Author Archives: thegardendiaries

About thegardendiaries

Claire Jones is a landscape and floral designer and owner of Claire Jones Landscapes, LLC. She designs and helps people to create their own personal outdoor oasis and loves to write about her gardening failures and successes.

Gardening Trends 2017

Posted on January 23, 2017

Gardening trends for 2017 run the gamut of plenty of new plant intros and new ways to market them with gardening super centers. Continue reading →

Posted in Garden and Horticulture Shows | Tagged air plants, Annie's Annuals, black foliage, black foliaged plants, bromelliads, cauliflower, cool nurseries, Dobbies, dwarf plants, Flora Grubb, garden center destination, garden trends 2017, gardening trends, greenery, greenery pantone color of the year, growing berries, growing greens, home grown berries, houseplant revolution, houseplants are back, new plant introductions, stephanie cohen, succulents, sunshine ligustrum, supertunia vista bubblegum, vanda orchids, walters gardens | Leave a comment

Amaryllis For Years to Come

Posted on January 15, 2017

Amaryllis bulbs are a popular Christmas gift and with the proper care, you can have a beautiful winter/early spring blooming bulb for many years. Continue reading →

Posted in bulbs | Tagged Amaryllis, amaryllis bulbs, amaryllis centerpiece, amaryllis cut flower, amaryllis splash, apple blossom amaryllis, potting amaryllis, potting amaryllis bulbs, re-blooming amaryllis, re-blooming amaryllis bulbs, re-potting amaryllis, red lion amaryllis, waxed amaryllis bulbs, waxed bulbs | 5 Comments

Illuminating The Season in Colonial Williamsburg

Posted on December 22, 2016

Christmas decorating at Colonial Williamsburg is a tradition that goes back centuries with simple greens and boughs of holly. Only in the twentieth century, has the fruit, nut, and pod bedecked wreaths and swags taken hold and become symbolic of a festive “Williamsburg Christmas” look. Continue reading →

Posted in Decorating Christmas, Floral Arranging | Tagged christmas in colonial america, colonial america, decorating Williamsburg, decoration tour Williamsburg, holiday Williamsburg arrangements, holiday Williamsburg wreaths, natural decorations in Williamsburg, natural Williamsburg decorations, pineapple motif, williamsburg christmas | 6 Comments

Decorating the White House- Past and Present

Posted on December 17, 2016

Volunteering at the White House to decorate for the holidays is a bucket list for many people. Find out how easy it is to volunteer and the best way to get accepted. Continue reading →

Posted in Floral Arranging, White House Christmas | Tagged applying to the White House, Christmas at White House, decorating at White House, Floral Designs at the White House, holiday decorating, how to volunteer at the White House, Rafanelli, volunteering at the White House, Volunteers at the White House, volunteers at White House, volunteers decorating for the holidays, White House Christmas decorating | 6 Comments

Holly Love-The Art of Wreath Making at McLean Nursery

Posted on December 13, 2016

Holly and wreaths are a natural combo that is iconic of the Yuletide season. Growing over 100 different varieties of holly, McLean Nursery, has the ultimate selection to get you excited about decorating. Continue reading →

Posted in Decorating Christmas, Floral Arranging, garden center destination | Tagged boxwood tree, christmas bows, christmas deocrating, christmas ribbon, growing holly, holly, holly berries, ilex, ilex verticilatta, incense cedar, magnolia, McLean nursery, pick machine, ribbon, satyr hill holly, swags, winterberry, wreath DIY, wreath making, wreaths | 4 Comments

Winter Squash Roundup with the Best Soup Recipe Ever

Posted on December 8, 2016

Winter squash are some of the healthiest vegetables around and are easy to grow or inexpensive to buy. Butternut Squash soup with Calvados, Feta Cheese, and Prosciutto is a great way to experience Butternut squash. Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking in the garden, gardening | Tagged butternut squash, butternut squash soup, delicata squash, growing winter squash, kaboucha squash, using winter squash, winter squash, winter squash recipe | Leave a comment

Christmas Wreath-Ordinary to Extraordinary

Posted on December 2, 2016

Wreath making is easy by starting with a pre-made base and adding some additional materials found in your landscape, making a custom made wreath for your door. Continue reading →

Posted in Decorating Christmas, DIY | Tagged christmas wreath, DIY wreath, making a christmas wreath, McLean nursery, re-made wreath base, using a wreath base, Wreath, wreath base | 3 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 24, 2016

For quick last minute centerpiece ideas for the Thanksgiving table, use gourds and candles. Continue reading →

Posted in gardening | Tagged Thanksgiving, thanksgiving centerpiece | 2 Comments

Deck the Halls-Homemade Decorating for the Holidays

Posted on November 17, 2016

Grab your glue gun, pruners, or pastry bag, and browse your favorite Pinterest boards and blogs. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, and I’ll be serving up a hearty helping of crafting inspiration to get your house ready for the onslaught of family and friends. Continue reading →