tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post5689196452452274635..comments2024-01-03T01:06:58.771-05:00Comments on A Tidewater Gardener: Summer Color ILeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-37787122530186116122015-02-28T08:57:14.475-05:002015-02-28T08:57:14.475-05:00Tina our process starts with a couple of brainstor...Tina our process starts with a couple of brainstorming sessions where we toss around themes, designs, colors, combinations, etc.. We all keep files of things we like and plants we want to try. We narrow things down and present rough designs to my boss so he can weigh in and make suggestions. Once the designs are finalized I start sourcing plants. Many of the tropical plants we use are kept in our nursery and hothouses. We have an on-the-ball propagator, and I meet with her to go over the plants, and together we decide what can be done by cuttings or divisions, by seed, by mail-order plugs, or what I should buy at local nurseries. I buy very little already finished plants from wholesalers, and I'd say the majority are grown from seeds or plugs, I order the seeds to arrive around the first of the year, and the plugs come in March. We usually target a plant date of mid-May. We repeat the process in October and plant cool season crops. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-45147459064051596542015-02-27T08:44:25.438-05:002015-02-27T08:44:25.438-05:00Haha, being dangerously low on beer around my plac...Haha, being dangerously low on beer around my place is an emergency. Forget the power, forget the roads, just bring the beer and they all prepare for it. I hope the storm is not too bad for you. Love the annual beds. So you design them all then you and your team plant them? Do you also propagate the flowers in the hothouses all winter long? Or do you buy wholesale? I am not so familiar with how botanical gardens work. I guess I just never much gave it a thought. I know Opryland propagates all of their greenery in their greenhouses. A big job too. tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-89691710797508255982015-02-26T13:07:45.529-05:002015-02-26T13:07:45.529-05:00OK! :o)OK! :o)Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-5968270063553249532015-02-24T20:10:03.953-05:002015-02-24T20:10:03.953-05:00I like that photo too Chavliness. I like how the s...I like that photo too Chavliness. I like how the shape of the redwood in the distance is mimicked by the fountain. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-61119050058931373032015-02-24T20:08:29.239-05:002015-02-24T20:08:29.239-05:00Annie, thank you for the high praise.Annie, thank you for the high praise.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-31883454485331294872015-02-24T20:07:57.013-05:002015-02-24T20:07:57.013-05:00Thanks Linda!Thanks Linda!Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-18138326843176884432015-02-24T20:07:38.975-05:002015-02-24T20:07:38.975-05:00Casa M., if you do come to the gardens, have the f...Casa M., if you do come to the gardens, have the front desk give me a call. I am usually there most weekdays. When Diamond Frost first came out I couldn't see what all the fuss was about, until I saw what it does for its neighbors. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-36399831195475650642015-02-24T20:05:27.585-05:002015-02-24T20:05:27.585-05:00Lee, I am glad I could brighten your day.Lee, I am glad I could brighten your day.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-43237157607526537442015-02-24T20:04:52.473-05:002015-02-24T20:04:52.473-05:00Jean, we do plan early, but you never know how thi...Jean, we do plan early, but you never know how things are going to do until you get the plants in the ground. Fortunately we tend to plant fairly thickly and if something doesn't perform well, there are others to pick up the slack. Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-66417292976815546442015-02-24T20:02:44.304-05:002015-02-24T20:02:44.304-05:00Thanks Lynn! We had such a good time putting those...Thanks Lynn! We had such a good time putting those bridge planters together.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-84972753921331838972015-02-24T20:01:20.164-05:002015-02-24T20:01:20.164-05:00Jason, not only is 'Redhead' a stunner, it...Jason, not only is 'Redhead' a stunner, it was vigorous, yet well-behaved.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-68734256788594666032015-02-24T13:42:11.086-05:002015-02-24T13:42:11.086-05:00The fountain with the surrounding planting scene i...The fountain with the surrounding planting scene is excellent. Colocasia 'Coffee Cups towering over purple-orange combo: Awesome.chavlinesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907844942343152129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-28828023786397619722015-02-24T10:23:12.190-05:002015-02-24T10:23:12.190-05:00I almost had to put on my sunglasses! What color! ...I almost had to put on my sunglasses! What color! Your designs and blending of colors and shapes are first-class. Bravo! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-85056943163707033962015-02-23T19:08:25.796-05:002015-02-23T19:08:25.796-05:00Absolutely gorgeous series of photos.Absolutely gorgeous series of photos.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-39821109299928541402015-02-22T18:45:23.015-05:002015-02-22T18:45:23.015-05:00Gorgeous! There's a foot of snow outside and I...Gorgeous! There's a foot of snow outside and I'm in need of a shot of color. My daughter attends college near your area and I need to stop by the Botanic Gardens when it's warmer and I'm down for a visit. I've always ignored Diamond Frost but need to give it a second look since you recommend it so highly. :o)Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-68673128853144363112015-02-22T14:44:38.653-05:002015-02-22T14:44:38.653-05:00These gardens are beautiful Les and you are so for...These gardens are beautiful Les and you are so fortunate to be a part of them. These photos are a welcome sight on this cold winters day!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-9522178528662814512015-02-22T14:38:37.541-05:002015-02-22T14:38:37.541-05:00Stunning encouragement to make early plans. Thank ...Stunning encouragement to make early plans. Thank you.<br /><br />Purple and Chartreuse and Pale Yellow and all shades of Orange -- a recipe I borrowed from Val Easton for a front garden to wow passersby at 55 mph. I'll be adding Aechmea to my mix. Jean Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09000315400392984647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-43325141719251831162015-02-22T13:45:45.966-05:002015-02-22T13:45:45.966-05:00We were certainly impressed with the gardens, burs...We were certainly impressed with the gardens, bursting with color even in early October. The planters on the bridge were especially gorgeous. And of course the roses! Anyone who travels near Norfolk should treat themselves to a visit.Lynn Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12726341040976568748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-39788108151877821212015-02-22T11:34:40.650-05:002015-02-22T11:34:40.650-05:00Color! Such a pleasure to see, as I am surrounded ...Color! Such a pleasure to see, as I am surrounded by a vista of white and brown. That 'Redhead' coleus is a stunner!Jasonhttp://gardeninacity.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-78341708082853792162015-02-22T09:43:02.357-05:002015-02-22T09:43:02.357-05:00Yes, I am lucky, and you are welcome to borrow.Yes, I am lucky, and you are welcome to borrow.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-81351059498348331432015-02-22T09:42:41.079-05:002015-02-22T09:42:41.079-05:00I know it turns some people's stomach, but I&#...I know it turns some people's stomach, but I'm a huge fan of purple and orange together in the garden.Leshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-80592958349535776542015-02-21T18:17:50.074-05:002015-02-21T18:17:50.074-05:00You work at a botanical garden? Lucky you! That ar...You work at a botanical garden? Lucky you! That area by the steps with the potted plants, including the 'Redheaded' Coleus, is fabulous. I might have to "borrow" some of those ideas, too!Beth at PlantPostingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473637655960119672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-23967732221677477452015-02-21T14:01:47.382-05:002015-02-21T14:01:47.382-05:00Love it Les and a nice reprieve from the current s...Love it Les and a nice reprieve from the current snow storm. So much to learn from their creative use and combination of plants. The purple and orange really resonate. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com