Beach Terrarium

Ingredients for INSTA-Beach: glass container, pebbles, rich soil, charcoal, succulents, shells, driftwood or bleached twigs/branches. I can smell the coconut. Shhh....hear that? The waves.

In Search Of Succulents

Southern Accents Magazine has a wonderful online section of 'flowers and plants'. Their articles are short, informative and gorgeous. Succulents have become the belle of the ball. Here are some succulent sources for you.

Conservatories & Orangeries

A conservatory is a glass and metal structure traditionally found in the garden of a large house or public park. Modern conservatories are smaller and are often added to houses for home improvement purposes. The traditional nineteenth century conservatory was a large greenhouse used for growing tender and rare plants, or, less often, for birds and rare animals – sometimes with the plants and animals living together. An orangery is similar to a large greenhouse or conservatory and was used originally to winter citrus trees and house exotic plants. Orangeries were first built within Europe in the 17th century, once glass making technology enabled the possibility to produce large areas of sheet glass. Northern Europeans traditionally used orangeries to cultivate citrus fruits such as oranges, limes and lemons hence the name. (HERE is an excellent article in Southern Accents Magazines) Orangeries were popular amongst the royal and aristocratic residences and were considered a status symbol, as peasants were not able to afford the expensive materials needed to build the Orangery. A grand place, for entertaining, relaxing with friends and family, or for just those delicious moments of private contemplation, an Orangery – with or without the plants and flowers that long ago flourished in these sheltered greenhouses – adds a treasured space to your home. Smaller garden conservatories became popular in the second half of the twentieth century, as places which are part-greenhouses, for conserving plants, and part-recreational, as a solarium or sun room. They are often used as an extra room rather than for horticulture. I think all that's changing. I see a huge shift in peoples' desire to grow house plants and more. In fact, I believe growing vegetables and flowers inside your own home is becoming quite trendy and acceptable. Exquisite.

Lakeview Gardens Tour

Yesterday after I dropped My Egypt Girl off at the bus for Toronto, I took a chance and turned into the driveway of a very intriguing garden centre. I had driven by it a few times on the way to Lefroy to visit family and it was one of those places that just kept calling out to me...I knew one day I would have the lucky opportunity to tour the grounds. The storm was rolling into the area, but I knew that if I acted quickly, perhaps green luck would be on my side - lighting so perfect - I introduced myself, handed them my Liberty Post business card (by the way, if you haven't already, design and order some blog cards for yourself - it is so worth it.) and the next thing I knew I was getting a private tour by the owner and Plantsman extraordinaire Mr. Radcliffe! We meandered through the groomed rows of lawn and shade beds, into the gazebo, along the path to the herb garden and inside the antique tool mini-museum shed. The finale was my favorite. The succulent garden! Lakeview Gardens is a greenhouse, garden centre and tour garden. The business consists of wholesale and retail quality spring annuals, potted herbs and perennials. Lakeview Gardens is located north of Bradford, Ontario, on Killarney Beach Road. My big takeaway lesson: Prickly Pear thrives in Ontario! (even through our harsh winters...isn't that so cool!) Yeah! This garden is a tribute to a passionate, visionary Plantsman who opens his heart and land to anyone who seeks the peace, tranquility and discovery of nature. I hope you are able to visit soon! You will love it! (Painters and Photographers.....oh my..what a place to create! And Teachers, what a wonderful learning place for a field trip!)