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Nature Contained
Adventures of a Rhode Island floral and garden shop
Will travel for flowers
Its gloomy today and my thoughts keep focusing on which flower/ garden adventures I would like to embark on this year. These are the flowers that are inspiring future day trips.
Lupines
Dates: June 6-22, 2008 Gorgeous purple and pink lupines in bloom are reason enough to visit New Hampshire's Franconia region each June. The annual Fields of Lupine Festival provides added incentive for travelers, including special tours, arts events, concerts and more. Dates: June 20-22, 2008 Lupines provide a backdrop of rich color for a weekend of activities in Downeast Maine including a craft fair, rummage sale, concert, art and sculpture show, boat excursions, scenic plane rides, a quilt show, garden tours, children's activities and more. For information, call 207-367-2420. Peonies 
Cricket Hill Garden’s 15th annual Peony Festival
Location: 670 Walnut Hill Road, Thomaston, CT Dates: May 1st- June 15th Visit the 7 acre terraces woodland garden with over 200 varieties of Chinese tree peonies in bloom. For more information, call 860-283-1042 LilacDate: May 18, 2008 Inhale the sweet fragrance of more than 400 lilac bushes and take home inspiration for your own garden when you visit Vermont's Shelburne Museum on Lilac and Gardening Sunday. Lilac Sunday
Location: Arnold Arboretum Jamaica Plain, MA Date: May 11, 2008 The Arnold Arboretum celebrates the 100th anniversary of this beloved Boston tradition. Join lilac enthusiasts from all over New England to celebrate. A dazzling array of over 180 kinds of lilacs with delightful fragrances and gorgeous colors—plus tours, dancing, art, music, children’s activities, and food (picnicking allowed on this special day only). On Lilac Sunday, the Arboretum is open as usual from dawn to dusk, with special activities from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged. For more Lilac Sunday information, call the Arnold Arboretum at 617.524.1718 ext. 176
Daffodil
I did something daring this morning. While eating a bowl of Panda Puffs I stumbled upon a link to a quiz “what kind of flower are you?” My immediate reaction was apprehension. What if I am a flower I hate? I had a lot to do today; did I really want to start my day off on a low note? It’s hard enough to get motivated these days; did I really need the adversity? I decided that I really should give it a try and if I ended up a snapdragon, carnation, or gerbera daisy I would dismiss the quiz with a laugh. Some of the questions posed were when you retire, what kind of house do you want to live in? How many late bill payments you had in the past 30 days is? What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Yep, all these answers formulate a flower designation. I took the test and to my pleasure I was labeled a daffodil which instantly boosted my spirits and made me momentarily believe in this hogwash. The moment quickly went by and I started to think, what are the parameters for ascribing personalities to flowers? I engage in such activities when meeting with a bride. First asking her what feelings she wants to convey and then selecting the appropriate stems for the job; so I get that part. However, I am sure that every garden and flower enthusiast’s designation of personality, taste and feeling differs widely. I had a few close loved ones take the test and I am not quite convinced with the results. Both my dad and my husband were labeled Canna which is a little too large, showy, sunny and boisterous for their personalities. The words I would label my wonderful husband Ken are; dependable, gentle, hard working, and easy on the eyes. He comes across to me as a crocus, a hellebore or lupine not really a canna. What puzzled me was there were no questions that offered a glimpse into light preferences, affinity to water, smell and temperature. One could ask a question about the beach, holiday vacation spot, showering habits and thoughts on clothing to get such a sense. Visit this garden is illegal’s website and give the quiz a try. Looking back at the experience I am sure we have all been called worse things than a carnation…then maybe not????
Design New England
 Remember that Hedge Apple posting from September? Here’s the finished product in the January/February 2008 edition of Design New England.One of the photos featuring the Osage orange fruit made the cover shot thanks to the photographical talents of John Gruen. John is so wonderful to work with. I was very fortunate to spend a snowy day listening to great music, eating magical grilled cheese and shooting bulb flowers for Horticulture Magazine with he and Lisa Newman a few months back. I cannot wait to share those photos with you soon!! In the meantime, check out the lovely photograph John shot of the Westport house back porch.
 Nature Contained designed the planter boxes which house wisteria vine and a simple mass planting of scaevola and asparagus fern. We planted them up in June and look how great they look at the end of September! For more of John’s photos check out his online portfolio at http://www.johngruen.com/. To find out more about Design New England Magazine or to read the whole story and see more pictures of the Westport house please visit http://bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/
Witch Hazel
 I had the loveliest dream last night. Ken and I woke up early with our new little baby and went outside for a walk on this beautiful wooded trail. As we walked the path with our little person all bundled up in a cute snow hat and 2 coffees in hand, we noticed that the trail was loaded with all sorts of beautiful & unusual witch hazels. The dream presented itself in the form of little snapshots; Ken and me walking up to the different varieties of hamamelis and taking notes of the fragrance, bloom size and structure. It was really gorgeous. The light was magical and the contrast of the mossy colors along the trail and the wonderful range of yellows to oranges, oranges to rubies and rubies to rust were just so intense.
I woke up this morning so excited and inspired. I logged on to my computer and perused the Fairweather Gardens website-anything to extend my hamamelis love fest. I wish I had a copy of Chris Lane’s book, Witch Hazels so I could spend the rest of my Sunday morning happily wrapped up in the world of these fabulous, fragrant, early stewards of spring.
The witch hazel is a lovely, diminutive, cool-season blooming tree native to damp woodlands in eastern North America. Its fragrant, inch or two-wide flowers appear in February after the coldest days of winter are past. The petals are strap shaped and open on warm days, closing at night and on colder days. The flowers look like they are made from little curls of citrus peel-they would look really sweet on a cupcake.
Check out the gorgeous palette below!
 
 
 
Row 1: ‘Georges’, ‘Aurora’
Row 2: ‘Orange Peel’, ‘Rochester’
Row 3: ‘Rubin’, ‘Aphrodite’ Labels: witch hazel
Love in the Four Corners
 I just wanted to share some exciting news with the extended Nature Contained family… David and Maria are engaged and will be married this spring!!!
We promise to keep you all posted with all the magical wedding flower details!
I Heart Wellies
I don’t know if my perception of sexy has been tossed out the window with the arrival of the ninth month of pregnancy or what but I must say wellies have to be the hottest footwear choice for the garden. I don't know a young woman gardener who would object to picking tulips in a cute raincoat, scarf, knit tights, wool skirt and fabulous Wellington Boots. Then again, I came pretty darn close to sporting a pair with my wedding dress if the rain kept on so maybe I am biased.
Which wellies are making my heart purr this Valentines season?
 The Garden Vixen: Ilse Jacobson Lace-UpI love Ilse Jacobsen wellies. These boots would totally be up for the fashion welly awards should there ever be such an accolade. They are a super tall, lace up rubber rain boot with what looks to be a comfortable oil resistant black sole. The wool-like lining packs in extra warmth and the range of exciting color promises to brighten up any winter wardrobe. They are as sexy as wellies get; maybe they would be the thing to lift my spirits this spring while gardening in my new post-pregnant body. Hey, I haven’t been able to see my feet in awhile; it would be nice to look at something pretty! P.S. her moon boot is really fabulous as well. Check them out at http://www.stockholmobjects.com/ILJ.html
 The Rebel: Chooka Rain bootThe last pair of wellies that have been on my mind were a pair I ran into while visiting Park City with Kate. They are by Chooka and are adorned with all sorts of skulls and tattoo inspired art. Find them at http://www.chookaboot.com/products/rainboots/tattoocityturquoise.html The Pint Size Gardener: HatleyIf baby Robbins was mobile this spring I would be tempted to enlist these Wild pirate rain boots by Hatley. I was so happy to run into them and the matching raincoat and umbrella at our wonderful local children’s clothing store in Tiverton Four Corners, Little Purls. http://www.littlepurlsonline.com/
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The Classic: Hunter