Terrarium Workshop at Royal Palms

http://animoto.com/play/0HB1b7Wo271lgQeR2CXJQw

Leaf Artistry Sat. 11/19 Sunken Gardens

Create your own artwork at our next workshop! At this workshop you will see leaves and plants in a whole new way! Workshop includes instruction and all basic materials to create your own artwork! This makes a perfect gift! Workshop fee $25.00 members, (non members add $10.00).

flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com

727-410-9642

Ask us about hosting your own workshop!

Wallscape Workshop This Saturday!!!

Workshops are so fun and creative...the combinations that students leave with are so individual and awesome. Hope you can join us this Saturday at Sunken Gardens to create your own. Here are some pictures from our last wallscape workshop. Take a look:

Fun at Sunken Gardens

It was wonderful to see many of you at the Sunken Gardens Hibiscus Show this past Saturday. For those who were interested in information on the many workshops I offer at Sunken Gardens, here is the schedule for the rest of the year.
I hope you will join me!
Linda Worle

Workshop Schedule

7/17/2010 Living Wall – Wallscape
$35 members (non members add $10.00)

7/31/2010 Saddlebag
$55 members (non members add $10.00)

8/14/2010 Totem
$55 members (non members add $10.00)

9/11/2010 Circle of Succulents
$35 members (non members add $10.00)

10/23/2010 Leaf Artistry
$25 members (non members add $10.00)

11/06/2010 Living Wreath
$35 members (non members add $10.00)

12/04/2010 Christmas Tree, Table Top Topiary
$35 members (non members add $10.00)

All workshops include basic material, supplies and instruction.
Plants will be available for purchase.

Living Wall Workshop

Create your own horizontal plant combinations for sun or shade. Portable, interchangeable units can be snapped together easily. Build the first section of your living wall at our next workshop! Workshop fee includes instruction and all basic framework materials for one unit. Plants are available at an additional cost. Wallscapes can be purchased separately. ($35.00 members, non members add $10.00)

Date: Saturday, May 29, 2010

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Sunken Botanical Gardens 4th Street, St. Petersburg

R.S.V.P Call Sunken Gardens 727-551-3102

Linda Worle 727-410-9642

flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com

Ask us about hosting your own workshop!

Living Wreath Workshop

It’s a "Circle of Succulents" with succulents you select from our many delightful grower-starts!
Don’t miss the fun! Back by popular demand…you will learn new things about succulents during our informative and hands on workshop. Get new ideas for growing and for giving the gift of “green!”

Next class: Saturday 8/15/09 from 11:30-1:00 p.m.

Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg, FL

Members pay only $35 for all basic materials and instruction (non-members add $10.) Pick and pay for plant starts separately. Seats are limited, so don't wait to register!

RSVP required flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com
or call 727-4874-2389.

Ask us about hosting your own workshop!

Saddlebag Workshop

Create your own living Saddlebag at our next workshop! You will learn how to create great plant combinations for sun or shade. Designed to straddle a railing or a fence this unique planter can be planted on both sides! Workshop includes instruction and all basic framework materials. Proven Winner line of succulents will be featured and will be available at an additional cost . Workshop fee is $55.00 for members, (non members add $10.00) at Sunken Gardens on July 11th from 11:30-1:00 p.m. R.S.V.P. required. Space is limited...register early!

Workshop will be presented by Horticulturist, Linda Worle
flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com 727-410-9642
Ask us about hosting your own workshop!

Rain Barrel Workshop

Create your own at our next workshop! Not only will you take home a rain barrel, but you will become familiar with other “green, eco friendly” gardening practices like soaker hoses, drip systems and an overview of composting and more…
Workshop fee is $45.00 and will be presented by our own horticulturist Linda Worle.

Two Classes available: Saturday – May 30th or June 27th from 10 am to 12 noon in Clearwater . Call for directions
First come, first serve – RSVP necessary!

Contact Linda at 727-410-9642 flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com

It's NEW and it's NOT a pot!

It's a Totem!
Create your own vertical plant combinations for sun or shade. Portable, interchangeable units can be snapped together easily. Build your first section at our next workshop! Workshop fee includes instruction and all basic framework materials. Plants are available at an additional cost. Totems can be purchased separately. Cost for this workshop is $55.00 for members, non members add $10.00.
Next Class is Saturday May 9, 2009, 11:30 am – 1 pm at Sunken Botanical Gardens 4th Street, St. Petersburg. Space is limited. Registration is required.
Call or email for more information.
flowersandotherthings@yahoo.com

727-410-9642

Gardenia Care and Information

Fun facts about the Gardenia: Cape Jasmine tender evergreen flowering shrub from China, Japan and tropical South Africa which belongs to the family Rubiceae. Forms bushes or trees that have ovate deep green leaves, large white single or double waxy sweet scented flowers. Gardenia is named after Dr. Alexander Garden. An old English name for the Gardenia is the Opera Flower, since it was thought to be the perfect flower to wear with a formal evening dress. The gift of a gardenia has long been proven as the perfect expression of one’s heart.

Caring for your Gardenia: One of the major limitations of gardenias is their great susceptibility to nematodes, which are worm-like microscopic organisms attacking the plant’s root system. Nematodes are so common in our soils that only gardenias that have been grafted on a special rootstock are recommended.
Light: Prefers sun or filtered shade. When brought inside an East window is excellent or a well lighted location.
Temperature: The natural range of range of Gardenias is limited by their tropical heritage but fortunately they lend themselves to container culture. By providing winter protection (bringing them indoors) they may be enjoyed for years in the severest of climates.
Soil: Prefer acidic soil.
Water: Gardenias should never get dried out. Water approximately twice a week. Good drainage is important. Do not let the Gardenia stand in water. When indoor, lightly mist the plant with water.
Fertilization: Gardenias are heavy feeders and need to be fertilized on a regular basis. Plants in the ground should be fertilized in January, June and September with an acid type fertilizer such as Miracid. Plants in containers should usually be fertilized as well.
Pests: Whitefly, aphids, some scale insects and spider mites love gardenias. Control measures should be taken when you find any of these pests present. For sooty mold and aphids, mild soapy water is very effective. Whitefly and spider mites may require alternate treatment.
Pruning: Prune to shape after budding. After the bloom is finished prune down to the next leaf. My mother always told me, “Never leave a hook to hang your hat on!”

Any more questions? Just call us ~ 727-410-9642. Answers are always available.

Succulent Seminar

Join us this Saturday March 21st in Palm Harbor for a fun hands on seminar on how to build your own living wreath with succulents you select from our many delightful grower starts! The event will be held at Magnolia Grill from 9:30 am - 11:30 am. You will learn new things about succulents during our informative and hands on workshop. Get new ideas for growing and for giving the gift of green.

Worskshop fee $45 for all basic materials and instruction. Pick and pay for plant starts separately. Seats are limited so don't wait to register. Call Linda at 727-410-9642 to register and get directions.

Workshop will be presented by Linda Worle, our Horticulturist. The Proven Winners Line of succulents
will be made available!

From Ugly Duckling to Home of the Month

A local family pulled together to implement one of our designs for their parents' landscape which turned this ugly duckling yard into a shining star. The theme of this landscape makeover was water conservation and easy care ~ xeriscape was the natural choice.

This is a "before" view of the front yard...bare naked!

Same view after the renovation was complete...WOW, what a difference!

This renovation was a partnership program where Linda, the horticulturalist teamed up with the client's family who wanted to give the gift of a beautiful garden to their parents. It truly was a labor of love and hard work rewarded by Mom's famous mac & cheese! Many clients enjoy the partnership program because they get to learn the proper techniques of installation and aftercare of the plants as well as keeping the costs low by providing their own work force. Another cost saving method on this project was helping the client realize hidden treasures already existing in their landscape and relocating trees and plants to maximize their beauty within the overall design.

Flowers and Other Things winning design was rewarded with the coveted "House of the Month" honor soon after completion of the project.

Meet the Artist Behind the Design

Meet our gifted artist on staff at Flowers and Other Things, Lee Urrutia. Lee's artistic vision interfaces everything in her life from home design and decor to flower arranging to the more traditional mediums of paint and canvas. When Lee was introduced to the world of horticulture through Linda Worle, a wonderful blend of talent was born. Together, they have completed numerous stunning projects which portray how artistry and horticulture make a landscape come alive.

Just completed!

We have just completed an estate residence garden in Clearwater that is a great example of how Artistry and Horticulture together can bring a landscape alive.

Incredible...what truly amazes me is how much pleasure we get from creating gardens and a garden like this, has given us nothing short of pure joy.

"Belle of the Ball" were the words Jessica had used to describe the garden she was looking for in her new landscape. Greg shared that clean lines, focal points and a tropical theme were important to him. Lee & I went to work. Shortly after presenting the concept, Greg & Jessica basically handed the project over to us, saying, "We trust you." I knew we were on the right track when Greg came home and said, "This is more than what I had expected." "You guys are doing great."

With that encouragement in hand Lee and I went to work on creating a tropical wonderland. We brought in 25' fishtail palms, blue bamboo, privacy screening, butterfly plants for Carson's first
butterfly garden and exquisitely weird wonders that only a horticulturist would have (which I did share with Greg & Jessica.) The plants and their respective placement were guided by the artist's hand.

When Lee & I began sharing our philosophy on gardening, I remember hearing that every plant can be a feature plant. When placed in the landscape, with enough room for it to be admired and appreciated for its unique features, using textures and shapes for backdrop, using color with intentionality...the results speak loudly...WOW! That's beautiful!

Greg shared with me that he liked big boulders to sit on and that if we could fit them in to the garden it would be great. Lee and I went shopping and found the perfect trio. After the boulders were placed we agreed they just look like they were made for that space, as a matter of fact the word perfect was used more than once. As a matter of fact Jessica and Carson had their annual Mother's Day portrait taken on the rock.

From a horticultural perspective, it's incredible to envision the delectable surprises that await Greg & Jessica throughout the year. Brand new cultivars such as black mondo grass, euphorbia millii and unusual combinations such as: hedychiums rising through the variegated ginger and Lady Di Heliconias popping up through the variegated arbicolas are sure to bring delight for all who enter. After all, it was designed with that purpose in mind.

A note to Greg & Jessica: I hope you enjoy your garden half as much as we enjoyed creating it. Thank you for your patience and all or your encouragement.



This before and after shot of the front elevation of the home shows how a fountain became a main focal point within the paver drive.

The homeowners wanted us to create a sitting area under the shady oak trees. This oasis was acheived using various tropicals, shade loving ferns and of course, comfy chairs. We also incorporated their love of music into the design with rock speakers hidden within the vegetation.

This completely unlandscaped and overgrown drive was completely transformed using christmas tree palms, orange bird of paradise and gold mound duranta against a backdrop of podocarpus. What an entrance!

Click the link below to take a look at this project
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/km6iR2kD

Hot tip: pot tipping!

Want to add some interest to your garden? Try pot tipping. It's easy...just choose an area in your garden you wish to spotlight in a special way. Wiggle the bottom and part of the side area of a pot into the ground placing a plant inside which will grow up and over the edge. This works especially well in landscaped beds with other plants surrounding it. In this example we used a four-foot fiberglass pot with lysmachia inside. On larger pieces, you may need to add filler of sand on the inside of the pot to give support to the potting soil inside.