Greensboro Birds and Snow

Nature enthusiasts must consider bird habitat when designing their landscapes. Bird watching can occur outdoors or even better, inside the warmth of the home year round.

Creating a bird buffet close enough to enjoy inside is easy to do. They need a bird feeder, a branch, and a protected landing area not far from feeder (for example, an evergreen shrub or tree enabling them to scope the area for predators before landing).

I personally like the larger birdfeeders. More the merrier. This particular bird feeder has 2 suet holders. I need to make more of these tasty treats.

If you have received oranges during the holiday season, think about adding within your landscape as bird feeders.

If you do not have your window identified for the birds, you may want to place stickers, tape or another obvious hint.

There are several landing places for the birds.

Bird watching is very calming.

We had several visitors including, a woodpecker, sparrows, cardinals and chickadees.

When designing your landscape, do not forget about the winter months of enjoyment by placing a bird buffet by your window. Since birds are not the neatest of eaters, remember to consider the area below. You may have corn or sunflowers sprouting where not wanted. Crushed stone or another aggregate is a good solution. Mulch can cover landscape fabric as another option.

 Have a wonderful February and don’t forget the birds.

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams

Landscape Design and Installation

Chocolate Foliage Yummy Edible Craft

This tasty craft is edible and fun to make without a store bought mold. I found this wonderful idea on Liz Seymours blog.

Evergreen foliage was selected because, well, it’s winter:) For my chocolate leaves, I choose “Little Gem” Magnolia. These large leaves are unjulating, adding more interest and detail to the chocolate leaves.

I melted chocolate in a microwavable dish along with a small amount of shortening.

I let it cool just a bit so it would thicken (easier to apply onto the leaves). Placing the leaves onto wax paper, I then popped them into the fridge to harden. Pull them out in 1/2 hour, gentley remove the leaf and trim any chocolate that ran over.

I wanted a little more detail so I drew on foliage veins with a toothpick.

This easy food craft adds something unique to your festive holiday trays.

This is a craft the kids can help with too.

Please do not use poisonous foliage like Poinsettias, Hydrangeas or Helleborus (Lenten Rose). A few to try would be Osmanthus, Chindo Viburnum or Mahonia.

Enjoy and have a grand 2010!

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams www.dianadigsdirt.com

Landscape Design and Installation

St Pius X Catholic Church Plant Exchange

January 9^th 2010 Plant Swap for Saint Pius X Catholic Church Building Fund.

 Those interested in swapping plants, mark your calendars for Saturday January 9^th, 3:30PM, Kloster parking lot. You do not need to be a member of the grounds committee to participate. Please bring your plants in containers or plastic bags. We will meet, swap plants, and say a prayer. There will also be a 50/50 drawing where the winner goes home with a little extra cash and the other 50% towards the building fund. Please contact Diana Gardner-Williams with any questions, Diana@justacloudaway.com or 392.4031.

Some of the plants I am bringing are climbing rose,

 potato vine, blue aster,

 golden rain tree, plumbago,

 st. john’s wort, sedum,

 stokes aster, helleborus or Lenten Rose,

 

perennial sweet pea vine,

iris,

barnyard verbena

and many more.

Gently dig around the plant and cut roots. Right before bring to St Pius X remove from ground and place in plastic bag or pot, adding a little water. It is a good idea to include the existing soil around the plants, containing the small feeder roots.

If you are unsure if the plant can be safely divided, shoot me an email. Feel free to bring your indoor plants too.

There will also be a drawing for a free winter blooming Camellia Japonica, donated by DianaDigsDirt.

I hope to see you there with plenty of plants. I am excited to try a new one in my garden.

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams

Landscape Design and Installation

Natural Evergreen Holiday Centerpiece

Cut your own holiday centerpieces  for your dining room tables. They are free and unique adding colorful warmth to the festivities. Select a container and insert floral foam. You will want some foam exposed for a more grandiose flower display.

Once you have cut the foam to the desired size, gather evergreen foliage, twigs, berries, and other natural elements you may want to incorporate.

I choose Japanese Snowbell Tree twigs because of their fine texture. Consider the size of your container when selecting items. For example, magnolia foliage would overwhelm this small container.

Coarse textured evergreens I selected were Indian Hawthorn and Osmanthus.

Use what you have in your own garden and make sure you select fine, medium and coarse textures.

Cedar was inserted around the rim of the container to soften the edges. I snipped a few rose buds for the center.

Cranberries were inserted into toothpicks and placed throughout for color. You could use nandina, pyracantha or holly berries.

Make sure you water your centerpiece.

Yuletide Camellia is blooming in my garden and is perfect for this holiday centerpiece. If nothing is blooming in your garden, purchase a few flowers from your local florist and insert into the floral foam. They will last 1-2 weeks depending on the flower selection.

Yuletide Camellia is available for purchase, please contact diana@justacloudaway.com. This plant is perfect for December weddings.

When the flowers have faded, just replace with a fresh bouquet and your centerpiece will last till Valentine’s Day, if watered.

Happy Planting and Happy Holidays

Diana Gardner-Williams www.dianadigsdirt.com

Landscape Design and Installation

Divine Weddings and Beyond™

Tomato Cage Holiday Tree

Tomato cages can be reused/recycled into beautiful and affordable holiday decorations. The form is a perfect pyramid turned upside down and bound at the top with floral tape.

Clean off the old tomato remnants and dirt and bring indoors to decorate.

Colorful holiday ribbon can be wrapped around tomato cage and adhered at the top or bottom. This particular tomato cage stands 4 feet tall, perfect for a corner needing vertical interest.

Place garland or colorful fabric around the bottom.

Holiday ornaments can be hung from the circular portions of the tomato cage.

A small up light was placed in the middle and hidden by the garland. This soft light is perfect to illuminate a dark corner.

Other ornaments were placed around the bottom; pine cones, stars and gold fruit were used.

A large bow with cascading ribbon was utilized to finish this unique modern style tree.

If you have several tomato cages, line them along a walkway and anchor into the ground for a spectacular and affordable holiday pathway. The cages can be adorned with garland, strings of beads or even popcorn for the birds to nibble on.

If you are having your wedding  during the winter season, think about incorporating tomato cages within your landscape, adding drama to your special day. This is an affordable idea for those thrifty brides.

Have fun with your holiday decorations and enjoy.

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams  www.dianadigsdirt.com

Landscape Design and Installation

November Thanksgiving Landscape Flowers

If you are having guests over for the Thanksgiving holiday or wedding photographs taken at your home, make sure your landscape is bursting with color.

You will notice I have many favorite plants, but this tree really is one of them! The Autumn Cherry Tree. If a plant blooms more than one season, it is a favorite. Autumn Cherry Trees bloom in spring and in October/November.

Lovely

Some annuals with a very long bloom time. This double petunia is fantastic.

My white blooms on the begonias are still strong. Perfect for wedding photographs.

Salvia, Rhea is really a show stopper! This annual is also called Mealycup Sage.

Yellow marigolds are hanging in there.

Below is a hanging pot filled with the annual, verbena.

Another hanging pot annual.

This is an amazing perennial/annual vine. Yes, it is invasive and I love it.

The black-eyed susan vine is behind the potato vine. Removing it is quite easy too.

A few perennials, like this yellow canna lily ready to give us one last bloom.

Perennial geranium below has been sporadically blooming the entire growing season.

Hardy garden mums are just about finished blooming.

“Baths Pink” Dianthus has a few flowers left. I did shear these perennials after their showy display in spring.

This perennial verbena blooms from April to Frost and is only available at Gethsemane GArdens. Janice has named this beauty, Barnyard Verbena.

Shrubs with autumn blooms like Camellia sassanqua. This will bloom for several more weeks.

Knock out roses are another favorite of mine.

There will be another round of blooms before they go dormant.

Gardenia shrubs have a few flowers.

Red knock out roses.

“Little Gem” Magnolia trees with flower buds, fragrant too.

Have a wonderful holiday and think about incorporating some of the autumn blooming plants within your landscapes in early spring.

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams

Landscape Design and Installation

Pearly Gates Open for Pudge

We walked on a golden floor of autumn leaves, under an arbor to a heart-shaped garden with silver stars twinkling overhead. In the center was a raised area edged in sea shells, adorned with an angel statue and plaque with a water fountain serving as a headstone. Faye Floyd, a local hair stylist, lost her beloved pet Pudge after 14 years of companionship on July 23, 2009 due to age and diabetes. The memory garden for Pudge is located 40 feet from her back door where she can see it from inside the home.

Faye and her seventeen year old son, Brad Marley fell in love with the underdog of a friend’s litter. The fuzzy and pudgey chow mix puppy quickly became a full-fledged part of the family. He slept in Faye’s bed, ate at the kitchen table and road shotgun in the car, not to mention having complete run of the house. Faye started and ended her day with Pudge by her feet.

On a chilly afternoon August 22, 2009 35 guests attended a memorial ceremony in Faye’s backyard to honor Pudge’s life. The high number of attendees was a true testimony of the love for Pudge and the support for Faye. There were 3 readings, a song sung and composed by Brad with the entire ceremony videotaped by a friend. The lyrics and readings touched on the love, memories and the hope of seeing him again. When I asked Faye what helped her through this difficult time  she said reading a book titled,  “Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates”, building his memory garden and the support of family and friends who knew of their unbreakable bond.

I thank Faye for sharing this touching story of the love for a pet sadly missed.

The memory garden is just beautiful. Faye was worried about what I would think because of my profession as a landscape designer. She had nothing to worry about, I was just glad that a garden was the type of memorial chosen to honor Pudge.

Every element in the garden has meaning and symbolism.

The angel was a statue given to Faye’s mother at an earlier point in time.

Rest in Peace Pudge

Diana

Victory Junction Honors Adam Petty

The passing of Adam Petty was a premature death of the 4th generation of professional race car drivers. Adam Petty is a son, grandson, brother and friend, who had a heart of gold.

Victory Junction was built because of the dream Adam had while alive and well. Adam wanted a facility for terminally ill and disabled children to enjoy while being outside of their homes and hospitals. Victory Junction honors a young man and helped the bereaved family mourn the loss of  their eldest son.

One cannot miss the entrance of the facility with the water tower resembling a hot air balloon.

The entrance building was bright and inviting. The staff ensures visitors are free of germs and sickness before entering.

There was no mistaking who is being honored at this facility.

Erin, the development coordinator stated that Adam is everywhere and she meant it.

The statue of a lion was brought in this past year by Adam’s grandfather, Richard Petty.

To me, the lion symbolizes strength.

The treehouse is not your typical backyard elevated play area.

This serene made-made lake is stocked with regularly fed fish. The motto is “Catch, Kiss and Release.”

This area was my favorite stop, the Larry & Hannah Johnson Spiritual Center.

Beautifully landscaped with a large pergola opening up to the stars.

The view is breathtaking.

The interior of the spiritual center has a very calming ambiance.

The stain glass window only contributes to the spirit of this place.

The sleeping quarters for all are very colorful.

Of the 12,000 children who visited Victory Junction since the opening, 12 have passed on. In their honor, weeping cherry trees are planted within the grounds of Victory Junction.

There is much more than what is posted here. Tours are available by inquiring through email at mwilbur@vistoryjunction.org.

Believe me, there is a way all of us can help to keep the camp thriving. Even through volunteering, sewing, or donating costumes to name a few.

Thank you Victory Junction and you are remembered Adam.

Diana Gardner-Williams

Landscape Design and Installation

$100 for Engaged Women of the Triad

Divine Weddings and Beyond™ are giving away $100 every month to one engaged woman of the Piedmont Triad Area.

Divine Weddings and Beyond™ are looking for wedding related retail shops to display these beautiful bags within their facility. The bags contain:

• A Divine Weddings and Beyond™ Brochure
• A Bridal Registration Card
• And a drop slot on the front of the bag to insert Registration Cards for a chance at winning $100 cash

Suggested shops we are looking for (not limited to):

• Diamond Jewelers
• Wedding Gown Shops
• Formal Wear
• Tuxedo Shops
• Wedding Venues (allowing outside caterers)
• Wineries
• Hair Accessories/Veils

This is a win/win/win. The bride could win $100/The retail shop could have one happy bride and have an additional link to the internet on dianadigsdirt-blog/and Divine Weddings and Beyond™ receive exposure with a professionally designed promotional piece.

The registration slips will be collected twice a month for a drawing once per month.

Let us market the chance to win $100 by telling our newly engaged couples where your store is located in order to register.  All you have to do is place the beautiful bag on a visible counter or we can construct a gorgeous shelf for your wall.

Our next Wedding Event is scheduled for

April 29th 5-8PM at the Emerald Event Center

Benefiting

Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test

More Information Regarding Wedding Fashion Show

See you there!

Diana Gardner-Williams

Divine Weddings and Beyond™

Landscape Design and Installation

Piedmont Wedding Show for Friends

The wedding fashion show was free to the public and participating bridal vendors of the Piedmont Triad Area.

Divine Weddings and Beyond were happy to sponsor their first event, helping to raise money for Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test.

Divine Weddings and Beyond™ consists of:

• Diana Gardner-Williams-Landscape Design and Installation
• Goforth Travel
• Friendly Neighborhood DJ
• Central Floral Gardens, Inc.
• Create a Cake Catering
• Sabika Jewelry
• Halls of Fitness
• Hair I Do Make Up and Hair

We had the pleasure of having Stacia Harrington Photography document our event with gorgeous pictures.

The event consisted of:

• Short workshops provided by Divine Weddings and Beyond™
• Fashion show including wedding gowns, rehearsal dinner and bridal shower dresses, bridesmaid and mother of the bride gowns
• Cake tasting
• $3 glasses of wine
• Door prizes including shrubs, make overs and more
• A Grand Prize of $1000 worth of products and services for one lucky bride
• Picture taking in a photo booth

Donations were collected at the registration desk for Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test.

The fashion show was made possible by the volunteer models and local bridal and consignment shops.

Smiles for everyone.

Fun, Fun, Fun.

Just Perfect.

What a beautiful bridesmaid.

The gowns were exquisite.

The models strolled through a custom designed arbor and adorned with plants, flowers and foliage for any wedding occasion. This permanent structure would complement most landscapes and used for many other festivities at the home.

Other vendors that made this event possible were:

• Rubenesque for Less Consignment Shop
• Mechelle’s Resale Shoppe
• Songbirds Consignment Shop
• A Special Place Wigs (for chemotherapy patients)
• Guilford Woman Magazine
• The Emerald Event Center
• Good Time Photo Booth
• Laura Williston of Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test

We are looking forward to another successful event to raise additional funds for Friends.

April 29th at the Emerald Event Center

 from 5-8 on a Thursday evening

BRIDES, you don’t want to miss this grand prize, a princesses dream!

Those models interested in participating in our next wedding fashion show, please contact Nancy Briggs at nbriggs@callcoverage.com

Those vendors interested in reserving a vendor booth, please contact Diana Gardner-Williams at diana@justacloudaway.com

Those bridal, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, second marriage gowns and tuxedo shops interested in showcasing their merchandise, please contact John Haskins or Clayton Halls at John@friendlyneighborhooddj.com or defeatthefat@gmail.com.

Those wedding vendors interested in learning more on how to become a Divine Weddings and Beyond member, please contact Kari Sells or Betsy Goforth at ksells@centralfloralgardens.com, goforthtravel@mindspring.com for more information.

Happy Planting!

Diana Gardner-Williams

Divine Weddings and Beyond™