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Obsessing Over Fat Plants

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Caudiciforms or fat plants, as they are also known, have been an obsession of mine since I was introduced to them in the late '90s by a great gardener, Margaret Roach. I've had a few and killed a few, but I'll always have at least one in my mix of houseplants. They're basically a group of plants with a stem, trunk, or succulent root (more technically a caudex) that grows above the ground and is used for food and water storage, allowing these plants to go without both for some time (but not forever). There are so many plants in the category of a caudiciform it would be hard to name them all.

There is, for example, the tree form, including the intriguing baobab tree; vines; and even some pelargoniums, euphorbias, and of course cycads and succulents. My friend and nurseryman Dennis Schrader has an impressive collection (not for sale) so I went to his greenhouses, Landcraft Environments in Mattituck, Long Island, to shoot some of his favorites.

Photographs by José Picayo.

Fat Plants by Lindsey Taylor | Gardenista

Above: Bowea volubilis; available for $4.95 from Fat-Plants.

Dennis shared a few care tips and sources for these odd and wonderful plants, which by the way are a bit costly—so learn as much as you can before you invest. Some are easier then others to grow. But as he says, "They make great houseplants on the most part. They like the same conditions as people, and if you forget to water it's not instant death. They are living sculptures and add a bit of the curio to one's plant collection."

Fat Plants by Lindsey Taylor | Gardenista

Above: Boophane disticha; available at The Jurassic Garden starting at $14.95.

Most are desert dwellers and want you to mimic those conditions for them indoors, so in Dennis' expert words, "Water during their active growing time and then allow a dry period when they start to go dormant; this could last a few months. They enjoy full sun and warmer days with cooler nights. Keep them away from cold drafts. If you are pondering whether to water them or not, the answer should be no."

Fat Plants by Lindsey Taylor | Gardenista

Above: Ibervillea tenuisecta; a 7-pound bulb is available for $119 from Fat-Plants.

Fat Plants by Lindsey Taylor | Gardenista

Above:  Cyphostemma currori (the tall one on the far left) is a rare caudiciform and tricky to find for sale; check back on eBay for upcoming sales. On the far right: Pachypodium, available for $24.99 from Cactus By Lin via eBay. In the middle: Stephania pierrei, available for $28 from Thailand Plant via eBay. The little one: Euphorbia francoisii, available for $65.14 from Cactus Plaza.

Fat Plants by Lindsey Taylor | Gardenista

Above: Jatropha podagrica: For a the brave gardener, a packet of Jatropha podagrica Seeds is available for $4 from Onalee's Seeds.

Just getting around to embracing the houseplant? Why not start with The New "It" Houseplant?

Need a primer on houseplant history? See 5 Houseplants That Changed History.


Goodbye, Fungus Gnats: Pest-Free Potting Soil

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Bringing plants into the home should be about adding a spot of green, filtering the air, and impressing your friends with your green thumb. Not chasing after tiny black fungus gnats.

The minuscule black bugs look an awful lot like fruit flies and they're just as harmless, but no less of a nuisance. When I started to notice the tiny flies buzzing around the top of my rabbit foot fern last week, I decided it was time to take action. I tested five home remedies. Here are the results:

Photographs by Erin Boyle. Photography shot with the Canon EOS 70D digital SLR camera, with Dual Pixel AF technology and built-in Wi-Fi.

how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants | gardenista

As usual, I was after something that would work effectively, but wouldn't cost a lot of money or bring noxious chemicals into my home.

(Have any of you had any luck with these remedies? Let us know in the comments below!)

1. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Fungus gnats breed in the rich, dark soil of houseplants, and they're especially happy if that soil has been zealously over-watered. Take a step or two back from the watering can and make sure you're not creating exactly the kind of moist environment these little bugs love.

how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants | gardenista

2. Be ruthless—and repot infected plants. If you discover that one of your plants is very badly infected, it might be worth sacrificing that plant for the sake of your collection. Fungus gnats can spread from one plant to another fairly quickly, so take caution. If the infestation isn't so bad, consider repotting the plant. Remove the plant from its pot and use your fingers or a small brush to gently remove as much soil as possible from around its roots. Give the roots a quick rinse and repot in a clean pot with fresh, uninfected potting soil.

how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants | gardenista

3. Bury a garlic clove in the infected soil. File this one under "What Can't Garlic Do?" and give it a shot. According to the new edition of The Old Farmer's Almanac, burying a clove of garlic in the soil of an infected houseplant will eradicate pests. What happens when the garlic begins to grow? Give it a trim.

how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants | gardenista

4. Make your own sticky traps. Cover a yellow (or other brightly colored) card with a thin layer of honey.  Attach the card to a toothpick and place in the surface of the plant soil. After the card begins to host tiny black insects, dispose of it and start fresh.

how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants | gardenista

5. Make an apple cider vinegar trap. Pour fresh apple cider vinegar into a jar or bowl with a wide rim. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and poke a series of small holes in the top of the plastic wrap. The gnats will be attracted to the sweet smell of the vinegar and will find a way into the bowl—but won't be able to find their way out.

More questions about houseplants and potting soil? We've pondered them. See Hide Potting Soil in Plain Sight and Is It OK To Reuse Potting Soil?

Ask the Expert: Tips for Starting a Houseplant Collection

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When I asked Alea Joy Bessey, co-owner of Solabee Flowers and Botanicals in Oregon, how she first became interested in houseplants, I knew straight away that she was a woman after my own heart. Even as a child, Alea says, she would collect woodland botanicals to bring indoors: "I've always been fascinated by the living world and having plants in my home. They are beautiful, and make a room feel healthy and alive. Over the years I have refined my taste and found that I take great joy from the learning process that comes from caring for them and seeing them thrive."

I decided to tap into Alea's experience with houseplants and ask her a few questions about how to get a houseplant collection started.

Photographs from Solabee.

houseplants at solabee | gardenista

Above: An assortment of houseplants at Solabee's Kenton shop. With business partner Sarah Helmstetter, Alea has opened two Solabee shops: one in Kenton, Oregon and the other in the heart of downtown Portland. 

houseplants at solabee | gardenista

GD: Any rules of thumb for selecting houseplants?

AB:  During the actual selection process, it's important to look the plant over really closely. Make sure there are not pests and that the plant seems strong and healthy. I also check to see if there is any new growth; that's a good sign that the plant itself is strong, giving you a better shot at success. While you are shopping, it's also important to keep in mind the type of plant you are purchasing and look into the ideal soil you'll need for repotting. The needs for succulents and cactus are very different than those of ferns and begonias. A little planning when you first get your plant will go a long way in its overall health when you bring it home.

houseplants at solabee | gardenista

GD: What are some of the first things that people should consider when choosing houseplants? Light conditions? Space? Personal taste?

JB: There are a lot of factors involved in picking the plant that will be best for your space, and more important, thrive in the environment you can give it. After all, a healthy plant is a beautiful plant no matter the type. The first thing I always ask my clients is about the light they can provide. There are beautiful options for both full sun windows as well as lower light areas. All plants do need some level of light however (we are actually asked quite often about this)! Once you know that, the rest of the factors (care, personal taste) can be navigated quite easily by the staff at your local nursery or plant shop.

houseplants at solabee | gardenista

GD: If you could choose one houseplant for your own home, which would it be?

JB: I think I opened a plant shop initially because I couldn't choose just one plant for my home and had an embarrassingly large collection! It's such a big world, my current collection now spans the succulents, cactus, tropical, begonia, and fern worlds and is much paired down. I love the mix and the different needs of each. I don't know one would ever be enough for me.

Looking for something specific? We suggest you let Fat Plants woo you. Or something a little bit old-school? This week we're really pushing the African Violet.

Wallflower No More: A New Breed of Woolly Pocket

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Spotted at Boxhill: evidence that woolly pockets are as attractive on the ground (or a tabletop) as they are on a wall. Brothers Rodney and Miguel Nelson, who launched the Woolly Pocket brand with a line of soft-sided vertical garden wall planters in 2008, have moved on—to tabletop planters.

Manufactured from plastic bottles that have been recycled to create a breathable felt exterior with a built in moisture barrier, Woolly Walle planters cloak houseplants' roots in a forgiving shape:

woolly walle planters l Gardenista

Above: With handsome hand-stitched seams, a Woolly Walle is available in three colors; $90 from Boxhill.

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Above: The Woolly Walle has three zippers, so your houseplant can dress up or down, depending on the weather (or the shape of its leaves).

woolly walle planters l Gardenista

Above: Measuring a slouchy 16 inches high, a Woolly Walle is the right height for a tabletop.

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about with Woolly Pockets? See them in action in The Next Generation Vertical Garden and A Manhattan Nursery School Where Gardening is in the Curriculum.

Seeing Green: Architects Pick the Best Exterior Green Paints

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Green is hard. I heard this refrain over and over while interviewing architects and designers on their favorite exterior green paint colors. Olive greens can quickly become yellow drab, and paler shades can look cartoonish.

Luckily, our architects and designers have made the mistakes, so you don't have to. In our latest in our series on the best exterior paint colors, we've tackled green, relying on expertise from our Architect/Designer Directory and beyond. 

Swatch photographs by Meredith SwinehartPhotography shot with the Canon EOS 70D digital SLR camera, with Dual Pixel AF technology and built-in Wi-Fi.

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Gardenista

Above: Top row, left to right: Pratt & Lambert Olive Shadow; Cabot Solid Stain in Sagebrush; Farrow & Ball Studio Green; Benjamin Moore Cedar Path; and Benjamin Moore Central Park. Bottom row: Benjamin Moore Mohegan Sage; Sherwin-Williams Yew Hedge; Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green; and C2 Paints Toadstool.

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Sherwin-Williams Yew Hedge, Gardenista

Above: San Antonio architects Lake | Flato chose Sherwin-Williams' Yew Hedge for exterior features at the Hotel San Jose in Austin. Says project architect Bob Harris, "We were looking for an old-school hill country green. The green you see painted on the back porch screen doors of old country limestone homes.” The shade has been discontinued but can still be mixed at most paint stores.

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Benjamin Moore Mohegan Sage, Gardenista

Above: Blogger Freckles Chick chose Benjamin Moore's Mohegan Sage for the exterior of her Colorado cottage. She notes, "If you were to take all the saturated colors of a rainforest and mix them together, this would be it." She chose Benjamin Moore White Dove for the trim. 

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Benjamin Moore Cedar Path, Gardenista

Above: Architect Amy Alper painted the trim of her creekside cabin in Benjamin Moore's Cedar Path, the truest green of those recommended here. Read the full story in The Ultimate Creekside Cabin, Northern California Edition.

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Benjamin Moore Central Park, Gardenista

Above: Marin County, CA-based Pedersen Associates used Central Park from Benjamin Moore on the green half of this definitively modern home. 

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green, Gardenista

Above: We featured Burr & McCallum's Worthington Barn paint in our roundup of the Best Exterior Black Paints, because Benjamin Moore's Black Forest Green is just about as black as green can get. (The color is discontinued but can still be mixed at many paint stores.) The architects added more color with trim in Benjamin Moore's Essex Green

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Farrow & Ball Studio Green, Gardenista

Above: Says architect Jon Handley of Pulltab Design, "Our favorite exterior color for painted steel is a very dark, almost black, green." On a recent rooftop penthouse addition, the designers chose Farrow & Ball's Studio Green for the steel frame of the entry door and the exterior light. (The shade was also one of our recent Moody Paint Picks over on Remodelista.)

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Cabot Solid Stain in Sagebrush, Gardenista

Above: Silver Spring, MD-based Gardner Mohr Architects used Cabot solid stain in Sagebrush over custom-milled cypress siding for this modern, Japanese-inflected house. 

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, C2 Paints Toadstool, Gardenista

Above: Seattle-based JAS Design Build used Toadstool from C2 Paints on this exterior, with trim in C2's Amazon. Toadstool is a medium shade of sage, darker than Sagebrush but lighter than Mohegan Sage

Best Exterior Outdoor Green House Paints, Pratt & Lambert Olive Shadow, Gardenista

Above: JAS used Olive Shadow from Pratt & Lambert on this Seattle home. For more work from JAS Design Build, see Architect Visit: Lake Washington Boathouse

Explore all the colors in our exterior paints series, starting with Black, White, and Gray.

By Popular Demand: Show Us Your Gardens

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We just completed our second annual Gardenista Survey, and as we pore over zillions of reader responses (thanks, you guys are the best) one request jumps out: You want to see more gardens. Real people's gardens. You know what? So do we. Send us your garden photos!

We want to publish stories about your gardens in Chicago and São Paulo; your city balconies and country potagers; your courtyards in Texas and Tokyo; your roses and your cacti; your sunny apartment windowsill herbs and snow-covered backyards. We want to see your potting sheds and your pool houses and the potted plants on your front stoops. Tell us how you've solved your irrigation problems, or how you've thwarted the neighborhood deer or the summer's dust storms or last year's monsoons. Are you an indoor gardener? Let us in on the secret of how you've managed to keep a fiddle leaf fig tree alive for more than ten minutes.

Our motto is: No garden too small. No garden too modest. If you love yours, share it with us. Send us your stories so we can feature them on Gardenista. Here's how:

  • Email photos or a link to your photos to us at edit(at)remodelista.com.
  • If we choose your garden, we will interview you and feature your story in an upcoming Garden Visit post.

 For more inspiration, here are a few favorite private gardens we've featured recently:

Sophie Gee Brooklyn townhouse backyard garden l Gardenista

Above: We toured Sophie Gee's garden in Brooklyn. Read more about how she and her husband carried potting soil (one bag at a time) through the house to reach the backyard in The Magicians: An English Professor and a Novelist Conjure a Garden in Brooklyn. Photograph by Nicole Franzen.

  Grace Kennedy perennial beds in autumn l Gardenista

Above: In Garrison, NY, Grace Kennedy shared her secret recipe for perennial beds that flower all autumn long: white Phlox paniculata 'David'; Echinacea 'Coconut Lime'; Platycodon; Aster 'Bluebird' and Digitalis ferruginea are involved. For more, see It's High Season in Grace Kennedy's Garden. Photograph by Meredith Heuer.

Palo Alto Barcelona Garden l Gardenista

Above: In Barcelona, José Farriol told us the story of how it took him 25 years to create a fairyland garden—with vines four stories high, eggplants the size of bowling balls, and shady grapevine arbors—on the site of an abandoned 19th century factory. See more at The Best Secret Garden in Barcelona. Photograph by Pancho Tolchinsky.

   connecticut garden michael leva kitchen stoop topiary l Gardenista

Above: In one of our all-time most popular garden posts, Litchfield County resident Michael Leva sent us a photo of his granite kitchen stoop (circa 1700) flanked by boxwood and a myrtle topiary. See more in Spring Comes to Connecticut. Photograph courtesy of Michael Leva.

Stansfield-greenhouse Hollywood Hills l Gardenista.

Above: Claire Stansfield invited us to her home on top of a mountain above Hollywood to see her greenhouse plants (and magnificent flower beds) in A Secret Garden Tucked into the Hollywood Hills.

Prince Charles stumpery and foxgloves at Highgrove l Gardenista

Above: Prince Charles sent us photos of his prize foxgloves (and "The Stumpery" his father detests) at Highgrove. (OK, maybe it was Kendra who procured the photos, but still—an intimate corner of one of the world's most famous private gardens). Photograph by Andrew Lawson. See more in At Home with Prince Charles: A Garden Ramble.

As you can see, this list is missing a lot of wonderful gardens—like yours! Please send photos.

Berkshire Artisanal Show at Ochre

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We often talk about the value of bringing a little bit of green inside. In fact, this week we admit that we've gone houseplant crazy. But a recent botanical print collection from artist Caroline Kaars Sypesteyn has us agreeing that a houseplant isn't the only way to bring a little bit of the natural world inside. If you find yourself balking at the idea of keeping anything green alive, perhaps we can enchant you with a botanical print instead.

A painter, Caroline has been working with gouache stains on plaster-coated linen for several years now. In her collection Berkshire Artisanal, which will be exhibited at Ochre on Broome Street in Manhattan next week, Caroline merges photographic images onto the same coated fabric through archival inkjet printing
 
Since moving to the Berkshires several years ago, Caroline has been photographing the botanicals and small farms she finds in the Hudson Valley and Berkshire hills near her home. In her words: "There are farms that feature exquisite animals and botanicals. And landscapes that become all the more beautiful under gray skies in cold seasons. These are the subjects that respond to the stains and textures of my surfaces." 

botanical prints by berkshire artisanal | gardenista

Above: A hydrangea in winter.

botanical prints by berkshire artisanal | gardenista

Above: Hydrangea in black and white.

botanical prints by berkshire artisanal | gardenista

To see the works in person, join Caroline at Ochre on Broome Street in Manhattan on Tuesday, November 19 from 6 pm to 8 pm. RSVP to ameacham@susanbercherpr.com.

Drawn to muted shades? See Brown Is a Color.

An Ode to Landscape Architect Dan Kiley

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American landscape architect, Dan Kiley (1912-2004) is a hero for those of us who follow and care deeply about this art form. He is one of the most important modernist landscape architects of the 20th century. I have to be honest that I've never visited any of his projects, some 1,000 in total worldwide, but just through images and talks I have been moved by his vision, his sense of the ordered and edited landscape without it losing its soul, and his intrinsic sense of place and for what feels right.

In his words, "to build landscapes of clarity and infinity, just like a walk in the woods." He seems exactly the kind of person I would have enjoyed being seated next to at a dinner party: stylishly quirky, witty, and full of ideas. Those who knew him talk endlessly about his infectious enthusiasm. Landscape architect Laurie Olin says of Kiley: "Dan's thoughts are like rabbits; they keep leaping out."

He worked with the great architects Eero Saarinen, Louis Kahn, and I.M. Pei. His design vocabulary was influenced by Andre Le Notre, the 17th-century French landscape architect and gardener to King Louis XIV. Thankfully, The Cultural Landscape Foundation has put together a traveling photographic exhibition as a retrospective of his life and career. It opens in Boston today, the place of Kiley's birth, and to coincide with the American Society of Landscape Architects' annual event. The exhibition focuses on 27 of his projects through beautiful images and an informative catalog of his private and public commissions. Some of Kiley's work has been lost or tragically altered, Lincoln Center in New York City and Dulles Airport outside of Washington, DC among them. This points to the mission of TCLF, the responsibility of stewardship to these ephemeral works of art. 

Here we share images of Currier Farm in Danby, VT and a peek at the Miller House in Columbus, IN, a project he did with Saarinen which is currently owned and operated by the Indianapolis Museum of Art and is open to the public. 

Photographs of Currier Farm by Peter Vanderwarker, courtesy of TCLF.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: Currier Farm was once part of an expansive 5,000-acre estate called Smokey House Farm and owned by Stephen and Audrey Currier. 

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: A drive winds through a hardwood forest before reaching the house. 

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Above: Kiley reinterprets the traditional Vermont farm through a modernist lens, using his characteristic grids and ordered geometry.

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Above: The property, ensconced in native woodland, sits atop a low rise with panoramic views.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: Marble steps descend to the house, crossing a narrow stream-fed rill.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: View outwards to the rolling foothills of Vermont's Green Mountains range.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: Dan Kiley at home. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: The Miller House, Columbus, Indiana. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above: Indoor-outdoor living at the Miller House: designed by Saarinen, landscape by Kiley, and interior designer Alexander Girard. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

dan kiley | gardenista

Above:  A classic outdoor entertaining area at the Miller House. Photograph by Dana Gallagher.

For more from Lindsey Taylor, see A Painter's Legacy: Madoo Gardens Lives On and Grace Knowlton in the Garden.


Party Flowers: In Which I Make 12 Arrangements on a Budget of $200

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In my past life as a florist, I was tasked with everything from tiny ikebana to grand wedding flower installations. While the five years of flower wrangling helped me through school, I'm surprised to find that the skill continues to haunt me along whatever path I've headed. Case in point: planning last week's party for the Remodelista book launch at The East Pole in New York. My goal was to make 12 arrangements for under $200.

Let me begin saying that I know the San Francisco flower market better than the block my own apartment is on; the New York City flower market, however, is a total mystery. Some trade basics stand true no matter what city you're in: bring cash, be assertive but friendly, and wear good shoes.

Photography by Brian Arc, Getty Images (unless otherwise noted).

New York Flower Market from Get NYC'd | Gardenista

Above: Photograph of the market via NYC'd.

The New York market is located on West 28th Street right around 6th and 7th avenues and, while it is a wholesale market, ask sellers in advance if you can pay in cash and you'll know if they offer to the public (you won't get a wholesale price, nor should you, but you will have the same access as trade florists).

hydrangea garland materials, Gardenista

Above: Identify a point of inspiration, such the colors used in this Dried Hydrangea Garland for Fall.

Before you head to the market, have at least a vague idea of the color palette and texture you're aiming for. You shouldn't go to the grocery store without a list; if you try it here, you'll be as distracted by engorged peonies as you would by a pack of organic gum at the checkout line.

Flowers at Remodelista Book Launch Party in NYC | Gardenista

Because we're smack in the middle of November, I opted for a color palette to match: a spectrum of chartreuse-to-olive and blue-to-black, offset by a warm gray. This translated into dried grasses, olive branches, some kind of diseased oak leaf (that I loved), blackish privet berries, silver dusty miller, and porcelain vine. The total cost of flowers rang in at $114 for three bundles and four bunches.

Remodelista Book Launch Event | Gardenista

With just a few hours to go, I raced over to Crate & Barrel and then its partner store CB2 to source two sizes of vases to keep me on budget. For six larger arrangements, I used Crate & Barrel's Stackable High Bowls ($9.95 each), which are actually meant to be serving bowls, but go figure. The smaller six arrangements were set into the Joyce Bud Vases ($2.95 each) from CB2. For more basic vases, see our previous 10 Easy Pieces posts: Simple Glass Vases Under $30 and Single Stem Bud Vases.

Flowers at Remodelista Book Launch Party in NYC | Gardenista

Above: Guests at the Remodelista party in The East Pole's upper dining room. Can you spot the flowers among the throngs?

I'm a firm believer that, aside from most schools of ikebana, flower arranging is purely intuitive and the more you work with it, the more you find your way. That said, I have a few rules of thumb:

  • Create a foundation of woody stems to inspire the design (I used the privet berry and olive leaves).
  • Add colorful face flowers in groupings at varying heights (in this case, silver dusty miller was my face flower) and work with an asymmetrical shape.
  • Pepper in the more wispy elements to give it some movement and pull it all together.

Flowers at Remodelista Book Launch Party in NYC | Gardenista

Like cooking, sourcing fresh ingredients of good stock and layering the flavors (or colors) carefully is a sure bet. Read more about the Remodelista book party flowers on a recent mention from Country Living.

Location of the Flower Market in NYC:

For more on the Remodelista book and the events to come, see our post On the Road: Upcoming Remodelista Book Signings and Markets. Looking for more floral design? Sift through a whole list of our favorite flower arrangements and general flora in our archives. 

Houseplants for a Hater

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I hate houseplants. I mean really hate them, and I know it's my earliest experiences that shaped my disdain. In my childhood home, our living room felt like a jungle. There were plants everywhere—giant sansevieria, drooping ficus trees, dusty African violets, and fat-stalked orchids seemingly never in bloom.

To me, houseplants live in cheap plastic pots, usually sporting bar codes, nestled in formerly clear plastic trays. They wear crumpled aluminum foil to keep the pets out, even though the tips of most leaves have already been sampled. Houseplants are watered en masse from the kitchen sink; they overtake the countertop in seconds, brown water pouring over their catchment trays following overzealous refills. 

Even today, when I'm home and given the task of cleaning the house for a party, I've been known to chuck a few plants in the trash. (Actually, I don't think anyone knows that I do that.) Unlike the great outdoors, where I'm an accidental plant killer, indoors I do it on purpose.

I know how awful I sound; my mother always worked more than full-time and something's gotta give. But man I hated those plants. 

Somehow, however, these days houseplants have been piquing my interest. For one, a year's worth of tending an outdoor window box has made me feel reconnected to green living things. And on Gardenista, I've seen hundreds of images of houseplants, all beautiful, none sitting in 19-cent plastic trays. I began to wonder: Could I bring plants into my house and actually want them to stay alive? 

Photographs by Meredith Swinehart. Photography shot with the Canon EOS 70D digital SLR camera, with Dual Pixel AF technology and built-in Wi-Fi.

Asparagus Fern and Ivy in Farrow & Ball Cabbage White Pot, Gardenista

Above: I disliked how my mother's houseplants looked like an afterthought, and I'm not one to be unintentional about my living space. For me, having houseplants meant creating vignettes I might actually want to live with. 

Asparagus Fern and Ivy in Farrow & Ball Cabbage White Pot, Gardenista

Above: I painted a large terra cotta pot in Farrow & Ball's Cabbage White and planted white-tipped ivy on the perimeter and a "Ming" asparagus fern from Flora Grubb in the center. 

Selaginella in Farrow & Ball Studio Green Painted Pot, Gardenista

Above: I wanted to create a planter/plant contrast in green, but knew that the wrong pick could be unflattering to both. In the end, I love how this selaginella looks against a planter in Farrow & Ball's Studio Green. I supplemented the live plants with dried tallow berries.

Small Indoor Olive Tree in Bedroom Painted Hale Navy, Gardenista

Above: A miniature olive needs no introduction and no other plants as friends. I love this little tree and dearly hope that I keep it alive. This is the only plant in my bedroom, and its beauty still surprises me every time I enter.

Close Up of Indoor Olive Tree, Gardenista

Above: I found the little tree at Shed in Healdsburg, near Napa; it was the only one with fruit on it.

Indoor Tropical Houseplants in Black Pot, Corkscrew Plant, Gardenista

Above: Xapno on Haight Street in San Francisco is a little dark (think carnivorous plants), and inspired me to create a moody arrangement. I initially resisted the begonia—as far as I'm concerned, anything with tropical, waxy leaves belongs in a corporate lobby circa 1982. But I made an exception for this particularly dainty version. In the smaller container is a corkscrew rush—which I bought because it looks weird.

Tropical Indoor Plants in Black Clay Planter, Gardenista

Above: I planted pilea to dangle downward and a tiny tropical hypoestes (also known as a polka dot plant) to augment the begonia. 

Miniature Olive Plant in Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath Pot, Gardenista

Above: Second to the big olive, this tiny olive is my favorite. (I have a clear bias toward Mediterranean plants. Coincidentally, we didn't have any Mediterranean plants in my childhood home.) I love how slight it looks, and I plan to keep it small with regular trimming. The pot is painted in Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath, a barely gray, slightly pink, perennially popular color. 

Miniature Indoor Olive Plant in White Pot and Basket, Gardenista

Above: The silver-inflected basket is from Flora Grubb, along with the copper drainage tin peeking out from the edge of the pot.

Cat Grass and Mason Cash Pet Food Bowl, Gardenista

Above: In a compromise with my cat, I planted Rosy's Organic Kitty Grass to keep her from eating the rest of my lot. (She doesn't know we reached a compromise, but I'm spraying the rest of the plants with something she won't want to eat, so I think she'll learn about our agreement soon.) The pot is painted in Farrow & Ball Mole's Breath, and the water dish is from Mason Cash. 

If you're just beginning gardening, indoors or out, visit the rest of my Novice Gardener posts to find out how easy it is to get started.

Required Reading: The Unexpected Houseplant

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When it comes to gardening, I admit to being a bit of a snob. Gardening, to me, is done outdoors while wearing sturdy garden boots and wielding things like pitchforks and axes. It involves digging and hauling and getting soaked in the rain, broiled by the sun and blown around by the wind.

Caring for house plants, on the other hand, has never seemed like real gardening. My prejudice, however, has melted away lately under the influence of a book called The Unexpected Houseplant by Tovah Martin with photographs by Kindra Clineff.

Photographs via The Unexpected Houseplant.

Above: The book opens one’s eyes to a vast array of plants, normally seen outdoors, that can be successfully and impressively grown inside. Martin makes it clear that you do not have to shop for your indoor plants only in the house plant section of your local nursery. You are not limited to spider plants (in fact, Martin condones throwing those in a dumpster) or trying to keep last year’s poinsettia from dropping dead.

Be warned that this book engenders so much enthusiasm for indoor flora that you can find yourself outdoors with a shovel in your hand robbing your own garden of plants to bring inside. I know. It happened to me.

Above: Information about caring for specific plants is arranged in a format that gives the plant’s attributes along with its growing requirements. As Martin points out, you have more control over the growing climate indoors than outside. The back of the book contains a primer of basic plant care as well as information on buying plants—“the secret lies in selecting a plant that tugs at your heartstrings”—and picking appropriate containers.

Above: This is not a dilettante's engaging discourse on the joys of indoor gardening. Martin makes it clear she has successfully grown all the plants she covers and that it takes work, a lot of work, and a sort of hyper-sensitive attention to the plants. She even suggests that you approach it “with the fervor you pour on your pets."

Above: Martin also offers tips to gardeners on her blog Plantswise. I’m thinking of writing to her about a couple of issues. As a brownstone dweller, I have few windows and only north and south exposures. She recommends a lot of plants for east and/or west facing windows but very few for those that face north. Am I limited to ivies and hellebores, or can she suggest others? And my few pitiful windowsills are all located on top of radiators… proven plant destroyers. Tovah, you’ve got me hooked. What should I do now?

Do you think your Tiarella cordifolia has to spend the winter outdoors under a snow bank? Certainly not, according to Tovah Martin who says, “Foamflowers are disarmingly easy to grow indoors.”

Above: Martin, who lives and gardens in Connecticut, is described as having a “serious house plant addiction.” The Unexpected Houseplant is available for $16.78 from Amazon.

N.B. This is an update of a post that originally published on December 17, 2012.

For more ideas, see 802 images of House Plants in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

Plants, Meet Books: White Oak Planter from Hedge House

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A planter that does double-duty as a bookshelf? We'll take it. Our friends at Remodelista are big fans of the Indiana-based furniture design company Hedge House, and now that we've spotted this sharp little planter-cum-library, we are too. 

We're envisioning the planter under the windowsill in a kitchen: herbs on top, cookbooks below. Or how about center stage in the bay window in the living room? Vintage record collection down below and succulent garden up top. 

White Oak Planter from Hedgehouse | Gardenista

Above: Made of white oak, all Hedge House furniture is handcrafted by Amish woodworkers in Goshen, Indiana.

  White Oak Planter from Hedgehouse | Gardenista

Above: The planter is 11 inches wide by 37 inches high. The box is 8 inches deep. It comes with an optional black plastic liner to protect the wood from damage. 

  White Oak Planter from Hedgehouse | Gardenista

Above: The White Oak Indoor Planter is $275 from Hedge House. 

Looking for a new home for a potted plant? We have some thoughts on this subject. Browse all of our posts on Pots & Planters.

The Ethicurean Apple Flip

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Set up by four young friends a couple of years ago, The Ethicurean restaurant operates from an old glasshouse in a walled garden near Bristol. It takes seasonal, local eating—and seasonal cocktails—to heart. Here, from the Ethicurean cookbook, a classic recipe for an Apple Flip:

"This is a refined descendent of the egg drinks that were a staple in America up until the middle of the 19th century. Early flips were a mixture of beer, rum, egg, and sugar, poured from container to container to aerate them. A red-hot poker would then be plunged into the flip, causing it to froth and adding a burnt caramel flavor. We have not tried this yet, but it becomes increasingly tempting after a few flips.

"We particularly like the apple juice and brandy blends made by Julian Temperley of The Somerset Cider Brandy Company. As well as some excellent vintages of brandy and cider, he has created two drinks, Kingston Black and Pomona. Kingston Black is slightly sweeter and is similar in many ways to a Pineau des Charentes or white port."

N.B.: For more on Julian Temperley's distillery, see A Visit to Somerset: Temperley's Cider Brandy.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Photograph by Jason Ingram.

The Ethicurean Apple Flip

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Kingston Black (apple aperitif)
• 25 ml 3-year-old Somerset Cider Brandy
• 20 g caster sugar
• 1 free-range egg
• A small grating of nutmeg
• Enough ice to fill a cocktail shaker by two thirds

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients except the nutmeg and ice in the glass part of a Boston shaker. Place the tin on top and tap to secure it, then shake vigorously. Break apart the shaker and pour the contents from as high up as you dare back into the metal half of the shaker. This adds even more air to the drink. Drop in the ice. Shake until the sides of the shaker condense, then pour the flip into a glass using a Hawthorne strainer. Finish with a fine grating of nutmeg.

For more about Ethicurean recipes, see Required Reading: The Ethicurean Cookbook.

Planning a holiday party? See more of our favorite Cocktail Recipes.

 

Required Reading: The Ethicurean Cookbook

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A long lunch at The Ethicurean restaurant is taking the idea of seasonal, local eating to heart. Ensconced in an aging glasshouse in a walled garden near Bristol, one eats what one sees and then some. Set up by four young friends only a couple of years ago, The Ethicurean has won impressive awards and a loyal following. Now comes the cookbook, with a fetching cloth-bound cover, and pictures by our favorite West Country photographer, Jason Ingram.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: Winter in the walled garden, which is part of Barley Wood estate, in Somerset.

A definition of "ethicurean" at the beginning of the book sets us on the right track: "The pursuit of fine-tasting food while being mindful of the effect of one's food production and consumption on the environment."

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: The Ethicurean philosophy: "Eat local, celebrate native foods, live well." They take the last part very seriously.

Local rituals and ancient festivals are revived and given new life in the walled garden and orchard. "Wassail" is one of those murky celebrations which people confuse with drunken carolling. In fact, it is a pagan festival involving tree spirits and orchards and it begins at dusk, outdoors, at the coldest time of year. The Wassail Cup is still key, but instead of mulled cider the spirits are toasted with Lamb's Wool, an all-but-forgotten mix of ale, puréed apple, and spices.

Other social events in the garden include Summer Solstice and the recently honored Day of the Dead.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: Diners sit at long tables but similarities to a cafeteria end here.

Ever wondered about "hung beef"  or whether there is any point in making real custard; why salt marsh lamb is said to be so special; what oaked vermouth is and how to oak it? These questions and more are discussed and yet the book is not a massive tome. It's perfectly readable in bed.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: Pineapple, Turmeric and Ginger Glazed Ham with "Piccalilli." This is a winter dish, using Caribbean pineapples (in season in December). "Try to find fair trade fruit that smells sweet at the base."

British Piccalilli is a different beast from the American version, shaped by cauliflower florets and colored by turmeric. It has connotations of India, the Empire, and holiday shopping at Fortnum and Mason. However, revived with some West Country air, it becomes altogether more intriguing.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: An Ethicurean staple, Caerphilly and Cider Welsh Rabbit. This recipe looks west towards Wales in its choice of cheese and is paired with local medium-sweet cider. "While beer would dominate this cheese's citrusy and mushroomy earthiness, the cider sings in chorus."

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: The restaurant works in tangent with the expertise of head gardener Mark Cox. Barley Wood Walled Garden is also home to workshops and courses; the garden is open every day.

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: The motor behind The Ethicurean. From left: Matthew Pennington (chef), Paula Zarate (business brain), Iain Pennington (chef), Jack Adair Bevan (wordsmith and mixologist).

The Ethicurean Cookbook. Gardenista

Above: "Ethicureanism is a new British cooking manifesto." The Ethicurean Cookbook is £25 from Ebury Press. For a classic cocktail recipe from the book, see The Ethicurean Apple Flip.

Love walled gardens? See One of the Finest Examples of a Walled Garden in the Land.

An Alpine Hut That Bends the Rules

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When a modern-design fan purchased a plot of land approved for construction of a traditional Slovenian hut, his architects created a very modern cabin that still technically follows the rules.

The property in question is located inside Slovenia's Triglav National Park, where strict rules of design and construction are enforced. The building site came with a permit for a traditional Alpine hut, and though the owner wanted a modern design, he did not want to attempt to change the permit. So Slovenian architects OFIS Arhitekti designed a cabin with the same dimensions, roof pitch, and materials as were mandated in a traditional hut—but with a decidedly modern take. From a distance, the hut blends into the surrounding architecture, but up close the tiny home is a shining example of modern design.

Photography by Tomas Gregoric.

Above: The second floor is cantilevered above the ground floor and acts as a shade from the summer sun.

Above: Environmentally friendly features include extra thermal insulation between the wooden cladding and vertical pipes inside beams that collect rainwater from the roof.

Above: The kitchen is small but entirely modern.

Above: Unlike a more traditional hut, in this version windows and doors were sited to maximize views.

Above: The ground floor has an open floor plan with kitchen, dining, and living rooms, and storage tucked under the central staircase.

Above: Vaulted beam ceilings are hallmarks of the traditional local architecture.

Above: The homeowners mixed occasional antique pieces like this armoire with the rest of the hut's simple modern furnishings.

Above: To maximize views and minimize furnishings, the architects extended the windows to meet low bench shelves that function as sofas. Sun-facing corner windows mean no heat is required on sunny days.

Above: Exterior features like stone and wood columns came from local sources and echo the region's architectural vernacular.

N.B.: This is an update of a post originally published December 12, 2012.


5 Favorites: Mini House Plants for Apartment Living

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I am a huge nature lover. I love my garden; I love to take long walks in the wilderness. But I have only recently come to embrace the concept of the house plant.

I actually think that for a long time this "aversion to your average house plant" was common in the design world. Open any architectural or interior magazine ten years ago, and you'd be challenged to find any greenery. But that was back in the day when house plants had broad, waxy leaves in bad shades of green (yes, there is such a thing), and little personality.

Nowadays, as the Internet introduces an ever-broadening array of exotics, and as interior style emphasizes a much more personal approach, it is more than possible for design purists to enjoy a bit of nature inside, as well as out. Today's varieties have made a convert of me... So much so that I hope to regularly share my favorites, starting with these: my five favorite small-scale plants for apartment living.

Above: Considered an invasive weed in some regions, Asparagus FernProtasparagus densiflorus (which is not a real fern, but a member of the perennial lily family)—is better kept as an indoor plant. Grow your own with seeds from Generic Seed; $5.95.

Above: Almost no one captures the personality of plants like Belgian photographer Mieke Verbijlen. Here the backlit leaves of her Pilea peperomiodies look like a cascade of green bubbles. Available seasonally from Black Jungle Terrarium Supply, currently out of stock.

Above: Dutch photographer Anja Mulder enjoys her Fenestraria rhopalophylla "Baby Toes" (in the US) or "Baby Fingers" (in the Netherlands). At Succulent Beauties for $4.99.

Above: Air plants, like this beloved specimen of Kim Ludy's, have a particularly animated quality. Individual plants as well as sets are on offer a Air Plant Design Studio; $9 - $60. Photo via Ethanollie.

Above: The studio of Hong-Kong-based graphic designer Furze Chan, boasts an ever-changing array of small plants like this succulent ($10 at Succulent Oasis). Furze also sells a number of handmade and vintage vessels, which are perfect for growing her favorite small-scale flora.

Above: A favorite of Fen and Ned's Sarah Andersen, Lithops fulleri are often called "living stones." (Available at Corona Cactus for $4). Sarah enjoys her lithops in a beaker by Sue Paraskeva; £22.

N.B. This is an update of a post that originally published on March 5, 2013.

Don't forget another of my favorites: Mikado, the world's most adorable plant.

Experts' Favorite Houseplants, Loved with Ease

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When we asked landscape designers and gardeners about their favorite houseplants, or the plants they thought were easiest to grow indoors, we quickly realized they were one in the same. (Nobody needs a needy plant.)

We appreciated seeing our favorite standbys on the experts' list and loved hearing about new plants we should try next. (For me, that will be the gorgeous purple shamrock below.) From members of our Architect/Designer Directory, here are the experts' favorite, easiest-to-grow houseplants: 

Purple Shamrock Plant, Easy Best Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Allison Koll at Gunn Landscape Architecture recommends oxalis triangularis, or purple shamrock. She loves its beautiful triangular leaves and deep purple shade, and because it stays alive while her other plants have not. She suggests keeping oxalis in indirect sunlight—its leaves open and close to the sun—and watering every few days or if the soil is dry. It becomes dormant during winter, she says, "So just when it seems like you've killed it, it comes back to life." Photograph via Easy to Grow Bulbs.

A packet of 25 bulbs of Oxalis Triangularis is $9.95 from Easy to Grow Bulbs.  

Fiddle Leaf Fig, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Neither Leslie Bennett nor Stefani Bittner of Star Apple Edible Gardens is an admirer of houseplants in general, but both have grown fond of the Fiddle Leaf Fig for its big, beautiful leaves and retro-chic look. They've also found that it's hard to kill. "If things go wrong," says Bennett, "I just cut mine way back and it comes back beautifully."  Photograph via The Marion House Book.

Want your own? See The Fig and I: Tips for Buying and Caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Mother in Law's Tongue, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Beth Mullins of Growsgreen Landscape Design is fond of sansevieria, or mother-in-law's tongue, especially the cylindrica variety. Says Mullins, "They are retro and easy and can handle dark corners with very little water." Photograph via The Simple Green Frugal Co-op.

For more information and sources, see A Houseplant You Can't Kill: Mother-in-Law's Tongue.

Kalachoe Chinese Bells, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Gunn Landscape Architecture senior designer Aaron McIntire recommends kalanchoe, or magic bells plant, for its striking shapes, color, and texture. He notes that it blooms from late fall into winter, and as a member of the succulent family, it's resilient and easy to care for. McIntire says, "I like this plant because after it blooms, you only have to cut it back and the process of growth starts again." Photograph via Das Pflanzen Forum.

A Magic Bells Kalanchoe Plant in a 6-inch pot is $11.99 from Amazon.

Wall-Mounted Staghorn Fern, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Gunn Landscapes designer Cat Rha recommends Platycerium bifurcatum, or staghorn fern, "as a great sculptural centerpiece for mounting onto a wall. I love the idea of using plants as a piece of living art." She notes that they can be finicky to care for, since they prefer tropical environments—high humidity and indirect sunlight. She suggests soaking them in water once a week and misting in between waterings. Photograph via Terrain.

Have you ever considered hanging a staghorn fern in your shower? See Steal This Look: Hooked on Houseplants.

Castiron Plant, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Pedersen Associates in San Francisco recommends Aspidistra elatior, or the castiron plant, for enduring hardiness. Photograph via Jacksonville

A Starry Night Castiron Plant is $7.99 from Hirt's.

ZZ Plant, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Gunn Landscapes horticulturist Lauren Pucciarelli recommends the ZZ plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, for its beautiful foliage that is highly resistant to pests and can tolerate low light. However, she warns that "all parts of the plant are toxic so be careful around children and pets." Photograph by Helen McCauslin.

A Rare ZZ Plant in a 6-inch pot is $14.99 from Hirt's.

Chinese Evergreen, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Along with the ZZ plant, Joel Lichtenwalter of Grow Outdoor Design recommends aglaonema 'Silver Queen,' or Chinese evergreen. He says that despite minimal watering, "These are the two plants that have survived at least a decade in medium/low light exposure in my condo in West Hollywood." Just as easy, he says, is "a centerpiece of three different tillandsias arranged on a metal base on the dining room table." Photograph via Eco|Stems.

A Silver Queen Chinese Evergreen Plant in a 4-inch pot is $7.99 from Amazon.

Echeveria, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Pedersen Associates also recommends echeveria—a flowering succulent native to Central America—planted in groups on a sunny windowsill. Photograph via Floradania.

We recently discovered just how hardy echeveria is; see Must-Have Bouquet: Needs No Water, Lasts a Month.

Red Rubber Plant, Easiest Favorite Houseplants, Gardenista

Above: Star Apple gardeners Bittner and Bennett also like ficus elastica 'Burgundy,' or the red rubber plant. They would love to grow one indoors but admit they've only grown them in the garden. (If you've grown this at home, we'd love to hear.) A Burgundy Rubber Plant in a 6-inch pot is $12.99 from Hirt's. Photograph via Butterfly Blooms Garden Centre.

It's houseplants week at Gardenista. Discover The New "It" Houseplant; our favorite Mini Houseplants for Apartments;, and the houseplants I'm learning to love, in Houseplants for a Hater

Top 5: Trending Today on Remodelista

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This week Remodelista's editors slept in. Sarah tested white sheets all over town, Julie bounced on beds in four cities in 10 days (book tour!), and Alexa folded herself up in a Murphy bed. And they got me thinking again about wallpapering my bathroom.

I've been obsessing for months over how to pick the perfect wallpaper, and just when I thought I'd made my selection, Margot and Izabella discovered two more gorgeous possibilities:

Botanical Wallpaper Gray and White l Gardenista

Can you help us ID the pattern? And how would it look in my bathroom?

Gray and white bathroom wallpaper l Gardenista

Love this pattern, too. Anybody know what it is?

Murphy Bed on wheels l Gardenista

Expecting guests over the holidays? Now you see them, now you don't.

Simple white linen sheets l Gardenista

Sarah on sheets: "Am obsessed with Matteo—have some of their vintage linen sheets and love them. Also love Rough Linen—great for summer—and..."

eBay Ikea Sansevieria Mother in Law's Tongue Bedroom l Gardenista

Budget Bedroom: eBay, Ikea, mother in law's tongue.

A Reader's Secret Garden: Enchanted Burchetts Wood

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On the edge of a large heath land in the county of Surrey in the South of England lives painter and best-selling author Celia Lewis with her chickens and turkeys and sheep—and the occasional pig. They've all made appearances in her books (as well as in her rambling seven-acre garden).

It's the quintessential old-fashioned sprawl of an English country garden, woods and mossy paths, a sunny wildflower meadow, and am idyllic spot for lunch on the lawn.

"We've lived here for nearly 40 years, bringing up our three daughters and now entertaining our six grandchildren," says Lewis, whose An Illustrated Country Year will be published in September by Bloomsbury. "The garden is full of animals such as deer that make formal gardening impossible. We long since decided that what we like is the natural look." We quite agree.

This is one in an occasional series of stories about readers' secret gardens. Would you like us to feature yours next? Send photos to edit@remodelista.com (or tell us about your garden in the comment section below).


Photographs by Emma Lewis.

Above: "I'm afraid the croquet box simply hasn't been put away—we play it on the lawn in summer," says Lewis.

Above: Close to the house is a large crabapple tree and a picnic table "in the shade of this lovely tree where eat eat in the summer—not as othen as we'd like thanks to the tiresome English climate," says Lewis.

Above: "My advice to gardeners would be make the most of plants that thrive and don't struggle with exotic things that aren't suited to your climate or soil," says Lewis. "If you have a deer problem, like us, grow things they don't like (there are a few)."

Above: Lewis' An Illustrated Country Year is £18 from Bloomsbury. Charles, Prince of Wales wrote the Forward to Lewis's most recent previous book, The Illustrated Guide to Chickens, which covered such topics as combs, feathers, broodiness, and culling.

Above: The garden is made up of lawn and paths through the wooded areas and has been a large inspiration for Lewis' forthcoming book.

Above: Lewis' new book will cover everything you might encounter on a walk in the country, from beetles to buzzards, to bluebells, to birds.

Above: Rainwater from the roof is collected to water tender seedlings that might not tolerate tap water.

Above: A tangle of clematis grows against the house.

Above: A mossy dark path through the woods leads to a wildflower meadow.

Above: The wooded areas join almost seamlessly into the meadow, says Lewis.

Above: "The meadow is a joy, full of wildflowers and even orchids; I once did a plant species count and reached over 70 types not including grasses," says Lewis.

Above: At the moment, Lewis is keeping eight Belted Galloway cows in the meadow. They're "helping me with my research into cattle and maintaining the grass at the same time," she says.

For more readers' gardens, see Beauty in the Berkshires and Fanciful Topiary at the Old Eldridge Place.

N.B.: This is an update of a post published March 22, 2012.

Some Like It Variegated: A Pilgrimage to Broken Arrow Nursery

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All great gardeners will tell you the same thing: don't select plants for flowers alone. The striking blooms that entice you at the nursery are fleeting. Foliage is really king (and structure) when it comes to choosing plants and designing a garden that has impact through all seasons.

Thanks to plant propagators; the world of interesting foliage keeps expanding. They're pushing the boundaries of what a leaf can provide. Variegation is a lack of pigment in the leaf. Variegation is not just white and green; these days, it can be green and yellow—or even pink can appear—and some leaves have a mix of it all.

Last summer, I went on a quest for interesting variegated hardy plants. I'd been wanting an excuse to take a drive to a nursery that has a cult following in the garden community. Broken Arrow Nursery, in Hamden, CT  is known for its rare and unusual plants.  It's not around the corner from New York city where I'm based, but it's absolutely worth every mile I put on my Prius.

Photographs by Maria Robledo

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: (Upper Left) A Platanus x acerifloia 'Suttneri' is $17.99; a Ulmus carpinifolia 'Variegata' (Middle) is $19.99; a Magnolia x 'Fran Smith' (Right) is $29.99 (available seasonally, currently out of stock). Shown at bottom, Acer truncatum 'Akikaze Nishiki.'

Adam Wheeler, Broken Arrow's propagation and plant develop manager, has been with the nursery for ten years and is a wealth of knowledge. He writes the nursery;s brilliant catalog so be sure to look online or order a copy.  I keep one beside my bed and will be ordering the 2014 issue, which will be available in early February. As Wheeler says, "I look for plants for foliage first. Flowers are the icing on the cake; foliage has consistency. It adds contrast and interest to the garden. If you garden in the shade, a variegated plant is like turning on the lights. In either shade or sun, it helps to direct your eye through the landscape."

Broken Arrow does mail order in spring and fall. The fall season ends in early December. The nursery is open year round, but through the winter months by appointment only. The season officially starts April 1 and runs to the end of October. 

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: (Left) Syringa vulgaris 'Aucubaefolia'; (Middle) Acer palmatum 'Hana Matoi' (a 2-gallon plant is $49.99, available seasonally), and (Right) Zelkova serrat 'Goshiki'.

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: (Left) A Hydrangea paniculata 'Yuki Gessho' ($34.99); a (Middle) Caryopteris x clandonensis 'White Surprise', and (Right) a Buddleja davidii 'Summer Skies' (a 2-gallon pot is $24.99, available seasonally.) 

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: A Spirea x vanhouttei 'Pink Ice'; $29.99 at Broken Arrow.

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: A Ligularia 'Osiris Chameleon.'

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: (Left): A Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'; (Middle)a  Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegata'; (Lower Left) Carex conica 'Snowline' is $11.99 (available seasonally), and a Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Lower Right) is $14.99.

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: At Top Left, a Cryptomeria japonica 'Knaptonensis'; (Bottom left and upper right) Pinus parviflora 'Tani Mano Uki', and the long branch in the Middle is Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Special Variegated.'

variegated glossary by lindsey taylor | gardenista

Above: A Daphne x transatlantica 'Summer Ice'. See other varieties of Daphne's for sale at Broken Arrow.

For more of our favorite plants with dramatic foliage, see 5 Favorites: Colorful Japanese Maples.

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