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FLOWERS VS THE FROST 2019

After skipping last year, a mini Flowers vs the Frost was once again celebrated this October. Writing about it now at the end of November, it is hard to imagine that the world was ever so colorful.

This impromptu affair convened at Studio Big Rock in Tiverton, RI. We experimented with using the colors of New England foliage. Foliage is probably the only thing more colorful here than in Mexico. Being able to wander around the yard and into the woods to gather colors and textures led to some new discoveries.

There are many variables that make planning tricky - weather, wind, and well, the frost. But there is a renewed enthusiasm that definitely will bring about a larger celebration for 2020.

THE ROSÉ GARDEN

Rosé is having a bit of a moment. Once viewed as a a bit on the trashy side, recent attention from winemakers has rebranded it as a fun girls-night-out type of wine. The new Cosmo. In fact, I even had the pleasure of visiting Rosé Mansion in New York, a delightful Instagram dreamworld which is a story for another time. Back home enjoying a glass in my garden I realized that I had unintentionally cultivated the Rosé Garden.

yum.

While other parts of the garden have assigned colors/themes and a collection of compliant perennials, the pots, window boxes, and one bed in center of the backyard are exclusively annuals. Something new every year. Inspired by the newly available Queen Lime Orange and its lovely friend Zinderella peach, I decided to plant all the Queens. Queen Lime Red, Queen Lime Blush, even plain ol' Queen Lime. Plus some apricots and senorita pinks. Salmon four o'clocks. Pink Surprise calendula. All the Apricot/Peach and Silvery Rose strawflowers. The intention was a pinkish/peachish/blushist/salmonish/yellowish/limeish gradient, all mixed up together. It was pretty successful. The four o'clocks just need to be constantly cut back so they don't crush everyone else. Realizing that they were the timely color of Rosé - with hints of grapes and chardonnay and even a bit of merlot - felt like such a victory. Subconscious trend prediction. The Rosé Garden was meant to be.

the standouts: queen lime blush that appears to be glowing from the lavender center, and possibly a zinderella peach with perfect heart-shaped petals edged with a delicate blush pink.

MY GARDEN - POST SEASON WRAP UP


2016 WINNERS

Hyacinth Bean Vine: Grows from seed without a fuss, purple pod gradient, and olive rainbow leaves? Yes, yes, and yes. Next year: Yes. Morning glories, your days are numbered. From now on the porch railing is all beans all the time.

This Tiny Boxwood: One trim and it stayed the same size and perfect shape all season. Next year: Yes. Keep showing the other shrubs how it's done, little boxwood!

Twisty Weed by Tree: No one knows what you are or where you came from but a unique sculptural piece. Smells like pee, otherwise would have been a secret weapon for arrangements. Next year: Yes, if it decides to return. Multiples will make it look more intentional.

Jazzy Mix Zinnias: Wide range of interesting flower designs, like little floral spirographs. Don't look too zinnia-y. Next year: Yes, but combined with something other than marigolds to showcase the color range. Maybe something blue.

2016 LOSERS

Weigela: Beautiful burgundy at the nursery, once planted you realize this is exactly the color of mulch. Invisible shrubs. Turns into a naked stick-y mess in the winter that needs to be cut back hard to even have leaves, so it never blooms. Next year: Reluctant Yes. Too much effort required to remove them, most likely will be ignored for the rest of time. 

Cactus Mix Zinnias: Lack of cactus mix zinnias attributed to repeated bunny attacks. Next year: Yes. Further research with bunz-be-gone products required.

Lotus Vine: One flower all season. One! Next year: Maybe. It's ugliness and weird claw shaped flowers are strangely alluring. Nice silver foliage.

Weed that Looks Like a Giant Dandelion at Edge of Lawn: Refused to make perfect round puffballs this year for me to spray with hairspray and add to hip arrangements. Got mowed as punishment. Next year: Maybe. Imperfect unharvested puffballs threw lots of seeds, perhaps a more choice spot will yield better results.