Must see cool parks & hot gardens!

For those of you planning a trip to the east coast, be sure to visit Valley Forge National Park and Gettysburg National Military Park.

They're part of the National Park Service, US Dept of the Interior and are must-sees for the beauty and  historical preservation of our American heritage.

It's amazing to walk trails and fields over acres of land and woodlands, tour 18th and 19th century buildings and linger over artifacts from our past. And enjoy the beauty of nature.

If you love visiting spectacular gardens, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA is worth the visit.

Beside world-class gardens, ponds, fountains and fireworks, be sure to view the amazing light installations by Bruce Munro that are mingled throughout the acres of woodlands, fields, and in the conservatory. 

But hurry- the light installation runs until September 29th. Well worth the visit!

Share your favorite gardens and parks! And enjoy your summer!

Lynne

Garden Media Group

photo credits: National Parks: WikiCommons

Longwood images: GMG

Who is Blue? You?

With winter in hiding this December, I am missing the beautiful blues of icicles, frozen ponds and even cold blue lips! Blue is one of my favorite colors.  Getting true blue in the garden is easy with some lovely ideas like those pictured below from our APLD members.

http://www.apld.org/



What a lovely statement for the garden. What is your favorite color?

Bring the Soothing Sounds of Water Inside

I've always loved the sound of water in the garden and now I'm finally bringing this tranquil sound into my home. After months of contemplation, I finally broke down and bought one of Campania International's new garden terrace fountains. It was a hard decision to make since they have over 15 amazing mini cast stone fountains to choose from.

I finally decided on something simple that would complement my interior as well as be a good fit for my outdoor space. I ended up choosing the Pebble Mini Fountain (pictured here), which is only 9 inches wide and 6.5 inches high. I just loved the simplicity of the basin and the various pebbles inside, which can be removed and replaced with other things like sea shells or sea glass. Plus all of Campania's cast stone items are available in a number of different finishes to fit any style.

So, if you're in the market for a mini fountain for your home, I would suggest checking out Campania's full line here. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy,

Stacey

GMG

Make a Splash in Your Garden

I'm thinking about taking the plunge and adding a small cast stone fountain to my city garden this month. With so many options out there, I decided to ask our friends at Campania International to put together a few simple tips to help me choose my perfect fountain.

Here's what they said I should keep in mind before heading off to my local garden center:

What’s Your Style?

The most important consideration to keep in mind when selecting the right fountain is the overall style of your home and garden. Whether you have an urban, contemporary or country garden, the fountain should be compatible with your personal style and the aesthetics of your house and garden.

Consider Your Space

Whether on a patio or in the landscape, a free-standing fountain can be a mesmerizing focal point. The size of the fountain that you choose will depend on the size of your garden space.

Although fountains can take center stage in the landscape, you might also consider nestling your fountain in a secluded corner of your garden. Tucked away among the plantings, the fountain will not distract from the overall composition.

What’s Your Desired Outcome? Dramatic or Zen?

If creating a highly dramatic effect is your desire, the classic choice is a larger two- or three-tiered fountain as a focal point for your landscape.

If you want something Zen, look for a more soothing effect in water gently cascading over a cast stone ball. For dramatic night-time illumination, look for freestanding wall fountains with lighting components.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on my selection. In the meantime, check out Campania's website to get inspired --campaniainternational.com.

-Stacey

GMG