Casa Garden

One of the few major investments that gives us joy, year after year, is a beautifully designed garden. According to Tom Altgelt, an acclaimed Denver area landscape architect, “When you’re designing a landscape or garden, or having a landscape designed, it’s very important to avoid mistakes that can be costly, yield a less satisfying result, and even be counterproductive.” He lists three major errors that he has seen again and again, in the Denver/Boulder area where he currently practices, as well as across the country and in Europe. These “universal mistakes” include designing a landscape that is optimized for only half the year, starting the landscape design without first creating a master plan, and failing to assemble a great team.

When you consider the French nation, you think of fashion and style. But there seems to be one new fashion trend where the French are lagging behind and what is all the more surprising is that they are now being beaten by the Australians! Summer in France can be very hot, especially in the south and some form of protection or shade is important to have the ability to enjoy the “outdoor life”.

Poinsettias are not to be denied their important place among the colorful decorations during the holiday season. Their flaming red leaves which surround the small, rather inconspicuous club-shaped flowers, have won popular applause, and have created an important market for the Christmas poinsettia. When properly handled, this plant continues to display its cheery color during the cold, bleak days of January.