By Claire Jones
The Great Bee Count Within the past couple of years, you might have heard that bees are in trouble, growing scarcer, and suffering from a mysterious ailment called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. A variety of culprits have been fingered in causing this syndrome, including pesticide use, parasites, and diseases. To study bees, scientists decided …
Continue reading "The Great Sunflower Project – The Backyard Bee Count"
The Challenge What do you do when you move from a large beautifully landscaped property that is overflowing with texture and color, to a retirement community that is populated with yews and swaths of mint? Oh, and did I mention overrun with deer? That was the tall order that I as the landscape designer had …
Continue reading "Innovative Garden Design of a Small Property"
The Challenge I was asked to decorate the bluestone patio space for the Baltimore Symphony's Decorator Show House this spring. Normally I 'decorate' gardens, not patios, but I was up to the challenge!  The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra chooses a house every year that is usually vacant and/or for sale, and invites interior and exterior decorators to design their …
Continue reading "Transforming a Patio – An Outdoor Living Space That Looks Like Home"
Bear climbing up deck to get to beehiveBears are on the rampage in Vermont! My brother-in-law had a recent bear incident where a black bear knocked over a hive in a nearby field. He came back for more, but much closer to the house. He obviously has no fear and looks like he is on …
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I was introduced to beekeeping in Virginia while visiting my brother-in-law Bruce. He had several beehives and I wanted to try my hand at working the bees before I made the plunge on my own. Since then, Bruce has moved to Vermont with his hives - prime bear country. In Vermont, he set up a remote …
Continue reading "Beehives and Bears: An Accident Waiting to Happen!"
If you ever venture to Montreal, be sure to visit one of the most interesting botanical gardens in the world that includes unique themed gardens. One of the more unusual gardens was the poisonous plants area surrounded by a high wooden fence with a very noticeable danger sign. You have probably heard one of these sayings: Raggy rope, …
Continue reading "Danger – Poison in the garden!"
Honey Flow With the coming of spring a couple of weeks early this spring, I am getting a little nervous about my bees. The honey flow which is the frantic bee activity of bees collecting nectar from spring flowers will be here very soon. I have a strong hive that made it through the winter and I am on …
Continue reading "Swarming of the Bees – It is That Time of Year Again!"
Finesse With Containers Updated April, 2016 I create containers for clients all the time and am always looking for inspiration to move away from the "geraniums with spike and trailer" school of thought. With a little more planning and shopping, you can come up with a showplace masterpiece with WOW impact. For pollinator containers, go to …
Continue reading "Containers With Pizazz ! Not Your Ordinary Container!"
Join the Trend It seems like everyone these days is thinking about a rain barrel or has already installed at least one at their home. Some are very plain and utilitarian, while others have been decorated to complement the home. If you want to join the trend, here are simple pointers on getting you started. …
Continue reading "Rain Barrel Eye Candy"
