A collaborative effort. (PART 1)

For the past few weeks, I've been working with a colleague in designing and installing a landscape for a client and the process has been incredibly worthwhile.

Clayton Morgan, of CEM Design, Inc., is a former classmate, student, and friend. He finished his BLA (Bachelors of Landscape Architecture) when I finished my hort degree at the UW. We've been talking about doing a project together for some time now and an opportunity arose when a client in Bellevue called RHR (moi) to renovate and re-design their yard.

Since I don't do major demolition and hardscapes, Clayton (who just loves to do these sorts of things with his big power toys! lol ) took on this role. With the hard-working CEM crew, they clean up the site, installed an irrigation system, and transformed an overgrown and uninspiring front slope and uncovered a new canvas for us to create something very special.

EXISTING LANDSCAPE


DEMO & CONSTRUCTION


ROCK & HARDSCAPE INSTALLED (stupid DEAD END sign. We're hoping they can get it moved)



So, most of the plant material was delivered today and the first phase of plant installation begins first thing in the morning. Clayton and I took some time earlier this evening to discuss placements and I couldn't be more pleased to work with someone with a keen eye for design and the experience and patience of a gardener. He's a quiet fellow, but he takes on and accomplishes big things that truly make a statement! Watch out, he's also YOUNGER THAN ME! haha.

Next generation of professional gardeners at work. Stay tuned for views of the first phase of installation.

Cheers,


Riz

$9.99 Orchids!!! C'mon try them!

Ever been intimidated about growing orchids???



At a local supermarket today, flights of colorful butterflies appear to have landed inside their floral departments and they were flying out the automatic doors like I've never seen before. It was so heartwarming to see people walking out with blooming orchid plants. What was even more encouraging to see was a young college-aged couple each carrying an orchid (for their dorm room, perhaps?)

Phalaenopsis hybrid orchids have always been the easiest of all tropical orchids to grow. That's because even though they come from the deep forests of a warm and humid jungle, the hybrids actually like the same kind of conditions that people do favoring moderate light and moderate temperatures.



Here's the quick and dirty, you need to run out and get yourself a "Phal"!


-Indoors (admire them OFTEN)

-East facing window is best. No direct sun.

-Water once a week or when the pot feels "light".

-Pick off flowers as they fade and remove any dead leaves at the base.

-After they flower, you can use a sterile disposable razor to cut the stem just below where the very first flower was. This could encourage the stem to branch and give you new buds and more flowers!


ENJOY THEM AND IT'LL BE OKAY IF YOU KILL IT THE FIRST TIME. IT'S HOW YOU LEARN, HONEST!

Really, the hardest thing about Phals is choosing which color you like!

Cheers,

Riz

TV RAISED ME: Watch PBS's "The Botany of Desire"

Check out this awesome preview that I hope everyone will watch and regain a fuller appreciation for the plants and flowers in our lives. Check out Amy Stewart in this documentary. She is the author of a book I'm currently reading called Flower Confidential .

Great Day for a Fall Plant Sale!

Selling plants at the Dunn Garden Fall Foliage Festival! The weather was chilly, but gorgeous!

A super cool Eryngo!

Eryngium leavenworthii in the Soest Garden @ UW Botanic Gardens -Center for Urban Horticulture

My First Video on YouTube!!! Tell me what you think!

Here it is. My special thanks to David Perry for shooting this clip for me!

Let me know what you think! I'd love some feedback.

The "First Timer"

Some highlights of my trip to Raleigh, NC for the Garden Writer's Association Symposium.




**Most Awkward Moments**

-Getting on last on the bus and being forced to meet and converse with George Ball.
-Having to be rescued after being locked in the men's room at the Convention Center.

**Funny Moment during a Concurrent Session**

-THE FARTING SEATS! (Everytime someone plops down to sit (Dan Heims in particular during one session), the chairs act like whoopie cushions.)

**Person/People who impressed me most**

-Fellow Generation Y gardener Kelly Norris (age 22!!), who gave a commanding lecture on how to introduce our generation to gardening.
-Tony Avent and his Juniper Level Botanic Gardens and Plant Delights Nursery.

**Best Meal**

-Buttermilk biscuits with fried chicken and hash browns

**Funniest Compliment Received**

-"What in the bloody hell are you doing in horticulture??!!" - Plantsman John Elsley (after a "performance" during the closing karaoke party)

**Most Memorable Person/People I Met for the First Time In Person**

-Jim Wilson. Who I grew up watching on old tapes of "The Victory Garden"
-Pam Baggett. Garden writer and tropical plant specialist.
-All my fellow "Gen Y" gardeners and writers.

**Person/People I was most relieved to see being a "First Timer"**

-Marty Wingate, Bobby Ward, C. Colston Burrell,

**Most Inspirational Person I Met**

-Mentor: Ed Markham. In his 90's and still going strong!

**Most Inspirational Talk**

-Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dr. Lowell B. Catlett The Greening of America

**Best chat**

-Post dinner and bus chat with Debra Prinzing and David Perry.

Check out all the pics from the Symposium here!!