Garden Club of America
What a tremendous honor for a garden I helped curate to be identified by the Smithsonian Institute of American Gardens as a noteworthy space to be included in their archive. I believe what is most endearing about the garden is its interesting combination of traditional plantings like boxwoods and hollies mixed with tropicals like palms and citrus, in conjunction with an unparalleled 100-year-old rose garden. The different layers of this garden create a fabulous medley and exemplify New Orleans’ unique spirit.
My approach to designing the outdoor pots reflects the property’s classic beauty: deep greens and bright whites. As the seasons change, I refresh each pot by either curating intricate floral mixes or mass planting for visual impact. I then scatter the seasonal plants in smaller vessels across the property, weaving a cohesive visual narrative throughout the gorgeous yard. I wanted to do justice to historical architecture and the home’s grandiosity by using classical plants paired with fun tropicals to complement the layout of the rest of the yard.
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Exterior Entry Statement Topiaries
When I found the fabulous, classical urns, I couldn’t pass them up. They pay homage to the home's historical details and almost mimic beautiful crown moulding. They almost look Victorian - and couldn’t be more perfect. Both my client and I fell in love with them. I knew they needed something just as magnificent. When my favorite local garden center Perino’s stocked the most jaw dropping, lush, single ball Eugenia topiaries, I knew they belonged at the forefront of the home’s grand exterior.
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Landscape Container Gardening
I love the idea of the pots on this property feeling like they seamlessly integrate into the landscape, adding different levels of height, texture, and points of interest. I have incorporated potted citrus trees with fresh seasonal underplantings, as well as a windmill palm in an urn that lies at the base of decades old, 30 foot tall trees of the same variety.
Every pot is an opportunity for me to create striking floral mixes using annual flowers and greenery appropriate for the season.
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Small Pots
With such a large scale and multifaceted landscape, dispersing small arrangements throughout the property creates a visual through-line which makes the space feel even more curated and intentional. Everywhere you look there are potted plants, which I tend to myself to ensure they keep looking great all year round, as a Smithsonian Garden should never have any downtime!
