Tag Archives: Flowers

The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham – Beautiful, Helpful, and Informative

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I was excited to read The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham.  As a gardener, I love growing herbs and lavender is one of my favorites. 

This book is beautiful, informative, and helpful.  The authors go into detail about the benefits of growing lavender.  This herb has many uses in recipes for food and drinks, seasoning, herbal recipes for bath and skin care, decorating and making your home more enjoyable with lavender’s lovely fragrance. 

I appreciated learning about the history of lavender, the different varieties, and the best growing conditions for each type.  Knowing this information, will help me choose the plant that is most suitable for where I live.

The authors also share food and drink recipes as well as medicinal or botanical recipes for bath and body and so much more.  I also enjoyed learning about their lavender farm and how it has grown and developed over the years.  For those who enjoy visiting gardens and farms, you may want to visit Pine Lavender Farm in Arizona.  They have an online shop where you can purchase and enjoy their products.

I enjoyed reading The Lavender Companion – Enjoy the Aroma, Flavor, and Health Benefits of This Classic Herb by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham.  I recommend this book for gardeners, those who enjoy growing herbs, or enjoy trying new recipes with the herbs grown in their own garden.  The photographs are beautiful. 

I would like to thank Story Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham.  It was a helpful and enjoyable read and a great reference book. 

A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven – Filled with Helpful Garden Design Ideas, Information and Spectacular Photographs

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I listen and learn from Sarah Raven’s podcast and was eager to read her newest book A Year Full of Pots.  What a tremendous resource this book is for gardeners.

Sarah specifically focuses on plants in pots throughout the year, month by month.  She starts out by giving some rules of thumb for designing combinations of plants that work well together. 

Then month by month, Sarah shares what plants she puts in containers.  January and February bring color into the new year.  In March and transition from winter to spring and using bulbs.  In April learning to do a bulb lasagna and how to do it.  May is working with tender perennials.  June, summer begins with making plant supports and fertilizer.  July the garden flourishes.  August looks at flowering plants.  September when tender perennial climbers are at their peak performance.  As autumn comes having perennials and those plants that will perform late into the season.  In November and December there are still some hardy flowering plants to take center stage as wells as bulbs.  Worked into each chapter are tasks that need to be done.

I appreciated the helpful information and details about different varieties that Sarah uses in her garden pots, what she likes about the different plants.  The book is chock full of pictures, gorgeous photos that you will want to look back on for design ideas for your own garden, in pots or perhaps worked into landscape.

Even though I live in a very different area than Sarah, I can take the ideas and designs work them into our home garden.  I loved this book and was on sensory overload looking at the spectacular photographs.  So many beautiful photos, ideas and information to enjoy and learn from.

I highly recommend A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven.  I plan on purchasing a copy of this book when it is published on April 9, 2024.  I want to use it as a reference guide filled with helpful information and design inspiration.

I would like to thank Bloomsbury USA Publishers and NetGalley for an opportunity to read a complimentary copy of A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby – Beautiful, Inspiring and Gorgeous Photos

Posted in Claus Dalby, Containers, Cool Springs Press, Flowers, Gardening, NetGalley, Plants, Uncategorized by

I was very excited to see that Claus Dalby has released a book on Container in the Garden.  I’ve been following his posts on social media for a couple of years now and enjoy the pictures and videos he shares.

Finally, we have a collection of pictures assembled from Claus Dalby’s beautiful and inspiring garden.  This book is filled with stunning photos of plants, flowers, and foliage in a variety of colors and combinations.  Claus begins with some of the basics of containers, soil, seeds, bulbs, planting and care. 

My favorite part of the book is when Claus goes through the color combinations, and assortment of plants that can be combined to reflect the seasons and holidays.  Also, how we can create or define different sections in our garden or outdoor rooms.  This book is very inspiring and gets a gardener’s creative juices flowing.  I appreciate the explanations on why certain plants were selected and combined with other plants.

I love this book and highly recommend it.  This book is a helpful resource for those new to gardening, and those who have gardened for many years.  It would be a lovely gift for those who enjoy beautiful pictures from the garden.  Reading through this book, I came across a number of plants that I would like try to grow.  I enjoyed Containers in the Garden so much that I plan to buy a copy of this book. 

I would like to thank Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Containers in the Garden by Claus Dalby.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

Picture a Day – Sunshine and Flowers

Posted in Fredericksburg, Picture a Day, Wildseed Farms by

Recently, Chris and I had the opportunity to visit Fredericksburg, Texas.  One of our favorite places was the Wildseed Farms.  We walked their fields and the glory of God was on display in His creation.  I think God must love colors and variety as seen in nature.  

We purchased some sunflower seeds, tropical milkweed and cosmos to try at home.  Many of the seeds have come up and are starting to bud and bloom.  Looking forward to spreading the seeds in our flowerbeds next spring. 

Now when I think of the Hill Country of Texas, I remember the beautiful town of Fredericksburg.  

A Day In October

Posted in Bees, Dallas Arboretum, Uncategorized by

A few weeks ago my friend Julie and I were able to make a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.  Not only did we see a plethora of pumpkins of every kind, but we saw beautiful flowers, butterflies and bees.  A beautiful day!