Archive:

• Plant Profile:The Corn Poppy

  May 23, 2013

  Tags:

  Our Gardens

  , Grow

  

  Papaver rhoeas, commonly known as the Corn Poppy, is one of spring's most eye-catching flowers thanks to its large, vivid blooms. Exceptionally easy to grow, this popular poppy appears not only in the garden, but also across America each Memorial Day, when poppies are worn to honor veterans and those who have died in military service. Inspired by the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields," Americans began wearing poppies on Memorial Day just after WWI; poppies were an important wartime symbol because they were the first plants to return to barren battlegrounds. Today, silk and paper poppies are made and sold each May to benefit veterans and their families; if sown in late fall or early spring, real poppies will bloom at roughly the same time.

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• A Terrain Picnic

  May 21, 2013

  Tags:

  Recipe Box

  , Outdoor Living

  

  As Memorial Day marks the unofficial arrival of summer, we're spreading our blankets for meals on the beach, at the park, or simply in our own backyards with a little inspiration from Tori Finch's new book, A Perfect Day for a Picnic.We're also making some creative additions to our baskets this year thanks to chef Keith Rudolf and the café team at Styer's, who devised a picnic menu packed with dishes starring the season's freshest produce. Just right for warm weather dining, we were especially eager to try the quinoa salad mixed with asparagus and dandelion greens, so our chef kindly shared his recipe, found below. We imagine updating it with a variety of veggies as our gardens flourish.

   

  A terrain Picnic Menu

  Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese, mint, basil, pink peppercorns, and orange oil

  Smoked Turkey Sandwich with bibb lettuce, tomato jam, and pickled red onion on fresh baguette

  Stone Fruit Salad with mint yogurt

  Quinoa Salad with asparagus, dandelion greens, red onion, and feta

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• Garden Apertif with The Drunken Botanist

  May 20, 2013

  Tags:

  Recipe Box

  , Outdoor Living

  

  For the botanically inclined, shaking up a summer cocktail might bring to mind a saying: behind every great drink, there is a great plant. While many of us are familiar with some of the more common plants in our favorite aperitifs; grapes in a wineglass, hops in a pint of beer, or juniper in a cold gin and tonic, writer and longtime gardener Amy Stewart was so interested in some of the lesser-known plant-to-cocktail connections that she wrote a book on the subject, and one that we haven't wanted to put down since we got our hands on it.

  Known to others of us as the liquor store, The Drunken Botanist takes us through what Amy calls "the world's most exotic botanical garden", sharing plant connections, histories, growing tips and, of course, recipes for bringing trees, flowers, berries, and herbs from the garden into your favorite cocktails.

  Inspired by her multitude of ideas, we recently mixed up a spiked spritzer with the season's first strawberries from the farmer's market. More method than recipe, Amy's original idea called for mint, but the rosemary in our herb garden looked so tempting that we took the liberty of switching things up, and we highly recommend taking a look at your garden and doing the same.

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• A Container Recipe

  May 17, 2013

  Tags:

  How-To

  , Our Gardens

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• A Collected Centerpiece for Long Tables

  May 16, 2013

  Tags:

  At Home

  , Outdoor Living

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  With a season of outdoor celebrations on the horizon, we’ve been brainstorming new, natural ways to decorate extra-long tables that can welcome even the biggest gatherings of family and friends. Inspiration struck when we spotted a set of shapely bud vases-- displayed together, these diminutive vessels seemed just right for anchoring a spacious tablescape. Seeking a centerpiece that would cover a lot of ground, we lined up our collection of hand-blown glass and dropped in simple stems of fragrant herbs, with a few flowers for good measure. We're looking forward to reinventing this style throughout the summer with seasonal cuttings and other small containers, like vintage juice glasses and our favorite Weck jars.

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• Meet the Collector: Melissa's Heirloom Linens

  May 13, 2013

  Tags:

  At Home

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  As celebratory table settings go, our own favorites play into a mix: old with new, neutral palettes with pops of bright color, and solids with simple but beautiful patterns. The result tells a story, and one that few love better than our own visual manager, Melissa B. A longtime, and dare we say fervent, collector of new and vintage textiles, Melissa's linen chest is filled with finds from thrift stores in Amsterdam, shops in the English countryside, local artisans, and her family's cupboards. As our own striped, solid, and block-printed linens arrive for summer, Melissa gives us a look at her collection, the story behind her heirloom linen habit, and her tricks for setting a show-stopping table

  terrain: How did you decide to start collecting linens?

  Melissa: It was never really a decision – I can’t help myself when I see something beautiful. It began mostly when I was traveling-- the wonderful stories, histories, and personalities in linens that I found just made them irresistible. I think people often overlook linens as an heirloom gift. The truth is, once you have pieces that you love, you’ll use them forever. 

  terrain: Your collection pairs heirloom linens with new pieces. How do you select new linens that complement your heirloom favorites?

  Melissa: When selecting a new piece, I look at the material, which helps me understand how a piece will react with washing so I can use it without worry. I always choose neutral tones that can take on supporting roles for my heirloom showstoppers. I also look at the weave and colors, and stay away from patterns that indicate a date or an era; mostly I stick with classic stripes or no pattern at all. READ MORE

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• New in the Nursery: Bellwort

  May 9, 2013

  Tags:

  Outdoor Living

  , Grow

  

  Easy to spot thanks to its yellow, bell-shaped flowers, Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) is a member of the lily family that's native to the eastern U.S. and Canada, particularly in areas with rich, limestone soil. Also known as Merrybells or Wood Daffodils, these pale green plants are usually found brightening woodland slopes and ravines with their nodding blossoms. Our nursery team recommends a shady location and regular watering for a few weeks after planting, then these hardy perennials should thrive without any special care. Growing about 18-24” tall, they make a colorful spring addition to shade gardens, blooming in April and May each year.

  Throughout the season, our plant team highlights their freshest additions to the garden with New in the Nursery. Check in at your local store to take home these newly-arrived blooms.

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• A Flowering How-To with Studio Choo

  May 8, 2013

  Tags:

  How-To

  , Grow

  

  We were thrilled when we first heard that Alethea Harampolis and Jill Rizzo of Studio Choo's artfully unruly flower workshop were going to share some simple tricks-of-their-trade in a Flower Recipe Book, and happier still when we recently got a chance to talk with the ladies themselves. Telling us a bit about the book, their tips for buying fresh cut flowers at market, and what they're giving Mom this year, Alethea and Jill were also kind enough to share one of their favorite flower recipes: a "Hyacinth with Company", for those of us still on the lookout for a handmade addition to our Mother's Day gift.
  
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