If you need some late summer inspiration for your landscape and gardens, I suggest a visit to Kendrick Lake Park in Lakewood, CO. Located on West Jewell Avenue between Garrison and Kipling, the park features a walking path around Kendrick Reservoir, a children’s play area, and a FANTASTIC xeriscape demonstration garden.
The garden was installed (yes, despite the scorn of many, those of us in the landscape profession happily use the word “installed” for plants and all of the many other materials that go into creating an outdoor environment!) several years ago and is finally reaching it’s potential. The garden focuses on native and adapted low water using perennials, grasses, and shrubs.
Right now the grasses are at their prime,
As are the hummingbird mints (Agastache)
And the Mexican hat (Ratibida)
I hope you have an opportunity to take a stroll through this garden---be sure to take your camera!
Archive for August 2007
Lotus Saga Continues
This is the seed pod that developed from the lotus flower. I wish you could see a larger photo---the subtle color shifts add interest and depth to the simple, graphic shape of the pod.
100th Post...An Exciting Announcement
I'm thrilled to announce that I have recently been awarded a contract by American Nurseryman Publishing Company to write a new book on gardening. The working title is “Plant Smart! Six Steps to Choosing Perfect Plants” and the release date will probably be sometime in early 2009.
This is a very exciting project for me for several reasons. First, it will allow me to put a lot of the information that I have been teaching for many years into a simple, permanent reference format for those who prefer to learn on their own and/or don’t have access to a formal classroom setting. Second, it will give me professional recognition beyond the Denver region that will enable me to lecture on a national level---something I have aspired to for many years as I truly enjoy public speaking. And last, this will be a new professional challenge for me, a non-writer!
This blog was created, in part, as a writing exercise tool---a journal, if you will---to keep me thinking about words and how to express ideas and observations. So now, along with continuing to post about plants and gardening, art and fiber, I will also be writing about the process of creating and publishing a book.
Wish me luck!
This is a very exciting project for me for several reasons. First, it will allow me to put a lot of the information that I have been teaching for many years into a simple, permanent reference format for those who prefer to learn on their own and/or don’t have access to a formal classroom setting. Second, it will give me professional recognition beyond the Denver region that will enable me to lecture on a national level---something I have aspired to for many years as I truly enjoy public speaking. And last, this will be a new professional challenge for me, a non-writer!
This blog was created, in part, as a writing exercise tool---a journal, if you will---to keep me thinking about words and how to express ideas and observations. So now, along with continuing to post about plants and gardening, art and fiber, I will also be writing about the process of creating and publishing a book.
Wish me luck!
Ahhhh...Taos!
One of my favorite places in the world is Taos, New Mexico. It’s not too far from Denver (about a 5 hour drive), but it has such a sense of place that you feel like you’ve been transported to a whole different world. I love the high, dry valley and mountain views, the Pueblo style architecture, and the laid back, friendly people.
We crammed a lot of fun into just a couple of days: We visited The Harwood Museum of Art and saw a fascinating exhibit of mid-century abstract expressionism by American painter Richard Diebenkorn. We also saw the national water media exhibit hosted at the Millicent Rogers Museum.
The Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn had a great trio playing vintage country western and honkey tonk music that was perfect with their fantastic margaritas! This was our first stay at the Casa Benavides Inn, a bed and breakfast just east of the town plaza. Very charming, with REAL Southwestern style, not that howling coyote crap. And the food was fabulous.
Enjoy the photo tour!
Russian sage and goldenrod
A classic Northern new Mexico scene: blue gate and hollyhock
The view from our room at Casa Benavides
What a Relief!
The garden tour/art exhibit went off without a hitch this past Saturday. We got lucky with some rain showers and cooler weather the week prior to the event, so things went from toasty and dry looking to quite acceptable. Of course, I spent several days “staging” the garden by adding new flowering plants or those with cool foliage, moving pots from the patio into the garden, adding fresh mulch, weeding, deadheading, etc. It’s actually been months of work getting things (and keeping them!) ship shape for the garden event, not to mention preparing for an art exhibition (and having plenty of new work to show!) as well. Whew! The past few days have been spent merely puttering about, enjoying the fruits of our labors. Hope you enjoy this mini photo tour!
