Serenity in the Garden

In my upcoming book, Heaven is a Garden, I have a chapter called, ' Calling on the Trees '. this is what I feel, in a nutshell... I don't know who took this photo - maybe someone does?

I Grass Steps in a Garden - Johnsen Landscapes & Pools I am thrilled to announce that Amazon has chosen my upcoming book, Heaven is a Garden - Designing Serene Outdoor Spaces for Inspiration and Reflection as one of their Big Spring Picks for 2014 ! I cannot wait for it to come out in a few weeks...You can pre-order it on Amazon and it will be shipped to you immediately. (file under: shameless promotion) click here to go to Amazon site But in the meantime, here is a different view of a garden that is shown in the book...where I talk about ovals in the landscape: Garden by Johnsen Landscapes & Pools and more: Garden by Johnsen Landscapes & Pools This book has been a long time in coming and I am thrilled to share it with you!

This makes me happy....Meadow flowers are so uplifting. I hope you it makes you smile too. source: http://yodewandadawan.tumblr.com/post/23979971687

'Bright Eyes' Phlox, on right, is a staple in a cottage garden. Photo by Jan Johnsen I once worked with a lovely client who wanted a cottage style flower garden. She is now my dear friend.... But there are cottage gardens and then there are 'cottage gardens'...know what I mean? When I see photos of gardens in Great Britain, it seems everyone there has the most magnificent flower garden, each more spectacular than the next... like this one: Ladies mantle in front is a stand out here. Bigstock photo. Their lushness sets a standard of perfection for cottage gardens which makes me want to say to someone here in the Northeast U.S., "Wouldn't you like to consider an ornamental grass garden instead?" But of course, the call of a cottage garden, filled with a profusion of  flowers and redolent of roses, peonies and lilacs, makes one yearn for such a place. The stone dog keeps watch. PG Hydrangea in rear. What you need, in my part ...

Kim Wilkie is, hands down, my favorite living landscape designer. He is a genius. The Orpheus landform by Kim Wilkie - click here for  photo source   He is from England and is known for expansive land sculpting projects - sinuous waterways that meander through pastoral countrysides, stepped hillsides that sometimes double as grassed amphitheaters, and mounds with paths that spiral to the top.  Wilkie was the speaker yesterday at the New York Botanical Garden's 14th Annual Winter Lecture Series. This thought provoking series features exceptional speakers that  share their insights on "the emotional value of designing gardens that reflect personal passions and aspirations."   How could I not go to something described like that? I am a partial to the  anything  to do with 'the emotional value of  designing  gardens.' Kim Wilkie and dogs       source- Telegraph article  And anyway, when I saw it wa...

Photo from Outside magazine. Courtesy of the Lahr family This post is not about gardens but it is about an amazing young individual who brought "art to the world in every way possible"... Zina Lahr left us too soon. I hope you take time to watch this short video. It is her legacy and it will inspire you.  Zina was full of wonder and shared her joy in the best way she knew how. Btw, creating a garden is another way to share that wonder. Click on the link below to see a beautiful obit by Grayson Schaffer and a joyful video that Zina made... http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/media/The-Brief-Wondrous-Life-of-Zina-Lahr.html

Photo by Rosanna Castrini.  2014 Overall Winner and first prize in the 'Beauty of Plants' category Rosanna Castrini won the overall prize in the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition for this picture, called My Garden Prairie.  Andrew Lawson,  International Garden Photographer of the Year  judge, said "We all love single plant portraits - but it is much more difficult to make a successful picture of many plants together in association. To me, this picture is as close to perfection as you can get." Go to www.igpoty.com for more information about International Garden Photographer of the Year.