April 10th…not a day to forget. Today, I spent time in my own garden. You would think that a day off after many weeks for a hard working single mom/landscape designer/contractor/biz owner would involve plans doing something entirely different. But no. This is my passion. My garden was completed last season – a work in progress for 8 years. Certainly, a garden is never done. But all of the hardscape, planting, irrigation, etc. was installed. I did stop short of the last 20 cy of mulch when the recession hit hard.
So today, the fruits of my labor bloomed. A paradise of color. A fusion of leaf forms. My overriding theme is the mixing of burgandy leaves with all other plant types throughout the garden. I take great pride in mixing a huge variety of plants (as I need to test them anyway), especially trying out the new and rare forms so that I can introduce them to my clients’ gardens. Today, I saw the budding out and maturing of last season’s plantings and there are certainly some new winners. I really enjoyed seeing the combination of a myriad of design decisions leafing out and blooming. It was amazing.
The euphorbia tasmanian tiger continues to impress me with its pastel yellow blooms in early spring. The latest euphorbia, black bird, is hardy, drought tolerant and absolutely stunning.
I have put up a number of new and rare plants that show great promise including phlomis purpurea, melianthus major (not new but just looks great!), guardsman phormium – stunning red. Let me know if you want particulars on any of the varieties.
Taking a few hours in my garden helps me remember why I started Dream Home Gardens. It also refreshes my senses and re-fortifies my design senses.
Rosemary Yates
