Carved From the Forest

Music to the Eyes

There's a spring in my step...

from the internet

It's the first full day of spring here and I am so happy!!!
Welcome sunshine, flowers, birds, warmth!  Do you feel rejuvenated at the advent of spring like I do?

On the Road (to Olds)

 On the road to Olds.  We left at 6:30 am and arrived at 9:00 am, an hour early but safely.  We were a bit concerned when we left as we'd had rain overnight and the roads here were slick.  

We saw all sorts of road conditions on the drive as seen below.

 A little blurry, the two photos above, but I loved the tree formations.

 No, he wasn't driving at this point, I think.....

 So foggy and then it snowed a bit too.  The winds picked up and blew across the road which was already enshrouded in fog.  Needless to say, a little slow going through here.

 My daughter, A, was so tired!

 Incredibly foggy through this stretch.

 And then, near Red Deer, the sun shone down in a brief welcome.  

A wave hello to Glenda http://www.tootsietime.com">at Tootsie Time 

and my brother and sister-in-law as we pass through.

 I love the treed areas enroute.

 It truly was a beautiful drive and it was sunny when we arrived at our destination.  

We enjoyed a wonderful reunion of friends, good food and company.  So glad we went!

Thriller, Filler, Spiller

http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/container-gardens/images/thriller-diagram495.png

Thriller, Filler, Spiller is a concept Frankie Flowers, aka Frank Ferragine, endorses when he advises on planting containers.  The above diagram, from Portland Nursery's site, demonstrates the concept. 

First, start with your thriller.  The thriller is the focal point and is usually tall and/or very colourful.  Used here is a dracaena but any grasses, millet, etc. will suffice.  The more stunning in formation and colour, the better.  Remember this is your thriller.

Secondly, select your fillers.  These are mid-level fill ins.  Something somewhat busy but lower growing, but not sprawling or trailing.  Depending on the light and wind, these could be begonias, marigolds, osteospermum, fuchsias, pansies, etc.  Go traditional or original, the choices are limitless.

Third, fill in around the edge of the container with your spillers.  These are trailing plants that soften the overall appearance of the container, flowing over and beyond the container, anchoring it to the garden or surrounding area.  I love to use sweet potato vine, but try bacopa, ivy, trailing osteospermum, trailing geranium, bamboo, licorice vine, etc.  Use complementary colours and textures to your advantage to make a stunning arrangement.  Here are some more photos for inspiration:

Proven Winners

2012 Edmonton Home and Garden Show Begins March 22 - 25

Come one and all for the Home and Garden Show in Edmonton.  It all starts March 22, 2012 at the Edmonton Expo Centre!!

Hot Pot: Talking Container Gardening With Frankie Flowers

No room for a garden but you still want to grow a little something?  Check out this article!  Frank Ferragine (aka Frankie Flowers) talks container gardening.  He also has a new book out, Pot It Up!

Hot Pot: Talking Container Gardening With Frankie Flowers - CityLine

Undershaw, the former home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Located in Hindhead, Surry, England, Undershaw (former home of Sherlock Holmes author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) may not remain the mansion-esque property as it appears in this video. It sat derelict, subject to the elements of nature, where it sustained some damage. Developers wanted to divide the home into three terraced houses, forever ruining the aesthetic quality and historical value and significance of this property.  Wouldn't it be a greater and more fulfilling task to return it to its former glory and perhaps make it into a museum or a bed and breakfast, at the least, where fans can stay and linger in the halls Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once wandered? 

The Undershaw Preservation Trust was set up to protect the house.

To read more about this property, see http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2012/03/holmes-home-saving-undershaw?WT.mc_id=10144

Frankie Flowers from HarperCollins Publishers

Frankie Flowers from HarperCollins Publishers

Check out Frank Ferragine's books at Harper Collins Publishers using the link above.

Seed-starting secrets from Frankie Flowers - To seed or not to seed? (And materials you will need.) - Seeds - How to - Canadian Gardening

Seed-starting secrets from Frankie Flowers - To seed or not to seed? (And materials you will need.) - Seeds - How to - Canadian Gardening