Serenity in the Garden

Silk  Leaf by Julian Melchiorri   The future has arrived.  And it arose from Julian Melchiorri's Silk Leaf project, which came out of a Royal College of Art 's Innovation Design Engineering course. He  collaborated  with Tufts University  silk lab to suspend  chloroplasts in a matrix made out of silk protein. And we are 'off to the races'! Julian Melchiorri Silk Leaf Project  What has transpired ( my bad hort. pu n) is astonishing... Like real leaves, the Silk Leaf can  produce oxygen if it is given light and a small amount of water. chloroplasts suspended in silk protein The possibilities are tremendous! Below is a Leaf Light that gives off oxygen  : Julian Melchiorri's Leaf Light This is what he looks like - young!: Julian Melchiorri The future has now changed!  Here are what buildings will look like to our grandchildren: A real 'Green building' And go here to see a the video of...

I must share! The latest issue of Garden Design   magazine is out and it is fabulous! I don't often gush but this issue is outstanding... The variety of articles is what really impresses me..no matter where you live, you will find something to chew on here. From Garden Design Magazine Full disclosure: I am co-author of a piece on Kim Wilkie, landscape designer extraordinaire, in it. I love his work. There are several blog posts about him in this blog. Kim Wilkie And the 'Fresh' info is fascinating. They write all about Ginkgo trees, a remarkably tough tree with great fall color. And so much more. Garden Design - Gingko trees So if you are an avid gardener or designer take a look at the new and revived  Garden Design magazine .  It was definitely worth waiting for.  Click here to check it out.   GARDEN DESIGN MAGAZINE - Connecticut

walnut leaves by Norm Magnusson Artist Norm Magnusson lives near Woodstock, New York.   Yes, that Woodstock... Magnusson (see his website,  Funism ) is an artist that uses all media to get his ideas across. (Zig Zag Leaves - Norm Magnusson) In his  'Decorating Nature'  series of art photos (giclee prints - they're for sale) Magnusson paints on or colors pieces of nature, like adding stripes to a fallen leaf, painting a pine cone blue or drawing concentric rings on a stone. He says, (Blue Cone - Norm Magnusson) "We use nature to how we see fit: we strive to bring order to it,  we seek to explain it in a language that doesn’t belong to it,  we try to make it prettier,  we try to make it better,  we try to make it more profitable.  Some efforts succeed, some do n’t."       (amen to that - Jan) (Tree Rock - Norm Magnusson) But Magnusson also says that his art photos are all abo...

Federico Forquet Garden  - click here  Federico Forquet has spent his long life in the fashion industry and in design of all kinds. Here is his garden in the Tuscan hills in Italy. It is a serene sanctuary. Forquet says that creative fulfillment is a personal quest, not a public endeavor. “If you create an Empire you become an Emperor. But I prefer being a private and happy citizen of the world.”

mediterranean-landscape ken lindsteadt Ken Lindsteadt , architect, includes this in his page on Houzz... So alluring! wish I was there right now.....

Pineapple Lily - by Jan Johnsen Oakhurst Pineapple Lily (Eucomis 'Oakhurst') has p ineapple-like stalks of creamy flowers and strap like foliage.  A summer stunner, 20" tall! This deep-purple leafed lily loves sun and has a tropical look.  It holds its color when the weather gets extremely hot.   This bulbous perennial also exhibits excellent cold hardiness.   Looks great in planters, especially with silver foliage. Lasts 21 days as a cut flower! Give it a year after planting before you expect flowers. USDA Zones: 6b-9

stone bench by Johnsen Landscapes & Pools  Stone Bench by  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools  In August, gardens in my part of the world, are a tangle of foliage, flowers and dense tree canopies. We know we should start cutting back, limbing up or clearing out the overgrowth but what we really want to do is sit in the cool shade and drink a tall glass of iced tea. Antique sandstone Bench from  English Garden Antiques Ah, a place to sit in the cool leafy shade! What better contrast to the soft green lushness that surrounds you than a stone seat or bench, immutable, grounded and cool to the touch... See some great stone benches at the  Stonepost  website Stone seats in the garden have a storied history. The Druids of Northern Europe fashioned stone chairs out of boulders. It is surmised that they were used for rituals and perhaps coronations of a sort.  Today, in the British Isles and in France, you can find a...