Lisa Orgler Design

DESIGN WITH ME: TRANSLATE IDEAS TO PHYSICAL FORM

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:14:00 +0000

Wow! Here we are at step four of the theme garden design process! Below are all five steps as a quick review:

1. Pick a theme
2. Brainstorm
3. Research
4. Translate ideas to physical form (we'll discuss this below!)
5. Create the plan

TRANSLATE IDEAS TO PHYSICAL FORM
We have finally reached the most exciting step (aside from making the final plan). This is when we get to take all those great ideas and create the garden components. This step will also take the longest because we have a lot to pick out....including:

colors
structure
hardscapes
furniture
ornamentation
plant materials

In the next few posts we'll take inspiration from our idea lists and translate them into the items above.

Can you help me with the first one? I'd love for you to read through our brainstorming and research lists and let me know what COLORS pop out at you. Share in the comments below, on Facebook or Twitter.

For those that would like to stay in closer touch with this process, you're invited to sign up for my NEWSLETTER too.

DESIGN WITH ME - RESEARCH

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:42:00 +0000

I have finally completed step three of the theme garden process! Again, here are all five steps as a quick review:

1. Pick a theme
2. Brainstorm
3. Research (we'll discuss this below!)
4. Translate ideas to physical form
5. Create the plan

RESEARCH
I mentioned in my last post that it's important to make your idea list as long as possible, since that's what feeds the rest of your design. The research step helps lengthen this idea list. Research allows you to find out more about your topic....things you wouldn't necessarily know off the top of your head. It makes your design so much richer. You can put as much time into this step as you'd like...visit a library, interview an expert or simply Google your topic. Ten minutes or ten hours, but it's important that you don't skip this step. It often leads to amazing ideas.

Below is my very simple research on heavy metal. I apologize up front for the condensed version. I could have written a 25 page paper on this topic, but for this purpose a broad, bulleted overview will do.

I'd like to thank www.hardradio.com and, of course, www.wikipedia.com for this information. Visit both sites if you'd like to learn more.

Now that we have our brainstorming and research lists complete it's time to start designing! Woo-hoo!

I'll explain step four: translating your ideas to physical form in my next post, then I'll need your help again to bring this garden to life.

DESIGN WITH ME - BRAINSTORMING

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:29:00 +0000

As most of know, I'm currently in the midst of designing a theme garden by following my five magical steps:

1. Pick a theme
2. Brainstorm (we'll discuss this below!)
3. Research
4. Translate ideas to physical form
5. Create the plan

BRAINSTORMING
Now that we have a theme (heavy metal) it's time to start transforming it into a garden. Brainstorming is an important step in this process.

What is brainstorming?

generating a list of words/ideas around one topic
free-flow, no bad ideas
by yourself okay, but more people generate more ideas

I can't stress this enough...make this list as long as possible. Please don't write down three things then stop. Challenge yourself to write down 50 words! If you're stuck, call a friend and have them add to it. Remember, these don't have to relate to gardening...just your theme.

With all of your help I was able to create a fabulous brainstorming list below. Please take a look.

I admit this list is a little dark, especially for me, but that's what makes it interesting. I'm sure my happy-go-lucky style will balance out the rough and tumble a little in the end. This will be interesting.

I'm so excited about this list and can't wait for the next step: RESEARCH. The purpose of research is to make the above list just a tad bit longer and richer. I'll do some heavy metal research this weekend on my own, then get back to you early next week...because I'll need your help again for step four (lot's of help, because step four is the really cool part).

DESIGN WITH ME - PICK A THEME

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:28:00 +0000

Over the next few weeks we'll be designing a theme garden together by following my five magical steps:

1. Pick a theme (we'll discuss this below!)
2. Brainstorm
3. Research
4. Translate ideas to physical form
5. Create the plan

PICK A THEME
What is a theme? It's the idea that pulls all the elements of a garden together.

Before designing a garden I always encourage the selection of a theme. Why?

To focus your design
To help in the selection of materials (plants, hardscapes, furniture, etc.)
To tell a story

Designing a garden is similar to writing a paper. Before you write it's important to choose a topic, then have the content support it. You can write about thousands of things, but the topic helps you focus. This is the same in garden design. There are thousands of ways to design your garden, but by narrowing in on a topic or theme, choices become a lot easier. Honestly, it's a lot more fun too and your creativity just spills over.

First let's look at some traditional themes:

Traditional themes are great, but I'd like to show you how to develop a garden around any theme. Our garden will focus on something nontraditional and out-of-the-ordinary. To help us get started I asked for your help on facebook, twitter, this blog and my newsletter to pick a theme. Wow, did I get some great ideas!

Here are some of them: shoes, fashion, heavy metal, pez, photographs, ceramics, music, video games, murder mystery books, jeans, wellies, Christian Louboutan red sole shoes, punk, jazz, Great Gatsby, Italy and quilts. Below are garden themes that can be created from some of these ideas.

The most fascinating themes have no relationship to gardening. When you combine gardening with an unrelated topic the design gets very interesting (I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it!).

Now to pick a theme (drum roll please...). I'd like to choose something that seems far, far away from gardening (to show that this can indeed be accomplished), be a topic I'd like to learn more about, and finally something that will challenge me outside my illustrative comfort zone (opposite of cute and whimsical). The only logical choice is HEAVY METAL! I'm a little frightened, but excited to get started!

My eleven-year-old daughter would say to me at this point...mom, how are you going to create a heavy metal garden? My reply..."not sure, I plan to follow the process to find out." I typically don't have preconceived ideas, I just let the process inspire me.

Please stick with me! I'll need your help with the next three steps. It's time to BRAINSTORM now. What comes to mind when you think of heavy metal? Let me know in the comments below, on facebook or twitter.

For those saddened that I didn't pick your topic, no worries. I plan to design more gardens with you in the future and tap into a couple more of your fabulous ideas.

CREATING AN OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY THEME GARDEN

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:34:00 +0000

About ten years ago I accepted an amazing position at a local botanic garden. Being in a beautiful place, surrounded by talented staff and volunteers inspired the creation of my theme garden development process. We applied it to the botanic garden displays many times, but I eventually realized it would also be perfect for homeowners too.

Over the last four years I've been sharing this process with hundreds of people at conferences and garden club meetings with positive results. New designers gain insight into creating a special outdoor space, while experienced designers say they are filled with new inspiration towards the design process.

My theme garden process steps beyond typical themes like butterfly and moon gardens (though those are nice!). This process instead shows how to design a garden about anything (really). Maybe you collect Fiestaware or have an obsession with John Wayne...either can inspire your outdoor space.

This process takes place by following five steps...with lots of fun thinking along the way. I've listed the steps below, but I've found they make more sense within context, so over the next few weeks I'd like to design a garden with you. I'll be asking for feedback through my blog, on Facebook and Twitter, then following up with posts. By the end of the five steps we'll have a new garden plan with an out-of-the-ordinary theme.

I've created a special mini-poster of this design process in my May 2013 newsletter too. If you'd like access to this little treat please sign up for my newsletter here. You'll be able to view the May 2013 newsletter once you subscribe.

We have a lot of work to do, so let's get to it! The first step...PICK A THEME. What do you think would be a fun theme for a garden? Please tell me your ideas in the comments below or visit me on Facebook.

MY LAST SWEET PLANT COMBO

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:06:00 +0000

My last spring plant combination includes a tropical twist of bright, warm colors. Just as the first two, I have my consistent ajuga, plus included two additional tasty plants in this simple arrangement.

This planting is for full sun in zone 5. The plants in this design include:

Ajuga reptans 'Mahogony' / Bugleweed
Thymus x citriodorus ‘variegata’/ Variegated Lemon Thyme
Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’ / Dwarf Poker

What I like most about this combination:

Has a tropical feel, if you're needing that in the Midwest U.S.
The contrast of leaf textures...coarse ajuga leaves to the medium kniphofia leaves to the fine thymus leaves.
The low groundcovers setting a nice base for the strong upright form of the kniphofia.
A unique warm color combination of the oranges and yellows to the mahogany.

A TOFFEE CREME BRULEE PLANT COMBO

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

My next spring plant combination has such a sweet, cottage feel to it. Again, I've included another ajuga, was inspired by tasty sweets, and kept it simple with just three plants.

This planting is for full sun in zones 4 and 5. The plants in this design include:

Ajuga reptans 'Toffee Chip' / Bugleweed
Veronica 'Waterperry Blue'/ Speedwell
Coreopsis verticillata 'Creme Brulee' / Tickseed

What I like most about this combination:

The striking color contrast between the light green, almost white ajuga with the veronica's dark foliage and vibrant blue flowers.
The contrast of leaf textures...coarse ajuga leaves to the finer veronica leaves to the even finer coreopsis leaves.
The low groundcovers setting a nice base for the strong upright form of the coreopsis.
The quaint feel of the soft yellow, daisy-like coreopsis flowers against the vibrant blue veronica flowers. Ugh, I want to plant this in my garden right now!

SWEET SPRING PLANTINGS

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:33:00 +0000

I thought it would be fun to share a few spring plant combinations over the next three posts.

Three things inspired me:

SIMPLICITY: Sometimes we struggle with pairing plants, so I wanted to take a step back and just focus on three plants in each combination.

TASTY TREATS: It's so much fun picking a theme to narrow down plant choices. There are many plants with delectable names, so why not try some?

AJUGA: This is a common, yet still fabulous groundcover. It's easy to find, performs well in shade and sun, plus looks great with many other plants. I chose a different ajuga for each of my three designs, then allowed that plant to direct the choice of its companions.

This planting is for full sun or part-shade in zones 4 and 5. The plants in this design include:

Ajuga reptans 'Valfredda' / Chocolate Chip Bugleweed
Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'/ Stonecrop
Geum 'Totally Tangerine' / Avens

What I like most about this combination:

The striking color contrast between the purplish/green ajuga and the chartreuse sedum.
The contrast of leaf textures...coarse geum leaves, medium ajuga leaves, and the fine sedum leaves.
The pop of orange from the geum flowers (this plant always pops!).

For those wanting to learn more about plants on your own adventures...sign up for my NEWSLETTER to receive a free garden journaling sheet.

RASPBERRIES IN A CUP

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:56:00 +0000

Such pretty fruit, should be served in a pretty cup.

SWEET LITTLE RASPBERRIES

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

As I celebrate the planting of our new raspberry shrubs it made me think of a trip my mother-in-law made last year with my husband's aunt. They visited a raspberry farm and tasted several different cultivars of these pretty berries. I didn't realize how many types there were...even yellow and orange ones! I would have loved to try all those sweet little things.

RASPBERRIES IN A BOX

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +0000

I am so excited! We planted our first raspberry shrubs! Though it may take a couple of years to enjoy these sweet, red fruits - I'll attempt to be patient. We'll just relish the strawberries we planted last year for now.

SQUARED UP WITH THE WORLD

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago my husband was looking at our vegetable gardens on Google Earth and realized they were not squared up (Neil Armstrong would have been sadly disappointed in the disarray). For those that know my husband you would not be surprised that he spent the next few nights squaring them up diligently off the existing sidewalks, streets and neighborhood structures into the evening darkness.

As silly as it is, it did get me excited about starting to grow all those vegetables again. I really miss being able to whip up a meal from what was collected in the garden that day.

GARDENS AND ILLUSTRATING

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:42:00 +0000

An interesting thing has happened to me over the last few years. I've become intrigued with how to combine my love of art and illustration with my love of garden design. I used to keep them very separate.

Of course, garden design is an art, but I want to explore this art beyond creating a beautiful, artful landscape (though I will do that too). How can I use my illustration skills to explore garden design on a different level...really as a craft?

Gardening is a craft in that we manipulate the landscape with our hands to create something lovely, but how can we extend this idea into the art world? Maybe by studying plants to create fabric patterns, choosing fashion industry colors to create new combinations of plants, using the garden for inspiration to learning simplified drawing techniques, as well as, many other ways.

Then there is my whole obsession with simplifying landscape design so I can teach others about it in a fun way. Again, using my illustrations to teach about plants, spatial arrangement, theme development, and food production (I have to pull The Lunch Box Project in here someplace!). I look forward to trying all these things! Most will be right here on this blog, but some of these experiments will take place in my newsletter too. If you'd like these extra tidbits, just sign up here. Otherwise here we go!

THE POLKA DOT HEDGE EXPERIMENT

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:43:00 +0000

With the help of MAIEDAE (a fabulous web design company in Atlanta), I have finally been able to combine my love of food and gardening into one blog! If you look above you'll see two flowing blue ribbons...one for The Lunch Box Project and the other for my new garden blog, The Polka Dot Hedge Experiment. Click on either one to sort my posts or neither to get the full potluck.

The Polka Dot Hedge Experiment is a major transformation of my previous garden blog, Topiary & Tiramisu. Though I loved writing my earlier garden blog, it did not fulfill a desire to share my quirky outlook on garden design. I want to start a new experiment...one that combines artful technique with artful approach (I'll explain this more in a future post), using the same illustrative savvy as The Lunch Box Project. Though you may see some photographs pop up here and there, you'll see a lot of my garden design shenanigans in hopefully a fresh way.

For those that are already gardeners - I hope you'll learn something new. For those not interested in gardening - I hope to tweak your interest a little. To get both groups started I made you a little gift. When you sign up for my newsletter, I'll send along your first set of HEDGE NOTES. These are basically plant journal sheets to help develop your interest (and possibly new love) of the garden. These are great for adults and kids. There will be more information included in the HEDGE NOTES package.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER: SNACKING BEHIND THE HEDGE
(and receive your set of HEDGE NOTES!)

FYI...My newsletter will highlight both of my blogs, so be ready to snack and tinker in the garden at the same time.

Oh, so much to talk about and so many posts ahead!

PANCAKES AND SYRUP

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:02:00 +0000

I couldn't help myself...I made the entire box of pancake mix on Monday, so we could indulge in pancakes and syrup all week.

BAGELS AND CREAM CHEESE

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A perfect pairing for any continental breakfast.

TOMATO AND BASIL

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

What a wonderful food pairing suggestion from my Facebook page (as well as the many others!).

WINE AND CHEESE

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This sounds really good right now (take note that I'm writing this at 7 p.m. in the evening, not 6 a.m. in the morning like the post time says!).

TOAST AND JAM

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Ah, the perfect breakfast snack.

MILK AND COOKIES

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

What can I say about this universal food pairing?

LAMB AND MINT JELLY

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Though I'm not a big fan of this pairing, it's my father-in-law's favorite. To be honest, I never heard of this interesting combination until I married into the Orgler clan.

HONEY AND TEA

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

This sounds so good right now. The winter chill outside pairs well with hot tea and honey.

Happy Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Hope your day is filled with lots of strawberry love!

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I had a lot of votes for spaghetti and meatballs! Yum-my!

KETCHUP AND FRIES

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Orgler) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:21:00 +0000

Valentine's day made me start thinking about great pairs...well, at least great food pairs. So I asked everyone on my Facebook page about their favorite tasty pairings. The results will show up over the next few weeks.

The first popular couple is ketchup and fries. I just can't eat fries without this famous partner.