Gardening Today on Wellington/Preston

Bed creation – complete clean out – all new perennials. It is a new beginning. The ground cover up front is called Blue Blanket/Creeping Mazus. It loves full sun. So imagine that the front section of this bed will become a very full look with sweet little bluish/purple blossoms. Two Salvia and one Speedwell are the background. And in the center we are encouraging a very small transplanted Peony. We have planted Morning Glory seeds in the bed and will encourage them to climb up our new metal trellis. On the far left we have planted a larger perennial called Gaura Lindheimeri (Rose Jane) a native hybrid. Slender stems with white/pinkish blooms. Very whimsical. Maturity of 24” to 30”. We like the balance Rose Jane will provide on this side of the bed, across from a very mature white Azalea bush. And on the right-center is a Lithadora “Grace Ward” with Azure blue flowers. Lastly we added four Lobelia (Riviera Rose), all full sun and spaced around to give the bed a nice full balance. Now for everything to grow and fill in. Fresh garden soil about one inch thick has been added to this cleared bed. And because the squirrels “love” to dig up new plantings, we use a product called Blood Meal to deter them from digging up bed. It works. They will not come round to dig up or bury their nuts. They do not like it’s aroma. It is non-toxic, but it does keep them away. New shredded hardwood bark mulch will be our final addition to this bed. It’s taking shape and our homeowner seems very pleased. Watering daily for the first week with new plantings is essential.

A beautiful day so far…..

”contessa”

AJUGA – also known as Bugleweed/Ground Pine

A lovely creeper that moves around quickly and crowds itself so that it becomes a great “filler-inner.”  We happen to really like it. I found a patch just this morning while out and about. So I photographed it so that you could see how tightly it grows. If you want to cover spots where grass just won’t “take”  this ground cover will not disappoint. We love the green/purple contrast. It’s normally sold in flats of 20 but you can purchase singles. There are three color variations. Dark Plum/purple, green/purple and a variegated green/cream. Frankly,  mixed together, they make a very pretty and very interesting pattern. Growing mostly close and tight to lthe ground, except for the blooming flowers that peek up……this plant is so durable you can walk on it. It has a wooded area look, and fits in nicely if your property is near a wooded and shady area.

Good Morning Lord

 TICKSEED, Erodium Reichard II

(ground cover)

Today I will be with you Lord Jesus. Today is Your day, and I want Your will to be done. So, whatever comes today, please hold my hand and let’s face it together in the garden where I am working. A creation I am making for your greater glory.

As I look at this flower it reminds me of your joy and your love. So tiny, such a perfect creation. You are so good to us, and to our world. Thank you Father for all of creation.  Amen 

Gardening Today – Preston/Martha Custis (revised)

Good Morning …..as this morning we will head back to our current project. The last couple days were so unusual with wind and chill. We took the opportunity to meet up with two new potential clients and provide our first time FREE consultation. We always love meeting new folks and seeing what they want to accomplish in their gardens. All are unique and different. Parkfairfax has such a variety of landscapes. It’s fun for us to visualize and for our potential clients to explain what they have in mind. Somehow we each compromise, based on the sun/shade and the terrain they have at their property. For some this can be a little frustrating as they may want lots of flowers. It is mostly about sun but we can provide ideas about alternative plantings and usually we can manage to keep them still excited about creating a lovely outdoor space.

Today we will be edging, laying generous amounts of new fresh mulch in and around many existing healthy plants. And we will be installing a ground cover.  We also have three new “Speedwell” to plant, in and amongst the ground cover.

It is highly likely we will finish up this property today. Then on Monday we are presenting three proposal options, for a current client. They have  asked for additional services this year, and their neighbor wishes to share this proposal with them. This will be a more long term project, starting in May through the end of the year.

Then at Noon on Monday we start a new project on Mount Eagle Place. They had a new patio installed this week. Now our task is to re-do the surrounding beds. Reposition, add new and possibly discard a few things. It should be a fun project. Our homeowner is dedicating her garden to her daughter. A lovely idea and we are honored to help her achieve her dream for ”Kyra’s Garden.”

Enjoy your gardening day…..

“Contessa”

 

Houseplants 101 – Amaryllis, a holiday gem

            …..typical blooming phase

Amaryllis is a typical flowering plant available during the holiday season. Easy to care for, and the blooms last fairly long. Ours will most likely bloom in about a week. If you look closely near the bottom of the stem, you will see (below) two new shoots pushing their way up. This plant will produce additional foliage and we expect more blooms as well. Plant your bulb roots spread facing down and cover the bulb with fresh potting soil, leaving the top one (1) inch of your bulb exposed. Adequate good drainage is very important. We recommend a deep saucer, so that you can water your Amaryllis from the bottom. Use tepid water, filling the saucer full. If the plant drinks all the water fill the saucer again, and repeat until the plant shows you it has enough to drink.  The remainder will evaporate on its own.  Place near a sunny location, but not directly up again a sunny window, as the hot sun could burn your blooms. Amaryllis are beautiful, and the best part – each year you will enjoy their holiday blooms.

In a separate post we will provide care instructions once your plant reaches its maturity for this growing season.

And, as this specimen matures,  we will post blooming phase pics.  Amaryllis is a rewarding and beautiful “bloomer.”

Enjoy!

“Contessa”

 

Bulbs Install Today – What…. you say?….. Phase 2 Beginning Today

Hi there again,

Well…….yesterday we completed our work for this client on Valley Drive  and as often happens, they have decided they would like to invite us back today to complete some additional work. Seems they are pleased.  So we will arrives to 11 and continue. Another wonderful weather day. Glorious sunshine always helps our day. It’s gorgeous out there.  Yes!!

“contessa”

************

Yes indeed. Well, the temp did get down to 28 very early this morning, but it was a surface-frost and temps are steadily climbing through our upcoming weekend. Traditionally we should be planting bulbs in October – right?  Absolutely,  so remember that for next year – please. And a caviate to that in our area is – if you live inside the capitol beltway you are probably fine to plant bulbs now – just be sure to top with some rich soil and water very well for a few days

Our homeowner purchased bulbs at 1/2 price last week and so she wants to take the chance to plant. Personally as long time gardeners, we think it may very well work, especially as the weather forecast is for mild temps through the end of the year. So…we will proceed today on their behalf.

We are starting work about Noon so things warm up nicely. In fact, if you get outside today there is nothing wrong with doing a little yard work, because COVID certainly has captured us indoors. And we are safer at home than anywhere. Your yard is your safe haven. Enjoy being in nature today. It is refreshing and frankly good for your spirit.

You have a joyful day. We plan to do the same.

Blessings from “Contessa”

 

 

 

Thursday at Contessa’s

Hi from Contessa’s.  Another great day ahead.  We love the sound of spring. The birds are having so much fun right now.  And the flowers are doing their thing in full force.  This is a quick season so enjoy!

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by.  We have some new jewelry from our Nashville, TN designer, Elly Preston. Very cool stuff. And if you are thinking about getting started on potting plants we have a great selection of our eco-friendly -biodegradable planters.  This years colors are just the best.  We have sold these for six years now.  You love them and so do we.

We have lots of projects ahead to take care of, but your visits make it all worthwhile.  It’s a great Thursday at Contessa’s.

Enjoy our Gallery!

 

 

Lucy – Off to London

Lucy,  a customer of ours today, is off to London tomorrow with her new scarf and a gift for her sister who is also living in London. How much fun they will have.  We are so excited for Lucy. She is going to take up residence, look for a job and become a “Brit” for a while.  Her Mom’s heritage is British and she wants to experience living in her country of origin.   We wish her well on her new adventure.  Lucy was a very fun customer today. We had such a nice chat.  We love Monday’s at Contessa’s.

 

Sausilito, CA – Jewelry – Eclectic Silver

 

New silver jewelry from our fav company in Sausalito, CA  This jewelry is available at Contessa’s in both silver (complexity but clean design) and a copper/brass fusion. These pieces are created using traditional Indian techniques.  The three styles of cuffs are created using a Maya bead/basket weave with a delicate wire framework.  The Beaded  necklace centered here is a bevy of silver-plated metal and glass beads delicately knotted by hand to create this striking 36″ necklace.  These new pieces are just the beginning of our spring arrivals from California. We love, love, love these new looks!

 

March 29th, Saturday at Contessa’s

Winter is officially gone.  We are certainly on the cusp of “Spring.”  It is 5:30 am and we can hear the birds chirping outside our shop window.  And I see seven red-breasted Robins.  Rain today will bring on the blossoms.  Daffodils are popping little heads all over town.

We hope you will swing by the shop today as our lamp sale will end on Monday the 31st at COB.  This is an annual event, so keep this in mind for next year. Our latest vintage acquisition is an awesome post-war floor lamp.  We just picked it up from repair.  It is a mahogany spindle wood with a new torch-ere. Finally it is  topped off with a beautiful silk shade in a dusty grey/tan color.  A steel rod has been added to the inner part of the spindle and it will now endure the test of time.  It is a beauty.  You have to see it really.  Anyone who knows much about lamps would definitely appreciate this wonderful lamp.  It is included in our SALE.

We also have some new jewelry from Sausalito, CA.  Our note-cards, stationary and pic frames are still on SALE at 50% off.  Tea Forte is also 50% off. (Tea Infusers especially are a great deal)  And our colorful  cotton napkins are now 50% off.  Enjoy these sale items.

Next week Elly Preston jewelry arrives and our beautiful scarves from CA will be here.  The colors this year are very pretty.  We can’t wait for them to arrive.  You will love them.

We are very excited about Spring.  It’s all good at Contessa’s.