In the News

My class in the Horticultural Program at the Barnes Foundation entered the Backyard Deck category of the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show. While we did not take Grand Prize, we were absolutely delighted to receive a First Place ribbon. Concentrating on sweeps of color for continuity, we also focused on contrasting shapes and textures for low maintenance, all season interest. For more information on the Barnes Foundation, click here.

The orchids are a bright contrast to the foliage and have long-lasting blooms.

The sculpture adds architectural interest.

Plant of the Month
(Used in Exhibit)

You can see from the pictures of our exhibit that we used annuals to create sweeps of color–strong burgundies and greens–to really bring color, life, and light to landscape. Notice that all of these plants are simply foliage. What is particularly fantastic about this is that you’re offered a great deal of color and grace in the way they sweep, without the task of deadheading flowers.

You can get the look that you want, including a lot of color and visual intrigue for a long period of time, in a variety of ways that are not necessarily high maintenance. Remember that green is indeed a color as well. You can accent the green of your landscape with the right shrub or tree … you may simply have to ask an expert for help. While we completed this with annuals, it can be done with perennials, trees, and shrubs as well.

Coleus is an example of an annual used in this exhibit that provides tremendous summer interest. The variegated leaves of this colorful treasure come in green, pink, yellow, black/a very rich purple, maroon, and red. A wonderful complement to many other plants that instantly brightens virtually any garden design, it is an excellent example of one of many plants available that are easy to grow and offer fantastic impact for a minimal maintenance investment. Call us today for more.

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 to schedule a complimentary consultation on your property. Available to discuss indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of making your home or office–your everyday view–more attractive and enjoyable.

Believe this newsletter might interest a neighbor, friend, or associate? We will be happy to add them to our contact list at your or their request.

 
Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape–the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show. ~ Andrew Wyeth

February is a wonderful month to highlight kalanchoe. These tiny petaled little wonders display shiny, succulent leaves and come in a variety of colors, including pinks, oranges, purples, reds, and many more! Kalanchoe can grow in normal household temperatures, but not lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I love to use them in my indoor designs–and do so often–as they are simply perfect for arrangements of all sorts. They are easy to grow indoors and are very successful re-bloomers.

In the Garden with Ellen

I’ve been receiving a number of requests from readers who want to know what they can do for their plants during these winter months. Winter pruning is one of the first things that comes to mind. When plants are dormant, as they are now, it is a wonderful time to prune back excess plant material. As this is true for most (but not all) plants, be sure to check your specific plant type online. Custom Gardens helps a number of local clients with this very task and would be happy to maintain yours as well. Call us for more information.

In the News

We’re excited to announce that our Indoor Specialty Garden videos are #1 on Google! Do you appreciate someone in your life and want a way to let them know? Call us today to treat yourself or someone else to the warmth and beauty of live flowers that will last months and months instead of just a week or two. Each is unique and hand designed to meet the likes and gardening ability of its recipient.

You may have noticed our new address. We have moved to two wonderful acres with deer and a fish pond. Watch out for more to come on our new property, including how we design the landscape to make it feel like us!

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 to schedule a complimentary consultation on your property. Available to discuss indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of making your home or office–your everyday view–more attractive and enjoyable.

Believe this newsletter may interest a neighbor, friend, or associate? We will be happy to add them to our contact list at your or their request.

 
Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

Custom Gardens, LLC welcomes you with an invitation to enjoy news, tips, and our monthly spotlighted plant!

Plant of the Month

January’s plant — the hellebore – is an outdoor plant in bloom … now! The common name for this plant is Lenten Rose since it frequently blooms around Lent. Gold Collection (white) is blooming now while others are getting ready to do the same. This wonderful plant is evergreen and deer resistant. Preferring shade, it is gorgeous in flower boxes and provides fresh cheerful color that is visible both from the street and from the house. These plants are very easy to grow and appreciate a little lime in the soil. Custom Gardens is happy to offer its clients this fabulous winter wonder.

In the Garden with Ellen

We tested the soil around the azaleas on a client’s property. Despite leaf compost, which renews the soil with lots of nutrients, the foliage has been a sickly yellow green. This indicates chlorosis–a lack of chlorophyll, which is the key to photosynthesis. There are many possible causes of chlorosis, and over time we eliminated most of them. The plants had good drainage, the roots were in good condition, and we had given it a broad nutritional supplement. Testing the soil demonstrated that the soil was very alkaline. Some plants (such as hellebores, our plant of the month) like an alkaline soil, but azaleas do not. They want a more acidic soil. We will be treating the soil to make it more acidic, which should make the azaleas happy and healthy.

Custom Gardens loves caring for ailing plants, and we invite you to contact us if you would like our assistance with plants on your property.

Did You Know …

Indoor landscaping is a wonderfully warm enjoyment option for those who prefer to wait until springtime to revisit their outdoor landscape. Custom Gardens creates indoor landscapes with its Indoor Specialty Gardens and will design one that is both easy to care for and tailored to your tastes in color and personal style.

What would YOU like to see? We are preparing to make a third video and would love to address our readers’ requests, so reply to this email right now with any thoughts, questions, or suggestions!

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 to schedule a complimentary consultation on your property. Available to discuss indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of making your home or office — your everyday view — more attractive and enjoyable.

Believe this newsletter may interest a neighbor, friend, or associate? We will be happy to add them to our contact list at your or their request.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

Custom Gardens, LLC welcomes you with an invitation to enjoy news, tips, and our monthly spotlighted plant!

Plant of the Month

When the freshness of spring, the warm rays of summer, and even the cool of autumn have passed … the gardening season is not over! Custom Gardens is creative in helping clients enjoy blooms and foliage at all times of the year.

Would you believe that Pennsylvania has a native cactus — and that it is in bloom right now? It’s true! The Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifosa) is native to PA, among other states. You can find it flourishing at Jenkins Arboretum in Tredyffrin Township. Tolerant of low-nutrient, acid, and alkaline soils, this cactus grows three to four inches high and is winter hardy. You are able to eat the stems, fruits, and seeds of Eastern Prickly Pear; the stems are typically singed to remove the spines — they are then either roasted and peeled or deep-fried. The fruits can be dried or eaten fresh and can be used to make jelly or syrup!

In the Garden with Ellen

Even though we are still able to enjoy color outdoors during the winter months, not everyone is particularly attracted to the prospect of outdoor winter gardening. Custom Gardens delights in handling the design and maintenance for you. And if you insist upon giving your outdoor view a rest as winter’s chill settles firmly …

Did You Know …

Indoor landscaping is a wonderfully warm enjoyment option for those who prefer to wait until springtime to revisit their outdoor landscape. Custom Gardens creates indoor landscapes with its Indoor Specialty Gardens and will design one that is both easy to care for and tailored to your tastes in color and personal style.

If you saw the video in my last newsletter, you were able to get a glimpse of me at home, making a one-of-a-kind Indoor Specialty Garden.

Oh Deer, What to Do?

Deer generally do not like plants with strong fragrances (of course, you may not either). Boxwood, lilac, lavender, and peony are all good choices for deer resistant plants.

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 to schedule a complimentary consultation on your property. Available to discuss indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of making your home or office — your everyday view — more attractive and enjoyable.

Believe this newsletter may interest a neighbor, friend, or associate? We will be happy to add them to our contact list at your or their request.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

Indoor Specialty Garden

3 Indoor Specialty Gardens

Click above to see video of Ellen preparing her well-known, luxurious Indoor Specialty Gardens.

These videos invite you into my home, for a few short minutes, to see me prepare and explain one of our Indoor Specialty Gardens. Hand designed personally by me, they are a very popular choice among Custom Gardens clients — for their own homes and as glorious gifts.

When I started Custom Gardens, I hadn’t thought about indoor gardens — although I held lots of experience working with outdoor pots, planting them for four season color. The request from a friend in need of a condolence gift started our Indoor Specialty Gardens. I wanted to design a beautiful, soothing piece that would provide visual respite for the individual in mourning. The gift was a success and resulted in many interesting requests: an herb garden, a new baby garden, an ‘I will last, unlike last year’s Valentine’s Day flowers’ garden, and gardens at the dinner table to become presents for the guests.

Color–Whether you choose flowering or non-flowering plants, our Indoor Specialty Gardens pair colors that complement one another beautifully, playing with each hue to offer wonderful contrast. They are all designed to the recipient’s personal taste in color, texture, and fragrance — either yours or the person to whom you are gifting this little, luxurious landscape.

Ease of Care – In addition to providing instructions to keep your indoor garden lively, I always blend plants that hold similar light and

Themes — I am able to use a variety of containers — perhaps a Pyrex baking dishfor a kitchen garden or a hat box for someone fashion conscious — to set the right ambiance for any number of settings in the home or office. Our Indoor Specialty Gardens are wonderful treats for the upcoming holidays, Valentine’s Day, new home congratulations or decor (how about a lovely herb garden?), office promotions, hostess gifts, and even table arrangements. And consider centerpieces of cut flowers — wouldn’t an Indoor Specialty Garden offer a lovely, longer lasting option for the occasion?

If the recipient likes bright colors — we do that.
If the recipient wants to feel tranquil at work — we do that.
If the recipient has a black thumb — we cure that.

The giver is happy for giving something unexpected and special; the recipient is happy in receiving something unexpected and special … to enjoy for quite some time. Recipients report enjoying their indoor gardens for over a year.

If you are interested in enjoying an Indoor Specialty Garden for yourself of someone else, please call us. You can also contact Custom Gardens, LLC by on this site.

Also, check our portfolio for new pictures here.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

“November’s sky is chill and drear, November’s leaf is red and sear.” – Sir Walter Scott

Custom Gardens, LLC welcomes you with an invitation to enjoy news, tips, and our
monthly spotlighted plant!

Plant of the Month

We are busy helping clients put pansies in their landscapes for fall color. The pansy is an extremely versatile and hardy “annual.” It provides wonderful spring color — and, to the surprise of many people — is actually also a fantastic plant for fall and winter! In fact, they winter over quite well, and it is not unusual to see them in bloom during the winter … or peeking through the snow. The trick to keep pansies blooming is to pinch off spent blossoms and their stems; this promotes new blossoms and allows the beautiful flowers to keep their full appearance instead of a long, stringy look.

In the Garden with Ellen

I often get requests for circles of flowers around a mailbox. To this I say, let’s do it even better! The circle has been done, and done again … and again! Not to mention, this design doesn’t necessarily relate well to the rest of the property or other gardens in your landscape. But there is no need to worry — we can do incredibly interesting, colorful, and low maintenance plantings that provide year round color. For example, how about a curved bed that goes from the driveway to the edge of the property? This makeover for your landscape provides lots of visual intrigue and offers an interesting change from the norm …

Did You Know …

Did you know that many of our clients are also avid gardeners looking for another, expert set of eyes? We recently worked with such a client — an enthusiastic gardener — who was concerned her property did not look as good as it could; she had some plants that she felt were misplaced, and others that were overgrown. She also had areas in the backyard where she wanted to add plantings and extra color. Custom Gardens had a wonderful time addressing these concerns with her!

 
After uncovering in our consultation that lilac is one of her favorite garden participants, we removed a couple of plants she no longer wanted and added two lilacs to build on the one already existing. We were happy to gave her this sweep of color that she will enjoy in the spring and long thereafter. We then showed her how to care for her lilacs so they will stay shrubby and floriferous … as opposed to tall, sparse, and unappealing.

We also moved two beautiful hydrangeas that were crowding out her lovely dwarf Japanese maple and used them to create a new bed in one of the blank spaces on her property. Dividing some of the larger clumps of perennials, we sprinkled them on either side of the path to offer even more color and continuity in design.

Oh Deer, What to Do?

Plants with fuzzy foliage are generally not palatable to deer. A good example is Lamb’s Ear (Stachys). There are several cultivars on the market, which makes this a versatile plant in the garden.

All the Time

Custom Gardens invites you to contact us at 610.613.7506 to schedule a complimentary consultation on your property. Available to discuss indoor plants (what and where) as well as indoor and outdoor specialty gardens and landscapes, we are in the business of making your home or office — your everyday view — more attractive and enjoyable.

 

Believe this newsletter may interest a neighbor, friend, or associate? We will be happy to add them to our contact list at your or their request.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

One of the interesting features of fall color is where it is found. Not only does foliage change colors on trees, shrubs, and flowers, but other features change color as well. The stems of red twig dogwood for example, turn a rich red and hold their color throughout the winter. Other dogwoods have bright yellow stems or stems that combine a range of reds and yellows. Ilex verticillata (winterberry) produces beautiful red berries that last all winter, unless the birds eat them first.
Heavenly Bamboo (nandina domestica) produces bright red berries. Other cultivars of nandina have foliage that turns crimson, pink, and red and lasts all winter.

Pansies are great in the fall. They come in many colors, both vivid and pastel, large and small, and with and without “faces.” Pansies last all fall and winter and are a real treat to see peeking through the snow.

Fall isn’t just the end of summer or the beginning of winter. Fall is a full season of interest all by itself.

“Faith sees a beautiful blossom in a bulb, a lovely garden in a seed, and a giant oak in an acorn.” ~ William Arthur Ward

If you are of the mindset that as this cool weather encroaches, the planting season is over, entertain removing your shovel and gloves from the storage box and heading back into the garden! Autumn is in fact the ideal time to plant the bountiful bulb.

From just one planting, you can expect enjoyment for decades. Many bulbs are native to this area, deer resistant, and low maintenance. Many of them also naturalize, which means they spread throughout the area you’ve planted, so you are able to fill a large area with just a few. They typically fare beautifully as cut flowers, and while some bloom early, others bloom late. This offers great variety and a prolonged season of fabulous blossoms.

Bulb flowers and foliage offer lots of shapes, colors, and varieties — not just the traditionally thought of daffodil, tulip, and crocus … though those come quite varied in color and shape as well.

Be sure to show off your bulbs properly by including the tall bloomers in the back of a border or bed and the short bloomers up front, where their colorful flowers will have the biggest impact. By marking

planting location with color coded golf tees, you can remember which bulbs you placed where, in order to avoid planting over them with perennials when springtime welcomes us again.
Check out height, bloom times, and sun/shade requirements before you make your selections. There is truly a perfect set of bulbs for each garden. Feel free to plant many different varieties at once to enjoy a symphony of color!

If you are interested in enjoying bulbs in your landscape or garden, but would prefer to have a professional’s help, please feel feel to give us a call to take advantage of a complimentary consultation.

Also, check our portfolio for new pictures at The Great Outdoors.

Sincerely,

Ellen Covner
Custom Gardens, LLC

Many plants, such as tulips and daffodils have different times for blooming in the spring and, of course, come in different heights and colors. I can plant a bed that highlights these characteristics so that it is in bloom from April – June.

Bulb foliage can be hidden as ferns and other plants spring up. This allows the bulb to continue to take in energy from the foliage which will support a healthy bloom the following spring.

It may be cold when we are planting but it feels springy to me!