Gardener's Delights
by Chris Becicka
Poet Anne Bradstreet in the
1600s wrote, “If we had no
winter, the spring would not
be so pleasant.”
Certainly spring reminds us that it is
time to plant, renew and refresh—and
many choose to begin in their own home
gardens.
Kathie Jacobs, the Décor Manager at Family Tree Nursery says that gardening trends today are towards all things exotic —from plants to accessories. Elaborate trellises, Moroccan lanterns or islandfeeling torches and elaborate container gardens are hot.
Today’s customers are plunking down hundreds of dollars for tropicals, such as palms, aloes and agaves as mood enhancers. Giant urns and statuaries are popular as well.
Sara Antin, landscape designer and owner of Outside Interiors, believes that “personalizing the outside to reflect the inside” is a good starting point. She notes that reinventing objects to use outdoors is something her clients like to do. “I’ll take an interesting antique, restore it, climatize it, and fit it with fabulous waterproof cushions—and now we have really interesting, and functional garden or deck furniture. Outdoors doesn’t mean wrought iron furniture and striped cushions anymore,” she laughs.
Master Gardener Janese Reed designs
gardens for her clients, and notes that
a whole new breed of “garden coaches”
has sprung up. Whether you choose to
work with a landscape designer, or
to build your own retreat, the time to plant
is here at last. Spring is nature’s way
of saying “let’s party!” 