The Garden of Author & Humorist David Hobson, Part 1

I first heard David Hobson give a talk at the Stradford Garden Festival. He was getting more laughs than the average standup comedian. Humour is a great tool for a garden writer – it reminds everyone that home-gardening is not just an arduous task that eats up your free weekends. It can be relaxing and fun.

"I've always written humour so it is natural to insert a little of it into my newspaper columns. Certainly, gardening can become too serious. I look for the joy in it," David tells me.

David was born in Yorkshire England and came to Canada on a travelling adventure with no intention of making it his home. A passion for gardening developed with his father's influence. "My dad had always gardened and I began as soon as I had a piece of ground to grow plants (at our  first home–the current garden is our third)", David reminisces.

David jokes that there are "ink stains on his green thumb." Always interested in writing, he joined a writer's group and wrote two books of humorous garden stories Soiled Reputations and Diary of a Mad Gardener (available on Amazon as ebooks). In 2001, the Waterloo Region Record asked him to contribute a weekly gardening column. Since that time, David has taken on the same task for the Hamilton Spectator newspaper as well.

Examples of wit and humour can be found throughout David's garden often in the form of repurposed objects. Take the "bright idea" you see above.

"It's what I call my spring flowering bulb," laughs David. "I broke the end of a bulb cleanly once and immediately realized I was holding a tiny terrarium (or planter). Then my son figured out how to easily remove the ends of the bulb," David recounts.

 

David's backyard is a creative laboratory where he makes things like the framed succulent wall art you see pictured above and the covered area in the photograph below.

"I have as much pleasure in that as I do in growing plants. It comes from the constructing of things that I enjoy–building pathways and patios, fences, decks and garden furniture," says David.

Many of these projects are also born out of practicality. "When we first bought the house in 1985 there was no shade at all, so I created a shady courtyard," David tells me. 

The courtyard is now home to his collection of shade–loving plants. Houseplants, like David's collection of Rex Begonias, vacation here in the summer. Begonias and ivies spill from old sap buckets. More plants trail out of an old coal bucket. In the centre, there is a table and chair for a break from garden chores on a hot summer's day.

In David's imaginative hands, an old coal bucket becomes a container planting and a sap bucket a hanging basket. "If it holds soil, it will make a planter," laughs David. Amongst the shade loving plants is a colorful red Coleus named 'Campfire'.

Begonia in a sap bucket.

"One thing I like to do with my containers is to mulch the soil surface," says David. "Until the plants have filled out it is exposed and loses a lot of moisture. We talk of mulching flowerbeds, but it applies equally to containers."

A sap bucket mounted on the fence holds an ivy.

One of David's Rex Begonias.

"One plant that is becoming more popular is the Rex begonia with its showy foliage. They are related to the tuberous begonia, but they are not known for their flowers. They come in every shape and size and in every color combination and pattern. This is a plant that is best when grown close to the ground. They prefer humidity otherwise the leaves tend to curl", says David.

A pretty combination of a Begonia rex-cultorum 'Jurassic Green Streak' and an annual Euphorbia. 

Rex Begonia 'Escargot' (left) and another unknown Rex (possibly Begonia 'River Nile') with brown accents on the leaf edges (right).

A look back at the shady courtyard. (Note the Salvia on the right–you can see it in 

detail in the next image.)

Purple Salvia Patens 'Amistad' is a tender perennial that has purple flowers on tall near-black stems. Light regular pruning will encourage repeat flowering. Full sun. Full sun. Height: 90-120 cm (35-47 inches), spread: 75-90 cm (29-35 inches). USDA hardy zones: 8-9.

When David loves a plant, you'll often find more than one in his garden. 

"I love my Salvias," he says."There are over six hundred species, but I don't have them all. They come in annuals, perennials and shrubs. I have two that are perennial–but not in this climate. I store them in my non-freezing garage over the winter. This one is Amistad (above). It flowers all summer long. Snip the dead flowers off and it will flower even more." 

A hint of what is yet to come on our tour of David's garden.

David keeps other tender perennials, like this Gaura (above), in pots and overwinters them in the unheated garage as well. Fushia and Lantana also winters in the garage.

Spider Flower, Senorita Rosalita Cleome® is a new introduction from Proven Winners that offers many advantages: it's thornless, non-sticky, with odourless foliage and is heat and drought tolerant. Unlike other Cleome, it will not self-seed. Full sun. Height: 30-45 cm (12-18 inches), spread: 65-75 cm (45-60 inches). USDA hardy zones: 10-11.

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' is a hybrid Coneflower that produces single flowers is yellow, cream, orange-red and magenta. 'Cheyenne Spirit' is happy in average garden soil but is adaptable to sandy and clay soils. Average, dry or moist conditions all work for this perennial. Attractive to butterflies. Full sun. Height: 65-75 cm (25-29 inches), spread: 65-75 cm (25-29 inches). USDA zones: 4-9.

Drought is becoming a common struggle in the summertime. David collects rainwater in a large barrel that is handy to many of his container plantings.

Chartreuse colored Sweet Potato Vine are really popular, but there are new tempting introductions with red and almost black foliage. Sweet Potato Vine is a versatile annual that can be grown in sun or shade. It likes moist, well-drained soil.

Superbells® Doublette Love Swept is an annual introduction from Proven Winners® that has double petunia-like flowers that are pink with a white rim. A light pruning early in the season and mid-summer will encourage branching and new growth. No deadheading needed. This plant does not like constantly damp soil. Containers are the best use for this plant. Full sun to light shade. Height: 15-25 cm (6-10 inches), spread: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches). 

A potting bench and a collection of sun-loving plants. Did you notice the mop bucket that has been painted and repurposed as a container?

"I have far too many pots and planters. I have a shed full of wooden boxes, terra cotta pots and galvanized pails. In fact, I will turn anything that holds soil into a planter–but I do draw the line at plumbing fixtures. I have old work boots–I've tried open umbrellas; pots, pans, hats, purses, baskets and bowls...even eves troughs. The danger lies in overdoing it. Too many "unique" items can make the backyard look like the back room of a junk shop–especially if the plants aren't thriving," cautions David.

Aeonium haworthii 'Dream Color' also known as Aeonium 'Kiwi' has fleshy green foliage edged with orange-red. It does not like heat and very dry conditions (their true growth season is winter into spring. They can go dormant in the heat of summer). To keep them happy in mid-summer,  place them in a location with part-shade in the afternoon. They like to have soil that is a bit moister than most succulents. In late summer they will often produce yellow flowers.

There is a lot of humor in David's use of containers. Here we have low-growing plants in tall pots.

Cosmos 'Xanthos' is a compact annual with flowers that are a soft, creamy-yellow in color. Good cut flower. Full sun. Height: 50-60 cm (20-24 inches), Spread: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches).

Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue' is a tender perennial (in zones 8-9) or annual that has sky-blue flowers. Tubers can be lifted and stored like dahlias. Attractive to hummingbirds. Rich, well-drained soil. Average water needs. Full sun. Height: 60-75 cm (24-30 inches), Spread: 45 cm (18 inches).

Alyssum 'Snow Princess' is an annual from Proven Winners® that has fragrant white flowers.  This is a vigorous plant that can handle both heat and cold. Evenly moist soil is necessary for good performance. Part-sun to full sun. Height: 10-20 cm (4-8 inches), Spread: 60-122 cm (24-48 inches).

A Youtube video about David's garden.

I am going to end with a short video on David and his garden. Enjoy!

P.S. More of the garden to come soon in Part 2.

Gardening with Foliage First: Book Review and Giveaway

I'd love to go plant shopping with Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz! In the introduction to their latest book, Gardening with Foliage First, here's how they describe their plant hunting expeditions:

"What do you get when you let two designers loose in a nursery? A car filled to overflowing with a wild assortment of trees, shrubs, perennials and more. It is a given that you will not be able to see out the rear window, and you should expect to have plants on the seats, on the floor and in the cup holders. It is only when the plants are precariously balanced on the dashboard that we think we have enough."

It might be tricky finding additional room in the car for yet another shopper, but somehow I think I would fit right in with these two plant enthusiasts! In real life, Karen and Christina are friends who encourage and challenge one another, which brings out the best in both ot them. Readers certainly stand to benefit from their passion for plants in general, and their love of foliage in particular.

Karen and Christina advise you to head to your local nursery or garden centre with a plan in mind. Without a wish list, you're much more likely to end up with a shopping cart full of pretty blooms. Once those flowers fade, you'll find that you have spent all your money on a bit of short-term glory.

I'd also add that most gardeners shop in the early spring. If you head home with a car load of spring bloomers, your garden is going to be pretty lack-lustre later in the summer and fall.

Focusing on foliage rather than flowers is a more novel approach to creating plant combinations. When you stop to really consider them, you'll find that leaves often have very attractive colors, textures, veining and variegation. In their latest collaboration, Karen and Christina show us how to use these unique features and create combinations that accentuate them.

From Gardening with Foliage First by Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz. © 2017 Published by Timber Press. Excerpted with permission of the publisher.

Gardening with Foliage First has two main sections: Spring & Summer and Fall &Winter. Within those main sections there are subsections for both sun and shade. As well as year round interest, the plant mixes cover a wide range of projects– everything from small patio containers to large borders.

The plant combinations are really well organized. A quick glance at the top of the page will tell you light and soil requirements, zone and seasons of interest. Each suggested combination includes a large glamour shot that shows the mix of plants to best advantage. Below the picture is a detailed explanation of how the elements work together. This takes some of the mystery out of the design process and gives the reader the confidence they will need to start to build plant parings of their own. "How the Design Grows" explains how each plant in a design changes through the seasons. Along with the overall shot of the full combination, there is an additional image of each individual plant and general information on what that plant needs to grow well.

From Gardening with Foliage First by Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz. © 2017 Published by Timber Press. Excerpted with permission of the publisher.

Shown above is a container planting that the authors have named "Dinosaur Soup" after the Dinosaur Kale, Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' which is standout feature at the back of the arrangement. 

Most of the plants used in this container are not only evergreen, they change color through the seasons. Among the plants are: Heuchera 'Blondie', with pale ginger flowers and foliage that has shades of gold and brown; an Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora, which has lovely coppery accents in the late summer and fall; and a Rheingold arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis that has golden foliage that turns orange in winter.

From Gardening with Foliage First by Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz. © 2017 Published by Timber Press. Excerpted with permission of the publisher.

Above is the low-maintenance combination called "A Queen and her Court". At the heart of this grouping is Heuchera 'Electra' with its golden foliage veined with red. The mix also includes a Golden Sedge, Carex oshimensis, a Primrose, Primula x polyantha 'Sweetheart' and a dark Heuchera 'Obsidian'.

Both authors hope their book will be appeal to gardeners with varying levels of experience. Certainly novice gardeners will find the book inspiring, but I think those who stand to benefit the most are intermediate to experienced gardeners. This book will help them add a greater degree of sophistication and finesse to their plantings.

It makes perfect sense to think longterm and put foliage first, but it's a mindset that requires practice. Gardening has such a long history of focusing on flowers! Gardeners almost need to reeducated themselves and that's where Gardening with Foliage First comes in.

With their new book Karen and Christina hope to give you the confidence to try new ideas, and in doing so, discover a fresh approach to creating plant combinations.

Thomas Allen & Sons has kindly given me a copy of Gardening with Foliage First to give away. Because this book will go to a winner through the mail, I will have to limit entry to readers in Canada and the USA. 

Please leave a comment below, if you would like to be included in the book draw. The draw will remain open for the until Sunday, June 25th. If you are not a blogger, you can enter by leaving a comment on the Three Dogs in a Garden Facebook page (there is an additional link to the Facebook page at the bottom of the blog). You are also welcome to enter by sending me an email (jenc_art@hotmail.com).

About the Authors:

Karen Chapman has her own container and landscape design company, Le Jardinet.  She writes gardening articles for online and print publications and is a popular public speaker. Visit Karen's website: Le Jardinet.

Christina Salwitz operates The Personal Garden Coach, a Seattle-area based business that helps gardeners of all skill levels achieve their gardening dreams. Her blog is THE Personal Garden Coach.

The Creative Side of Gardening

So often the creative side of gardening is overshadowed by the more practical aspects of planting and nurturing flowers, fruits and vegetables.It's important to remember that gardening is not just work, it can be fun and inventive as well.

Gardeners can be a resourceful lot. They look around them to the materials at hand and see a creative potential. This post celebrates different ways to add whimsical or rustic touches to a garden using found objects and materials. Some of these ideas make use of natural items such as twigs, branches and tree stumps in a host of clever and unique ways. In other examples, everyday objects and industrial materials, like metal, have been re-imagined and given a second life.

Natural Ways to add Rustic Touches to a Garden

Even in death and decay, nature has an eerie beauty. Trees, with their twisted and gnarled roots, retain some of their majesty and grandeur even in death. Not surprisingly then, there is an old tradition of using tree stumps in a garden.

The first known "stumpery" was created in the 1850's by Edward William Cooke, an artistic gardener working on a large estate garden. In a flash of inspiration, Cooke saw a fresh use for tree stumps that had been unearthed when a section of the Batemen estate was cleared. Cooke piled the roots of these trees into a wall of stumps and then interplanted them with ferns. Very quickly the Batemen estate became known for its "stumpery." The delicate beauty of the green ferns emerging from the decaying wood was not only strikingly beautiful, it was a reminder, on a more spiritual level, that life can spring from death.

A modern stumpery that includes clay pots.

Making a garden stumpery grew to become a fashionable way to creat the perfect habitat for hardy ferns. Decaying wood returns nutrients to the soil providing the perfect rich, loamy environment that these woodland plants love.

At present stumperies are enjoying a resurgence in popularity do, in large part, to the efforts of Prince Charles who created a stumpery at his home at Highgrove House. In this instance, the Prince used sweet chestnut roots to create a shade garden filled with a large collection of hosta, ferns and hellebores.

The dramatic architecture of a tree's roots is more than just an ideal home for plants. Their mysterious and somewhat melancholy aesthetic can suggest a spiritual significance. One of the most dramatic examples I have seen is in the picture above. The stunning view is a reminder of nature's beauty and the ring that surrounds the large silvery-grey tree stump is a reference to the circle of life.

Tree stumps and driftwood can have modern uses as well. The only limitation is a gardener's imagination. Here on the edge of a pond (above) a weathered bit of wood suspends lanterns over the water. In the image below, a birdbath is nestled in the centre of a large, inverted stump that has been aged by the elements.

A large tree trunk can also make a fine pedestal for an object... 

or a pot filled with flowers.

A dead tree trunk can also make a tall apartment building for birds.

Logs and tree branches can find architectural uses as well. These rough wooden structures can sometimes have a large, imposing scale. There is something about this pergola that makes me think of Stonehenge.

The face that presides over this arbor again makes reference to that other worldly quality of rough, unfinished wood. In this example and the next, the faces reference fantastical creatures and the world of myths and legends.

Young saplings can be pliable. They can be bent into a curve or woven to make a fence or gate.

Here spruce saplings have been used to create a fence and arbor for this vegetable garden.

The tradition of making low woven fences for a vegetable or herb garden stretches back to Elizabethan times. In this modern example, branches have been woven to make a frame for an urn that sits in the centre of a formal herb garden.

Willow is particularly pliable and is often used to make rustic furniture, structures and even abstract sculptural figures like the ones you see below.

As well as more decorative uses, twigs can also be configured into an obelisk that provides support for climbing plants.

Even on a very basic level, twigs can make a very natural looking plant support.

In this final example a mix of different branches and a upright log support a couple of different types of clematis.

Found objects and Rustic Industrial Touches

Aren't these metal buckets hung on a length of chain a rather whimsical way to channel rainfall? In the second part of this post, we will focus on ways everyday objects and industrial materials have been repurposed.

The roof of this long rectangular birdhouse is a old rusted piece of metal. A row of maple syrup spigots provide a place for birds to land.

 Below the birdhouse, an old wagon wheel becomes a abstract sculptural object.

Ladders make terrific plant supports of one kind or another.

A window with an nice patina can be used as an abstract architectural sculpture.

An old milk can makes a rustic container for a planting of succulents.

In this instance old bottles are have been scattered through a shade garden.

This row of tomatoes are made more dramatic with a striking backdrop. The fence looks like it's rusted metal, doesn't it? But as you can from the closeup below, it is just a clever paint job on an ordinary wood fence. The oxidized metal stakes behind the tomatoes add to the effect.

It seems fitting to end this post with a few spring container plantings. This first one makes use of an old blue pot.

This is a re-imagined use for a rusty toolbox.

I hope this post will encourage you to get creative with found objects and natural materials. Remember, a garden is the perfect excuse for a grown-up to have fun express their imagination.