LANDSCAPE DESIGN: LAVENDER

Gardens, Green houses, outdoor spaces, houseplants are all healing. We need the botanical benefits and essentials in our lives.

Because we so deeply believe and see the necessity of Landscape design, outdoor spaces, and gardening, SAGE DESIGN is expanding this season and focusing on an area of design we have been involved with for several seasons. This year, we are fine tuning our landscape design and encourage you to reach out for your landscape design needs ! We would be glad to assist you in planning beautiful landscape design, Garden sheds, or patios for your property.

This week we are focusing on various aspects of landscape design and garden structures to give you inspiration, give you a pick-me-up from the cold winter days, and to accommodate your gardening needs. Though it maybe snowing today, spring is truly just around the corner. There is no better time than now to fix a cup of tea, polish up your gardening tools, start some seeds indoors, visit your local greenhouse (especially on the cold and snowy days!) and plan the layout of your gardens.

Be inspired and encouraged! Before you know it , you will be caught up in the Spring days, creating beautiful gardens outdoors. The garden is a true place of relaxation, connection to the earth, and well-being. Gardens and outdoor patios are the most beautiful spaces to find relaxation and to share drinks, food, conversation with friends and loved ones.  It is our hope that this season you can find joy and beauty in your garden or outdoor patio, whether that be container gardens, window boxes, perennial gardens, or vegetable gardens.

Today’s focus is on one of my absolute favorite perennials: LAVENDER

Lavender has the most beautiful and calming scent, can be used in both bath products and culinary delights. Lavender also creates a beautiful flower. It is a simple, hardy beauty. Lavender was one of the staple flowers in my wedding last May. For this reason, it holds a very special place in my heart. It reminds me of one of the most beautiful days of my life. I am so excited to cultivate and grow more lavender at our home. Below are some tips I have learned from a fellow lavender expert. Please join me as I start my lavender plants indoors .…

THE MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF LAVENDER:

“Lavender is resistant to rabbit, squirrel, and deer damage. Animals don’t like the strong scent that comes not just from the flowers, but the leaves as well. Lavender flowers and leaves can be used in the kitchen, in the apothecary, in crafts, and in aromatherapy. It is also bug repellant but it attracts butterflies and bees, offering nectar to foraging beneficial insects.

While none of the lavenders are toxic, if you are looking for a lavender to use in the kitchen, those with less camphor in their essential oil, are a better choice.  The English lavenders have a sweeter fragrance and are more suitable for culinary use.

 If you are looking for lavenders to use in sachets those with more camphor in their essential oil, will be more appropriate.  These are the lavenders from the Lavandin group or the French lavender group.  Those of the Lavandin group are the lavenders that are most in demand for essential oil production.   The French lavender group has high camphor, considered undesirable in essential oil production.  But you won’t need to worry about that since none of the French lavenders are hardy to zone 3 or 4.

Which varieties can be grown successfully in zones 3 and 4?

In zone 3 and 4, planting these 4 varieties in the border of your vegetable garden will attract butterflies and bees, while repelling varmints that you don’t want feeding in your garden. Plant “Phenomenal” at the back of the border, with Munstead and Superblue in the middle and Hidcote at the front, to take advantage of the various heights from these fragrant plants. With lavender in zone 3 or 4, you don’t have to take just one.

Phenomenal Lavender

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’

Phenomenal is a hybrid introduction to the hardy lavender class, from the lavandin group.   It is hardy from zone 4 to 8, as other hardy lavenders but it has the best traits of both French and English lavenders. It grows 24 to 34 inches tall, much taller than Munstead or Hidcote. It has the long flower spikes typical of hybrid lavenders with hundreds of flowers per stem. Its long stem makes it suitable for many lavender crafts that won’t work with the shorter Munstead or Hidcote varieties.

Phenomenal has silver foliage and lavender-blue flowers with a mounding habit typical of French Lavenders. It also has one of the highest essential oil contents of any lavender variety. It does well in hot, humid summers while still being hardy in winter conditions. If you are trying to recreate the French lavender fields on your homestead, this is the variety you want. It is an excellent choice for ornamental use in gardens, for fragrance, for fresh and dried arrangements, and for essential oil production. Phenomenal was featured in the March/April 2014 issue of Fine Gardening Magazine.  Better Homes and Gardens named it a “Must Grow Perennial.”

Phenomenal doesn’t die back in winter. Give it some protection if you lack reliable snow cover, in zone 3.

Superblue Lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia “Superblue”)

Superblue is a patented English Lavender from Holland (US PP#24929).  It is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and can overwinter in zone 3 with protection.  Superblue has deep violet-blue flowers with a compact mounding habit.  Superblue is hardy and adaptable to both dryland gardening and wetter conditions.   It grows 10 to 24 inches in height.  Superblue is not available as seed. 

How to grow lavender

Lavender thrives with lots of light and good air circulation. Choose a well-drained site in full sun. Check your watering patterns and don’t place lavender where it will get the irrigation from your vegetable garden.  While the vegetables need a full 2 inches of water each week, lavender thrives in drier habitat and is one of these Mediterranean plants that thrive on neglect.

Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Work in some finished compost and add some potash for flower growth and root development. Work the fertilizer into the soil, or let the rain soak it in. Start your plants in pots in April, for planting out when all danger of frost is past. Plant where there is good air circulation, especially if summers are humid where you live. Lavender needs good drainage and good air circulation. Do not over-water, and allow the soil to dry before watering again.

Space Phenomenal plants 36 inches apart. Munstead and Superblue plants should be spaced 18 inches apart.

In winter, prune back the season’s new growth by 2/3rds of the stem length. Don’t cut into old wood. If you don’t have reliable snow cover, cover the plants with straw or dry leaves and cover with burlap, to protect from drying winds and harsh weather. In Spring, remove the straw and burlap to allow air circulation, and to take advantage of the early warmth.

Don’t think you have to avoid growing lavender just because you live in an area of harsh winters or a shorter growing season. Choosing varieties suitable to your hardiness zone, and giving them full sun and a well-drained placement and you’ll be harvesting fragrant lavender for cooking, for tea, for your herbal remedies, and for crafts in a few months.”

https://joybileefarm.com/how-to-grow-lavender/

THE FRUIT OF HYGGE

I am willing to bet that, by now, you have heard the concept of HYGGE all over publications, articles, and photographs. This week we have been focusing on the great concept and way of life, as we’ve learned from Denmark,  a country who is consistently on the top of the list for “ worlds happiest countries” .

image by Fathom

Hygge has gained a lot of buzz an recognition in recent years around the world. For the Danish, however, it is not just a catch phrase, but a longstanding way of life that is practiced year-round. Winter hygge practices include the concepts of coziness, home-making, walks in the brisk air, or cross country skiing. Summer hygge involves such activities as : picnics in the park, backyard dinner parties, bonfires on the beach, and outdoor movie nights.

image: the cottage market

In short, the HYGGE way of life is PEACE,  JOY, LOVE, TOGETHERNESS & SIMPLICITY. Hygge is simple. Hygge is comfortable. Hygge is connecting with self , as well as spending time with friends and family. Hygge is permission to just BE.

BE PRESENT.

BE SIMPLE.

BE TOGETHER.

image: barefootblonde

Some everyday items and concepts adapted by the Danish to create hygge friendly environments are:

Candles & Throw blankets.  Turn off that unflattering overhead lamp and light some candles. Wrap up in a throw blanket. These allow us to slow down and simplify our lives for a few moments.

image: the cottage market

Fireplaces & Bonfires. Create an inviting focal point where family and friends can gather and connect, face to face, word by word, and  heart to heart.

Homemade sweets, comfort food, and hot drinks. Comfort and familiarity. Working with your hands in your kitchen to create delightful treats for those you love.

image: coppersinkdirect

Remember to appreciate the simple things that bring joy to your life. Embrace those things, embrace those people. Especially the people, let them know how much you appreciate and love them.

Have a beautiful week!

image: roguepostits.com

SOUTHWEST FARMHOUSE DESIGN

After a recent vacation to the Southwest United States, I left inspired and comforted by warm detailing I discovered in farm houses and historic structures of the rural country. The Southwest holds beautiful design secrets that are warmth and comfort for families who reside in farmhouses in the Southwest as well as for those of us in the wintry North. The warm and inviting elements are seen in beautiful succulent gardens, details, colors, and materials that speak of the influence of both the land and the sun.

EXTERIOR GARDEN STYLE

For as long as I can remember I have always had a garden of some sort: gardening with my mom, vegetable gardens, herb gardens, annual gardens in window boxes in apartments, succulent gardens indoors for the winters.

When we headed to the Southwest for a recent getaway, my husband and I were both drawn to the gardens of a ZONE 8 (= NICE & WARM) region. They grow citrus, avocados, Sycamore trees, Agave, Cowboys Red Whiskers Cacti, all in their backyards. What’s not to love?

One thing I learned with this Warm, Desert region for growing is the plants are deeply rugged, drought resistant, and HARDY species. The desert gets cool, but it also, obviously, gets really hot. The plants sustain and thrive in these extreme conditions. Here are some pointers for growing indoor succulents in our Zone 3 (= FRIGID) conditions as seen in Montana and Wyoming !

1.      Water sparingly

2.      Place them in a well lit, natural light location with minimal draft.

3.      Give them fertilizer occasionally, like your other house plants.

4.      Plant is well drained soil.

5.      Pest control: Sometimes, succulents can become affected by mealybugs, scales and spider mites. To control mealybugs and scales, soak cotton swabs in rubbing alcohol and dab the plant. To control spider mites, spray succulents with insecticidal soaps.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DETAILS

The southwest style itself is a mixture of a variety of very beautiful cultures:  Native American, Mexican, and Spanish tradition. This lends to beautiful geometries, materials, earthy color, and warmth. Warmth, more notably in not only the region, but also in the beautiful people.

The main compositions of Southwestern interior and exterior design are usually made from several dominant characteristics:  metal, wood, and colorful detailing accents.

In Southwestern design, you will notice some similar qualities such as: the fluid floor plans, high ceilings, flat roofs, the wooden beams, adobe or tile detailing, large foyers that accommodate the gardens we adore, and splashes of color that inspire and illuminate even the greyest winter days in the north.  

Color palettes that bring the liveliness to a southwest designed space include: 

Warm colors to resemble and tie to the earth . Such as: browns, Auburn-Reds , terra-cotta rust, and golden yellows. These replicate the soils, sun, rocks, grasses. Also included are cool colors to bring balance such as sage greens, tirquoise, juniper greens, and blues of the sky and water. These provide a very calming and peaceful balance.

Southwestern interior design mostly uses the best wood for making furniture pieces. We can easily notice hard woods and durable soft wood like: maple, oak, cherry, hickory, juniper, or pine used in spaces like kitchen, ceilings, divan sofas, doors, windows, or even the flooring. Traditionally, the hard wood specific to a region is what would be used for adobe structures, or furniture. These hardwoods were also used in the construction of old buildings such as churches and the large estates or plantations known as haciendas. 

Metals became a popular item in the 18th and also 19th Century design adapted from both Mexico and Spain. Specifically, we see wrought iron introduced in detailing such as light fixtures, door & window hardware, furniture details, and art or mirror frames.

In addition to metal and wood accents, combining vibrant textiles of the Navajo people and terra cotta pottery with leather sofas or chairs is a popular and beautiful combination that provides spaces with both traditional and modern design detailing.

Photos: ImpressiveInteriordesign

Photos: sage design

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Flowers, Herbs, Pruning, and the rewards of the arrival of Spring.

APRIL IN MONTANA, it is safe to say spring fever has hit.

I am anxiously awaiting warm days, conducive to planting and cultivating flower, vegetable, and herb gardens outdoors. Anticipation of planting includes planning for container gardening. For your home, pruning may also be in order as well as planting of a larger garden plot. Below is a collaboration of valuable tips from The Old Farmers Almanac for northern climates as you also begin your landscape design.

CONTAINER GARDENING:

https://www.almanac.com/content/container-gardening-vegetables

PRUNING / ROSES:

https://www.almanac.com/plant/roses

GROWING FLOWER GARDENS / FROST DATES:

https://www.almanac.com/blog/gardening/garden-journal/how-grow-flower-garden

PLANTING FLOWERS WITH VEGETABLES:

https://www.almanac.com/video/companion-planting-flowers-vegetables

Welcome, Spring !

BOZEMAN

8 Facts You may not know about Bozeman

by: Mark Allen 2011

I asked my good friend John Russell who is the Director of the Gallatin County Pioneer Museum about helping me with some tidbits about Bozeman and area history. As usual, he did not let me down and put together some great historical information. I hope you enjoy.

Bozeman Urban Legends– Our Top Eight

1: The Gallatin Valley has always been a crossroads. Long before white
settlement, various tribes – the Shoshone, Bannock, Nez Perce, Blackfeet
hunted here or passed through to the Yellowstone Valley to pursue buffalo.
The Blackfeet called the valley “many come-together-country.” As late as
the 1880’s, Bannock Indians rode down Bozeman’s main street while en route to
the Yellowstone. Often they spent a few days in town to barter and trade.
Local cowboys would stage horse races against the tribe’s better mounts. So
the Gallatin Valley has a long heritage of diverse people’s sharing the land
and all that it offers.

2: There are two statues of Sacajawea in Gallatin County. One on North 7th, the
other in Three Forks. This Shoshone girl was instrumental to the Lewis &
Clark Expedition, particularly when they were in SW Montana. During the
return journey, it was Sacajawea who led William Clark and a portion of the
expedition through the Gallatin Valley, and eventually over the Bozeman pass
to the Yellowstone River, which they followed to reunite with those members
who had gone with Meriwether Lewis. The expedition may not have succeeded
without her.

3: Following the Lewis and Clark expedition, fur trappers began to journey into
the Gallatin Valley to trap Beaver. One of them, John Colter, was captured
by Blackfeet near the Three Forks, stripped, and then chased by a party of
warriors, whom he managed to elude. Jedediah Smith, Tom Fitzpatrick, and of
course Jim Bridger later frequented the valley. So too did naturalists and
explorers.

4: It was gold that brought pioneers to Montana. Some strikes occurred as early
as the 1850’s, eventually giving rise to communities like Bannack, Virginia
City, and even Helena. As the mining population grew, so too did the demand
for supplies and foodstuffs. Farmers began migrating to the Gallatin Valley
to fill that need. Gallatin City was established in 1862, and in 1864 the
migration into the southern half of the valley began with the arrival of two
wagon trains, one led by Jim Bridger and the other by John Bozeman.

5: John Bozeman was a native of Georgia who had tried his luck at gold panning,
but with little success. So he instead decided to become a promoter.luring
settlers to follow him to Montana where they could establish farms and
ranches in the Gallatin Valley. The route he used followed a series of
Indian trails across the Big Horn Basin, and it eventually became known as
the Bozeman Trail. That trail launched a war with the Sioux and Cheyenne,
and so it soon became known as the “Bloody Bozeman.”
John Bozeman’s wagon train arrived in the Gallatin Valley in early August,
1864. Days later, the claims association named the new community in his
honor. But Bozeman soon wore on people’s nerves. He had a habit of idling
his time playing cards. A southern Democrat from Georgia now living in a
pro-union, pro-Republican town, his political leanings rubbed many the wrong
way. And he was handsome, making any man with a wife, daughter, or
girlfriend nervous. So great was the dislike for Bozeman, the town’s name
was nearly changed to Montana City.

6: Nelson Story and his wife Ellen came to Alder Gulch in 1863. By 1866, Story
had procured $30,000 in gold dust. He used this money to drive a herd of
Texas Longhorns to Montana. In Bozeman, he operated a mercantile store,
invested in real estate, opened a bank and a flour mill. By 1890, he was one
of the wealthiest men in the state. His family mansion that sat on Main
street was unfortunately torn down in the 1930’s, but he and his family’s
legacy in Bozeman lives on.

7: In April of 1867, John Bozeman and Tom Cover rode east to negotiate flour
contracts with U.S. army posts on the Bozeman Trail. But near present-day
Springdale, they were, according to Cover, attacked by Blackfeet Indians.
Bozeman was killed, and Cover was wounded. But Cover’s version of events
didn’t stack up with the evidence found at the scene, and many believe it
was Cover, jealous of the attention given by Bozeman to Cover’s wife, who
killed Bozeman. It remains one of our unsolved mysteries.

8: It was the fort that saved Bozeman. Fort Ellis, named for a union officer
killed at Gettysburg, was established just east of town in 1867. The state
goal of the fort was to protect the Gallatin Valley from hostile Indian
raids, but its true benefit was economical. Gold mining was on the decline,
and with the presence of the fort, Bozeman merchants had a ready market for
foodstuff and supplies. Fort Ellis, which was finally closed in 1886, was an
important factor in the early survival of Bozeman.

Read More: 8 Facts You May Not know About Bozeman History | http://kmmsam.com/8-facts-you-may-not-know-about-bozeman-history/?trackback=tsmclip