Enter Suntory's 'Big Bad' Patio Contest!

Suntory Flowers and Big Bad Flower have teamed up to launch the Big Bad Patio Pinterest Contest. From Aug. 3 to 17, Pinterest Users can create their own board showing off their ultimate summer patios to win one of three gift certificates from Big Bad Flower. Winners will receive a $150, $50 or $25 gift certificate to Big Bad Flower!

 

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Sun Parasol Mandevillas from Suntory Flowers Stun in Any Summer Setting

Suntory Flowers’ Sun Parasol mandevillas, the tropical vines with trumpet-shaped flowers, are easy to grow and ideal for a unique look. These bold flowers add high impact color to containers, patios and landscapes. Plus, the tubular flowers are also known to attract hummingbirds to the garden.

Though these natural climbers are usually found growing along trellises, there are many other ways to incorporate Sun Parasol mandevillas into outdoor living spaces. Available in original, giant and pretty sizes, these vines can grow to be 10 to 15 feet long.

“Sun Parasol is a great choice for creating that wow look this summer,” says T. Jay Higgins from Big Bad Flower. “These mandevillas allow you to add a splash of color anywhere — on a table, in a hanging basket or around garden edges. Welcome guests to your home by planting Sun Parasol in unexpected places.”

GMG's Friday Find: Garden Goodies for Mother's Day!

We know mom can be tough to shop for, so here are some ideas to make Mother's Day gift giving a breeze.

Easy Edible Pickins

Since moms everywhere love to feed their families healthy food, a gift of these brand new, low maintenance, small fruit shrubs will be most loved.  These compact berry shrubs provide ornamental beauty and delicious berries! RaspberryShortcake™ is a thornless dwarf raspberry shrub that reaches 2-3 feet and fruits the first season.  This compact, rounding plant requires no staking or trellising, no companion pollinators and very little space, and has sturdy upright canes. Raspberry Shortcake loads up with full-sized, super sweet raspberries and is ideally suited for large patio containers, balconies or any size yard.

Take Mom to the Tropics
Busy moms will love the Tropic Escape Patio Collection from Costa Farms®.  This collection pairs bold flowering hibiscus with trailing/climbing mandevilla - an unbeatable combo for mom's patio or garden!  And the best part is these plants bloom non-stop from spring until fall and are easy to care for. Look for the Tropic Escape collection at your local home improvement store or mass merchandiser and turn mom's outdoor space into a tropical paradise!

The Birds #1 Best Friend
Does your mom love to feed the birds? These new bird feeders from Perky-Pet® look like old-fashioned mason jars.  The Mason Jar Collection is reminiscent of the vintage blue glass canning jars used in the 1800s. They bring rustic, shabby chic elegance to any yard while attracting various types of birds. Perky-Pet® offers three types of Mason Jar feeders including Wild Bird Feeder, Hummingbird Feeder and Wild Bird Waterer.  Mom can have beautiful outdoor décor while enjoying watching the birds.

Eco-Friendly Containers 
Moms love to get handmade gifts from their kids, but if that's not happening this year give her the next best thing - handmade pottery containers from Native Cast. These eco-friendly concrete planters are individually hand-cast, lightweight and durable.  Easy to move and stunning in design, your mom will love this planter for indoor or outdoor, all year long. The heart-shaped cast- your-own kit is a fun project you and your mom can spend time doing together; after all, that's all she really wants!

 Twists on Tradition Cookbook
The next best thing from taking a break from cooking is cooking a meal together with family. James Farmer's newest book, A Time To Cook is a celebration of garden to table lifestyle recipes updated for today's conscientious cooks. Steeped in Southern tradition, A Time To Cook offers scrumptious recipes that are fresh from the land and garden and will be one of your mom's go-to cookbooks for years to come.

Celebrate this Mother's Day with a gift that says "I love you", a gift she'll use and enjoy for years, and a gift that will remind her of just how special she is.

Happy Mother's Day!

~Peggy
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Mums the Word for Healing Tea

It's that time of year when summer blooms give way to autumn's famous flower, the chrysanthemum, affectionately referred to as 'mums'.

There are many varieties of mums, some hardy, some not, but one thing they have in common is the healing benefit of the petals when steeped for tea.  Chrysanthemum tea has many medicinal uses and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.  This tea is used as a relaxant,  helps to relieve head congestion and strengthen the lungs.When drunk with meals, especially greasy food, it helps to aid digestion. It can help relieve certain types of headaches, dizziness and blurred vision, with recent studies suggesting it can have a beneficial effect on high blood pressure. It can help increase calcium and even reduce cholesterol. This tea has got some clout!

Now you can easily browse online for pre-packaged Chrysanthemum tea, but I'm thinking of just foraging my neighbors yard.  Pick some petals, heat some water and viola! A tea that sooths, comforts and heals. And if that's not enough, according to feng shui, this flower is believed to bring happiness and laughter to the home, so I intend to make gallons!

So don't just watch your mum bloom and fade, put it to good use.  Drink it!  Bottoms up!



~Peggy
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Plant up!

Today's Friday Find is perfect for anyone lacking the space they want to display all their plants. When you have no more horizontal space...go up! There is now The Flower Chain!

The flower chain is a 5 foot tall hanger for 6 commonly sized plant pots. Using the included s-hooks, a screw eye and swivel (allowing for 360˙ rotation), or some other type of hook, it hangs in a variety of locations, including the porch, balcony, patio, large window, kitchen, lobby, restaurant, or anywhere else. It is sewn together out of thick polypropylene strapping, and is very strong and durable.

It holds the pots in loops which are sized so pots will securely sit in, but not fall through them. There are 2 sizes with either 12 inch loops (accommodates 4.5 in round or 3.5 in square pots) or 14 inch loops (accommodates 5 in round or 4 in square pots). These are very standard sizes, and are readily available with a wide variety of plants growing in them at most nurseries and garden centers. 

Cost: $16


Here's how you use The Flower Chain!


You could really create some very unique visuals with unique plants! Have you used this product? Let me know! Post a picture.

-Karen
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: A Pot for your thoughts...

Today's Friday Find is delightful, insightful and useful.

From their website...
PHILOSOPOTS® are whimsical flower pots, hand 'quoted' in dozens of different colors and embellishments--just the thing to brighten up your kitchen or deck! They can hold flowers, kitchen utensils, or dog treats. Each has a unique quote that ranges in category from gardening, children, teachers, dogs, humor, family and friendship and more! There is one just right for you! PHILOSOPOTS® make a great gift, one for your mother, sister, teacher, father..and don't forget Aunt Betty! There is a PHILOSOPOT for every season...every occasion. Shipped FREIGHT FREE anywhere in the USA (except Alaska and Hawaii.)

Check out these styles...many more on their website!

 "Plant more flowers than you pick."

 "Earth laughs in flowers."

"A diamond is a chunk of coal that did good under pressure."

These Philosopots are available in 6" pots for $28.00.

They also have pots for holidays, teachers gifts and will do custom orders! What 'philosophy' would you like to see written on a pot?



-Karen

Garden Media Group 





A visit to world-class gardens in our backyard

Last Friday, as the Memorial Day holiday approached, Stacey, Suzi and I toured two spectacular gardens along with members of our regional Garden Writers Association. Simply amazing.

First up, a tour of A.I. Du Pont's famous Nemours Mansion and Gardens, that included a fascinating glimpse into the private world of Albert I. Du Pont, the inventor, businessman, philanthropist and visionary.

We toured the grounds leading up to the "manse" that looked more like the palace Versailles than your typical LA celebrity "mega- mansion." Inside was a potpourri of collectibles, antiques and rooms meticulously decorated, a theatre and bowling alley, and even an ice cream making machine decades ahead of the times.

The gardens included a massive Reflecting Pool, Maze Gardens, a Colonnade, Sunken Gardens, a Rock Garden and so much more that words don't do it justice.

I took a few images of the magnificent statue adorning a fountain and garden vistas made for a king.

Note to self: MUST return-- soon!

Before noon, we headed for Longwood Gardens and enjoyed a scrumptious feast, listened to speakers and headed outdoors. There were three separate tours, we chose the gardens expertly unveiled.

I lingered over the students' gardens. Students come throughout the U.S. and the world to learn from the best. Here's a snippet of a few of their gardens I truly loved!


Can't wait to go back to both. Gardens are the world's unifiers; they soothe the soul and bring us joy.
Share your favorite garden - we'd love to hear from you!

Lynne
Garden Media Group
photos: Nemours Mansion and Gardens and Longwood Gardens

GMG's Friday Find: Fabulous Floral Furniture

This week is all about bringing the flowers indoors and never having to worry about them wilting. We all have an appreciation of the beauty they provide us outdoors but their life is limited once we put them in a vase.

The Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle is aiming to change the way we use flowers in our furnishings. Her line ranges from furniture, vases, art & accessories. There is a product for every taste.

 

About their Home Collection from their website...

At Floral Art we're surrounded everyday by the allure and beauty of fresh flowers. It's an experience that's inspired our signature aesthetic, clean, modern lines infused with imagination and elegance. Now, Floral Art Home brings this compelling sensibility to a new line of home furnishings -- the Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle. With the essence of nature reflected in each piece, we hope the Floral Art Home Collection enhances your everyday life with the radiance and enchantment that surrounds us in ours.

Check out the short video below about Jennifer and her inspiration!

How gorgeous are those chairs! You can get one in almost every flower!

-Karen
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find - Don't forget the Forsythia!

This week's Friday Find is on a more personal note. I was reading an article by Kevin Sharkey in Martha Stewart's Living Magazine (March issue) and realized I have exactly what Kevin wants...a long hedge of forsythia...except mine run the perimeter of my backyard and not along the driveway. A slight difference. 

After reading Kevin's story about how to use forsythia in decorating your indoors, I got up, went out back and took in the beauty of my forsythia. I would normally see the yellow flowers and mention it to my husband that they had bloomed but I never really went out back to experienced their beauty. This is definitely their time to shine! And do they shine! With the sun beaming down on them it is almost hard to look directly at them.

I just took these pictures...hopefully you will enjoy the view as much as I do...  

 

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks Kevin for opening my eyes to even more ways to enjoy them! (Kevin's article has some great ideas and tips on how to bring the forsythia indoors and enjoy them even more!)

Do you have some amazing forsythia growing in your yard? If you do, you should read Kevin's article here...

-Karen
GMG

GMG's Friday Find! - It's a POP-UP Garden!

Last week's Friday find was all about planning your garden and this week's find is how to set one up...Quickly! Practically right out of the package...just add soil (and your favorite veggie seeds!)

The Little Acre® Raised Bed Garden Bag makes it quick, easy and affordable to grow an organic garden of veggies, herbs, berries and flowers just about anywhere!

NO Tilling - No Digging - NO Soil Amending - NO Tools

Simply  1. Open it up

 2. Fill it with soil

3. Plant & Watch it Grow

Description from their website...
•Can be set-up just about anywhere - apartments, condos, small back yards, patios, roof tops, urban/suburban settings.
•Can be used again next year! Leave out or fold up and put in the garage.
•Sturdy construction and completely self-supporting once filled with soil - holds a rectangular shape well.
•Cute design, light color reflects sunlight delicate plants will not over-heat.
•Sizes: 3’ X 4’ X 12” ("Original") and NEW for 2012: 2' X 3' X 8" (The Little Acre "Junior")!
•All this for a Suggested Retail of just $49.95 for The Original and $39.95 for The Junior!

So now the excuse "I hate digging and tilling" is no longer allowed! Got any other excuses? Let me know what they are and I will try to find a product to help you over those hurdles!

Now GO GET GROWING!!!!

-Karen
GMG

GMG's Friday Find - It's going to the dogs!

As some of you may know I am a huge fan of dogs! I own two (Godiva, a Chocolate Lab & Nigel, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.) Since the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was this past week I thought it was a perfect time to highlight a cool garden product with a dog theme. These garden “sculptures” instantly perks up a yard or patio! (They are also great if you are allergic to the real thing!)

Labrador Retriever Topiary

From the Solutions.com description: No trimming needed...this already-formed animal topiary adds a distinctive touch in any garden. Comes pre-packed with planting moss...display it as-is or plant your favorite flowers in it.

You can enjoy the ancient art of shaped bushes or shrubs in your garden. This sturdy topiary adds elegance to your yard without the maintenance!

Mossy Labrador Topiary (picture shown above from Solutions.com, $299.00)

The before & after pictures below were found on Gardeners.com.
Their description: Standing guard on the porch or tiptoeing through the tulips, this life-size Labrador retriever topiary frame is just plain fun! Fill with sphagnum moss and cover with ivy or other vining plants (moss and plants are not included).  It is made of heavy gauge wire with a double-layer epoxy coatin. (Life-Size Labrador Retriever Topiary Frame $189.95)

I know I only showed labs...but they also have other breeds and they are soooo cute!

-Karen

GMG

GMG's Friday Find - The Growers Exchange

As any good gardener knows, January & February are always filled with anticipation for the arrival of gorgeous new plant catalogs. This week's Friday Find is the just released 2012 catalog from The Growers Exchange.
 
Full of great growing tips for your favorite culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs and flowers, as well as interesting facts, high quality pictures and more! They've also added more pages this year to include even more Potted Herbs and Potted Herb Garden Kits, Tools and Garden Accessories to give you the best selection possible.

And, just for requesting a catalog, you’ll get multiple discounts found inside and even some additional savings for referring your friends. This is definitely a resource worth holding onto for reference while planting.

Request a FREE catalog today and start planning your spring herb garden early...click here!

Like The Growers Exchange on Facebook here!
Follow them on Twitter here!

Keep sending me your ideas for our Friday Find!
-Karen
GMG

GMG's Friday Find!

I came across a very cool product for the very FIRST GMG Friday Find!
Edible Flowers Garden Bon Bons (I love the Bon Bons part!) by Moulton!
These garden truffles are for planting - not for eating!

From the Moulton website...Seed balls are a centuries-old planting technique. The compost provides nutrients to the seeds and the clay holds it together and protects against insects. Find a sunny spot, toss into the garden or indoor container, add water and watch them grow!
 
Not to mention they come beautifully packaged. This Edible Flowers selection pictured above contains anise hyssop, calendula, nasturtiums and violas.

Garden Bon Bon descriptions:

Round Red Clay Truffle - Viola 'Helen Mount'/Viola tricolor. Heirloom purple, yellow and white blossoms. For garnishes, candying and salads. 5"-7" tall.
Red Clay Truffle rolled in cinnamon - Calendula/Calendula officinalis. Bright orange heirloom flowers. Teas, salads and soups. Peppery. 12"24"tall.
Red Clay Brownie Square - Anise Hyssop/Agastache foeniculum. Licorice-mint flavor. Blue flowers and leaves for teas, salads and garnishes. 24"-36" Tall.
White Clay Truffle - Nasturtium/Tropaeolum majus. Peppery red, orange and yellow flowers for salads, soups and garnish. 14"16" tall.

A great gift for your favorite gardener...Valentine's Day is coming up...But don't forget the REAL chocolate too! (And please don't get them confused!)

-Karen
GMG

Hot new plants for 2012

The holidays are just around the corner. With all the busyness of buying gifts and celebrating, and battling wintery weather, here's a peek at new plants for spring 2012 that's bound to bring some cheer, color and life to any size garden.

A few weeks back I mentioned a new Black Hawaiian Spider Lily: Crinum 'Purple Dream' from Hines that's one pretty, durable plant that really rocks!

I promised to give an early "sneak peek" of some well-bred beauties and plant discoveries I think you'll love.

Keep an eye out for these new Hines Growers plants with new Bloomtastic! tags and labels.

The folks at Hines Growers are like plant hunters with a mission... no kidding! To make the cut, plants must be easy to grow and low maintenance and provide continuous color and abundant blooms- just what busy gardeners demand.

The butterfly bush in the above photo is Hines' exclusive new Buddleia Purple Splendor - a robust plant with fragrant flowers that produces waves of spectacular blooms during the summer heat. Best of all, it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds! Zone 5-10

And here's a beauty you can't pass up. Buddleia Lavender Veil from Hines is a compact grower that grows very low to the ground and bears abundant lavender fragrant flushes. This beauty attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with flowers that spill from containers, hanging baskets or look fabulous in your landscape as a groundcover, or in rock gardens, or perennial and cottage gardens. Zone 5-10.

On the left is Bambino 'Sophia' Bougainvillea, and below is Bambino 'Victoria' Bougainvillea, two of eight new varieties in the Bloomtastic! collection.

They are compact and full with dramatic variegated foliage, that contrasts against the profusions of large clusters of flowers, spring through fall! Both are well-suited for smaller gardens and hedges, containers, baskets and medium size groundcovers. Zone 8-10

So keep an eye out for these beauties and many more like the new Agapanthus africanus 'Summer Sky'  (I'll write about this one later) coming nationwide to a garden center and retailer like Home Depot for 2012.
Cheers!

~Lynne, GMG

GARDEN MEDIA GROUP HIRES NYC FASHION PR PROFESSIONAL

For years, one of our goals here at Garden Media Group has been to make gardening en vogue. We've gotten out clients in hip media like In-Style, Elle Decor and Apartment Therapy.

Today we are excited to let you in on our latest development to help take our clients and gardening to the next level.

We have expanded by strategically hiring New York City PR fashionista Katie Dubow, who most recently was marketing manager of Monet jewelry, a division of Liz Claiborne in Manhattan, where she was a member of the Liz Social Media Council.

And secondly, we’re adding a typical Gen X consumer who will guide our seasoned PR staff to better understand, tap into and converse with this growing consumer segment. She is our "new consumer". She and her husband are “apartment gardeners” and enjoy growing herbs, vegetables and flowers in containers on their “front steps”.

Katie has contacts with style influencers at People Magazine, O Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Real Simple, and Lucky, to name just a few, and has interfaced with several New York fashion PR firms.

Prior to joining the Liz Claiborne organization, she worked at CBS Television in New York and The Boston Celtics organization in Boston. Katie has her degree in communications from Northeastern University, where she was a member of its Division I Crew Team. She is an avid runner, traveler and reader.

With her New York public relations experience, energy and youthfulness, Katie is ready to help grow our clients, gardening and our famous GMG Garden Trends Report© to new heights in 2012.

Suzi
Garden Media Group

Vote Now For Your Favorite Flower

Have you voted yet for your favorite flower? Well, there's still time! Thanks to the American Garden Award competition, you have this unique opportunity to help choose the most popular flower in the nation.

Here's how it works. Some of the world's most prestigious flower breeders choose their best varieties to enter in this competition. Then, in cooperation with over 24 highly respected public gardens throughout the United States, the American Garden Award presents the entries so consumers can view the plants in person, then vote on their favorite.

Here are the 2011 entries:

Dahlia ‘Dahlinova Hypnotica® Lavender’
Dianthus ‘Kahori®’ (pictured above)
Ornamental Pepper ‘Uchu™’
Petunia ‘Easy Wave™ Neon Rose’
Petunia milliflora ‘Picobella™ Rose Star’
Scaevola ‘Surdiva® Light Blue’

‘SunPatiens® Variegated Spreading White’

For those of you who are unable to make it to view these flowers in person, you can also vote online at www.americangardenaward.com.

Voting doesn't end until August 31st, so go ahead and cast your vote today! Winners will be announced in September. Let me know which one is your favorite!

-Stacey

GMG

The American Garden Award program is administered by the All-America Selections Display Garden program. AGA entries have not been trialed nor awarded a winner status by the AAS Trial Judges.

Lilytopia!

Lilies. Truly amazing plants.

This Friday, May 20th, marks the opening of a remarkable event at Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, PA, called 'Lilytopia' - that runs through May 30th.

Longwood's enchanting East Conservatory will be transformed into a "breathtaking showcase of the newest varieties of lilies developed by Dutch hybridizers." The dazzling display will showcase more than 10,000 cut stems designed by Dorien van den Berg, noted designer of the world-famous lily show at Holland's Keukenhof. Van den Berg will travel to Longwood from the Netherlands to oversee the creation of the display.

You can also vote in the Lily Idol competition and purchase bulbs from the beautiful displays to grow in your own garden.

I can't wait to go and let you all know what was my absolute favorite.

~Lynne
GMG
photos credit: Longwood Gardens

Calling All Florida Gardeners

Do you want gorgeous color year-round in your landscape? Here’s a short video on Florida plants and flowers that will give you some great tips on drought-tolerant plants that will thrive in your hot and humid climate and add bold colors to your garden.

Plus, if you're interested in attracting butterflies to your garden, this quick video will show you how to create a beautiful butterfly garden that’s eye-catching, good for the wildlife and the environment.

Happy planting!

-Stacey

GMG

A Day at the Flower Show

So, it's been a few weeks since I attended the Philadelphia International Flower, but I still wanted to share some of the great pictures that I took on opening day with my eight year-old daughter.

I was so excited to take her this year since the theme was "Springtime in Paris" and last year at this time we were just getting ready for our own excursion to Paris.

When we entered the convention hall, we were greeted by the 33-foot-high base of the Eiffel Tower (pictured right) and some amazing topiary animals. It was really quite magical! This area lead us to the Carousal Stage (pictured top left), which had ongoing live performances of french music and can-can dancers throughout the day.

Of course, there was so much more to see besides the exhibits. We shopped in the marketplace, learned about gardening tips from experts and even got a chance to visit the famous Reading Terminal Market, which is just across the street from the convention center. A fun day in all!

If you missed the show this year, be sure to put it on your calendar for next year when the theme will be "Islands of Aloha" running from March 4th - March 12th, 2012. All proceeds from the show benefit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its acclaimed urban greening program, Philadelphia Green.

Happy Spring!

-Stacey

GMG

Julia's Farm Tour

I have to thank Chris Beytes from GrowerTalks for introducing me this adorable little girl! Check out this video of Julia sharing her favorite flowers from her farm in Virginia. She's a natural on camera!

Enjoy,

Stacey

GMG