“The beautiful reward of spring bulbs is that they require an act of faith in the autumn.” — Michael Dirr Every spring, gardens burst into life with daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and grape hyacinths, transforming winter-weary landscapes into vibrant celebrations of the season. But here's the secret: beautiful spring
What happens when a landscape architect who has gardened in California for decades moves to Sweden? You discover that the secret to a beautiful garden isn't a longer growing season. It's better planning. After more than 30 years of designing gardens, I thought I knew a
"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece" ......Claude Monet A question I frequently hear is, “What plants go well together?” or “I have a Magnolia tree—what should I plant with it?” While it might seem simple enough to stroll through a garden center and choose whatever looks
Dear Flourish Garden Friends, Thank you for your patience and for supporting Flourish Garden. I’m excited to welcome you to a community where garden design meets practicality, creativity, and sustainability. Your support means the world to us as we continue to grow and evolve our app. See what’s
“When the winds of change blow, remember … sometimes what appears dead is simply preparing for a new season.” …. Jane Lee Logan Every morning, my garden by the Baltic Sea offers a quiet kind of magic. It’s my sanctuary, where the sky meets the earth in a timeless dance of
“Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are not yet realized.” …. Allen Armitage As a landscape architect, I often get peppered with all sorts of questions about designing, creating, and maintaining gardens. The most common one? “I want to start a
“Every girl should have a little black dress in her wardrobe, and black rose in her garden.” … Zona Forsyth As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, the season brings a perfect opportunity to explore the darker side of garden design. While it might seem a bit spooky
“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh how beautiful’, and sitting in the shade.” …. Rudyard Kipling Not long ago, I was in a café in Stockholm, sitting with a friend who works as a marketing professional. We were making small talk while waiting for the rest of our gang to
“Bugs are not going to inherit the earth. They own it now. So, we might as well make peace with the landlord.” …. Thomas Eisner Insects have been around for millions of years, predating human existence. They play a vital role in the biological chain of life, contributing to the health
By Zona Forsyth and Lesa Jones “A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or it’s lovely promise won’t come true.” …. Ray Evans In our last post we talked about the historical significance of the rose over the centuries. In this segment we will discuss their
By Lesa Jones “Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best.” …. William Shakespeare I just love roses. Contemplating the addition of roses to my garden has led me to a decision, despite residing in a deer-populated area without any protective fencing around the property. My aim has always
“In nature nothing exists alone” …. Rachel Carson When I first moved to Sweden from Southern California, I was so excited because I was finally living in a climate that I could grow two of my favorite flowers; Tulips and Peony. The first year I ordered 50 Tulips to add to