Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Look What I Did!
Okay, it wasn't just me - but I did the plant design! This is a garden that Elysian Landscapes just installed yesterday for a wonderful client of ours (I'll give you a hint who it is: an androgynous country/pop singer who eschews capital letters and whose name rhymes with "Lady Sang"). It is such a pleasure to do good work for great people! I actually think the plants looked extra perky because they were so appreciated.
The round patio is an extra special touch; the client wanted something that looked organic, and like it had been there forever. It's really hard to make something brand new look time-worn (without resorting to faux finish - EEeeeewwwww!), so we used old cobblestones from Pennsylvania. I think the result is beautiful.
The planting is lush and sub-tropical ... California with a dose of Bali. I used Cordyline 'Red Star' and Musa 'Zebrinus' to create a backdrop that didn't completely block out the distant view of the hills, and Cycas revoluta to bring some dramatic sculpture into the mix. I tossed in the majestic Doryanthus palmerei, Giant Spear Lily, to keep things dramatic. The eye-popping Coleonema 'Sunset Gold' will contrast beautifully with the grouncover, Rhoeo spathacea (otherwise known as Moses-in-a-Cradle ... what a name!) and with the sexiest plant of all - Colocasia 'Illustris'. The colocasia is a medium sized elephant ear with long, slender stems and what looks to be a painted mask balanced on top. I wish I could use this plant more often! If I lived in a place like Florida, this baby would be in my back pocket at all times.
Our client is really happy. So are we at Elysian. Even though it is a newborn, this garden already looks great ... it has focus, balance, interest - all it has to do now is grow.
Oh. My. God. So shady and gorgeous. Wow. That patio---drool. Good work, my dear!
Thanks Katef! I am very proud of this little jewel of a garden... I want one! Sigh ... one day ...
By the way, what a lovely shout out on your blog - you made my day!
wow. i feel like i'm on vacation just looking at that.
Hi there Chanchow! I was so happy to do this garden - it is right outside of their bedroom, so can you imagine waking up, stretching, opening your french doors and walking out into this little bit of paradise? (Forgive me if it sounds like I'm tooting my own horn - it's an Elysian project, so I'm actually tooting three horns - Judy Kameon, Michael Kirchman,Jr., and then little old me. But I do admit to blowing a little harder for myself.)
I love the way the sun comes through the trees and the round pattern of the cobblestones. Lovely.
You know, I was amazed that it looked as good as it did on the day it was planted. It seemed like everything was conspiring to make this garden beautiful - even the sunshine, Cathy!
i really love the round stone patio; if only my apartment came with room for a patio...
I want one, too, Amyboesch - maybe we can come up with a mini portable indoor/outdoor version? A round stone patio picnic blanket type thing?
Great leaps in design often start with strange needs and desires...
Did anyone guess who this client is, by the way?
yup, i got it! i used to have one of her CDs. the one from the early 90s.
Right on Chanchow! She is so awesome - a real pleasure to work for... we were hoping to hear her singing to herself, but that didn't happen. I get so geeky when I'm a fan!