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Rehab Stories: 10 Garages Gone Glam

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Look at your garage. Shelves of hockey sticks, rusty rakes, mystery cardboard boxes that haven’t been opened since your last move. Now close your eyes and imagine—a guest bedroom, a studio, a clubhouse. For inspiration, take a look inside ten garages that have been magically transformed:

Lower Saxony, Germany

A remisenpavillion—a multi-use garage in the farmlands of Lower Saxony—designed by Bremen-based Wirth Architekten for a country house estate, serves utilitarian needs like car and tractor storage, as well as whimsical ones: as a loggia for summertime outdoor parties. Photograph by Christian Burmeister, courtesy of Wirth Architekten.
Above: A remisenpavillion—a multi-use garage in the farmlands of Lower Saxony—designed by Bremen-based Wirth Architekten for a country house estate, serves utilitarian needs like car and tractor storage, as well as whimsical ones: as a loggia for summertime outdoor parties. Photograph by Christian Burmeister, courtesy of Wirth Architekten.

For more of this garage, see Outbuilding of the Week: A Glamorous Garage in the German Countryside.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia-based Hearth Studio turned a garage into a small home complete with kitchen, dining area, bedroom, and bath (with green clawfoot tub). The designers managed to fit it all in while retaining the character of the garage, including its hardworking concrete floor. For more, see Outbuilding of the Week: Garage Turned Studio Apartment. Photograph by Lauren Bamford.
Above: Melbourne, Australia-based Hearth Studio turned a garage into a small home complete with kitchen, dining area, bedroom, and bath (with green clawfoot tub). The designers managed to fit it all in while retaining the character of the garage, including its hardworking concrete floor. For more, see Outbuilding of the Week: Garage Turned Studio Apartment. Photograph by Lauren Bamford.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle-based JAS Design Build turned an old boathouse on Lake Washington into a multipurpose family center with changing room, shower, and storage for sports equipment.
Above: Seattle-based JAS Design Build turned an old boathouse on Lake Washington into a multipurpose family center with changing room, shower, and storage for sports equipment.

For the whole story, see Architect Visit: Lake Washington Boathouse by JAS Design Build on Remodelista.

Mill Valley, California

A one-car garage outside of San Francisco became a guest cottage, or “grottage,” with the addition of French doors, a wall of storage space, and a tiny kitchen and bath. Read the whole story in Outbuilding of the Week: The 186-Square-Foot Guest Cottage. Photograph by Nicole Franzen for Gardenista.
Above: A one-car garage outside of San Francisco became a guest cottage, or “grottage,” with the addition of French doors, a wall of storage space, and a tiny kitchen and bath. Read the whole story in Outbuilding of the Week: The 186-Square-Foot Guest Cottage. Photograph by Nicole Franzen for Gardenista.

Austin, Texas

A garage turned guest house has a bedroom alcove with a dormer window (above the bed) which mimics and size and shape of a kitchen window in the main house. Photograph courtesy of Tim Cuppett Architects.
Above: A garage turned guest house has a bedroom alcove with a dormer window (above the bed) which mimics and size and shape of a kitchen window in the main house. Photograph courtesy of Tim Cuppett Architects.

For more of this garage, see Outbuilding of the Week: Back Alley House by Tim Cuppett Architects.

Oakland, California

Architect Christi Azevedo’s hands-on knowledge of fabrication, construction, and materials is on display in her renovation of a dilapidated, 360-square-foot 1908 carriage house in Oakland, California. Photograph by Susanne Friedrich and Henry DeFauw, courtesy of Christi Azevedo.
Above: Architect Christi Azevedo’s hands-on knowledge of fabrication, construction, and materials is on display in her renovation of a dilapidated, 360-square-foot 1908 carriage house in Oakland, California. Photograph by Susanne Friedrich and Henry DeFauw, courtesy of Christi Azevedo.

See more in A California Carriage House Transformed on Remodelista.

Auckland, New Zealand

Designer Karin Montgomery Spath transformed a garage, for clients to live in while their house in Auckland was being renovated. “I suggested that I could make a loft apartment above the two-car garage for them to live in during the renovation, and that it wouldn’t cost much more than a rental,” says Karin. Photograph by Matthew Williams.
Above: Designer Karin Montgomery Spath transformed a garage, for clients to live in while their house in Auckland was being renovated. “I suggested that I could make a loft apartment above the two-car garage for them to live in during the renovation, and that it wouldn’t cost much more than a rental,” says Karin. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

For more of this project, see Small Space Living: An Airy Studio Apartment in a Garage on Remodelista.

Portland, Oregon

A Portland, Oregon couple converted a garage into three distinct parts: a ceramics studio, a storage room for bikes, and a wood shop. The ceramics studio, shown through the sliding glass doors above, is partitioned from the rest of the space to be free of dust from the wood shop.
Above: A Portland, Oregon couple converted a garage into three distinct parts: a ceramics studio, a storage room for bikes, and a wood shop. The ceramics studio, shown through the sliding glass doors above, is partitioned from the rest of the space to be free of dust from the wood shop.

Read the whole story in Rehab Diaries: A Garage Turned Studio Workshop in Portland, OR on Remodelista.

Los Angeles, California

A Hollywood couple remodeled their 100-year-old garage to become a miniature house in full, complete with a living space, kitchen, bedroom, bath, and private patio. Read the whole story in Rehab Diary: From Garage to Tiny Cottage in LA, on a Budget. Photograph by Bethany Nauert.
Above: A Hollywood couple remodeled their 100-year-old garage to become a miniature house in full, complete with a living space, kitchen, bedroom, bath, and private patio. Read the whole story in Rehab Diary: From Garage to Tiny Cottage in LA, on a Budget. Photograph by Bethany Nauert.

Washington, D.C.

Architect Catherine Fowlkes of Fowlkes Studio converted a unused garage into a guest cabana and to create direct access from the house into a large backyard. Photograph by Brandon Webster courtesy of Fowlkes Studio.
Above: Architect Catherine Fowlkes of Fowlkes Studio converted a unused garage into a guest cabana and to create direct access from the house into a large backyard. Photograph by Brandon Webster courtesy of Fowlkes Studio.

For more of this project, see Outbuilding of the Week: A Guest Cabana in Washington, D.C.

Find more ways to make better use of the garage:


Trending on Remodelista: 5 Budget-Friendly Ways to Make Your Home Feel Fresh

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Work with what you have was the Remodelista editors’ mantra this week. For a new year, here are five of their favorite ways to make a space feel fresh:

Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Photograph from Ikea Upgrade: The SemiHandmade Kitchen Remodel.

“A new coat of paint on kitchen cabinets, when done well, can completely change the look of your kitchen—on a minimal budget,” writes Annie in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Kitchen Cabinets.

Start a Love Affair with a Vacuum

A Remodelista favorite, the Metropolitan Professionals Canister Vacuum is pint-sized (it measures 21.2 inches long by 7 inches wide and 9 inches tall) and looks decent with a chrome canister and black hose. It starts at $851.49 through sellers on Amazon. For more see our post A Design-Worthy Hand Vacuum (Finally).
Above: A Remodelista favorite, the Metropolitan Professionals Canister Vacuum is pint-sized (it measures 21.2 inches long by 7 inches wide and 9 inches tall) and looks decent with a chrome canister and black hose. It starts at $851.49 through sellers on Amazon. For more see our post A Design-Worthy Hand Vacuum (Finally).

Even in a small apartment, you can have a canister vacuum you’ll love to use. See Alexa’s favorites in 10 Easy Pieces: Best Canister Vacuums for Small Spaces.

Embrace the Fringe Fad

A fringed lounge chair, one of the Remodelista editors’ favorite new trends. See New Directions: 11 Interiors Trends for 2019 for more.
Above: A fringed lounge chair, one of the Remodelista editors’ favorite new trends. See New Directions: 11 Interiors Trends for 2019 for more.

See more fringe in A Master Class in Art Deco at the Graduate Hotel in Seattle.

Hang a Well-Placed Wall Hook

A A01 Wall Hook by Swedish designer Massproductions is made in Portugal and has two places to hang things: the knob and the “hood” above. It’s 300 SEK from Arket.
Above: A A01 Wall Hook by Swedish designer Massproductions is made in Portugal and has two places to hang things: the knob and the “hood” above. It’s 300 SEK from Arket.

See more clever ideas in Report from Sweden: Introducing Arket (the Next Muji?).

Remodel a Kitchen on a $4,300 Budget

Delinia cabinet units from Leroy Merlin are faced with doors that architect couple Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann cut themselves from birch plywood: “We drilled little holes as handles and protected the doors by rolling on a matte varnish; they’re hung with basic metal hinges.” Photograph by @hejustudio.
Above: Delinia cabinet units from Leroy Merlin are faced with doors that architect couple Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann cut themselves from birch plywood: “We drilled little holes as handles and protected the doors by rolling on a matte varnish; they’re hung with basic metal hinges.” Photograph by @hejustudio.

See more in Kitchen of the Week: Two Young Paris Architects Overhaul Their Kitchen for Under $4,300.

N.B.: Featured photo from Curb Appeal: A Paint Makeover for a Stucco House, California Edition. Photograph by Leslie Santarina.

Gardening 101: Chrysanthemums

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Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum indicum

Chrysanthemums don’t get the respect they deserve. For one thing, the only time anybody thinks of these cheery daisies is in the autumn, when you see them sold widely in plant nurseries and garden centers— at the exact wrong time to plant them if you want them to bloom again next year.

This creates a vicious cycle for the poor mum, purchased in August or September only to be treated as an annual filler flower and replaced next year. Which is why we are here, in January, to  get you to think a new way about these lovely members of the daisy family. May we suggest that you start chrysanthemums from seed indoors in early spring—two months before the last frost date in your region—and harden them off before you transplant seedlings to the garden to grow perennial flowers (in USDA zones 5 to 9)?

Another benefit to starting with seeds is you will be able to choose among a wider selection of varieties, such as spider mums, and more colors. (See UK gardener Sarah Raven’s Abundant Chrysanths Collection for £8.95, of five rooted varieties:  ‘Anastasia Green’, ‘Yara Green’, ‘Porto Purple’, ‘Orange Allouise’, and ‘Sheer Purple’.)

Are chrysanthemums the right flower to grow in your garden? Read on for everything you need to know:

Spider chrysanthemum ‘Saratox Lilac’ is in bloom in the garden at Bayntun Flowers. See more at Chrysanthemums: Rethinking a Fast-Food Flower. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Above: Spider chrysanthemum ‘Saratox Lilac’ is in bloom in the garden at Bayntun Flowers. See more at Chrysanthemums: Rethinking a Fast-Food Flower. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.

To learn more of the history of chrysanthemums, we turn to the National Chrysanthemum Society. which reports that “the chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China as a flowering herb and is described in writings as early as the 15th century B.C..”

Over the centuries, as chrysanthemums traveled around the world and were tinkered with by generations of growers, their shapes and sizes changed. “Ancient growers would not recognize modern mums. Although some mums still resemble daisies, others are more showy,” notes the society.

A pale version of C. ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ (which is more typically a deep red color).
Above: A pale version of C. ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’ (which is more typically a deep red color).

Mums’ flower colors range from white to yellow to red, to pink, purple, and bronze and in the US more than 100 different cultivars are grown.  Chrysanthemums flower in many different shapes, from varieties that look like pompoms, to spider mums, quilled mums, and anemone mums with tight button centers.

Chrysanthemums fill the courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. See more at Garden Visit: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Above: Chrysanthemums fill the courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. See more at Garden Visit: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

If you don’t start your own from seed, the best time to buy chrysanthemum seedlings is in the spring. This will give them several months to establish a healthy root system that can survive winter. Don’t worry—they’ll bloom the first year.

See more in Mosquito Repellent: 5 Flowers and Herbs to Keep Pests Away. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: See more in Mosquito Repellent: 5 Flowers and Herbs to Keep Pests Away. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

The chemical pyrethrum, which occurs naturally in chrysanthemums, is an insect repellent. For natural pest control, plant chrysanthemums at the perimeter of an edible garden bed. See more in Edible Gardens: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.

Spider mums earned their nickname from the long, slender shape of their petals, which resemble spiders’ legs. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Above: Spider mums earned their nickname from the long, slender shape of their petals, which resemble spiders’ legs. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.

Cheat Sheet

  • Perennial mums should be divided every three years to keep them healthy and encourage blooming. To divide, dig up a plant in early spring, divide its root system into three or four separate sections, and replant them all.
  • Popular container plants, chrysanthemums in pots should be fertilized weekly to keep them flowering.
  • In the garden, good companion plants for mums are vegetables and late-season flowering perennials such as coneflowers. In containers, pair them with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ and alyssum.
C. ‘White Spider’ is a delicate shade of yellow that has little in common with the harsh gold hues of many nursery specimens.
Above: C. ‘White Spider’ is a delicate shade of yellow that has little in common with the harsh gold hues of many nursery specimens.

Keep It Alive

  • Chrysanthemums like moist well-drained soil (if it’s too dry, their roots won’t spread and if it’s too wet, the roots will rot).
  • Full sun (six or more hours a day) will encourage chrysanthemums to flower profusely.
  • When transplanting seedlings, remember that most mums will reach a diameter of 3 feet at maturity; don’t crowd them.
Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Emperor of China’ is an old-fashioned mum with double pink flowers and dark centers. It will grown to a height of 4 feet. Photograph by F.D. Richards via Flickr.
Above: Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Emperor of China’ is an old-fashioned mum with double pink flowers and dark centers. It will grown to a height of 4 feet. Photograph by F.D. Richards via Flickr.

Read more growing tips in Chrysanthemums: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated guides to Perennials 101. Read more:

Current Obsessions: Garden Restart

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Even in the cold of January, there are tasks to be done in the garden, DIY salves to be made, and organizing (in the shed, the garage, the entryway) for the new year and spring ahead. Here are 8 things to know about this weekend:

 Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is one of our favorite winter blooms, with a lovely rosy bloom, even in the depths of January; see more in Twiggy: 7 Favorite Shrubs with Winter Blooms and Berries. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Above: Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’ is one of our favorite winter blooms, with a lovely rosy bloom, even in the depths of January; see more in Twiggy: 7 Favorite Shrubs with Winter Blooms and Berries. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.

Previously in Obsessions:

What to Read in This Week’s New Directions Issue

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What’s your weather like this week? If it’s keeping you indoors, stay posted for our tips on how to perk up your potted orchids and other houseplants. If the days are mild, join us in the garden where we’ll be pruning our climbing roses (we’ve discovered leather gauntlet gloves that will defeat even the sharpest thorns).

Here’s what’s ahead in a week of new directions:

Stay tuned for step-by-step instructions to dry herbs at home. And in the meantime, learn about more ways to use fragrant herbs in Everything You Need to Know About Lavender (Plus 5 Kinds to Grow). Photograph by Aya Brackett.
Above: Stay tuned for step-by-step instructions to dry herbs at home. And in the meantime, learn about more ways to use fragrant herbs in Everything You Need to Know About Lavender (Plus 5 Kinds to Grow). Photograph by Aya Brackett.

We’ve got more landscaping ideas and indoor plant projects coming this week:

  • How to dry your favorite herbs at home, step by step
  • Parisian designers’ secrets: chic paint colors for a façade
  • 10 things you didn’t know about orchids
  • Meet zoysia grass, your new best friend (and eco-conscious lawn alternative)
  • Leather gauntlet gloves that will change your life (and forearms) forever

In case you missed last week’s most popular posts:

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Orchids

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“Orchids seem to drive people crazy,” the author Susan Orlean wrote in The Orchid Thief. “Those who love them love them madly.”

This has been true for centuries, and in the 18oos Europeans’ obsession with the tropical hothouse flowers reached such a fever pitch that it was dubbed Orchidelirium. These days, the once-expensive exotic epiphytes have become common, thanks to tissue-cloning techniques that makes mass production possible.

But although you can buy an orchid for under $20 at nearly any neighborhood supermarket, this does not mean you will know how to keep the plant alive at home. Orchids can be fussy—or at least mysterious—in their demands.

Let’s reveal a few of the flowers’ secrets—here are 10 things nobody tells you about orchids.

1. The easiest orchid to grow is a Phalaenopsis.

A Phalaenopsis orchid will grow in low light. For more details, see Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: A Phalaenopsis orchid will grow in low light. For more details, see Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Also known as a moth orchids, Phalaenopsis is a a beginner’s best friend because they will grow in low light and do not require extreme humidity. “Speaking as a home hobbyist grower, I also think Phalaenopsis orchids are probably the easiest to get to re-bloom,” says orchid seller Susie Turner of Green Door Design in Mill Valley, California. For more of her tips, see Orchids: Expert Advice from Susie Turner.

2. If you think it’s time to water your orchid, wait one more day.

Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Above: Photograph by Erin Boyle.

“Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than under-watering,” warns the American Orchid Society. To determine if your orchid needs water, “use the pencil trick (the point of a sharpened pencil, when inserted into the medium, will darken with moisture if the plant has enough water). And, there’s always the old standby – put your finger in the mix. If it feels wet, it is wet. If you aren’t sure whether it is time to water, wait one more day,” the society recommends.

3. To get an orchid to re-bloom, trick it into thinking it’s in the tropics.

Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

When an orchid stops blooming,, cut off the flower stalk at the base of the plant. Then put your moth orchid in a room in your house where you can simulate the tropical climate conditions it likes. It needs a month’s worth of  daily temperature drops of at least 10 degrees from day to night, says orchid whisperer Mary Gerritsen, the author of A Bay Area Guide to Orchids and their Culture.

Read more tips at How to Make An Orchid Bloom Again.

4. You probably don’t need to put your orchid in a bigger pot.

Photograph by Leslie Santarina.
Above: Photograph by Leslie Santarina.

Orchids like tight spaces. Don’t repot yours until its roots have grown through the holes on the pot and are dangling in air. (One exception to this rule is if you buy an orchid that is potted in moss. In that case, repot it immediately in a proper orchid potting mix.)

See more in How to Repot an Orchid (Without Killing It).

5. Your orchid will not be any happier in a special Swiss-cheese pot.

A Miltonia orchid is happy in a clay pot (with proper drainage). Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: A Miltonia orchid is happy in a clay pot (with proper drainage). Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

The Swiss-cheese pots attempt to replicate orchid-growing conditions in the wild, where the plants either grow visibly on the surface of trees (with roots attached to the bark of  tree branches) or on rocks, with roots working their way into crevices. But it’s not necessary to use an open-air orchid pot if your plant’s roots have good air circulation in a pot.

6. An orchid will not grow in soil.

Designer Rose Uniacke London designer fills her London conservatory with orchids. See more in Among the Orchids: Designer Rose Uniacke at Home in London. Photograph by Matthew Williams.
Above: Designer Rose Uniacke London designer fills her London conservatory with orchids. See more in Among the Orchids: Designer Rose Uniacke at Home in London. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Orchids are epiphytes, and in their native tropical environments, they grow on trees (not in soil). Plant orchids in an orchid potting mix (which contains wood chips or bark) and they will be happy.

7. It’s not OK to use ice cubes on orchids.

We used to think this was OK. We were wrong! Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Above: We used to think this was OK. We were wrong! Photograph by Erin Boyle.

Some orchid owners avoid over-watering by putting an ice cube in the pot at the base of the plant. As the ice slowly melts, it releases water for the plant’s roots to absorb. But experts warn against this practice. For one thing, orchids are tropical plants that love warmth—and ice cubes are cold.

Here’s what the Oregon Orchid Society says on the subject: ” The ice cube idea is to provide minimal water in the orchid’s suboptimal conditions. The problem is, even though this might mimic the amount of water that the orchid had in their upbringing, misted hourly in mass greenhouses, over time the plant will die from being cramped in suboptimal conditions.  If you want to keep your orchid alive for years, the solution is regular watering with room-temperature water after repotting the orchid into proper orchid mix (usually bark) and a good, well-draining pot.”

8. An orchid’s flowers can last for many months.

For more of this orchid, see DIY: A Hanging Orchid, Father’s Day Edition. Photograph by Sylvia Moreno-Bunge.
Above: For more of this orchid, see DIY: A Hanging Orchid, Father’s Day Edition. Photograph by Sylvia Moreno-Bunge.

9. There are more than 25,000 different species of orchids.

A spectacular moth orchid in designer Rose Uniacke’s London conservatory. Photograph by Matthew Williams.
Above: A spectacular moth orchid in designer Rose Uniacke’s London conservatory. Photograph by Matthew Williams.

Popular houseplant varieties include Lady’s Slipper Orchid, Oncidiums, pansy orchids, moth orchids, and Phalaenopsis crosses. See more at Best Indoor Plants: 6 Flowering Orchids to Grow.

See more in Orchids: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.

10. In the 1800s, collectors paid thousands of dollars for a single orchid plant.

A lacy-flowered Oncidium orchid. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: A lacy-flowered Oncidium orchid. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Orchidelirium (similar to the tulip mania that swept Holland in an earlier century) prompted Victorian-era plant collectors to buy rare orchids for high prices at auctions. Until the publication of the first edition of “The Orchid Grower’s Manual” in 1851, very little was known about how to propagate orchids or care for specimens brought back to Europe and the U.S.  from tropical climates. Nowadays, thanks to improved propagation techniques that growers developed in tissue culture labs, an exotic orchid can be purchased for a few dollars at nearly any supermarket.

N.B.: Featured photo at the top of the post by Leslie Santarina.

Read more growing tips in Orchids: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated design guides to Tropical Plants 101. Feed your orchid obsession with more posts:

Edible Gardens for Beginners: With Gardenuity, There’s No Guesswork

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First-time gardeners need a little extra help. With an edible container-garden kit from Dallas-based Gardenuity,  they will get it. “You’ll automatically get weather alerts for your zip code from us,” says company co-founder Donna Letier.  “If there’s an expected spring heat wave after you plant your tomatoes, we’ll tell you to roll them into the shade for the next two days.”

In fact, Gardenuity won’t even let you plant those tomatoes—or that basil or kale, or anything else—if the weather isn’t right. “Not a match today,” the site will inform you. You can request a notification when the time is right, but you can’t purchase an edible plant out of season.

“New gardeners want somebody to feel like they’re on the path with them—and we’re right there,” said Letier.

A Complete Garden Kit to grow spinach (as shown in the top photo) comes with a reusable black grow-bag planter as well as seeds, soil, compost, and nutrients; $35.
Above: A Complete Garden Kit to grow spinach (as shown in the top photo) comes with a reusable black grow-bag planter as well as seeds, soil, compost, and nutrients; $35.

Gardenuity sells kits at prices from $28 to $49 to grow dozens of vegetables and herbs (kits are customized for indoor or outdoor placement). Some kits come with seeds and others with seedlings (depending on the easiest way to grow a particular plant).

A Cocktail Garden Kit With Herb Plants comes with four seedlings in 4-inch pots. Current selections include lemon thyme, rosemary, and two varieties of mint; $39.
Above: A Cocktail Garden Kit With Herb Plants comes with four seedlings in 4-inch pots. Current selections include lemon thyme, rosemary, and two varieties of mint; $39.

Along with the kits, Gardenuity offers advice to “personally guide you through your growing experience.” This includes personalized weather alerts, feeding reminders, recipes, and step-by-step instructions for harvest.

A Complete Carrots Garden Kit comes with seeds pre-spaced for planting in a biodegradable square; $35.
Above: A Complete Carrots Garden Kit comes with seeds pre-spaced for planting in a biodegradable square; $35.

“We try to make it easy—the whole container garden can be set up in an hour,” says Letier. “It’s like a piece of white paper towel. Just put the seed square on top of the bag and the seeds will germinate in nine or ten days.”

With accessories such as a MoGrow Coaster rolling teak planter stand, Gardenuity’s edible container gardens are mobile; $19.t
Above: With accessories such as a MoGrow Coaster rolling teak planter stand, Gardenuity’s edible container gardens are mobile; $19.t

See more growing tips in Edible Gardens: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our Garden Design 101 guides. Get more ideas for Your First Garden:

Low-Water Landscapes: 8 Ideas for Dry Gardens, from Designer Daniel Nolan

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Please forget everything you think you know about dry gardens (especially if you are imagining harsh, spiky, half-dead-looking landscapes).

A low-water garden can have lush foliage, soft textures, and will welcome you into deep, luxurious shades of greens if  Northern California-based landscape designer Daniel Nolan created it. Nolan, who made his name as an inventive in-house designer at San Francisco’s beloved Flora Grubb Gardens and is founder of the eponymous Daniel Nolan Design, recently collected 25 favorite projects (including some of his own) in a book, Dry Gardens.

Before he starts a new landscape project, Nolan says he “will ask myself: Is there a way we can reduce the water consumption?” Nolan’s gardens answer the question with personality, style, and an approachable feel. An expert on container gardens, as well, Nolan chooses plants that can thrive in dry soil with infrequent irrigation.

When we asked Nolan to share his secrets for designing a dry garden, he offered eight tips (illustrated beautifully in his book, with photographs by Caitlin Atkinson):

Photography from Dry Gardens, courtesy of Rizzoli.

1. Reduce the size of your lawn.

In San Antonio, Texas, barrel cacti, agaves, and yuccas provide textural contrast to mature oak trees (Quercus robur). “This project masters the proportion of just enough lawn, the planting beds are generously wide, and the grass is kept to one area that is directly in front of the home making it feel welcoming but modern,” says Nolan.
Above: In San Antonio, Texas, barrel cacti, agaves, and yuccas provide textural contrast to mature oak trees (Quercus robur). “This project masters the proportion of just enough lawn, the planting beds are generously wide, and the grass is kept to one area that is directly in front of the home making it feel welcoming but modern,” says Nolan.

How do you reduce the size of your lawn? Nolan doesn’t oppose lawns, but he is considerate of appropriate sizes and scale. “Take any opportunity to expand your planting beds,” said Nolan. “Try spreading out your plants to give them ample room and show them off by selecting a gravel that contrasts and highlights their shape.”

2. Accessorize a swimming pool with sculptural silhouettes.

Surrounding a swimming pool in Palm Springs, California, a garden looks like an art gallery full of sculpture. “The  reflections of these architectural and graphic plants in the water creates an amazing experience,” says Nolan.
Above: Surrounding a swimming pool in Palm Springs, California, a garden looks like an art gallery full of sculpture. “The  reflections of these architectural and graphic plants in the water creates an amazing experience,” says Nolan.

How do you add drama to the landscaping surrounding a swimming pool “Don’t be afraid to experiment with your ground cover selections beyond mulch,” says Nolan. “I think selecting the right stone is as important as the plant selection, a bigger rougher stone or Mexican pebble will make your plants standout.”

3. Add native plants (they’ll naturally thrive in your climate).

Perennial grasses and trailing ground cover softens the edges of the spineless prickly pear cacti (Opuntia cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’) in a garden in Austin, Texas.
Above: Perennial grasses and trailing ground cover softens the edges of the spineless prickly pear cacti (Opuntia cacanapa ‘Ellisiana’) in a garden in Austin, Texas.

Texas natives thrive along this entrance border. “What makes it successful is that four plants are kept in graphic lines, the height of the oaks, the softness of the grasses, the texture of the prickly pear and the ground cover tying it all together,” says Nolan.

How do you create the right mix of native and non-native species in a dry garden? “Request natives. While most large commercial nurseries don’t carry a wide selection of native species to the area, smaller nurseries usually have a better selection and can point you towards plants that thrive in the local climate,” says Nolan.

4. Make a small garden feel larger, with layering.

 Gardens you can (almost) fit in your pocket can still produce a large visual impact despite their diminutive size, and usually are not huge water guzzlers.
Above: Gardens you can (almost) fit in your pocket can still produce a large visual impact despite their diminutive size, and usually are not huge water guzzlers.

Nolan believes that not all gardens need to be bone dry.  A good mix of plants—including those which significantly reduce water consumption and others that  are a bit more thirsty—is fine.

How do you create a layered look in an existing garden? “When you’re looking to add to your already-established garden, steer clear of heavy water consumers and look to either native or drought tolerant species,” says Nolan.

5. Embrace harsh beachfront climates, with succulents.

In Los Angeles, dwarf olives (O. europaea ‘Mantra’) mix with succulents and Stipa feather grass to “soften board-formed-concrete walls,” writes Nolan.
Above: In Los Angeles, dwarf olives (O. europaea ‘Mantra’) mix with succulents and Stipa feather grass to “soften board-formed-concrete walls,” writes Nolan.

Nolan says, “Beach-front properties can be hard, and this one is so masterfully done because it’s three textures: a solid hedge of dwarf olive mixed with a lush agave and succulent garden and the Mexican feather grasses make it informal and add movement.”

What are perfect plants to choose for seaside gardens? “Succulents are perfect for seaside gardens because that is where most succulents are native to around the world and are able to handle not only the sun but the near constant wind and salt air,” says Nolan.

6. Don’t dismiss the obvious choices for container gardens.

Drought-tolerant plants such as snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata and cactus Cleistocactus need to be watered once a month.
Above: Drought-tolerant plants such as snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata and cactus Cleistocactus need to be watered once a month.

When considering plants for your home or office, the ability for your leafy addition to be fuss-free and still survive after being potentially neglected are a must. “The sansevieria gets a bad wrap for being predictable when it’s really the chicest of interior plants,” says Nolan. “There are now dozens of varieties and doing a few varieties gives you a cool mix of colors and textures. Add a few cactus to the mix and it’s a garden you can enjoy with minimal care.”

What are common houseplants you also can choose for outdoor container gardens?  “Mother-in-law’s tongues are the workhorses of houseplants, and combined with Cleistocactus, you will have a lush planting that requires almost no maintenance with minimal watering,” says Nolan.

7. Rely on already-established plants to create privacy.

Two date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera) impart a statuesque presence to layered privacy plantings at the perimeter of a swimming pool.
Above: Two date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera) impart a statuesque presence to layered privacy plantings at the perimeter of a swimming pool.

Well-established bamboo (shown above) was left in place because it thrived in the clay and provided an efficient screen, but Nolan says, “We ended up removing a large patch of grass and installing the Phoenix dactylifera to give the pool a graphic element, and added the soft Acacia iteaphylla to create another layer.”

Why should you try to work around established plants when designing a dry garden?  “Leave established plants because the longer an ornamental plant has grown in, the less water it needs,” says Nolan.

8. Say hello to the overlooked aloe.

A crested Myrtillocactus (M. geometrizans cristata) in the foreground “shares a narrow balcony with potted Furcraea macdougalii and Aloe barberae.” says Nolan.
Above: A crested Myrtillocactus (M. geometrizans cristata) in the foreground “shares a narrow balcony with potted Furcraea macdougalii and Aloe barberae.” says Nolan.

This small space project feels cohesive because of “the repetition of specific plants in their containers and a muted color palette,” says Nolan.

Why should you include aloes (which are often overlooked) in a dry garden? “They offer scale in any desired application, from tree aloes to ground cover varieties,” says Nolan. “There are dozens of bloom colors as well, which contradicts the notion that dry gardens are not colorful.”

A hardcover copy of Dry Gardens: High Style for Low Water Gardens is $34.43 at Amazon.
Above: A hardcover copy of Dry Gardens: High Style for Low Water Gardens is $34.43 at Amazon.

See more ideas for design dry gardens in our curated guides to Hardscape 101, including special sections on Gravel 101 and Decks & Patios 101. See more of Nolan’s gardens (and more tips for Dry Garden Design):


10 Easy Pieces: High Tech Herb Growing Kits

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This year I’ve resolved to grow my own culinary herbs. After years of buying those tiny (plastic) packages of (expensive) bundled herbs at the grocery store, it’s time. Enter: technology. There are now a host of grow-it-yourself systems on the market that suit even the most cramped and light-less kitchens. Many of the kits are hydroponic, come with an efficient LED grow light, connect to your smart phone, or use NASA-like smart soil. Here are our 10 favorites.

The Umbra Giardino Indoor Herb Garden Set isn’t necessarily “high tech” but it is insofar as its watering and drainage system. It’s designed to fit windowsills and countertops and has a Smart Drain System to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. You water from the top through the garden’s perforated roof, which directs water to drip down into growing herbs; $40 at Amazon.
Above: The Umbra Giardino Indoor Herb Garden Set isn’t necessarily “high tech” but it is insofar as its watering and drainage system. It’s designed to fit windowsills and countertops and has a Smart Drain System to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. You water from the top through the garden’s perforated roof, which directs water to drip down into growing herbs; $40 at Amazon.
For UK readers, Ikea’s Krydda/Växer Grow Kit is a hydroponic kit that comes with growing trays, shelves, and LED lights; £64.50 at Ikea UK. For more on the kit, see our post New from Ikea: A Hydroponic Countertop Garden Kit.
Above: For UK readers, Ikea’s Krydda/Växer Grow Kit is a hydroponic kit that comes with growing trays, shelves, and LED lights; £64.50 at Ikea UK. For more on the kit, see our post New from Ikea: A Hydroponic Countertop Garden Kit.
The Opcom Farm Hydroponic Growing System with an O2 light is an easy-to-operate hydroponic grow system with an adjustable LED light. The “auto” mode of the system manages light and water cycles efficiently; $199.99 through Google Express.
Above: The Opcom Farm Hydroponic Growing System with an O2 light is an easy-to-operate hydroponic grow system with an adjustable LED light. The “auto” mode of the system manages light and water cycles efficiently; $199.99 through Google Express.
For a more robust herb growing operation, the Danby Herb Grower with 16-Watt LED BloomBoss Lighting is the size of a mini fridge that includes a grow light, fan-assisted air circulation, wire shelves, and a digital timer for light cycles; $399 at The Home Depot.
Above: For a more robust herb growing operation, the Danby Herb Grower with 16-Watt LED BloomBoss Lighting is the size of a mini fridge that includes a grow light, fan-assisted air circulation, wire shelves, and a digital timer for light cycles; $399 at The Home Depot.
The Classic Veritable Garden is powered by an LED light and self-irrigates for up to three weeks (good for the itinerant gardener); $200 through Goop.
Above: The Classic Veritable Garden is powered by an LED light and self-irrigates for up to three weeks (good for the itinerant gardener); $200 through Goop.
The AeroGarden Harvest Elite WiFi with a Gourmet Herbs Seeds Pod Kit is soil-free and works with high-performance LED lights for optimal growing (white light for rapid growth, blue for larger yields, and red for more flowers and fruit). The interactive LCD display guides you through the growing process via your own smart device. It’s $89.96 at Sur la Table.
Above: The AeroGarden Harvest Elite WiFi with a Gourmet Herbs Seeds Pod Kit is soil-free and works with high-performance LED lights for optimal growing (white light for rapid growth, blue for larger yields, and red for more flowers and fruit). The interactive LCD display guides you through the growing process via your own smart device. It’s $89.96 at Sur la Table.
The Hydrofarm Hydroponic Grow Light is designed for germinating seeds and then, as plants grow, the upper bar and light extends to keep three to six inches away from the plant canopy. It’s $59.99 at Ace Hardware.
Above: The Hydrofarm Hydroponic Grow Light is designed for germinating seeds and then, as plants grow, the upper bar and light extends to keep three to six inches away from the plant canopy. It’s $59.99 at Ace Hardware.
The Click & Grown Smart Garden 3 Indoor Gardening Kit comes with pre-seeded cartridges that drop into the basin and grow by way of “smart soil” (a nano-tech growth medium that accelerates plant growth) and an LED grow light. It’s available in white, black, and beige for $99.95 on Amazon. For a larger kit, the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 is $200 at Urban Outfitters. For more on the system, see our post Click and Grow: A Miniature Herb Garden for a Kitchen Countertop.
Above: The Click & Grown Smart Garden 3 Indoor Gardening Kit comes with pre-seeded cartridges that drop into the basin and grow by way of “smart soil” (a nano-tech growth medium that accelerates plant growth) and an LED grow light. It’s available in white, black, and beige for $99.95 on Amazon. For a larger kit, the Click & Grow Smart Garden 9 is $200 at Urban Outfitters. For more on the system, see our post Click and Grow: A Miniature Herb Garden for a Kitchen Countertop.
Better for balconies than countertops, the Grow Smart Vegetable Planter is an automated self-watering planter that connects to your phone for info on what to plant, when, and how to care for your plants for “fresh produce with little effort.” A single planter is $99 directly through Grow.
Above: Better for balconies than countertops, the Grow Smart Vegetable Planter is an automated self-watering planter that connects to your phone for info on what to plant, when, and how to care for your plants for “fresh produce with little effort.” A single planter is $99 directly through Grow.
The Goodful Harvest Slim Countertop Garden & Gourmet Herbs Seed Kit is another model from AeroGarden but a little more simplified than the model featured previously. It’s counter-size and comes with an energy-efficient LED grow light that automatically turns on and off; the system also reminds you when to water and add plant food. The garden kit comes in black, white, and sage for $189.99 each at Macy’s.
Above: The Goodful Harvest Slim Countertop Garden & Gourmet Herbs Seed Kit is another model from AeroGarden but a little more simplified than the model featured previously. It’s counter-size and comes with an energy-efficient LED grow light that automatically turns on and off; the system also reminds you when to water and add plant food. The garden kit comes in black, white, and sage for $189.99 each at Macy’s.
The Plant Grow LED Light Kit Indoor Herb Garden comes with a smart timer, a cool white light optimized for growing; $38.21 on Amazon.
Above: The Plant Grow LED Light Kit Indoor Herb Garden comes with a smart timer, a cool white light optimized for growing; $38.21 on Amazon.

Browse our newly updated 10 Easy Pieces archives. For other grow kits, tech-free included, see our posts:

100 Gardens to Visit Before You Die

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Our list of the top 100 gardens to visit worldwide is very personal; many of these destinations are favorites our editors and contributors discovered in their travels. Others—from Athens to Australia—are new to us and we are determined to see them this year or next.

Some of the world’s most beautiful gardens we stumbled across in our travels and others are known to everyone who loves landscapes.

You probably have your own favorite gardens to add to this list. Please do—we’d want to hear about your discoveries (and add them to our must-visit list).

1. Lotusland: Montecito, California

At Lotusland in Montecito, California, sculptural weeping succulents (Euphorbia ingens) tower over Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii). For more, see Letter from California: Lotusland Survives Fire and Fury in Montecito. Photograph by Claire Takacs.
Above: At Lotusland in Montecito, California, sculptural weeping succulents (Euphorbia ingens) tower over Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii). For more, see Letter from California: Lotusland Survives Fire and Fury in Montecito. Photograph by Claire Takacs.

Near Santa Barbara, the 37-acre Lotusland estate features otherworldly combinations of tropical plants, cacti, succulents, and ferns. “The story of the birth of Lotusland is as extraordinary as its survival,” writes our contributor Kendra Wilson. “An amalgam of two properties, the gardens around the Spanish hacienda-style house were extended in the 1940s by Madame Ganna Walska, a Polish opera singer with a colorful love life and a half dozen husbands. When she finally settled down in California, the recent end of her first career and the departure of husband number six allowed Walska to focus exclusively on building a theatrical garden.”

Visit: Advance reservations required; see Lotusland for details.

2. Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Bangalore, India

In Bangalore, India the Lalbagh Botanical Garden has twins: two trees bow to each other and fan across on the lakeshore. Photograph by Nagesh Kamath via Flickr.
Above: In Bangalore, India the Lalbagh Botanical Garden has twins: two trees bow to each other and fan across on the lakeshore. Photograph by Nagesh Kamath via Flickr.

Once a private garden, the Lalbagh Botanical Garden dates to the 18th century (and has been a government garden since 1856). “Lots of large and shady tropical trees and a fine old glasshouse where Indira Gandhi split the Congress party in 1969” give this garden character and a special place in history, says historian Ramachandra Guha, a historian and biographer who lives in Bangalore.

Visit: For hours and other information, see Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

3. Peckerwood Garden: Hempstead, Texas

See more of Peckerwood Garden at A Texas Garden Where the Rare and the Endangered Flourish. Photograph by Marion Brenner.
Above: See more of Peckerwood Garden at A Texas Garden Where the Rare and the Endangered Flourish. Photograph by Marion Brenner.

Peckerwood Garden has seven acres of rare and vanishing plants–many of them desert specimens that architecture professor John G. Fairey brought home from the high mountains of northern Mexico during more than 80 plant-collecting expeditions over the past 30 years. An hour’s drive north of Houston, Peckerwood is open to the public on scheduled days.

Visit: See information about upcoming open days at Peckerwood Garden.

4. Le Plume: Normandy, France

Formerly a sheep pasture,  a giant parterre has an orchard—and views that stretch to the horizon. See more at Le Jardin Plume: A Modern Impressionist Masterpiece in Normandy. Photograph by Claire Takacs.
Above: Formerly a sheep pasture,  a giant parterre has an orchard—and views that stretch to the horizon. See more at Le Jardin Plume: A Modern Impressionist Masterpiece in Normandy. Photograph by Claire Takacs.

Writes our contributor Kendra Wilson, “For anyone hankering after European formality—only a touch, we’re not talking Versailles—Le Jardin Plume in Upper Normandy is just the ticket. Influenced by more recent movements involving perennials and grasses, the former orchard is nevertheless firmly rooted in French garden tradition, including plenty of neat clipping and evergreen hedges.”

Visit: In addition to the garden, owners Patrick and Sylvie Quibel maintain a plant nursery. For hours and directions, see Le Jardin Plume.

5. Lithica Quarries: Menorca, Spain

Photograph by Jim Powell.
Above: Photograph by Jim Powell.

“At Lithica, the sheltering walls of tidal quarries provide an ideal microclimate, mitigating prolonged summer heat and windy winters. Once, market gardens co-existed within the quarry; now native flora grows among fruit trees and vines,” writes our contributor Kendra Wilson. “These Mediterranean quarry gardens have an innately strong sense of place.” Read more at Menorcan Muse: Lessons from the Labyrinth in an Ancient Quarry.

Visit: “The s’Hostal quarries are situated at the Kilometer 1 in the Camí Vell, near the town center of Ciutadella de Menorca. The access to the quarries is trough the Ronda Sur, in the roundabout where a big rectangular sculpture is, known as ‘Puerta del Mar,'” notes the gardens’ website. See more at Lithica.

6. Lismore Castle: Waterford, Ireland

To see the castle’s gardens change through the seasons, read Lismore Castle in Ireland: An Insider’s View Through the Seasons. Photograph by Lee Behegan.
Above: To see the castle’s gardens change through the seasons, read Lismore Castle in Ireland: An Insider’s View Through the Seasons. Photograph by Lee Behegan.

“Constructed as an abbey and was repeatedly plundered by Vikings before being taken over by the Normans, Lismore Castle in County Waterford was once in the possession of Sir Walter Raleigh, followed by the Great Earl of Cork Richard Boyle in 1602,” writes our contributor Kendra Wilson. “The garden designed for Boyle at that time remains today in the upper terraces of Lismore, while the lower pleasure gardens were designed by the legendary Sir Joseph Paxton, whose role as head gardener did not preclude activities in castle design.”

Visit: For opening hours (from March 16 to October 14 in 2019) and admission prices, see Lismore Castle.

7. Babylonstoren: Cape Town, South Africa

See more at 10 Ideas to Steal from Chefs’ Gardens Around the World. Photograph via Babylonstoren.
Above: See more at 10 Ideas to Steal from Chefs’ Gardens Around the World. Photograph via Babylonstoren.

“Visitors to Babylonstoren, the opulently restored Cape Dutch farm and hotel 45 minutes from Cape Town, are encouraged to pick fruits and vegetables directly from the renowned kitchen gardens,” writes our contributor Marie Viljoen. Read more at Garden Visit: Behind the Scenes at Babylonstoren.

Visit: To book a garden tour, workshop, or overnight stay, see Babylonstoren.

8. Sissinghurst Castle: Kent, England

Quince trees edge the brick path in the white garden at Sissinghurst. Read more at Sleeping at Sissinghurst: An Overnight Stay at England’s Most Famous Garden. Photograph by Clare Coulson.
Above: Quince trees edge the brick path in the white garden at Sissinghurst. Read more at Sleeping at Sissinghurst: An Overnight Stay at England’s Most Famous Garden. Photograph by Clare Coulson.

One of the most famous gardens in the world, Sissinghurst was semi-derilect when Sir Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West purchased it, castle tower included, in 1930. “Fortunately, that was just what the romantic Vita Sackville-West was looking for,” writes our contributor Kendra Wilson. Read more in Garden Travel: An Insider’s 9 Favorite English Gardens to Visit.

Visit: For hours, admission prices, and directions, see Sissinghurst Castle Garden.

9. Ginkaku-ji Garden: Kyoto, Japan

The sand garden at Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in Japan, a giant cone of sand represents Mt. Fuji. Photograph by Kimon Berlin via Flickr.
Above: The sand garden at Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in Japan, a giant cone of sand represents Mt. Fuji. Photograph by Kimon Berlin via Flickr.

The gardens at Kyoto’s famous Zen temple, Ginkaku-ji, have spawned centuries of imitators with their perfectly calm air of serenity.  Kogetsudai (gravel raked into the shape of mountains) is a familiar feature of Japanese gardens, and no example is more iconic than the carefully maintain gravel mountain here. See more at 10 Garden Ideas to Steal from Japanese Zen Masters.

Visit: For hours and admissions prices, see Shokoku.

10. Jardin Majorelle: Marrakech, Morocco

For more, see Rhapsody in Blue: Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech in our Garden Travel guide. Photograph by Chris Armstrong via Flickr.
Above: For more, see Rhapsody in Blue: Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech in our Garden Travel guide. Photograph by Chris Armstrong via Flickr.

“In the first half of last century, as the Parisian arty set discovered the exotic wonders of Marrakech, French artist Louis Majorelle transformed a 12-acre palm grove into the Jardin Majorelle. With one masterful stroke of cobalt blue (a color inspired by Moroccan tiles), he transformed his Art Deco villa and studio into a powerful visual statement,” writes our contributing editor Christine Chang-Hanway. “Surrounded by botanical gardens of exotic plants and rare species that Majorelle collected on his travels around the world, the compound is a masterpiece so magnificent Yves Saint Laurent requested that his ashes be scattered on the grounds.”

See more in 10 Garden Ideas to Steal from Morocco.

Visit: For hours, admission, prices, and directions, see Jardin Majorelle.

11. Jardin Botánico: Quito, Ecuador

Photograph by Angie Drake courtesy of Not Your Average American.
Above: Photograph by Angie Drake courtesy of Not Your Average American.

For those of us who live in climates where we see orchids blooming in supermarkets instead of the wild, it will be refreshing to travel to South America where several thousands of different kinds of orchids are native plants. In addition to orchids, Jardin Botánico Quito in northern Ecuador’s Parque Carolina has a wide collection of tropical bromeliads, ferns, and fuchsias.

Visit: For hours, rates, and parking information, see Jardin Botánico Quito.

12. Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Brooklyn, New York

If you visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in late April, a pink haze of cherry blossoms will greet you. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.
Above: If you visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in late April, a pink haze of cherry blossoms will greet you. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.

A visit to the 52-acre public garden (with its original 32 acres designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1910) is “an immersive experience, a botanical escape from the city that presses on its edges. In late April and May the green blood of spring is racing through the garden, bringing life to a diverse collection of plants,” writes our contributor Marie Viljoen. See more at Insider’s Tour: Secrets of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Visit: For hours and admission prices, see Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

13. Pulau Ubin Island: Singapore

Photograph by Jirka Matousek via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Jirka Matousek via Flickr.

OK, this is not technically “a garden.” More accurately, this island is a respite. Aptly described as a “land that time forgot, stuck in the 1960s” in the New York Times, the island is reached by a 10-minute ride by boat from Singapore’s concrete and glitz. Plan to take a day trip, rent a bike on the island, and explore:  “From Ubin’s jetty, reached by bare-bones wooden vessels called bumboats, and tiny main village, a few paved roads fan out to coastal campsites, dirt paths, lotus ponds or beautiful wetlands. The most striking constant is the lack of noise,” notes the Times.

Visit: For more information including boat fare and guidelines for bicycle use on the island, see Singapore’s National Parks Board.

14. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew: London

In the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, a tropical tone prevails. Photograph by Heather Cowper via Flickr.
Above: In the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, a tropical tone prevails. Photograph by Heather Cowper via Flickr.

Where to start to describe the wonders? “As the world’s most famous botanical garden, Kew is an awe-inspiring place to visit with vast glasshouses and incredible collections. It oversees the biggest and most diverse collection of plants on the planet,” writes our contributor Clare Coulson. See more in 10 Ideas to Steal from the World’s Biggest Botanical Garden.

Visit: For hours, admissions prices, and directions, see Kew.

15. Lambley Nursery: Victoria, Australia

At Lambley Nursery, in Victoria, Australia the dry gardens—planted here with Agapanthus, purple catmint, and euphorbia—rarely get watered. See more in Can This Garden Be Saved: “It Barely Rains; I Live in a Desert.” Photograph by Claire Takacs.
Above: At Lambley Nursery, in Victoria, Australia the dry gardens—planted here with Agapanthus, purple catmint, and euphorbia—rarely get watered. See more in Can This Garden Be Saved: “It Barely Rains; I Live in a Desert.” Photograph by Claire Takacs.

After gardener David Glenn grew up in the flower-friendly mild climate of England, he decamped nearly three decades to a windswept plain two hours away from Melbourne, Australia. What choice did he have, here on the world’s driest inhabited continent, but to experiment with low-water plants? These days his spectacular dry gardens at Lambley Gardens and Nursery need to be watered deeply no more than four times a year and are open to the public every day (except Christmas). Garden lovers from around the world make pilgrimages to see the riotous perennial beds. Flowers border the 130-foot driveway, welcoming visitors as they arrive at the front gate of the 19th-century farmhouse. Read more in A Garden You Water Four Times a Year.

Visit: Lambley Nursery ships plants overseas; if you visit in person, entry is free, For hours and driving directions, see Lambley Nursery.

16. Maxmilianpark: Hamm, Germany

Garden designer Piet Oudolf laid out the perennial beds at Maximilianpark in Hamm, Germany. For more, see Maxmilianpark.
Above: Garden designer Piet Oudolf laid out the perennial beds at Maximilianpark in Hamm, Germany. For more, see Maxmilianpark.

Maximilianpark was formerly a coal mine, now transformed into gardens, play spaces, and a sanctuary for pollinators. It’s a great place to study designer Oudolf ‘s planting techniques: he designed the park’s wildflower meadow. See more in Landscape Ideas: 8 Favorite Gardens by Dutch Designer Piet Oudolf.

Visit: For hours and information, see Maxmipark.

17. Wang Shi Yuan: Suzhou, China

During the Ming Dynasty, shooting ducks from the porch of the pavilion was a popular activity. Photograph by WabbitWanderer via Flickr.
Above: During the Ming Dynasty, shooting ducks from the porch of the pavilion was a popular activity. Photograph by WabbitWanderer via Flickr.

Wang Shi Yuan, or the Master of the Nets garden, in Suzhou (about 60 miles from Shanghai) is one of the city’s 60 Ming and Qing dynasty gardens and is 800 years old. A classic example of a traditional pleasure garden, the 1.5-acre grounds are divided into three sections, with an eastern, western, and main garden. The garden’s fortunes rose and fell with its owners’ over the centuries, with a major restoration undertaken in the 19th century.

“Just as the garden in China has been the site of quite extraordinary expenditures of resources by scholar, rich merchant, and emperor alike down through the ages, the garden has also occasioned, on the part of China’s scholar-gentry elite, an equally remarkably rich tradition of literary and artistic representations of the gardens, both real and imaginary,” writes Duncan Campbell in the New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies.

Visit: For hours and information, see Szwsy.

18. New York Botanical Garden: Bronx, New York

For more, see Opening Ceremony: A Preview of New York’s Orchid Show. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.
Above: For more, see Opening Ceremony: A Preview of New York’s Orchid Show. Photograph by Marie Viljoen.

A beautiful garden to visit in any season with 250 acres and a collection of more than 12,000 plants, New York Botanical Garden is particularly irresistible in winter, with an annual Orchid Show in its soaring glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This year’s theme? “A dazzling tribute to Singapore—one of the world’s greatest orchid cultures—where these storied flowers are an integral part of the life of this vibrant ‘City in a Garden,”” notes NYBG.

Visit: The Orchid Show: Singapore will be on display from February 23 to April 28. For general hours and admission prices, see New York Botanical Garden.

19. Bahá’í Gardens: Haifa, Israel

Photograph by Ron Almog via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Ron Almog via Flickr.

“When people think about Israel, they don’t typically imagine gardens—usually there’s more of an association with a hot middle eastern climate and multiform geopolitical issues,” writes Daisy Helman in Garden Collage Magazine. “These assumptions are common, but when I think about Israel, I think about the desert, the mountains, the ocean, and the beach.”  In Haifa, a staircase of 19 terraces leads to the top of Mount Carmel, with “panoramic views of the city, the Galilee Hills and the Mediterranean Sea.” notes Bahá’í Gardens.

Visit: For walk-in tour hours, current weather conditions, and other information, see Bahá’í Gardens.

20. The National Garden: Athens, Greece

A sudden rainstorm in late afternoon turns the arbor walk at the national gardens moody in Athens. Photograph by RBerteig via Flickr.
Above: A sudden rainstorm in late afternoon turns the arbor walk at the national gardens moody in Athens. Photograph by RBerteig via Flickr.

Built as the palace gardens in the mid 19th century by Queen Amalia (“and her German gardener Schmidt,” the national gardens site reports), this park in Athens was Henry Miller’s favorite: “It remains in my memory like no other park I have known. It is the quintessence of a park, the thing one feels sometimes in looking at a canvas or dreaming of a place one would like to be in and never finds.” The 37-acre oasis in the center of the city is home to ducks, turtles, and hedgehogs as well as date palms and 500 other varieties of plants.

Visit: For information and a map of the grounds, see City of Athens.

21. Longwood Gardens, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Longwood Gardens is located an hour’s drive from Philadelphia in the Photograph via Longwood Gardens.
Above: Longwood Gardens is located an hour’s drive from Philadelphia in the Photograph via Longwood Gardens.

Open year-round, the 1,077-acre estate of industrialist Pierre du Pont “followed no grand plan; rather, he built the gardens piecemeal, beginning with the “old-fashioned” Flower Garden Walk,” notes Longwood Gardens. Today the grounds feature formal gardens, a meadow garden, a Tuscan-style open-air theater, and glasshouses (an annual winter orchid kicks off in January.

Visit: For tickets, reservations, and visiting tips, see Longwood Gardens.

22. Bryan’s Ground: Herefordshire, England

George, a favorite Labrador dog, stands sentry over  the long canal at Bryan’s Ground. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Above: George, a favorite Labrador dog, stands sentry over  the long canal at Bryan’s Ground. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.

“The house and gardens at Bryan’s Ground in Herefordshire were put together by artistic people at the beginning of the 20th century. Howard’s End author E.M. Forster might have dreamed up the setting with its wisteria-draped loggia, sunken garden, and skating pool, and yet the space is ever-evolving,” writes our contributor Kendra Wilson. See more of the garden in Bryan’s Ground: Bloomsbury Revisited, on the Edge of Wales.

Visit: For open days, hours, and admission prices, see Bryan’s Ground.

23. The High Line: New York, New York

Read more about the High Line at High Line NYC: The Inside Story by Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf. Photograph by Robert Nyman via Flickr.
Above: Read more about the High Line at High Line NYC: The Inside Story by Landscape Designer Piet Oudolf. Photograph by Robert Nyman via Flickr.

There’s something undeniably magical about viewing Manhattan from the 1,5-mile long elevated High Line park that transformed rusted, run-rundown railroad tracks into a magical walkway, with perennial beds and wildflowers designed by Dutch master Piet Oudolf. Native plants attract birds and bees in warmer months, and the views are spectacular year-round. (When you visit, bring a guide. High Line: A Field Guide, created by artist Mike Dion,  is a beautifully illustrated pocket-size companion.)

Visit: The park, which stretches from the Meatpacking District to Midtown in Manhattan, is open from dawn to dusk; for information and access points, see The High Line.

24. Isola Bella Gardens: Lago Maggiore, Italy

Photograph by Elliott Brown via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by Elliott Brown via Flickr.

Our translation of “isola bella” is oh-so-beautiful island. In Italy’s northern Lake District, the island’s castle and sprawling terraced gardens (which date to the 17th century) are reached by boat.  “It took four hundred years and the work of a hundred men to transform Isola Bella from a barren rock to a place of delights,” notes Isole Borromee. Statues, fountains, parterres: this is a basic introduction to the Italianate baroque style of garden. If you visit, say hello to the white peacocks for us.

Visit: For hours, admission, and information about boat transportation, see Visiting the Place.

25. Little Sparta: Dunsyre, Scotland

See more in Required Reading: Little Sparta, in Words and Pictures. Photograph by Andrew Lawson.
Above: See more in Required Reading: Little Sparta, in Words and Pictures. Photograph by Andrew Lawson.

The poet and his wife, Sue, arrived at the five-acre property after buying it in 1966 and immediately became laying out waterways to create ponds and lochs. “Spread out in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh, the garden at Little Sparta was created by artist and poet Ian Hamilton Finlay over decades, with his wife Sue. Simply put, It is one of the greatest works of art created in Scotland,” writes our UK contributor Kendra Wilson. See more in The Poet and His Garden: Ian Hamilton Finlay in Scotland.

Visit: The garden is open in warm months, “respecting Finlay’s intention that the garden should be experienced when the trees and plants, all integral to the artwork, are in full leaf.,” notes Little Sparta, which has information on hours and open days.

Read about 75 more gardens to see before you die in our Garden Travel Guides, including:

Leather Garden Gloves That Will Change Your Life

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“No thorns go as deep as a rose’s,” observed the 19th-century English poet Algernon Swinburne. Would that Swinburne had lived to witness the invention of these invincible Leather Rose Gloves.

From Florida-based Garden Works and sewn from “100 percent cow grain leather,” the stylish gauntlet gloves will fully protect a gardener’s forearms while pruning roses. And perhaps keep you warm as well—the best time to prune is in winter, when roses are dormant.

A pair of Leather Rose Gloves is available in two sizes (medium and large) and is $44 from florist Emily Thompson.
Above: A pair of Leather Rose Gloves is available in two sizes (medium and large) and is $44 from florist Emily Thompson.

“We love thorny things, but they don’t always love us back. We use these soft yet tough leather gloves to handle our flowers-with-teeth. Forearm gauntlet sleeves provide full protection,” notes Thompson.

See more rose care tips in Roses 101: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated guides to Perennials 101.

Do you need more protection in the garden? See more posts about Gloves and read:

The Garden Decoder: What Are ‘Annuals’? (The Answer May Surprise You)

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Raise your hand if you either once thought or currently think that annuals are plants that bloom every year. (Go ahead, there’s no shame or judgment here.) Makes sense that you would assume that, as the definition of “annual” is literally “yearly.” But, of course, annuals do not come back year after year. The plants that do are called perennials. That must mean then that annuals are the plants that can live for just a year, right? Not quite. Read on.

N.B.: Featured photograph of cosmos by Jim Powell for Gardenista, from In the Garden with Philippa: Brit Style with a Black Backdrop.

What are “annual” plants?

Petunias, sold in the “annuals” section of nurseries, are actually tender perennials. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer, from Gardening 101: Petunias.
Above: Petunias, sold in the “annuals” section of nurseries, are actually tender perennials. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer, from Gardening 101: Petunias.

It’s accurate to say that annuals are flowering plants that die shortly after blooming and need to be replanted every spring. But guess what? The vast majority of annuals sold in stores and nurseries aren’t true annuals. True annual plants have a life cycle of one year—germinating from seed, blooming, producing seed, and dying all in a single growing season.

Some examples of true annuals are cosmos, marigolds, and sunflowers. Many of the annuals sold at stores, though—think snapdragons, pansies, petunias, begonias, geraniums, and impatiens—are actually tender perennials, frost-sensitive plants that are native to warmer climates, where they come back year after year. But because they’re being grown in less than temperate regions, they act (and are treated like) annuals. (For more on a third type of flowering plant, see The Garden Decoder: What Are ‘Biennials’?)

What about “hardy annuals”?

Opium poppies are considered hardy annuals. Photograph by Jim Powell for Gardenista, from Gardening 101: Opium Poppy.
Above: Opium poppies are considered hardy annuals. Photograph by Jim Powell for Gardenista, from Gardening 101: Opium Poppy.

Annuals are sometimes further classified as “hardy,” “half-hardy,” and “tender” (not to be confused with tender perennials). These terms simply refer to an annual’s tolerance to frost. Hardy annuals can tolerate cold weather and soil; this means they can be planted in early spring and, if left to winter in the garden, may self-seed. Half-hardy annuals can be planted after the last frost. And tender annuals should be planted only once the soil warms up.

Why grow annuals?

Fresh-picked bouquets of farm-stand zinnias for sale in Connecticut. Photograph by Erin Boyle, from Gardening 101: Zinnias.
Above: Fresh-picked bouquets of farm-stand zinnias for sale in Connecticut. Photograph by Erin Boyle, from Gardening 101: Zinnias.

The downside of annuals is that you have to replant them every spring. That’s a major downside. Why bother planting annuals at all? Well, unlike perennials, which may bloom (at most) for just a few weeks, annuals can bloom all summer long, especially if you deadhead the flowers. Annuals also tend to have more vibrant colors. And last, they tend to be less expensive than perennials.

Be sure to visit our field guide to annuals and read Landscaping 101: How to Deadhead Flowers. And for more Garden Decoders, see:

Gardening 101: Japanese Bloodgrass

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Japanese Bloodgrass, Imperata cylindrica: A Study in Scarlet

Striking, fiery, and red are probably not the words that come to mind when you think of perennial grass. But this is exactly what you get with Japanese bloodgrass. Its highly ornamental foliage deepens in color over the course of a growing season, from a pink tinge in spring to show-stopping scarlet in autumn.

But be careful when adding Imperata cylindrica to your garden—and make sure you buy the red variety to avoid adding an invasive species to your landscape. And remember, this distinctive grass is not for the timid gardener. You must love red and you must appreciate plants that are eye-catching and brazen.

Read on to learn if Japanese bloodgrass is right for your garden:

Japanese bloodgrass (I. cylindrica ‘Rubra’) at right plays off the redness of Berberis ‘Crimson Pygmy’ and spiky chartreuse Yucca ‘Color Guard’ at Chelseas Piers in New York City. Photograph by Cultivar413 via Flickr.
Above: Japanese bloodgrass (I. cylindrica ‘Rubra’) at right plays off the redness of Berberis ‘Crimson Pygmy’ and spiky chartreuse Yucca ‘Color Guard’ at Chelseas Piers in New York City. Photograph by Cultivar413 via Flickr.

Native to Japan, Japanese bloodgrass has earned a bad reputation in some circle because of invasiveness. Let’s clear the air: the red variety is not the problem. Green-leafed Imperata cylindrica is the problem. The green species is an extremely invasive weed, and so much that it has been banned or quarantined in some southern US states.  The problem arises in warmer regions, where the grass spreads rampantly through rhizomes and self-seeding and bullies other species. Reportedly, it is less aggressive in cooler climates and when not allowed to revert back to green.

Japanese bloodgrass (‘Red Baron’) is well-behaved behind Campanula ‘Cherry Bells’. Photograph by Wht-wolf9653 via Flickr.
Above: Japanese bloodgrass (‘Red Baron’) is well-behaved behind Campanula ‘Cherry Bells’. Photograph by Wht-wolf9653 via Flickr.

The red-leaved variety which is considered non-invasive typically is sold under the names ‘Red Baron’ or  ‘Rubra’.  The highly decorative foliage of  Japanese bloodgrass grows up to 2 feet high and wide with s slightly red-tinged and bright green blades in springtime. The color on the top of the foliage intensifies to a brilliant cranberry-red before deepening to crimson in the fall before going dormant in winter months.

Photograph by Tom Murphy VII via Wikimedia.
Above: Photograph by Tom Murphy VII via Wikimedia.

Japanese bloodgrass is a cool-season, low-maintenance grass with few pests or problems. The biggest issue is when the plant is sited incorrectly. It prefers cool, moist, and sunny locations and tends to revert to green and exhibit invasive tendencies in full shade, which makes it a potential hazard to other plants.

Tip: Watch for green reversions and remove immediately. If you are concerned, you can always plant Japanese bloodgrass in a container and be equally as happy.

See Desert Horizon Nursery for Japanese Bloodgrass information and prices.
Above: See Desert Horizon Nursery for Japanese Bloodgrass information and prices.

Cheat Sheet

  • Whether used as a border, ground cover or edging plant, Japanese bloodgrass will thrive.  Also suitable for containers.
  • Japanese bloodgrass attracts butterflies but thankfully not deer.
  • Repeat clumps of grasses to draw your eye forward through a bed and provide a sense of rhythm and continuity. Or plant in groups to produce a sweeping effect.
  • Near translucent red foliage, Japanese bloodgrass can be especially attractive in the landscape (especially when backlit by early morning or late afternoon sun).
  • I. cylindrica is a good companion plant for other upright perennials such as black-eyed Susan or orange Echinacea.
To replicate this planting scheme, a Smokey Ready-Made Border (25 plants, including Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’, yarrow Achillea ‘Moonshine’, Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’, switchgrass Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, coneflower Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ bulbs, and pheasant’s tail grass Anemanthele lessoniana) is £173.75 from Crocus.
Above: To replicate this planting scheme, a Smokey Ready-Made Border (25 plants, including Imperata cylindrica ‘Rubra’, yarrow Achillea ‘Moonshine’, Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’, switchgrass Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, coneflower Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ bulbs, and pheasant’s tail grass Anemanthele lessoniana) is £173.75 from Crocus.

Keep It Alive

  • Plant Japanese bloodgrass in full sun for the most vibrant color.
  • Moist but well-draining soil is needed to avoid root rot.
  • Established plants can tolerate less water, but for the best appearance water weekly. Tip: Reduce water during its dormant winter period.
  • Avoid cutting back Japanese bloodgrass until early spring (before new growth begins).  At that time, cut back bloodgrass to the ground or simply give it a haircut to remove winter damage.

See more growing tips in Japanese Bloodgrass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated Garden Design 101 guides to Grasses 101. For more ways to use ornamental grasses in a landscape, see:

Gardening 101: Zoysia Grass

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Zoysia Grass, Zoysia: “Fairway Favorite”

Zoysia did not become a favorite turf for golf courses by accident. This sturdy, creeping grass is drought tolerant, will  control erosion on slopes, and grows thickly enough to prevent weeds from taking hold. Enough to make you wonder why everyone doesn’t have a fairway for a front lawn, isn’t it?

Not so fast. Zoysia has its drawbacks too, the most glaring being that the perennial grass goes dormant in cool weather (in autumn, your grass could turn brown pretty fast after temperatures dip). So while zoysia will survive in USDA growing zones 5 to 11, it’s actually an ideal choice only in warmer states (think: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and other southern climes where temperatures of 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit are common during several months of the year).

Is zoysia a good lawn alternative to try in your landscape? Read on for the pros and cons:

See more of this zoysia in Architect Visit: A Hazy Landscape of Grasses in Santa Monica. Photograph courtesy of Griffin Enright Architects.
Above: See more of this zoysia in Architect Visit: A Hazy Landscape of Grasses in Santa Monica. Photograph courtesy of Griffin Enright Architects.

Native to warmer climates—zoysia is a favorite turf grass in Australia, where its low-water personality is particularly prized—zoysia is particularly happy in tropical settings. Among the most widely planted species is Zoysia japonica, which is shade tolerant and has coarse blades. Slow-growing Zoysia matrella, which has slender blades, has a prostrate growing habit and is native to Manila.

For use as lawn or turf grass, mow-able Zenith Zoysia Grass Sod are 85 cents per square foot from Central Sod Farms.
Above: For use as lawn or turf grass, mow-able Zenith Zoysia Grass Sod are 85 cents per square foot from Central Sod Farms.

Some varieties of zoysia grow in clumps: look for plants or seeds labeled Zoysia tenuifolia. “Due to its slow growth habit and its puffy appearance, it is usually used as an ornamental specimen plant in Asian themed gardens,” notes Clemson University Cooperative Extension.

Zoysia japonica in San Diego. Photograph by Cultivar413 via Flickr.
Above: Zoysia japonica in San Diego. Photograph by Cultivar413 via Flickr.

Cheat Sheet

  • Like other warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and St. Augustine, zoysia will turn brown in cold-weather months. So although it can survive the winters in southern New England, it will look green only in late spring and summer.
  • In colder climates, a better choice for turf is a cool-season grass. Consider fescues, Kentucky bluegrass or perennial rye varieties.
  • A vigorous creeper, zoysia will sneak into adjacent flower beds if given the option. Landscape edging is recommended to make it behave.
Zoysia japonica ‘Compadre’. Photograph by Kenraiz Krzysztof Ziarnek via Wikimedia.
Above: Zoysia japonica ‘Compadre’. Photograph by Kenraiz Krzysztof Ziarnek via Wikimedia.

Keep It Alive

  • If grown as turf grass, zoysia should be mowed weekly.  But it “can be difficult to mow due to its thickness and leaf composition. Zoysia grass should be mowed as low as possible, but not so low scalping occurs,” notes Clemson University Cooperative Extension. “A reel type mower is recommended, but a rotary mower can be used if the blades are sharpened on a regular basis and the cutting height is set at 2 inches.”
  • If planting seed, start sprinkle zoysia grass in late spring and rake lightly to cover seed with a light layer of soil.
  • If planted in plugs, zoysia grass will spread and develop a dense root structure to choke out weeds.
  • Fertilize zoysia two or three times a season when it is green (and actively growing).
Photograph via  @hockerdesigngroup.
Above: Photograph via @hockerdesigngroup.

Read more growing tips in Zoysia: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated Garden Design 101 guides to Grasses 101. For more of our favorite turf grasses and lawn alternatives, see:

Trending on Remodelista: 5 Interior Design Ideas to Add Glamour

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Everyone tries to stay on budget during a remodel, and sometimes one splurge is all it takes for results that look luxe. This week the Remodelista editors five interior design ideas to add a touch of glamour:

Persian Carpet

In Bath, England, homeowners Nick and Catherine Gilpin (he’s a musician and music producer who worked on Mamma Mia!, the stage show, and on each the two Mamma Mia! movies) remodeled a Georgian house for a modern family. Photograph by Paul Massey.
Above: In Bath, England, homeowners Nick and Catherine Gilpin (he’s a musician and music producer who worked on Mamma Mia!, the stage show, and on each the two Mamma Mia! movies) remodeled a Georgian house for a modern family. Photograph by Paul Massey.

Handmade antique Persian rugs feel fresh again. See this week’s House Tour‘Mamma Mia’ Music Producer Nick Gilpin’s Stylishly Revived Georgian Manse, for more.

Coveted Couch

Designed by Russell Pinch for The Future Perfect, the Goddard Sofa has an elegantly curved silhouette (see our post High/Low: The Curvy Sofa) and is available in four shades of velvet or customer’s own fabric; $7,930 to $9,420 at The Future Perfect.
Above: Designed by Russell Pinch for The Future Perfect, the Goddard Sofa has an elegantly curved silhouette (see our post High/Low: The Curvy Sofa) and is available in four shades of velvet or customer’s own fabric; $7,930 to $9,420 at The Future Perfect.

“In our book, expense alone does not merit quality” when it comes to shopping for a sofa, writes Alexa. She rounds up “our most-dreamed-of luxury sofas” in this week’s 10 Easy Pieces post.

La Cornue Range

We’ve partnered with Appliances Connection to help you eliminate the guesswork if you plan to invest in a new suite of state-of-the-art kitchen appliances to complement your home’s new look. Read more about La Cornue Ranges.
Above: We’ve partnered with Appliances Connection to help you eliminate the guesswork if you plan to invest in a new suite of state-of-the-art kitchen appliances to complement your home’s new look. Read more about La Cornue Ranges.

Read more about our partnership with Appliances Connection at 5 Things to Consider When Buying New Appliances.

Banker’s Desk Lamp

From UK-based Original BTC, a Banker’s Light is a modern take on the traditional version (instead of an emerald glass shade, it has a shade made of white bone china and a graceful brass base); $1,245.
Above: From UK-based Original BTC, a Banker’s Light is a modern take on the traditional version (instead of an emerald glass shade, it has a shade made of white bone china and a graceful brass base); $1,245.

See more in this week’s High/Low post.

Jewel Tile Colors

Colored marble tiles glow like gemstones in a bath at Guest Room at luxe Maison de la Luz guesthouse in New Orleans. Photograph by Stephen Kent Johnson.
Above: Colored marble tiles glow like gemstones in a bath at Guest Room at luxe Maison de la Luz guesthouse in New Orleans. Photograph by Stephen Kent Johnson.

A , a soon-to-open guest house, Maison de la Luz in New Orleans by Atelier Ace (the team behind Ace Hotels) embodies a new trend: sumptuous serenity. See more in this week’s Hotel VisitMaison de la Luz: A Luxe New Guesthouse in New Orleans, by Atelier Ace.


Current Obsessions: Midwinter Luxe

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From a cold-weather plant care workshop to a DIY winter bough, here are 11 things to know about this weekend.

Weekend project: a DIY Winter White Bough, made with cotton branches. Photograph by Justine Hand for Gardenista.
Above: Weekend project: a DIY Winter White Bough, made with cotton branches. Photograph by Justine Hand for Gardenista.

Previously in Obsessions:

What to Read in This Week’s Green Space Issue

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Who couldn’t use a little more more green space. No matter how big or small, there’s room for a container garden, a hardy indoor houseplants, or a a mossy moment. This week we’ll explore ways to maximize a landscape’s potential:

Are you designing a garden gate? Read about the guidelines for width, height, gate swing, and dimensions in Garden Gate Design: 10 Iron Entryways with Curb Appeal. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.
Above: Are you designing a garden gate? Read about the guidelines for width, height, gate swing, and dimensions in Garden Gate Design: 10 Iron Entryways with Curb Appeal. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer.

Coming this week:

  • Before & After: How perennial grasses rescued a family garden in London
  • 10 (or more) hardware store finds to save you money in the garden
  • Everything you need to know about planting potatoes
  • Your First Garden: Fan finds no-fail plants for a container garden

In case you missed any of our most popular posts last week:

See more in Le Jardin Plume: A Modern Impressionist Masterpiece in Normandy. Photograph by Claire Takacs.
Above: See more in Le Jardin Plume: A Modern Impressionist Masterpiece in Normandy. Photograph by Claire Takacs.

Before & After: From a Blank Canvas to a Golden Garden in a London Suburb

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Imagine a blank canvas: a large garden in a southeastern suburb of London, with one more than one-third of an acre of land (measuring about 1,500 square meters). There was nothing to incorporate into a new design except for two mature maple trees, an existing swimming pool, and a small summer house.

Enter garden designers Farlam & Chandler. Their plan?  “To create a family garden, offering an outdoor living experience for both day and night use, throughout the year,” said creative director Harriet Farlam. “Flexible areas for the whole family were to be created, providing outdoor ‘rooms’ softened with lots of planting, with year-round interest.”

With the judicial use of perennial grasses, the garden looks particularly lovely in late autumn and early winter when foliage turns golden and the landscape takes on a burnished bronze tint.

Read on to see the “Before” photos:

Photography courtesy of Farlam & Chandler.

In the background, exuberant sprays of golden Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ punctuate the perimeter of the lawn. See more growing tips in Feather Reed Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.
Above: In the background, exuberant sprays of golden Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ punctuate the perimeter of the lawn. See more growing tips in Feather Reed Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.

Behind the grasses and beyond the pleached trees is the swimming pool.

High-performance Domus Porcelain Tiles were  used to pave the terrace areas near the house.
Above: High-performance Domus Porcelain Tiles were  used to pave the terrace areas near the house.
Outdoor furniture designer Expormim, based in Spain, exports to 40 countries including the US. Show here is a dining table from the Falcata collection (which in addition to several rectangular sizes includes round and elliptical  models). It has aluminum legs and can be customized with either a porcelain or laminate tabletop.
Above: Outdoor furniture designer Expormim, based in Spain, exports to 40 countries including the US. Show here is a dining table from the Falcata collection (which in addition to several rectangular sizes includes round and elliptical  models). It has aluminum legs and can be customized with either a porcelain or laminate tabletop.

“The architecture of the house has been transferred directly to the outdoor space, informing the structure of the garden.” said Farlam. “Two generous terraces flow from the inside out to create separate spaces for both dining and relaxing close to the house.”

Visible on the far patio in the background is a sofa from Expormim’s Livit collection, which includes sofas and chaises in several sizes and can be configured as a sectional, as well.

Braided dining chairs are from Expormim’s Lapala collection.
Above: Braided dining chairs are from Expormim’s Lapala collection.

“The client was keen to dress the terraces in a similar way to how the internal rooms were decorated and we carefully selected suitable furniture and cushions,” said Farlam.  “Each piece has its own character, for each area of the garden. These finishing elements make the garden feel soft, welcoming, and are left outside all year round to give an extended sense of outdoor living.”

Sawn sandstone edges the lawn; for similar stone, see CED Stone Group.
Above: Sawn sandstone edges the lawn; for similar stone, see CED Stone Group.

Made of peeled and tinted natural rattan, a Nautica Swing Chair from Expormim has an aluminum tube base.

 The handmade pots are by Belgium-based Atelier Vierkant.
Above: The handmade pots are by Belgium-based Atelier Vierkant.

“Planters as sculpture” is how Remodelista editor Julie Carlson describes Atelier Vierkant’s handmade clay vessels. Read more in Artful Planters from Belgium.

Low-growing clumps of Hakonechloa macra create a feathery ground cover in the front of the borders. For more growing tips, see Hakone Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.
Above: Low-growing clumps of Hakonechloa macra create a feathery ground cover in the front of the borders. For more growing tips, see Hakone Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.
Pleached trees are uplit at night.
Above: Pleached trees are uplit at night.
“A series of connecting entertaining and green spaces have been created,” said Farlam.
Above: “A series of connecting entertaining and green spaces have been created,” said Farlam.
Feathery grasses can have as much visual impact as flowering plants.
Above: Feathery grasses can have as much visual impact as flowering plants.
  The pool garden links with the stone-framed lawn garden, lined with pleached trees.
Above:  The pool garden links with the stone-framed lawn garden, lined with pleached trees.

Before

Paved and grim, the garden was a blank canvas.
Above: Paved and grim, the garden was a blank canvas.
An existing summer house anchored one area of the garden.
Above: An existing summer house anchored one area of the garden.

After

The summer house is a destination at the edge of the lawn, adding a visual element to the horizon to make the garden feel even larger than it is. Pleached trees create privacy without obstructing open spaces.
Above: The summer house is a destination at the edge of the lawn, adding a visual element to the horizon to make the garden feel even larger than it is. Pleached trees create privacy without obstructing open spaces.

See another favorite landscape rehab in Before & After: A Seaside English Garden by Farlam & Chandler. For more inspiration about how to incorporate pleached trees and perennial grasses into a garden, see:

Gardening 101: Lyme Grass

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Lyme Grass, Leymus arenarius: “Blue Dune Grass”

Lyme grass is the rare plant that can be described as “aggressive” and still be useful in a garden setting. Of course, you have to choose it to play a specific role in a thoughtful landscape design, and plant it in the right environment.

If you’re not sure this vigorous semi-evergreen grass is right for you and your garden, please keep reading to learn more.

Lyme grass growing in Southport, England. Photograph by Len Worthington via Flickr.
Above: Lyme grass growing in Southport, England. Photograph by Len Worthington via Flickr.

Formerly known as Elymus glaucus, lyme grass also has many other names including sea lyme grass, blue lyme grass, and sand wild rye. Native to northern Europe, this 2-to-3-foot-tall grass has incredibly beautiful steel-blue, arching foliage. In the summer, sturdy narrow blue-gray flower spikes shoot up. Later in the season, they turn tawny.

The downside? This densely tufted clumping grass spreads aggressively by rhizomes and can be a total nuisance in the wrong setting.

Landscape architect Scott Lewis incorporated lyme grass in a palette of mixed ornamental grasses. See more in Vineyard Haven: A Napa Valley Garden That Belongs to the Land.
Above: Landscape architect Scott Lewis incorporated lyme grass in a palette of mixed ornamental grasses. See more in Vineyard Haven: A Napa Valley Garden That Belongs to the Land.

So the question remains, how do you use lyme grass smartly? Specific situations that may call for lyme grass include: erosion control, to stabilize sand dunes, or as a wide-spreading, fast-growing ground cover in sunny areas. (Of course, Leymus arenarius is also welcome in planters and containers where its wily nature can be corralled. Tip:  This grass tends to be less pesky in dry, clay soils.

Photograph by dan.kristiansen via Flickr.
Above: Photograph by dan.kristiansen via Flickr.

The variety ‘Blue Dune’ has equally as dramatic steel-blue foliage and also produces wheat-colored summer plumes. ‘Blue Dune’ spreads quickly by rhizomes but is useful for stabilizing steep slopes or filling a large sunny to partly sunny area very quickly. Space 2-3′ apart as a ground cover, or closer for quicker coverage.

Photograph by Kristian Peters via Wikimedia.
Above: Photograph by Kristian Peters via Wikimedia.

Cheat Sheet

  • Lyme grass is salt-, heat- and very drought-tolerant.
  • The flowers of lyme grass attract butterflies but the foliage is deer- and rabbit-resistant.
  • Foliage of lyme grass is great in floral arrangements.
  • This cool-season grass produces year-round interest where it remains evergreen in mild winter areas, including in USDA  growing zones 3 to 9).
  • Keep this grass out of perennial beds and instead think of massing it in large areas that need a ground cover, on sand dunes, or in containers.
Photograph by Sten Porse via Wikimedia.
Above: Photograph by Sten Porse via Wikimedia.

Keep It Alive

  • Lyme grass tolerates a wide range of soils from wet to dry.
  • Plant this ornamental grass in full sun to part shade.
  • Cut back or mow the foliage to the ground in the fall.
  • Divide clumps of lyme grass from mid-spring to early fall.

For more growing tips see Lyme Grass: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated guides to Grasses 101. Read more about how to harness the powers of ornamental grasses in a landscape:

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Trendy Houseplants

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Is there any home accessory trendier than a Monstera? Maybe a ZZ plant. Our collective obsession with houseplants has reached the point where many people would rather live without a sofa than indoor foliage.

Houseplant fever is great…until it’s not. Who among us has not killed a living, leafed thing? With the huge selection of affordable potted plants—from Aloe Vera at Ikea to Miniature Palm Trees at Home Depot—it’s more tempting than it’s ever been to experiment with exotic species.  But remember: the first rule of having a houseplant is that it would rather be living outdoors in its native environment. We’re asking a lot of out potted friends by forcing them indoors where humidity levels are low, sunlight is limited, and there’s no rain.

There’s so much to learn about houseplants. So much we need to know to keep them alive, and thriving. So many secrets they would tell us if they could talk. Here’s help, 10 things nobody tells you about houseplants:

N.B. Featured image from Houseplant Help: 5 Tips to Keep Finicky Begonia Rex Alive. Photograph by Leslie Santarina.

1. The easiest trendy houseplant to grow? It may be ZZ plant.

With thick, waxy leaves, a sturdy 4-inch ZZ Plant is $11 at The Sill.
Above: With thick, waxy leaves, a sturdy 4-inch ZZ Plant is $11 at The Sill.

ZZ plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow because it “tolerates neglect, is drought-tolerant, and accepts low-light conditions without throwing a fit,” writes our contributor Kier Holmes. “Its waxy, smooth leaves reflect sunlight and brighten rooms.” By the way, “ZZ” earned its nickname honestly: it’s a lot easier than calling it Zamioculcas zamiifolia.

See more growing tips in ZZ Plant: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design.

2. You don’t need a jungle to make a statement.

Sometimes you don’t even need roots. Monstera leaves make magic on their own. See more in Monstera Deliciosa: Big Plant, Small Apartment. Photograph by Erin Boyle.
Above: Sometimes you don’t even need roots. Monstera leaves make magic on their own. See more in Monstera Deliciosa: Big Plant, Small Apartment. Photograph by Erin Boyle.

A single specimen plant—a magnificent Monstera, for instance, or a trailing vine—may be all you need. If you do go for the jungle effect, avoid making your home look like a 1970s-era time capsule by grouping plants into vignettes that tell a story. An arrangement of three to five houseplants on a side table will look sculptural. Vary heights and foliage texture for visual impact.

3. Some trendy houseplants will not survive in your home.

Succulents with bright green leaves are happier indoors than succulents with blue or gray foliag . Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: Succulents with bright green leaves are happier indoors than succulents with blue or gray foliag . Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

It’s no accident if your trendy houseplant died. Growing conditions may not be right in your home. Do you have enough sun? Or too much sun? Succulents, for instance, can be very finicky—especially the varieties with gray, blue, or purplish leaves. (See Everything You Need to Know About Succulents to find the best houseplants for your home.)

Some plants (hello, potted lemon tree) need more humidity than is typically in the air indoors. A fiddle leaf fig tree will turn brown for practically any reason—if it gets too much water, too little water, too much sun, too little sun, or if it doesn’t like the look of your houseguests. We could go on and on.

4. You should get a non-trendy houseplant. Right now.

A climbing pothos plant in houseplant collector Jamie’s Song’s apartment in London. See more in Jamie’s Jungle: At Home with Houseplants in London. Photograph by @Jamie Song.
Above: A climbing pothos plant in houseplant collector Jamie’s Song’s apartment in London. See more in Jamie’s Jungle: At Home with Houseplants in London. Photograph by @Jamie Song.

The reason you should add a non-trendy houseplant or two to your collection is so you will have something green after the trendy houseplants die. It won’t be so depressing because your mother-in-law’s tongue (also known as snake plant) and pothos will still be going strong.

5. Stop trying to convince yourself that you don’t live in a low-light apartment.

Tried and tested, here are nine of our favorite houseplants that can survive in low light: Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: Tried and tested, here are nine of our favorite houseplants that can survive in low light: Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light. Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

Just stop. You’re not fooling anyone (especially the houseplants). Unless there is nothing blocking the sun from hitting your houseplants—”no curtains, no shades, no trees, no tall buildings“—you do not have bright light.

If the light “moves” across your apartment in the course of the day, if your plants are placed several feet from a window, if you have any sort of curtain or shade or blind, or if your window looks out onto an airshaft, you probably have low-light conditions.  The good news? You can still have hardy houseplants. Shop this list: Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light.

6. You can raise humidity levels without buying a humidifier.

An angel vine (Muehlenbeckia) enjoys the mist and steam from a shower.  Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
Above: An angel vine (Muehlenbeckia) enjoys the mist and steam from a shower.  Photograph by Mimi Giboin.

No need to spend money on a machine. To raise humidity levels in your air, put a saucer of water on the radiator. As it evaporates, you will be adding moisture to the atmosphere around it—and making all your indoor tropical plants much happier.

Another way to add humidity to the air is by misting your plants (make sure you only are misting houseplants that like to be misted!). See more in The Houseplant Diaries: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Finicky Ferns.

7. Some orchids are really, really easy to grow.

A Sharry Baby Oncidium Orchid. Photograph by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.
Above: A Sharry Baby Oncidium Orchid. Photograph by Mimi Giboin for Gardenista.

Yes, Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) has earned its reputation for being easy to grow. But did you know that other orchids, including Lady’s Slipper and Oncidiums, can be happy companions to the rest of of your houseplants? Read more about it at Best Indoor Plants: 6 Flowering Orchids to Grow.

8. You can’t put all houseplants on the same watering schedule.

Blown by mouth of borosilicate lab glass, a watering bulb by Italy-based Ichendorf Milanowill keep a houseplant hydrated while you’re out of town (or otherwise distracted). Photograph via The Line, where it’s currently sold out. A Garden Watering Bulb is also available for $18.95 at Williams-Sonoma.
Above: Blown by mouth of borosilicate lab glass, a watering bulb by Italy-based Ichendorf Milano
will keep a houseplant hydrated while you’re out of town (or otherwise distracted). Photograph via The Line, where it’s currently sold out. A Garden Watering Bulb is also available for $18.95 at Williams-Sonoma.

It is too bad, because it’s more work for you to check each individual plant (stick your finger into the soil to see if the top inch is dry) before deciding whether to water it. But it’s much better for your houseplants—not everything needs to be watered as often as every week. On the other hand some thirsty plants, such as countertop herbs, may need water more often than once a week.

See Small Space DIY: Countertop Herb Garden for more tips.

9. Houseplants have peak seasons, just like outdoor garden plants.

“Winter has been really cruel to these poor guys,” writes @craigowilliams. See 10 Houseplant Lovers to Follow on Instagram.
Above: “Winter has been really cruel to these poor guys,” writes @craigowilliams. See 10 Houseplant Lovers to Follow on Instagram.

Many houseplants have a dormant season in winter, when temperatures are cool and there are fewer hours of light. Your indoor don’t exactly suffer from seasonal affective disorder, but they definitely slow down. When houseplants go dormant, you will notice they aren’t producing new foliage, aren’t getting bigger, and may be shedding old leaves. During dormancy, cut back on water (give them half as much), stop fertilizing houseplants, and protect them from sudden temperature changes (keep them away from drafts and heater vents that blast hot air).

10. Your trendy houseplant may be toxic to your pet.

Photograph by Meredith Swinehart.
Above: Photograph by Meredith Swinehart.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center publishes a list of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. Not all parts of toxic houseplants will kill a pet: “According the to ASPCA, chemical compounds that are toxic to pets can be concentrated in different parts of the plant–sometimes the roots, sometimes leaves, flowers, or seeds,” writes Meredith.

The deadliest houseplant for dogs? Sago palms.

The deadliest houseplant for cats? Lilies.

Read more in Ask the Expert: Will a “Poisonous” Plant Really Kill Your Pet?

For more growing tips, see Houseplants 101: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design in our curated Garden Design 101 guides. Read on:

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