Design snapshot: Vertical garden

I saw my first vertical garden in California. There, tackling the vertical surface seemed the next logical step in zone-14 garden evolution. Little did I imagine, it was an idea readily adaptable to our hardier clime. Avant Gardens of N. Dartmouth, Mass. has figured out how. Follow this link for their hardy, drought-resistant, succulent, vertical-garden how-to.

I snapped this shot of their vertical garden in situ on their garage. Naturally, the garden planting itself required design savvy, but so too did the size, fabrication, orientation, and placement of the vertical garden. The cedar garden surround in a width similar to the cedar coursing helps "ground" the box, and the proportion beautifully echoes the proportion of the door panels and lites. The colors work together brilliantly, too.

Having attended the vertical garden demonstration at Avant Gardens this past weekend, I now also understand that vertical-garden size is critical; the larger the box, the heavier and the more unwieldy to mount and maintain.

I'm dreaming up a few of these beauts for my south-facing side wall. Time to start acquiring succulents. So far, I have one. It'll be a while...

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast 

Design snapshot: Meandering footpath

There's something to be said for taking your time to get somewhere. This footpath in a tight space between a home and side fence wanders off the straight and narrow. And, in the process, creates little eddies of space for miniature boxwoods, hostas, and statuary.

The seemingly improvised paver placement, with some in the middle lanes crossing into the next, contributes to the meandering handmade vibe. Slightly elevated edge pavers subtly differentiate the boundary without introducing the added complication of contrasting edging material.

To think that this is merely the garden access; you can't help but anticipate the marvel of a garden that awaits at the journey's end.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Continuing education: Better-late-than-never summer 2013

I'm late mentioning these summer offerings; both start shortly: June 16 (FAWC) and June 17 (Studio North). But it's never too late to open your mind and continue your education, whether your older or younger. I've written here before about the great rewards of continuing education. Whether you sign up for one of these workshops now or next year, you'll be glad you did.

Fine Arts Work Center

Instructors: Mark Adams and Elizabeth Bradfield
June 16 to June 21, 2013 9am-Noon
Tuition: $600
Returning Students: $550
Open to all

"We want to dedicate this week to cultivating the art of being present in a journey through the specific world of Provincetown’s dunes, forest and beaches, bringing together the arts of writing and drawing in response to the natural world.  You do not need to know how to draw and you don’t need to be an experienced poet to come along on this journey -- you only need to want to walk through the forest, the sand and maybe a little bit of water, and be receptive to new possibilities.

We’ll write in relation to what we hear, touch, smell, taste and see using the building blocks of metaphor, sound and imagery.  Poetry will be the foundation of our writing and reading, but all genres are deepened by close attention to world and word.  We’ll learn drawing techniques adapted to outdoor field settings (such as blind contour and gesture drawings, drawing with ink and brush, and watercolor wash drawing) rooted in observation and learn field-based drawing techniques, keeping a journal for sketches and writing. Both Mark and Elizabeth are naturalists as well as artists and, as residents of the Cape's tip, bring deep knowledge and love of this place.

Bring an unlined sketchbook journal (9X12 or larger) and some bold pens and pencils (flair, felt tip, fine point sharpies, ebony pencils and any other writing/drawing materials you prefer).  Additional materials will be provided. Be prepared for the full range of June weather. We’ll have a wonderful time.”

Studio North

Building small-scale rural interventions

Instructor: architect Keith Moskow FAIA and Robert Linn AIA

June 17th - June 22nd. Plan to arrive at Constable Farm, Norwich VT (1285 Union Village Road) by 9am, Monday, June 17th.

The workshop fee is: $1,000.

"Studio North is a six day intensive building workshop. The workshop will offer students the opportunity to engage with the rural landscape and to imagine, develop and construct inventive design solutions. An architectural education is best experienced through engagement in all aspects of the building process. This workshop will be a fully immersive design experience.

The workshop will take place on a 117 acre farm in Norwich, Vermont. Each session will investigate a particular interest and respond with the design and construction of a complete prototype structure. The workshop will be limited to ten participants and lead by architect Keith Moskow FAIA and Robert Linn AIA of the Boston based firm, Moskow Linn Architects.

Studio North is currently seeking applicants for the workshop of Summer 2013. The workshop is open to interested students of all abilities. Previous construction experience is not required."

(Class and schedule are subject to change, so check program website for updates.)

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Summer 2013 garden tours

Recommended upcoming New England tours

Garden Affairs Garden Tour (Concord, MA) Friday - Saturday, May 31 - June 1, 2013 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Newport Summer Secret Garden Tour (Newport, RI) Friday - Sunday, June 14 - 16, 2013 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 

Earth, Roots, Petals, & Paths Garden Tour (Putney, VT) Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

South End Garden Tour (Boston, MA) Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour (Portsmouth, NH) Saturday, June 22, 2013 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

New Castle Village Walk & Garden Tour (New Castle, NH) Sunday, June 23, 2013 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Rockport Garden Club Garden Tour (Rockport, MA) Saturday - Sunday, June 28 - 29, 2013 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

The Maine Home + Design English Garden Party & Home Tour (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Black Point House and Garden Tour (Niantic, CT) Friday, July 12, 2013 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Gardening with the [URI] Masters 2013 Statewide Garden Tour (Rhode Island) Saturday - Sunday July 13 - 14, 2013 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Provincetown Art Association and Museum Secret Garden Tour (Provincetown, MA) Sunday, July 14, 2013 10:00 am - 3:00 pm 

Pittsfield Garden Tour (Pittsfield, MA) Saturday, July 20, 2013 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, July 21, 2013 noon – 4:00 pm  

Private Gardens of the Kennebunks Tour (Kennebunk, ME) Saturday, July 13, 2013 10:00 am - 4:00 pm  

The 66th Annual Camden House and Garden Tour (Camden, ME) Thursday, July 18, 2013 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

The 59th Annual Nantucket House and Garden Tour (Nantucket, MA) Wednesday, August 7, 2013 11:00 am - 4:30 pm  

The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days