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Kaleidoscopes of Color in Autumn

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Kaleidoscopes of color are found almost anywhere at this time of the year.

As I embrace the beginning of a new season, the colors I observe are amazing. Reminding me of looking into a seasonal kaleidoscope that amazes and makes me pause. I bend to retrieve any leaf that makes the words “oh my…that is beautiful”, fall from my lips. Gently tucking them into my pocket, it is a way of capturing the moment. You see, tomorrow, the leaf color will change. The seasonal kaleidoscopes are all around us if we just open our eyes along the way.

The first kaleidoscope of colors that I tucked into my sweatshirt pocket. We always remember our firsts, right?

One early morning, as I visited Montpelier just after daybreak, the colors just popped. In amazement, certain trees stood out to fluff their leaves as if to say “notice me…make this part of your memory”.

Montpelier’s trees decided they were going to show off first thing in the morning.

The wine-colored leaves were lifted into their glory by the patient trees in the background. Whether too early to begin a colorful show or an evergreen, each tree will have their turn on nature’s stage.

The trees at Montpelier were in different stages of fall displays of seasonal bliss.

No matter where I am, the kaleidoscope of fall is never too far behind. As I look outside my dining room window, the colors of the redbud are golden trinkets, falling to enrich the soil below.

Golden leaves of the Cercus Canadensis gently release to add nutrients to the ground below.

A Yoshino Cherry tree gives me a reason to smile. It shines with golden leaves that drip, one by one, into the garden. Imagine a necklace has broken and each bauble dropping in slow motion. What a beautiful addition to my compost these leaves will become.

Kaleidoscopes can change with the twist of the wrist. I can look at this Yoshino in the morning and by evening, it has a totally different hue.

As I stroll in my garden, the Hydrangea quercifolia stops me in my tracks. The kaleidoscope on this shrub changes each day that adds excitement with each glance. Is it the wine in the leaves? Could it be the amber as it evolves like a flame throughout the shrub? I cannot answer honestly these questions. With each leaf I see, my mind changes moment by moment.

Hydrangea quercifolia can make me pause in amazement with it’s colorful display.

As I continue to collect moments to include in my kaleidoscopes of color, imagining how many combinations to include, simply bring me joy.

Do the kaleidoscopes of color found along the way add to your autumn experiences in nature? Do you collect leaves to capture the unique memories of autumnal bliss?

This week’s colorful capture from walks embracing nature.

Gathering moments along the way…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Laura Dowling – Unique Floral Conversations

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Laura Dowling is a Creator of fabulous florals as well as a storyteller. Her books serve as great instruction for recreating beautiful florals from vase to door.

Laura Dowling is a unique woman. Not just because she was the former Chief Floral Designer for the White House, she is deeper than one job. I had the opportunity to be introduced to her book, Floral Diplomacy At The White House in 2017. Explaining how challenging it was to address the demands of the job, allows the reader to understand how to make the right statement.

FLORAL DIPLOMACY AT THE WHITE HOUSE

I can only imagine sharing your floral vision with the First Lady. What an opportunity!

This book introduces the reader to Laura from her beginnings as a farmgirl in Washington State. Laura’s journey includes a prestigious political science career, a vacation to Paris, and falling in love with Floriculture. Laura even shares how Mrs. Obama chose her to represent the floral messaging for the White House. Now the fairytale continues and Laura adds author to this amazing journey.

Laura breaks down her thought processes, including the research required for each event. Knowing the customs of the invited guests, coordinating with the selected china, and choosing the correct flowers to make the right statement was important. The pressure she endured must have been over the top until she became familiar with the demands of the job. What a job that must have been!

Viewing the photos of the table settings, the reader can imagine the floral beauty displayed at the event. From the colors, cultivars, and containers, it is truly like being a VIP guest on every page. In one instance, you could see Angela Merkle having a conversation over a bright bouquet. Whatever the topic, the flowers soften the moment. Moments like these are scattered throughout the book as she shares her memories along this fabulous journey.

WREATHS

Autumn is the perfect time to be creative and explore wreath making. This book on wreaths offers terrific examples with instructions. This is one of my favorites.

I love wreaths. They are the perfect accent on a wall, a door, or in the yard. Laura shares the correct tools for making the perfect wreath. The form, the materials, and most importantly the design process for the perfect wreath are included. Laura wrote Wreaths With How to Tutorials to make creating a simple wreath a work of art. Folding leaves, scouring grocery store aisles, in addition to craft stores are ways of making your wreath unique. I fell in love with the way Laura shared mixing peppers, greenery, assorted berries, and limes to create a wreath that brightens any room. Mixing things up from the base to the eyecatching ingredients certainly makes the case for diversity in wreath making.

BOUQUETS

Imagining creating fabulous bouquets that start from the vase. Allowing the creativity to rise up is something to look forward to.

I can only imagine taking classes in France on Floriculture. When I read that Laura had been trained in France, I realized why I love her bouquets. There is a certain creative, twist in each and every design. Her book, Bouquets With How to Tutorials offers inspiration with instruction. Easy to understand directions on how to mimic her style fill each page. She is also a storyteller. Along with every design, there is a story. Whether creating an arrangement for a particular season or occasion, allowing the inspiration is refreshing and doable.

I understand that another book is in the works. Waiting will be a struggle, however, with instructions like these, I can create my version of floral fantasies with ease. These books including, A White House Christmas: Including Floral Design Tutorials are terrific editions to any home.

Dreams can become a reality…Laura Dowling has shown us how.

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Chiswick – Memories of An English Garden On My Mind

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Chiswick House and Gardens in London was a treat to visit during my August reset.

Last year, England was part of my August reset. Thoughts of leaving Paris on a high-speed train underwater to a place I daydreamed about was exciting. The two hours from Paris on the Eurostar was uneventful. London was closer than I anticipated. One of my garden club members Eileen met me in London for this brief, but full trip. My Aunt Yvonne was just as excited but our journeys were different. While she visited other historic sites throughout London, Eileen and I were on the hunt for gardens. Eileen had investigated places to see, one of which was Chiswick.

WHY CHISWICK?

In 1819, a portion of the Duke of Devonshire’s Estate called Chiswick was purchased to be used for flower shows and events. The group that started this included many people who were passionate about the plants they were acquiring. Now known as the RHS or Royal Horticultural Society, this group kept Chiswick at the forefront of many plant aficionado’s minds. The RHS even maintained the grounds until around 1904.

Chiswick has quite a long history of being passed down from family to family, being sold, and even a short stint as a mental hospital. After nearly falling into total disrepair, The English Heritage set up the Chiswick House and Garden Trust. A major overhaul of the gardens was initiated and the results are what we see today.

SAVORING THE SPLENDOR

The underground ramp safely delivered us to the other side of a busy street.

Eileen and I followed the walking directions from the train. The walk was delightful and there were so many gardens along the way. Our desire was to see more than one garden that day. We were looking for the underground tunnel that would take us under the busy street, to safely approach the grounds of Chiswick.

Such a beautiful planting at Chiswick.

A mixed garden greeted us and we were simply excited to imagine what was beyond this beautiful naturalistic distraction. As we wandered between the clipped hedges, we could feel the excitement in the air.

Pub in the Park at Chiswick seemed as though it was going to be a fabulous event.

We checked out the map to see what the quickest way was for us to get to the glasshouse. Chiswick has a glass house that is home to quite the historic Camellia collection. We were seriously on a mission to see all we could, before lunchtime.

The Deer House and the garden behind the glasshouse was not open to the public as other events were scheduled.

As we approached a clearing on the side of the Doric Column and Rosary, the vision was simply amazing! The gardens were the appetizer that drew us in.

This perennial planting was duplicated on both sides of the walkway.

As we made our way to the glasshouse, it was hard to not be in awe of the magnificent structure. Although it had been renovated, I could only imagine the entertaining that took place here many moons ago.

The glasshouse that held many dignitaries, celebrities, as well as families for quite a few years.

One of the most memorable guests who performed at the glasshouse were the Beetles.

The Beetles gave a stellar performance at Chiswick. A photo proudly displayed inside the glasshouse memorializes that moment.

Another notable item in the glasshouse was a duo of original urns. These were quite beautiful and I could have looked at them for hours. The detail was amazing. Due to potential damage, the urns are now kept inside to protect them from the elements.

One of two urns that are impressive in stature and simply beautiful.
Some of the intricate details found upon closer inspection of the urns.

Imagine a sincere plantsman building a 300-foot glasshouse to protect his plant habit. What a devotee of the garden, to make sure that all his plant gifts or purchases were given a home. One of the plants he loved was the camellia. The Duke had collected quite a few of these “Exotic” plants for the garden from near and as far as China.

As I stood inside the doorway of the glasshouse, my imagination allowed me to mentally dance on the lawn. The view, along with the perennial beds, encouraged me to daydream vividly. In my mind, there was a soiree of plantspeople enjoying the beauty that surrounds them.

Daydreaming in the doorway of the glasshouse at Chiswick.

Dotted throughout the interior of the glasshouse, were large containers of scented geranium’s and assorted annuals.

Indoors, a pot of scented geraniums leaned out to touch any who passed it by.

As the morning wore on and hunger settled in, Eileen and decided to grab a quick bite as we continued on our journey. The sandwiches were delightful.

The egg salad was light, yet filling. The onsite snack shop was a welcome sight. As we ate, the rest of the day was waiting for us to find all the gardens we could.

I am glad we started the day at Chiswick, the place where English gardens were cultivated, plants traded and people gathered – all for the love of plants.

As we continue to unintentionally pause, are you dreaming of traveling to places unknown? Have you sorted your photos, organized new pictures on-line, or considered taking a tour? I think each of us has imagined the possibilities and can’t wait for 2021.

Considering an organized tour, to a garden, of course!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Pollinate – Spreading the Love of Gardening

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Cottage In The Court
Cottage In The Court believes in stimulating conversation to pollinate the mind about all things gardening.

Pollinate, as defined by Merriam Webster is a verb. It means – to give (a plant) pollen from another plant of the same kind so that seeds will be produced. I compare garden podcasting as a way to pollinate the mind. As a garden communicator, I have recently found joy outside the garden, as a podcaster. In my opinion, podcasting is a way of pollinating my listener’s minds, thereby sowing seeds to encourage gardening.

POLLINATE BY PODCAST

Just like the garden, this world of podcasting is diverse. Each podcast has a style that reaches the mind of the listener. Depending on your style, there is a podcast where information is shared which fits your taste. The perception that there is only one way to learn about the garden is as extinct as the dinosaur. Here are a few local ways that podcasting is a conduit to pollinate the mind.

WORDS, PEOPLE, PROSE

I love to read, meet all types of people, visit great gardens, and well, a good poem always brings me joy. Anchor.fm is the allotment where I plant a few seeds. It is on this platform I share people in horticulture, poetry, or a few words about finding the beauty that surrounds us. I try to introduce others to the coolest plants people, horticulturists, plants, books, and whatever else I find interesting. Of course, it is called Cottage In The Court.

It is all about the garden in my world. I must warn you…my world is truly the world. My best friend is an affordable trip to a garden, of course! Why not listen here. Subscribe…I have so much to share!!

GARDENS’N’PLANTS…OH MY!

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Two garden communicators talking about what’s growing in their gardens, places they have been, and things to do in the DMV.

This is a collaborative podcast that a friend of mine, Peggy Riccio of PegPlants.com, and I are growing. Together we co-host, Gardens’nPlantsPodcast where we talk about what is going on in our gardens, places we visit, and activities throughout the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia). We are two Garden Communicators and members of GardenComm, International who share our love of gardening. It is a great way to know what is blooming, where to go, and activities that embrace gardening. At the moment we are bi-weekly. However, as we begin to move about freely, you just might hear from us a bit more. You can listen to us here. Subscribe…we are growing!

WAIT A MINUTE…HOE ON!

The world of garden podcasting world is amazing. The University of Maryland has even been bitten by the bug!! Proving that collaborative efforts are meaningful The Garden Hoes are a thing. These hosts have some serious “garden cred”.

Emily Zobel, Mikaela Boley, and Rachel Rhodes are The Garden Hoes. A podcast supported by the University of Maryland is chock full of certified, verified information anyone can use. Once a month The Garden Hoes disseminate information that is seasonally appropriate. There is also a Q&A email to ask and get qualified answers about the garden. The University of Maryland has so much to offer, subscribe, and stay in the know!!

NATIVELY SPEAKING…

John Magee is a successfully transplanted garden communicator in the DMV. He is quite the resource when considering what to plant for the insects we need to pollinate our gardens.

For a discussion about natives, my friend John Magee hosts The Native Plant Podcast. First of all, for over 20 years, John Magee has earned the recognition and respect of his peers in the world of horticulture. John is known for designing sustainable, as well as eco-friendly spaces. On his podcast, John delves deeply into native plants, truly cool people, and discussions on ecology. You really learn a lot about the topics, as well as the people John chooses for The Native Plant Podcast. If you subscribe, I promise you will not want to miss an episode.

WASHINGTON GARDENER MAGAZINE…AND PODCAST TOO!

Washington Gardener Magazine is a part of the Washington DC landscape. This magazine is one of the reasons many in the Mid Atlantic have discovered the joy of gardening. Beginners, as well as seasoned gardeners, have looked to Washington Gardener magazine to pollinate thoughts of bodacious gardens. Now, Kathy Jentz has been bitten by the bug. GardenDCPodcast is where one can find plant profiles, seed swap discussions, voices of people in horticulture, and more. Remember…subscribe and follow.

When resources are needed to amplify the voice of gardening, there are many I can name. There is a community of garden communicators who are unique. Each has diverse listeners, with similar interests, and different listening styles. Just like the insects that pollinate our gardens, each listener will have a different perspective on how they want information delivered. From Blogs, talks, interviews, and now podcasts to pollinate our minds…gardening just got better!

Here are a few other podcasts you might want to listen to:

Plantrama.com, The Gardenangelists, Cultivating Space, Steven Biggs, …just a few of my favorites. Pollinate your need to garden and listen to a podcast on gardening. Don’t forget to subscribe!! It is a great way to feed the soul.

Putting on my headset, turning on the microphone, and chatting with friends who pollinate my heart,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Plants Mimic Society

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Plants can often mimic what is happening in society today. Sometimes plants that initially serve a purpose, can get out of control. Uncontrollable plants will destroy, an otherwise beautiful garden. We are often reminded, a beautiful garden is not always perfect. Certain plants have traits that are beneficial (or not) in this garden we call life.

CHINESE PRIVET (Ligustrum sinense)

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Plants like Privet are not always a good thing.

Many of us see this understory shrub as something innocent. Don’t be fooled. The semievergreen leaf lingers through mild winters and is a great filler for floral arrangements. Left uncontrolled in the landscape, Privet can do more harm than good.

Found alongside moist areas, near woodlands, Privet was at one time a desirable plant. Emitting a fragrance so subtly sweet, we have welcomed it into our gardens for privacy. Over time, we have found out that it forms dense thickets. The thickets have a tendency to block out native plant species. When native undergrowth is not given a chance to survive, privet can take over. Are you a Privet personality?

HONEYSUCKLE ( Lonicera japonica)

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Plants like Lonicera can get out of hand by forming dense mats to suffocate and prohibit growth.

Oh, those plants in the springtime with sweet scents! Many of us remember the scent and taste of honeysuckle. Growing up in Washington, DC, as the sweet scent wafted through the air, those sinewy vines with the sweet tubular blooms beckoned us. We would pluck them, raise them to our lips, and enjoy the fresh taste of the season. The walk home from school was a delicious one. Memories of this moment bring a smile to my lips.

Did you know, the honeysuckle vine will girdle small trees to death. These vines can climb to the treetops and shade the undergrowth from surviving. No matter how beautiful, some species are on the USDA invasive species list. Are you a honeysuckle personality?

MULTIFLORA ROSE/ROSA MULTIFLORA (Seven Sisters Rose)

A warm Spring day makes the sweet fragrance of this plant a welcomed delight to the nose. The Multiflora rose is a menace to the garden.

Ah, the Multiflora Rose is such a sweet-smelling plant that calls out to us in the late Spring. This tough plant can be found just about anywhere. As I walked along the woods line last week, a song came to mind. I began to hum. It was a familiar hymn, often sung in Church. It speaks of a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. I thought of a sweet, sweet scent along my way. No matter how beautiful and sweet-smelling this rose is, you do not want it in your yard.

This rose can get out of hand quickly and can form thickets that can be extremely hard to penetrate. It is not picky about where it lives. From woodlands, fields, and even pastures. If there is soil…it will grow. It is considered an ecological threat to nature. A strong plant that suppresses even the strongest of native undergrowth, leaving a thick mass of thorny stems. Are you a Multiflora Rose personality?

ASCLEPIUS (Milkweed)

Milkweed, humble, nurturing, and ever giving.

Such a giving plant. Not just for Monarchs, Asclepius is a food source for other insects. This plant provides a home for laying eggs, sap as a food source, and consumed by the hatching caterpillars as well. Talk abut a natural multi-tasker! Milkweed is used for medicine, a resource for cleaning oil spills, and more. You could say this plant is quite concerned with making sure that the cycle of nature continues. I would say Asclepius is a plant with a conscious. Do you have the personality of the Asclepius??

Nature teaches us many lessons. Simple things we need to pay attention to. We each have a choice to make. We can smell sweet, be appealing to the eye, yet harmful to our very existence. The other option is to be encouraging, nurturing, understanding, and provide positive food for growth. Our choices can leave a legacy of suppression or provide fertile ground for growth.

Our world is one large garden, what kind of plant will you choose to be?

Asclepius…all day, every day…

Providing compost via positive imagery of all things beautiful to our world garden…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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