Featured Garden: Patterns of Growth

My mother gardened, and I have fond memories of eating carrots, peas and raspberries plucked from the backyard.  Later in life, I earned some of my living gardening for others both in my native British Columbia and then in California.

Now, the plants support me again in my career as an artist and designer. I grow plants to use in my botanical designs and plan to start a line of home products featuring my best plant patterns on tiles, and textiles. Plants' variety, beauty, and form are my muses.

That's a tough one. I have gone through all my images to see if I could say I have one favorite, and I can't!

A plant that satisfies me on many levels is my Meyer Lemon tree. The fruit hangs bright and luscious in the winter landscape, and there is nothing like using one's own fruit in the kitchen. I have yet to photograph it as part of a pattern, but perhaps this will be the inspiration!

A favorite feature in my garden is my phormium tenax plants (New Zealand Flax). They are in pots and provide a year-round source of color, form(ium) and contrast to my other plants. There are so many varieties to choose from, and the colors don't disappoint.

My greatest challenge is space. I have limited room in my suburban plot, and my love for plants extends beyond its bounds. There are many trees I forgo because of this challenge. I am regularly culling plants to make room for new ones.

Start with plants that are easy to grow – and make friends with other gardeners!