The best gardening advice I can give you...

Columbine from my Mother-in-Law, Jane via Annie's Gardening

...is to check out my Aunt's (in-law) gardening blog, Annie's Gardening! Aunt Anne has always been our  go-to-gal for any gardening advice we need. She is a true expert on natural gardening so I have no doubt you will also find her blog will become your ultimate reference guide and learning tool. Plus, she has some pretty great photography skills when it comes to capturing  the work of her green thumb.

Whether she's outlining the many species of the sage family or describing the history of poppies and their significance during the Napoleonic Wars of the 19th century you'll love diving in!

Aunt Anne quotes William Wadsworth who said, "Come forth into the light of things... let nature be your teacher". I'm telling you now to go forth to www.anniesgardenging.blogspot.com and let Annie be your teacher!

Friday Favorites: Hammerman Garden Markers

One of the coolest gifts I received throughout our wedding season were these simply stunning Hammerman garden markers from my dear friend Haley. 

Hammerman uses rudimentary tools and antique spoons to create each marker by hand. Each marker has a unique patina and adds an understated elegance to herb beds.These made a  great wedding shower gift however the gifting possibilities for something like this, I think, are endless. Mothers Day, Birthdays or even giving a hostess gift would make a great case for sharing these lovely little creations.

The perfect garden read

{felder rushing}

Last weekend my wonderful mother-in-law-to-be gave me a big box of plant starts! There is everything in there from Columbine to my personal favorite- Russian Sage. I am so excited to put them in the ground this weekend and as luck would have it- this is the week that the famous Felder Rushing is at the Indianapolis Museum of Art for the IMA Horticultural Society's Perennial Premiere (this Saturday from 10-5 if you're local!).

I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to run the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful booth at his lecture on Thursday night where two of his books were on sale. It was there that the stars aligned and I found Rushing's "Tough Plants for Northern Gardens". It was a great find and something that I dove into as soon as I got home.  I totally geeked out and have already put sticky tabs on all the plants that are in my hand-me-down plant box.

The book gives a photo as well as a well-written and entertaining description of each plant, the type of sun it needs, how to care for it and even a list of good plants for beginners and master gardeners. He also breaks down the book into chapters on annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, tropicals and vines which makes it really easy to read and a great quick-reference when you need it.

I can't wait to get outside this weekend with my new plants and figure out where to put them thanks to my new book. Hopefully the weather cooperates! And if it doesn't I'll just hunker down and peruse through Felder Rushing's website, which I find highly charming and informative. One disclaimer: if you are going to his website because you want tips on a highly manicured, clean-cut yard you are looking in the wrong place. His stuff is creative, quirky, and lets plants grow and thrive in their naturally wonderful state. I personally find him to be one awesome and far-out dude.