As we step into the off season here in the Midwest, I want to start sharing garden design lessons I'm learning from old gardening books.
I just dove into an old gem of a book titled "In Your Garden" by Vita Sackville-West.
The book is a collection of gardening essays highlighting Vita's passion for gardening, innovative design, and plant relationships.
“
Successful gardening is not necessarily a question of wealth. It is a question of love, taste, and knowledge.
— Vita Sackville-West
I'm only on page 67 and already have a ton of notes on plant recommendations.
Today I want to share a plant combination she first recommended on April 6, 1947.
This is how Vita Sackville-West introduces us to a brilliant blue plant combination...
"As a change from the usual jumble, pretty and gay though that may be, you might find it more original to concentrate on one colour. A combination of Phacelia, Nigella (love-in-the-mist), Nemophila, Asperula azurea, would give a brilliant blue effect, especially if massed in front of delphiniums."
Let's Take a Closer Look at Those Plants
Phacelia campanularia (Desertbells)
Phacelia companularia (known as Desertbells)
Annual herb in the waterleaf family (Hydrophyllaceae)
Sometimes called California bluebells (native to CA)
I'd love to hear what you think of this plant combination. Each of these plants makes a great addition to the front part of a border. I am definitely planning to grow these plants from seed this season.
That's it for this week. Happy gardening!
If you're looking for help creating your garden retreat, here's how I can help:
Garden Design Winter Book Club: Join my Winter book club to learn new design skills and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts! Together, we'll explore 5 classic Garden Design books so you can a create more beautiful garden this spring
Garden Moxie Blog: Where Midwest gardeners discover simple, region-specific design ideas and inspiring resources to transform their yard into a beautiful, relaxing retreat.
Garden Coaching: I offer virtual garden coaching to help you design and manage your garden. Garden Coaching is perfect if you’re looking to start a garden, but don’t know where to start. Or perhaps you want to improve your existing garden, but feel stuck on the next steps.
I inspire Midwest women to transform their ordinary yards into charming retreats. Through practical advice, creative ideas, and historical garden wisdom, I share ideas to inspire you to create a beautiful garden.
