Serenity in the Garden

Summertime is synonymous with hydrangeas in my mind. Here I planted Strawberry Sundae white-pink hydrangeas  behind the blue ones...added pink begonias and more. I did this all on a steep slope. Slopes are like a canvas to plant a colorful, exuberant picture if you want. Use rocks to retain the plants, if needed. And of course water!

Cottage Garden - Jan Johnsen     I once worked with a lovely client ( now a dear friend!) who wanted a cottage-style flower garden. Now there are cottage gardens and then there are cottage gardens...know what I mean? In Great Britain, it seems everyone has the most magnificent flower garden, each more spectacular than the next... their lushness sets a standard of perfection for cottage gardens that makes me want to say to someone here in the Northeast U.S., 'Would you like to consider an ornamental grass garden instead?" Designed and installed by  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools But of course, the call of a cottage garden, filled with a profusion of  flowers and smelling of roses, peonies and lilacs, makes one dizzy with anticipation. All you need in my part of the world is a deer fence, deep fertile soil, constant watering and someone to tend it lovingly... a tall order indeed.   But it can be done.  And that is wh...

Pennisetum Hameln, Montauk Daisies, Canna Lilies and Lamb's Ears ' Helene on Stein' - Jan Johnsen   In my part of the world - New York State - October is when Mother Nature shines.The days are shorter, the sun is low in the sky, but the weather stays warm enough for the flowering plants to hang on.  I design and install gardens with October in mind because it is now when people have time to appreciate their grounds - it is too cold for the beach and graduations and summer parties are a memory.  This is when people can stop and savor a garden.  The design of Fall gardens is something I urge my students to master because these gardens prolong our enjoyment of Nature's gracious gifts.   And, more importantly, they quietly trumpet the siren call of the garden muse who is about to take her leave...but not just yet..... she sticks around to give it one last show .... So in that vein, I am descr...

If small is beautiful then....smaller must be more beautiful. At least that is what I tell myself as I survey my postage stamp of a backyard. I remind myself that some of the sweetest of serene spaces are small gardens, tucked away, out of sight. I add touches in summer like this flowering lantana among rocks My small verdant retreat is where I can place a chair or two, sip a cup of tea, tend to the garden, admire my planters of foliage or even write my blog, ‘pleine aire’, so to speak … Small gardens call for small plants  – although normal size plants look great when first planted, in the years that ensue they may grow to overwhelm the space… To prevent that I have a few suggestions for some hardy, compact and delightful perennial plants. The following diminutive plants are perfect for small gardens, in containers, along walkways, in rock gardens or as low growing ‘filler’ plants in plant beds. Sedum   is a sun loving, easy t...

I am a landscape designer by profession and a writer by avocation ( see my book, Heaven is a Garden ).   I love to share what I do to inspire others to try their hand at working with the earth. I also love rock outcrops and show them off if I can...rocks resonate and 'ground' us in the most subtle way. Here is a recent project - 2 weeks ago. Jan Johnsen - During Jan Johnsen - After After this, I placed an 'Orange Dream' Japanese Maple in the bare, open space to the right of the steps...a work in progress.

We just updated our landscape design - build firm's website, www.johnsenlandscapes.com Go here for the updated Johnsen Landscapes & Pools Gallery Page. 

One year ago, I was interviewed by the amazing group, the TKF Foundation  . What an honor!  They are doing some amazing things to promote the understanding of nature, space and design and how it relates to our overall wellbeing and the functioning of society. On this anniversary, I thought it would be good to share our interview again. The bold text represents their questions to me.  garden and photo by Jan Johnsen A Deeper Place of Being - An Interview with Jan Johnsen Jan Johnsen’s forty years of practice in landscape architecture has taught her that gardens not only inspire and delight but also impart a sense of well-being, offer respite, and induce feelings of renewal to those who visit and simply sit awhile. Drawing on historical precedents from many cultures as well as design techniques honed through recent practice, her gardens are deeply nuanced, no matter the size.    In anticipation of the upcoming release of her lat...

I have ways been fascinated by the relationship between outdoor space and its effect upon our peace of mind.  This was the impetus for my book,  ‘ Heaven is a Garden   -  Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection ’ (2014, St. Lynn’s Press). I will be presenting a great PowerPoint based on the book, tomorrow -  Feb. 13, 2015 You can register for the webinar by going here  (click on the word 'here'). The good thing is you don't have to be at your computer for this -  if you cannot attend the live event they will send you a link and then you can download it and watch it anytime you want! FREE. If you want to see their line up go here: http://www.hortmag.com/smart-gardening-workshops Heaven is a Garden -  Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection   taps ancient traditions and modern ideas to show you a new way to  create a  place of peace and contentment outdoors...

Now that 2014 is closing, I chose the blog post that I think captured the year best.  This interview was conducted in March 2014, upon the publication of my book, 'Heaven is a Garden'.  It is from a wonderful blog called Open Voices which is part of the  Nature Sacred  website.  I am honored that this wonderful group chose to spotlight my new book. I urge you to check them out - there is always something inspiring in t heir blog . A Deeper Place of Being: An Interview with Jan Johnsen Posted on 03/06/14 Jan Johnsen’s forty years of practice in landscape architecture has taught her that gardens not only inspire and delight but also impart a sense of well-being, offer respite, and induce feelings of renewal to those who visit and simply sit awhile. garden and photo by Jan Johnsen Drawing on historical precedents from many cultures as well as design techniques honed through recent practice, her gardens are deeply nuanced, no matter the size....