The Delphinium Peddler

A customer called us the other day to order flowers. While I took her order, she recalled how she used to buy Delphinium from Amy for $1/ stem many years ago. This was the first I'd heard of it. 

Amy grew up in California where she experienced the magic of flowers in bloom year round but it wasn't until after she had gone to college (where she studied Art Education), then worked as a boat broker, got married and settled down before she revisited her love of flowers and plants. 

She got her start when she bought 700 Hybrid Delphinium plants from Ball Seed (their minimum at the time) and planted them in a 800 square foot garden beside her garage. She grew the cut flowers and sold them to neighbors and Skillin's Greenhouses.

It was from then that Amy got attention for her gardening and floral design talents. Not long after, she booked her first wedding and garden design client and the rest is history. 

 

A Naturalized Garden in West Bath

I love this garden. We have the pleasure of maintaining this beautiful property in West Bath which was designed by Ann Kearsley of Portland, Maine and installed by Gardenform of Lunenburg, Massachusetts

With chunky pieces of granite blocks and curbing, you can't help but look down when you walk.

With chunky pieces of granite blocks and curbing, you can't help but look down when you walk.

A naturalized garden utilizes native plants which are low maintenance and adapt well to soil and water conditions in the area. These types of gardens also help the ecology and eliminate the need for pesticides. 

Hayscented fern and Blueberry sod.

Hayscented fern and Blueberry sod.

We visit this property once a week to do selective weeding and watering. The new plantings need special attention until they've established strong enough roots. 

First Lawn Mowing of the Year

The smell is a favorite. The final look is pleasing in its neatness; rich green setting off the soft yellows of daffodils and vibrant blue of grape hyacinths. 

A view of my backyard

A view of my backyard

Please don't misunderstand, I am not much an advocate for the perfect expanse of greenness without a dandelion in sight. I always encourage ground covers to my landscape clients. Although not instant, which many insist on nowadays, ground covers are much more interesting , less time sapping and are often a great way to add even more flowers, color and texture to your yard. 

I love the versatility of Walstenia, with the happy, bright yellow flowers in spring; sedums work well in tough spots and add texture and even vinca, although overused, has lovely blue flowers which draw your eye to shady areas. 

I will continue to enjoy that first mowing of spring but will continue to shrink my lawn to other plant material over time.