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Gardeny Goodness!

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Join us for garden tips, tidbits, and inspiration from around the globe. Show us what you're up to in your garden, and we'll share it with the rest of the world! 

Michelle GERVAIS
September 20, 2015

Fall plants and combos on the High Line, Day 1

Michelle GERVAIS
September 20, 2015
Fall plants and combos on the High Line, Day 1

Remember these gorgeous September combos from the High Line in May, when your nursery budget is still burgeoning.

Tagged: New York, Gervais

Michelle GERVAIS
September 17, 2015

NYC's High Line as summer turns to fall

Michelle GERVAIS
September 17, 2015
NYC's High Line as summer turns to fall

A couple of weeks ago Rob and I visited New York City with some good friends, and I got to indulge my penchant for seed heads and blooming grasses, and for NYC views, on the High Line.

Tagged: Gervais, New York

Michelle GERVAIS
September 16, 2015

The Succulent Cafe, Day 2

Michelle GERVAIS
September 16, 2015
The Succulent Cafe, Day 2

Today we're taking a second trip to The Succulent Cafe in California with Cherry Ong. I can't believe how wonderful their plantings are! 

Tagged: Ong, British Columbia, California, Canada

Michelle GERVAIS
September 15, 2015

The Succulent Cafe, Day 1

Michelle GERVAIS
September 15, 2015
The Succulent Cafe, Day 1

Cherry and Raymond Ong went on some epic garden tours recently. Cherry says, "The Succulent Cafe in Oceanside, California, has been on my bucket list of nurseries to visit ever since I read about it in Garden Design magazine. I was so thrilled when I finally got to visit!"

Tagged: Ong, British Columbia, Canada, California

Michelle GERVAIS
September 14, 2015

Jeff is ready for fall, and darnit, so am I!

Michelle GERVAIS
September 14, 2015
Jeff is ready for fall, and darnit, so am I!

Jeff Calton (Tennessee) says, "Even though we still have warm almost hot afternoons there is a chill in the night air and mornings are brisk. SOON we will be seeing fall colors again. Here are a few from last year."

Tagged: Calton, Tennessee

Michelle GERVAIS
September 13, 2015

Outside the containers in Cherry's garden

Michelle GERVAIS
September 13, 2015
Outside the containers in Cherry's garden

While Cherry and Raymond were gardening newbies when they embarked on their garden journey, they've made up for lost time in spades. 

Tagged: Ong, British Columbia, Canada

Michelle GERVAIS
September 10, 2015

Speaking of spectacular containers....

Michelle GERVAIS
September 10, 2015
Speaking of spectacular containers....

Deanne's not the only uber-talented container designer in this little group of ours.... Check out Cherry Ong's designs on the opposite coast! 

Tagged: Ong, British Columbia

Michelle GERVAIS
September 9, 2015

Deanne's inspired containers, Day 2

Michelle GERVAIS
September 9, 2015
Deanne's inspired containers, Day 2

Can Deanne's containers get any better? Why, yes they can. See for yourself.

Tagged: Fortnam, New Hampshire

Michelle GERVAIS
September 8, 2015

Deanne's inspired containers, Day 1

Michelle GERVAIS
September 8, 2015
Deanne's inspired containers, Day 1

Each one of Deanne's gorgeous containers is a masterpiece of texture, color, and composition, and most are designed to be viewed from multiple angles, as you'll see.

Tagged: Fortnam, New Hampshire

Michelle GERVAIS
September 7, 2015

More scenes from Deanne's garden

Michelle GERVAIS
September 7, 2015
More scenes from Deanne's garden

Deanne sure struck a nerve last week! Let's get everyone all excited again this week with more photos of her awesome garden. 

Tagged: New Hampshire, Fortnam

Michelle GERVAIS
September 3, 2015

So you think YOU'RE obsessed with plants? Wait til you see Deanne's garden....

Michelle GERVAIS
September 3, 2015
So you think YOU'RE obsessed with plants? Wait til you see Deanne's garden....

As soon as you pull into Deanne Fortnam's neighborhood, well, WOWZERS, you can tell which house is hers! It's almost overwhelming, in a very good way. 

Tagged: New Hampshire, Fortnam

Michelle GERVAIS
September 3, 2015

Oh what joy a humble pack of seeds provides

Michelle GERVAIS
September 3, 2015

Surely all this took was a few packs of zinnia seeds and a watering can. It's a good reminder that gardening takes all kinds of shapes and doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. 

Tagged: Connecticut, Gervais

Michelle GERVAIS
September 1, 2015

Billy designed a stunning and sophisticated garden

Michelle GERVAIS
September 1, 2015
Billy designed a stunning and sophisticated garden

Billy Goodnick's outgoing personality, jaunty fedora, and ever-present red Crocs might make you think his gardens would be wild and wacky, too, but I've seen enough of them to sense a trend: understated sophistication.

Tagged: Goodnick, california

Michelle GERVAIS
August 27, 2015

A visit to an Icelandic nursery

Michelle GERVAIS
August 27, 2015
A visit to an Icelandic nursery

On the way into the local visitor's center in Borgarnes, Iceland, we stumbled upon a nursery, Gleym-mer-ei! It was pretty quiet, being August, so we had the place to ourselves and were able to have a long chat with the owner, Sodis Gudlaugsclottir.

Tagged: Gervais, Iceland

Michelle GERVAIS
August 26, 2015

The gardens at Muiderslot Castle in the Netherlands

Michelle GERVAIS
August 26, 2015
The gardens at Muiderslot Castle in the Netherlands

There are two heavily cultivated gardens outside Muiderslot Castle, across from the drawbridge over the moat: a vegetable garden and an ornamental garden, each entered from a central passageway. 

Tagged: Gervais, Netherlands, Amsterdam

Michelle GERVAIS
August 25, 2015

Ramon's created a slice of Japan in the Netherlands

Michelle GERVAIS
August 25, 2015
Ramon's created a slice of Japan in the Netherlands

Ramon and his wonderful girlfriend Barbera invited us in, led us through their adorable house, and out the back and across the alley to Ramon's masterpiece on the canal. It was stunning. 

Tagged: Smit, Netherlands, Gouda

Michelle GERVAIS
August 24, 2015

A sweet little pocket garden in Bruges

Michelle GERVAIS
August 24, 2015
A sweet little pocket garden in Bruges

The bedroom of our suite in the B&B in Bruges looked out on a brick wall at first glance, but the light was compelling, so we poked our heads out the window.

Michelle GERVAIS
August 23, 2015

They torture plants in Belgium

Michelle GERVAIS
August 23, 2015
They torture plants in Belgium

Just a few miles before we arrived in Bruges, Belgium, we started noticing something curious. The plants were square.

Tagged: Belgium, Gervais

Michelle GERVAIS
August 20, 2015

More gems from Jeff's Tennessee garden

Michelle GERVAIS
August 20, 2015
More gems from Jeff's Tennessee garden

Jeff's wonderful shots never end! Here's a second day in his garden, showcasing his extensive succulent collection. Jeff, I am so stealing the wheel rim idea!

Tagged: Calton, Tennessee

Michelle GERVAIS
August 19, 2015

Amsterdam's floating flower market

Michelle GERVAIS
August 19, 2015
Amsterdam's floating flower market

We stumbled upon the flower market in Amsterdam quite by accident. Though it had been on our list of things to see during our visit, the list was long, and we hadn't made it a priority to search for this specific sight/site yet. But one day we just found ourselves in it, and it was a pleasant surprise.

Tagged: Amsterdam, Gervais

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Gardeny Goodness's own Michelle Gervais wrote a fun and practical garden-design book, and it's in stores now!

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Design-Your-Garden Toolkit

Visualize the Perfect Plant Combinations for Your Yard; Step-by-Step Guide with Profiles of 128 Popular Plants, Reusable Cling Stickers, and Fold-Out Design Board

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I didn't really plan this combo, but love how the heuchera leaves make the astrantia flowers stand out! #heuchera #astrantia #pink
I didn't really plan this combo, but love how the heuchera leaves make the astrantia flowers stand out! #heuchera #astrantia #pink
Dino garden. #itssupposedtobefun #dinosaursofinstagram #gardenfun #expecttheunexpected #lemonthyme
Dino garden. #itssupposedtobefun #dinosaursofinstagram #gardenfun #expecttheunexpected #lemonthyme
Rose Campion might be the most shocking color to star in my garden. Though the tradescantia is probably a tie. Wowzers! #lychniscoronaria #shockingpink #neon #rosecampion
Rose Campion might be the most shocking color to star in my garden. Though the tradescantia is probably a tie. Wowzers! #lychniscoronaria #shockingpink #neon #rosecampion
Ninebarks bloom so gorgeously. #ninebark #physocarpus
Ninebarks bloom so gorgeously. #ninebark #physocarpus
Oh how I love maidenhair ferns. #adiantum #maidenhairfern #shadegarden #fantasticfoliage
Oh how I love maidenhair ferns. #adiantum #maidenhairfern #shadegarden #fantasticfoliage
I can't wait for this container to shine. Doesn't look like much now, but I'm hoping it will be amazing. #bishopschildrendahlias #goldencreepingjenny #ornamentalmillet #golfball
I can't wait for this container to shine. Doesn't look like much now, but I'm hoping it will be amazing. #bishopschildrendahlias #goldencreepingjenny #ornamentalmillet #golfball
'Spring Blush' peas blooming! Can't wait for the pods. #peas #peasplease #prettyveggies #springblush
'Spring Blush' peas blooming! Can't wait for the pods. #peas #peasplease #prettyveggies #springblush
Our garden buddy. She walks through the seedlings without a care, gobbles up anything remotely edible, and chases the squirrels at full blast with no hope of ever catching them. Then she stops for a moment to just sit and sniff the breeze. She's irre
Our garden buddy. She walks through the seedlings without a care, gobbles up anything remotely edible, and chases the squirrels at full blast with no hope of ever catching them. Then she stops for a moment to just sit and sniff the breeze. She's irresistible. #daisyisagoodgirl #puppylove #ratterrierbeaglemix #snugglypuppy #alwayssearchingforbunnies #canieatthat #imgonnaeatthat #isitdinnertime #icoulduseacookie #pleeeeeease #imhungry
@opus_curiosus has been doing some landscaping down by the river! These stone steps into the water are the first stage of our kayak launching area. Without them you sink up to your knees in mud. #riverlife #kayaking #boatlaunch #housatonicriver #ston
@opus_curiosus has been doing some landscaping down by the river! These stone steps into the water are the first stage of our kayak launching area. Without them you sink up to your knees in mud. #riverlife #kayaking #boatlaunch #housatonicriver #stonework #hessohandy
Mystery irises in the island bed. Have no idea where I got them or when I planted them. It's all a blur. #iguessilikeirises #iris #geranium #miscanthus #thalictrum
Mystery irises in the island bed. Have no idea where I got them or when I planted them. It's all a blur. #iguessilikeirises #iris #geranium #miscanthus #thalictrum
Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' starting to bloom. It really is this fabulously blinding. And you'd think you'd hate that, but it goes with EVERYTHING. #tradescantia #sweetkate #neonyellow #flourescent #royalblue #burnyourretinas #intense
Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' starting to bloom. It really is this fabulously blinding. And you'd think you'd hate that, but it goes with EVERYTHING. #tradescantia #sweetkate #neonyellow #flourescent #royalblue #burnyourretinas #intense
Under the maple tree. #japanesemaple #columbine #aquilegia #getanium #epimedium
What's better than mulch? Nothing, that's what. @opus_curiosus kicked ass yesterday and spread most of the #sweetpeet. Good stuff, I tell ya. It makes everything look better, and has done wonders for our sandy soil over the years. #mulchmakeseverythi
What's better than mulch? Nothing, that's what. @opus_curiosus kicked ass yesterday and spread most of the #sweetpeet. Good stuff, I tell ya. It makes everything look better, and has done wonders for our sandy soil over the years. #mulchmakeseverythingbetter #sweetpeet #wortheverypenny #mulch @sweetpeetorganicmulch
Who needs flowers? Ok sometimes I do. But this little corner makes me very happy without them. #foliagefirst #clumpingbamboo #heuchera #epimedium #boxwood #ostrichfern #goatsbeard #andweedsofcourse #mirrorsingardens
Who needs flowers? Ok sometimes I do. But this little corner makes me very happy without them. #foliagefirst #clumpingbamboo #heuchera #epimedium #boxwood #ostrichfern #goatsbeard #andweedsofcourse #mirrorsingardens
Late last night, out to let the dog pee...the Dutchman's pipe froze in its tracks...I'd caught it trying to take over the world. #aristolochia #dutchmanspipe #bentonworlddomination #reachingout
Late last night, out to let the dog pee...the Dutchman's pipe froze in its tracks...I'd caught it trying to take over the world. #aristolochia #dutchmanspipe #bentonworlddomination #reachingout
Got down in the 30s last night, so before we went to bed we built a sea of bedsheets and tarps and overturned buckets. Everything seems to have muscled through! Whew. #frostscare #tenderlittleplants #nailbiter #itseffinglatemay #gimmeabreak #coldests
Got down in the 30s last night, so before we went to bed we built a sea of bedsheets and tarps and overturned buckets. Everything seems to have muscled through! Whew. #frostscare #tenderlittleplants #nailbiter #itseffinglatemay #gimmeabreak #coldestspringever
Under the baby Japanese maple. #sweetwoodruff #epimedium #solomonsseal #polygonatum #japanesemaple #weedsofcourse
Under the baby Japanese maple. #sweetwoodruff #epimedium #solomonsseal #polygonatum #japanesemaple #weedsofcourse
Tulip 'Black Hero'. I cut these DAYS AGO and they still look brand new. They last forever. And they're ridiculously beautiful. This is one of my absolute faves, and that's something, considering that I stare at Tulip photos all day. #tulip #tulips #b
Tulip 'Black Hero'. I cut these DAYS AGO and they still look brand new. They last forever. And they're ridiculously beautiful. This is one of my absolute faves, and that's something, considering that I stare at Tulip photos all day. #tulip #tulips #blackhero #cutflowers
I jammed my monster Sedum sieboldii into the ground last fall after I took it out of the red ceramic pot it was in all summer, not expecting much, and forgot all about it. Rediscovered it as it was waking up this spring, and now it has a new summer h
I jammed my monster Sedum sieboldii into the ground last fall after I took it out of the red ceramic pot it was in all summer, not expecting much, and forgot all about it. Rediscovered it as it was waking up this spring, and now it has a new summer home! I love this plant. #sedumsieboldii #hardysucculents #containergarden

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  • Thanks @NewEnglandBirds for spreading the word about my book in the @NewsTimes “Recalling the Colorform books of th… https://t.co/sOvDuueN3z
    May 1, 2018, 10:59 PM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Gervais spent 15 years as an editor at Fine Gardening magazine, where she traveled the country visiting and photographing spectacular gardens. She holds a degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and is passionate about plants and garden design. She and her family live and garden on a quasi-urban half-acre on the banks of the Housatonic River in New Milford, Connecticut.

 

 

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