“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.” ~ Charles Dickens (English Victorian writer and social critic; 1812 – 1870)
Author Archive: Betty Hanselman
FINDING SOLACE IN A CONGESTED WORLD
In the United States, more than 70% of the population lives in urban areas and faces the daily stressors of congested traffic, noise pollution, and a landscape of billboards, asphalt, and concrete. To find the tranquility and beauty of nature may involve a several hour trip each way, something only possible on weekends.
The Japanese, however, while facing the same stressors of urban living, have learned how to bring serenity and natural beauty into their lives every day: through the incorporation of a lovely garden in or around their residences, restaurants, and places of business. Instead of driving outside the city to decompress, they need only sit on their engawa (porch) or favorite chair and gaze out into the living artistry of their gardens.
What an attractive way to live! At Hanselman Landscape, this is what we work hard for in every garden we are privileged to be, whether residential or commercial: surrounding the walls with the grace and tranquility of a harmonious and delightful garden.Please talk to us if this way of daily beauty sounds attractive to you, too! Our number is 717-653-1273. Joyfully shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& garden grace enthusiast)
GARDEN “ROCK CONCERT”
“When I discovered a new plant, I sat down beside it for a minute or a day, to make its acquaintance and hear what it had to tell… I asked the boulders I met, whence they came and whither they were going.”
~John Muir (Scottish-American naturalist, environmental philosopher, and advocate for wilderness preservation ; 1838-1914)
Hear, see, and enjoy the harmony and beauty of a “rock concert” in your own garden even in the coldest months of the year!
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& garden aesthete
ON ITS WAY!
This beautiful Japanese Black Pine (“Thunderhead” variety) is being prepared for an out-of-state delivery. We look forward to seeing pictures after it is settled into its new home–a modern courtyard garden.We are honored to be able to share the delight of trees we have shaped and nurtured with clients outside of our locale! Gratefully shared by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife
WINTER’S SEVERE ARTISTRY
“What a severe yet master artist old Winter is…. No longer the canvas and the pigments, but the marble and the chisel.” ~John Burroughs (American naturalist and essayist in “The Snow-Walkers,” 1866)What artwork are you enjoying in your garden this winter? Now, during the last cold, leafless month of winter, can we help prepare your garden so that your garden is a masterpiece in every season? We’d love to hear from you! (717-653-1273)Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman Gardener’s wife (& all-season garden art advocate)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE ‘SATYR HILL’ HOLLY
In 2002, at a Holly Society of America board meeting, someone suggested selecting a “Holly of the Year” as a way of introducing stand-out Holly varieties to the public, while introducing the Holly Society to growers and nursery owners. To be named “Holly of the Year”, a Holly would need to be available at a wide range of nurseries, easy to grow, and hardy in a number of USDA hardiness zones.
A year later, the “Holly of the Year” honor was given to the Ilex opaca ‘Satyr Hill’ (commonly known as the ‘Satyr Hill’ Holly). According to the Holly Society, the very first Holly of this type was discovered as a volunteer seedling and was developed by Stewart McLean at McLean Nurseries near Baltimore, Maryland. (Interestingly, the ‘Satyr Hill’ Holly received its name from the road on which the nursery is located!)
This beautiful Holly provides year-round interest with glossy, dark-olive evergreen leaves, tiny white flowers in the spring, and large, bright red berries which remain on the plant all winter long–until Robins eat them in the spring. (In its favor, this Holly is attractive to songbirds but not to deer.) The ‘Satyr Hill’ is a wonderful landscape plant and can be used as a striking specimen or grouped with other plants at the back of a mixed border. It is a vigorous grower with a compact, upright habit. It is hardy in zones 5 through 9, does well in full or partial sun, and can tolerate average soil as long as there is good drainage.
In addition to its value as a garden plant, the brilliant red berries, glossy green foliage, and longevity of the ‘Satyr Hill’ Holly make it an attractive choice for use in wreaths and other cut holiday arrangements. (In fact, I often use ‘Satyr Hill’ Holly clippings for our family’s Advent wreath.) For its many delightful qualities, we heartily recommend the ‘Satyr Hill’ Holly variety for your landscape.–Contributed by Betty HanselmanGardener’s wife (& evergreen ‘clip artist’)2
