tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48042926435771766992024-03-05T14:33:20.945-08:00The Garden Design ChronicleTinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-68043573388914867072011-01-15T17:05:00.000-08:002011-01-15T18:04:46.932-08:00Coastal Delights<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C5PfvartWcaGfOuITyME2CY15E3lO5jFkO-sVwFa5yCitiqpzHemNRg_FYZaTp_LhdD1qdUlWsRCZK7XJxynV1ilVfTeo_TlDsBvs-8LWSUl84IjlY0bjcQ3RSEjJuCLLPSITKLLj-5X/s1600/IMG_4387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C5PfvartWcaGfOuITyME2CY15E3lO5jFkO-sVwFa5yCitiqpzHemNRg_FYZaTp_LhdD1qdUlWsRCZK7XJxynV1ilVfTeo_TlDsBvs-8LWSUl84IjlY0bjcQ3RSEjJuCLLPSITKLLj-5X/s640/IMG_4387.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">View from "The Store" at Kekerungu</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We we're back in the South for the Christmas break. Time spent in the Marlborough region - both the wine region of Blenheim and in "The Sounds". Two starkly different areas within half an hours drive of each other. In addition to time spent here we took a little jaunt down the East Coast to deliver my mother to visit friends in Christchurch. On the way we paused for coffee at "The Store" at Kekerungu - about an hour from Blenheim.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"The Store" is a cafe and restaurant right on the Coast. Our visit coincided with calm, sunny and warm weather but this is not always the case. Wild, cold and wintry feather is as much a feature of this coastline.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you can imagine in terms of landscaping only the robust will do. This applies to the hard landscaping and soft landscaping. Everything from pergola, to tables, to chairs to decoration must be hardy and deal with lashings of wind, rain, cold and salt.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The building was designed by local architect Jimma Dillon whose philosophy is that buildings should sit comfortably and preferably discreetly within their landscape surrounded by indigenous plantings. This building itself is a modern interpretation of traditional cob buildings.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Store's landscape is an interesting mix between formality and wilderness and uses both exotic and native plants including some of New Zealand's most maligned species to great effect.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Shrub "Taupata" Coprosma repens, used in hedging and to frame the cascade of steps leading to the beach</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OBAz2XNDFqIk77QPWjQggAtYSC_SE0UhfZVgBuISAMwsGoPcChYHWWk9MQ2xuHlUqzXWmmrQTd2eu1hULuvUcadhwgHKMDGNWG0WOU1do29dUphlbwzcpoyYRhbI6y2oBcmcPzAGxxz9/s1600/IMG_4386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OBAz2XNDFqIk77QPWjQggAtYSC_SE0UhfZVgBuISAMwsGoPcChYHWWk9MQ2xuHlUqzXWmmrQTd2eu1hULuvUcadhwgHKMDGNWG0WOU1do29dUphlbwzcpoyYRhbI6y2oBcmcPzAGxxz9/s400/IMG_4386.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In particular the landscaping of the store makes great use of the hardy coastal native known to most New Zealander's as Taupata - more commonly known overseas as Mirror Bush - in reference to its very shiny rounded leaves (Coprosma repens). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mirror Bush has orange berries which are much loved by birds and consequently it is a rapid self seeder and quite weedy (it has colonised itself with great enthusiasm in parts of coastal South Eastern Australia). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's outstanding characteristic however is that it is a frontline coastal plant and will take lashings of all that can be dished out by a wild coastal location. At Kekerungu it is used to great effect as a formal hedging plant and it is the only place I have ever seen where it has been used as such.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrXKtr9lgSuWo8tQVfkIToU1RI4kKNHRvh4Fcyqaia6nxVLL_pRmpY3Fd1a44cUz8egqldX_spZ5Z2QD8U6eF0N42BHdy_pLZT4wMFHw159rwte0fbB7S2MJ2zGBI2FHH-Pwh4nLTpNnE/s1600/IMG_4394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrXKtr9lgSuWo8tQVfkIToU1RI4kKNHRvh4Fcyqaia6nxVLL_pRmpY3Fd1a44cUz8egqldX_spZ5Z2QD8U6eF0N42BHdy_pLZT4wMFHw159rwte0fbB7S2MJ2zGBI2FHH-Pwh4nLTpNnE/s320/IMG_4394.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Formal hedges at the front of The Store make use of Muehlenbeckia complexa another wonderful native shrub with wonderful divaricating foliage (in other words it branches off at all angles). This is one of my all time favourites and what I like to call a Dr Seuss plant as its growth habit looks quite improbable.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is mixed in with big tubs of Agapanthus, grape vines (in the more sheltered spots), Ngaio trees (Myoporum laetum), Puka (Meryta sinclairii) and the Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis) another one of my Dr Seuss favourites.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In addition to all the architectural and planting delights </span><a href="http://www.the-store.co.nz/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Store</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> has great food and coffee - so if you're in the neighbourhood I suggest a visit!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlTn8V5XG2iPsCHMiw0rD384NHo9lnl1xJBFsj5wBd-rAnLC1HNWDMuSVb6bJ0uJkUunD6uSpB2wMIK0l9xJPzAQixBdjo8mqxd4Q5pO4BXwUOUVjCK1DsTm5rJsrOjKKVx4689j07zGS/s1600/IMG_4389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlTn8V5XG2iPsCHMiw0rD384NHo9lnl1xJBFsj5wBd-rAnLC1HNWDMuSVb6bJ0uJkUunD6uSpB2wMIK0l9xJPzAQixBdjo8mqxd4Q5pO4BXwUOUVjCK1DsTm5rJsrOjKKVx4689j07zGS/s400/IMG_4389.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-21447978787227238262010-05-30T20:33:00.000-07:002010-05-30T20:33:31.566-07:00Garden Design on a VERY Small Scale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgOZNdTZJa48RQ1-H1Ec7iqEei0aTR4R0QPQbhHf8-j1n2IXSLqhGdih1zy1iJf1Tw5RUnAcLYcWkmKI323HawJAvvNmroNAsEo9YEzXYcpN9zLsTFhskEkGCq0f_UsM5xACnj-nwPPy3/s1600/pothole_garden_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgOZNdTZJa48RQ1-H1Ec7iqEei0aTR4R0QPQbhHf8-j1n2IXSLqhGdih1zy1iJf1Tw5RUnAcLYcWkmKI323HawJAvvNmroNAsEo9YEzXYcpN9zLsTFhskEkGCq0f_UsM5xACnj-nwPPy3/s320/pothole_garden_03.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> A Pete Dungey Garden</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A friend emailed me this <a href="http://www.petedungey.com/2010/project_pages/pothole_gardens.php">link</a> and I just had to laugh. It just proves there's no space to small to make a garden. Their lifespan looks limited though. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">A proper post is brewing I PROMISE.</span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-328614045361961822010-02-25T15:23:00.000-08:002010-02-25T15:23:08.818-08:00Goodbye to Melbourne and Kia Ora New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIgqhQ3wFbPEqHXpdm_oTHFhEyN6DoZVBc6eY4TS2oxaEuVlYhxc0ltqjkcSHinmVN0AxejRinuXA4dwR1OZhadGZ6nYhorT2gQDCHbVQFeHho6Hev0N0b8JP7MtcuQuivF7ftZUdpxwk/s1600-h/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIgqhQ3wFbPEqHXpdm_oTHFhEyN6DoZVBc6eY4TS2oxaEuVlYhxc0ltqjkcSHinmVN0AxejRinuXA4dwR1OZhadGZ6nYhorT2gQDCHbVQFeHho6Hev0N0b8JP7MtcuQuivF7ftZUdpxwk/s320/056.JPG" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Early morning view of Wellington Harbour</span></span> </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have a good excuse for my silence I have been in the midst of moving countries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Still no time to write but a tempting picture of my new locale.</span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-59113312146309166732009-12-29T16:38:00.000-08:002009-12-29T16:38:15.000-08:00Pining for the Bach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgFIJ7UjskWgO1ql-hwMsBe6FP_Sh0CAD56Rj8g0c_4fJMPZVIWyT7IKuAHgXoqysNIySRoyDM0KeAUF3rNf0-_pEEFCzfZVvbSYrGLcEGf_UVcD0_uxr2TUQgAH9OnFFiUdmNr2d_wzQ/s1600-h/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgFIJ7UjskWgO1ql-hwMsBe6FP_Sh0CAD56Rj8g0c_4fJMPZVIWyT7IKuAHgXoqysNIySRoyDM0KeAUF3rNf0-_pEEFCzfZVvbSYrGLcEGf_UVcD0_uxr2TUQgAH9OnFFiUdmNr2d_wzQ/s400/IMG_3474.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The "bach" Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This title will mean little to you unless you happen to hail from the same part of the world as I. A bach in New Zealand is the name for a small holiday house. Sometimes known in Australia as a shack, in Southern New Zealand they say a crib and I'm sure around the world there are different names for the same thing.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The bach seems to be falling from favour replaced by the multi-bathroom holiday house but nothing will replace the bach in my heart. </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This summer we are staying put here in Melbourne and I feel a little sad. My Christmases and summer holidays were spent as a child on the Kapiti Coast north of Wellington in New Zealand in a bach. A collection of old army huts. One hut was the kitchen and tiny living space ajoined by a covered walkway to the second which housed my parents and our bedroom separated by a curtain. The bathroom was primitive a basin and old shower, and the toilet was a very no frills affair - no flushing toilet here. Rain was collected from the roof for drinking and other water supplied by a pump which frequently broke down and that my father seemed to repair by smacking with a hammer and swearing while being bitten alive by mosquitoes. Fond memories indeed!</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alas alack my family now no longer has a bach but fortunately my partner's family do - in the Marlborough Sounds (pictured above) this too is a one roomed affair - sleeping up to 8 with two sets of bunks and a small fold out couch. It is reached by a nausea inducing drive on windy gravel roads (sometimes the topography of Australia is sheer relief).</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What on earth has all this to do with garden design you may well ask but my summers at our bach was my introduction to the world of plants. I remember the plants so clearly - their location and their contribution to my world.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was the red salvia next to the sandpit which we greedily sucked the nectar from. The lemon tree fuelled by horse manure. The walnut tree that was somewhat stunted by unsuitable sandy soil but was a lovely shady retreat and where I hung my hammock that I received for Christmas one year (but was plagued by aforementioned mozzies). The feijoa hedge (pineapple guava) which was not terribly good at fruiting but we nibbled on the delicious flower petals. The dreaded pampas grass which we delighted to play in despite it cutting us to shreds every time. My father's broad beans which were never picked early enough and we ate with some despair. The wattle tree which had sticky sap and brush like lemon flowers and cracking seed pods - all good for various games of imagination. The lupins with their yellow flowers. The poplar trees in the "dell" where my father pointed out to me a fairy's house - an upturned birds nest with a mushroom for a chimney (this lives in my memory but what is real and what is imagination I can no longer tell).</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now when we retreat we head to D's family bach. He has similar summer memories although I think plants feature less prominently for him - the land had previously been farmland and grass and gorse were the main features. Not so now - ironically due to the land being used for forestry - the protection these trees has afforded has allowed the native bush to regenerate in pockets and so with the return of the bush has been the return of the birds.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So with that thought of regeneration I wish you all a very Happy New Year for 2010 - thank you for visiting and for your thoughtful comments that raise my spirits all year round.</span><br />
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</div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-56103488361150386892009-11-23T18:53:00.000-08:002009-11-23T18:55:49.877-08:00Clinging and Creeping<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK2MSVnc4uL0ykm0VHc1uEei138hJx91GcEz7kB6HnndoTqFKBen408ojuqYaAQ7Vu-qR_2ERPjp9OWikVlNeRGD4TWn3W3eE7cS0-sRXGn9-tVPJKbPvufpAzLVA_QXwS0YLPsstdC8X/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK2MSVnc4uL0ykm0VHc1uEei138hJx91GcEz7kB6HnndoTqFKBen408ojuqYaAQ7Vu-qR_2ERPjp9OWikVlNeRGD4TWn3W3eE7cS0-sRXGn9-tVPJKbPvufpAzLVA_QXwS0YLPsstdC8X/s400/IMG_3963.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was lucky enough a few weeks ago to take a little jaunt out to Daylesford a small spa town west of Melbourne. A lovely 24 hour escape from the usual hurly burly of life with a good friend. While I was there I came across these very well thought out fixings for climbers which complement the canopies and masonry structure of the buildings beautifully. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm always delighted when I find something that is so well thought out ... the metal rods not only sit around the top of the canopies but are tucked within the masonry meaning that in time the plant can be trained (in the case of the rose) or will creep naturally along indents in the masonry.</span></span> <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It also is a good reminder that very little space is needed to plant something wonderful ... the planting spaces cut into the pavement were barely more than 10 x 10cm square. I'm sure someone is a dedicated waterer but still ...<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in Melbourne I came across this climber in the courtyard of a cafe. And yes it is creeping up the frame of an old inner sprung mattress.</span> <br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZot0CyJnUM-z1YiRMA7rVohJJmJIoN_XOJiHUi4Va1_85uLEnBgeulCztLSwNE-mMyMnoqwDU29fSqCp5-fJMc_1aqDfOPEckuaM2U0Fjfy_HkwQdn4aC9lAIj_UFYNBwJRGBEoYx8wh2/s1600/Milo's+Footy+April+2009+010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZot0CyJnUM-z1YiRMA7rVohJJmJIoN_XOJiHUi4Va1_85uLEnBgeulCztLSwNE-mMyMnoqwDU29fSqCp5-fJMc_1aqDfOPEckuaM2U0Fjfy_HkwQdn4aC9lAIj_UFYNBwJRGBEoYx8wh2/s400/Milo's+Footy+April+2009+010.jpg" /></a> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Also in Melbourne simple but effective - reinforcing mesh mounted on a brick wall.</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittq8s-EfH-jEgkHlDeAF4jiUWBsMFpYVXBeZaTMOVPHSLDFW-MFauo15jr0XxvSK0RMLYGGR5_M6Y57tH5rfaOBwkaLI0_KWFeFdyFSD1Klur0vYoo0cLjolLGJ03z1OhVS2qoBBig_Fp/s400/IMG_3967.JPG" /><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And earlier in the season just around the corner from where I live my very favourite wisteria vine.</span><br />
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</div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-68858968725797437552009-10-02T20:51:00.000-07:002009-10-02T20:52:33.512-07:00Natural Wonders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3iJ4wmLwruYots8aEZanJmHZITh21L6A58gzCX0IMO88mME5MFynmzPUB6QqTYDI1G2oRioyk3RugRZskyrFS94uY2VUHHUUUS25OVdW19bFhj5FB0IfWAa-94YPDddScpYWONUuSfNg/s1600-h/IMG_3886-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3iJ4wmLwruYots8aEZanJmHZITh21L6A58gzCX0IMO88mME5MFynmzPUB6QqTYDI1G2oRioyk3RugRZskyrFS94uY2VUHHUUUS25OVdW19bFhj5FB0IfWAa-94YPDddScpYWONUuSfNg/s320/IMG_3886-1.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Flowering Grass Trees, September 2009 Wilsons Promontory National Park<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've just returned from a family expedition to Wilsons Promontory - at the very southern most point of Victoria. We stayed close by to Wilsons Promontory National Park and made a day outing to the park.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During last year's fires a large portion of the park was decimated by fire which started from lightning strike.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like many things in life it is often when they are taken from us that we appreciate them all the more. The most amazing regeneration is taking place in the park. One of the most spectacular is the flowering of the grass trees. This is most likely to take place after fire and while they send up there flowering spikes (usually brown) it is often only after fire that they flower prolifically. And in fact in areas protected from fire they are unlikely to regenerate without these conditions (<a href="http://www.rswa.org.au/content/work/journals/PDF/83%281%29/83%281%29ward.pdf">Ward & Lamont</a>)</span></span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The beauty of the regenerating landscape is quite astounding. In this area of the park from what I could tell the flora was primarily Coastal Banksias and Grass Trees. The Banksias are shadows (however the fire has opened their seed pods and they will regenerate) with the Grass Trees taking centre stage with the magnificent background of the granitic peaks. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Further on stands of eucalypts were regenerating in their rather magnificent fashion of shooting out from the trunks and larger branches making them look as if they were covered in creepers - I haven't a photo here as there is only so many times you can make the whole family stop while you take photos of your niche interest! However the <a href="http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/3promfire.cfm">Wilson's Promontory Parks website</a> has photos of the regeneration which are very interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the Tidal River camping ground the main flora was stands of tea tree (immersed in water in swampy ground). Aaah nature - you are the best designer of all.</span><br />
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</span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-31239701003376688232009-09-09T20:18:00.000-07:002009-09-09T20:19:46.767-07:00Vertical Web Wanderings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Upy69keOK3lZyq8i9aSkn8VPuL2aIR2YFxSLqXgotzWuuLcZzswE6SrZp0KZoSxbnL3RxfQDbPWDLqS7MFwKlaYZImw2rU86AdmM9mB3FACRzCnENNoMv8KjcvlMSCO3rr7kzFLn8sS/s1600-h/Wooly+flora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd6Upy69keOK3lZyq8i9aSkn8VPuL2aIR2YFxSLqXgotzWuuLcZzswE6SrZp0KZoSxbnL3RxfQDbPWDLqS7MFwKlaYZImw2rU86AdmM9mB3FACRzCnENNoMv8KjcvlMSCO3rr7kzFLn8sS/s400/Wooly+flora.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Vertical Display at Flora Grubb<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The thing I love about the Web is that it opens my world to many things that would otherwise simply be out of my physical reach. One of these is the San Francisco based <a href="http://www.floragrubb.com/idx/index.php">Flora Grubb Garden Store</a>. They seem to have the most gorgeous displays of plants and garden accessories. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my current favourites that they have on display is something called <a href="http://www.woollypocket.com/">"Wooly Pockets"</a> not the best name you would agree but seemingly a rather delightful low investment vertical garden. Designed as a simple modular system for creating a vertical garden for inside (waterproof) or outside. Even better they are made from recycled plastic bottles which has to be a good thing. </span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Other vertical delights featured at Flora Grubb include those using </span><a href="http://www.floragrubb.com/newsletterArchive/index.php?id=23" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">succulents</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and a fantastic use of </span><a href="http://www.floragrubb.com/newsletterArchive/index.php?id=20" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tilandsias</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. I highly recommend you hop over there for a look whichever way is possible (physical or metaphysical).</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIo05CM3sGL2m36OELD14sQRym79GMtS3exR3DJaVleq3i349nIHoSX84_CjvmCsfWhM1t2JmamLB9YgUgh3kqAsVvsMORMJg8T3PZqR0NfDzapiWy8DgR_D2pBh2w4Dm_2-0g_mPBpWU/s1600-h/Wooly+Pockets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIo05CM3sGL2m36OELD14sQRym79GMtS3exR3DJaVleq3i349nIHoSX84_CjvmCsfWhM1t2JmamLB9YgUgh3kqAsVvsMORMJg8T3PZqR0NfDzapiWy8DgR_D2pBh2w4Dm_2-0g_mPBpWU/s400/Wooly+Pockets.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogCq3q6WitfL8X7Ok4U4t44Tm05eDX99H-unTUW2Y3Pz614k5OW1bBY4anuSe-c9ShJtYZUc393k5mRzeYU7EWy33vHow5vY_UAFOwCiJlDRbJIPMvUA0QEvEQvSg7NRNLMvXmKbk6Wxm/s1600-h/wooly+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogCq3q6WitfL8X7Ok4U4t44Tm05eDX99H-unTUW2Y3Pz614k5OW1bBY4anuSe-c9ShJtYZUc393k5mRzeYU7EWy33vHow5vY_UAFOwCiJlDRbJIPMvUA0QEvEQvSg7NRNLMvXmKbk6Wxm/s320/wooly+3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpGwqlDBOkGP8FpJe0ySTk5Iv0H2fcf4UUp6lErFpslZtAFVn3rX8Un6lnuJwwzZESNEDwVmRSC_eblXb2T_TNDDyG7IFyy8pHyReSeNZYU0mCUuSLY30Vpaa-Ynw97vbad7x3L1Ask7/s1600-h/Wooly+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpGwqlDBOkGP8FpJe0ySTk5Iv0H2fcf4UUp6lErFpslZtAFVn3rX8Un6lnuJwwzZESNEDwVmRSC_eblXb2T_TNDDyG7IFyy8pHyReSeNZYU0mCUuSLY30Vpaa-Ynw97vbad7x3L1Ask7/s400/Wooly+4.jpg" /></a></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-63983302112514024572009-08-29T00:44:00.000-07:002009-08-30T18:57:43.275-07:00Dreaming of Water<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zQCt2C2jcB9u6OaqtcEXkXudvgrOLDECZf0VsaZU6Hj5zBl9clmeDnxN8xjVRq5VdRB4hdjwBwFPAjR8Mcc1NgqmyuY3lYbRNLUvoJDOwzbwmv9LkgqoYZY45mQ9jniKZI3NpNJaXxVf/s1600-h/RBG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zQCt2C2jcB9u6OaqtcEXkXudvgrOLDECZf0VsaZU6Hj5zBl9clmeDnxN8xjVRq5VdRB4hdjwBwFPAjR8Mcc1NgqmyuY3lYbRNLUvoJDOwzbwmv9LkgqoYZY45mQ9jniKZI3NpNJaXxVf/s400/RBG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375935166982298114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A couple of weekends ago I walked around the <a href="http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/rbg_melbourne">Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens</a> for the first time in quite some time. I was devastated by the impact of drought on these gardens - the gardens used to be a local haunt for me. I spent many happy afternoons there when my son was a baby, sitting on a rug beneath a tree or strolling around. In those days the ornamental lake was brimming with water the tree canopy and undergrowth was thick and lush. No longer. The gardens are a shadow of their former selves. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />A Botanic garden is a very difficult thing to maintain in drought years - many of the plants are exotic specimens that require greater quantities of rainfall than Melbourne - even in years prior to water restrictions could naturally supply. In average rainfall years this extra water could be delivered artificially but no longer. Even the indigenous plants seem to have suffered - the canopies of the eucalypts have noticeably thinned.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Clearly efforts are being made to renew and replace plantings to cope for these restrictions but the structure and form of the garden has been created over decades and it is impossible to recreate this in a few years.<br /><br />So it was with a fairly heavy heart that I left the garden and strolled onwards to the <a href="http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvinternational/">National Gallery of Victoria </a>to take a peek at the sculpture garden.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had glimpsed on the NGV website a picture of a marvellous bamboo sculpture rather ironically created to invoke the idea of a rushing, torrent of a waterfall.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi1kF-riTN3lq-ulxLFzNZGsOFUqYu_LhYt_Stu769fGA30oplQ7gt-uN3fPU6PdX0I-YA7yqOGEMU-K0Zbqg6ndXjDCwkp5AzCimG1JH-RCQZMlaVWzMFLMJWLAZLN1k6P9egjFkOSUw/s1600-h/sculpture1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi1kF-riTN3lq-ulxLFzNZGsOFUqYu_LhYt_Stu769fGA30oplQ7gt-uN3fPU6PdX0I-YA7yqOGEMU-K0Zbqg6ndXjDCwkp5AzCimG1JH-RCQZMlaVWzMFLMJWLAZLN1k6P9egjFkOSUw/s400/sculpture1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375935178639733010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Five Elements" by Master Tetsunori Kawana<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9hSUEmxhCt9Igr1w99t2MWJUyny3BzmawCZBiOtwRdDN-6yrfG_cSkC2CIqB9UBLqPmRPKBGhEALrAUp6_8VFz9TcDL3tsNeCjqKNV01wwNlIyqpe7K_hIaQDSGJc1SDs1UDnRMJV9eK/s1600-h/sculpture2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9hSUEmxhCt9Igr1w99t2MWJUyny3BzmawCZBiOtwRdDN-6yrfG_cSkC2CIqB9UBLqPmRPKBGhEALrAUp6_8VFz9TcDL3tsNeCjqKNV01wwNlIyqpe7K_hIaQDSGJc1SDs1UDnRMJV9eK/s400/sculpture2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375937126258432210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The sculpture entitled </span><em face="trebuchet ms">Five Elements – Water </em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">is created by Master Tetsunori Kawana. Master Kawana has been creating these sculptures for more than 30 years. He has travelled the world to create bamboo installations of a spectacular scale unseen in the related traditional practice of Ikebana. His</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> creation is a unique bamboo sculpture made from hundreds of seven-metre lengths of Madake bamboo, many split into thinner reeds for flexible construction. Rather a wonderful construction but I'm still yearning for the real thing in these thirsty times.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3E9BRPkxQx6n1hsLK02VZ7B0-TKZP7t0gm9v6N6fdVGXb_gTC0o8Sb_jbKAJk4THqHpY9zlHDCJwfkYpykjtbmlhr7qsBcpEu2CmIRv0Mtz37ELM-pSO385dIxpO3SI-Yx7cwx_q3U_T/s1600-h/sculpture3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3E9BRPkxQx6n1hsLK02VZ7B0-TKZP7t0gm9v6N6fdVGXb_gTC0o8Sb_jbKAJk4THqHpY9zlHDCJwfkYpykjtbmlhr7qsBcpEu2CmIRv0Mtz37ELM-pSO385dIxpO3SI-Yx7cwx_q3U_T/s400/sculpture3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375938110932113186" border="0" /></a>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-22574978015664978552009-07-23T01:26:00.000-07:002009-07-25T03:35:59.435-07:00Garden in the Sky - New York "High Line"<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nblfuQxhyphenhyphenoNH0kvALa8uSn9rkf7q4MyV0ZHflvOyvxv4KGhlSI2DwddZSq7eOhsUvQhdZBN6Ky0jhDyWz29ZWcTq08blGtKDJYtacS6wYNNu63GKto8MRVAy0XxVeD2oAP72ssnnDQ_T/s1600-h/Renee's-shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nblfuQxhyphenhyphenoNH0kvALa8uSn9rkf7q4MyV0ZHflvOyvxv4KGhlSI2DwddZSq7eOhsUvQhdZBN6Ky0jhDyWz29ZWcTq08blGtKDJYtacS6wYNNu63GKto8MRVAy0XxVeD2oAP72ssnnDQ_T/s400/Renee's-shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361885050752996738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Strolling the New York "High Line"<br /></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The minute an email landed in my inbox featuring the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.thehighline.org/">New York "High Line"</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I knew I just had to write a little about it on my blog. I love a public garden and especially and innovative one which makes use of disused space. What better than a disused railway line above the city. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I remember a similar thing in Paris. But this looks magnificent - I particularly love the design which reflects it's previous use and the incorporation of the old railway line in the design. Should I ever return to New York it will be high on my list of must sees.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just emailed a friend who lives in that fine city and she tells me that the park is only two blocks from her home and that she feels like a part of the city has been reclaimed just for her - what finer praise could a public park receive.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="img-right"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQksfZe5zyeaEzE0Iq3UGRRgdnb0q3-LuNDS3a-IKShrQfMpTDcKJ7A_VTSVe3TScvzPpBS0aTH1MmF0j9KrFrmJtyQEayGlUz3OAO3xvvmQc76OF1-kinFF1O2Dy8NjHlhFaLJ4LsOFIT/s1600-h/detail+srr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQksfZe5zyeaEzE0Iq3UGRRgdnb0q3-LuNDS3a-IKShrQfMpTDcKJ7A_VTSVe3TScvzPpBS0aTH1MmF0j9KrFrmJtyQEayGlUz3OAO3xvvmQc76OF1-kinFF1O2Dy8NjHlhFaLJ4LsOFIT/s400/detail+srr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361889777784608290" border="0" /></a></div><!-- img-right --><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Never did Railway Tracks look so good!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIg_R-qNOVxVJl6tpQFkpTWTliGlTAqu-p_I3PkiMbPe7IEUeAFSPNiRi8Zb69DOL1o0KCGb4EAOBtMwygfcG5CV4YeX7Zz_iRfbHk6QavJmPTh02t3A6x5homBtXTyRpMVGYJdLVxnGd/s1600-h/planting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIg_R-qNOVxVJl6tpQFkpTWTliGlTAqu-p_I3PkiMbPe7IEUeAFSPNiRi8Zb69DOL1o0KCGb4EAOBtMwygfcG5CV4YeX7Zz_iRfbHk6QavJmPTh02t3A6x5homBtXTyRpMVGYJdLVxnGd/s400/planting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362343996019203666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan's streets. The first section opened in June this year and when all sections are complete (scheduled for next year), the High Line will be a mile-and-a-half-long elevated park through some of the West Side neighbourhoods.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The landscape is designed by landscape architects </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.fieldoperations.net/" target="_blank">James Corner Field Operations</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, with architects </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.dillerscofidio.com/" target="_blank">Diller Scofidio + Renfro</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, combining meandering concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings.</span> </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnuGr9yKhUuwhlGAto2o9F5uBi0dm-rSiZNKGjwKfKyHzPseh4rytiSx0cVK_RsqSIYqxJLBKhJQ7JDKSs9Gi05DKjkOaMNRgFa5NTl4fApuIoJpOZQp6SsvgONffHYGrBUyF24Oh-DYS/s1600-h/rails+srr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnuGr9yKhUuwhlGAto2o9F5uBi0dm-rSiZNKGjwKfKyHzPseh4rytiSx0cVK_RsqSIYqxJLBKhJQ7JDKSs9Gi05DKjkOaMNRgFa5NTl4fApuIoJpOZQp6SsvgONffHYGrBUyF24Oh-DYS/s400/rails+srr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361889780783328610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEFpArhSKkV5orLwOf42WZnuJfmhemmcaEApBlxsKe3xdNGuGBSthTqBeFDgekfetK2EO3wPsqV6wvXexkNr3de3g4HHuxj0DHrpngdAcYMjXXi5U5xRkVs1cuTsMrHkyJr_jgFU55h7P/s1600-h/benches+srr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEFpArhSKkV5orLwOf42WZnuJfmhemmcaEApBlxsKe3xdNGuGBSthTqBeFDgekfetK2EO3wPsqV6wvXexkNr3de3g4HHuxj0DHrpngdAcYMjXXi5U5xRkVs1cuTsMrHkyJr_jgFU55h7P/s400/benches+srr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361889782947570658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But I shan't write too much about it as you can see for yourself. This <a href="http://indesignlive.com/articles/sustainability/new-york-high-line">link</a> takes you to the article with gorgeous photos I received in my inbox.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZPELSyDM25cfnHryN9RoswULj3hhrtpuwdVzSyIVKYh-jyXV0_MZ3EJhfEGz_VgQPZtrR-aSJoouI5xOWxj7h_cYnCB58rzlDRUDXPNYZ1bodeByQzbEN5MzqQTqfa418Vc0NIyK-5jl/s1600-h/context-map.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZPELSyDM25cfnHryN9RoswULj3hhrtpuwdVzSyIVKYh-jyXV0_MZ3EJhfEGz_VgQPZtrR-aSJoouI5xOWxj7h_cYnCB58rzlDRUDXPNYZ1bodeByQzbEN5MzqQTqfa418Vc0NIyK-5jl/s400/context-map.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361889790620232258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The "High Line" location map</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcvSctG_sujE-HHBr6z_AAhyp3VLmDISyPwJhUuqJ-5mi1WMJKS8uGAP_8SWsMaQrFcMtJXcYQLbkVz-6f4cRVzajUEqON5OhJ623HS-q1DiVVi9Wf5HCdVlTOs7Rep0zJ23SPNTGDpn1/s1600-h/Before-Trans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcvSctG_sujE-HHBr6z_AAhyp3VLmDISyPwJhUuqJ-5mi1WMJKS8uGAP_8SWsMaQrFcMtJXcYQLbkVz-6f4cRVzajUEqON5OhJ623HS-q1DiVVi9Wf5HCdVlTOs7Rep0zJ23SPNTGDpn1/s400/Before-Trans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362324408789532866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before Transformation</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-10141796042633869502009-07-09T03:14:00.000-07:002009-07-09T05:00:40.846-07:00Dali and Restraint<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFO6dYBEPp8hmnKjgpldy-8XhL1WHa70yQ_cRtqpA8lyaM9jDQYQ7vrppb1849h2OEkD7kRIou-GwWCoLwAfVx187d0F8n-2Aq8-JKSqIzzOUg07zrZpj8POCLroR1mzsZ17LxT0XA4AA/s1600-h/dali+heads.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFO6dYBEPp8hmnKjgpldy-8XhL1WHa70yQ_cRtqpA8lyaM9jDQYQ7vrppb1849h2OEkD7kRIou-GwWCoLwAfVx187d0F8n-2Aq8-JKSqIzzOUg07zrZpj8POCLroR1mzsZ17LxT0XA4AA/s400/dali+heads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356427218661652018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dali's sculpture and local plant material<br /></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >This week found me at the <a href="http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/dali/">National Gallery of Victoria's</a> winter masterpiece exhibition on Salvador Dali. I was accompanied on my outing by my mother and my seven year old son. As you can imagine my tour around the gallery was a speedy one. My son was literally hauling me around the gallery following the "ant trail" to various points where there were items selected especially for children.<br /><br />While I probably need to visit again to obtain an adult perspective my brief tour of the exhibition visit brought back to me memories of my trip to Port Lligat in Spain the location of Dali's summer retreat.<br /><br />I started to look through photos and two things became clear. The very distinct building materials of the area and the very distinct plant materials. I probably harp on too much about this but I honestly think limiting plant material and hard landscaping material can only be a good thing particularly when it reflects the local materials. Of course we don't all have such a distinct architectural style to work with but I hope you agree that sometimes there is a great deal to be said for restraint.<br /><br />I know it seems impossibly ridiculous to mention Dali and restraint in the same context but in this case I promise you it is appropriate.<br /><br />The materials of his home are local and his eccentricities on the whole are not on display to the outside world but contained within his walls. With his artists eye he framed the exquisite views through small windows and openings. The garden itself is a series of courtyards mainly inwardly focused. The largest of which containing a long pool reminiscent of the very famous pool at Granada.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBvO2hxz9XmejBiv4By-2Kd6m1OuqtN3co0Mo7WGfMaPVa3_mZr0N0pyCEWzcMwgTwy7YK8vd4r85SRv00Ymq6N286AqUBXcpH7Dyh_tz1_jZ1cXiB4-7MH2l8EJ65rzb2bPwUxO4cmeg/s1600-h/dali+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBvO2hxz9XmejBiv4By-2Kd6m1OuqtN3co0Mo7WGfMaPVa3_mZr0N0pyCEWzcMwgTwy7YK8vd4r85SRv00Ymq6N286AqUBXcpH7Dyh_tz1_jZ1cXiB4-7MH2l8EJ65rzb2bPwUxO4cmeg/s400/dali+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356427212279190690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Courtyard Garden of Dali's Port Lligat home</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br />The main planting material on display in the garden is olive trees. The house and garden are simple, reflective of the local vernacular and yet of course it remains an intensely personal expression. A great artist indeed.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAJ9QzcZbi_XwOtW7wRxV8qq8Pxuk71UbHjwoDU4QYfuSJE5ajo-Vlw-VhzJrLqD5o2lvs4T44WG9ZS8V5squYjNM8MCLxWP5ezKA6cZB1d1DE0j8Phzad0Qu1a4Nwu65Gd4voq-rVEG_/s1600-h/bouganvillea+house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAJ9QzcZbi_XwOtW7wRxV8qq8Pxuk71UbHjwoDU4QYfuSJE5ajo-Vlw-VhzJrLqD5o2lvs4T44WG9ZS8V5squYjNM8MCLxWP5ezKA6cZB1d1DE0j8Phzad0Qu1a4Nwu65Gd4voq-rVEG_/s400/bouganvillea+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356427208566445554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A house built using the local materials<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">PS forgive me my absence. I vow to post more frequently and more briefly so I can maintain the conversation!</span></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-80190865124831206542009-05-03T20:43:00.000-07:002009-05-03T20:50:06.607-07:00Snippets from the Garden Show Part 3<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There is probably plenty more I could write on the 2009 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show but I yearn to get back to the real world of gardens so I thought I'd just post a little slideshow of my images from the show.<br /><br />Please email me or leave a comment if you would like further information on anything you see.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Ftinasudell%2Falbumid%2F5331806768124225777%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div><table style="width: 310px; height: 85px;" class="lhcl_contentarea"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td id="lhid_tray" class="lhcl_tray" style="vertical-align: top;"> <div class="lhcl_sidebox" id="lhid_hostbox"> <table class="lhcl_host"> <tbody><tr> <td class="lhcl_column_left"> <a id="lhid_portraitlink" href="http://picasaweb.google.com/home"> </a><br /></td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td class="lhcl_column_right"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-40704389755199574012009-04-20T18:53:00.000-07:002009-04-22T19:39:00.914-07:00Snippets from the Garden Show Part 2<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKuKYsDKhw7TW1w12GIPCPfGmiUsLnUldjVlX-k4Psaox3_VUsWPzuvHqgwbj3YQfTRCm7yeNBuAAtB-H6a4xBpPmcGN8QfSglumZs3jfoyoaRQfHsYC1ooIzWNEadShSF6x3cOcyWd4L/s1600-h/DT4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKuKYsDKhw7TW1w12GIPCPfGmiUsLnUldjVlX-k4Psaox3_VUsWPzuvHqgwbj3YQfTRCm7yeNBuAAtB-H6a4xBpPmcGN8QfSglumZs3jfoyoaRQfHsYC1ooIzWNEadShSF6x3cOcyWd4L/s400/DT4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327704798709106002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">AQL's "Food for Thought"</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As I review my photos of the show gardens I have been trying to analyse what it is that I find appealing about the following two gardens. I am of the opinion that a garden should create a space in which one feels that the only thing possible to do is surrender to a sense of wellbeing and relaxation. This of course does not necessarily mean falling into the nearest lounging chair with book and glass of wine (or cup of tea) in hand but may mean puttering about pulling weeds. However you achieve it relaxation should be an inevitable result of spending time in the garden.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Some gardens I find are more likely to bring about this state than others.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think the success of the garden below by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.danieltyrrell.com.au/">Daniel Tyrrell</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> is related to its very simple geometry. Of course this only really works in a small or courtyard garden but there are plenty of us with those. Circles. What a great idea. Vertically, horizontally and on different planes. There is also a very narrow use of materials - steel and concrete. The plant palette is focused on texture rather than colour leaving us with delicious greens.</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI8l1y62A6dWrGFhoZpAGiym6d9OV8gru8aZ9IrHzcPRoNB4u9norcm1a5z-gWHjsBPR8wxFfE-DppQs4jJEO6IMDpen7lQIe8Z0gmdEYmuONmtiljWcOrLhawDNTgJWvSX_3Y_KwTrgt/s1600-h/DT1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiI8l1y62A6dWrGFhoZpAGiym6d9OV8gru8aZ9IrHzcPRoNB4u9norcm1a5z-gWHjsBPR8wxFfE-DppQs4jJEO6IMDpen7lQIe8Z0gmdEYmuONmtiljWcOrLhawDNTgJWvSX_3Y_KwTrgt/s400/DT1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327700444585002626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE_pcxgom7XSnrJiNz00LuML01HPFj4QeE57EGO4hNBPuIaFBgXFVUkqyAjKydAEYMzLAGrVYyBM4RPYwkcBqMpq8bu8LIDp1SCUWzwXeuHPIdlSGbG-YJCHQi_m0rQcqrYj_vuapw7kO/s1600-h/DT2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE_pcxgom7XSnrJiNz00LuML01HPFj4QeE57EGO4hNBPuIaFBgXFVUkqyAjKydAEYMzLAGrVYyBM4RPYwkcBqMpq8bu8LIDp1SCUWzwXeuHPIdlSGbG-YJCHQi_m0rQcqrYj_vuapw7kO/s400/DT2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327700068054932114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >I also liked this garden designed by <a href="http://www.aql.net.au/gardenshows.htm">AQL</a>. I think this is also a reflection of the strong geometry and use of colour. In this case I loved the use of the autumnal colours both in the planting, the wine bottle wall, the decking and furniture. The geometry of the design is very strong, the long rectangle of the site mirrored in the long boardwalk and given an upright expression in the strong verticals of the Maples (Acer plantanoides 'Crimson Sentry'). <br /><br />I can't help but thinking they might have seen the work of <a href="http://joost.com.au">Joost Baaker</a> .... imitation being the best form of flattery. Not sure those apples would last long in the Australian heat espaliered against the galvanised water tanks either! Looks lovely though.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswr9lKqu4IZqJ77t8arFyh7WKwuYmy3Tn1eX3iyY4AGmT2a37vh_vcYFNGsu_8m0lqQ-9J8_6m_ekUd0vprab8pYkr468Agsigjn8zhoSDU7MyhP_QNIDYoKP9Z9RjzdmhCgSflk6nMaG/s1600-h/AQL1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswr9lKqu4IZqJ77t8arFyh7WKwuYmy3Tn1eX3iyY4AGmT2a37vh_vcYFNGsu_8m0lqQ-9J8_6m_ekUd0vprab8pYkr468Agsigjn8zhoSDU7MyhP_QNIDYoKP9Z9RjzdmhCgSflk6nMaG/s400/AQL1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705190121976754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimssACQQCI-Xt-_7YFME2zxY6AZJ2vxd1Cq_chDS677tkd2cLEWGoE0ndb67-IVkvXV52S4-IVxn1EejRqQnsaGSo6t3_q7kP3HO4w6H2EGK9KRhbBZ1ivOT6d6GeK_L7jCcqjVlYXO1/s1600-h/DT3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimssACQQCI-Xt-_7YFME2zxY6AZJ2vxd1Cq_chDS677tkd2cLEWGoE0ndb67-IVkvXV52S4-IVxn1EejRqQnsaGSo6t3_q7kP3HO4w6H2EGK9KRhbBZ1ivOT6d6GeK_L7jCcqjVlYXO1/s400/DT3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327704798298477874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9P3Aza80hrPPX_mZtaa_cVeIjDy4SZpCpgK0UTKQ1rJSAIAPthwPpnzkYEZxLTY9_ROV6fYIIlAQzVGXy5PIxpBS5XvoMO0WCJ61J2qm11whfQH0ukqddRdKtGzIpwKGkbdNny76l1TmN/s1600-h/AQL2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9P3Aza80hrPPX_mZtaa_cVeIjDy4SZpCpgK0UTKQ1rJSAIAPthwPpnzkYEZxLTY9_ROV6fYIIlAQzVGXy5PIxpBS5XvoMO0WCJ61J2qm11whfQH0ukqddRdKtGzIpwKGkbdNny76l1TmN/s400/AQL2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327705196118847090" border="0" /></a>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-30093864393289505042009-04-16T21:44:00.000-07:002009-04-16T22:57:44.076-07:00Snippets from the Garden Show Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb29c0uNfyLi98xLyL3HSUJJC4VApU4ePV5QXxqleram2XgZ5EpaWaVLQ27BrzKwJsTYIlMrDfQWIarPIy7rD3db_TBFUEvbu3igTQYs_CuYOpP86RPe23AbRcmEK8lFvSD9kJLLuwyEE/s1600-h/succroofangle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb29c0uNfyLi98xLyL3HSUJJC4VApU4ePV5QXxqleram2XgZ5EpaWaVLQ27BrzKwJsTYIlMrDfQWIarPIy7rD3db_TBFUEvbu3igTQYs_CuYOpP86RPe23AbRcmEK8lFvSD9kJLLuwyEE/s400/succroofangle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325520677248769730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The Succulent Roof" from l to r, Sedum 'Dragon's Blood', Sempervivum CV,<br />Sedum Green Jellybean, Sedum 'Voodoo', Sedum 'Gold Mound'</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >A brief post just to update you on a few things from the 2009 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show - all in all it was a fun day - lucky I went when I did the next day the heavens blessed us with lightning and thunder and pouring rain.<br /><br />A few of my favourite things - as you may know from my posts I'm a little obsessed with green roofs and walls currently so I was drawn to the following two displays;<br /><br />Firstly the succulent roof at the Savewater display .... it was a bit of a cheat all the succulents were planted in trays and placed on the roof of the shed. However it was put together by Melbourne University's Burnley Campus who are researching <a href="http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/green/greenroof.html">green roofs</a> and <a href="http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/green/greenwall.html">green walls</a> and more can be found at their <a href="http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/green/">website</a>.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnhXNBTuwSCUmdnabyXM2pHPFQh2O5aRWJ1-RKedTxM_WO6YEya8tnX3vhh-TZv7gShPYz2lLt7Y6UFZ8fOvuV1d3T5tkZnP2jizVMi6MjFPS536X6hiEma_t7ptZ5XIJPcEQ81IfN_N6/s1600-h/SuccRoof.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnhXNBTuwSCUmdnabyXM2pHPFQh2O5aRWJ1-RKedTxM_WO6YEya8tnX3vhh-TZv7gShPYz2lLt7Y6UFZ8fOvuV1d3T5tkZnP2jizVMi6MjFPS536X6hiEma_t7ptZ5XIJPcEQ81IfN_N6/s400/SuccRoof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325520676954240194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">L to R Sedum Green Jellybean, Sedum 'Voodo', Sedum 'Gold Mound',<br />Sedum Reflexum, Oscularia deltoides, Sedum rubrotinctum, Sedum Green Jellybean<br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsou8p3x2S9WfRtHMJTd-CJ3_RFE3WIMPMcXNEfHd4gSAca7c7W9w6jQCuDgdHdDiJxeDCSfautYLK_iN42TbhUXS_9Mhbvt4TYwiSEzPVZdEuRnrRSt-NqLewEQPFEHKmd5UIChyz9x1t/s1600-h/SuccShed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsou8p3x2S9WfRtHMJTd-CJ3_RFE3WIMPMcXNEfHd4gSAca7c7W9w6jQCuDgdHdDiJxeDCSfautYLK_iN42TbhUXS_9Mhbvt4TYwiSEzPVZdEuRnrRSt-NqLewEQPFEHKmd5UIChyz9x1t/s400/SuccShed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325521274529913506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The second was the wall of Lirope muscari in <a href="http://jdldesign.com.au/">James Dawson's</a> garden inspired by MC Escher's artwork. The wall was very effective but I'm not sure how water wise - the planting material was absolutely sodden. The structure of the wall was supplied by <a href="http://www.fytogreen.com.au/">Fytogreen</a>. </span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i7PfmNpRVgQ4A693_NBy4_sIgnVLoBzFed6Z58pYe_vGaoCYbHrXXKnlYwq9Qivl0kpzIsW3ANMJFE4GXXIa5HXQ7QjjqLiFqw4CqAPkFdsmVz5U-wRyOPPSHv2JlDvpiZJdJswmMfhU/s1600-h/Green+Wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i7PfmNpRVgQ4A693_NBy4_sIgnVLoBzFed6Z58pYe_vGaoCYbHrXXKnlYwq9Qivl0kpzIsW3ANMJFE4GXXIa5HXQ7QjjqLiFqw4CqAPkFdsmVz5U-wRyOPPSHv2JlDvpiZJdJswmMfhU/s400/Green+Wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325528670724160386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Garden designed by <a href="http://www.jdldesign.com.au/">James Dawson</a> inspired by the artwork of MC Escher</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and the vertical wall of Lirope muscari</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More of my picks of the show to follow in my next post.</span></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-20861574885853073862009-03-30T18:54:00.000-07:002009-03-30T23:00:06.257-07:00Garden Design in times of Recession<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JoGWsWSUu9-Cygta2y2aHQA52q77gjQPrnA13_xoM9T2X8GTsRzcKPXvx5IukgRt7N6M2EWVH4tIfaR4sgF4l9xgwgejOwzjCeYEj0xrQtoqD1QXcZdItUjrVOIMMy_EqKGL_0n7mFpF/s1600-h/Greenhouse2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JoGWsWSUu9-Cygta2y2aHQA52q77gjQPrnA13_xoM9T2X8GTsRzcKPXvx5IukgRt7N6M2EWVH4tIfaR4sgF4l9xgwgejOwzjCeYEj0xrQtoqD1QXcZdItUjrVOIMMy_EqKGL_0n7mFpF/s400/Greenhouse2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319224264697290082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"The Greenhouse by Joost" Installation Summer 2008/2009</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More than 5 years ago now I submitted my doorstop of a Masters thesis which analysed the subject matter of garden columns in British newspapers from 1900 - 2000 and examined why their primary focus was on plants and gardening and not on Garden Design. It emerged that over time what had influenced subject matter was socio-economic - a huge influence being World War I and II and the economic privations that occured around them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pre-war, between World War I and II and from 1990 articles on Garden Design became much more prolific. So the question has arisen - now the recession has hit will the trend swing back towards the more practical garden? I think the answer is probably yes. I don't think design will die a complete death but I suspect people will focus more on the design of vegetable gardens, sustainable gardens, permaculture gardens and the like.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prior to our economic dive people were already considering the use of their land based on environmental considerations. Global warming has had an impact on the way people think and here in Australia drought has highly influenced thinking. Even the bushfires have had an effect - people seem to be re-considering what they need in their lives and I would suggest that the thinking that led to the rise of the "outdoor kitchen" is on the wane.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've noted that on free-to-air television we are now down to about one program a week on garden makeovers. The stalwart "Gardening Australia" on ABC remains and this program has always had a very strong gardening and food producing focus as well as looking at design. Newcomers to the block include "Guerrilla Gardeners" but this is about improving our collective environment through garden design as opposed to the individual.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prior to Christmas at Melbourne's Federation Square there was an installation by </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.joost.com.au/">Joost Bakker</a><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.greenhousebyjoost.com/">"The Greenhouse"</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a cafe and bar designed as a temporary construction made entirely from recyclable materials. I think Mr Bakker has hit the nail on the head with his installation as I think it very accurately reflects where many people's thinking is headed not only in terms of less impact on our environment but now also with considerations of budget.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPO4t_KROH4xSxQ1JwwMcZwcDYVGcMVSh9HNuJvsyNHls-qrsARKuBWcc4BbmuarAd-f0HnDBJMcdh9cfz7USL5H1WB6IJfvGSW8T6LNJNyKwpo_Jtm9Jj5M8B4CH90mvqGmOCfHIfNgB/s1600-h/Greenhouse1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPO4t_KROH4xSxQ1JwwMcZwcDYVGcMVSh9HNuJvsyNHls-qrsARKuBWcc4BbmuarAd-f0HnDBJMcdh9cfz7USL5H1WB6IJfvGSW8T6LNJNyKwpo_Jtm9Jj5M8B4CH90mvqGmOCfHIfNgB/s400/Greenhouse1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319224256285713426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Certainly anecdotally I have found a lot of people are installing vege gardens despite the difficulty of water restrictions. I have recently joined the group </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.permablitz.net/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/">"Permablitz"</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> which sees groups of people getting together and providing the labour to turn people's gardens into productive permaculture gardens.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This week from Wednesday is </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.melbflowershow.com.au/index.php?section=1">Melbourne's International Flower and Garden Show</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - while no doubt there will be the usual array of horticultural displays, materials, plants and associated paraphernalia I hope that it will also reflect some of the aforementioned currents. In the past it has addressed drought and water conservation issues. Displays may not be the cutting edge there but they certainly reflect ideas that are catching onto the mainstream. While this is a difficult time for many I do think that adversity is often the mother of creativity. No doubt I shall post my findings.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TWcAxrgvmx_RwTZoYEalE4v_4pcaNns3Nz_EG7CIg8XwunsaABnmHi8v-oN1ccMwR4bZKxoupmIvHUJBcotE2Z3Dh3Atzh4NDrKHk1B443x4U9m0ZkFzlOJEcJDpUuylYq-mDmx2RJST/s1600-h/Chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TWcAxrgvmx_RwTZoYEalE4v_4pcaNns3Nz_EG7CIg8XwunsaABnmHi8v-oN1ccMwR4bZKxoupmIvHUJBcotE2Z3Dh3Atzh4NDrKHk1B443x4U9m0ZkFzlOJEcJDpUuylYq-mDmx2RJST/s400/Chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319225432955059138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Greenhouse Chair</span></span><br /></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-3414400082770439742009-02-11T19:19:00.000-08:002009-02-22T17:15:23.318-08:00Taking the Plunge - Outdoor Furniture Design<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuejSiGAFB0Enh1nCeZRsYhsiUrdVRTv_Ot8oA39-r-gaSfz5nCoqYihK5PrUJK10gXBEj2daNJkbRLOb3VmWzcc864HGS46EGrqOEuPPe2UDm5CTInDAwkN_i1T1NWxeAzLf6HE2Tql5M/s1600-h/red_setting_2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuejSiGAFB0Enh1nCeZRsYhsiUrdVRTv_Ot8oA39-r-gaSfz5nCoqYihK5PrUJK10gXBEj2daNJkbRLOb3VmWzcc864HGS46EGrqOEuPPe2UDm5CTInDAwkN_i1T1NWxeAzLf6HE2Tql5M/s400/red_setting_2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305787913129114402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Tablecloth" my first venture into Outdoor Furniture Design<br /></span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have been thinking a lot of late about outdoor furniture and this is the reason why - I have flung myself into the world of furniture design. It came about by accident really - a chance remark by someone and I began to think about it and then I began to look around at outdoor furniture. There was a lot of it and a lot that looked a lot like all the other furniture - wooden or aluminium and synthetic webbing and a bit of glass here and there. While furniture for interiors is awash with colour and imagination I find that outdoor offerings on the whole are not.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraLBFf9-GhflX66gSb00dJ1f8olKiMFDKN-TLqqG2S2DV_U3dHxcX-JtKJGkJHfUDI3NvD4j0rZSFpIkmj3CTlzWOiFaxglhMZHemqaWCgdjLRJ2nge2qkyCzYBpinF3eSBR1mgRuLl-N/s1600-h/red_detail.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraLBFf9-GhflX66gSb00dJ1f8olKiMFDKN-TLqqG2S2DV_U3dHxcX-JtKJGkJHfUDI3NvD4j0rZSFpIkmj3CTlzWOiFaxglhMZHemqaWCgdjLRJ2nge2qkyCzYBpinF3eSBR1mgRuLl-N/s400/red_detail.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305790044814737666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Tablecloth" - detail</span></span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />So I took the plunge. I know a little bit of madness possessed me but I find I am enjoying myself. So here before you I present a little of my work and a little bit from others who I think do a great job. Some other Australian work and a couple of international pieces which are probably only for those with the deepest pockets. And since I'm self promoting today - you can see more about the furniture and the ideas behind it at <a href="http://www.sudell.com.au/">www.sudell.com.au</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Egjmnq1oFRKT62Jxw83TC2SdinuQIeRnC2HSkzsG6ERxY9tODVqInb-5EB2D28LFyjWkAuSHFhXuEtXjIZ9eWJY0r7CV1AqIk9Rt-dXJqd1cnD8CRUFTYXCoJspsmem9u9WSih1MmYE4/s1600-h/HB-chair-and-table.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Egjmnq1oFRKT62Jxw83TC2SdinuQIeRnC2HSkzsG6ERxY9tODVqInb-5EB2D28LFyjWkAuSHFhXuEtXjIZ9eWJY0r7CV1AqIk9Rt-dXJqd1cnD8CRUFTYXCoJspsmem9u9WSih1MmYE4/s400/HB-chair-and-table.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305789670914350450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This piece is from <a href="http://www.tait.biz/">Tait</a> - an Australian company who produce some great outdoor furniture - all designed and made in Australia. This is there latest offering entitled Jak & Jil.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmWKnryVWSrUYm-rR25He9t-D_hN-ZSvpPdt116aLa5sefQmmdDYHOMEktCaQciEoqn0vXf7efkE58HWCeHGJvQWJZGXTn3bY_VkTn5wXR8A1VdYoZZCY4OFW-muUrKFqttksdCsRNPYO/s1600-h/pebbles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmWKnryVWSrUYm-rR25He9t-D_hN-ZSvpPdt116aLa5sefQmmdDYHOMEktCaQciEoqn0vXf7efkE58HWCeHGJvQWJZGXTn3bY_VkTn5wXR8A1VdYoZZCY4OFW-muUrKFqttksdCsRNPYO/s400/pebbles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304310865803483234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOQo2DHwb3enXCmyuck23kotLF3JlROJ1-ced_C9c7Sn9tC59F7oL01cZQtxG1p1oJXN4wcm3lpmQ1wYcxP0bTUFW6YdcUhaITiAj-qaDlt8Ss13oKcGKSD4yjjoZaOWCkei4z2XF85n7/s1600-h/aura-maldives2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOQo2DHwb3enXCmyuck23kotLF3JlROJ1-ced_C9c7Sn9tC59F7oL01cZQtxG1p1oJXN4wcm3lpmQ1wYcxP0bTUFW6YdcUhaITiAj-qaDlt8Ss13oKcGKSD4yjjoZaOWCkei4z2XF85n7/s400/aura-maldives2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304310868527277362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love these - another Australian design the Aura seating system by <a href="http://www.2design.com.au/">2Design</a>. These pebbles can be bought in this delicious stone effect or illuminated - they're comfy and good looking.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGL4UkJ_-jivobd0TKDbdxtMHwHXT9B__741SU0PS04AUUYBlr6WAViWwXJHdwHesLnyaOEsw6whmjLULulxMgbjPL0B_VjPfAKMJ2Y461N4MWrxD6DOPREkLrVJOiwvm6m0NcxpNPwhc/s1600-h/tropicalia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGL4UkJ_-jivobd0TKDbdxtMHwHXT9B__741SU0PS04AUUYBlr6WAViWwXJHdwHesLnyaOEsw6whmjLULulxMgbjPL0B_VjPfAKMJ2Y461N4MWrxD6DOPREkLrVJOiwvm6m0NcxpNPwhc/s400/tropicalia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304310696262605106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, I had to include some of the international work - Patricia Urquiola designed this "Tropicalia" setting for <a href="http://www.moroso.it/">Moroso</a> - I love the vibrant colour.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_3nZ3Qb8E6T9oj6BpY-BLAgSQymnERMyQ82H5IDeMnUFyYGnYxtbL1J_Rko7tpSqaWNhfKWrdPYgsYriOkxkVUjiml6jNgxji1G1ytyq7KI3oZK9afznFQyQ7Ifihx-ehiInNoDWMOrd/s1600-h/veryround_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_3nZ3Qb8E6T9oj6BpY-BLAgSQymnERMyQ82H5IDeMnUFyYGnYxtbL1J_Rko7tpSqaWNhfKWrdPYgsYriOkxkVUjiml6jNgxji1G1ytyq7KI3oZK9afznFQyQ7Ifihx-ehiInNoDWMOrd/s400/veryround_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304310867582492322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Something a little more restrained in colour (but not design) from Danish designer <a href="http://www.louisecampbell.com/">Louise Campbell.</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-73039665807578208992009-02-01T16:46:00.000-08:002009-02-02T00:40:45.358-08:00Plants that inspire "Time Travel"<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipttdVWBw47JLlGdqSEFKS_voBCXHO13_n34e9a6camp2sZ5quGYH90hAJ2xO0bz25T4Nlig7mt2EfZgN2sr7-zCkx-OEvMo1R7iYmKwDgR5HuTBVnPBfj_MO3jf8Q6wn03MK2uYcQAiDa/s1600-h/Beachscape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipttdVWBw47JLlGdqSEFKS_voBCXHO13_n34e9a6camp2sZ5quGYH90hAJ2xO0bz25T4Nlig7mt2EfZgN2sr7-zCkx-OEvMo1R7iYmKwDgR5HuTBVnPBfj_MO3jf8Q6wn03MK2uYcQAiDa/s400/Beachscape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297996792573764930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The beachscape of my childhood<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />My visit to New Zealand took me back to the botanical landscape of my childhood and this prompted me to contemplate how certain plants can immediately evoke a sense of well being through their connection in my memory to happy days gone by. No need for a time machine, one whiff, one glance, one taste and I am transported to a different time and place.<br /><br />I don't think this an aspect of garden design that is often thought of by professional designers because it is something that is so personal. It is certainly something I think that we recreate in our own gardens - probably often without conscious thought.<br /><br />I certainly vividly recall one day when I was studying design in the UK how one of the other students mentioned their love of of the scent of lilacs because of the memories of summers past that this plant gave her. The lecturer was somewhat scathing of the value of this plant because he felt it's "form" was not desirable. I think he somewhat missed the point. Surely contentment derived from a memory of a plant is of equal value to its look.<br /></span></span></span></div></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For me there is a whole litany of plants that immediately make me feel content many are from summers spent at the beach;<br /><br />My Nana had a beach house (on the Kapiti Coast in the North Island of New Zealand illustrated) located right on the beachfront. The smell of pine immediately transports me to those delicious strolls beneath the pines back to her house from the beach after a swim - salty water dripping from me, the sun on my back, and my bare feet warm in the sand.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6ZbMT4L8wbeM7jh3gQJzhwv7efGVrE92MgPd5esSkP3STDi8fhIAk7jPTDsqlm-VOCRXL4NveQHWeW9ttON9sPBCtOEY31LWwcCZZlad7OKCsv5bAh8a59m-5-KuB8CeiKujz37i1jPS/s1600-h/Yellow+lupin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6ZbMT4L8wbeM7jh3gQJzhwv7efGVrE92MgPd5esSkP3STDi8fhIAk7jPTDsqlm-VOCRXL4NveQHWeW9ttON9sPBCtOEY31LWwcCZZlad7OKCsv5bAh8a59m-5-KuB8CeiKujz37i1jPS/s400/Yellow+lupin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298006425195821858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yellow Lupins in the Sand dunes<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also on summer holidays we used to spend many happy hours in the sand dunes making houses and shops amongst the yellow lupins that grow wild in that area. The lupin bushes provided us places to hide and make cubby houses and the flowers were a multi-purpose device, especially useful when shredded, to be used as money or alternatively an imaginary food source (corn).<br /><br />Certain plants were more tempting to the taste buds.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> When visiting my Nana, we used to make a drink known to us as a "special" - a mixture of lemonade, vanilla ice-cream and mint. We would collect the mint from the garden and then make our delicious concoction and suck the lemonade and icecream from the mint as we consumed our drink. A delicious summer treat.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Somewhere along the way we also discovered that red salvia had the most delicious nectar. It grew next to the sandpit and as we played we would pluck the flowers and suck the nectar from it. Much to my delight my son and I found a bush of this Salvia on the route to his school - so when it is in flower we indulge in the same ritual and I feel delighted that I can share this with him.<br /><br />I could list many other plants that bring back so many happy memories of childhood but am curious to know what plants evoke memories for others. They are almost "time travel" plants so specific to a place and time are they. If you feel like sharing your "time travel" plants please leave a comment.<br /><br /></span></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-20659623069566755252009-01-11T15:27:00.000-08:002009-01-11T15:39:57.376-08:00A New Year<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Hj2HF1IOTDjZxpCFP-JV56i9nFVA9lKKeQ-7ojN-nakrRI4oCfkHcnyGUjTSxvQgbBynCrFO2ovl_yowH479V8ZxYSjg0bLEiYnkRq0qe-7XnH-RpgZEp2_7J4JqrHXBFTMgjzB9mii/s1600-h/IMG_3361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Hj2HF1IOTDjZxpCFP-JV56i9nFVA9lKKeQ-7ojN-nakrRI4oCfkHcnyGUjTSxvQgbBynCrFO2ovl_yowH479V8ZxYSjg0bLEiYnkRq0qe-7XnH-RpgZEp2_7J4JqrHXBFTMgjzB9mii/s400/IMG_3361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290182852647108562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Pohutukawa - the New Zealand Christmas Tree<br />Metrosideros excelsa<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />Happy New Year to all. Forgive the lack of posts but of course in the lower half of the world our Christmas and Summer holidays collide and I have been visiting friends and family in New Zealand. We returned last night to our own beds - all the happier for the fact we had a wonderful time with friends and family and were blessed with sparkling bright days in the sun and sea.<br /><br />In the next week I shall write formally again but for the moment I post a picture of the beautiful New Zealand Christmas tree which flowers prolifically in the North Island of New Zealand at this time of year.<br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-88176249739614195632008-12-08T16:20:00.000-08:002008-12-10T17:31:51.937-08:00Acquisitions from Lambley<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfsmeeSDXvxSdGszp6yVzMs3gDPDSbUCYRxRjZJZZ-Yc6rN0U4AuJ37v6ulrbtUr4KiS6BpubNvgIlE4cnOhEyRpb_kyPRAnEF7paYhwemTt2qMFsxW2X_CeoQo_-7HcYEJr2uggc8eGx/s1600-h/Echinops+ritro+Veitchs+Blue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfsmeeSDXvxSdGszp6yVzMs3gDPDSbUCYRxRjZJZZ-Yc6rN0U4AuJ37v6ulrbtUr4KiS6BpubNvgIlE4cnOhEyRpb_kyPRAnEF7paYhwemTt2qMFsxW2X_CeoQo_-7HcYEJr2uggc8eGx/s400/Echinops+ritro+Veitchs+Blue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277581983076408146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue'</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How likely was it that I would leave Lambley without a little clutch of plants in hand? Very unlikely is of course the answer. At least these days I am a little more restrained. I had thought about what I would like prior to arriving so that I could resist the siren song of other plants who wish to tempt me with their promise of beautiful bloom, foliage or scent.<br /><br />So I thought I'd share with you my acquisitions and their companions that they will meet in my tiny front garden.<br /><br />My son chose Kniphofia "Ascot Lemon" which by a small miracle fitted in with my plans - if you've ever tried to dissuade a 7 year old from his line of thinking you will know what a relief this is. He has no interest in my plans for the garden and on the way to school was gasping at the sheer beauty of a garish gladioli the other day - not one of my favourite garden plants, I confess. I hurried him past.<br /><br />But back to my acquisitions; I managed to get my hands on a single plant of Echinops ritro 'Veitch's blue' (above) which as quickly as it appears in the catalogue is gone. You can see why, I hope it thrives in my garden.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My other choices were:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIjuzUrApmCrNPhuqWgrhK5g7tcohSKsvo34NWYQNKsz5lQkMvxaA7_6EAlAOyuJm0NCFtBj71Dn9s7ovZ0wYtOimG-D1efM0qcisVnx97o28TiWYAM3z5OtwTZguhK8cRunwDLM3KJek/s1600-h/Lambley+acquis+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIjuzUrApmCrNPhuqWgrhK5g7tcohSKsvo34NWYQNKsz5lQkMvxaA7_6EAlAOyuJm0NCFtBj71Dn9s7ovZ0wYtOimG-D1efM0qcisVnx97o28TiWYAM3z5OtwTZguhK8cRunwDLM3KJek/s400/Lambley+acquis+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277583725331960482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To go with my existing plants which include:<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAhvJG44eFBL3frgqCaEvJRKOD0LSzroPPtbxHkooqOD0_8anpqaudJcEQXvtxJdWYAO1st2IzmRHgpr_7MzoxBggGfO9PrjAcWOCSTHMx1v9MgcUIrpc6rWiAa4mY47E85BW_98RToAi/s1600-h/Existing+Plants+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAhvJG44eFBL3frgqCaEvJRKOD0LSzroPPtbxHkooqOD0_8anpqaudJcEQXvtxJdWYAO1st2IzmRHgpr_7MzoxBggGfO9PrjAcWOCSTHMx1v9MgcUIrpc6rWiAa4mY47E85BW_98RToAi/s400/Existing+Plants+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278336183644491874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The tall and feathery - clockwise from L to R Urginea maritima (Sea squill), Stipa gigantea, Perovskia 'Filigrin'<br />and Verbascum olympicum<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Iy3H2LMCPaGlDBxHP7yCP9FTBGu7z45l856SSaVhFboI5qYPCgnuAhp-XVE3P5RqVnkBAF0Mcu8LuEx6_v57sCVgOckhqAvmYP07aG4l4tMNTmFtGf8BtZvzdXTBVA84iFnd82vQuLf/s1600-h/Shrubby+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Iy3H2LMCPaGlDBxHP7yCP9FTBGu7z45l856SSaVhFboI5qYPCgnuAhp-XVE3P5RqVnkBAF0Mcu8LuEx6_v57sCVgOckhqAvmYP07aG4l4tMNTmFtGf8BtZvzdXTBVA84iFnd82vQuLf/s400/Shrubby+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278336188178366290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The shrubby and the strappy - clockwise from L to R Hemerocallis Stella D'oro, Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Nana',<br />Agapanthus 'Snow Storm' and Euphorbia griffithii<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br />And beneath those my ground hugging friends:</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHDAWueCNo9ureX-dPGbQOww3EMhlYJnFPvzNRxoMd1_eQbY07KAkdLhiBiU3sujMpGmEjeNLk1FpsblWVsd3C_370OaVTnsmR9Diyq7WJvCIXDj5nAE16a4uSnBxjz_lnL0kBRRm1F-M/s1600-h/Groundcover+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHDAWueCNo9ureX-dPGbQOww3EMhlYJnFPvzNRxoMd1_eQbY07KAkdLhiBiU3sujMpGmEjeNLk1FpsblWVsd3C_370OaVTnsmR9Diyq7WJvCIXDj5nAE16a4uSnBxjz_lnL0kBRRm1F-M/s400/Groundcover+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278331748657209634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Groundcovers - clockwise from L to R convolvulus sabatius, the silky soft artemisia<br />pedemontana and natives Wahlenbergia communis and Brachyscome multifida</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At this stage all my plants are immature so I have not included photos of my own plot, so now it is a waiting game .... I shall report on developments.</span></span><br /></div></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-50347876860911545442008-11-26T19:54:00.000-08:002008-11-30T02:03:49.594-08:00Garden Bliss<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEwDocGs1aqDSxv9uod3mKvLaoP9hWH_AM-xT6NuYGh5vcdfkYuxO7h5-c50jYb9BGublyxk8sPe_DxfhTH83rveivGd9LE3bbBxj4kyTk8yA2g1PAEUS_i40CS54RK8HgvQYozPly_uy/s1600-h/Salvia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEwDocGs1aqDSxv9uod3mKvLaoP9hWH_AM-xT6NuYGh5vcdfkYuxO7h5-c50jYb9BGublyxk8sPe_DxfhTH83rveivGd9LE3bbBxj4kyTk8yA2g1PAEUS_i40CS54RK8HgvQYozPly_uy/s400/Salvia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273663962572492930" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >An olive underplanted with Salvia Nemorosa 'Blauhugel' (syn.S. 'Blue Hills'), the spires of<br />Acanthus mollis in the background</span><br /></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >We’ve had a week of insane weather – last Saturday I awoke to rain, hail and wind and winter temperatures but by Tuesday we were back to fine spring weather and as my Mum was visiting from <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">New Zealand</st1:country-region></st1:place> I decided that we’d take a little family jaunt out to <a href="http://www.lambley.com.au/">Lambley Nursery</a> and Gardens.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >So we packed a picnic and ourselves into the car and headed off.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I've been having a very hectic time of late and I couldn't have made a better decision.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">The day as you can see was perfect, the garden sparkling and there were only a few people about.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">My son made friends with Jedda the Labrador dog (picnic lunch nevers goes astray in making friends with a lab) and they both lounged beneath a cherry tree while Mum and I explored the gardens.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I not only take my hat off to David Glenn his wife the artist <a href="http://www.metro5gallery.com.au/artistcanning.htm">Criss Canning</a> and the nursery staff but deliver them a low sweeping bow. How they maintain such a magnificent garden in such trying conditions is quite beyond me. The garden and nursery are located on the Western Plains of Victoria where the climate is by any estimation harsh. Strong winds, heavy frosts, searing heat - all are factors at various times of the year. And yet the plants thrive through all of this while receiving only three to four (deep) waterings a year.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Of course the plant selection is masterful. The plants on offer are great performers in difficult conditions. This is not always so of plants I have sourced. There is nothing worse than buying a plant or plants which one believes to be suitable to certain conditions to find that it will in fact only perform well when molly coddled within an inch of its (or your) life. "Good doers" is what most of us require in a plant but in our dreams the doers are magnificent, beautiful and breath taking and this is what Lambley provides.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Plant selection is assisted through David Glenn's concise descriptions in the catalogue and on plant labels. He gives the most useful information not only about colour but plant form, soil requirements and drought tolerance.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />But back to the wonderful the garden - the garden is contained by a tall hedge and structure is provided by this and judicially placed olives and cypress trees. At this time of year the garden's colour palette is awash in blues and purple tones with large blocks of salvias, lavender and globular heads of alliums. Contrasting tones of yellow and silver are also a prominent feature.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the most interesting things I find about the garden is the skillful plant combinations. During our visit I found a couple of plants which individually did not have much appeal for me but in combination with others their appeal was vastly boosted. Usually I find for me this works in reverse I can be sucked in the by appeal of an individual plant but find that unless I have the right visual companions the individual beauty is diminished. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebdaKt8wtZhUzm87SjIzCEQqT6wXbvul7GIoKGHUCdhe42oIodnBLuNdkPmmZRhzMnK66TBckc8GQaTAN6M_8JMFxqxLkpGt6oC9AZK6Tj4gItTA9RjsuK_m9Tqf2QCEtQUiHzOHl5S1r/s1600-h/Ixia&friends+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebdaKt8wtZhUzm87SjIzCEQqT6wXbvul7GIoKGHUCdhe42oIodnBLuNdkPmmZRhzMnK66TBckc8GQaTAN6M_8JMFxqxLkpGt6oC9AZK6Tj4gItTA9RjsuK_m9Tqf2QCEtQUiHzOHl5S1r/s400/Ixia&friends+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274324504957312226" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ixia amethystina</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and with the exquisite Yucca rostrata, Salvia nemorosa ssp tesquiccola and Allium</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As in many parts of my life I need to learn to suspend judgement. In this example I found the colour of this plant quite jarring and almost unnatural. I was about to dismiss it but when I walked around and viewed it from another angle I found it had a very worthwhile contribution to make to a grouping. As illustrated the complimentary and contrasting forms and colours worked beautifully. I think I've said before this whole plant combination lark can be very challenging - an artist's eye like Criss Canning's is helpful.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">An on that note I shall say no more but let the pictures do the talking. Except to say that David Glenn's garden notes on the Lambley website are worth a look for more detailed information.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLIME3hUB1w2TBeN1TYjX6nYFjaK5jg1oPSXjVjG1o_OFA25FBtfNaFjAtjmf4xhAGt49zPZNOIDMy28kjK75FfZiX06iK2gg5gIpOv0lf35ziSMXBS6fRB3UYs7UtybPDLw20ewQJXRU/s1600-h/Dry+Garden+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLIME3hUB1w2TBeN1TYjX6nYFjaK5jg1oPSXjVjG1o_OFA25FBtfNaFjAtjmf4xhAGt49zPZNOIDMy28kjK75FfZiX06iK2gg5gIpOv0lf35ziSMXBS6fRB3UYs7UtybPDLw20ewQJXRU/s400/Dry+Garden+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273181833307570754" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzWV2EcwgGeLYRLpqzl5wwZQCwDD6hPoSJbH7w0IKDJvFNRvZ5_RVioeFbvB7RT1QGbryDSKcDh2cUxfFYTCATpDHBjFPwKeYrozn8hRtvmnrHW-rWomcEgGW9xk9hqrUDSI7skSV20jw/s1600-h/Dry+Garden+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzWV2EcwgGeLYRLpqzl5wwZQCwDD6hPoSJbH7w0IKDJvFNRvZ5_RVioeFbvB7RT1QGbryDSKcDh2cUxfFYTCATpDHBjFPwKeYrozn8hRtvmnrHW-rWomcEgGW9xk9hqrUDSI7skSV20jw/s400/Dry+Garden+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273184280483171746" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjWxjXXeIv4P-KL4e5YK2iv-5ZvEO7Zo5AhDQ1l4aFfe2QuGx0il3FzI99DtIQexvRIGSB7FXpSaK_kJsg9bYSUqi9Q5JxKMYqgJ1uLJsWXFmtw2iuGd343ErUKhRi0NlWmjEktuvdj_q/s1600-h/artichoke&acanthus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjWxjXXeIv4P-KL4e5YK2iv-5ZvEO7Zo5AhDQ1l4aFfe2QuGx0il3FzI99DtIQexvRIGSB7FXpSaK_kJsg9bYSUqi9Q5JxKMYqgJ1uLJsWXFmtw2iuGd343ErUKhRi0NlWmjEktuvdj_q/s400/artichoke&acanthus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274341484178956338" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cynara scolymus 'Romanesco' Purple Globe Artichoke, Lupinus lonifolius to the right and<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Acanthus mollis at the rear</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPYIloW1modvPRc76hnqCeDkXk2cvIs5umby_oEF-fEDxL2vrjGaGZPfhflgqnV987w6s6bEaFLDLcQ8KIPsZwTTW9w4kdvmz0trqM9xtbgUJxHWadR8HllYQw3Wl-_U-b8KEKALwnfaF/s1600-h/red+agave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPYIloW1modvPRc76hnqCeDkXk2cvIs5umby_oEF-fEDxL2vrjGaGZPfhflgqnV987w6s6bEaFLDLcQ8KIPsZwTTW9w4kdvmz0trqM9xtbgUJxHWadR8HllYQw3Wl-_U-b8KEKALwnfaF/s400/red+agave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274370362555676370" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Amongst others the remarkable red spires of Beschorneria septentrionalis or False Red Agave</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNQY1oEtj-XJTmxJf8QuoOXdo5BPxnpDyRy05CUPYKDA_K8Ff0-UZEACY-pdKrfXdKwjJbwqLod86tSznas-EBum-3sak8XLrBCpK58cxcWL_62vf2hNQv9cB6JPKB1WAggeXfWQt4Uij/s1600-h/Mauve.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNQY1oEtj-XJTmxJf8QuoOXdo5BPxnpDyRy05CUPYKDA_K8Ff0-UZEACY-pdKrfXdKwjJbwqLod86tSznas-EBum-3sak8XLrBCpK58cxcWL_62vf2hNQv9cB6JPKB1WAggeXfWQt4Uij/s400/Mauve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273671653959892290" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Salvia sclarea</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> collected in the </span></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Taurus mountains in Turkey - "to my mind the best of its race" David Glenn</span><br /></p>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-4698161137987825612008-11-04T14:42:00.000-08:002008-11-04T16:53:11.896-08:00The Delights of Mail Order<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAcgLuO5tgOKluMnfidb768qevHPuhi7UbfEtP4wRvDdrnLuU5afdoo7mpe80ZR-IAt4WSjD5HJsyLTB4omAzilzjXvf2w_aoPuAGXn7-62ZbXP0ysUSd1HUgNWmWXTC-tTkphKwK2o7/s1600-h/Dry+Garden+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHAcgLuO5tgOKluMnfidb768qevHPuhi7UbfEtP4wRvDdrnLuU5afdoo7mpe80ZR-IAt4WSjD5HJsyLTB4omAzilzjXvf2w_aoPuAGXn7-62ZbXP0ysUSd1HUgNWmWXTC-tTkphKwK2o7/s400/Dry+Garden+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264943078927434962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lambley Dry Garden<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have to admit I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to plant mail order catalogues. Even if I'm not ordering I love to leaf through those catalogues and read up on the virtues of new or newly included plant varieties.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't receive many catalogues and there are only really a couple that get my heart racing but all the same my delight at opening my letterbox and discovering the latest issue has arrived is really quite delicious.<br /><br />I remember when I was in the UK reading an article by Christopher Lloyd on his pleasure at this too. Of course in his case he was ordering vast quantities of seeds for his magnificent "</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/index.htm">Great Dixter</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">". I like to imagine him in a wing tipped armchair with a rug over his knees poring through the catalogues - all a bit Charles Dickens I know but if you've ever visited "</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.greatdixter.co.uk/index.htm">Great Dixter</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">" you'll know why my imagination runs away with me.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My two top poring catalogues here in Australia are the catalogue from </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.lambley.com.au/">Lambley Nursery</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> just outside Ballarat in Victoria and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.diggers.com.au/">The Diggers Club Catalogue</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - which I love because not only do I get a garden plant fix but also a magnificent array of fruit and vegetables which I like to imagine growing in my garden. This unfortunately is not possible due to the size and shady nature of my yard but all the same I can dream.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My poring over catalogues usually does include sneaking off to a quiet corner somewhere cup of tea or coffee in hand and letting my own imagination run away with me. Many of the plants that I coo over are not necessarily terribly fashionable here in Australia at the moment. I've always had a bit of a penchant for large swathes of colourful or textural plants a la </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.oudolf.com/piet-oudolf">Piet Oudolf</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> or </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.ovsla.com/">Oehme and Van Sweden</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I get my fix on this front through the Lambley catalogue.<br /><br />If you're in the Melbourne area the garden itself is worth a visit - how they do what they do in those dry, windswept western plains makes me wonder. What I love about their catalogue is that I know the plants have been tested in the most trying of conditions and if they're grown in the "</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.lambley.com.au/dry.html">Dry Garden</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">" they are incredibly tough and drought tolerant. That is always my complaint with some nursery grown plants that are used to a high level of water and cosseting and expect the same in the average suburban garden - and frankly they're just not going to get it.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjsnRNMRwFRobTWrsuJwiL24jvD02TCPs30q6Ka3_4-Q2RSqKJKKAfHHXSVv9_DTGpWDxmyJwufe2fdidQXSwGraBUlEYT15IJ59sc62bANzZD5o0J17EQ0ELDFvix61mHbNn6JeU_Sld/s1600-h/my+pumpkin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjsnRNMRwFRobTWrsuJwiL24jvD02TCPs30q6Ka3_4-Q2RSqKJKKAfHHXSVv9_DTGpWDxmyJwufe2fdidQXSwGraBUlEYT15IJ59sc62bANzZD5o0J17EQ0ELDFvix61mHbNn6JeU_Sld/s320/my+pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264969507808532162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Our handsome but expensive Halloween Pumpkin<br /><br /></span></span></div><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.diggers.com.au/index.shtm">The Diggers Catalogue</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> always has an interesting array of plants and fruit and vegetables and also includes useful articles. Sometimes I must admit my musings are quite fantastical - for example lately my dreaming has turned to pumpkins - my son has a passion for Halloween and last week I found and paid a ridiculous amount for a large orange pumpkin which the vendor told me was a Canadian pumpkin. An American friend of mine informed me that in the US this is the only type called a pumpkin and that everything else we call pumpkins are in fact what they call squash. I saved the seeds from my magnificent pumpkin with thoughts of planting them but then turned to the catalogue and found such a magnificent array of pumpkin/squash that I had visions of tearing out all the plants in my minute front garden and just having pumpkins rambling everywhere ....</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90jZnFebhKOAd_vFatCaYzbbk-t562UK7ONsQhYScx3JblB7INm2SS_u46l9HQHlOGDyv0ASsC_q-ENKQofJ1cJ_buY240wC1inETDp1HtoSv6qKKrqZvn6H8Co3kPs70NH32-VN-G_Qq/s1600-h/Pumpkin+collage+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90jZnFebhKOAd_vFatCaYzbbk-t562UK7ONsQhYScx3JblB7INm2SS_u46l9HQHlOGDyv0ASsC_q-ENKQofJ1cJ_buY240wC1inETDp1HtoSv6qKKrqZvn6H8Co3kPs70NH32-VN-G_Qq/s400/Pumpkin+collage+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264958315291898754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Some of the pumpkin delights from Digger's Club<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So this is why I love a catalogue because not only does it feed the practical but also the fantastical which sometimes is so much more fun.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />PS If anyone knows of any magnificent catalogues to add to my obsession please let me know!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I also must include this link to a recipe from my friend Bea who lives in Boston and has a rather fantastic food blog called <a href="http://www.latartinegourmande.com/">La Tartine Gourmande</a> - this particular recipe is for </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2008/10/21/curried-winter-squash-soup-red-lentil-coconut-milk-clams/">curried winter squash soup</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and even if you're not much of a cook - her magnificent autumnal photos are worth a look.</span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-35917068565701755912008-10-15T03:20:00.000-07:002008-10-15T04:37:26.133-07:00Vertical Gardens (Part 2)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwknBUZZSn9gxA5D4vFUMAxBWEcZXDumBIlJpNHibB1R1uUcJuvBwWaRualYgiZqtSz2YBcqaTsH0DgbngBbHfjxC6tnasB400zolGWCnL_0V0g3wbUtaWIL6uO2fxcIXPFGCT2leVZWcR/s1600-h/MH_Weekend-Garden_336x218.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwknBUZZSn9gxA5D4vFUMAxBWEcZXDumBIlJpNHibB1R1uUcJuvBwWaRualYgiZqtSz2YBcqaTsH0DgbngBbHfjxC6tnasB400zolGWCnL_0V0g3wbUtaWIL6uO2fxcIXPFGCT2leVZWcR/s400/MH_Weekend-Garden_336x218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257330911099279122" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The succulent vertical garden from the <a href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/gardens_landscapes/articles/live_art">Metropolitan Home </a>article</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The winter blues must have snared me and now it is spring. I'm back. There are good smells in the air. The trees blossom and then send out their beautiful green shoots and the weather warms up. A good time for gardens, a good time for me. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I promised another entry on Vertical Gardens. Recently I visited the Wall at Melbourne Central and was distraught to see that many of the plants had died. Hmmm not a good advertisement for the vertical garden. Why was this I thought to myself, lack of water, lack of nutrients? I don't think lack of light as the plants chosen looked suitable specimens. I had heard that the installation of vertical gardens is difficult and that Patrick Blanc was one of the few who was successful at it but in this case not so. Perhaps not enough had gone into the planning of the maintenance behind the wall. Anyway it alerted me to the difficulty of such a project.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Despite this I have been looking at two little vertical garden projects myself. One for a client whose neighbour has built the most enormous wall between the two properties. In this densely built part of Melbourne it is usual to have a good overhead height fence between properties as we live in terrace houses which run long and thin and share walls and a little backyard privacy is relished. A normal height for a fence would be about 180cm or 6 foot, perhaps with some trellis at the top. This fence is probably 250cm tall ... (I'm not sure what that is in feet) but the result is that it feels horribly forboding and overbearing. So I was discussing with my client what we could do to soften it. We discussed the idea of a vertical garden - she had read an article in the newspaper by designer </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.jimfogartydesign.com.au/">Jim Fogarty</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and was quite taken with the idea. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />There are a couple of things to overcome before we embark on such a project. The first is that a vertical garden needs to be built out from the fence - a waterproof membrane between the actual vertical structure to protect it, and in front of this a very solidly engineered framework on which to attach the growing medium and plants. As you can imagine that once water is added and plants the weight of the vertical garden is considerable. In my client's little backyard there is a fold out washing line in front of the fence that cannot be moved elsewhere - providing our first problem lack of horizontal space. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jim Fogarty's column referred to the <a href="http://www.elmich.com.au/">Elmich Green Wall</a> system which does somewhat seem to simplify the whole installation providing a solution to framework issues but doesn't solve my horizontal space problem.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The second challenge is water or rather the lack of it. A vertical garden requires a drip installation system of water and usually nutrients to ensure its wellbeing. Before long we shall be on water restrictions which will not allow for any use of mains water in the garden. Without another source of water either a tank for collection of run-off from the roof or a grey-water treatment system a vertical garden would not last long. Again despite the plethora of various water systems including rain water tanks and grey water treatment systems, space and cost are an issue.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Having said that I was interested to see an article in Metropolitan Home on a</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.pointclickhome.com/gardens_landscapes/articles/live_art"> succulent vertical garden</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> which they claim requires only occasional spritzing from the hose. It was a rather beautiful installation. I was quite taken with it and am thinking of doing a similar installation as a little roof garden and when I say little I mean little - the roof of my dog kennel - project number 2 of a very minor nature! The dog rarely sits in the kennel and I'm tired of looking at the rather unattractive roof of it. I like the idea that the roof would insulate the structure too - cool in summer, warm in winter - foolishly thinking that my wee pooch will suddenly prefer the kennel over the house. I also like the idea of a little test run before unleashing (ooh excuse the pun) myself on clients with my ideas.<br /><br />So as you can see I'm still very much working through the practicalities myself but hopefully shortly I shall come to a suitable solution for the aforementioned fence and be able to feast my eyes upon an abundant succulent roof! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-91187131551614288332008-07-28T21:12:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:46:45.735-08:00Vertical Gardens - the work of Patrick Blanc (Part 1)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7erY5bXSYlYfp9W9yjTCI7Zwr6KtNTMX9XwW3xhh9WcyicX5f-ZT4jTXjBzfgiLBH4c1K8wzd4gvulRXPB2tdQbGhc3oK0Sec9Qi83o1V2REUOsdgnJ3IsmsR6VvJweAy6cQ61NtlkV8z/s1600-h/Patrickblanccombo+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7erY5bXSYlYfp9W9yjTCI7Zwr6KtNTMX9XwW3xhh9WcyicX5f-ZT4jTXjBzfgiLBH4c1K8wzd4gvulRXPB2tdQbGhc3oK0Sec9Qi83o1V2REUOsdgnJ3IsmsR6VvJweAy6cQ61NtlkV8z/s400/Patrickblanccombo+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228976906537694098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The gardens of Patrick Blanc clockwise from top left - Caixa Forum Madrid, Musee du Quai Branly Paris, Siam Paragon Shopping Center Bangkok, detail Musee du Quai Branly, Paris</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm not sure when it was that I came across the vertical gardens of <a href="http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com">Patrick Blanc</a> but I was immediately struck by their beauty and quite intrigued by their construction and the ideas behind them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The vertical garden probably most known by Australians but ironically the least seen is in the Qantas first class lounge in Sydney. A collaboration with the designer Marc Newson many images of it have been displayed in various publications. Alas alack I am unlikely ever to set foot in the vicinity. So it was with particular delight that I saw as part of the Melbourne International Design Festival that Patrick Blanc would be creating a work in one of Melbourne's shopping centres and in addition giving a lecture on his work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So one cold Friday night a couple of weeks ago I set off to attend Patrick Blanc's lecture. I had thought that perhaps his work was a bit of a niche interest but no - the lecture theatre gradually filled to almost overflowing with interested Melburnians.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He was duly introduced and took the stage - a visual delight in a black leather suit, fetchingly set off with a white shirt with a green leafy pattern and the whole ensemble topped and tailed by green shoes and black hair with a slash of green through it - it was worth leaving my warm home for the mere sight of him!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNmRnpTc9DOn1IC4Llj6DAhUx4vCH7qSOFlE62L5HErozoPq19b66-V9y0u5LvgIiSmXZssQ4xY54EztwfEYJ8eO09OoPsVD4bGpi_4dn29CpJvZMrKzOV8lG3MLafRXQjYsysrm56DF2/s1600-h/patrickblancblack+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNmRnpTc9DOn1IC4Llj6DAhUx4vCH7qSOFlE62L5HErozoPq19b66-V9y0u5LvgIiSmXZssQ4xY54EztwfEYJ8eO09OoPsVD4bGpi_4dn29CpJvZMrKzOV8lG3MLafRXQjYsysrm56DF2/s400/patrickblancblack+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228991540710072146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Patrick Blanc<br /></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With great energy he took the stage and began his talk on his gardens. He was quick to point out that he is not a designer but a "scientist". A botanist in fact who has travelled the world primarily in tropical regions and has studied the plants that grow on steep slopes and in the understory of tropical rainforest.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The fascinating thing about all this is that many of the plants he spoke of are often those most cosseted by us in our gardens and here they were, some living in quite extreme positions and conditions with neither great soil conditions nor constant water. As many of the photos were taken in tropical regions some of these plants are more commonly known as "houseplants" and are used for his indoor vertical gardens in cooler climates but others were quite hardy. Some of these common plants included hydrangeas, begonias, alocasias, cycads and various ferns.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He illustrated his talk of how nature's vertical gardens grow showing us examples of some very common plants which take on a quite extraordinary and somehow more beautiful arrangement when tumbling down a rock wall or similar.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It reminded me of how useful it is to know not only where plants originate but where they naturally exist. And for many it is on steep slopes particularly when they come from countries where any flat land has been cultivated for centuries confining the natural flora to the non-arable land. The other thing to note of course is that with plants taken straight from nature you are working with species rather than hybrids which are often developed to enhance characteristics that we prize more highly in our garden plants such as flower colour and size.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLccg5wjYfET8gI6ujgOylg_CqfQ-aP2ultKRg7ehJ16YivBIAzK9Kq7bQieN6sHybft10uYCcM15-r6a5Ii84WXsJgnpFZUO5PA_JEaXBLeVZIqYkJLe7K_DtLq1XdHALgLoDynMYPnM/s1600-h/Melbourne+central+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLccg5wjYfET8gI6ujgOylg_CqfQ-aP2ultKRg7ehJ16YivBIAzK9Kq7bQieN6sHybft10uYCcM15-r6a5Ii84WXsJgnpFZUO5PA_JEaXBLeVZIqYkJLe7K_DtLq1XdHALgLoDynMYPnM/s400/Melbourne+central+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228989527422473986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Vertical Garden at Melbourne Central<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So a few days aftern the lecture I visited Melbourne Central to view his latest work. As it had been completed only the day of the lecture I was keen to see it before it was fully grown to see how the entire structure works. I thought it would be a lot more sparse than it was - but it is planted much like a show garden is for a flower show - with plants at a much closer spacing than you would normally plant. Overall I thought it beautiful but was disappointed in the scale of the work. The shopping centre is vast and is dominated by a the central shot tower which is encased in a glass dome. The tower is at the centre of the circular, layered shopping centre and immediately my mind ran away with me thinking how one would look cascading down the side of the tower or around the sides of the shopping centre itself much like the one at the Paragon Shopping Center in Bangkok. Nevertheless I am excited that it is there and look forward to seeing how it grows and develops over time. The vertical garden certainly adds more to a shopping centre than a few mother in law's tongue plants in a planter or even worse dust covered synthetic ones!<br /><br />Next post in Part 2 I intend to look a little more closely at the construction and the plants used so stay tuned!<br /></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-91240868190335716912008-07-21T20:41:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:46:46.313-08:00Courtyard Gardens<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA9kPqKoObKxDfczgKM6JxiuTzJ9UCh1Z8iFt7rbDX_3hUV33l52I0m0abGBpzkGJ_XeQ3TIyyGGyjhtywvTALkmv8Cy4SOzi9bZlemKR08Gz8X6AJkbYvg8MRX65RoSl1Et5X0oC6lf3/s1600-h/AWPlan&Gphoto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA9kPqKoObKxDfczgKM6JxiuTzJ9UCh1Z8iFt7rbDX_3hUV33l52I0m0abGBpzkGJ_XeQ3TIyyGGyjhtywvTALkmv8Cy4SOzi9bZlemKR08Gz8X6AJkbYvg8MRX65RoSl1Et5X0oC6lf3/s400/AWPlan&Gphoto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223454007218006530" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"City Calm" designed by Acres Wild<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love a little garden I think they are a treat they are remarkably easy to transform and this is very satisfying.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A little patch of nothingness can very simply and often without tremendous expense be transformed into a place which offers a pleasant environment into which to take refuge, relax and revive oneself whether it be reading a book, sharing a meal, taking a nap or indulging in a little green fingered work. </span><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>They are often tricky spaces in that they often have to deal with a multitude of requirements in a very limited space.<span style=""> </span>Not only those requirements of eating and relaxing but also practical ones too such as storage, washing lines, barbecues, sandpits and rain-water tanks. </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>When I started thinking about what I would write about courtyard gardens my initial thoughts were that it would be a practical discussion on the organization of a space, what works best in a small space, what to keep in and what to leave out and the need often to control one’s lust for plants.<span style=""> </span>However as I’ve started to write I find myself thinking more about how I often find as I leaf through the pages of magazines that courtyard gardens which often require a lot of hard landscaping to resolve the multiple use issues seem sometimes seem to use plants as if they were a hard landscaping material themselves. As a result the spaces feel constrained and almost devoid of natural forms that for me, are conducive to relaxation in a garden space. <span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>English writer Mirabel Osler wrote a book about her garden experiences with the delightful title “A Gentle Plea for Chaos”.<span style=""> </span>Not that she was nor am I suggesting that chaos is suitable for a courtyard garden but I am fond of a little organized disorder if that makes sense.<span style=""> </span>This is not an argument against formality in gardens but personally I love formality in contrast with informality.<span style=""> </span>Courtyard gardens are formal in that they are always very defined spaces and for me the creation of a pleasant environment involves the contrast between the formal and informal or the hard landscaping and the soft.<span style=""> </span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPVbgyAeFXUi9Ij1TuYG42xLXytwSsMJuwfAtjEr1svBr4XwfI_fhZrcPqG8Wn6O8duOdFM1w0GISVBUiLrzkpUnqhW6wT8iX6dlu8IrEAhgNldnuW8ToZuemrPv81ukpNcWxwdU9S61p/s1600-h/AWC&C1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPVbgyAeFXUi9Ij1TuYG42xLXytwSsMJuwfAtjEr1svBr4XwfI_fhZrcPqG8Wn6O8duOdFM1w0GISVBUiLrzkpUnqhW6wT8iX6dlu8IrEAhgNldnuW8ToZuemrPv81ukpNcWxwdU9S61p/s400/AWC&C1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225313646065014562" border="0" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Colour, form and texture contrast in "City Calm"</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />One of my favourite courtyard gardens is designed by “</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.acreswild.co.uk/">Acres Wild</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">” English duo Debbie Roberts and Ian Smith (who were my tutors when I was studying garden design in </span><st1:city style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">).</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This design, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.acreswild.co.uk/city_calm.htm">City Calm</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> successfully combines the formal and the informal into what I consider to be quite an inspired design.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Their use of hard landscaping and formal plant forms contrast with the layered textures of looser plant forms such as ferns, bamboos and grasses. This creates a beautifully balanced environment. While Debbie and Ian no longer teach you can still feast your eyes and pick up a few pointers from their beautiful work featured on their <a href="http://www.acreswild.co.uk/index.html">website</a>.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk8E4g93lkAIXWyxqX0B-HqEpvDsb4d-s4jbw6-iLcYkk8lBz5BT-6ZBmi1_k3_eC0yNfR31J-2maX5GpTwsy0WoRjKrwACyIUHdpYRdDb32dHLEjoeNkHwSkRArhndJGxIlVFYxM_QgP/s1600-h/AWB&F1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk8E4g93lkAIXWyxqX0B-HqEpvDsb4d-s4jbw6-iLcYkk8lBz5BT-6ZBmi1_k3_eC0yNfR31J-2maX5GpTwsy0WoRjKrwACyIUHdpYRdDb32dHLEjoeNkHwSkRArhndJGxIlVFYxM_QgP/s400/AWB&F1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225316214603150658" border="0" /></a><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Contrast of the formal and informal forms</span></span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93AhJ7jXYlRIig5sy6-WGQQqbSILIp2n7JmAgT4i9uQ-EnZ1l9KJlc0a7M8wI7oo1m1qN3Yb3q1KwsaQcr7M6I8RBiglGMfzAeFaKhhTP8FXN7SaK-3m4CPiHIqUGigyXpR9hwJC5vfd-/s1600-h/acreswild3.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-52810078169622289632008-07-13T23:19:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:46:46.604-08:00To CAD or not to CAD<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oooh I have been a little held up with my post on courtyards - awaiting an approval to use someone else's photos and so thought I better get on with an interim post as it has been so long. I do apologize.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I've said previously I do use this to download things that are swirling around my mind and this post I fear may not be relevant unless you are a professional or semi-professional designer. The thing that is swirling around my mind currently is CAD or computer aided design.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />When I did my design training all of it was done on paper. We sketched, we bubbled (see below) we drafted our plans in pencil on paper then meticulously transferred these into ink onto tracing paper which we then took to the printer and had plan printed. I still use this process but I need to drag myself into the 21st century. <br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl7YrhMd1XOQL12hE49cya6FuDdvsQG1eeEJEAK27xdrnkeJFQ6_bQQlEiXbvLj-MBlAjGTXV5pBLE4wXaTDsVNB2cYGXkRF0XVxwoRDSQETesTRGIoYO_4gq1GejuU20aUWe_k6-mZ9_/s1600-h/Bubblesketch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl7YrhMd1XOQL12hE49cya6FuDdvsQG1eeEJEAK27xdrnkeJFQ6_bQQlEiXbvLj-MBlAjGTXV5pBLE4wXaTDsVNB2cYGXkRF0XVxwoRDSQETesTRGIoYO_4gq1GejuU20aUWe_k6-mZ9_/s400/Bubblesketch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223023590060638690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Bubble" sketch - redefining the spaces in a garden</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Partly this is driven by the fact that I have been carrying out some planting plan designs for another designer - they provide me with the concept plan which they draw up using CAD. They then print this design for me on a large A1 sized plan and then I go through my process and hand them a completed planting design on paper which they then have to transfer back to computer. Not the most streamlined process. Aside from this when I'm doing my own work all is fine as long as I don't have to make changes but if I do - everything must be redrawn by hand - an incredibly time consuming process.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />So I have decided I must bite the bullet and invest in a CAD program. But what a dilemma - they are on the whole very expensive ranging from about $ 2,000 - $ 6,000 so it is quite an investment. Plus then there's the question of whether I work it all out myself or invest in some training another reasonably substantial investment of time and money.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Overall I prefer the look of hand drawn design - it has a life and an energy that you simply don't get from a computer design but the advantages of computers (like in many areas) are such that they cannot be ignored. Many have linked in plant databases so you select a plant and it will be drawn to the correct size and planting space. You can also add your own plants to the database. And of course when you change a plant it is automatically changed on the plan. Not to mention the ease with which you can make changes to measurements of hard landscaping. Aaah bliss.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But getting to that bliss is going to be quite a steep learning curve.<br />Not to mention the decisions to made between AutoCAD, Land Cad, Vectorworks etc. Oooh my brain hurts just thinking about it.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am glad however that my training was done without a computer. I will always probably sketch first to work out how something might look from a certain perspective, I will always pace around my house working out the actual physical space of an area and I will still make up plant lists under their visual qualities before I make my decisions on what to plant where and with what.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I envy my younger colleagues for their ease with which they can manipulate their computers but a pencil and a sketch will always be the quickest method for me to initially come up with a design solution. I certainly feel that I will never have quite the same direct mental connection to a computer mouse as I have with a pencil. So I feel quite smug that I have this ability but in saying that I look forward to the day when I have more mastery with the mouse.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AJSVu1qcy54UZ8USos96Zm2XZVf1W4FOhWVu9CR5d0tWqCpQ9hcfM_dsTbTIKCu8KNZ4a1m6K6F_GvhXtdgO_iiPnO8a020FkSOcA2o83IiBmxYW1XShyk2B4IGCEWYLoSi-G2cMiWxs/s1600-h/d7colour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AJSVu1qcy54UZ8USos96Zm2XZVf1W4FOhWVu9CR5d0tWqCpQ9hcfM_dsTbTIKCu8KNZ4a1m6K6F_GvhXtdgO_iiPnO8a020FkSOcA2o83IiBmxYW1XShyk2B4IGCEWYLoSi-G2cMiWxs/s400/d7colour.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223032901678430722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A hand coloured and hand drawn Concept Plan<br /></span></span></div>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804292643577176699.post-58201988987780151562008-06-15T19:20:00.000-07:002008-12-08T13:46:47.732-08:00Dream Gardens<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8f98RZ6d8_VHIqP1ikcKXJ3tU6dw4PNK0feepYdS39aMr-eZ2pykgVP6zQZ87tTkcy_BMro9JNkKoC0vzIZhLftRgmqUWX847ssap2ga1z5XOyeSOjBTtMKIIfXwPhLLeisqYfvbFWJO/s1600-h/Maeght+Fondation+Calder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8f98RZ6d8_VHIqP1ikcKXJ3tU6dw4PNK0feepYdS39aMr-eZ2pykgVP6zQZ87tTkcy_BMro9JNkKoC0vzIZhLftRgmqUWX847ssap2ga1z5XOyeSOjBTtMKIIfXwPhLLeisqYfvbFWJO/s400/Maeght+Fondation+Calder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212302129228243810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fondation Maeght, with Empennage by Alexander Calder<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been thinking this week about the gardens of my dreams and if I could create any sort of garden what sort would it be.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So this got me thinking about the gardens I have visited over time and which are my favourites and it happens that all of them contain sculpture in one form or another.</span> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have to say that art and sculpture in gardens when well placed is one of my favourite things of all time.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why? Why? Why? I ask myself and it is a question not easily answered.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Perhaps partly for me while I love art I do not find art galleries necessarily very relaxing places.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am always conscious of the other people, I feel exposed and</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">self conscious especially if I sit and contemplate. Besides the places to sit are always floating in space which makes me nervy.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the outdoors I feel much more comfortable.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I feel I can sit and look, I feel I can chat to a friend, I feel I can look at the art if I choose or just soak up the atmosphere.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can enjoy the sun, the plants and the smells.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There is so much more for the senses to feed on than in a somewhat sterile environment of a gallery.</span><span style=""> </span></p> <p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">More often than not I find sculpture soothing.<span style=""> </span>I’m not really sure why this is.<span style=""> </span>I like the interaction the artworks have with the surrounding environment something that you really do not obtain in a gallery.<span style=""> </span>There is no interaction.<span style=""> </span>They are merely objects in space, demanding your full attention.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps I like the fact that the outdoors reduces the artworks demands on you.<span style=""> </span>I feel free to take them in or not.<span style=""> </span>I feel free to eat a sandwich, read a book, close my eyes.<span style=""> </span>None of which I can do in a gallery.<span style=""> </span>A sculpture garden allows me to be human.</p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">So that's the explanation and now for the gardens – these make my list.<a href="http://www.hannahpescharsculpture.com/"><br /></a></p><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.hannahpescharsculpture.com/">The <st1:placename st="on">Hannah</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Peschar</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Sculpture</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >, </span><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Surrey</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Aaah how I love this garden. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It combines the garden design skills of designer </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.anthonypaullandscapedesign.com/">Anthony Paul</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> (who by the way is definitely in my top 5 designers list) and some of the most extraordinary sculpture. One of glories of this garden is how well considered the placement of each sculpture is.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Never have I seen this done better than in this garden.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In my opinion the placement of sculpture it is often something that is either ill considered or could be done so much better.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The sculpture in this garden is mostly not on the monumental scale that we associate with some public gardens but on a much more human scale. You wander through the garden finding extraordinary sculptures in exquisite settings at every turn it really does take your breath away.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.anthonypaullandscapedesign.com/">Anthony Paul</a>’s planting is outstanding.<span style=""> </span>The garden is set in a woodland with many pools and ponds.<span style=""> </span>His planting subtly melds with the natural environment enhancing it and the sculpture.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For copyright reasons I can’t put photos of the garden here but the website is lovely and worth a visit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The garden of the <a href="http://www.fondation-maeght.com/">Fondation Maeght</a>, St Paul de Vence, France</span> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmSqDeEnuPcYRCQeud-HSSKXnDmdRXgkzgSOZNd50Ej3iyEhgTiA1mScZpa6pW9wYh5RsCvEhsjGUlBY-7_rqxYPFxUjRp3MhkHhNvYDtUBEn50X7Ga0VHYLTlNZYqCU8sF6Bws1bsAEu/s1600-h/Maeght+combo.jpg"></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmSqDeEnuPcYRCQeud-HSSKXnDmdRXgkzgSOZNd50Ej3iyEhgTiA1mScZpa6pW9wYh5RsCvEhsjGUlBY-7_rqxYPFxUjRp3MhkHhNvYDtUBEn50X7Ga0VHYLTlNZYqCU8sF6Bws1bsAEu/s1600-h/Maeght+combo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmSqDeEnuPcYRCQeud-HSSKXnDmdRXgkzgSOZNd50Ej3iyEhgTiA1mScZpa6pW9wYh5RsCvEhsjGUlBY-7_rqxYPFxUjRp3MhkHhNvYDtUBEn50X7Ga0VHYLTlNZYqCU8sF6Bws1bsAEu/s400/Maeght+combo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212344446315711762" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Les Renforts by Alexander Calder and La Fourche by Joan Miro</span><br /></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As the garden of art museum, the work is more “monumental” than in the </span><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Peschar</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> but still the placement is lovely.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There are lots of quiet places to sit, beautiful trees, courtyards and alcoves that provide a human scale even though some of the work is quite monumental.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Again the planting and in this case also the hard landscaping enhance the work. The trees as you can see are sculptural in themselves.</span><br /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The sculpture garden at the <a href="http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/">Peggy Guggenheim Collection</a>, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, </span><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Venice</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQHAg8aKTD_JKYR7h8mY0oSIynTjUD6z5gH5u2y4y2yMhYCa7JKeu5TdCktsg7AlhZoDCmLnHvjJnR-mGHnQFkdmFFMyEbS0g-4rmQjWTdcNgHLRYfqUF1LxvTldLgnAKnebO17FAC1n9/s1600-h/Guggenheim+garden.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQHAg8aKTD_JKYR7h8mY0oSIynTjUD6z5gH5u2y4y2yMhYCa7JKeu5TdCktsg7AlhZoDCmLnHvjJnR-mGHnQFkdmFFMyEbS0g-4rmQjWTdcNgHLRYfqUF1LxvTldLgnAKnebO17FAC1n9/s400/Guggenheim+garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212343868577435474" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oooh I loved this relatively small courtyard sculpture garden.<span style=""> </span>My memories of it fade a little as my visit was eight years ago now but I loved it.<span style=""> </span>I was particularly fond of the two works side by side <a href="http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/collections/artisti/dettagli/pop_up_opera2.php?id_opera=224&page=">Mirko’s </a><i><a href="http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/collections/artisti/dettagli/pop_up_opera2.php?id_opera=224&page=">Architectural Element–Lines of Force in Space</a> </i><span style="">and <a href="http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/collections/artisti/dettagli/pop_up_opera2.php?id_opera=138&page=">Claire Falkenstein’s </a><i><a href="http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/collections/artisti/dettagli/pop_up_opera2.php?id_opera=138&page=">Entrance Gates to the Palazzo</a>.</i> I just remember that it used the courtyard space very well and had a lovely combination between the three elements of planting, hard landscaping and sculpture.<span style=""> </span>My visit was in late October so it was not over-run with tourists.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblwhx5uXe9OKyAclsjBtpTmzTFbShLIrCRI9bgMqVWq2qQX1GFxubWiBjmSePvJuqbKIxFnAOvcng28jC3WBO4V0H4BLlZH5O8MROQ34EmhwzD52QE0DuOce4MiagfsDS7etwysVmIFbh/s1600-h/Guggenheim+gate+combo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblwhx5uXe9OKyAclsjBtpTmzTFbShLIrCRI9bgMqVWq2qQX1GFxubWiBjmSePvJuqbKIxFnAOvcng28jC3WBO4V0H4BLlZH5O8MROQ34EmhwzD52QE0DuOce4MiagfsDS7etwysVmIFbh/s400/Guggenheim+gate+combo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212343855116303858" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Claire Falkenstein's Entrance Gates to the Palazzo</span><br /></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Abby </span><st1:placename style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">Aldrich</st1:placename><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><st1:placename style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">Rockefeller</st1:placename><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><st1:placename style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">Sculpture</st1:placename><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><st1:placetype style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on">Garden</st1:placetype><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><st1:place style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" st="on"><a href="http://www.moma.org/"><st1:city st="on">Moma</st1:city></a>, <st1:state st="on">New York<br /><br /></st1:state></st1:place><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8Bbi3DRAiPaJ8eSB5DtigIn38ngYehPhVRHxeuS2Onwk1a0jrnI1_mUGfj8jwce0ihk_-p2ZLyIT3DwjoP_Yo8rQW3oHmfGcIEuokyaKwVTX3OyHFMjE-HnVYq7jfMexTLLNhrUVHXMW/s1600-h/Moma+Combo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8Bbi3DRAiPaJ8eSB5DtigIn38ngYehPhVRHxeuS2Onwk1a0jrnI1_mUGfj8jwce0ihk_-p2ZLyIT3DwjoP_Yo8rQW3oHmfGcIEuokyaKwVTX3OyHFMjE-HnVYq7jfMexTLLNhrUVHXMW/s400/Moma+Combo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212344668811058258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >My visit to this garden was even longer ago and it has since been redeveloped so I don’t know if it still retains its original charm (although these photos indicate that it has). </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >This was probably my first experience of a sculpture garden and I adored it.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > My visit here was prior to my garden design training but I loved the combination of extraordinary artwork, use of water and planting and most of all I loved the fact that they provided moveable seating so that you could sit where you wished, with whom you wished.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > The quality of seating remains in my mind too – and I have coveted the <a href="http://www.knoll.com/products/product.jsp?prod_id=32">Bertoia</a> chairs ever since. </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Art museums can be so exhausting and this was a marvellous place to sit, relax and refresh before continuing on with the demands of a visit.</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > If anyone has visited recently let me know if it still retains its charm.<br /><br />Aaah and here I must end my flight of fancy. Next week or the week after depending on my time management I think I'll get back to real life gardens here in Melbourne - looking at courtyard gardens. If I could contain a pinch of the brilliance of any of these gardens in my designs I should be very content.<br /></span>Tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089372882497011979noreply@blogger.com3