Inspiring Garden Design: Winter at Parterre
2025 has certainly distinguished itself early on as a singular year! ~ After two decades, a new head gardener will be identified, interviewed, and hired, ~ the Great Horned Owls… Read More
In the Garden
Inspiring Garden Design: An Exquisite English-style Creation
“The owner’s first mixed border was developed in the pergola garden with the ornamental Bradford pear hedge as a backdrop. Her favorite colors–pink, fuchsia, lavender, and blue–can be seen in… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: 8 Tips for Creating a Sunken Garden
It is perhaps difficult to believe that behind this formal chateau (above) is a sunken garden that in its simplicity provides the lessons for creating your own version. But indeed… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: Spring at Hidcote
Looking back on these images has me thinking “how lucky was I?!” Hidcote had been on my “faves list” for so many years when I made the decision for a… Read More
Inspiring Garden Design: Parco Sherrer
Aaaah Winter…sitting by the fire, finalizing plans for spring trips to England, etc. It’s always difficult to remember that, in just 2 1/2 months, the ritual of “opening the garden… Read More
Attention to Details, Part 2
There is great depth to the topic, “Attention to Details,” warranting a part two that focuses more on the garden than Parterre’s architecture. But what a pleasure it has been… Read More
Attention to Details, Part 1
An Atlanta friend, noted landscape architect/designer, John Howard, came to town recently. Of course, I was in seventh heaven, with so many shared interests, spending an afternoon chattering away from… Read More
Creating a Floral Love Story
As with many years of my life in Newport, I have met and befriended a host of talented people through the Newport Flower Show. In 2019 I met Sandra Sigman,… Read More
Parterre’s 25th Anniversary
As expected my “Oops! in the Garden” post garnered many comments… and the sharing of similar woes and challenges. Thank you all! But that post also prompted me to consider… Read More
Oops! in the Garden
No surprise, this “confessional” is always a favorite blog… but I haven’t posted for a while because the oops were so dismal (like the Beech Leaf Disease attacking our beloved… Read More