It's not usual to see a variated tree of this size. This is a variagated tulip tree, tulipifera I believe. They have nice large blooms, but they get the name from the tulip shaped leaf. I'm not sure if this photo is going to show up well, but this one is close to 30' tall, still in the box. Read Full Story

When you're buying nursery trees, there are many things you have to look for aside from the basic aesthetics. One of the most common root health issues for boxed trees is when the nursery doesn't move the trees into a larger box soon enough and the roots begin curling around each other called root girdle. Here is a picture showing signs of root girdle. Sometimes it's less obvious than this and you need to pull the dirt away a little to check. This will stunt the trees growth and lifespan. ... Read Full Story

Can you believe this bright yellow was bright green just 2 weeks ago and it will be bright red in about 4 months? Euonymus fortunii is a seriously colorful shrub if you're needing year round interest. It can handle heat and cold as well. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Read Full Story

What is this? Can anyone identify this funky succulent? I found it at a client's house on their hillside next to a rose garden. (I know, they obviously don't go together).Anyway, it's the only one I've seen. Let us here your knowledge! Read Full Story

Who needs an expensive sculpture when you have a $100 pot and a $75 Chrondipetalum? (I'd better check my spelling on that plant). Living focal pieces can be as memorable as water features if you pick a plant whos foliage moves with the wind. Keep in mind you background and work to compliment or contrast in color. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Read Full Story

Sometimes all you need is one type of grass that you like as with this Italian Timothy. Then you mow a path through and your blade contrast is created by the mown to unmown transition. Very simple planting design can be best. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Read Full Story

This may be jumping a bit ahead to go right into lighting design, but I want to share one of my favorite lighting techniques. I call it the 'Silhouette'.The idea is to have a soft glow behind your plants so that the outline of the plants is defined by their shade side. It reminds me of the old comedies where they would have people with a light on in a tent or behind a curtain and their silhouette makes them look like they're being naughty... then they show the characters and they ... Read Full Story

The Lenten Roses you will love if you ever have the chance to discover them. They have very understated beauty and have an amazing, subtle flower. The Helleborus x hybridus 'Walhelivor' or Ivory Prince Lenten Rose is one of my favorites. There are few truly green flowers in nature. This one will make you fall in love with planting for contrast. Not to mention, it does well in shade and thrives with little attention. This is a great flowering perennial to pair with Pittosporum eugenioi... Read Full Story

One of my favorite shrubs right now is Pittosporum eugenioides 'Platinum', or common name, Platinum Lemonwood. In planting design, you have to remember, color choices and combinations are not just about flower color, but more importantly, foliage colors. The 'Platinum' color in the leaf of this Pitt really comes to life in contrast with darker leafed shrubs or like green/lemon colors. Put this shrub next to soft white blooms and full leafs of the Hydrangea quercifolia 'Va... Read Full Story

Try and keep your plant palette simple. Once you've decided on a planting style (modern, zen, cottage, formal, etc) and filtered through planting zone, light and soil requirements, you probably have a list of plants you have no idea what to do with from there. Here are some more filters to run your palette through:Hierarchy: Have few focal pieces and build your garden around them. Many times, depending on the size of the place, one focal piece per area is plenty. More than one will become... Read Full Story