” . . . we plant a plum in the garden to revel in the beauty inherent in the brevity of life, or we set a rock there to give ourselves a glimmer of hope that there may be in this transient world things that are eternal.”~ Marc Peter Keane, in The Art of Setting StonesHere the temporal loveliness of Azalea blossoms is juxtaposed against the enduring nature of stone wall and boulder.
Thoughtfully shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife
A successful garden relates well to the unique characteristics of its setting. Climate, water, wind, weather, shade and sun, slopes, soils, nutrients, suitable plant types and surrounding structures are all crucial elements to address in a solid garden plan.
During the planning phase, an experienced garden designer will anticipate future garden environments and will take into account the modifications necessary for long-term garden success. For example, a knowledgeable garden planner accounts for future changes such as soil qualities (pH, texture, and moisture) and the effects of sun, shade, and wind as plants grow.
Please visit next week as I share another helpful insight as you consider an enduring garden in your own space!
Contributed by Betty HanselmanWife of Gardener/Site Listener
Just over a week ago, Sean Kramer, Hanselman Landscape’s lawn care manager, visited long-term clients to treat their lawn. The couple is delighted with their lawn (shown on the left in the photo below). They can’t help but be a bit smug when comparing their lawn with that of their neighbor’s (on the right). According to Sean, the husband and wife each took time to come outside and crow a bit. And no wonder–even in early spring, their lawn is radiant!
According to the wife, “Our lawn has been under the care of Hanselman Landscape for a couple of years now and as you can see, we have every reason to be proud of it. Hanselman Landscape treats our lawn throughout the year, following a plan drawn up before the start of the season. They take care of everything from scouting for diseases and pests to fertilization and aeration. We could not be happier with the results.” Then, with a smile, she added, “Our entire backyard is a Hanselman Landscape creation. It was established in 2007 and and has become our number one sanctuary. Thank you, Hanselman Landscape, for making our life more beautiful!”
Gladly shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& emerald green lawn enthusiast)
Creating a landscape of enduring beauty requires thoughtful planning, skillful implementation, and dedicated care. A well-planned garden is also a smart investment in lasting value. At the outset, a garden designer with a long-term perspective will help you avoid the pitfalls that result in short-sighted, costly garden “makeovers,” including perhaps the greatest expense: the time it costs to re-grow a “ripped-out” garden to graceful maturity.Even before devising a thoughtful garden plan, consider your commitment: how much are you willing and able to commit to the creation and care of your garden? Your designer will need to know your dedication (financially and emotionally) to the garden you are envisioning so as to stay within realistic parameters. In our experience, the best gardens are those which are well-loved. Please visit our website to view our mission statement, values, and work: https://www.hanselmanlandscape.com/about-us-hanselman…/Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing tips to help you invest your time and resources wisely as you plan your own enduring garden. See you back here again soon!
Shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& advocate of a long-term garden perspective)
“There is something about the garden today that makes it appear unusually solid . . . . The pines are lush with dark needles, the moss deep and verdant . . . even the shadows of the gray lichened stones hug the ground like patches of thick, dark carpet. Into that solidarity, a plum tree casts its spent blossoms. Each time the wind gusts, a puff of pink-white dots gushes like confetti, floats briefly on the current of air, drifts, then pools neatly on the moss around the bases of trees and the garden rocks. If the pines and stones are solid, then the cascades of plum blossoms are liquid, and when they scatter, the garden seems more like river than terra firma.”~ Marc Peter Keane (American landscape architect and author, based in Kyoto, Japan; 1958 – ) Ephemeral, fragile petals juxtaposed against solid, enduring rocks . . . a beautiful garden portrait that mirrors real life. Shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife
The careful thought, high-quality workmanship, and integration of nature’s beauty with daily life that characterize Japanese gardening culture also guide the vision and standards of Hanselman Landscape. For this reason, each company team member is continually trained in traditional Japanese gardening methods. This training is applied to every aspect of gardening, from design to maintenance.
Recently, Japanese garden expert, Doug Roth spent two days with the Hanselman Landscape team, providing hands-on training in garden design and pruning. Day one began with each team member standing in front of a tray of sand and a birdhouse with see-through plastic sides. The challenge: using the supplied sand and individually-selected rocks, create “gardens” that will be pleasing to the eye when viewed through the windows of the home (i.e. birdhouse). Every 30 minutes or so, the team members were instructed to move to a different tray “garden” and were given a new set of garden design requirements. On day two, under Roth’s watchful eye, team members practiced Japanese pruning methods on yet-unpruned trees brought in from the nursery. (See photos of both days, below.)
As a company, we are constantly learning the values of the Japanese garden tradition. We believe that regardless of the style of garden being developed, many Japanese garden techniques have universal application that result in high-quality, enduring gardens that delight and refresh.
Gladly shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& Japanese garden advocate)
