Gathering Place’s Post

New Post: Growing Hydrangeas: The Ultimate Hydrangea Care Guide - https://lnkd.in/dzw_MAmN Introduction to Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are a captivating genus within the plant kingdom, renowned for their striking blooms and robust varieties. With origins that trace back to both Asia and America, these versatile flowering plants have adorned gardens and landscapes for centuries. They were first brought to Europe in the 18th century, quickly capturing the fascination of botanists and horticulturists alike for their unique ability to thrive in varied climates and soil conditions. There are numerous species and cultivars of hydrangeas, each boasting different characteristics yet sharing a common allure. Among the most popular are Hydrangea macrophylla, known for its […]

This is an article I wrote last May, and published in Frontiers Magazine (ORKNEY SCIENCE FESTIVAL). Now as we descend into autumn, we're thinking about planting those wild meadows and trees. Making wise, long-term choices is vital. Gardening for wildlife is legacy gardening, with vision, care and reflection. It's not about 'instant' wow, it's about long term sustenance for all from soil microbes, insects, mammals and birds to you. And through this, you create beauty. https://lnkd.in/eBqWxn8G #naturewriting #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #regenerativegardening

🌱 New Substack Post: "From Tiles to Trees: Discovering the Purpose of My Garden" 🌳 In my latest Substack post, I delve into the rich history and transformation of my garden, which was once a tiled-over piece of land. Central to this journey is a 76-year-old pear tree, planted to commemorate the birth of a farmer's daughter. This tree, along with other historical elements, has inspired me to explore deeper questions about the purpose of my garden. In this post, I share how I built around this tree and how the garden's history shapes my approach to gardening. I'm using my garden as a lens to think about systems and their purposes, and how these principles can be applied to our lives in general. Curious about how a garden's past can influence its future and what this means for thinking about systems in our own lives? 🌼🌾 Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/evjJhBs7 #Gardening #EcologicalSuccession #Sustainability #Nature #History #SystemsThinking #Biodiversity #PersonalGrowth

New Post: Mastering the Art of Planting Creeping Phlox: Essential Tips and Tricks - https://lnkd.in/dvMMvSbb to Creeping Phlox Creeping phlox, scientifically known as Phlox subulata, is a favored groundcover plant prized for its vibrant blossoms and ability to create lush, colorful carpets across landscapes. This perennial plant, part of the Polemoniaceae family, boasts numerous species, but Phlox subulata is particularly cherished in ornamental horticulture. Renowned for its dense, mat-forming habit, creeping phlox typically reaches a height of 6 inches and can extend up to 24 inches wide, making it an effective and visually appealing option for covering large areas. Its flowers, which bloom in a broad spectrum of colors including pink, white, red, purple, […]

🌿🌸 “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” 🌸🌿 This beautiful quote by Audrey Hepburn resonates deeply with me, especially after my recent visit to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show. The event was a vibrant reminder of how gardening symbolises hope, growth, and a commitment to a sustainable future. In a world where uncertainty often looms, planting a garden represents a powerful act of faith in the future. It signifies: 🌱 Hope: Each seed planted is a promise of tomorrow. It’s a gesture that reflects optimism and the belief that our efforts today will yield beauty and abundance in the days to come. 🌳 Resilience: Gardens remind us that even in the face of adversity, life can thrive. They teach us to nurture and protect, echoing the resilience needed to overcome challenges. 🌼 Legacy: A garden is a living testament to our care for the Earth. It’s a gift to future generations, providing a haven for wildlife and a sanctuary for humans seeking solace and inspiration. 🌾 Connection: Gardening connects us to nature and to each other. It fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, as we work together to create spaces that nourish both body and soul. At the flower show, I was inspired by numerous wildlife gardening ideas that align perfectly with my current work and studies in 2D and 3D design software. These ideas, combined with a focus on Biodiversity Net Gain, will help me create landscapes that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and beneficial for our environment. Remember, every garden planted today is a vote of confidence in a brighter, greener tomorrow. Let’s keep planting, nurturing, and believing in the future we can cultivate together. 🌿🌼 #GardeningForHope #BelieveInTomorrow #SustainableLiving #RHSHamptonCourt #WildlifeGardening #LandscapeDesign #2DDesign #3DDesign #EcoFriendly #NatureLovers #BiodiversityNetGain 🌸🌍💚

Do you have a lot of beliefs, and are they very important to you? Did you realise they can stop you from winning work with clients? While it's true that finding a client with the same belief system can mean that you're more likely to win the job, plant-loving clients don't just geow on trees. That's because clients usually have different values to us as horticulturists and landscape architects/ designers. We want to build thriving ecologies to help the biodiversity crisis. We want to incorporate rare plants that we don't see on every street corner. And we want to use sustainable materials. But all the client hears is "I'm an activist, and I'm going to lose you money." You see, if the client were passionate about plants, they would have become a plant person. They're stressing out about project costs, and unfortunately, the landscaping usually comes at the end of a project and falls way down the priority list. Instead of pushing our agenda, it pays to stop, listen and learn before proposing ideas. That doesn't mean we can't convince them our ideas our best, it just means we probably need to reframe them. "Ecological resources for the biodiversity crisis," becomes "ecological resources for cheap and effective ongoing pest control." "Rare plants because I love them," becomes "these plants stand out better than Philodendron xanadu without increasing costs and they are just as resilient." "I want to use sustainable materials to save the world," becomes "have we considered sustainability as a big part of the marketing plan to attract more buyers?" Just keep in mind that clients usually aren't dumb. They can see through our feeble attempts to hide the fact that, yes, we are indeed an activist. The best way to combat this is to inwardly accept that we are serving the client and their worldview, not the other way around. My mum's a property developer and we spar about this stuff all the time. I recorded a chat with some of the main points of contention between us when it comes to landscaping/ horticulture, her thought process when hiring ecologists, designers and landscapers, and how to win work from someone like her. Have a listen while you're scrolling, or play it next time you're in the work ute. Ep.189 Horticulturist vs Property Developer. https://lnkd.in/gbnjHqAF

I get asked regularly what is an arboretum? Or if I ask people if they know what an arboretum is and its purpose I usually get the stare as if they are saying to me, "What do you mean, or I have no idea. It's a park right?" I found this article written by Sue Paist and Christopher Luley in Arborist News that really defines the point of an arboretum, a breakdown of different types of arboretums and their purposes. It's not a park, but can be located in one, it's not a school campus, but can be located on one or such as The Wilbur D May Arboretum and Botanical Garden it can be its own separate entity and located next to a park. Your arboretum right here in Reno is an accredited level II arboretum. It's special and a gem to our community. Learn more about arboretums by taking a look at this article and come visit your own arboretum right here in Reno. We are so lucky to have this resource right here in our home town. Businesses can join us as a business partner and the community can join as members of the society. These practices are what assures the society is able to help maintain our ability to fund additional employees, special projects, garden maintenance and your ability to continue to enjoy such an amazing retreat from the hustle bustle. https://lnkd.in/gVBV8UNZ

In the vast and vibrant world of horticulture, flowers that begin with the letter Z offer a unique blend of beauty, resilience, and intrigue. From the vivid hues of Zinnias to the delicate blossoms of Zephyranthes, these plants bring diversity and charm to gardens and landscapes. This article embarks on a botanical journey, exploring eight remarkable flowers that start with Z. #FloralArrangements #FlowerIndex #TypesofFlowers #ZFlowers

TOPSOIL....you won't be needing that... Topsoil: Is it truly necessary in our gardens? Are there alternative solutions that we could explore instead of relying on traditional topsoil? How can we innovate and still achieve stunning, flourishing gardens without it? These are some questions that we need to ponder upon as we reconsider the traditional gardening norms. It is our responsibility to explore and understand the alternatives, and perhaps even discover new, more sustainable methods for creating the gardens of our dreams. #topsoil #landscapemanagement #horticulture #gardens #gardendesign #plantingdesign #sustainablegardens #sustainablelandscapes #ecology #planning #ecologicalrestoration #landscapedesign #landscapearchitecture #johnlittle #environment

Want to act regeneratively in your home garden? I've stumbled across this course to share that will equip you with the knowledge to take the plunge and be more regenerative at home in your approach to gardening. Take a look at the online course outline here. https://lnkd.in/g3BGVhuA