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Water, Water Everywhere!

Water Fountains are classic Gardenwise When you think about your outside spaces, take it to the next level and add a water feature!  Fountains and water features come in many interesting shapes and sizes and can deliver transforming results. There's something about water and the sight and sound of it trickling and tumbling over stones and splashing into a pool.  It's one of [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:34:50-04:00August 3rd, 2013|Garden Design 101s|Comments Off on Water, Water Everywhere!

Bring your family into the garden

We're always looking out for fun and simple family garden  projects -- last  season we wrote about a fun Fall project centered on planting bulbs for Spring.   Now you and your family can start your herb and vegetable garden indoors!  Yes, starting cool season seeds indoors is a great project for the whole family.    Cool Season Seeds Indoors Cool season [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:34:57-04:00August 1st, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Bring your family into the garden

How Thristy Are Your Plants?

Click to Enlarge There was a great Southern Living feature that I need to run because it had so much great information on plants and their water  needs.   Pamela  Crawford, an expert on growing beautiful flowers while saving water, money and time, ranks nine popular plants according to their individual water needs.   Teetotalers -- those stalwarts never [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:02-04:00July 27th, 2013|GardenWise in Southern Living|Comments Off on How Thristy Are Your Plants?

Pruning Hydrangeas

Here are some easy guidelines for pruning some of the most popular hydrangeas, which  will make you so glad you turned on your computer today! If there is one thing about shrubs that confuses some gardenenrs it's knowing when and how to prune them. One wrong move can make you lost your interest.  When to prune hydrangeas basically depends on whether [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:05-04:00July 22nd, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Pruning Hydrangeas

Landscape Architecture and Small Spaces in DC

To continue celebrating Landscape Architecure month, we're posting some  excerpts  from  an  interview  Mark  did  with  reporter  Jay  Bildstein about  Landscape Architecture trends, designing roof top spaces, and how landscpae architecture can increase a home's value, among other topics. Jay: If somebody from New York City, seeing you on television, seeing your work on HGTV on "Curb Appeal,"  if [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:12-04:00July 19th, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Landscape Architecture and Small Spaces in DC

Outdoor Entertainment Areas

  Transforming an outside space into a cozy and intimate area to gather with family and friends is easier than you may think.  I call these intimate garden areas "cocoon spaces," which became a trend in 2007 as the uncertain  economy  prompted  home- owners to spend more time at home.   Cocoon spaces are safe and secure intimite garden areas, and in addition to giving home- [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:19-04:00July 15th, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Outdoor Entertainment Areas

Trees and Shrubs as Privacy Screens

 I worked Francesca Clarke at AOL's  DIY Life Network on a feature story about creating green structures with trees and shrubs for privacy in your garden and outdoor spaces.  There are many options available for all budgets and timelines, depending on how soon do you need a privacy screen from a neighboring home or structure and how quickly you want to block  unwanted  [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:24-04:00July 8th, 2013|Gardening Tips, GardenWise Press|Comments Off on Trees and Shrubs as Privacy Screens

Come-And-Come-Back Flowers are GardenWise

Flowers All Summer Long If you cut your flowers instead of dead-heading them, they'll flower for twice as long. This will leave you with a beautiful garden space filled with colorful, scented blooms throughout the summer. Here are some of my favorites: Crocosmia, pictured below, adds an exotic touch to your favorite home grown arrangements. This Gladiolus relative [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:31-04:00July 5th, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Come-And-Come-Back Flowers are GardenWise

Fall Family Garden Fun

Fall is a great season for family time in the garden.   One fun way to teach children about nature is to purchase different colored flowering bulbs to plant in your garden for next spring.  The best time to get your bulbs into the ground is a 3-4 weeks before the soil freezes, so this is a perfect time to start planning your upcoming day in the garden. After choosing which [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:32-04:00July 1st, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on Fall Family Garden Fun

“Green” Garden Sheds are GardenWise

Garden Shed Inspiration for Better Homes & Gardens I want to build a new garden shed in my backyard this summer.  This is an idea I had last summer and it never happened, so I'm moving it to the top of the "to do" list for this year.  Most homeowners will agree, there's no such thing as [...]

By |2017-10-11T11:35:37-04:00June 30th, 2013|Gardening Tips|Comments Off on “Green” Garden Sheds are GardenWise