Gossip in the Garden

My garden’s new birdhouse

Rebecca Sweet — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:30:51 +0000

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was given to me by my husband Tom – this handmade birdhouse from L’Atelier Vert. My garden wouldn’t be complete without all the birds that visit and raise their babies here (see here, and here, and here!) so I’m hopeful one will find a new home this spring. [...]

Garden Designers Roundtable- My ‘Don’t Do This’ Top Ten List

Rebecca Sweet — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:01 +0000

I’ve been wanting to write about this for a long, long time – my Top 10 things NOT to do in your garden! Having designed gardens for over a decade, I’ve seen a lot of crazy things; some funny, some not so much. Please join me today, along with the rest of the Garden Designers [...]

Have you ever seen a tree’s knees?

Rebecca Sweet — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:54:01 +0000

While visiting New York’s Innisfree Garden last summer, I saw something that I’ve never seen before – the ‘knees’ of a tree. Yes, that’s what they’re called! From what I’ve gathered, this is unique to cypress trees that are planted near water. The roots growing under the water send up woody projections, called knees. What’s [...]

From San Diego to Seattle – 4 garden events not to miss!

Rebecca Sweet — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:43:41 +0000

Winter is one of my favorite times of the year in the garden. Why? Because I’m tired! And now that my garden has come to a screeching halt I can finally sit down and catch my breath. But it seems no sooner than I take a load off, that I’m anxious to get back outside [...]

Lani’s Fantastic Fence

Rebecca Sweet — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:26:57 +0000

Lani Freymiller has created one of the most incredible gardens I’ve ever seen (read more about it here). Her garden is filled with countless design concepts and creative ideas. So many, in fact, that instead of writing the world’s longest post I’ve decided to write several shorter ones and post them throughout the year. This [...]

Lecia Davis’s Laguna Beach Garden

Rebecca Sweet — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:26:12 +0000

Have you ever toured a garden, when the moment you stepped through the front gate you were instantly transported to another time and place? That was the case with Lecia Davis’s magnificent garden in Laguna Beach, California. I had the opportunity to visit this exquisite garden a few weeks ago and was completely caught off [...]

Wordless Wednesday – The Aloes of Laguna Beach

Rebecca Sweet — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:00:29 +0000

A few weeks ago I spoke at the Laguna Beach Garden Club, and was thrilled when my host insisted we walk along the coastline before catching my flight home. The aloes were in full bloom, the sun was shining, artists were painting, hummers were humming, dolphins were swimming – in short, I was in heaven. [...]

Book Review & Giveaway – The Heirloom Life Gardener

Rebecca Sweet — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:41:13 +0000

A few weeks ago the folks at Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company asked if I’d like to review a copy of their new book The Heirloom Life Gardener, by Jere and Emilee Gettle (227 pages, Hyperion, 2011. List Price $29.99) I was excited to read this book because even though I’m a passionate gardener and [...]

Garden Designers Roundtable – Designing with Deer

Rebecca Sweet — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:06:45 +0000

Sure, it’s tempting to title this post Deer-Proof Plants or something of that nature but truth be told, deer will eat just about anything when they’re hungry. And not only that, but they’re some of the craftiest animals around when it comes to sneaking into your garden. The second you leave your gate open, they [...]