Teal Green Madonna

PLANT FACTS

2010-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Plant Fact: Vetiver is contained in 90% of all western perfumes

Wikipedia definition:
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver , is a perennial grass of the Poacea family, native to India. Vetiver can grow up to 1.5 meters high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid; the flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2–4 meters in depth. Vetiver is closely related to other fragrant grasses such as lemongrass.*

Chrysopogon zizanioides -- Vetiver

Click here to see one of our favorite things with Vetiver!

*Text Credit: Wikipedia, Photo Credit Wikipeida

What is your favorite Pumpkin?

2010-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Scroll down and choose your favorite Pumpkin! We wanna know!
(look for our Poll on the right hand side of the the screen -- don't forget to vote!)

'Jarrahdale' -- my favorite!

A Martha Stewart Living photo -- a favorite photo of ours!

What is your favorite Pumpkin?

We're planning a Wedding!

2010-10-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

My sister, one of my best friends is getting Married, and we are helping!

I love my sister, and she has always dreamed of a winter wedding. So -- a winter wedding it is! January 15 in Northwest Arkansas. Inspiration bride's bouquet pictured below. Bridal portrait pictures on October 17th -- so, I'll keep you posted on how that goes -- and pictures to come of Jennifer's bouquet.

Color theme: Winter white with Ivory and punches of both Light/Bold Salmon -- Winter Fresh. We are excited!

White Lisinthus, White Sweet Peas, White Chamelaucium - wax flower, White Astilbe, Antique English Rose, Saucer Plate Dahlia, White Scabiosa, Assorted Berries and addition of White Veronica and Amaryllis

What do you think? ...perfect for a Winter Brunch Reception?

We have selected Pam Pemberton of Flora in Fayetteville Arkanasas as the floral designer. Click here to see an article about Pam on one of our favorite design blogs -- Design Sponge.

Photo Credit: Google image

OKAY -- I have an illness!

2010-10-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

I love Magazines!

Recently I was going through my magazines for fall decor inspiration (and I'm not gonna lie -- was looking for my back stock of Martha Stewart Living - Halloween Special Editions).... Am I sick? I do love magazines. Snapped this photo! lol -- We can laugh at ourselves! Right?

...and this is only the beginning!

My current favorites: Elle Decoration, Martha Stewart Living, Fine Gardening, Sunset, and Living etc.

One of our Favorite Things!

2010-10-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

So, recently one of our Plant Facts post was about Lichen -- and Ironically one of my favorite things right now is a series of Voluspa candles -- Lichen & Vetiver. Voluspa is an amazing brand of candles. This series has a earthy, masculine scent... with sweet under tones. AND -- it burns forever! We love to share our favorite things!

Check back on Tuesday to see our Plant Facts post -- learn more about Vetiver!

Need a laugh -- Funny Pumpkins!

2010-10-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

Okay -- sometimes its nice to let loose and have a good laugh (and be tacky!). Not sure I will be recreating any of these pumpkin carvings -- but let me know if you do!

Have a great weekend!

One too many?

Ok, this is gross -- 'butt' funny!

My personal favorite!

pumpkin pie anyone?

twins?

Ok -- I like this one!

OH dear... Not feeling so well?

This one 'cracks' me up!

Post pictures of your pumpkin carving on our Facebook wall -- we can't wait to see!

Photo credits: google image, graphichunt.com, photooutpost.com, methodshop.com, decordir.com, foundshit.com, dappled.org, extremepumpkins.com, hivingout.blogspot.com via google image.

Poll CLOSED! -- What is this plant?

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Question: What plant do these leaves belong to?

Answers: Cherimoya

Wikipedia definition:

The fruit is fleshy and soft, sweet, white in color, with a custard-like texture, which gives it its secondary name, custard apple. Some characterize the flavor as a blend of pineapple, mango and strawberry. Others describe it as tasting like commercial bubblegum. Similar in size to a grapefruit, it has large, glossy, dark seeds that are easily removed. The seeds are poisonous if crushed open; one should also avoid eating the skin. When ripe the skin is green and gives slightly to pressure, similar to the avocado. Ripe fruit may be kept in the refrigerator, but it is best to let immature cherimoyas ripen at room temperature.*

Cherimoya fruit -- a snapshot from my local Hillcrest farmer's market in San Diego

Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men."*

BTW -- Did you know there is a California Cherimoya Association? Click here to visit their website!

*text credit Wikipedia

Take me with you? ...Wyoming -- Pictures!

2010-10-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

My parents are taking a vacation in Wyoming -- and WOW ...it is beautiful! Mom sent these snapshots!

Mom's favorite picture

Galium odoratum -- Sweet Woodruff

Hey Mister, MOVE IT!

Old Faithful - Yellowstone

Buffalo

I wonder what kind of pine this is?

breath taking views

Mom said she was nervous while snapping this shot!

Phylica plumosa?

native vegetation

My favorite pic! -- Beautiful

Populus tremuloides - Aspen

My parents first view of Wyoming

Ever been in a tight spot?

2010-10-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I was driving and a lil something green caught my eye... I looked again; what I saw was refreshing... A lil mexican fan palm growing in a tight spot in the midst of a concrete jungle. I felt inspired and snapped a photo.

Click Here to see the IRONIC photo Jamie -- one of our Facebook followers posted over the weekend on the TGM Facebook wall!

Martha Stewart is Haunting me!

2010-10-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's October and that means it HALLOWEEN TIME!

If you are like me -- you love both Martha Stewart and Halloween! Every year I get excited to purchase Martha's special edition Halloween issue -- but this year -- I am the proud owner of Martha Stewart's new Halloween Handbook -- a 'Best Of' collection from previous special editions.

Go out - get it! Get inspired and post your Halloween pics on our Facebook! -- Look for ours too!

Weekend Nursery Trip -- A Treat for me and my Nose!

2010-10-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I visited a local nursery here in San Diego -- and WOW what a treat for me and my nose! I love white flowers... but, what I love even more -- FRAGRANT white flowers! Please enjoy the snapshots below of some of my favorites!

All of the flowers below are VERY fragrant

Michelia alba, Tropical tree native to the Himalayas... in the surrounding areas -- flowers are collected and placed in bowls of water to perfume areas of the home -- like the bathroom. This tree is pretty $$$. Expect to pay $200+ for a 7-15gallon. I have planted this tree before at a client's home.... it blooms all seasons!

Brugmansia - Angel's Trumpet(double white) Isn't this beautiful?! Fragrance starts to come alive around dusk. I have seen this plant over winter in USDA zone 6b -- but it was a mild winter.

Gardenia thunbergia, some might call this 'the original gardenia' -- This flower in the picture was snapped from the largest G. thunbergia i have EVER seen.... it was 15ft+ tall with a 12in diameter trunk -- a true tree! The flowers were 4-5in across as well -- again, largest I've ever seen.

Vigna caracalla - Snail Vine ...Okay -- this one has a lil purple!

(close up) I wonder how it gets the common name Snail Vine?

Jasminum sambac -- Arabian Jasmine, Unusual double flower for a jasmine -- but wonderfully scented! This one grown my Monrovia -- this plant is sometimes hard to come by!

'READ MORE' for another beautiful fragrant RED flower

ONE MORE! It's not white -- but I had to post!

Amazing Red Plumeria! The color was SO intense! Strong Fragrance. Can be yours.... only $450.00!

It's Springtime in Australia!

2010-09-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Odd to think that while in most parts of America -- the temperatures are starting to cool down... In Australia things are warming up! It's spring time! My good friend Anthony lives in Sydney, Australia -- and he just sent me snapshots of his family's place and the native springtime flora starting to bloom.

Living in Southern California I have grown to love Australian natives. ...they grow so well here in our mediterranean climate. One of my favorites being grevillea.

Anthony sent pics of grevilleas, Australian tree ferns, waratahs (a new one for to me -- and I love it!) and even orchids!

Thanks for sharing Anthony!

....and cute pooches!

Waratah -- my new interest!

Australia Lichen!

yellow Grevillea

red grevillea

Australian tree fern

CUTE! Highway

and George!

PLANT FACTS

2010-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Plant Fact: The 'cap' of the acorn is called an Involucre.

Fall is approaching! My favorite season. Soon the mighty oaks of the South and East Coast will start to turn their subtle autumnal hues..... temperatures will cool and the acorns with drop... peppering the ground -- Squirrel heaven!

Photo credit: acornpies.blogspot.com

WOW! SO HOT!!!!

2010-09-27T12:36:00.001-07:00

3 days left to vote!

2010-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

The leaves in this picture are from what tree?
SCROLL DOWN and look for our poll to vote!

My VERY favorite flower!

2010-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

GLORIOSA LILY

As a horticulturist... and plant lover -- is it wrong of me to have a FAVORITE flower? I can't help myself. Gloriosa Lily stops me in my tracks every time.... the flower itself is what excites me! Bright red and the form is crazy -- inside out and upside down! Gloriosa makes a beautiful cutflower and is long lasting!

What flower excites you?
That's our latest discussion on Facebook. Click here to 'Like' our Facebook page and join the discussion!

Gloriosa superba -- picture taken in the courtyard of a past client

'Read more' to see what flower excites our Facebook follower Jamie.....

Our Teal Green Madonna Facebook follower -- Jamie ....loves Kangaroo Paw (Anigoznathos sp.) AND SO DO WE. An Austrilian native - Kangaroo Paw does well as a landscape plant in California. In other areas of the U.S. it is used as a cut flower -- very long lasting.

We were inspired by Jamie and wanna share one of our favorite Kangaroo Paw cultivars -- Anigozanthos manglesii 'Rudolph' commonly called: Red and Green kangaroo paw. (hmmm... wonder why? -- we like Rudolph better!)

*photo credit: Google Image

New Feature: PLANT FACTS

2010-09-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

PLANT FACT: Lichens are NOT plants.

Ironic that our first Plant Fact doesn't involve a plant? Well... recently, I saw a beautiful patch of lichen here in San Diego and snapped a photo ...got me thinking -- What is this stuff? The snapshot also reminded me of a trip I made to the New York Botanical Gardens where they had an exhibit: Lichens of the Ozarks.

I grew up in Arkansas near the Ozark Mountains and according to the NYBG exhibit -- the Ozarks have the most diverse collection of lichen in the world.

As a child, I always loved running out into the woods and playing with all of Mother Nature's toys... and in mind -- moss and lichens are some of her best!

So, what is this stuff? Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner such as algae.*

Want learn more about the NYBG exhibit: Lichens of the Ozarks? ...click here!

Lichen - San Diego County, CA

*text credit, Wikipeida

our Favorite Magazine just arrived!

2010-09-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

ELLE DECORATION

It's here! I love the day that Elle Decoration arrives in the mail -- Its an UK publication from the very fashionable Elle group.

My sister treats me to this publication and its a wonderful gift! It's not typically sold in the US -- making it a bit of a struggle for her to get me the subscription. Oh... and she reminds me! But...THANK YOU SISSY!

So, if you love styling interiors.... or design in general -- deal with a lil struggle and treat yourself -or- a loved one to Elle Decoration. It's the ultimate design gift!

Teal Green Madonna - ANNOUNCEMENT: Guest Blogger!

2010-09-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Jason Chen is our new Guest Blogger!

Jason grew up in California, Italy and North Carolina. He spent most of his childhood in NC -- a true southern boy at heart. After graduating from NC State -- Jason lived two years in Las Vegas working in resident planning and garden design... he now resides in San Diego. Jason lives on an Avocado farm in Fallbrook, CA and works at Cedros Gardens in the design district of Solana Beach -- Nurseryman by day and an Avocado Farmer by night! Jason is a talented horticulturist and I am lucky to have him as a personal friend.... I'm very excited he is joining the Teal Green Madonna team as our guest Blogger!

....look for weekly blog post from Jason!

Hillcrest Farmer's Market -- Snapshots!

2010-09-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

I love Farmer's Markets. My Hillcrest neighborhood in San Diego has a great one on Sundays. Below are pictures I snapped during my last visit. Visit sites like www.localharvest.org to find a local Farmer's Market in your area!

Pumpkin time already! -- Whats your favorite?

2010-09-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

Already -- this week, my sister has a pumpkin at her front door! She sent me pictures of her new home in Fayetteville, Arkansas --- and I got so tickled at the sight of seeing one lonely pumpkin at her new front door. Click Here to see the picture on facebook!

Is it time for pumkins? ...a lil too early right?

But, never to early to blog about them! I love pumpkins, crave them. Below is one of my favorite photos of ALL TIME. ....followed by snapshots of some of my favorite pumpkin varieties. Whats yours? -- don't forget to cast your vote in our poll!


One of my ALL TIME favorite photos. Pictured in Martha Stewart Living a few years back.

'Jack-O'-Lantern'

'One Too Many'

'Jarrahdale' -- my favorite!

'Lumina - Lunar'

'Mr. Warty'

Mini Road Trip, Carne Asada Burrito and Silk Floss Tree -- Long Beach Memories...

2010-09-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Imagine a country boy from Arkansas with big dreams -- a young, hard working man... passionate about plants .....headed out to California.

Well, at the age of 21 what was me! My big dreams and excitement for plants had led me to an internship with the nation's largest chain of garden centers -- Armstrong. It was a wonderful experience. I bounced from store to store all summer. Working in different cities such as: Pasadena, Newport Beach, Anaheim and many more.

On this particular day I was to work at the Long Beach location. It was a beautiful day, I recall the blue of the sky was so intense that day... the season was starting to turn to fall -- a time for picture perfect weather in Southern California.

But, I was running a lil late -- I was still learning to cope with 10 lane interstates and the traffic was so bad that morning. When I finally made it to the store, the staff at the Long Beach location was very welcoming -- nice people. Later in the day one of the ladies offered up a suggestion for a place to grab a quick lunch.... "They have the best Carne Asada burrito", she shared. (Now remember, I was raised on potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and catfish! -- I didn't have a clue what Carne Asada was!) But the other staff joined in adding -- "oh ya, you gotta go there!", "It's so good!" ...so, I took their advice -- got directions... and I was on my way.

The burrito was amazing -- my coworkers where SO right. I had scarfed down the burrito, hopped back in my car... with time to spare. I decided to drive around a bit before I went back to the garden center. A left, then a right... another right -- I was on a mini road trip in residential long beach!

AND WOWZA! What a beautiful sight! A massive tree, leafless - covered in huge pink blooms! I stopped -- got out of my truck.... The trunk of the tree was green with spines... prehistoric looking -- amazing. But, the image that sticks with me... was standing under the canopy of that tree and looking up. A sea of pink flowers. Breath taking beauty.

This time of year the Chorisia, Silk Floss Tree start budding up -- just this week I snapped a picture of an early bloom here in my Hillcrest neighborhood in San Diego. Isn't it great to be reminded of a beautiful place, a fun trip or a loving person -- all from a flower.

A mini Road Trip, Carne Asada Burrito and a Silk Floss Tree... My Long Beach Memories.


Chorisia Speciosa - Silk Floss Tree

Teal Green Madonna is making a special announcement on Monday!

2010-09-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

.... and we are EXCITED!

Green with Envy -- Lou Zeldis ring

2010-09-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted something that a friend had? ...a sibling? It's just the worst feeling! Life is fun -- and I am so blessed... but sometimes I see green, Envy.

A very stylish customer of mine that I had grown close to during his visits -- walked into the nursery one day... and that's when I noticed he was wearing an unusual ring. I couldn't figure out the stone. It was oversized, unique and it really spoke to me ...I had to know more -- what was it and where he got it.

So in the right moment, I asked him about his ring... he shared with me that it was sea glass and he purchased it at a local jewelry shop there in Carlsbad, CA.... and, it was by the artist Lou Zeldis. ....I complimented it, wrote down the name Lou Zeldis and put it in my pocket.

When I got home... I went to Google and I searched -- Lou Zeldis ....this is what I read:

Have you seen the legendary work of Lou Zeldis? Inspired to start crafting jewelry by the sense of energy he felt from wearing different charms, Zeldis believes in the magic carried through the objects -- from the natural state, to the construction, and into the owner's world. He incorporates found materials from shores and mountains in his home in Bali, such as river rock , antique cut diamonds, shells, and manta ray thorns, creating pieces that become your personal totem. Zeldis aims for a harmony and strength of form in his pieces as well as in his process -- he crafts his one of a kind pieces from his secluded mountain top home, where he finds the serenity to create his collection. I get the feeling that these pieces choose you as much as you would choose them, don't you thing?

Had I been chosen?

Well, after reading that (and reading that his designs are very popular with young Hollywood) I HAD TO HAVE ONE! So, I too visited Tashci -- the little jewelery shop in downtown Carlsbad. And now, I am the proud owner of an emerald sea glass Lou Zeldis ring ...set in pebbled sterling silver -- direct from the beaches of Bali!

You seeing green now?

Lou Zeldis rings are one-of-a-kind... Search him out -- see if a local retailer carries his pieces. Maybe you are a chosen one!

Why didn't I think of this sooner!

2010-09-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

...adding garden art to custom planters makes for an exciting combo!

While in college I worked at Westwood Gardens, a successful garden center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We were always getting all types of garden art... some I liked, and some... well, it was just hideous! With that said, I had my eye on this pair of contemporary birds -- I liked them. (As a college student -- I did not need a set of bird yard art to trip over and break) The birds didn't fly out of the store. So, I'd display them around the store... first, with the other yard art... then, up by the front door... next, up onto the check out counter -- Nothing! Customers didn't seem to share my interest in these long legged creatures...

I love doing custom planters, I get excited thinking about new and different combinations... and this was my latest idea! -- I'm gonna stick those birds in a planter! I continued with the contemporary style of the birds... combining them with plants what would create the image of the birds just simply hanging out.. in their own natural habit. I think it makes for tranquil, and exciting combo. Oh ya... and the planter sold the first week!

To create the natural habitat i used: Horsetail Rush - Equisetum hyemale, Variegated Sweet Flag - Acorus gramineus 'Variegata' and Wood Fern - Dryopteris sp.

I never got to Miss Kitty on the table!