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 Gardening Gift Idea: Buying a holiday gift or holiday gift basket for a gardener.

Pleasant Holidays – The words means different things to everyone, the holidays are a season of giving, pleasant holidays for a gardener means a holiday gift basket filled with things a gardener loves. You could fill your holiday gift basket with a gardening tool or gardening accessory, gift certificates for seed companies and gardening centers, or subscriptions to gardening magazines.

Giving a holiday gift basket like this might seem mundane to you – but to the gardener enthusiast, it will be a treat! For great ideas for your holiday gift basket from Christmas and Easter, to New Year’s (or even birthdays, etc.) to spur your imagination and aid in your search for the ideal gardening gift, read on…

1. Gift Certificate

Find a gardening holilday gift and gardening gift certificate online. Many customers have found the gift certificate a unique present for gardening friends and relatives. Click on the amount of gift certificate you want to order, and enter the recipients name in the shipping address field on the order form. There is no shipping charge for gift certificates.

2. Seeds

What gardener wouldn’t love a holiday gift basket containing money to purchase all the seeds his or her heart desires? A purchase from Brooklyn Botanic Garden not only delights the recipient but also gives again by supporting BBG’s education, science, and community programs, as well as the Garden itself. The wide array of unique treats in BBG’s Garden Gift Shop complements a garden lifestyle and will bring joy to anyone on your list!

3. Personalized Garden Stakes

It’s a beautiful accent to any garden, garden stakes are a perfect way to mark that special tree, rosebush, or pet memorial. These sassy stakes provide reminders – gentle or not so gentle – for your plants to keep on growing, while their colors help you remember what’s planted where. Personalize them with names, dates or special message. Your gardener friends will love the encouragement!

4. Plants
- Plants as Presents or Commemorations

Warning: Regulations and restrictions may apply to sale and/or movement of seeds, plants, plant material (living or dead), potting media or soil, even locally. Please check with appropriate authorities.

New Gardeners: A plant you know is easy to grow (avoid specialist plants like bonsai, orchids, cacti)

Housewarming: Fruit tree, Extra-special feature tree (suitable for the size of garden), Topiary, Plant chosen to suit decor of new home (Mediterranean, Tropical, Traditional, and/or colour scheme etc).

 Apartment-warming: Indoor plant, Balcony plant (suitable for balcony conditions), Herbs in pots.

Birth, Birthday, Christening, Naming Ceremony: Shrub with same name as recipient or other meaningful name, Feature tree.

Anniversary: Named variety or type of plant for year (gold, silver, emerald, etc. )

Commemoration: Favourite plant, flowers in favourite colours, flowers/foliage in club, national, state etc colours, floral emblem of country, state, association, plant native to region of birth, any beautiful tree planted as a feature (provided it is suitable for the location on a practical level), plant with same name or other meaningful name.

5. Garden Ornaments

Over the years we have seen that certain items would come up and be requested to be sent out as gift items more often than others. As a result, there are a variety of ornaments designed for garden decoration, they has become more popular home décor products that would make lovely garden gifts and home accents for anybody, which will complement the gardener’s home and garden décor setup.

6. A Pair of Foxgloves

Foxgloves make for great home décor garden gifts. This product has been featured in over 17 major magazines proving that they are the ultimate in home décor garden gifts. A pair of gloves were developed with comfort and durability in mind in the gardening environment. Constructed out of contemporary fabrics such as lycra and supplex nylon, foxgloves give the feel and sensitivity of 1950 style dress gloves, but are built to last. Now foxgloves are available in original style or grip style. These comfortable glove products are resistant to abrasion and fit snugly on one’s hand to protect fingers, nails, and cuticles.

7. Special Cosmetics

Another popular choice for garden gift ideas would be a cosmetic for skin protection. You can find an extensive supply of Burt’s Bees products ranging from carrot complexion soap to foot cream to carrot nutritive lotion in many Garden shops. For, example, A carrot complexion soap is blended with aloe vera and beta-carotene to clean the pores, improve the skin tone and color and aid in the rejuvenation of mature sun-exposed skin, and a piece of foot cream product is a lightweight moisturizer that is fortified with vitamin E and beta-carotene that is also conducive for healing and soothing sun-exposed skin. As for our carrot nutritive lotion, this product is a lightweight moisturize enriched with vitamin E and beta-carotene.

8. Gardening Tools

How about a well-engineered gardening tool? At the other end of the spectrum, you could pay to have their lawns for mowed for them for a year!and there is a wide selection of garden tools and gardening related items that would make wonderful gifts for your friends, loved ones and co-workers, such as bulb planter, cultivator, carrying case, trowel, transplanter, 3-prong fork, digging fork, hose fittings, foam kneeler, pruner, hose nozzle, weeder/cultivator, all these choices are great for the green thumb in your life.

9. Garden Accessory such as a bird house, bird seed, bird feeder, bird bath, gazing ball, and “welcome to my garden” signs, garden statues.

Last, if you are near the downtown for the holidays, be sure to check out their wonderful train display, upside-down hanging tree, and other special holiday events and attractions running from late November to January 7th.

* Garden Gifts for Distant Friends

Following are gifts which are easy to send:

- gift vouchers with a garden centre close to your friend
- subscription to magazine or club- books, videos, DVDs, CD Roms
- clothing, gloves
- hand tools
- donation to horticultural or environmental charity
- almost any item by mail order
- have it sent directly from the supplier to your friend with your friend’s permission.

Make it clear to the vendor that you’re paying for the goods and give your contact details also in case there’s a problem with the order. There may be restrictions on movement of plant material or other items to certain areas – check first!

Gardening gifts may be a good option for those hard-to-buy-for men in your life. If you’re stumped for present for Father’s Day, a brother’s birthday, or your husband at Christmas, whichever gardening gift you include in your holiday gift basket for the gardening enthusiast, be sure they will prefer it above a tie, socks, or a fruit cake! I hope these holiday gift ideas will help you select the perfect gardening gift for the gardener on your list!

Little wonder that modern attitudes towards gardens and what they represent have evolved from traditional views over the last fifty years. Not so long ago, the garden was ‘an area’ intended to be enjoyed, easy to maintain, yet full of variety and ideally providing colour throughout the year. In fact apart from children running around playing, mowing the lawn and deciding how and when best to prune the fruit trees, gardens were considered more in visual terms, in other words within the garden space, form took precedent over any garden activity.  This traditional perspective has been dramatically overtaken partly because of the vast array of new garden products featuring innovative technologies but mainly by the dynamic changes in modern living and working habits.

Yes gardens have become smaller and people generally have less time for garden maintenance activities, but most will demand more and spend (both time and money) more in getting the outdoor space right for them and enjoying more time outdoors, whether it is alone or with family and friends.

No matter whether you consider your garden large or small, traditional or minimalist, it should not be seen as merely an asset to add value your home or property but more importantly as an asset that enhances your outdoor living lifestyle.

A place to sit

We probably spend more time in the garden sitting and eating than any other activity. So it is vital the layout of the outdoor space takes this important aspect into account. Invariably the sitting and eating activities take place on or the near the patio areas. Not long ago patios were constructed from poured concrete or even concrete flags. In more advanced gardens, crazy paving invariably broken pieces of natural stone were used. Today’s choice is vast including an extensive range of natural stone which includes bestsellers like Sandstone, Granite and Limestone to name but a few. Unquestionably Sandstone available in a wide range of sizes and colours is a top seller and the preferred choice by far of most people. Natural stone demanding little maintenance is still the preferred choice over other patio alternatives such as man made products and decking. Locating the patio in the sunniest part of the garden is obvious but you would be surprised to discover how frequently this prized location in the garden is occupied by the garden shed. Monitor the sun movements throughout the day to determine what is the best position for the patio. Most prefer sunny positions late afternoon or early evening but some might prefer dappled shade during midday. So choose a location for the patio where and when you’re most likely to use it most. Patios should be level so that you have no trip hazards at joints or patio chairs do not annoyingly rock each time you shift position. They should also have a slight slope or fall for rain to run off. A typical fall is 25mm in 1000mm (approx 1:40). Fall should not be confused with sloping sites which can be cleverly utilised to create split or different levels in the patio. In other words do not be too quick to level sloping ground instead seek new ideas to develop imaginative patio forms.  In larger sites it is not uncommon to find two or more patios, designed to take full advantage of the sun at specific times.

Plants please

Of all the elements that go to make up your perfect garden, plants after structure are the essential component. The choice of plants today is practically endless, whether your preference is evergreen or deciduous (shed leaf in autumn), lime haters or lime tolerant, 

prefer sunny or shade, dry or damp, open or sheltered conditions. Also how you use plants in the garden can yield specific effects on overall garden size and style. Some plants may be planted as sole specimens, i.e. the centre of attention in a low level bed or to provide a screening requirement. Others may be planted as informal i.e. natural groups or formally to create dramatic geometric patterns.

Ideally plants should be used in as naturalistic way possible so as to enhance the desired look whether it is to follow a gentle curve or sometimes affect the overall appearance. For example, trees and shrubs can be cleverly used to disguise a long narrow garden to make it appear broader in effect, conversely plants can also be used to lengthen broad gardens which are not very long by using the taller plants nearer the house and shorter further away to create a perspective effect that makes the garden appear longer.

Although plants may be used in a variety of ways, it is well worth considering the maintenance aspects before making final selection. There is little point in planting large varieties in confined spaces and despite repeated cutting and pruning neither plant nor gardener will ever be happy. Instead choose plants carefully, consider mature heights and spread not just what the label states ‘…in ten years…’ because plants continue to grow. Instead try to determine what is actual plant height and spread at maturity. Pick plants to suit the suit site’s soil, prevailing conditions and size. This way you will have plants that will flourish and require little or no cutting.

Borders can be straight but better to have gentle curves. Avoid intricate curves and above all pathways that dissect the lawn which will destroy the open aspect and make the garden appear smaller. Instead position pathway to oneside. Ideally borders with at least two or three planting lines look far more interesting. The backline representing usually the taller varieties are the all year round backbone with the middle and lower foreground lines providing seasonal impact. Beds should be at least 900 mm- 1,200 mm deep and to conceal structures like rotary lines or garden sheds might be larger than 2.000mm or more.

For added interest, try to use plants and shrubs with contrasting shapes, heights and colours all linked in a gentle flowing manner around the garden. More impact can be achieved by planting in groups and here think odd as best., i.e. plant in groups of 3,5,7,9 etc for effect. Group planting can be very effective to emphasise the curve nature of the border. Also better to allow at least 100mm-150mm clear space between front line plants and lawn edge, this are can be easily maintained and looks particularly attractive when edged with mini-chip bark mulch dressing. Alternative lawn edgings are available including brick, stone which are a very effective long-term solutions to defining lawn-bed boundary but also providing a useful (lawn must be at least 20mm above height of stone) mowing strip and standing area for any seasonal maintenance work.

Raising your spirits

Raised Beds are becoming a very popular feature for more gardens, not only do they provide added height and hence presence to particular planting arrangements but a great solution to creating soil conditions required for specific groups of plants not found in other parts of the garden. Here azaleas, rhododendrons, forest flames all with spectacular foliage and flower characteristics and are easy to grow so long as the soil is lime free soil. These soil conditions are easy to create in raised beds. Raised beds can be positioned against boundary walls or more prominently as island beds within paved areas. Raised beds may be constructed form brick, natural stone and a variety of timbers can also be used to create attractive enclosures for water features. Trailing bedding plants can be used to great effect in Raised Beds.

Watered Features

There are a wide range of types and sizes but nowadays people choice is influenced by the safety aspects and low maintenance requirements, hence the popularity of Reservoir features typically positioned on or near patio area where they are best enjoyed for both visual and the soothing sound effects of trickling water. In more contemporary gardens stainless steel columns are a popular choice. Irrespective of your style preference, water features add a new dimension to any garden. All that is required is careful attention to detailing, a thoughtful selection of plants, e.g. ferns, ornamental grasses combined with natural river cobblestones create superb compositions and very pleasing features to admire.

The meaning of Light

Lighting is really a must have in the garden. It can not only make an ordinary garden look spectacular revealing an aspect unseen during daylight, but come nightfall the silhouettes of trees and shrubs against textured walls take on a whole new meaning. Just as much as gardens can be visually admired for their interest during daylight, lighting offers a whole new dimension to the meaning of beauty in the garden albeit at nightime. There are many lighting effects to be considered including: spread lighting across access paths, uplighting to direct light up through the branches and trunks of trees or up the walls of buildings, spot lighting can be used to illuminate a statue or water feature and downlighting is typically used to illuminate steps.

Contained Treasures

Growing plants in containers whether it is seasonal summer planting and/or all year round planting is an important dimension to the planting aspects of gardens. Much easier and less costly to introduce to a garden, containers be they urns, planters or humble terracotta pots can be very cleverly used to add high drama and bold colour schemes to areas within the garden. Container planting also permits the growing of plants which might be too vigorous to grow in open ground because of lack of available space or other limitations. Bamboos are fantastic container plants so too are Japanese maples but require sheltered conditions which may not be available in open beds during winter months. Containers can be very useful mobile units to locate around patio to great effect. Try bringing fragrance (lavender, santolina, helichrysum or rosemary) nearer the patio. For added impact try and use three plant types per container, i.e. place tall specimen in centre, small compacts in corners and trailers between corners.

In summary

For some of us relaxing in the garden is nothing more than sitting out or swinging in the hammock, usually in the sun but perhaps increasingly in dappled shade. Whether alone or with family and friends, sitting or eating, dozing or entertaining, living outdoors is a major aspect of how we relax and sometimes let’s be honest, a popular place ‘to get away from it all.’ Today’s outdoor living spaces reflect our preferred ‘approach to interior living’ and hence the common link to bring the indoors out or take the garden in. Irrespective of how you express it, more and more people are demanding more from the outdoor living space and wish to integrate it more with the established ‘interior world’ both visually but also how and what activities take place outdoors. How we use the outdoor living space is increasingly becoming more important than how it looks. In other words today’s homeowners are demanding more functionality from the gardens, yes, you guessed it, form follows function, is the prevailing principle and the smarter approach to determining the outdoor living space.

Owen Chubb is Director of Owen Chubb Garden Landscapes Limited, an established and award winning landscaping company offering clients a complete landscaping service including Garden Design, Construction and Planting. A full member of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland (ALCI), the only professional body for landscape contractors and proud winners in 2005 of the prestigious ALCI Award for BEST PRIVATE GARDEN (Over € 13,000 Category). Tel 087-206 128 / 01-492 0904 www.owenchubblandscapers.com

Garden awnings have been part of the human residential experience ever since the concept of organized domestic living was introduced. Not surprising, considering how much charm and utility they tend to add to a home. The Egyptians may have been the first to come up with the concept of garden awnings, but the trend has percolated down the ages since then. Today, garden awnings have advanced tremendously, and the intricate technology and design they incorporate make them extremely versatile, convenient and pleasing to behold.

It can safely be said that most who own stand-alone homes today have aspired for catchy garden awnings at some point. However, many are confused about how useful they would actually find them. The answer is simple – how much outdoor space does the home have? What use would these spaces be put to if they were protected by garden awnings? It is, in fact, possible to convert a sufficiently large garden space into an extension of the home by means of garden awnings. This means that the space thus covered and protected can actually be used for activities that are normally conducted indoors. Yes, that’s how strong and versatile garden awnings are these days.

Once you have embellished an outdoor space with suitable garden awnings, your children (and, for that matter, your pets) have an extended play area. Moreover, you can use the space to throw out-of-the-box parties, or to hold more formal gatherings with a difference. Today’s garden awnings are true marvels of durability and serve a variety of applications. You get innumerable designs, and the best models can withstand any and all common vagaries of nature. In other words, sunshine, rain and even snow are kept safely out by good quality garden awnings.

With today’s property prices, it makes eminent sense to extend the reach of one’s home with garden awnings. Depending on the shape and size of one’s outdoor space, once can buy either free-standing models (perfect for large gardens and backyards) or garden awnings that can be mounted to one of the house’s exterior walls. This works best for smaller gardens. No matter which garden awnings one chooses, they are all manufactured with robust steel, aluminium or even wooden frames to keep the awnings material stretched in place. The material itself can either be weatherproof canvas or a durable grade of synthetic fabric.

Permanent garden awnings work well for many, but you don’t have to keep your awnings up throughout the year. The retractable kinds fold away neatly when they are not required, saving you on maintenance costs and effort.

“Pleased to Meet You…. Welcome to My Designer Home and Garden!” A London Interior Design Consultancy Shares Secrets of the Profession. Part III: Entrances, Exits and Gardens

When interior design consultancies promote their services in “garden design”, they are branching out from internal spaces to the outdoors. In the olden days, interior design consultancies were 100% about the “indoors” side of things. But now in 2010 several of London’s most acclaimed interior design consultancies routinely deploy their unique know-how and expertise towards the design of cutting-edge garden concepts. The result: top interior design consultancies can now offer residents a full and all-inclusive design framework that meets every client need. London is a fabulous city in which to work as part of an interior design consultancy that also focuses on gardens because it is so easy to find amazing garden furniture, rockeries and exterior lighting solutions from the many well-appointed garden centres and suppliers across the capital.

In addition to lighting up foliage, your interior design consultancy will help you illuminate lighting paths and steps in gardens both large and small. There are several extra possibilities that work well on a large scale. Some very prestigious London interior design consultancies will suggest a small spotlight, located in a tree and directed downwards, to provide sufficient dappled light to illuminate a path in a fake woodland setting. If localized light is required, this could be in the form of a small copper mushroom-style fixture or a bollard light. Some types can be modified by the lighting team from your interior design consultancy to create a pathway of flickering light, which provides a touch of theatre for special occasions – perfect for London’s popular summer garden parties.

Entrances, exists and paths that link the spaces between need to be well illuminated for purely functional reasons. All the best-known London interior design consultancies are familiar with all the relevant safety codes and regulations. But there are aesthetic benefits as well. In the daytime, windows create a visual link between the rooms of a house and garden beyond. A professional interior design consultancy will recommend suitable exterior lighting at night to help re-establish the idea of the garden as an extension of the home, while enhancing architectural nuances and revealing surface textures that may not be apparent by day. Whether your home is old or new, whether in London or in the countryside, a successful lighting scheme is all about establishing harmony between a building and its surroundings, which can intrigue as much during the hours of darkness as by daylight.

Why should you include a garden fountain in your landscape design?  Here are are a dozen good reasons to explore the possibilities and to exercise your creativity.

1. Flowing fountains cover background noise, turning your yard into a soothing oasis from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life. Don’t forget a strategically placed bench to complete your meditation spot.

2. The water attracts birds and butterflies, bringing these little friends into your life all summer long.

3. Space-saving wall fountains are perfect for garden nooks or apartment dwellers. Set up a small grouping of potted plants underneath for a picture perfect retreat.

4. Dramatic fountains serve as a unique focal point for more formal gardens. Design annual or perennial beds with a fountain in the center to introduce color and variety.

5. Don’t restrict your fountain to the great outdoors, buried in snow all winter. Create an indoor garden in the sunroom or a warm, south-facing window. Surround an indoor fountain with tropicals such as colorful hibiscus, fruitful lemon, lime trees and   fragrant jasmine. They’ll enjoy the extra humidity from constantly running water.

6. Turn on the romance! Outdoor lighting (solar powered, please) enhances your use of the fountain far into the evening. Cuddle up with your sweetheart and enjoy the soft sound of falling water.

7. Garden fountains carry on an ancient tradition. Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Romans all adorned their spectacular gardens with large water features nestled among the trees and flower beds.

8. Fountains ease depression and relax the nerves. The gentle sound and sparkling splash of water ease away negative thoughts. It’s a massage for the senses.

9. In addition to the obvious benefit of flowing water, fountains can be works of art. The solid strength of the pedestal and the broad bowl pleases the eye and gives a definite resting place, especially when surrounded by greenery and multicolored blooms.

10. Your choices in fountains range from tiny tabletop tricklers to pond geysers. Choose the fountain that meets your needs, whether you want to introduce a little feng shui to your environment or impress passersby with visual delight and a multi-tiered waterfall of sound.

11. Place you garden fountain on a well-traveled path and gently encourage everyone to throw in a coin for good luck.

12. Fountains make interesting conversation pieces, are very versatile and fit into any environment such as in a restaurant, an office, in a home entryway or in a garden.

Bonus tip: Keep your fountain safe when freezing nights arrive. Drain it, of course, and remove the pump and all fittings. Allow to dry if possible and cover with a blanket and plastic to keep water and snow out. Check occasionally throughout the winter to be sure the plastic is still in place and no leaks have sprung up.

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