.

“We found a warm gray brick for the patio that married worlds old and new with a soft sensitivity,” Godshall says. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.
Above: “We found a warm gray brick for the patio that married worlds old and new with a soft sensitivity,” Godshall says. Photograph by Andres Gonzalez.

Visit the interiors of the hacienda on Remodelista in Kitchen of the Week: A Hacienda Kitchen in Sonoma’s Hippest Winery.

Scribe’s dreamscape of low-water plantings sacrifices nothing to sustainability. If you’re designing an environmentally friendly landscape, find design tips in our curated Garden 101 guides and inspiration from more of our favorite gardens:


Key West’s Secret Garden: A Modern Landscape for an Author’s Victorian Cottage

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Three weeks before last year’s hurricane, Key West–based landscape architect Craig Reynolds completed a new tropical garden for one of the best-known Victorian cottages in the island’s historic Old Town district.

The property is on a quiet lane where five houses share a handful of parking spaces; visitors arrive on foot. In addition to being tucked away, the house has a provocative provenance. It was formerly owned by Nancy Friday, author of the best-selling 1973 book My Secret Garden: Women’s Sexual Fantasies, suggesting a theme for the new landscape: the secret garden.

When the hurricane hit, “trees went down on one side of the property,” says Reynolds. But six months later you’d never know it. The secret garden’s owner, whose primary residence is in New Jersey, decided “we should just keep going, to replant trees, and fix the garden,” Reynolds says. Here’s the result.

Photography by Tamara Alvarez, courtesy of Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture.

Walls at the edge of the property are built of Miami oolite, a sedimentary rock that is “softer stone than caprock but not as soft as riprap,” says Reynolds. “You can sculpt it, but it is also hard enough to hold its own.”
Above: Walls at the edge of the property are built of Miami oolite, a sedimentary rock that is “softer stone than caprock but not as soft as riprap,” says Reynolds. “You can sculpt it, but it is also hard enough to hold its own.”

Visible at the left of the gate, a single piece of Miami oolite was set on level, compacted ground to create a tiered effect, softened by plantings. Beyond the gate, a winding brick path leads to the front door.

From the vantage of the porch, looking back toward the front gate, “the idea is you have to come around a corner to see the house,” says Reynolds.
Above: From the vantage of the porch, looking back toward the front gate, “the idea is you have to come around a corner to see the house,” says Reynolds.

A brick path is edged with layered tropical plants including at left Anthurium ‘Hot Rio Nights’ and on the right Kimberly Queen Boston ferns behind a low edging of mondo grass.

 Brick pavers are set in a herringbone pattern on a 45-degree angle with a soldier course border. “Brick is not indigenous to Key West, but because of all the Victorian houses it’s very common, and it looks good,” says Reynolds.
Above: Brick pavers are set in a herringbone pattern on a 45-degree angle with a soldier course border. “Brick is not indigenous to Key West, but because of all the Victorian houses it’s very common, and it looks good,” says Reynolds.

Specimen plants, including at left a gum palm (Dioon spinulosum) and in the foreground Elephant Ear (Alocasia ‘Portora’), create a dramatic tropical backdrop for the house.

The oolite wall continues alongside a brick path that winds around the the side of the house. Behind the wall is planted a Florida silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata) and Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’, with silvery foliage that lights up a quiet, shady spot.
Above: The oolite wall continues alongside a brick path that winds around the the side of the house. Behind the wall is planted a Florida silver palm (Coccothrinax argentata) and Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’, with silvery foliage that lights up a quiet, shady spot.

In front of the oolite wall, a mulch of black Mexican river rock serves the dual purpose of being decorative while directing rainwater flow.

Green thatch palms provide shade, their silhouettes echoed by the understory, where the low, bushy shrub Osmoxylon lineare adds texture.
Above: Green thatch palms provide shade, their silhouettes echoed by the understory, where the low, bushy shrub Osmoxylon lineare adds texture.
Mahogany planks on a 10-foot-deep horseshoe porch wrap around the house.
Above: Mahogany planks on a 10-foot-deep horseshoe porch wrap around the house.
The swimming pool and surrounding brick deck are located on the side of the house.
Above: The swimming pool and surrounding brick deck are located on the side of the house.
An oolite wall and steps at the the back of the pool echo a theme.
Above: An oolite wall and steps at the the back of the pool echo a theme.

The new pool replaced “a kidney-shaped pool that was super ugly,” says Reynolds. “With stone on the coping and the coping material, which is volcanic Cantera stone from Mexico, we tried to make it look like an old lagoon that has been there forever.”

Tennessee Crab Orchard flagstone pavers lead from a brick patio through jungle-like plantings to the pool. On the left of the path, the red foliage of Codiaeum variegatum ‘Stoplight’ creates a tapestry of color.
Above: Tennessee Crab Orchard flagstone pavers lead from a brick patio through jungle-like plantings to the pool. On the left of the path, the red foliage of Codiaeum variegatum ‘Stoplight’ creates a tapestry of color.

“The owner wanted to have private areas and little narrow paths and views and peeks, and at the same time have a landscape that was very lush with lots of shade,” says Reynolds.

A water feature was sited to enable the owner to sit on the front porch and hear the sound of running water. Constructed of a square piece of oolite, as it ages the fountain will sprout ferns.
Above: A water feature was sited to enable the owner to sit on the front porch and hear the sound of running water. Constructed of a square piece of oolite, as it ages the fountain will sprout ferns.

For more design ideas and growing tips for our favorite tropical plants, see our curated guide to Tropicals 101, including:

10 Easy Pieces: Flower Frogs

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The flower frog is the florist’s best friend, creating a secure base for flowers that would otherwise flop.

We’ve rounded up 10 flower frogs in two styles—with sturdy holes to hold soft stems or with spiky metal prongs to spear spindly stalks or woody twigs.

Metal Prong Flower Frogs

A round Japanese Flower Frog with a stainless steel base has brass needles to hold stems in place and is $36 from Healdsburg Shed.
Above: A round Japanese Flower Frog with a stainless steel base has brass needles to hold stems in place and is $36 from Healdsburg Shed.
A large stainless Flower Frog has a 1.3-inch diameter and is $2.98 from Axner.
Above: A large stainless Flower Frog has a 1.3-inch diameter and is $2.98 from Axner.
An Ikebana Flower Petal Vase by Moonstar Pottery is available in white (shown) and charcoal; $30 at Food52.
Above: An Ikebana Flower Petal Vase by Moonstar Pottery is available in white (shown) and charcoal; $30 at Food52.
A double Sun And Moon Japanese Flower Frog made of brass and copper is $24 from Healdsburg Shed.
Above: A double Sun And Moon Japanese Flower Frog made of brass and copper is $24 from Healdsburg Shed.
A 4.5-inch Pin Frog with a lead base is $12.99 from Save on Crafts.
Above: A 4.5-inch Pin Frog with a lead base is $12.99 from Save on Crafts.

Ceramic Flower Frogs

A handmade Ceramic Flower Frog/Vase is glazed in white; $45 from Lemonglaze via Etsy.
Above: A handmade Ceramic Flower Frog/Vase is glazed in white; $45 from Lemonglaze via Etsy.
From Luna, a ceramic Flower Frog Vase with a white matte finish is $24 at the Light Shop.
Above: From Luna, a ceramic Flower Frog Vase with a white matte finish is $24 at the Light Shop.
A stoneware Flower Frog handmade in Portland, Oregon, is available in three colors, including matte gray/brown; $39 from Notary Ceramics.
Above: A stoneware Flower Frog handmade in Portland, Oregon, is available in three colors, including matte gray/brown; $39 from Notary Ceramics.
A Round Ceramic Flower Frog VaseRound Ceramic Flower Frog Vase measures 6 by 2.75 inches and is $18.92 via Amazon.
Above: A Round Ceramic Flower Frog VaseRound Ceramic Flower Frog Vase measures 6 by 2.75 inches and is $18.92 via Amazon.
Notary Ceramics’ Stoneware Flower Frog in a matte white glaze is $34 at Hoppe Shoppe.
Above: Notary Ceramics’ Stoneware Flower Frog in a matte white glaze is $34 at Hoppe Shoppe.
For more help making floral arrangements, see:

Current Obsessions: Lucky Streak

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As our Living Color week comes to a close, we’re circling back to a few favorite Irish gardens (and foraged, Emerald Isle-inspired cocktails) and noting a new trend: plant swaps (just in time for spring gardening). Take notes:

 Stay in an Irish farmhouse, castle, or lighthouse: these historic landmarked properties (and gardens) are all available for rent. Pictured here: Knocknalosset House, down a country lane with a cottage garden, “15 mins drive from Bailieborough.”
Above: Stay in an Irish farmhouse, castle, or lighthouse: these historic landmarked properties (and gardens) are all available for rent. Pictured here: Knocknalosset House, down a country lane with a cottage garden, “15 mins drive from Bailieborough.”
We’re also taking another look at the 200 year-old stone cottage of a creative couple in County Mayo, Ireland. Shown here: their collection of vintage earthenware vessels and a red geranium, “a very nostalgic houseplant that reminds us of our grandparents’ generation.” See more at House Call: At Home in an Irish Stone Cottage with Superfolk over on Remodelista.
Above: We’re also taking another look at the 200 year-old stone cottage of a creative couple in County Mayo, Ireland. Shown here: their collection of vintage earthenware vessels and a red geranium, “a very nostalgic houseplant that reminds us of our grandparents’ generation.” See more at House Call: At Home in an Irish Stone Cottage with Superfolk over on Remodelista.

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Californians at Home: Intimate Portraits by Leslie Williamson

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In chef Alice Waters’s house in Berkeley, California, “a small table…has a view out to her edible garden. This is where Alice likes to start her day, with a cup of tea and some reading,” writes the photographer Leslie Williamson, who visited the Chez Panisse founder (and a dozen other eminent Californians) at home for her new book.

Williamson’s book is titled Interior Portraits, but some of the most telling images are of the gardens that are part of daily life. In addition to Waters’s wild tumble of backyard roses and raspberry bushes, Williamson offers us an intimate tour of the poet Robinson Jeffers’s coastal cottage in Carmel; architect Donlyn Lyndon’s favorite windswept trails at the Sea Ranch, and artist Alma Allen’s desert studio, at the end of a dirt road.

Let’s visit Alice Waters at home, and in the garden, with the author.

Photography by Leslie Williamson.

The perfect paint color to complement the wild purple and plum color palette in Alice Waters’s garden? Farrow and Ball’s Carriage Green is on the facade, with dark gray trim.
Above: The perfect paint color to complement the wild purple and plum color palette in Alice Waters’s garden? Farrow and Ball’s Carriage Green is on the facade, with dark gray trim.

On her first visit to Waters’s house a few years ago, Williamson photographed the garden for landscape designer Janet Hankinson, who created an artful mix of ornamental and edible plants in the backyard. Heirloom roses, cherry tomatoes, and a patch of mint are equally at home.

The garden was designed to accommodate the needs of a mature redwood tree (its trunk is visible at left).
Above: The garden was designed to accommodate the needs of a mature redwood tree (its trunk is visible at left).

On her most recent visit, Williamson found Waters working at home and photographed the garden and interiors of the house during a day of “meetings, phone calls, visitors, and more,” he writes. “Yet even with five people milling around, the house was still remarkably peaceful, a classic Craftsman with all its dark woodwork and details restored to their original luster.”

A riot of purple morning glories are in their glory and nasturtiums take up the call at the edge of a winding path in a corner of Alice Waters’s backyard garden.
Above: A riot of purple morning glories are in their glory and nasturtiums take up the call at the edge of a winding path in a corner of Alice Waters’s backyard garden.
Still life with bird bath; nasturtiums, Alpine strawberries, and rose bushes all bridge the gap between ornamental and edible plants.
Above: Still life with bird bath; nasturtiums, Alpine strawberries, and rose bushes all bridge the gap between ornamental and edible plants.
A brick path is bordered by clumps of exuberant Japanese anemones.
Above: A brick path is bordered by clumps of exuberant Japanese anemones.
Alice Waters looks out onto her garden in Berkeley, California.
Above: Alice Waters looks out onto her garden in Berkeley, California.

For photographer Williamson, “editing the hundreds of images down to the mere twenty or so that will share each person and his or her home story in a compelling and beautiful chapter is one of the challenges of making these books.”

It’s a challenge she met admirably.

A hardcover copy of Interior Portraits: At Home with Cultural Pioneers and Creative Mavericks (Rizzoli) is $34.43 from Amazon.
Above: A hardcover copy of Interior Portraits: At Home with Cultural Pioneers and Creative Mavericks (Rizzoli) is $34.43 from Amazon.

More from Northern California:

Plant Identifier: Apps to ID Leaves and Flowers

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If you are like me, you are probably pretty good at the parlor game of identifying certain plants: the flowers your grandmother grew in her garden, the pine cones you spray-painted gold in third grade, and forsythia (if blooming). Unfortunately this is not that helpful when you come across some new plant growing on the side of the road, or over a fence, or at the edge of a trail—that you would like to have, if only you knew how to ask for it at the local nursery.

Welcome to Throwback Sunday, featuring readers’ favorite posts from the past.

Now they make apps for people like us. Zillions of electronic field guides such as Leafsnap, Plantifier, and iPflanzen exist to help us identify plants on the fly. Snap a plant’s photo against a white background—and submit it instantly for analysis. Or click through a list of characteristics (leaf shape, flower color, plant’s height) to make the identification. (See our review of Plantifer, a plant ID app for Android and iPhone users.)

To see how well free plant identification apps work, two of my daughters (Zoe and Clem) and I recently downloaded a few and spent a morning playing CSI: Plant Detective. Here’s what we learned.

Photography by Zoe Quittner, except where noted.

We walked around the neighborhood collecting specimens—leaves from trees, wild herbs, flowers, and perennial vines–to put the garden apps through their paces. Our neighbors Steven and Minna, who drove by while we were snipping leaves from a tree, rolled down the car window to shout helpfully, “Try Google.” Everybody’s an expert.
Above: We walked around the neighborhood collecting specimens—leaves from trees, wild herbs, flowers, and perennial vines–to put the garden apps through their paces. Our neighbors Steven and Minna, who drove by while we were snipping leaves from a tree, rolled down the car window to shout helpfully, “Try Google.” Everybody’s an expert.
Maple tree? That’s what we thought too, initially. Our neighbor Lynn walked by while we were discussing the possibility. Lynn (who it turns out studied botany in college) offered this verdict: sweet gum. Could we confirm the ID?
Above: Maple tree? That’s what we thought too, initially. Our neighbor Lynn walked by while we were discussing the possibility. Lynn (who it turns out studied botany in college) offered this verdict: sweet gum. Could we confirm the ID?
Back home, we spread an array of similarly shaped tree leaves against a background of white paper and then submitted photos to Leafsnap, which uses visual recognition software to identify tree species from photos of their leaves. (Coincidentally, Leafsnap was developed by my friend Peter Belhumeur, a researcher at Columbia University.)
Above: Back home, we spread an array of similarly shaped tree leaves against a background of white paper and then submitted photos to Leafsnap, which uses visual recognition software to identify tree species from photos of their leaves. (Coincidentally, Leafsnap was developed by my friend Peter Belhumeur, a researcher at Columbia University.)

Leafsnap correctly identified both a leaf from a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) and the similar leaf of the sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). Lynn was right.

Leafsnap matches a photo to images in its library of several hundred species of trees common to the Northeastern United States and Washington, D.C.
Above: Leafsnap matches a photo to images in its library of several hundred species of trees common to the Northeastern United States and Washington, D.C.
Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) grows in my front garden. To test other gardening apps with their own databases of plants, we offered several data points about the flower (color, shape of corolla, number of petals, etc.); the leaf (shape, margin characteristics, etc.); the plant’s habitat and seasonality, and its other characteristics (height, hairiness, thorniness). But none of the six results the other apps suggested were accurate. Photograph by Clementine Quittner.
Above: Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) grows in my front garden. To test other gardening apps with their own databases of plants, we offered several data points about the flower (color, shape of corolla, number of petals, etc.); the leaf (shape, margin characteristics, etc.); the plant’s habitat and seasonality, and its other characteristics (height, hairiness, thorniness). But none of the six results the other apps suggested were accurate. Photograph by Clementine Quittner.
Taking photos against a white background.
Above: Taking photos against a white background.
We snipped a bit of another neighbor’s creeping rosemary (thanks, Susan) to test iPflanzen’s powers of recognition. We entered data points about the plant’s characteristics (pinnate, evergreen, purple flower) but were not able to elicit a match from the app’s database of plants.
Above: We snipped a bit of another neighbor’s creeping rosemary (thanks, Susan) to test iPflanzen’s powers of recognition. We entered data points about the plant’s characteristics (pinnate, evergreen, purple flower) but were not able to elicit a match from the app’s database of plants.
Google cannot always identify plants or pets: It thinks our dog Larry is a cat. Please don’t tell him. Photograph by Clementine Quittner.
Above: Google cannot always identify plants or pets: It thinks our dog Larry is a cat. Please don’t tell him. Photograph by Clementine Quittner.
This is lantana, a common ground cover in my neighborhood. It’s one of those plants whose name I am always forgetting. None of the garden apps helped remind me; when I uploaded this photo to Google Images, however, up popped the correct plant identification.
Above: This is lantana, a common ground cover in my neighborhood. It’s one of those plants whose name I am always forgetting. None of the garden apps helped remind me; when I uploaded this photo to Google Images, however, up popped the correct plant identification.
I’ll keep Leafsnap on my iPhone to help me identify trees. And I’ll keep searching for an electronic field guide to help me identify other sorts of plants on the fly. Have you had different luck? If there’s a terrific app we overlooked, please let us know in the comments below.
Above: I’ll keep Leafsnap on my iPhone to help me identify trees. And I’ll keep searching for an electronic field guide to help me identify other sorts of plants on the fly. Have you had different luck? If there’s a terrific app we overlooked, please let us know in the comments below.

Need help identifying plants? See our curated Garden Design 101 guides to Perennials, Annuals, Succulents & Cacti, Ground Covers, Edibles, ornamental Grasses, and Trees.

Houseplant Help: Is It OK to Reuse Potting Soil?

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When repotting a houseplant or transplanting seedlings to a window box, the urban gardener has to answer a basic container-gardening question: Is it OK to reuse potting soil? Or should I start fresh?

The basic answer is yes, it’s possible to reuse potting soil. But first do a few things to perk it up–and replace its nutrients. Here’s how:

Photography by Erin Boyle.

1. Remove old plant matter (roots, twigs, leaves).

I transplant spring bulbs from their nursery pots to my window box, where they will bloom.
Above: I transplant spring bulbs from their nursery pots to my window box, where they will bloom.

I plucked from the window box the dried-up winter greens I had used to decorate it in January.

2. Fluff the soil.

Soil remediation under way.
Above: Soil remediation under way.

OK. ready to begin the soil remediation. Basic science tells us that plants use the nutrients in soil to grow. Over time, reusing the same potting soil in container gardening can deplete the nutrient stores in the soil and result in lackluster plants. Luckily, there’s no need to do a wholesale soil dump each spring.

To prep the box, I used a trowel to turn my soil. Turning the soil had the dual purpose of making sure that it wasn’t invested with bugs–in which case a dump might be worth it—and making sure that the soil is light and fluffy. Hard and compacted soil doesn’t leave enough room for roots to grow, so this step is crucial. Use a sturdy trowel; a Transplant Trowel from DeWit, similar to mine, is $35.50 from Garrett Wade.

3. Add nutrients to the soil.

To amend the soil, you can also add compost that you blend yourself at home or purchase from a farmer friend.
Above: To amend the soil, you can also add compost that you blend yourself at home or purchase from a farmer friend.

After I “tilled” my window box soil, I added a soil amendment. From a local shop, I bought a small bag of Plant-Tone Organic Plant Food (a four-pound bag is $11.44 from Amazon). The mixture is an organic blend of bone meal, feather meal, poultry manure, and other stuff that smells a little funny but will return to the soil the nutrients that it might have lost.

4. Blend well.

I added about a cup and half of plant food to my soil and mix it well. This is definitely an occasion for breaking out the garden gloves: mine are Gardener’s Goat Skin Work Gloves, $38 from Womanswork. I knew that I’d be adding potted plants with fresh soil already attached to their roots, so at this stage I scooped out some of the old soil to make room.
Above: I added about a cup and half of plant food to my soil and mix it well. This is definitely an occasion for breaking out the garden gloves: mine are Gardener’s Goat Skin Work Gloves, $38 from Womanswork. I knew that I’d be adding potted plants with fresh soil already attached to their roots, so at this stage I scooped out some of the old soil to make room.

5. Make room for plants.

I worked on a layer of brown paper bags, opened up so that after I finished I could dump any leftover soil into a storage bag (and not leave too much of a mess behind).
Above: I worked on a layer of brown paper bags, opened up so that after I finished I could dump any leftover soil into a storage bag (and not leave too much of a mess behind).

I gently separated some of the root bulbs from the mass to be able to fit them into my narrow box. Daffodil bulbs are hardy, so a little wriggling shouldn’t do any lasting damage.

So many flowering bulbs, so many ways to use them effectively in a flower bed or container garden. Get started with Everything You Need to Know About Bulbs & Tubers and see our curated Garden Design 101 guides to Daffodils, Tulips, and Lily of the Valley. And read more at:

Gardening 101: Kalanchoes

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Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: “Flaming Katy”

Last week, on a raw gray March afternoon I happened to walk by a small grocery shop in my Brooklyn neighborhood and was halted in my tracks by a group of succulents in radiant bloom, covered with tiny, star-shaped yellow, red, and orange flowers: kalanchoes. These floriferous beauties are just the thing to lighten up the will-spring-never-come doldrums.

Kalanchoes are sun plants, so I had never tried one before in my mostly gloomy brownstone, but the orange one I selected is really lifting the mood of the place and its winter-weary residents.

Read on for everything you need to know about these cheery blooming succulents.

Photograph by Chelsea Fuss. For more, see Kalanchoe: Rethinking a Kitschy Houseplant.
Above: Photograph by Chelsea Fuss. For more, see Kalanchoe: Rethinking a Kitschy Houseplant.

But first, how did kalanchoes come to brighten my brownstone? It’s actually a long story. You may find it hard to believe, but there was a time when it was difficult to buy a bouquet of fresh flowers in New York City. They were mainly found in fancy florist shops and they were expensive—relegated to special-occasion splurges such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Easter. Sure we had supermarkets, but we picked up sundry food items at cramped little delis where you could get a sandwich, some canned goods, and dairy items, and maybe choose from three or four bananas or perhaps an onion or two. That state of affairs began to change in the 1970s when Koreans began revolutionizing the small grocery store.

The Koreans flung open the doors to the convenience grocery business. They rolled their bins of fresh-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables out onto the sidewalk and along with root vegetables and other mundane essentials, these innovative shopkeepers offered inexpensive bunches of flowers—and not just a few tulips or some tired carnations. Suddenly, for the price of a few subway rides, one could take home a selection of roses, lilies, African daisies, and all sorts of other blooms tied up in colorful ribbons. Seemingly overnight, a luxury had become a reasonable indulgence.

A double-blooming variety of kalanchoes. Photograph by Chelsea Fuss.
Above: A double-blooming variety of kalanchoes. Photograph by Chelsea Fuss.

Today some small grocers have gone even deeper into the flower business, expanding their inventories into pots of herbs and vegetables for the garden as well as houseplants, and even perennials. In my neighborhood the shop where I bought the kalanchoes is The Bad Wife, which in addition to lots of plants also sells organic produce and gourmet food items.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has been a popular holiday season houseplant in the US (second only to the poinsettia) since the 1980s, when growers began importing it from South Africa. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana has been a popular holiday season houseplant in the US (second only to the poinsettia) since the 1980s, when growers began importing it from South Africa. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Kalanchoe is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae. They are relatives of the jade plant and can be grown outdoors in warm regions. However, here in the northeast, they are mainly used as houseplants, prized for their ability to bloom continuously and largely trouble-free for weeks. The kalanchoe most commonly seen for sale is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, a native of Madagascar. Until the early 1980s, this plant was considered unremarkable and was relatively unknown but, about 40 years ago, European hybridizers transformed it into the bushy little flower factory so popular today. Like many succulents, it has foliage that is quite appealing: scalloped glossy dark green leaves that, with enough sunlight, will develop a fetching reddish outline.

Kalanchoe ‘Flapjacks’ looks like it’s wearing lipstick. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: Kalanchoe ‘Flapjacks’ looks like it’s wearing lipstick. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Cheat Sheet

  • To keep the flowers coming, pinch back the flower stems when the blooms are spent.
  • Kalanchoes prefer to be alone in small pots so avoid planting them together with companion plants.
  • These plants are tolerant of dry indoor winter conditions but should be watered generously when the soil seems dry to the touch.
  • Avoid placing these plants where pets will have access to them. Kalanchoes can cause heart failure if ingested by cats, dogs, or other wildlife.
Photograph by Chelsea Fuss.
Above: Photograph by Chelsea Fuss.

Keep It Alive

  • These plants need plenty of bright light but be careful to avoid subjecting them to direct sunlight in summer, which can burn the leaves.
  • Plant in well-draining soil and do not allow the plant to sit in water as the roots are prone to rot if not permitted to dry out between waterings.
  • Kalanchoes are very sensitive to cold and will die if subjected to temperatures below 40 degrees so don’t put them on drafty windowsills.
  • Clay pots instead of plastic are recommended since this plant has extremely sensitive roots and benefits from the increased aeration that clay provides.

Because its blooms are so spectacular and long-lasting, K. blossfeldiana is frequently treated as an annual and discarded after blooming. However, this plant can be coaxed back into flower if you are patient and provide the right conditions.

A trio of varieties of kalanchoe. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: A trio of varieties of kalanchoe. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Like poinsettias, kalanchoes require weeks of short days and long nights or artificial periods of darkness. Natural day lengths from October to March will promote the formation of flower buds, but if your plant is in a room with artificial light at night you will need to fool it with 14 to 16 hours of total darkness by covering it with a box or placing it in a closet at night. In the morning, return the plant to a spot where it will get sunlight during the day. In approximately six weeks, you should start to notice that the flower buds have become large enough to be seen above the leaves. At that point, you can discontinue providing artificial nights and let the plant experience a natural day and night cycle, which should bring it into flower.

Who wouldn’t want to add a kalanchoe to a houseplant collection? For design and growing tips, see Kalanchoes: A Field Guide in our curated guides to Succulents & Cacti 101.


High/Low: Wire Chair by Russell Woodard

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For years designer Russell Woodard’s midcentury mesh wire chairs were out of production, the province of in-the-know collectors who would pick them up at yard sales and vintage shops. (An original chair, dated 1950, is in the Cooper-Hewitt museum’s permanent collection.)

In 2015, Woodard Furniture reintroduced the Sculptura collection (now available at Design Within Reach). Since then we’ve been seeing a host of remarkably similar designs (with slightly different proportions) Which chair would you choose?

Architect Steven Harris and landscape designer Lucien Rees Roberts have been collecting vintage Woodard chairs for years, giving them a home on their thyme terrace in Kinderhook, New York. Photograph by Matthew Williams.
Above: Architect Steven Harris and landscape designer Lucien Rees Roberts have been collecting vintage Woodard chairs for years, giving them a home on their thyme terrace in Kinderhook, New York. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

High

A reissue of the original Russell Woodard design, a molded Sculptura Occasional Chair made of powder-coated iron is 33.5 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 27.5 inches deep; $675.75 at Design Within Reach.
Above: A reissue of the original Russell Woodard design, a molded Sculptura Occasional Chair made of powder-coated iron is 33.5 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 27.5 inches deep; $675.75 at Design Within Reach.

“This collection is handcrafted of iron wire mesh that evokes wicker furniture, molded to cradle the contours of the human form,” notes Design Within Reach. “All pieces are treated with rust inhibitors to withstand the elements, making them suitable for use indoors and out.”

Low

A Modern Wire Chair made of powder-coated metal is suitable for covered outdoor use; $399 from Rejuvenation.
Above: A Modern Wire Chair made of powder-coated metal is suitable for covered outdoor use; $399 from Rejuvenation.

Vintage 1950s

A pair of vintage Woodard Sculptura Chairs is $2,500 from 1st Dibs.
Above: A pair of vintage Woodard Sculptura Chairs is $2,500 from 1st Dibs.

See more High/Low Design:

10 Houseplant Lovers to Follow on Instagram

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Instagram offers a rich vein of inspiration for houseplant lovers, from fellow enthusiasts around the world. Here are my top 10 houseplant accounts to follow, from Cairo to Canada.

Warsaw, Poland

@warsawjungle

 Beata and Remek live in a teeny tiny apartment but they don’t let this stop them building an extensive houseplant collection.
Above: Beata and Remek live in a teeny tiny apartment but they don’t let this stop them building an extensive houseplant collection.

They also photograph other houseplant lovers in their city.

Look out for… they’ve even created a Spotify playlist for their plants.

Cairo, Egypt

@behind_the_seeds

  Still life, with prayer plant.
Above:  Still life, with prayer plant.

Veterinarian Mohamed Osman’s life changed a year ago when he suffered from a heart attack aged 35: During his recuperation he began filling his home with plants, and he hasn’t looked back since. Now every conceivable surface of his home is filled with greenery, including Calatheas, Marantas, Monsteras, and Pothos.

Look out for… his mighty Monstera deliciosa.

Helsinki, Finland

@plantsandcollecting

 Minimalism is definitely not the vibe of this plant-packed account, which will make you wonder why you stopped at only a few dozen plants.
Above: Minimalism is definitely not the vibe of this plant-packed account, which will make you wonder why you stopped at only a few dozen plants.

When you first get a glimpse of this account, you won’t know what to lust after first. Check out her incredible cactus planter made out of a vintage television set and her enormous spider plant.

Look out for… the cactus-covered dining table.

Montreal, Canada

@jrlefrancois

Jonathan Lefrançois has a cat named Grysou so he tries to position his plants out of reach of paws with some creative hanging methods.
Above: Jonathan Lefrançois has a cat named Grysou so he tries to position his plants out of reach of paws with some creative hanging methods.

Oh, and he has a ridiculously large but wonderful watering can. Lefrançois has a great eye for displaying greenery, so it’s no surprise that in his day job he’s in the visual arts, working as a graphic designer (@pulpandpixel).

Look out for… his stunning if weird-looking Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’.

Colchester, United Kingdom

@tribeandus

 Kate and Craig’s collection of cacti and succulents is awe-inspiring, and handily enough as photographers they are pretty efficient at producing the most gorgeous shots of them too. It helps that their children, Marcie, Bodhi, and Rowe, are utterly adorable.
Above: Kate and Craig’s collection of cacti and succulents is awe-inspiring, and handily enough as photographers they are pretty efficient at producing the most gorgeous shots of them too. It helps that their children, Marcie, Bodhi, and Rowe, are utterly adorable.

Look out for… some stunning specimens of the trailing succulent Hoya linearis.

Bogotá, Colombia

@homebyfousna

Jan from the Czech Republic has lots of great ideas for plant display: Check out his grid against the wall for a space-saving arrangement.
Above: Jan from the Czech Republic has lots of great ideas for plant display: Check out his grid against the wall for a space-saving arrangement.

He doesn’t take himself too seriously, though.

Look out for … his large and lush watermelon Peperomia.

Christchurch, New Zealand

@vivvie_the_gardener

 Vivvie grew up in the UK and spent eight years traveling the world performing in a classical jazz ballet before moving to New Zealand.
Above: Vivvie grew up in the UK and spent eight years traveling the world performing in a classical jazz ballet before moving to New Zealand.

She’s got a thing for basketry, so lots of her containers are made from the stuff.

Look out for… the awesome, huge bird’s nest fern in her bathroom.

Depok, Indonesia

@yovanika49

Despite the language barrier, this account speaks eloquently through pictures alone, showing off a stunning collection of plants in rude health, particularly Episcias and and Coleus.
Above: Despite the language barrier, this account speaks eloquently through pictures alone, showing off a stunning collection of plants in rude health, particularly Episcias and and Coleus.

Look out for… an incredible collection of Calatheas.

Melbourne, Australia

@wet_my_plants

The Instagram image of a hand holding a beautiful houseplant against a wall is a common trope, but this account does it well through a combination of rare and unusual specimens and good photography.
Above: The Instagram image of a hand holding a beautiful houseplant against a wall is a common trope, but this account does it well through a combination of rare and unusual specimens and good photography.

Aden, a graphic designer, has a gorgeous, photogenic white cat named Tilda.

Look out for… Aden’s Farfugiums. If you haven’t heard of them, you’ll soon want one.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

@arapisarda

“I love spending time in my laundry room, the plants make it a lovely place to stay,” says Angela Rapisarda.
Above: “I love spending time in my laundry room, the plants make it a lovely place to stay,” says Angela Rapisarda.

The first thing that drew me to Angela Rapisarda’s account was not her wonderful plant collection, but the carved wooden door that provides the backdrop to many of her photos. She has a collection of giant Coleus I’d like to steal, and some delectable Begonias.

Look out for… Angela’s Alocasia ‘Red Secret’.

Need more houseplant inspiration? See our curated guides to Houseplants 101, including favorites such as Fiddle-Leaf Fig Trees, Succulents & Cacti, Aralias, and Prayer Plants. And see more of our favorite houseplant collections around the world:

Gardening 101: Basil

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Basil (Ocimum basilicum): “Tomato’s Best Friend”

Basil is all about freshness. The herb’s associations with summer are so strong that dried basil is unthinkable. Starting from seed? Sow basil six weeks before the last frost. This will ensure a steady supply for summertime suppers.

Basil needs to be added to cooked food at the end to keep its color and freshness or eaten shredded and raw with oozing mozzarella and perfectly ripe tomatoes. So it’s very important to have a good supply of this life-enhancing herb all summer long.

Basil has attracted its fair share of myths and legends, as well as a macabre tale in verse by Keats: Isabella, or the Pot of Basil. It is also said to be a mood enhancer and as a cousin of mint, basil aids digestion.

Photograph by Laura Silverman.
Above: Photograph by Laura Silverman.

Buying a pot of basil and keeping it on the kitchen windowsill is not a difficult thing to do, but keeping it moist enough and trimmed to perfection can be. Buying a pot and planting it by the back door is one step better; basil left outdoors shouldn’t need much watering in moderate climates.

Sweet Basil and Basil Genovese are the same thing; they’re the dominant variety you’ll find in any store. Photograph by Meredith Swinehart.
Above: Sweet Basil and Basil Genovese are the same thing; they’re the dominant variety you’ll find in any store. Photograph by Meredith Swinehart.

For more, see The Novice Gardener: Growing Enough Basil to Make Pesto.

Photograph by Erin Boyle. See our recipe for Summer Corn and Tomato Salad with Basil.
Above: Photograph by Erin Boyle. See our recipe for Summer Corn and Tomato Salad with Basil.

For the herbivore, growing greater quantities of basil can look fantastic intercropped with purple salad leaves. Getting past the parsimonious volumes of herbs that many of us grow will mean unlimited pesto and daily herb salads: Mix different varieties of basil with the young leaves of spinach, chard, and beetroot, as well as wild rocket, mint, and fennel.

For more, see Basil’s Last Stand: A Garden-to-Table Frozen Cocktail Recipe. Photograph by Laura Silverman.
Above: For more, see Basil’s Last Stand: A Garden-to-Table Frozen Cocktail Recipe. Photograph by Laura Silverman.

A word on picking: all herbs like a trim but do not snip carelessly with basil or you may overdo it, leaving the thicker leaves and stalks at the bottom of the plant. Pinch or cut tender new leaves forming at the top, but don’t be greedy if you want to keep your plants in good shape.

  For more, see DIY: Shade Tolerant Herbs to Grow in an Apartment. Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Above:  For more, see DIY: Shade Tolerant Herbs to Grow in an Apartment. Photograph by Erin Boyle.

In northern climes, basil can be difficult to grow outdoors but does very well on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse. Hot, humid, and steamy are its ideal conditions, so give it plenty of light and water.

Cheat Sheet

  • Basil will not be happy growing outdoors unless it is genuinely warm and you are happy sitting out yourself.
  • Best grown with salad crops, basil likes rich, damp, though well-drained soil, making it an awkward companion in the herb garden.
  • The fresh taste of basil is reminiscent of long lunches near the Mediterranean. Yet its fragrance is repellant to insects. Kept on a sunny kitchen windowsill, basil is value-added.

Keep It Alive

  • Do not water basil at night: Cold and damp are anathemas. If growing in the garden, start plants off indoors in mid-spring and put them out in June or July.
  • Growing zones 4-10, but best grown as an annual. Leaves go black in the first frost.
  • Harvest basil before it flowers, to encourage side shoots.
Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Above: Photograph by Erin Boyle.

Frequent trimming will keep basil bushy: if grown in a pot in a prominent place, a basil plant’s looks will soon betray neglect. Even a heavy dose of water will restore it in minutes from wan inertia to its usual vitality.

Though basil repels insects that humans consider pests, it is a magnet for white fly when grown near tomatoes. They like both, but prefer basil, which bears up to an infestation with more success than a tomato. It is a good companion to eggplant for the same reason.

Besides sweet basil (the most commonly grown sort for flavor), it comes in all shapes and sizes. Large-leaved looks more like lettuce and the smaller varieties are neat and mound-forming. Of these, Greek basil is popular as a pot plant and Thai basil has a strong flavor of aniseed. The underside of the leaves is purple. Lemon basil is useful in salads.

Read More

purple-basils-basil-laura-silverman-gardenista

Planning an edible garden? For more help in growing and caring for basil, see Sweet Basil: A Field Guide. For garden layout and design ideas, see Edible Gardens 101: A Field Guide. And see our curated growing guides to Edible Plants, including Thyme, Cilantro, and Spinach, for starters.

We’ve got it covered:

10 Easy Pieces: Arched Arbors

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An arched arbor can be one of the most effective elements in a garden design. Unlike a trellis, which acts like a wall, an arbor should welcome visitors and frame a tantalizing view of the garden they’re about to enter.

If you’re shopping for an arbor, consider function first. For people to walk comfortably beneath it, an arbor should be higher than six feet and at least three feet wide. Also make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of whatever you want to grow on it.

Here are 10 arched arbors made of metal (iron and steel) with simple silhouettes, designed to play supporting roles to climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle, or jasmine.

A generously sized arched Artistic Wrought Iron Arbor is powder coated for weather protection. It comes with four ground stakes and measures 55 inches wide and 100 inches high; $425 from Monticello Shop (allow up to four weeks for delivery).
Above: A generously sized arched Artistic Wrought Iron Arbor is powder coated for weather protection. It comes with four ground stakes and measures 55 inches wide and 100 inches high; $425 from Monticello Shop (allow up to four weeks for delivery).
From Durham, N.C.-based Austram, a 7.5-high Nelumbo Metal Arbor is $187.10 from Hayneedle.
Above: From Durham, N.C.-based Austram, a 7.5-high Nelumbo Metal Arbor is $187.10 from Hayneedle.
A customizable Roman Arch Arbour is available in three depths and choice of attachable trellis panels to train climbers. All arches are 2.45 meters high (approximately 8 feet); prices start at £195 from Harrod Horticultural.
Above: A customizable Roman Arch Arbour is available in three depths and choice of attachable trellis panels to train climbers. All arches are 2.45 meters high (approximately 8 feet); prices start at £195 from Harrod Horticultural.
A weather-resistant Outdoor Iron Arch measures 87.8 inches high and 68.5 inches wide including two 14-inch side panels is $164.41 from Home Depot.
Above: A weather-resistant Outdoor Iron Arch measures 87.8 inches high and 68.5 inches wide including two 14-inch side panels is $164.41 from Home Depot.
A 7-foot-high Newport Metal Arbor by Austram is $233.30 at The Mine.
Above: A 7-foot-high Newport Metal Arbor by Austram is $233.30 at The Mine.
A Round Top Steel Arch made by Bosmere in a powder coated gray finish is 7 feet, 2 inches wide; $229.99 via Amazon.
Above: A Round Top Steel Arch made by Bosmere in a powder coated gray finish is 7 feet, 2 inches wide; $229.99 via Amazon.
A Steel Arbor with a simple silhouette is 75 inches high and 39 inches wide; $54.99 from Wayfair.
Above: A Steel Arbor with a simple silhouette is 75 inches high and 39 inches wide; $54.99 from Wayfair.
A 92-inch-high Fretwork Wrought Iron Arbor is 41 inches wide and can comes with display feet (in case you want to move it from one spot to another); $259 from Monticello Shop.
Above: A 92-inch-high Fretwork Wrought Iron Arbor is 41 inches wide and can comes with display feet (in case you want to move it from one spot to another); $259 from Monticello Shop.
Esschert Design’s gray Industrial Heritage Rose Arch In Distressed Metal is 93 inches high and 49 inches wide; $129.99 at Target.
Above: Esschert Design’s gray Industrial Heritage Rose Arch In Distressed Metal is 93 inches high and 49 inches wide; $129.99 at Target.
A 90-inch-high Panacea Quatrefoil Garden Arbor has an “overlapping diamond accent on the two side panels” and is $117.99 at Best Nest.
Above: A 90-inch-high Panacea Quatrefoil Garden Arbor has an “overlapping diamond accent on the two side panels” and is $117.99 at Best Nest.

Arbor, trellis, pergola, what’s the difference? See Hardscaping 101: Pergolas for an explanation (and essential design tips). For more design ideas, see our curated guides to Garden Design 101, including Gates & Fences and Exteriors & Facades. And don’t miss:

Rethinking Statice: An ’80s Dried Flower Goes Minimalist

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My first foray into flower arranging was using statice and dried roses to make wreaths and potpourri in high school. At some point I shamefully hid my roots after dried flowers fell out of fashion and I became annoyed by bunches of dusty petals. Now trends have come full circle again and I see statice everywhere.

Here in Portugal, my interest was piqued when I began seeing bunches of statice hanging in country houses and even in chic shops in Lisbon, in a way that feels absolutely timeless, rustic, and quite charming. Statice belongs to the Limonium family and is also called sea lavender.

Photography and styling by Chelsea Fuss.

Mix with dried grasses for extra movement and to add space to the bouquets.
Above: Mix with dried grasses for extra movement and to add space to the bouquets.

I was inspired by Jeanne Damas, the founder of the French fashion label Rouje who often lets us peek via Instagram into her house (where she has a basket by her door filled with dried flowers). I’ve placed the statice in the traditional Portuguese basket that was made famous in the 1970s by British-French singer Jane Birkin.

Hang a Birkin basket of statice by a door to add color to an entrance.
Above: Hang a Birkin basket of statice by a door to add color to an entrance.

Here, I’ve hung a Cane Basket with Cover (€40 at A Vida Portuguesa) with simple string near a door, and filled it with statice. Statice is charming and absolutely unexpected and if you keep things minimal, adds life and color to a room. I’ve stayed away from the mixed color bunches and instead asked my supplier for bunches in single colors. The pale yellow and classic violet colors of statice work nicely together.

When arranging statice, arrange by color and try to stay away from traditional, mixed-color bunches.
Above: When arranging statice, arrange by color and try to stay away from traditional, mixed-color bunches.

Statice also works well for floral installations because it will just dry as is (I typically like to start out using it fresh, and let it dry in the arrangement) and still looks colorful and lively. I’ve seen strings of hanging statice bunches or a ceiling covered in the blossoms. Here, I’ve done my own simple, at-home, countryside-inspired version of a statice installation by making small bunches and attaching them to a hanging string. It’s a carefree way to add an embellishment for a dinner party or a bohemian touch to the corner of a room, For the bunches, I’ve added dried grasses to add more movement to the statice.

Create a statice installation by hanging small bunches with  grasses on a string.
Above: Create a statice installation by hanging small bunches with  grasses on a string.

Simply tie the bunches together with natural string, and attach individually to a longer string. The flowers will dry as is. Statice dries best if hanging upside down. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent the color in the flowers from fading too quickly.

Arrange small bunches of statice with natural string and other dried materials for long-lasting floral arrangements.
Above: Arrange small bunches of statice with natural string and other dried materials for long-lasting floral arrangements.

Bring color to an all-neutral room with these timeless, rustic bunches of statice.

 Flowers dry best hanging upside down, away from direct sunlight.
Flowers dry best hanging upside down, away from direct sunlight.

Simple floral arrangements for spring? We’ve got them. Browse our Floral Arrangements archives (and get tips for growing our favorite flowers from our Garden Design 101 guides to Perennials and Annuals. And see Chelsea’s earlier posts in our Rethinking Flowers series, including:

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