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BRING SPRING ALIVE ON YOUR WINDOWSILL HOUSEPLANT PROBLEM SOLVER EXPERT TIPS TO MAKE THEM THRIVE GROW (AND EAT!) YOUR OWN STRAWBERRIES BOXWOOD PRUNING MADE SIMPLE

EARLY SPRING 2020 VOL. 29, NO. 1 COUNTRYGARDENS.COM

EXOTIC BEAUTY EDITOR’S FAVORITE This Lady Palm is a stunning native of China that elevates the design of any room or office. This Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit winner is an outstanding choice for brightly lit areas, and is a hardy yet elegant palm that produces fan-shaped, dark green leaves reminiscent of a Pacific breeze. Shipped in a 12” wide x 11” tall woven basket with liner. $90 plus shipping (Item GMB10030)

GARDEN NOTES: Common Name | Lady Palm Hardiness Zone | 1 – 13S/W Exposure | Houseplants – High Light Height | 32 – 34”

Ships from White Flower Farm as | HOUSEPLANT IN WOVEN BASKET Ceramic pot shown is not included

#190782

HURRY AWARD...

WINNE SELLS R OUT FAST!

Order online at CountryGardens.com/palm or call 1-800-420-2852 Please mention Code CHG18 when ordering ... and remember, every plant is 100% guaranteed!

cont nt 20 DESTINATION: COLOR Miles of sunny daffodils line the springtime streets in Lewisboro, New York. Peruse our map to find a blooming drive in your part of the country.

72 ENCHANTING EPHEMERALS Magical ephemerals arrive in early spring as short-lived harbingers of the warm season to come. Learn how to incorporate these charming flowers into your garden.

26 NATIVE STYLE Southern California native plants shine with color in the garden of an iconic Pasadena, California, bungalow, where salvaged finds and country artifacts are right at home.

80 EARLY TO RISE Bring spring indoors by forcing fragrant hyacinths and other seasonal bulbs into bloom—no soil necessary!

36 DESIGNING PLANTS Clever display ideas and pointers for showing off houseplant collections are the bonus for shoppers at a charming Rhode Island greenhouse. The owner also shows how to assemble an innovative indoor woodland garden.

44 STILL LIFE Make pretty and playful living garden art by gathering easy-care succulents into pretty arrangements using tips from a creative Texas designer.

84 INSIDE THE LINES Vintage paint-by-number paintings give two homeowners a unique—and inexpensive—art collection inspired by nature.

EARLY SPRING 2020

DEPARTMENTS 3 EDITOR’S NOTE 4 PLANTINGS 8 DESIGN NOTEBOOK 10 WEEKEND GARDENER 12 GARDEN SHOPPING 16 GARDEN KNOW-HOW 100 GARDENER’S BOOKSHELF 102 RESOURCES 104 CREATIVE BREAK

92 BERRY EASY The best-tasting strawberries are homegrown. Plant some sweetness and stir these gems into our featured garden-fresh recipes.

48 NO STONE UNTURNED Artisanal stonework structures and tough, shade-loving plants transform a once-quiet wooded New England yard into a place of wonder.

56 STEMS WITH STYLE Less truly can be more, as a California designer demonstrates through her garden’s understated color palette. The elegant bouquets from her garden bring the soothing, peaceful ambience indoors.

Enter our 23rd Annual Garden Awards! See page 19 for details.

64 THE PLANT DOCTORS The owners of a Midwestern chain of hip houseplant shops know that anyone can be successful with the right information. Their guide to diagnosing common plant ailments will help you keep your indoor jungle green and healthy.

@CountryGardensMagazine #countrygardensfriends Country Gardens Magazine COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 1

Editor SUSAN APPLEGET HURST Designers JESSICA ENO, NICK CROW Copy Editor ERIKA BJORKLUND Contributing Editors HALEY KNUDSEN, SAMANTHA S. THORPE

Contributing Proofreader NANCY DIETZ Copy Editing Apprentice CARSON REICHARDT Administrative Assistant KATIE MORT Contributing Illustrator HELEN SMYTHE

HOME Executive Editor SAMANTHA HART Group Editor ANN BLEVINS Senior Editors BRIAN KRAMER, SALLY FINDER WEEPIE, KRISSA ROSSBUND Senior Associate Editor NATALIE DAYTON Design Directors KIMBERLY MORGAN METZ, MICK SCHNEPF Group Art Director NICOLE DEAN TEUT Associate Art Director JESSICA ENO Assistant Art Director EMILY BUTTERWORTH Senior Graphic Designer BRITTANY MUELLER Administrative Assistants RENAE MABIE, SUE MILLER, KIM O’BRIEN-WOLETT Photography Coordinator ALYSSA RICHARDSON

GARDEN Senior Content Manager SUSAN APPLEGET HURST Design Director KIMBERLY MORGAN METZ Associate Art Director JESSICA ENO Administrative Assistant KATIE MORT Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® Manager SANDRA GERDES

FOOD Executive Editor JAN MILLER Senior Content Manager JESSICA SAARI CHRISTENSEN Senior Editor MAGGIE GLISAN Senior Associate Editor CARRIE BOYD Design Director STEPHANIE HUNTER Associate Art Director RAE DANNEMAN Administrative Assistant COURTNEY BUSH Director, Meredith Test Kitchen LYNN BLANCHARD Culinary Specialists SARAH BREKKE, JULI HALE, COLLEEN WEEDEN Senior Food Stylist GREG LUNA Food Stylists KELSEY BULAT, LAUREN KNOELKE, SAMMY MILA

EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATION Editorial Directors JENNIFER DORLAND DARLING, JILL WAAGE Managing Director, SIM KARMAN WITTRY HOTCHKISS Creative Director MICHAEL D. BELKNAP Assistant Managing Editor JENNIFER SPEER RAMUNDT Copy Chief MARIA DURYEE Senior Copy Editors ERIKA BJORKLUND, MARTHA COLOFF LONG, ANGELA RENKOSKI Business Manager, Editorial CINDY SLOBASZEWSKI Lead Business Office Assistant GABRIELLE RENSLOW Director, Premedia Services AMY TINCHER-DURIK Director, Quality JOSEPH KOHLER Director, Meredith Food Studios ALLISON LOWERY Director, Meredith Test Kitchen LYNN BLANCHARD Director, Meredith Photo Studio REESE STRICKLAND Photo Studio Set Construction Manager DAVE DECARLO Photo Studio Business Manager TERRI CHARTER Premedia Trafficking Supervisor JACQUELINE BEARD Color Quality Analyst JILL M. HUNDAHL

CONTRIBUTING FIELD EDITORS Atlanta Danny Flanders Chatham, Massachusetts Karin Lidbeck-Brent Columbus, Ohio Teresa Woodard Davidson, North Carolina Andrea Caughey Denver Elaine St. Louis Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan Khristi Zimmeth Newport, Rhode Island Lynda Sutton Redlands, California Thad Orr Roxbury, Connecticut Tovah Martin San Diego Karen Reinecke Seattle Debra Prinzing Sodus Point, New York Christine Froehlich Tidewater, Virginia Marty Ross

FOR EDITORIAL QUESTIONS, EMAIL COUNTRY.GARDENS@MEREDITH.COM OR WRITE US AT COUNTRY GARDENS, SPECIAL INTEREST PUBLICATIONS, MEREDITH CORP., 1716 LOCUST ST., DES MOINES, IA 50309-3023 To subscribe, go to BHG.com/SubscribeCountryGardens. For subscription help, email chgcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com or call 800/677-0484.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY WILDE

GREEN ALL THE TIME I’m slowly warming to the idea that

HOUSEPLANTS COLLECTING CACTI page 10

DESIGNING PLANTS page 36

THE PLANT DOCTORS page 64

EARLY TO RISE page 80

PRETTY WRAPS

I could truly be a gardener all year round. Some Country Gardens readers (particularly those whose gardens are currently covered in snow) would tell me that poring over seed catalogs and making seed-starting plans in front of the fi re in January is gardening.

And they are right about that. But more and more I fi nd I want to be touching something leafy and green, fussing over foliage or flowers, nearly every day. That’s where my interest in houseplants has fi lled the gap between the fi rst and last frosts of the season.

The pleasure I take in seeing my indoor plants thrive, arranging them, sharing cuttings with friends, trying new varieties—that’s the kind of gardening that I can do every day of the year.

I know for many of you, your indoor garden is the only gardening that you have space and time for. So in this issue we give you a generous serving of houseplant tips and ideas, as well as several projects that you can do before the weather warms enough to garden outdoors. And, as we do in every issue, we take you to lovely gardens that will have you imagining the sun on your shoulders and a trowel in your hand. That’ll warm you up!

page 104

houseplants 3 KEYS TO

MAKE PLANTS THRIVE

(THAT'S ALL YOU NEED!)

DE-STRESS YOUR HOME WITH A

HEALTHY GREEN HAVEN

THE SURVIVORS 23 PLANTS THAT

Susan Appleget Hurst EDITOR

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY PLANT? SOLVE PLANT PROBLEMS GREAT IDEAS FOR DECORATING WITH PLANTS

HOW TO REACH US page 102

For loads more information about helping your houseplants thrive and making them look great, watch for the new Better Homes & Gardens Houseplants issue on newsstands in late February.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 3

PLANTINGS

WRITTEN BY RUTH ROGERS CLAUSEN

DOUBLE YOUR GREEN Recently created hybrids (Helleborus × hybridus) have added double petals, new colors, and upward-facing blooms to the array of hellebores.

ENDURING EASY TO CARE FOR AND DISAVOWED

BY DEER, SHADE-LOVING HELLEBORES ARE DAINTY YET TOUGH. COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 4

SINGULAR BEAUTY Hellebores can come in eye-catching, floriferous single blooms such as ‘Ice Follies’ from the Winter Thriller series.

Hellebores’ grit brings out a

gardener’s passion. Although delicate-looking, these shade-loving buttercuplike flowers can break through a layer of snow in late winter and handily endure early spring’s tough freeze-thaw cycles. They also resist most diseases and pests, including voracious rabbits and deer. (All parts of the plants are poisonous, so watch out if you have pets.) Today’s hellebores’ single and double blooms, jewel-box colors and patterns, and ability to live in Zones 4–9 make them perfect in an early-season garden.

Often referred to as spring’s roses, Christmas roses, and Lenten roses, members of Helleborus actually belong to the Ranunculaceae, or buttercup, family. Most are clumping perennials with handsome basal evergreen or semievergreen foliage. The original bowl-shape, bell-shape, or shallow saucerlike blooms typically nod downward. However, recent breeding has focused on producing up- or out-facing

HELLEBORE BOUQUETS

Coreopsis Sweet Tart

Hellebores are stunning in arrangements, but cut blossoms last only a week at most. For better performance in bouquets, try these tips from Marietta O’Byrne, hellebore expert and owner of Northwest Garden Nursery: • Avoid harvesting on hot days.

• Float blooms in a bowl of water to show off otherwise downward-facing flowers.

• Dip a stem’s cut end in boiling water for one minute to seal it.

Don’t remove the withered end.

• Mix with tulips, anemones, lilyof-the-valley, Star-of-Bethlehem, or daphne in a bouquet.

Geum Pretticoats™ Peach

Tradescantia Little Doll

New Varieties for 2020!

Bluestone has added stunning new varieties for 2020! These dazzling newcomers join our vast selection of plants with bold new colors, textures and shapes. Ask for your free catalog today!

1-800-852-5243 • bluestoneperennials.com

‘Irish Ruffles’

SPRING’S JEWEL BOX The Winter Thriller series of hybrid hellebores (Helleborus × hybridus) developed by plant breeder Chris Hansen reaches 18–22 inches tall and comes in single and double blooms that last for many weeks in the garden.

‘Midnight Ruffles’

‘Ballerina Ruffles’

‘Gold Fever’

‘Pink Fizz’

‘Ice Follies’

BEAUTIFUL BUNCHES Their clump-forming habit makes hellebores showy performers.

PLANT AT A GLANCE HELLEBORUS HEIGHT/WIDTH: 8–24 inches tall; 12–36 inches wide ZONES: 4–9 LIGHT CONDITIONS: Most prefer dappled light, or part shade to full shade.

SOIL CONDITIONS: Well-drained, neutral to acid soil. Add compost or other organic material at planting time to maintain fertility.

CARE GUIDE

PLANTING: Plant hellebores in shady spots, preferably with some morning sun and afternoon shade. Some newer selections tolerate more sun, especially in northern climates. In containers, grow in rich, well-draining organic potting soil.

WATER: Damp but not wet soil is essential. Hellebores resent wet feet and will experience crown rot if too wet, but they equally resent summer drought.

FERTILIZER: Apply a spring mulch of compost or other organic material, which will also retain summer soil moisture. (In very cold Zones, provide a protective winter mulch.)

PRUNING: Remove damaged leaves before blooms appear. Divide mature clumps into several plants.

SPECIAL NOTE: Many hellebores are poisonous. This helps keep critters away, but avoid letting your pets nibble on them.

flowers so their pretty blooms are easier to see. And the best part: They come in dazzling colors and patterns. All varieties appear in late winter into spring and as a bonus, after hellebore’s blooms are spent, new evergreen leaves emerge as the flowers subside, creating a lush fourseason groundcover.

For earliest color, pick sparkling white Christmas roses (H. niger) and hybrid Lenten roses (H. × hybridus) with white, pink, or purple flowers.

Partner bear’s foot or stinking hellebores (H. foetidus) and Lenten roses with shade-loving hostas, foamflowers (Tiarella), columbines, and coralbells (Heuchera). Mass them on partly shaded hillsides where their evergreen foliage requires no mowing. Larger Corsican hellebore (H. argutifolius) stands out with varieties such as the pewter-leaf ‘Silver Lace’ or variegated-leaf ‘Janet Stearnes’. Lenten rose hybrid strains such as the Brandywine strain, Royal Heritage strain, Winter Thriller series, and double Wedding Party series partner beautifully with early spring bulbs such as snowdrops, squills, grape hyacinths, and mini daffodils.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 7

PESTS AND DISEASES

Slugs and snails can be a problem, especially in damp, shaded soil, where they like to hide under the foliage. Aphids may attack young growth. Hellebores can succumb to crown rot in wet or waterlogged spots. In sunny, windy places, the leathery leaves may show winter burn along the edges. Remove unsightly leaves as new growth begins.

Interplant hellebores with early-season flowers such as Virginia bluebells.

WRITTEN BY THAD ORR PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG SCHEIDEMANN

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!

BEFORE YOU GRAB YOUR SHOVEL THIS SPRING, PLAN YOUR GARDEN ONLINE. THESE HANDY TECH TOOLS WILL HELP YOU PLOT YOUR DESIGN BEFORE YOU DIG.

IPAD PHOTO COURTESY OF HOME OUTSIDE.

DESIGN NOTEBOOK

FOUR TOOLS TO TRY 1. EDIBLE BED BUILDER

Sophisticated garden design options are popping up online. Selecting the best tool for you will depend on the scope of your project—are you creating a simple border or laying out an entire landscape plan? Consider these steps when choosing an online tool.

1. START SMALL Many digital garden design services can be overwhelming if you try to redesign your entire property immediately upon installing the app or visiting the website. Begin with a small area of your garden (kitchen garden, border, patio).

Once your initial design is complete and you’re comfortable with the app, move on to a larger space.

2. THINK BIG PICTURE Apps and websites make it easy to experiment with different layouts, plants, and materials. If you’re making landscape renovations that will affect patios, paths, walls, or other built-in elements, be sure to use an app that features a bird’s-eye view, such as Home Outside in “Four Tools to Try,” right. This will help you dial in the size of various garden features and give you a feel for how you will move through the spaces.

3. STUDY PLANTS Many apps lack searchable plant databases that allow you to sort by Zone, light requirements, or size.

In most apps, plants are shown generically. You may be able to add a genus, such as Echinacea,

but not a cultivar, e.g., Echinacea ‘Green Envy’. Scaling plants to the proper size can also be difficult.

Do your plant research first so you can design something that will thrive in your climate. Check out online nurseries, such as Proven Winners (provenwinners.com) or Monrovia (monrovia.com), with plant search tools that let you sort and find specific plants by Zone, size, color, plant type, and light level.

4. CONSIDER TALKING WITH A PRO Most apps offer a professional design option that will connect you to a designer or landscape architect who will complete a plan at a reasonable price. The pros have expertise designing with the apps as well as local plant knowledge, ensuring you get the best plan for your region.

Some will provide a detailed plant list and installation instructions.

Most apps and websites that partner with a professional design service also include a videoconference or one-on-one consultation to review the plan. Home Outside, iScape, and Yardzen, in “Four Tools to Try,” right, all offer help from a professional designer.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 9

APP: Kitchen Garden Planner WEBSITE: gardeners.com (search “Kitchen Garden Planner”) PRICE: free BEST FOR: simple kitchen gardens DESCRIPTION: Plan a kitchen garden using this free web-based design tool that incorporates the square foot gardening method. Select from 26 layouts. A custom-size option suits gardeners who want a larger plant palette; the tool includes over 50 common edibles. Both predetermined layouts and custom plans include planting and growing tips for every featured plant.

2. CREATE A MOCK-UP

APP: iScape WEBSITE: iscapeit.com PRICE: free to download, then $19.99 per month or $99 per year beyond the three-day trial period; professional services: from $99 per design BEST FOR: updating a bed or other small space DESCRIPTION: Make a quick, 2-D visualization of a garden space by loading a picture of the area you want to redesign. Add plants or other landscape features to the photo. Then resize, move, delete, or rearrange as needed. There’s also a 3-D version that uses augmented reality (AR) for especially tech-savvy gardeners.

3. MAKE A MASTER PLAN

APP: Home Outside WEBSITE: homeoutside.com PRICE: Apple App Store: $2.99; Google Play: free; desktop: $24.99; professional design: from $999 BEST FOR: spatial organization or redesigning backyards, front yards, and built-in elements DESCRIPTION: This mobile and desktop app uses a bird’s-eye view for redesigning a large space or hardscaping. Upload an image then start planning using generic plants (tree, shrub, perennial). The palette choices, map tools, and design notes will give you a plan for an economical price. You can request expert consultations for a fee.

4. CALL IN A PRO

APP: Yardzen WEBSITE: yardzen.com PRICE: three professional-design packages: $495 for a planting-based plan (no hardscaping); $995 for a partial yard; $1,495 for a full yard BEST FOR: planting plans with plant lists for your Zone, landscape remodels, help finding a pro DESCRIPTION: Yardzen plans starts with a free 15–30-minute consultation. Then you fill out a profile to be matched with a landscape designer who will create a custom 3D rendering and 2D plan. All packages include detailed plans, plant lists, and growing info. The service connects users to certified contractors in some states.

WEEKEND GARDENER

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATE CARTER FREDERICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACOB FOX

COLLECTING CACTI

LET CACTI PRICK YOUR FANCY—AND EVEN BECOME A HEALTHY OBSESSION—BY CREATING A POTTED DISPLAY THAT LASTS AND LASTS.

Cacti are ideal cornerstones for arrangements

with staying power. Visit a garden center, home center, or grocery store and pick out mini cacti in 2- or 3-inch pots. Dress up pots by removing the cacti, painting the pots, and repotting the cacti. Or buy additional 2- or 3-inch pots to paint, and transplant the cacti into the painted pots when dry. Arrange the painted pots in a watertight container, such as a shallow ceramic bowl or deep tray, that will make the plants easily portable to a sunny window or a full-sun spot outdoors in the summer. Fill between the cacti with flowers, whether fresh, faux, or dried. We chose fresh hyacinth, daffodil,

ranunculus, and crabapple blossoms to celebrate spring.

Sola (wood) flowers that resemble succulents lend an additional texture. Brighten the sola flowers with acrylic paint to mimic succulent colors. Change the flowers as desired to freshen the look.

To keep cacti thriving, grow them in sandy soil, set them in a bright place, and give them occasional soakings. The assorted shapes, sizes, and colors of cacti are intriguing. The purchase of just one will get you started on a collection. They may not be cuddly, but diminutive cacti are widely available, easily affordable, and undeniably cute.

Make Your Own Cacti Display

STEP 1 Dress up the pots.

MATERIALS: Small cacti 2- or 3-inch plastic or terra-cotta pots Spray paint Exterior stain and sealer, such as Behr’s Semi-Transparent or Solid-Color Waterproofing Stain and Sealer Paintbrush Colored gravel or coarse sand Sola flowers Toothpicks White glue Acrylic paint Foam brush Shot glasses Fresh-cut flowers Dried flowers Preserved green moss

OPPOSITE A galvanized metal container pairs cacti with colorful seasonal blossoms and sola (wood) flowers that resemble succulents.

For plastic ones, coat with spray paint; for terra-cotta pots, brush with exterior stain and sealer. When dry, repot the cacti. (Tip: Neutral and/or matching pots keep the focus on the plants.)

STEP 2 Top-dress the pots. Lightly cover the soil of each potted cactus with a sprinkle of colored gravel or coarse sand before arranging them. This decorative touch will unify the plantings.

STEP 3 Prep the sola flowers. Dab glue on a toothpick tip and insert into a sola flower; repeat for other flowers. Brush sola flowers with acrylic paint using a foam brush to make them look like succulents; let dry.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

STEP 4 Arrange cacti.

Handle safely: Wear heavy gloves and wrap a folded sheet of paper around the plant when placing in the display. Leave room between plants to add floral elements.

STEP 5 Bring in fresh blooms. Carefully fill shot glasses with water and add fresh flowers. Tuck shot glasses, sola flowers, dried flowers, and bits of preserved green moss where desired to complete the display.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 11

GARDEN SHOPPING

WRITTEN BY HALEY KNUDSEN PRODUCED BY MOLLY REID SINNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACOB FOX

HAT TRICK

HEAD OUTSIDE WEARING ONE OF OUR PICKS FOR A HAT THAT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM THE ELEMENTS IN COMFORT AND STYLE.

Having fun

in the sun is one of gardening’s major perks. However, while you may never tire of watching flowers bloom, trees leaf out, and birds return to their nests, doing so requires protection from ultraviolet rays. Today’s gardening hats are up to the task. Some boast breathability and basic sun protection; some promise wide-reaching shade and a durable chin strap. Others combine all these features. Before heading out to the great outdoors, regardless of the season, assess these attributes to pick the best headgear for you.

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FABRIC HATS OPPOSITE This hat’s chin strap is adjustable for comfort in breezy weather, and the wide brim shades your whole face.

Lanai Hat in Periwinkle— Sunday Afternoons; sundayafternoons.com; $34

1. Capture the slightest cooling breeze with 360 degree vents in the crown. Men’s Ventilated Booney Hat in Smoky Blue—Duluth Trading Co.; duluthtrading.com; $35 2. An adjustable, curl-up brim allows you to lose yourself in gardening while looking stylish. Girlyflage Sun Hat—Womanswork; womanswork.com; $20 3. No matter where it’s stashed, this squishable hat bounces back. Women’s Crusher Packable Sun Hat in Blackberry—Duluth Trading Co.; duluthtrading.com; $30 4. A pleated neck cape provides maximum sun protection. Bonus: a ponytail hole. Sundancer Hat in Amethyst—Sunday Afternoons; sundayafternoons.com; $42 5. Customize your time in the sun with a detachable neck cape. Sun Guide Cap in Sandstone—Sunday Afternoons; sundayafternoons.com; $38 6. Keep your cool with moisture-wicking, breathable fabric. Women’s Breezeshooter Bucket Hat in Purple Sage Heather— Duluth Trading Co.; duluthtrading.com; $40.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 13

A tie inside the hat adjusts the fit. Raffia Sun Hat— Womanswork; womanswork.com; $36

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SUN SAFETY Wearing the right hat is a key line of defense against the sun’s damaging rays. According to the in the United States are diagnosed every day with skin cancer. Most cases of skin cancer can be prevented by actively protecting recommended by the AAD whenever you spend time outside.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Pick sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection, a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt, and long pants to complement your wide-brim hat.

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APPLY SUNSCREEN

Although sun hats shield your head from powerful UV rays, they cannot protect your face from reflected light. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours.

STRAW HATS 1. Bold stripes complement a fashionably floppy wide brim for good-looking sun protection. Women’s Floppy Hat in Tan/White—Target’s A New Day; target.com; $15 2. Bask in the sun wearing this hand-crocheted raffia straw fedora hat. Norwalk—Tenth Street Hats; tenthstreethats.com; $88 3. A durable, handwoven-palm sun hat lets you work confidently. Unisex Pecos Hat—Tula; tulahats .com; $38 4. Look as elegant as the flowers you are planting under a wide 4-inch brim.

Women’s Carmel Hat Black Band—Tula; tulahats.com; $38 5. The open crown will help you keep your cool in the heat of the day. Women’s Open Crown Hat—Tula; tulahats .com; $36 6. A removable and washable brow band gives you a fresh-hat feeling all summer. The Flora Floppy Hat in Vert—Garden Freak; gardenfreak.com; $40.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 15

UPF RATING

Just like sunglasses, hats made from materials tested for sun protection have a label listing the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. The highest rating, UPF 50+, transmits less than 2.5 percent of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The lower the UPF rating, the less protection.

GARDEN KNOW-HOW

WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY KATE CARTER FREDERICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTY BALDWIN

PRUNING SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS BY PERFORMING ESSENTIAL TASKS THAT BRING OUT AN EVERGREEN SHRUB’S BEST FEATURES.

Savvy gardeners know pruning dead, damaged, or

diseased wood is key to keeping shrubs healthy. But regularly trimming boxwoods also helps shape them and can even turn a plant into a topiarylike focal point. Left unpruned, boxwoods will start to look irregular or overgrown. They may even develop unattractive bare areas. Check out the following growing tips and lessons in fearless pruning to bring out the best in this widely popular shrub.

SHAPELY SHRUBS In addition to boxwood, evergreen shrubs that lend themselves to shaping as garden accents, foundation plants, and hedges include:

BOXWOOD BASICS BOXWOOD (BUXUS) This superstar among broadleaf evergreen shrubs appeals with its small, leathery leaves and year-round color. Popular for its versatility, boxwood works when planted in multiples for hedging or planted individually as living sculpture. Common boxwood varieties prove most dependable in Zones 5–8. Seek boxwoods suited to your region’s climate and your garden’s needs.

BARBERRY (BERBERIS)

HOW TO PRUNE Follow these guidelines when pruning any shrub: Remove no more than onethird of the plant each year.

Use sharp, clean cutting tools.

Spread a drop cloth under the shrub to catch trimmings. Take trimmings to the compost pile.

•

• •

FIRETHORN (PYRACANTHA)

TWO TYPES OF PRUNING WHEN TO PRUNE Timely trimming will save work in the long run whether you’re tending one shrub or a hedge. Make it an annual ritual. The ideal time to prune is late winter to early spring or mid- to late summer. Don’t prune in late fall. Pruning in the wrong season can adversely impact plant health. Research the best timing and techniques for all your shrubs before bringing out the pruners. Keep in mind that extremely cold temperatures and harsh, drying winds can kill part or all of a boxwood. If a part remains brown by midsummer, cut out as much of the damage as you can without deforming the plant.

SELECTIVE PRUNING

This technique uses pruners to remove part of select branches for a loose, natural appearance. Cut just above an outward-facing branch or bud to encourage new growth away from the center. Selectively remove dead, older, and spindly branches to rejuvenate a mature or neglected plant.

JUNIPER (JUNIPERUS)

SHEARING

To quickly trim and shape broad areas, use shears (long-handled, long-bladed pruning tools) or hedge trimmers to remove branch tips. This method is also best for sculpting boxwood into formal, geometric shapes (sphere, cone, box) or fanciful topiaries if desired.

YEW (TAXUS)

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 17

SHAPELY SHRUBS Regularly trimming boxwood and other evergreens in late winter or early spring keeps the plants in good shape and growing beautifully. You can also shape them into fulfilling any of their versatile roles in the landscape, including as a formal or fun topiary feature, as a border’s backdrop, as an edging, or as a hedgelike screen. Boxwood prefer a partially sunny spot, and moist, well-drained soil.

BOXWOOD CONE Hold shears at a similar upward angle throughout the process and keep the plant’s desired shape in mind. Go slowly enough to cut evenly.

Stand back every few minutes to view the entire plant and determine if the angle of cutting is consistent. Use your hand to brush the shrub and shake off trimmings.

Trim branches that need refining.

BEFORE

AFTER

BOXWOOD SPHERE Shear one area at a time, working from the top of the plant to the bottom and gradually moving from an area to the adjacent one. Repeat the process from top to bottom until shearing is complete.

Once the entire plant has been sheared, start at the top again. Snip branch tips to refine the rounded shape and balance the overall sphere form.

BEFORE

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

AFTER

check out

@countrygardensmagazine Watch our time-lapse video that shows how to prune a boxwood to shape it and keep it healthy.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 18

¨

23 RD ANNUAL GARDEN AWARDS

SHOW US

PRESENTED BY

ENTER TODAY! TIPS FOR GOOD ENTRY PHOTOS

• Send photos from only the best season in your garden.

• Take your photos on a slightly cloudy day, or in the soft light of morning or evening.

• Show us the whole garden—don’t send closeups of flowers.

• Limit your photos to the best ones—it’s not necessary to send more than 20 photos.

WHAT TO SEND

Send us your name, address, email, and telephone number, as well as color prints or digital photos of your garden, a rough landscape plan, and a brief description of your garden or garden room.

YOU COULD BE FEATURED!

SEE 2019’S AWARD WINNERS IN THE COUNTRY GARDENS FALL 2020 ISSUE.

By submitting photos, you grant Meredith Corp. the right to publish the photos in any medium whatsoever (now existing or hereinafter created) and in all forms of marketing and advertising, now or at any time in the future.

GUIDELINES

Only amateur gardeners are eligible for awards; participants cannot earn their living from gardening, landscaping, or interior design.

Gardens that have received other national gardening honors or awards, or have been featured in a national magazine, are ineligible.

Please retain an original copy of your complete entry for your records; materials will not be returned.

WHERE TO SEND ENTRY

By postal mail: Garden Awards, Code: CG Country Gardens 1716 Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309 Or enter online: Email your information and a link to your images in cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Cloud Drive, etc.) to countrygardens .awards@meredith.com.

DEADLINE: Tracie Fish Bothell, Washington

Ellie Gilbert Plymouth, Massachusetts

Camilla Potter Durango, Colorado

Susan Rothschild Sheffield, Massachusetts

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 CONTEST OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS

W R I TT E N BY T E R E S A WO O DA R D S T Y L E D B Y T O VA H M A R T I N P H OTO G R A P H Y BY JA C O B F OX

Destination: A NEW YORK COMMUNITY PLANTS BULBS ALONG ROADSIDES TO CREATE AN AVENUE FOR PASSERSBY TO ENJOY EYE-POPPING SPRING BLOOMS.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 20

As the earth warms in

Nearly 5,000 daffodils bloom every spring along Elmwood Road near Onatru (On-a true) Farm Park.

spring, blooms in shades of pink, yellow, purple, and red are guaranteed to chase away the winter blues.

You can kick-start a colorful gardening season with a walk through acres of tulips at a bulb farm in Holland, Michigan. In Knoxville, Tennessee, pedal along dogwood trails marked with pink stripes.

Drive south of Dallas for breathtaking seas of Texas bluebonnets. Or for a focus on yellow, head north of New York City to charming Lewisboro to tour its daffodil-lined streets.

Towns like Lewisboro understand the power of spring bulb displays. Thousands of the cheerful blooms light up the community’s roadsides, front yards, neighborhood entrances, and even the local preschool, fi re station, town hall, and veterinarian’s office. Perhaps most impressive is the radiant stretch of daffodils along the stacked stone walls of the community’s historic Onatru Farm Park.

“We started planting a few hundred bulbs as a onetime thing,” says George Scott, founder and longtime committee chair of the Golden Roads Daffodils project. He says the Lewisboro Garden Club fi rst planted daffodils at one of the city’s 17 triangle gardens at road intersections. The initial planting prompted many others. “It was like spontaneous combustion,” George says.

LEFT A few of the many volunteers for the Golden Roads Daffodils project get together to enjoy the spring show (left to right): Joe Mulligan, Susie Andrews, George Scott, Beverly Scott, Rose Bonanno, and Timi Parsons.

BELOW LEFT The project committee recruited a local artist to design special Golden Roads signs to mark the daffodil driving tour route.

Over 14 years, club members and community volunteers have planted a custom blend of 47,000 daffodil bulbs with staggered bloom times for a six-week show along area roadsides. Inspired homeowners have added another 38,000 bulbs purchased from the garden club.

According to Tim Schipper of Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs, which supplies the bulbs for the Golden Roads project, daffodils are a popular choice for roadside plantings. “Once the bulbs are established, they’re fairly maintenance-free and can bloom every spring for many years,” he says. “Another big plus—they taste terrible. Deer, voles, and squirrels won’t eat them.”

Each year in late October, George leads a team of 70 volunteers in planting 4,000 bulbs. He and other experienced garden club members use athletic field markers to paint 45-square-foot planting grids, then volunteers fill each grid with 100 bulbs. They use shovels to hinge back sod-covered soil, then they drop in two or three bulbs and tamp the sod back in place.

“We plant them densely to achieve, like one of our club members calls it, ‘a 30-mile-per-hour drive-by gardening wow,’” George says.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 22

TIPS FOR COMMUNITY DAFFODIL PLANTING George Scott, founder of the Golden Roads Daffodils project in Lewisboro, New York, and his team of seasoned garden club volunteers offer these tips for planting daffodils along roadsides or at a public park, town center, or community gateway.

Start small the first year; plant a few hundred daffodil bulbs in a highly visible public space. Be sure to check with the proper authorities for permission and required distance from roads, sidewalks, utilities, etc.

Plant the bulbs densely. George suggests 100 bulbs per 45 square feet.

Select a sunny location and avoid low-lying areas such as swales or ditches where water collects. Daffodils don’t like wet feet and will rot when planted in wet conditions.

Stake caution tape on the roadside to protect volunteers while planting.

Ask the police department to send an officer for high-traffic locations.

Offer refreshments for volunteers. Cider, water, donuts, granola bars, and apples are a hit with the Golden Roads volunteers.

The Golden Roads committee orders a custom bulb mix from Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs. The blend features 15 varieties (including ‘Barrett Browning’, ‘Carlton’, ‘Dutch Master’, and ‘Ice Follies’) that bloom in succession for six weeks.

All bulbs are funded by donations and proceeds from the garden club’s bulb sale.

Order extra bulbs to sell in the fall for residents to plant at their homes.

The Lewisboro Garden Club orders a custom blend of varieties and colors through Connecticut-based Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs.

After the daffodils bloom, wait to mow the area until the daffodil leaves yellow.

For Lewisboro, that’s typically mid-June.

Take photos and promote the bloom time through social media.

DAFFODIL DRIVE AND FESTIVAL (Junction City, Oregon) On the third weekend of March, drive down daffodil-lined Ferguson Road as it leads to the Junction City Daffodil Festival hosted at a rural Grange hall. This year’s festival will take place March 21–22.

TULIP SHOW on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Walk down Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Roosevelt and enjoy the tens of thousands of tulips planted in the medians. The bulbs typically bloom from mid-April to early May.

TULIP TRAIL RUN (Woodburn, Oregon) The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm (30 miles south of Portland) hosts its annual 5K, 10K, and half marathon on March 21. The off-road run starts at the farm and passes through its 40 acres of tulip fields.

CHERRY BLOSSOM TRAIL (Washington, D.C.) Walk the 2.1-mile trail around the Tidal Basin to enjoy the blooms of the Yoshino cherry trees, planted as a reminder of Japanese-American friendship. The 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place March 20–April 12.

TULIP TIME FESTIVAL (Holland, Michigan) Tour the city’s display of 5 million tulips in city parks, along roadsides, and at Veldheer Tulip Gardens and Windmill Island Gardens. The festival runs May 2–10.

Spring Color rails Hop on a bike, take a walk, or enjoy a drive along one of these colorful spring flowering trails.

ANTELOPE VALLEY POPPY RESERVE (Lancaster, California) Walk the trails of this desert grassland north of Los Angeles.

The poppies typically open on warm sunny days in late March to early April.

TEXAS BLUEBONNET TRAIL (Ennis, Texas) While bluebonnets can be spotted throughout central and southeastern Texas, Ennis and its local garden club have mapped out 40 miles of bluebonnet trails and post online bloom reports. Blooms typically peak during the third week of April.

LIGHTED DOGWOOD TRAIL (Pudacah, Kentucky) During the evenings of the last two weeks of April, enjoy lighted dogwoods along a 10-mile driving trail through downtown, LowerTown, and residential neighborhoods.

MARCH

DOGWOOD TRAILS (Knoxville, Tennessee) Take a drive, walk, or bike ride along 85 miles of trails marked with pink lines on Knoxville’s roads—a tradition since 1955. Prime time is the last three weeks of April.

APRIL

MAY

LEFT With the cooperation of local authorities and property owners, the roadsides are left unmowed until the flowers and foliage both fade, thus ensuring a healthy, vigorous display each year.

BELOW LEFT Both doublepetaled white and yellow ‘Flower Parade’ and yellow ‘Tahiti’ daffodils feature strong stems and longlasting blooms ideal for roadside plantings.

Over the years, the weather has presented a few challenges. One rainy fall, volunteers slid down a slippery planting slope as they attempted to plant bulbs. And during a few spring displays, late-season snow weighed down blooms. “Fortunately, most pop back up,” George says. “They’re pretty hardy little guys.”

Besides the beautifying benefit of the blooms, George says the project has been a great way to build community. “It really is a fun gardening project that gets groups together that normally might not,” he says. Fifty percent of the volunteers are garden club members and the balance are scouts, high school environment studies students, and townspeople. “We even have one longtime couple that has since married and moved to New York City but returns each year for the planting and often brings friends,” George says.

He says residents and commuters who pass through daily on their way to New York City especially appreciate the bulb plantings. In fact, one commuter writes: “Thanks to Golden Roads, every day when I drive to work in spring, I arrive with a smile on my face—even on Mondays.”

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 25

W R I TT E N A N D STY L E D BY N A N ST E R M A N P H OTO G R A P H Y BY E D G O H L I C H

NATIVE STYLE

OLD WEST, CRAFTSMAN, AND ROUTE 66 STYLES COME TOGETHER IN THIS CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDEN.

Cereus peruvianus provides vertical impact but doesn’t shade surrounding plants. It requires almost no care in Pasadena’s dry summer climate. Fragrant white flowers open at night to attract moth pollinators.

The California Craftsman

bungalow was a style born at the turn of the 20th century primarily in Pasadena. Large, stately homes may fill some Pasadena neighborhoods, but the true community flavor is found on streets lined in these modest, iconic bungalows, one of which belongs to California natives Martha Clark and Debe Loxton.

Martha purchased the home in 1975, and until Debe joined her in 2005, the garden was primarily lawn and roses. Debe proposed changing the landscape to natives because, Debe says, “California homes are supposed to have California plants. Native plants give this home a sense of place.�

ABOVE Martha Clark and Debe Loxton began transforming their Pasadena garden by replacing the turfgrass in the parking strip with California native plants. Now the entire front yard holds drought-tolerant plants that suit the climate and support pollinators.

RIGHT Martha (left) and Debe (right) share a love of all things vintage, including their early 1900s California Craftsman bungalow, their classic Ford truck, and the collection of secondhand and salvaged materials that create the theme of their garden. Cody the dog approves heartily.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 27

Working together, the women have filled their one-third acre with a bounty of edibles, native plants, and plants from other dry climates that need little (if any) irrigation in Pasadena’s hot, dry summers.

Both Debe and Martha have plants in their DNA. “My dad taught me about gardening,” Martha says. “Some of my earliest memories are planting camellias, sitting on the edge of the hole; [my job] was to mix the mulch with my feet.” Debe’s extended family grew soy, wheat, and spearmint (for chewing gum) in Alberta, Canada, where she spent her childhood summers.

The conversion from lawn and roses began with the replacement of the parking strip grass with natives, naively planted—according to Debe—at exactly the wrong time of year. “We had 100 plants, and we just started planting, most of it on July 4th. It was very hot.”

Despite the hot start, the planting was a success, and the garden continued to evolve, mostly guided by Debe’s design eye. The couple describe their home and garden as “1950s Travelodge”—one-part Old West, one-part Craftsman, and one-part Route 66.

Debe combs through junk stores and thrift shops at every opportunity, searching for imperfect items—a chipped dish, a well-loved Southwest rug, vintage stained-glass windows—to bring home and fit into the garden.

These timeworn decorative elements are the perfect counterpoint to feathery fronds of Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens), native purple sage (Salvia leucophylla), round succulent rosettes of pale blue liveforevers (Dudleya sp.), and tall spires of spiny blue Cereus cactus.

The garden is alive with birds, butterflies, and moths who spread pollen from one flower to the next. A beehive sits amid the fruit trees at the rear of the property; after the swarm invaded the couple’s compost pile, a beekeeper friend rehomed it to a proper hive. Today, the bees service fruit trees, vegetables, and many of the native plants. And the honey they produce is out of this world, according to Debe and Martha.

This garden is a frequent hangout for four-legged critters as well: rabbits, coyotes, possums, skunks, and more. Everyone gets along—for the most part.

ABOVE LEFT California native purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) blooms in spring. Debe and Martha cut it back by a third in late summer.

LEFT Small outbuildings include this romantic guesthouse, one of Martha’s favorite spots to read the morning paper. California dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia californica) scrambles across the overhead trellis.

OPPOSITE Rustic and bright color furniture fabricated from recycled metal fits the theme of recycle, reuse, repurpose in this informal garden.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 28

WATER-WISE PLANTS FROM NEAR AND FAR Homeowners Debe Loxton and Martha Clark shifted their Pasadena Zone 10 garden from lawn and roses to mostly California natives, accented with plants from South Africa, Australia, Europe’s Mediterranean region, and coastal Chile.

1

5

In spring, the garden erupts in blue and white California lilacs (Ceanothus sp.) and lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina) from the Channel Islands off the California coast. California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) open their bright orange flowers with the morning sun. Flannel bush (Fremontodendron ‘California Glory’) is covered in golden yellow blooms. A “lawn” of native blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) serves as the garden’s negative space.

Debe and Martha call it “Cody’s grass” for their little dog who loves to run and frolic amid the tall blue blades.

2

6

The garden isn’t irrigated, so any summer watering is done by hand. Debe and Martha chose all of these plants to tolerate the region’s hot, dry, rainless summer—a perfect example of how to have a beautiful and water-wise garden in Southern California.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 30

1 Butterflies flock to lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina), a tidy, small shrub that flowers heavily for weeks in spring and summer.

2 It’s a rare delight to find the delicate blooms of California native dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia californica) growing in a home garden.

3 Nicknamed “Cody’s lawn” by Martha and Debe, perennial native blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) was chosen for its drought tolerance.

3

7

4 Bright orange California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) reseed throughout the garden, but the feathery blue-green foliage is easy to spot and pull where they are unwanted.

5 Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens) comes from the Channel Islands, just a few miles off the coast of California. It supports a wide range of native birds, butterflies, bees, and more.

4

8

6 In early spring, native flannel bush (Fremontodendron ‘California Glory’) erupts in gorgeous golden yellow flowers.

7 ‘Joyce Coulter’ California lilac (Ceanothus ‘Joyce Coulter’) is a fast-growing cultivar that needs little more than Pasadena’s 21 inches of annual rainfall.

8 California native Indian mallow (Abutilon palmeri) is a host plant for several native moths and butterflies. It can grow to be 5 feet tall and wide.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 31

LEFT These deliciously sweet-tart ‘Nagami’ kumquat fruits brighten the garden. They ripen in late winter and hold through spring.

BELOW LEFT A mix of colors and textures is key to this attractive composition of drought-tolerant perennial and annual plants mulched with rock.

RIGHT While many of Martha and Debe’s garden beds are planted only with California natives, some are mixed Mediterranean and feature dry-climate plants from other continents. Soft-surface paths of decomposed granite weave through and unify the garden.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 32

Debe’s love for gardens spills over into her work life. She is chief operating officer for LA’s Best Afterschool Enrichment Program, which serves elementary school students. Program volunteers install native and edible gardens at schools—more than 20 so far. Debe is also past vice president for the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers & Native Plants, one of California’s oldest native plant nurseries. To spread the gospel of native plants, Martha and Debe open their garden for the group’s spring garden tour. The garden shows what a homeowner can do without hiring a professional. “While professionals are great, people can do this on their own too,” Debe says. “[Visitors] get emotional sometimes,” Martha says. “They come for the tour and they say, ‘OK, I’m calling my friends right now. I’m telling them they have to come to see this garden!’”

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

OPPOSITE This large ‘Snow Flurry’ California lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus ‘Snow Flurry’), like most plants in the garden, was planted from a 4-inch pot.

Seeds from its white flowers support native birds. RIGHT Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea) is a beautiful, easy-to-grow native of Southern California and Mexico. BELOW Vegetable seedlings in the greenhouse portend a bountiful summer harvest. Debe and Martha’s vintage tools, trays, bottles, and tubs are not just decorative—they use many of the items frequently.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 35

W R I T T E N A N D P R O D U C E D B Y T O VA H M A R T I N P H OTO G R A P H Y BY K I N D R A C L I N E F F

Designing PLANTS A greenhouse chock-full of elegantly arranged houseplant displays and its staff provides inspiration and expert advice that make indoor gardeners so successful they keep coming back for more.

A planter with patina lends height and brings out greater complexity in the fronds of blue-gray fern Phlebodium aureum ‘Mandaianum’. The air plant Tillandsia tectorum ‘Ecuador’ set next to it adds a spark of contrasting texture. Sarah Partyka chose soft blues and mossy greens for her shop walls to complement the plant colors.

PLANTS ADD LIFE Recent research shows that displaying indoor plants can create measurable psychological benefits, improving attention span and relaxation.

Just as humans are instinctively attracted to nature outdoors, it’s no surprise that we love to use plants as living accents and decor indoors.

Strengthen that natural impulse with some savvy design ideas such as those Sarah Partyka employs at The Farmer’s Daughter, and you have a recipe for creating a moodboosting sanctuary at home. Sarah’s formula relies on Plants + Pots + Placement for happy results.

At The Farmer’s Daughter greenhouses in

South Kingstown, Rhode Island, adoption is irresistible; visitors usually go home with a houseplant or two. That’s because founder Sarah Partyka understands people’s fears about caring for houseplants, as well as their dreams of lush and soothing arrays of indoor greenery. The Farmer’s Daughter features a plethora of healthy houseplants arranged in creative vignettes that help make the connection between what new plant owners want and what their plants need.

Customers yearn to live with green buddies but often lack confidence about making the right choices. So Sarah has solutions, grouping her plant displays by light requirements. Ferns sit beside crotons, peperomias, prayer plants, and other lower-light COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 37

ABOVE LEFT Proof that foliage alone can be riveting, this display pairs Alocasia with Dracaena, Tillandsia, Bromeliad, Ctenanthe, and asparagus fern that could all dwell happily side by side.

ABOVE RIGHT Sarah Partyka, founder of The Farmer’s Daughter greenhouse. “My fern needs a friend” are the words she’s striving to hear.

plants. Succulents and fellow sun worshippers gather in a much brighter space. Staff members (including Sarah) float around, offering advice. “First we ask a customer to describe their space, then we focus on preferences. Success is a balance between your likes and the plants’ needs,” Sarah says. Along with giving expert advice, Sarah ensures her arrangements provide shoppers with inspiring ideas for how to display plants with panache at home.

But Sarah is all about being realistic; she doesn’t rely on shortlived flowers to lure shoppers. Instead she entices houseplant hopefuls with foliage, supplying proof that leaves can be just

Sarah groups bright-lightloving succulents and shows them off in textural matte-finish containers with funky shapes. Shown here from left to right: Haworthia fasciata, Mangave ‘Lavender Lady’, Sedum ‘Blue Spruce’, Rhipsalis sp., Crassula ‘Hobbit’, and Euphorbia sp.

as provocative as blossoms and need less light. Even without a south-facing window, indoor gardens can be composed of intriguing leaves arranged side by side. Sarah proves that foliage plants are not the consolation prize; they’re the reward.

Beyond offering interesting plants, Sarah completes the whole picture for shoppers. In the sales area, most houseplants are not displayed in their green plastic pots. Instead, she plays with the plants, looking for ways to show them to their best advantage.

Containers are key to Sarah’s presentations. She’s especially a proponent of matte finishes that complement the plants, rather

PLANTS

Weave together variations of the same color, using different intensities of a single hue to create color echoes. Green is the obvious choice—but you can also work within the blue/gray or blush/ red spectrum. Mixing leaf shapes, textures, and sizes is another strategy for styling attractive plant combos.

POTS

Make sure containers have a common thread and present variations on that theme. Group containers with a similar surface texture, color, or some other unifying feature. Add personality to the vignette with accent pieces such as a favorite paperweight, seashell, clock, collection of beach stones, or figurine, bringing personal meaning to the scene.

than shiny ceramics. “Galvanized pots and containers with verdigris, rust, and patina are wonderful in the right setting,” she says. “We love faux bois: Something that is associated with a forest is the perfect pairing for shady plants.” Again, practicality rules. Pairing a plant with a container that does not squeeze its root system or lose it in excess soil is paramount for success.

“The time is now for houseplants,” says Sarah, who keeps her finger on houseplant and decorating trends. Thanks to the current popularity spike, new spins on many old

OPPOSITE Marantas, calatheas, begonias, and variegated ivies form a patchwork of fascinating patterned foliage, but they all love similar low-light growing conditions. Inserting a ‘Goldcrest’ lemon cypress standard creates a bright-color moment.

ABOVE Pairing faux bois and similar textured pots with plants feels natural. The maidenhair fern (middle) and bird’s nest fern (left) prefer high humidity and frequent watering. But lowmaintenance houseplants such as Tillandsia sp. (which needs no potting and only requires weekly dunking in water) necessitate far less attention.

faithful varieties such as crotons, dracaenas, and Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens) are flooding the market. And Sarah is always experimenting with innovative, evocative ways to thrill potential indoor gardeners, such as planting an arrangement of contrasting foliage and color on a single slice of natural wood (page 42). Plus hand-holding doesn’t end at point of sale. She offers workshops, and her staff is eager to answer questions. The goal? Every houseplant that leaves her nursery will live happily ever after.

PLACEMENT

Group plants with similar light preferences.

As a result, all the players will look their best. Vary heights in plant displays. If two plants are roughly the same height, consider placing one on a pedestal (a block of wood does the trick) so the display is not a chorus line.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 41

Fern Stump Step-by-Step Inspiration struck Sarah Partyka when she found a fallen cedar tree on her property and cut it into logs, exposing the beautiful heart of the wood. Knowing that cedar naturally resists decay, she cut the cedar logs into 2-inch slices for potential plant display. Voilà! She had the base for a mini fernery to bring the essence of the forest floor into her home.

Now she gives workshops on the craft. Here’s how it’s done:

MATERIALS: Cedar slice (ours is 2 inches thick and 18 inches wide) Potting soil Assorted small plants (suggested varieties) Ledebouria socialis Peperomia caperata Asplenium viviparum Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’ Hemionitis arifolia Various Adiantum sp.

Moss Reindeer moss

STEP 1 Lay the cedar slice flat on a work

STEP 2 Continue to nestle plants together,

STEP 3 Vary leaf shapes by adding

STEP 4 Work from back to front and outward, adding plants from tallest to shortest, inserting the smallest ingredients around the outer edge.

STEP 5 Add moss around the margins to hide the soil and corral plants.

STEP 6 Mist the moss and gently water the plants.

surface. Spread a 2-inch layer of moist potting soil in the center of the slice.

Begin arranging plants on potting soil, placing larger plants (such as Asplenium) in the back. Loosen the root ball, tease the roots free, and nestle them into the soil, making sure they’re anchored.

plants with rounded or rippled texture such as Peperomia.

always burying the roots into the soil, setting one plant beside its neighbors and carefully filling in with soil so all the roots are buried.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 42

W R I TT E N BY S U S A N A P P L E G E T H U RST P R O D U C E D B Y T E N AYA L O R D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R YA N N F O R D

STILL LIFE A TEXAS DESIGNER ADDS SUCCULENTS OF ALL SHAPES AND COLORS TO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT ISN’T MOVING.

Designer Tenaya Lord creates inventive succulent projects in her greenhouse studio in rural Texas.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 44

Use succulent cuttings to adorn a purchased sculpture in this easy project. Bring any firm surface to life using moss, glue, and a few simple steps detailed on page 46.

Succulent plants

all have a particular genius—they can stay hydrated for weeks while maintaining their shapes and hues. Take advantage of their water-saving traits by using their leaves in long-lasting decorative arrangements, as does designer Tenaya Lord of Round 2 Designs in Buffalo, Texas. Lord “plants” small, unrooted succulent cuttings in nests of sphagnum moss attached to figurines or other firm surfaces, such as resin, concrete, or

a

terra-cotta. The arrangements last for weeks or even months; the cut ends heal and eventually develop small aerial roots.

These roots absorb nutrients from the air until the cuttings can be rooted in soil.

Lord uses this method on cast concrete, rocks, driftwood, old metal tools—almost anything that will hold still. Follow her steps, below, for creating a succulent masterpiece and add living accents to your world.

c

b

d

Creative “Planting” Method MATERIALS: Sturdy gloves Water-resistant spray adhesive Statue or figurine Sphagnum moss Assorted succulent cuttings Floral snips Thick, fast-drying clear glue (such as Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue) Hot-glue gun and glue sticks Tweezers Chopsticks

STEP 1 Set up your workstation in a well-ventilated area. Wear gloves to protect your hands from adhesives and cacti. Generously spray adhesive on the parts of the statue you’d like to decorate (Photo A).

Before the adhesive dries (it should be sticky), press sphagnum moss in place, applying a ½- to 1-inch layer.

STEP 2 Begin attaching cuttings on a horizontal area; if necessary, lay the statue on its side. Choose one or two of the largest cuttings to place near the center. Trim stems if necessary. Apply clear glue or hot glue to the base of each cutting and press in place (Photo B). Glue does not harm the cuttings.

STEP 3 Continue to apply cuttings, working outward from the center.

Tenaya Lord suggests working from large to small, placing cuttings

close together. She uses clear thick glue when possible but applies hot glue to cuttings that are on vertical surfaces and need to adhere quickly. “Hot glue doesn’t handle elements as well, it seems, but it dries faster,” she says.

STEP 4 Use tweezers to tuck in the smallest cuttings (Photo C), aiming to fill all gaps between the larger plants.

STEP 5 If needed, return the statue to an upright position to check your design and placement of succulents. A chopstick makes a good tool for nudging cuttings into place as glue dries or hardens.

STEP 6 Attach succulents to other areas of the statue (Photo D), if desired, in the same manner as steps 2–5.

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NOTE: The cuttings can live for weeks or months in a moss arrangement, but they’ll need bright light, good ventilation, and weekly watering. A week or two after assembling the arrangement, generously mist the plants. When the succulents develop roots, gently remove the plants from the statuary and plant them in soil. If the arrangement includes succulents that are not hardy in your region, keep it in a bright place that remains above 50°F.

OPPOSITE TOP A haughty cast-stone rooster takes on a gentler attitude when covered with pretty succulents. Plants in this design include Echeveria ‘Lime n’ Chile’, Kalanchoe beharensis, Sedum rupestre, and thimble cactus (Mammillaria gracilis var. fragilis). THIS PHOTO This sweet cast-stone bunny wears a cape of Echeveria ‘Lola’, Kalanchoe tomentosa, thimble cactus (Mammillaria gracilis var. fragilis), Sedum rubrotinctum, dwarf Napoleon’s hat (Kalanchoe beharensis), and Sedum rupestre.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

WRITTEN BY PAM PENICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRITSADA PRODUCED BY ROBERTA HERSHON

NO STONE

Unturned CREATIVE STONEWORK AND REFINED PLANT CHOICES CONNECT A SHADY GARDEN WITH THE ROCKY NEW ENGLAND LANDSCAPE AROUND IT.

Beautifully aligned stone features are the primary focal points at Cathy and Tom Lawson’s Bridgham Farm property. The moon gate’s stone circle of fieldstone and granite frames tall burgundy astilbe.

A stepping-stone path leads through shade-loving hellebores, ferns, and hardy geraniums, drawing visitors through an arched doorway carved out of a single massive slab of Goshen Stone.

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WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU ROCKS, BUILD A WALL.

Early settlers did just that in New England, pulling a never-ending crop of stones out of the ground and stacking them in low walls that stand to this day, even though the fields they once outlined have reverted to forest. It’s fitting, then, that when Cathy and Tom Lawson wanted to turn a wooded portion of their Rumford, Rhode Island, property into a space they could use and enjoy, they decided to build imaginative rockwork into their design. To do so, they hired Neil and Samantha Best of Magma Design Group. “I wanted something different, and it’s very unique,” Cathy says. “What Neil and Samantha created is more artwork than garden.”

Shaded by tall maples, oaks, and elms, the garden blossoms with Neil’s stone artistry, which includes a whimsical moon gate, a freestanding portal carved from a single slab of stone, a meditative labyrinth, an onion-domed planter, and several water features. Samantha softened all the stone by layering in low-growing shade-lovers like fern, perennial geranium, and hosta, which enhance without obscuring Neil’s creations. As the garden has fi lled in, larger shrubs and ornamental trees like serviceberry create an air of mystery by screening, and then dramatically revealing, the stone focal points along the paths.

ABOVE A large round planter of stacked stone is topped with a metal trellis shaped like an onion dome. Copper-leaved coleus and chartreuse Japanese forest grass add eye-catching foliage color in summer. In winter, horticulturist Samantha Best fills the planter with evergreen boughs and berries.

RIGHT Neil and Samantha Best, husband-and-wife owners of Magma Design Group, have complementary design skills. Samantha focuses on planting design, and landscape architect and stone artist Neil creates oneof-a-kind stone sculptures, such as this fanciful moon gate.

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All those trees mean root-fi lled soil and a lack of sunlight, but Cathy never considered cutting them down. “The trees are very old,” she says. “They’re just part of this place. The garden wouldn’t look like it’s been here forever if we’d cut them down.” Instead, Samantha and Neil brainstormed how to lead visitors beyond the lawn to wander among the trees. They laid stepping-stone paths and room-defi ning walls and doorways to direct the eye and the foot from one space to the next. Also, “anywhere we could come up with a stone feature, that was one less area that we had to plant,” Samantha says.

The creative design turned the Lawsons’ historical but underused property into a place of discovery and serenity, where Cathy enjoys walking the labyrinth for quiet meditation or sitting with Tom by the pond.

Connecting the land’s past with the present, the garden’s inspired stonework shows just what you can achieve when life gives you a pile of rocks.

LEFT Salvaged granite slabs bookend an opening in a farm-style wall of fieldstone and granite. A Goshen Stone path parts a swath of ‘Bevan’s Variety’ geranium, ‘Lady in Red’ fern, and pink foxglove, all tolerant of dry shade. Beyond the wall and the lawn, Neil’s fanciful moon gate beckons.

ABOVE Tom and Cathy Lawson enjoy their garden in all seasons thanks to the stonework’s strong bones, which remain visible through the winter.

ROCKING YOUR GARDEN Designers Samantha and Neil Best share their DIY tips for using stone creatively in any garden.

SALVAGE THE PAST.

Reclaimed stone imparts character and history to even the newest garden. Foundations of old houses, pieces of roadside curbing, and architectural relics are hot items in antiques shops and stoneyards, so you may have to hunt. When you bring home an interesting piece, place it prominently, Neil suggests. “Put it along a walkway or as a focal point on a visual axis.”

STEP IT UP.

“It’s so simple,” Samantha says, “but stepping-stones solve a lot of problems.” Need to transition from a paved patio to a garden bed?

Lay a stepping-stone path from the patio through the bed. Want to entice visitors to cross the lawn and explore farther into the garden?

Lay a stepping-stone path up to the lawn and continue it on the far side.

“Seeing another stone path just across the lawn pulls you forward,” Samantha says. “It makes you walk through the garden, not around it.”

STACK STONES.

Stacking stones in parks and on beaches disturbs natural ecosystems and is frowned upon, but in your own garden, you can go wild balancing a few rocks to make a cairn. “There’s a real curiosity as you walk into a space with stacked stones,” Neil says. “You can sit and ponder on it.”

OPPOSITE Boulders line a stream cascading into a pebbly pool, as viewed from the main patio of Tom and Cathy’s mid-18th-century farmhouse. Gold lantana, Rozanne geranium, and native iris add soft color at the pond’s edge.

ABOVE Stone steps lead to a simple bench overlooking the stream and upper falls. A serene swath of easy-care liriope is accented by a weeping spruce and a colorful pot of annuals.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

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W R I TT E N BY D E B R A P R I N Z I N G P RO D U C E D BY K A R E N R E I N E C K E P H OTO G R A P H Y BY E D G O H L I C H

GARDEN PROVIDES ELEGANT BLOOMS THAT CARRY A CALIFORNIA FLORAL ARRANGER’S STYLE INDOORS.

Just-clipped blooms

frequently find their way from Karen Snyder’s garden to jars, jugs, and vases in her Southern California home.

To the interior design enthusiast and her husband, Howard, planting a flower-filled landscape for their cottage-style residence north of Los Angeles is just as important as planning the decor for each room. She calls her style “rustic elegance” and holds the belief that one’s home environment should be beautiful as well as comfortable and approachable. Karen regularly shares inspiration from her home and garden with followers of her lifestyle blog, Sanctuary Home Decor. “The intention with our home was to feel like a sanctuary, someplace you could relax and be close to nature, even though we are in a city,” she says.

When selecting flowers for her landscape, Karen considers her home’s neutral interiors and her desire to create a stylish, calm mood. “When I’m choosing flowers at the nursery, I’m always thinking about how they will look inside my house,” she says. (She skips orange and red flowers, but selects plenty of white, purple, pink, and soft yellow blossoms.) “I’m able to create bouquets and arrangements by using what’s in our yard throughout the entire year,” she says. “I love to keep fresh flowers on my kitchen’s center island, on our little breakfast table, and on the table next to the bed.”

ABOVE Southern California lifestyle blogger Karen Snyder nurtures a close connection to her flower-filled landscape by arranging vases of just-picked blooms throughout her home. Here, she poses behind a Dutch door flanked by climbing Eden roses. The nearby shrubs and containers, planted with annuals and perennials, are also for cutting.

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The aging patina of copper displays a cheery grouping of Eden roses from Karen’s garden. Her foraged greenery includes silver dusty miller and variegated Pittosporum sp.

“I think using one type of flower, plus some pretty greens, can be lovely.”

—Karen Snyder

Karen’s blog often features her floral arrangements. Here, she has paired an abundance of white Iceberg roses with white-flowering potato vine and touches of lavender—all gathered in a timeworn copper pot.

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“… our home was to feel like a sanctuary, someplace you could relax and be close to nature.”

—Karen Snyder

Winston, the family’s springer spaniel, surveys the garden as he sits in front of a hedge of Iceberg roses and white-flowering jasmine. The shrubs are installed along a stone wall that divides the tiered garden.

ABOVE A sign reading Fresh Cut Flowers welcomes Karen to her floral studio, a small stone cottage adjacent to a seasonal flower and vegetable bed. Karen displays container plantings and two baskets holding Fruity Petals roses along the steps to the studio.

A milky-white jug contains a sweet gathering of garden blooms. Karen inserted a floriferous branch of Iceberg roses as the foundation, which helps support the tall foxglove and delphinium blooms. “Where you might normally use greenery as a base for an arrangement, the roses are great for creating more structure at the opening of the vase,� she says.

Karen carries her planting palette of white, pink, and violet to the lower portion of the landscape, where the horse barn (with Whiskey in residence) serves as a defining architectural element. Delphiniums planted among the white roses are also used for floral arrangements.

Karen is drawn to cottage-inspired perennials, garden roses, and other flowering shrubs, and she loves having multiples of favorite long-blooming varieties. Planting masses of individual flower types rather than “one or two of everything” certainly requires some self-control, Karen admits. But there are benefits to this approach; for instance, she is able to cut quantities of creamy white Iceberg roses without fear that her borders will look bare. “I never truly appreciated them until we had what feels like a gazillion,” she says. “I realized I can make huge arrangements of white roses.” Karen can truly say she’s created a serene sanctuary with a less-ismore approach—a constrained petal palette and larger quantities of a few favorite plants. “This is perfect, since I have a tendency to like single-variety arrangements,” she says. “I think using one type of flower, plus some pretty greens, can be lovely.”

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

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A SIMPLE COLOR PALETTE Karen Snyder limited her landscape color scheme to create a restful feeling, relying on whites, pinks, and violets among a green background. Create a similarly relaxing palette with plants suited to your climate. These varieties do well north of Los Angeles.

FLOWERING SHRUBS

Eden, Iceberg, and Fruity Petals roses, and hydrangeas

FLOWERING PERENNIALS

dahlias, delphinium, foxglove, hardy geraniums, and lavender

FOLIAGE AND GREENERY

dusty miller (Senecio cineraria), assorted ferns, jasmine, and variegated Pittosporum

W R I TT E N A N D P RO D U C E D BY T E R E S A WO O DA R D P H OTO G R A P H Y BY B O B ST E F KO

THE PLANT DOCTORS THE OHIO COUPLE BEHIND A BOUTIQUE RETAIL CHAIN SHARE THEIR TIPS FOR DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS AND BRINGING HOUSEPLANTS BACK TO HEALTH.

Emily and Brian Kellett, top left, owners of boutique retail chain STUMP, strive to help plant owners achieve success with their new plants whether a simple pothos, top right, or string of bananas, above. “We try to set customers up for success, so they don’t think they have a black thumb and never try again,” Brian says. They offer custom care cards and online resources with plant care advice.

Emily and Brian Kellett field questions about sick plants every day. “Why is my fig tree dropping its leaves?” asks one Instagram follower. Another emails a photo with the question, “Why are the tips of my ZZ plant turning brown?” Some even show up in person at one of the locations of their houseplant boutique, STUMP, hugging their wilting, browning, or yellowing plant babies and hoping for advice that will make their plants thrive again.

Like physicians, the Kelletts and their team of associates diagnose plant problems with questions such as “When did you last water it?” and “What is the light source—an east- or south-facing window?” Sometimes a physical checkup is required; they’ll even pull the plant out of its pot and examine the roots. Other times, they dig deeper, sending a group text to their network of fellow houseplant experts.

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Emily opens the front of the STUMP store near downtown Columbus, Ohio. Along with selling plants, each location strives to build community by hosting workshops, book signings, and fund-raisers.

HOUSEPLANT page 70

Store displays are highly curated with healthy, colorful, and shapely plants.

Emily artfully arranges the displays and sources artisans’ ceramic containers.

Brian and his dad created the custom display shelves.

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Brian is a fan of regular pruning, saying that pruning helps him monitor plants for pests and diseases, prevents plants from getting thin and sparse, and keeps plants to a shape and size suitable for indoor spaces.

Dracaena ‘Limelight’

Emily and Brian are invested in helping new plant shoppers succeed. “It just takes the right plants to get started and having that community or store where you can go ask questions,” Emily says. “Some get crazy Googling plant problems online just like finding cold remedies, but plant Googling doesn’t always get you the right answers,” she says with a smile.

As a design student, Emily worked on a market research project for the horticulture industry, traveling to 50 garden centers across the country to study how to attract a younger audience. She and Brian, a furniture designer, shared a dream of owning their own business. They opened their first STUMP location in Columbus, Ohio, in 2015, aiming to reach a new generation of plant enthusiasts with a highly curated selection and a focus on plant education. Today, the couple runs a chain of four stores in fashionable urban areas of Columbus, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. The stylish shops feature artisan containers and plant-growing accessories as well as premium houseplants displayed on live-edge tables and wooden shelves made by Brian and his dad.

As shoppers enter the store, Emily queries them about their lifestyle and living space’s lighting situation, then she guides them to plants that match their needs. Before they leave, she writes up custom care cards to keep their plants flourishing.

The couple says they know their customers have grasped this fresh plant knowledge when they come to the store and say: “I’m shopping for a new apartment, and now I know it has to have south-facing windows.” No doubt, their prescriptions for plant care have boosted customer confidence so they can grow happier, healthier houseplants.

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Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) and air plants (Tillandsia spp.)

HOUSEPLANTS 101 WATER

Water only when a plant needs it. One of the best ways to determine if your plant needs water is to stick your finger at least an inch into the soil. If the soil feels cold or moist at all, wait a day or two before checking again. If the soil feels dry and firm, it is probably time to water. As a general rule, the thicker the leaves, the less water the plant needs. For example, succulents and cacti have thick fleshy tissue which stores water for reserve, so allow soil to fully dry out between waterings.

LIGHT

Before purchasing a plant, check your lighting situation. What direction do your windows face? Some plants prefer bright south-facing windows while others prefer softer east- or north-facing light. Ask your plant store salesperson for help in selecting the right plant.

DRAINAGE

Purchase containers with drainage holes for aeration and for excess water to escape so roots don’t rot. If your container doesn’t have a hole, place your plant in a plastic pot with at least one drainage hole and drop the pot inside it. Empty standing water so roots can breathe.

YELLOWING LEAVES WILTING LEAVES Lack of sunlight: Move the plant to a sunnier room or closer to a window, or provide artificial light.

Overwatering: If leaves are turning brown as well as yellow, remove the plant from the pot and check for brown, soft roots (healthy roots are white and firm). Pull away unhealthy roots, repot the plant in fresh soil, and allow soil to dry out before watering.

Foliage diseases: Circular or defined yellow or brown spots in leaves may indicate a viral or bacterial infection. For most plant parents, it’s best to discard the plant to keep the disease from spreading to other plants.

Nutrient deficiency: Plants do best when given a small amount of plant food or fertilizer in the spring or summer growing season.

If the plant has not had fertilizer for many months, feed it sparingly, according to product directions.

Under- or overwatering: Is the soil dry when you insert a finger an inch or two? Water the plant thoroughly in a sink until water runs out the pot’s drainage hole. The wilting leaves should recover in a few hours. If soil is moist and leaves are wilted, the plant has likely been overwatered.

Overwatering causes roots to rot so they are unable to take up water. Pull away the unhealthy roots, repot the plant in fresh soil, and allow the soil to dry out before watering. Trim away leaves that turn yellow or brown.

Too much direct sunlight: Research the plant’s light needs. If you find it’s a low-light plant, move it away from a sunny window or to a room with a north- or east-facing window.

Temperature dips: Exposure to a cold ride home from the store, a draft from a door, or a move outdoors can cause temporary wilting. Keep plants at 60˚F–75˚F and be patient as they get used to their new environments.

BROWNING LEAVES DROPPING LEAVES Underwatering: If leaves have brown, crunchy tips, check soil moisture by sticking a finger at least an inch into the soil. If the soil is dry, thoroughly water the plant and trim away the brown tips.

Overwatering: If leaves have brown tips or brown spots and the soil is wet (tested with a finger), it may be overwatered. Are the roots brown and squishy when you remove the plant from the pot? If so, pull away the unhealthy roots, repot the plant in fresh soil, and allow the soil to dry out before watering.

Sunburn: White spots in the middle of the leaves that then turn brown can be sunburn. Was the plant recently moved to a sunny porch or south-facing window? Some plants are sensitive to strong sunlight, so move them away from direct sun or to a window that faces east or north.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

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Are the leaves browning or yellowing first? Check the sections for care tips on browning or yellowing leaves.

Have you had your plant for less than 30 days? It’s normal for plants to drop a few leaves as they adjust to their new growing environment.

Check for mealybugs or mites (see the Pests section for remedies).

PESTS Mealybugs: (Above)Are there white, fuzzy areas on plants?

Mealybugs commonly affect dracaena, ficus trees, hoya, philodendron, pothos, and succulents.

Mites: Are there white spots or fine webbing on the undersides of leaves? Spider mites commonly affect aralia, bird of paradise, calathea, ivy, and palm trees.

Scale: Are there shell-like bumps on the stems or leaves?

Scale insects are often found on cacti, euphorbia, and ficus trees.

Eliminate pests: Scale insects are easily scraped off with a dull knife.

For mealybugs and mites, spray or wipe pest-infested areas with soapy water (1 tsp. liquid soap per quart of water). A cotton swab works well for small areas. Repeat every week or two until you no longer see pests. It’s best to keep these plants quarantined to prevent pests from spreading to other plants.

W R I TT E N BY K I M B E R M I T C H E L L

ENCHANTING EPHEMERALS THESE SWEET BUT SHORT-LIVED HARBINGERS OF SPRING DELIVER AN ETHEREAL SHOW OF BEAUTY JUST WHEN GARDENERS NEED IT MOST.

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Zones 3–8. Deer don’t usually bother these bell-shape bloomers, which emerge pink before turning true blue. Easy to establish in large swaths, they make the biggest impact when planted en masse or in scattered clumps throughout the landscape.

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LEFT Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) Zones 4–9.

A striking foil for blueflowering companions such as Virginia bluebells, this shade-loving charmer makes a vibrant splash with clusters of bright yellow buttercuplike flowers followed by nodding green, hairy pods.

It naturalizes easily via self-seeding.

Before the rest of the garden

ABOVE Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) Zones 3–7. One of the earliest ephemerals to bloom (March–April), this quirky plant delights with clusters of fragrant white flowers that look like upside-down pantaloons.

Happy in both full and partial shade, it grows from tubers that can spread quickly, so give it room to roam.

awakens from its winter slumber, the heavenly blooms of Virginia bluebells, trillium, and other spring-flowering ephemerals unfurl their soft-spoken splendor. Named for their fleeting beauty that usually lasts only a few weeks, these dainty perennials (many reach no more than 12 inches tall) hail from the woodlands where they take advantage of the small window of sunlight before the trees leaf out and cloak the forest floor in shade. They typically grow, bloom, and set seed by May then slip back into sleep until next spring. Indeed, these magical acts of nature seem to disappear just as quickly as they make their entrance.

But you don’t need to dwell in the forest to savor the spellbinding charms of ephemerals. You just need a spot with moist, rich soil and dappled sun near or under deciduous trees—conditions that mimic their natural habitat. They are easy to grow, their delicate

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Because ephemerals are usually small plants, it’s nice to have paths nearby to enjoy the viewing opportunities they provide. Hostas, coralbells, Epimedium, and ferns scattered among them will fill in as the ephemerals fade with summer heat.

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) Zones 3–7. Ideal for boggy spots like pond edges, this mounded grower thrives in moist, well-drained soil and will go dormant if it dries out.

The yellow blossoms, which dazzle from April to June, are excellent for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) Zones 3–8. Named for the red sap in its stems and roots, this member of the poppy family features white daisylike blooms that unfurl when the sun shines and then close up at night.

Although the flowers last a couple of days at most, the deeply lobed foliage forms a lush carpet that can flourish until summer. Grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) and the pink buds of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) make lovely companions.

ABOVE Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) Zones 3–8. Once this diminutive flower completes its blooming show, resist the temptation to cut back the foliage, which will continue to grow until midsummer. This will encourage the plant to spread and create lush colonies.

IN THE GARDEN Since ephemerals shine for such a short time, follow these design pointers to maximize their impact in the landscape.

NOT TO BE MISSED Because many ephemerals are shortstatured, give them a prime spot where they will be seen. Tiny treasures like trout lily and pasque flower are best spotlighted at the front of the garden. With its clumping growth habit and need for good drainage, the latter is also ideal for rock gardens.

ROOM TO ROAM Give plants with a spreading habit plenty of space so they can flourish as long as possible. Some, such as Virginia bluebells, spread quickly while others like bloodroot take longer. Over a few years both will eventually create a verdant carpet of earlyspring color.

PERENNIAL PARTNERS Pair them with plants that will leaf out and fill in as ephemerals fade. Complementary pals include shade-loving perennials such as bleeding heart, columbine, and creeping phlox that will carry on the cheerful show of color. If you favor foliage over flowers, consider woodland stonecrop, heuchera, foam flower, or Japanese painted fern.

White wood lily (Trillium grandiflorum) Zones 4–8. Patience is a virtue with this three-petal gem that can take seven years to reach blooming size, but its large white flowers that turn pink as they age are worth the wait. Choose a spot wisely for this taller ephemeral, which can reach 18 inches high, as it doesn’t like to be transplanted.

LEFT Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) Zones 5–8. Covered in soft, silvery hairs, this purple bloomer is a showstopper even though it reaches only 6–8 inches tall. The foliage and silky seed heads last for many months after the flowers have faded. More tolerant of sun than most ephemerals, it is fairly drought-tolerant once established.

ABOVE Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) Zones 3–8. This lowgrowing ephemeral’s dainty pink-striped flowers can start blooming as early as February. It shines best in mass plantings and creates a dreamy carpet that resembles a dusting of snow.

appearance belying their hardy and undemanding nature. While they do require moisture during their above-ground growth cycle, they are drought-tolerant in their dormant state. Many are even deer-resistant, having developed survival mechanisms like hairy stems and leaves to make them less desirable to four-legged foragers. And as the earliest risers in the landscape, they lend a critical source of food for pollinators who might otherwise struggle to find nectar in early spring.

Get a head start on spring with these woodland wonders by selecting dormant roots or seeds for early spring planting, or plant in fall.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

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W R I TT E N A N D P RO D U C E D BY K AT E C A R T E R F R E D E R I C K P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y J A S O N D O N N E L LY

EARLY TO RISE

ENJOY FRAGRANT HYACINTHS AND OTHER SPRING BULBS IN A GLORIOUS FLOWER-FILLED DISPLAY WITH ONLY WATER AND THE LIGHT OF THE SUN—NO SOIL NEEDED.

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Sparkling water gel beads absorb moisture and swell into glistening liquid marbles.

Once hydrated, they serve as a soil substitute and release moisture to roots as needed.

Forcing bulbs into bloom is a

fun winter ritual that requires a little patience, but, oh, the rewards! From midwinter until early spring, look for prechilled bulbs at garden centers, florists, and grocery stores. You’ll find them potted and budded in plastic pots, having already been chilled and forced to sprout.

Once home, unpot the bulb, rinse off any soil, and snip off up to half the roots’ length.

Settle the rooted bulb into a small shapely vase or other glass container that has a heavy base.

Add rehydrated water gel beads to the vase, surrounding the bulb (1 teaspoon of dry water gel beads plus 3 cups of water becomes 1 quart of wet

beads within six hours). Display the plant in bright but indirect sun and watch it grow and bloom over several weeks, even while it’s still chilly outdoors.

With a little planning, you can force bulbs at home. Buy spring-blooming flower bulbs when they’re widely available between late summer and late fall. Chill them in a spare refrigerator for three to four months then plant them into water beads, or into soil.

After the bulbs’ flowers have withered, discard the bulbs, or transplant them into the garden in early spring with a handful of bulb fertilizer. Let them sleep in the garden until the following spring, when they can bloom again.

SPRING FLING These are among the spring-flowering bulbs most responsive to DIY forcing indoors. Prechill bulbs in a refrigerator—but only if there is no fresh fruit there with them—and plant different bulb varieties to get a jump start on spring and enjoy a diverse display.

CHIONODOXA (glory of the snow) WEEKS OF CHILLING 15 HEIGHT 6–12 inches

CROCUS

HYACINTHUS

WEEKS OF CHILLING 12–15 HEIGHT 3–6 inches

MUSCARI

NARCISSUS

(grape hyacinth) WEEKS OF CHILLING 14–15 HEIGHT 6–10 inches

(daffodil) WEEKS OF CHILLING 15–17 HEIGHT 6–24 inches

(hyacinth) WEEKS OF CHILLING 12–14 HEIGHT 6–12 inches

SCILLA

WEEKS OF CHILLING 12–15 HEIGHT 4–6 inches

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TULIPA (tulip) WEEKS OF CHILLING 14–20 HEIGHT 8–20 inches

PLANT

Place prechilled (ready-for-forcing) bulbs in glass vessels filled with water beads.

Display bulbs away from hot sunlight and heat sources to prolong bloom.

CONTAINER

Choose heavyduty glassware that’s big enough to hold a bulb upright without toppling.

Once rooted and flowering, hyacinth bulbs become top-heavy.

WATER BEADS

Pour water beads into the glass, surrounding the bulb. Add a bit of water as needed to reach the root tips or the bottom of the bulb.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

W R I T T E N A N D P R O D U C E D B Y T O VA H M A R T I N P H OTO G R A P H Y BY K I N D R A C L I N E F F

THE WARMTH OF NATURE DEPICTED BY AMATEUR PAINTERS— ALBEIT WITH MUCH GUIDANCE—DECORATES THE WALLS OF A RURAL NEW YORK HOME.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 84

A windowless bathroom with stark white walls lends itself to a gallery-style presentation of Andrew Goetz and Matthew Malin’s paint-bynumber collection. Mr. Greenberg (the pug) approves of the display in his favorite hangout.

Having nearly blown their budget revamping

a fi xer-upper weekend home, Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz faced blank walls and little funds for art. Then, in a hidden corner of an antiques store, they found a solution in the form of three paint-by-number paintings that sparked an idea. “They struck us as the perfect way to do something thoughtful and unique on our walls,” Matthew says. That day, a collecting spree began.

Both men had childhood experience with paint-by-number kits. Andrew’s mother advocated any craft-oriented pastime,

and she got on board in high hopes of making her son an instant artist. Being independent and creative, Andrew eagerly applied his talent but never adhered to the suggested formula. Instead, he composed variations on the theme, switching out colors.

“Mine were totally psychedelic on purpose,” he says with pride.

Matthew’s memories of dabbling in paint-by-number kits are not quite as colorful. His hometown of Detroit was where the Palmer Paint Co. launched its paint-by-number line, ultimately selling kits under the Craft Master brand.

Paint-by-number kits changed quickly from the first one in 1950: an abstract, blocky still life. Sales took off when early kits featured variations on barns, farms, creeks, and covered bridges in all seasons.

Andrew (left) and Matthew are the principles of the skin-care product line Malin+Goetz, a business that began with a shop in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood and expanded into an international enterprise.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 87

“You can’t have just one.”

—Andrew Goetz

OPPOSITE Dan Robbins, who originally started the paint by number fad, designed Poppies in Composition. Although its poppies are easily identifiable, the yellow filler is fanciful.

1 Many designs were produced in themed pairs, such as this painting of a winter scene that included a second 10 Ă— 14-inch panel in the kit.

2 Flowers, particularly roses, were a popular subject for still lifes, with many vases and variations on draped fabric backgrounds.

3 Landscapes were highly popular subjects among the nearly 20 million paint-by-number kits sold by Palmer Paint Co. in 1955.

2

1

3

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 89

“Group several paint-bynumber scenes, and they become an instant art installation.”

—Matthew Malin

A high shelf in the mudroom provides the perfect place to line up paintings with similar flower motifs.

He remembers receiving paint-by-number kits during his youth, but he cannot recall fi nishing even one painting.

Both men’s experiences were apparently positive, because they now share the same taste in subject matter for the vintage paintings, favoring country scenes, nature, and floral still lifes. They now display dozens of the do-it-yourself paintings in their home.

Amassing a collection can be accomplished frugally.

Matthew and Andrew usually pay $15 or less per painting, even in trendy shopping areas. “The whole

thrill,” Matthew says, “is getting a piece of art for under $20.” That said, he’s learned to be wary of inexpensive online bargains that might be warped or lack a frame.

Their home is now a virtual paint by number gallery. “Pretty early in the game, we had collected so many that we hung them salon-style,” Andrew says. Meanwhile, Matthew found his paint-bynumber display mojo. “Hanging the paintings is now my domain, and I might be just a little despotic about it at this point,” he says.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

INNER ARTISTS FOUND Dan Robbins, the late artist who launched the paint-by-number concept, credited Leonardo da Vinci for the inspiration. As art director for Detroit’s Palmer Paint Co. in the 1940s, he was asked to come up with a crafts project for grown-ups. Paint by number was his take on Leonardo’s teaching method of tasking students to fill in blank spaces on his masterpieces, prescribing the colors to be applied within the lines he sketched.

The paint-by-number idea became a smash sensation. By 1953, 35 artists worked to create designs for Craft Master, the subsidiary of Palmer Paint Co. that produced the original paintby-number kits. Nature scenes and still lifes were particularly popular, but puppies, kittens, clowns, street scenes, and other subjects were also available. By 1956, the painting fad had reached such mammoth proportions that the White House held an exhibition of paint-by-number artworks by Cabinet members.

Originally, an average kit cost $2.50 with two or three canvases, paints, and frames included. In their heyday, paint by number kits earned many millions and spawned numerous competitors.

Although Craft Master folded in 1956, the paint by number phenomenon lived on into the 1960s, supported by other labels that successfully made countless people into instant artists.

This painting of roses was originally sold in a Craft Master kit that included a second panel featuring a very similar bouquet.

Matthew and Andrew display this one in a pantry.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 91

BERRY EASY Strawberries may be the tastiest perennial you’ll ever grow. With our advice, it won’t be long before you’re enjoying fresh berries from spring through fall.

Strawberry breeding has resulted in varieties that stand up well to shipping, but fresh homegrown berries yield greater flavor and nutrition.

Luscious jewels

can present you their riches for weeks this spring and summer. To enjoy this reward, you only need to tuck strawberry plants into your garden and offer them plenty of sun and a little attention. Plant strawberries in wide rows in your garden or raised beds, or put them in roomy containers. They can also serve as a groundcover among ornamentals as long as they get plenty of sun and water. Strawberries can become a permanent part of your landscape like most other hardy perennials, or you can treat them as annuals.

In either case, the strawberries you grow yourself will taste better than anything you purchase at the supermarket because they will be fresher and you can plant the tastiest varieties.

Where you plant strawberries and which types you plant will determine how many berries you harvest and how long your harvest season lasts.

One plant in loose, well-drained soil can produce up to 2 quarts of berries each season. Strawberries in pots yield handfuls of berries; less space for roots and foliage means that plants will produce less fruit.

Small alpine strawberries are easy to grow and among the tastiest of all varieties. However, they are delicate and best enjoyed within a day of harvest.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 93

PLANT A GREAT BERRY WHERE TO PLANT Sunlight is key. Strawberries produce flowers and fruit only when they receive at least eight hours of bright light a day.

Well-drained, rich soil is a must; the plants don’t tolerate drought, but the roots can rot in soggy soil. Containers for strawberries need not be deeper than 12 inches, but the soil can’t be allowed to dry out.

WHEN AND HOW TO PLANT In Zones 3–6, plant strawberries in early spring. In hot climates (Zone 7 or warmer), plant in fall so strawberries can become established without suffering through a hot summer. In tropical climates, strawberries are often grown as coolseason annuals through winter and spring.

Space plants according to directions on the plant tag (spacing can vary by cultivar), usually 6–12 inches apart. Plant the crown, where stems meet at the base of the plant, just at soil level and water generously. Spread a 2-inch-deep mulch of straw or pine needles between plants to hold in moisture and minimize weeds.

BERRY CARE

Strawberries can be grown in containers or in hanging baskets.

Six to eight hours of sun and consistent moisture is key for container production.

Until midsummer in the first year, pinch out flowers and remove runners (“daughter” plants) to encourage stronger root growth.

Water in-ground plants weekly, aiming to provide about 1 inch of water. Containergrown plants need daily water in the absence of rain to provide consistent moisture.

Fertilize strawberries very sparingly, using a balanced fertilizer or bone and blood meal at planting time and again in late summer to early fall.

In cold climates, protect potted plants in the garage after frost, or lift them from their container in early fall and transplant them into the garden. In early winter, cover strawberry plants with 6 inches of chopped leaves or pine needles to protect them.

Gently rake off winter mulch in early spring.

PICK A GREAT BERRY The hundreds of strawberry varieties generally fall under one of three types.

Choose strawberries based on your space, climate, and harvest preferences.

JUNE-BEARING June-bearing plants produce the largest berries, and all their fruit can be harvested in a two- or three-week period. Planting a mix of varieties that ripen at different times (early, mid-, and late spring) means you can harvest over a longer period. Although they’re called June-bearing, they will produce fruit earlier in the year in hot climates. Some varieties: Allstar, Earliglow, Honeoye, Jewel

EVERBEARING These strawberries produce large fruit in a bountiful early summer crop, then a few berries here and there, followed by a small crop in early fall. Tiny but flavorful alpine strawberries are also an everbearing type. Some varieties: Fraises des Bois, Ozark Beauty, Quinalt

DAY-NEUTRAL Some berries aren’t affected by changing hours of sunlight. Day-neutral strawberries produce berries all summer and are unique in that they will produce a good harvest in their first year. Dayneutral strawberries put out fewer runners and have smaller fruit than other varieties. They are ideal for containers. Some varieties: Tribute, Tristar PROTECTING THE HARVEST

If birds, squirrels, slugs, or other hungry critters put your strawberries at risk, use these techniques to shield the plants.

• Drape garden netting over beds or containers. Suspend it on a frame or stakes so it doesn’t lay on the plants; that would allow birds to peck through the holes to the fruit. Or lay floating row cover over the bed just before the fruit is ripe.

Hold the cloth in place with stones, bricks, or garden staples.

• Plant strawberries in vertical towers or hanging baskets to keep them away from slugs and rabbits.

Wash strawberries gently under cool water before removing the stems. If you remove the stems before washing, water can be absorbed into the fruit, affecting the texture and flavor.

Strawberry Sangria

START TO FINISH: 25 minutes

8 cups fresh strawberries, halved

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

â…” cup sugar

1 navel orange, sliced

½ cup water

2 cups sparkling water, chilled

1 750 ml bottle white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

For syrup, in a large saucepan combine the halved strawberries, the sugar, and water. Bring just to boiling, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. Press mixture, a little at a time, through a fine-mesh sieve to remove most seeds (you should have about 3 cups syrup).

SUPER C Ounce for ounce, fresh strawberries are higher in Vitamin C than oranges.

STRAWBERRY SANGRIA

In a 2-qt. glass jar or pitcher combine syrup, wine, the sliced strawberries, and the orange slices. If desired, cover and chill for up to 24 hours.

Before serving, slowly pour sparkling water into fruit mixture; stir gently. Serve sangria in glasses over ice.

Makes 8 servings.

Strawberry Meringue Pie

Berries practically tumble out of this pie. To easily cut through the meringue, use a sharp serrated knife.

PREP: 45 minutes BAKE: 45 minutes STAND: 30 minutes CHILL: 30 minutes

1

rolled refrigerated unbaked piecrust (½ of a 15-oz. pkg.)

½ cup sugar 7 Tbsp. lemon curd

½ tsp. vanilla

5 cups fresh strawberries (halve large berries)

¼ tsp. cream of tartar

Snipped fresh mint

3 egg whites

Let unbaked crust stand at room temperature according to package directions. Heat oven to 450°F. Unroll and line a 9-inch pie plate with crust; flute edge, if desired. Prick bottom and sides of crust with a fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool on a rack. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

Meanwhile, for meringue, in a large mixing bowl let egg whites stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar. Beat on high until stiff peaks form and sugar is almost dissolved.

Spread in baked piecrust, building up meringue along edges. Bake 35 minutes.

Cool on rack. Meringue will fall slightly.

In a large bowl microwave lemon curd on 50% power (medium) 15 to 20 seconds.

Spread 4 Tbsp. warm curd on meringue. Add berries to remaining lemon curd; lightly stir to coat. Spoon into pie shell. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes. To serve, top pie with fresh mint; cut using a serrated knife.

Makes 8 servings.

STRAWBERRY MERINGUE PIE

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 97

Strawberry-Goat Cheese Bruschetta

PREP: 15 minutes BROIL: 4 minutes

1 8-oz. baguette

½ cup arugula

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Olive oil

1 4-oz. log goat cheese (chèvre)

Sea salt or coarse salt

1 ½ cups sliced strawberries

Freshly ground black pepper Snipped fresh herbs

Heat broiler. Halve baguette crosswise, then lengthwise.

Place, cut sides up, on a large baking sheet. Brush with the 1 Tbsp. oil. Broil, 3 to 4 inches from heat, 1 ½ to 2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

sliced berries. Broil up to 2 minutes or until cheese and berries soften.

Remove from broiler; top with arugula. Drizzle with additional oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs.

Makes 4 servings.

Slice and divide cheese among toasts. Top with

STRAWBERRY-GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTA

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 98

ANY WAY YOU DIP IT At harvest time, leave a long “handle” when snipping stems and your berries will be fit for dipping. Try these flavor combos or line up your favorites. For best results, strawberries must be completely dry; gently blot with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before dipping.

Red Delicious

Melted red or pink confectioner’s coating

Strawberry Fritters

Cocktail Time

Sugar and Cream Dream

Melted milk chocolate, salted cashews or mixed nuts

A.M. Pleaser

Lemon Supreme

Sour cream, brown sugar

START TO FINISH: 30 minutes

16 medium strawberries (about 1 pint) 16 4-inch bamboo or wooden skewers ¼ cup honey mustard ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped ¼ cup crushed saltine crackers (about 7 crackers) Cooking oil for deep-fat frying Wash strawberries and thoroughly dry.

Insert a skewer through top of each berry; set aside.

Place honey mustard in a small bowl.

Combine almonds and crackers in another small bowl. Dip or spread bottom two-thirds of each berry with honey mustard; roll in almond mixture.

Perfect Pairing

White chocolate on one side, dark chocolate on the other

Strawberry yogurt, granola or cereal with dried fruits

Velvety lemon curd, freshly shredded lemon peel

Peppery Finale

Mojito Berry

Island Delight

In a deep-fat fryer heat 2 inches cooking oil to 365°F. Fry strawberries, two at a time, 15 seconds. Carefully remove using tongs, gripping the skewer or the uncoated portion of the berry. Drain on paper towels. Serve within 30 minutes of frying.

Makes 16 servings.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

Honey, cracked black pepper

Honey, lime juice, coarse sugar, snipped fresh mint leaves

Buttery vanilla frosting, crunchy toasted coconut

GARDENER’S BOOKSHELF

WRITTEN BY MARY ANN NEWCOMER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIE PASSANO

DEER, OH DEAR. Homeowners plagued by deer may want to use a restricted list of plants, but that need not mean compromising their garden design. In Deer-Resistant Design: Fence-Free Gardens that Thrive Despite the Deer (Karen Chapman, Timber Press, $24.95), Chapman offers practical and inspiring solutions for what works and what doesn’t to keep deer and other critters, such as rabbits, voles, armadillos, rats, cats, and skunks, at bay. She visits 13 gardens from Washington to North Carolina to learn from their experiences with clay, caliche, too much water, not enough water, limestone ledge, and more. She also shares the trials she encountered in her own Washington garden and includes a list of rich and colorful plants she incorporated despite deer and too much rain. Check out the plant combos in her deerresistant container gardens, which caught our attention right away, deer or no deer.

WE LOVE the stylish and creative Decorating with Plants: What to Choose, Ways to Style, and How to Make Them Thrive (Baylor Chapman, Artisan Publishing, $24.95), which is packed with indoor plant styling ideas paired with lush photos. See how to plant your walls, green up your entryway, spiff up bookshelves, arrange living centerpieces, adorn your desk, and make a lush corner retreat. One lesson teaches how to make a statement using tall, bold (almost matching) palms in the living room; another focuses on how to add plants to a kid’s room for a lasting “grow-and-tell” lesson. The photos display fresh presentation ideas for floor plants, new takes on vertical gardens, and looks at symmetric and asymmetric designs. Most important, Chapman weaves growing tips throughout the book to guide you in picking the right plants and keeping them healthy for style that truly lasts.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS may seem so last century, but here is one indispensable reference book to keep on hand. In one full garden season, I’ve managed to use, abuse, find, quote, reference, and rely on the Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide to Key Skills for Every Gardener, Revised and Updated Edition 2019 (American Horticultural Society, Mitchell Beazley/Octopus Books, $45).

Featuring more than 2,000 step-by-step illustrations, hundreds of how-tos, and 30 pages devoted to growing fruit trees and soft fruits (berries and such), this 480-page guide steps through everyday tasks, such as pinching back, and how to solve tricky garden problems, such as how to correctly diagnose plant diseases. The wisdom of many expert horticulturists, more than 100 years of science, and a few hundred simpleto-understand illustrations are all under this one cover.

IF CULTIVATING your own herbal medicine is on your to-try list, consider Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies: How to Create a Customized Herb Garden to Support Your Health & Well-Being (Maria Noël Groves, Storey Publishing, $24.95). A clinical herbalist and herbal medicine expert, Groves presents information on growing herbal remedies in three parts: Skills for Making Medicine, Remedy Gardens, and Healing Garden Herbs.

You’ll also find instructions for making tonics, potions, and salves that help with skin care, first aid, immune support, and relaxation. Also included are remedies for common ailments such as allergies and sinus issues. “The best herbs for you to grow depend on your health needs, your garden’s growing conditions, and which plants resonate with you,” Groves says. Check out the Flavor Garden of Korean mint, lemongrass, lemon verbena, mint, and calendula, all ideal for making teas, infusions, and ices.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 100

ONE OF THE MOST fun garden books to dive into again, A Way to Garden: A Hands-On Primer for Every Season (Margaret Roach, Timber Press, $30) is a revised look at the book Roach wrote in the late ’90s.

A former garden editor, Roach turned the first iteration of A Way to Garden into a website, podcast, radio show, and more.

Roach tells everyone A Way to Garden is not THE way to garden. It is simply a window into her own gardening life education and experiences.

In this updated version, she shares new green-side-up lessons learned since the book’s original publishing.

For Roach, “this gardening stuff is not just a hobby … the medium is always alive.”

She makes the heartfelt admission that “gardening is a form of personal occupational therapy.” Roach’s insightful stories, struggles, and successes bring out the joy in gardening to which all gardeners can relate.

STOP. BREATHE. THINK. Check in with how you’re feeling with short mindfulness activities tuned to your emotions. stopbreathethink.com DOWNLOAD STOP, BREATHE & THINK¨ FOR FREE

© 2019 Stop, Breathe & Think®. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. © 2018 Google LLC. All rights reserved. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

RESOURCES

HOW TO CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS For subscription help, email CHGCUSTSERV@CDSFULFILLMENT.COM or call 800/677-0484.

RETAIL QUESTIONS Retailers can order copies of Country Gardens and other gardening magazines by emailing BHGGARDENING@ MEREDITH.COM. Country Gardens¨ magazine is published four times per year: EARLY SPRING (JANUARY), SPRING (MARCH), SUMMER (MAY), AND FALL (AUGUST).

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FOR THE EDITOR Email us at: COUNTRY.GARDENS@MEREDITH.COM or write us at COUNTRY GARDENS MAGAZINE MEREDITH CORPORATION 1716 LOCUST ST. DES MOINES, IA 50309-3023

COMPILED BY RENEE FREEMON MULVIHILL

PLANTINGS: HELLEBORES PAGES 4–7 Hellebore sources include: Plant Delights Nursery Inc.; 919/772-4794; plantdelights.com.

Wayside Gardens; 800/845-1124; waysidegardens.com.

Bluestone Perennials; 800/852-5243; bluestoneperennials.com.

Professional quoted—Marietta O’Byrne, Northwest Garden Nursery; northwestgardennursery.com.

WEEKEND GARDENER PAGES 10–11 Cacti—Altman Plants; shopaltmanplants.com and Costa Farms; 800/327-7074; costafarms.com. Sola flowers (unpainted and painted)—Oh! You’re Lovely; ohyourelovely.com. Metal two-tiered serving stand (similar available)—Wayfair; wayfair .com. 2-inch plastic pots—Holub Garden & Greenhouses; Ames, Iowa; holubgreenhouses.com. 2- and 3-inch terra-cotta pots, colored sand and gravel—Michaels Stores; michaels. com. Spray paint Krylon COLORmaxx in Almond—Krylon; 800/457-9566; krylon.com. Stain Behr Premium Waterproofing Stain & Sealer—The Home Depot; homedepot.com.

GARDEN KNOW-HOW PAGES 16–18 Hedge shears and pruners—Centurion; 877/330-3366; centurionbrands.com.

Boxwood mail-order sources include: Nature Hills Nursery; 888/864-7663; naturehills.com.

The Tree Center; 888/329-0140; thetreecenter.com.

Forestfarm at Pacifica; 541/846-7269; forestfarm.com.

DESTINATION: COLOR PAGES 20–25 Daffodil bulbs—Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs; 888/847-8637; colorblends.com ($60 minimum order).

For more information about the Lewisboro Garden Club, visit lewisborogardenclub.org.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 102

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (Requester Publications Only) 1. Publication Title: Country Gardens 2. Publication Number: 11787 3. Filing date: October 1, 2019 4. Issue Frequency: Four times per year in January, March, May, and August 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 4 6. Annual Subscription Price: $19.97 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 9. Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of the Publisher, Editor & Managing Editor: Publisher: Scott Mortimer, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3023; Editor: Susan Appleget Hurst, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3023; Managing Editor: Nick Crow, 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309-3023. 10. Owner: Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023. The names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock: State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), Attn: Cyrus Taraporevala, 1 Lincoln St., Boston, MA 02111; BlackRock Fund Advisors, Attn: Larry Fink, 400 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105; The Vanguard Group Inc., Attn: Binbin Guo, 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355; Royce & Associates LP, Attn: Charlie Royce, 745 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10151; Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Attn: Dave Butler, 6300 Bee Cave Rd., Austin, TX 78746; Fairpointe Capital LLC, Attn: Thyra Zerhusen, 1 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606; Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss LLC, Attn: James Barrow, 2200 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75201; Ariel Investments LLC, Attn: John Rogers, 200 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601; Ceredex Value Advisors LLC, Attn: George Aylward, 301 E. Pine St., Orlando, FL 32801; Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Attn: Andrew Smith, 1735 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; Northern Trust Investments Inc., Attn: William Hyatt, 50 LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603; Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC, Attn: Richard Hough, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019; Channing Capital Management LLC, Attn: Timothy Kroll, 10 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603; DePrince, Race & Zollo Inc., Attn: John Race, 250 Park Ave., S., Winter Park, FL 32789; Delaware Investment Management Business Trust, 2005 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19103; River Road Asset Management LLC, Attn: Richard Beck, 462 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202; Norges Bank Investment Management, Bankplassen 2 Oslo, PS 0107 Norway; Bowen, Hanes & Co. Inc., Attn: Harold Bowen, 3290 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30327; PPM America Inc., Attn: James Young, 225 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606; Raymond James & Associates Inc. (Invt Mgmt), Attn: Dennis Zank, 880 Carillon Pkwy., St. Petersburg, FL 33716; Nuveen Asset Management LLC, Attn: Anthony Boase, 333 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606; Geode Capital Management LLC, Attn: Patrick Waddell, 1 Post Office Sq., Boston, MA 02109; Mellon Investments Corp., Attn: Caroline Higgins, BNY Mellon Center, One Boston Pl., Boston, MA 02108; William Blair Investment Management LLC, Attn: Mark Leslie, 150 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606.

Throughsome of the nominees listed above, the E.T. Meredith and Bohen families and familyfoundations own, directly or beneficially, approximately 13% of the issued and outstanding stock of the corporation. Each nominee listed above holds stock for one or more stockholders. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 percent or more of Total amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Securities: None.

12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates). Check one: The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: __ Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months __ Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Publisher must submit explanation of change with this statement) Not applicable.

13. Publication Title: Country Gardens 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Fall 2019 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: a. Total number of copies (Net press run): 465,891 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 231,095 (2) In-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 38,108 (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS: 0 c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 269,203 d. Nonrequested Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 142 (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 (3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0 (4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 859 e. Total Nonrequested Distribution: 1,001 f. Total Distribution: 270,204 g. Copies not Distributed: 195,687 h. Total: 465,891 i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 99.63% No. of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: a. Total number of copies (Net press run): 435,746 b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 224,417 (2) In-County Paid/Requested Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0 (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 39,905 (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS: 0 c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 264,322 d. Nonrequested Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Outside-County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 131 (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 (3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0 (4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 914 e. Total Nonrequested Distribution: 1,045 f. Total Distribution: 265,367 g. Copies not Distributed: 170,379 h. Total: 435,746 i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 99.61% 16. Not applicable 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the Early Spring 2020 issue of this publication.

18. Signature and title of editor, publisher, business manager, or owner Chris Susil, VP/Planning & Analysis. Date: Sept. 19, 2019. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/ or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

NATIVE STYLE PAGES 26–35 The 17th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour will take place March 28–29, 2020. For more information, visit theodorepayne.org.

DESIGNING PLANTS PAGES 36–43 The Farmer’s Daughter—716 Mooresfield Rd., South Kingstown, RI 02879; 401/792-1340; thefarmersdaughterri.com.

STILL LIFE PAGES 44–47 Designer—Tenaya Lord, Round 2 Designs; Buffalo, Texas; facebook.com/round2designs and Instagram: @round_2_designs.

Succulent and succulent cuttings sources include: Simply Succulents; 715/558-2400; simplysucculents.com; info@simplysucculents.com.

The Succulent Source; 760/749-1086; thesucculentsource.com.

NO STONE UNTURNED PAGES 48–55 Garden design—Neil and Samantha Best, Magma Design Group Inc.; 10 Winthrop St., Rehoboth, MA 02769; 401/722-1652; magmadesigngroup.com.

STEMS WITH STYLE PAGES 56–63 For more information about Karen Snyder, visit her blog, Sanctuary Home Decor; sanctuaryhomedecor.com.

THE PLANT DOCTORS PAGES 64–71 STUMP—305 E. Fifth Ave., Columbus, OH 43201; 614/965-4627; stumpplants.com.

ENCHANTING EPHEMERALS PAGES 72–79 Spring ephemeral sources include: Prairie Moon Nursery; 866/417-8156; prairiemoon.com.

Prairie Nursery Native Plants & Seeds; 800/476-9453; prairienursery.com.

NEW 2020 HANDBOOK

EARLY TO RISE PAGES 80–83 Forced bulbs—Lowe’s; lowes.com. Hyacinth, grape hyacinth bulbs—Brent and Becky’s; 804/693-3966; brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Forcing glasses—local garage sales, thrift stores, vintage goods purveyors. Water gems— Jo-Ann Stores LLC; joann.com.

INSIDE THE LINES PAGES 84–91 For more information about Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz’s skin-care line, visit malinandgoetz.com.

BERRY EASY PAGES 92–99 For more information about growing strawberries and finding plants or seeds, visit strawberryplants.org.

CREATIVE BREAK PAGE 104 Decorative paper—Hollander’s; 734/741-7531; hollanders.com and Mulberry Paper; 877/810-4174; mulberrypaperandmore .com. Corrugated cardboard—Paper Mart; 800/745-8800; papermart.com. Wall paint #SW6498 Byte Blue—SherwinWilliams; sherwin-williams.com.

US Grown Bare Root English Roses The environmentally friendly way to plant roses this spring for beautiful blooms.

Request your free NEW ‘Handbook of Roses 2020’ and shop online at

www.davidaustinroses.com

PRETTY WRAPS

GET CRAFTY

Dressing up your houseplants in DIY pot wraps makes them shine in minutes. Have fun selecting decorative scrapbook papers that speak to you.

ADD DIMENSION

Experiment with papers in different textures and patterns to get the look you want for the space where you plan to display your houseplant.

For more information, see Resources on page 102.

3 LAYERS Corrugated Cardboard Colored Paper Decorative Art Paper

SKIP REPOTTING PLANTS. INSTEAD CAMOUFLAGE DRAB CONTAINERS WITH POSH PAPERS.

FINISH IT

Layer the selected papers. Here, a pretty fiber paper wraps around a solid pink one; a corrugated cardboard base provides structure.

The wrap hides the

saucer and can be removed when watering the plant. Use tape to secure papers to each other. Roll into a cylinder to fit around the pot and affix the ends with glue.

COUNTRY GARDENS // EARLY SPRING 2020 104

Country Gardens® (ISSN 1547-1209), January (Early Spring) 2020, Volume 29, No. 1. Country Gardens is published four times a year in January, March, May, and August by Meredith Corp., 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309-3023. Periodicals postage paid at Des Moines, IA, and at additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $19.97 per year in the U.S.; $29.97 (U.S. dollars) per year in Canada and overseas. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2). NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Country Gardens, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508. In Canada: Mailed under Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069223. Canadian BN 12348 2887 RT. Your bank may provide updates to the card information we have on file. You may opt out of this service at any time. Country Gardens is a registered trademark in the United States. © Meredith Corp. 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

CREATIVE BREAK WRITTEN BY HALEY KNUDSEN PRODUCED BY KATE CARTER FREDERICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIE PASSANO

HUMMINGBIRD HAVEN EDITOR’S CHOICE Create your own hummingbird oasis with this Long-Season Garden from White Flower Farm! Filled with sun-loving, nectar-rich perennials, your winged friends will be drawn in, as they head north, by blossoms of Columbine, red flower clusters of Coral Bells and lavender-blue spikes of Salvia. As summer settles in, they’ll feed on long-blooming Penstemon and royal purple Phlox.

Your garden will fill about 20 square feet and comes with a total of 15 gorgeous plants. $99 plus shipping (Item MM081382) ¨

GARDEN NOTES: Common Name | Long-Season Hummingbird Garden Total Plants | 15 Hardiness Zone | 5 – 8S/9W Exposure | Sun Blooms In | May – September Height | 8 – 42” Included | Garden Plan

Heuchera Dolce® ‘Spearmint’ (quantity: 3)

Monarda Sugar Buzz® ‘Blue Moon’ (quantity: 2)

Aquilegia canadensis (quantity: 3)

Ships from White Flower Farm as | 1 Pint/28.86 cu in.

ties i t n a u Q !

Limited Salvia nemorosa ‘Blue Marvel’ (quantity: 2)

Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ (quantity: 1)

Phlox ‘Laura’ (quantity: 2)

Penstemon Mission Bells™ Deep Rose (quantity: 2)

#190177

RESERVED ON FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS!

Order online at countrygardens.com/hum or call 1-800-420-2852 Please mention Code CHG07 when ordering ... and remember, every plant is 100% guaranteed!