Heidi’s Pots, Plants, and Yard Art in Washington Leave a comment

Hello GPODers!

One of many many causes I like the Backyard Picture of the Day group is due to the numerous various gardening tales we get to listen to. From lifelong plant lovers who’ve fond reminiscences of taking part in of their grandmother’s gardens to lovers who caught the gardening bug later within the life, it’s inspiring how we are able to all come collectively to get pleasure from one another’s distinctive journeys and landscapes.

Right now, we’re listening to from Heidi Behrens-Benedict, an inside designer in Bellevue, Wash., who had a really unconventional path to her backyard within the Pacific Northwest. She shares the story of how an inside design job at Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle gave her a brand new introduction to the world of gardening and shifted her perspective that stemmed from an preliminary unlucky expertise with crops in her youth.

Pricey Associates at Fantastic Gardening ~

A few years in the past, I used to be prime on the brand new Arboretum Guests Heart in Seattle. I bear in mind my first assembly with a bunch of guild members who had raised cash for the venture. As I sat across the convention desk, I used to be launched to the hosta knowledgeable, the rhody knowledgeable, the native species guru, gardeners who had been obsessed with gardening within the Puget Sound.

One of many group requested me what sort of gardening I preferred. Whereas I imagine I’m a very good designer, I knew from nothing about gardening. Once I was rising up, my father was within the navy. We lived in scorching, dry bases. When my father would come house about 4:30 p.m., he’d stroll within the door and say, “Why are you simply sitting there? Go outdoors and weed.” Because it was 115 levels within the shade, gardening at all times felt like punishment.

I bear in mind as soon as tilting my head again as I used to be standing on the black, scorching tarmac one recess and praying, “Please, God, once I develop up, I need to stay someplace it rains day-after-day.” Once I graduated from faculty, I moved to Seattle. The primary summer time, it did rain day-after-day. The home windows sheeted with water day after day. Mid-August, I used to be standing on the window and saying, “Please, God, I ought to have been extra particular. Maybe not each single day.”

Which brings me to my arboretum venture, once I stumbled with a solution for what sort of gardening I preferred and mentioned, “Container gardening.” What I actually preferred about container gardening was not a lot the crops however the classic pots. Massive glazed pots. Massive terracotta pots. Massive Chinese language pots. Sq. pots. For years, I collected lovely pots and exquisite yard artwork.

About 20 years in the past, I began placing crops within the pots. What I actually like are perennial crops with fascinating leaf construction, and currently, after changing into a novice beekeeper, I’ve centered on flowers that my bees will love.

So listed here are a number of footage of my pots, crops, and yard artwork.

With each good want ~
Heidi

Heidi’s background in inside design, significantly her deal with architectural salvage, is obvious in her out of doors house. Other than the colour she has potted into her unimaginable assortment of containers, curiosity abounds in all of the clever touches and decor.

A better have a look at the colourful annual flowers Heidi potted this yr

Annuals are inclined to get the majority of the container house in gardens yearly, however, as Heidi talked about in her intro, the gorgeous foliage of perennials and shrubs will be simply as profitable in a pot as they’re within the floor. I like how this Japanese mock orange (Pittosporum tobira, Zones 8–10) is spilling out of its attractive inexperienced pot.

When a yard is stuffed with this a lot fascinating artwork, even a easy planting can create a huge impact. This ornate pillar and aid sculpture have already got loads occurring, so a easy pink geranium is all that’s wanted for a colourful pop of additional curiosity.

The out of doors seating space of an actual collector: not solely an area to get pleasure from Heidi’s lush gardens, however a spot to admire her thoughtfully curated artwork and furnishings items.

Thanks a lot for sharing your clever potted shows and artistic backyard adornments, Heidi! Your story is definitely a singular one, and your backyard actually displays that distinctive background in addition to your designer’s eye.

What was your introduction to gardening? What journey introduced you to your present backyard? If you happen to haven’t shared your backyard on the weblog but, or it has been some time and you’ve got loads to replace us on, contemplate sharing images of your house this yr! Observe the instructions beneath to submit images by way of e mail, or ship me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

We need to see YOUR backyard!

Have images to share? We’d like to see your backyard, a selected assortment of crops you’re keen on, or a beautiful backyard you had the possibility to go to!

To submit, ship 5–10 images to [email protected] together with some details about the crops within the footage and the place you took the images. We’d love to listen to the place you’re positioned, how lengthy you’ve been gardening, successes you’re happy with, failures you realized from, hopes for the long run, favourite crops, or humorous tales out of your backyard.

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Fantastic Gardening Advisable Merchandise

Lee Valley Mini Backyard Shear Set

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These shears have a particular finger relaxation that not solely aids grip however permits better freedom of motion than a standard deal with design. They’ve a sturdy powder-coat end to withstand rust and put on, and a easy clasp that locks the spring-action stainless-steel blades closed. The set contains one pair of round-nose shears measuring 5 1/2″ total with 1″ blades for slicing stems as much as 3/8″ in diameter, and one pair of 6 1/2″ needle-nose shears with 2″ fine-tip blades for exact work.

Lee Valley Backyard Knife

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These knives have a trowel-like blade with a pointy edge to allow you to use the identical instrument for digging, planting and slicing. The blade is sharpened on each side, with serrations on one edge to assist with slicing powerful roots or dividing perennials. Deeply stamped markings on the blade (in 1/2″ and 5mm increments) allow you to set the proper planting depth for seeds and bulbs.