#3 Garden Inspirations from Serenity in the Garden Facebook Page

Photo by Jan Johnsen all rights reserved

 

July 20, 2012 - Several years ago I planted small vining plants at the base of a black railing along some steps... I wanted to soften the look and add some green. I used Dutchmen's Pipe' (Aristolochia macrophylla Zones 5-8). It was named for a Greek named... Aristolochos in the first century, who had learned from a dream that it was an antidote for snake bites. Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot) is thus named because the root was used to treat snakebite, as "so offensive to these reptiles, that they not only avoid the places where it grows, but even flee from the traveler who carries a piece of it in his hand". Many species of Aristolochia are food for larvae of swallowtail butterflies as they become unpalatable to most predators by eating the plants. Plant Dutchmen's Pipe for a dense cover, to feed the butterflies and to keep the snakes away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 19, 2012 - This is a patio - in the making -  of round shapes at Bedrock Gardens in New Hampshire. It includes five septic tank tops and a huge grinding wheel! This Saturday July 21 Bedrock Gardens is open to the public! http://bedrockgardens.org/Pages_main/events_index.html

 

 

 

 

 

July 18, 2012 -  Reflexology Path, anyone? This is in Thailand and is designed by Bill Bensley, Bensley Design Studio...amazing work! His book is Paradise by Design. http://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Design-Tropical-Resorts-Residences/dp/0794604935

 

 

 

Photo by Jan Johnsen - all rights reserved

July 17, 2012 - The MONET'S GARDEN show at NY Botanical Garden sells copies of his green outdoor bench...It looks like it is made by the Weatherend furniture company. Looks great against that yellow forest grass on the right.

 

 

 

Photo by Jan Johnsen all rights reserved

 

 

July 16, 2012 - Profusion zinnias are a hybrid between the old cut-flower-type zinnias and the Mexican zinnias. Vivid colors make a great summer display. A full-sun location is best. Zinnias perform best in drier years as they are remarkably drought-tolerant.

 

 

 

Romance Rake by YANKO DESIGN

 

 

July 16, 2012  - Dieter Rams, head of design for Braun for many years, lists ten aspects of good design:
Good design should be innovative .
- should make a product useful.
- is aesthetic.
- will make a product understandable.
... - is honest.
- is unobtrusive.
- is long lived.
- is consistent in every detail.
- is environmentally friendly.
- is as little design as possible.

This is the ‘Reverse for Rebirth Romance Rake.’ it quickly rakes up yards and can spice up your living space as a wall decoration!
Designers: Ahn Joonggeun, Lee Sanghyuk, Lee Jaemin & Park Seohee YANKO DESIGN http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/03/23/romantic-rake/

 

 

Photo by Jan Johnsen - all rights reserved

 

 

July 16, 2012 - So did they paint the planter bright green to match the inside of the succulents? or vice versa? I took this photo in Santa Barbara earlier this year.

 

 

 

 

Bench by Forms + Surfaces

Tangent Rail Seating - Backless Benches that can be articulated in any angle! An idea whose time has come: http://www.forms-surfaces.com/tangent-rail-seating