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Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Just right down the road from Hidcote is Kiftsgate Court Gardens. This garden was created by Heather Muir beginning in the 1920s. Muir's daughter, Diany Binny, came to live at Kiftsgate in 1954. She would add the half-moon pool and redesigned the white garden. She also first opened the garden to the public. Today, the tradition continues as granddaughter Anne Chambers and her husband maintain the gardens.    Heather Muir was a friend and neighbor of Hidcote's Lawrence Johnston (their houses are within one mile of each other), and he inspired her in the garden's design. However, the two gardens differ in character and have their own unique characteristics. While Johnston's garden is laid out in strict geometric lines, Muir took a more naturalistic approach. Muir added many heirloom shrub roses to the garden and is famous for the 'Kiftsgate' rose, which occurred from a seedling in the garden. Unfortunately, we were too early for the roses. There were a few like t...
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Grow in the Dark - a book review


Grow in the Dark: How to Choose and Care for Low-Light Houseplants by Lisa Eldred Steinkopf
Cool Springs Press, 2019. 

 For someone who loves plants as much as I do, you would think that I would be just as enthusiastic about houseplants. However, that is not the case although I do love indoor plants and find any setting, whether it be someone's home or a restaurant, greatly enhanced by the presence of plants. We have one houseplant, a variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) that I tend to in my study. It is now residing on the deck during the summer months. Part of the reason for this absence is my other half, who doesn't want to clean around them, and my own self-professed lack of knowledge on how to care for them. But, as this book shows, houseplants are not as problematic as you might think.

Profiling 50 common (and a few I've never heard of) houseplants, focusing on those that flourish under low-light situations. Each profile gives their preferred lighting needs, water requirements, size, propagation and whether or not the plant is toxic to pets. Each plant had a color photo and a quick key guide indicating light and water levels as well as pet safety.

 Prior to that, the author discusses each type of exposure your home will have as well as tips to enhance your sunlight. She also provides handy tips on watering plants (how to tell when they need it and how to do it properly), fertilizing, maintenance, grooming, and problem solving.

 This is a really helpful book for selecting a plant to meet your needs or help you care for the ones you may already have. 

 Disclosure - The Quarto Group sent me a free copy of this book for a review. The review reflects my sole and personal opinions.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJune 20, 2019 at 3:39 AM

    Interesting. I have only a couple of indoor plants. I don't like having to water them all the time. I make such messes doing so. Either that or I forget to water them. I bought all of these tropical plants to make the patio look jungley this summer. They are doing the job well. Now the question is do I bring them in this winter or leave them to the elements? We will see.

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  2. Hoover BooJune 21, 2019 at 4:11 PM

    Looks like a helpful book. Many houseplants grow fine and dandy outside here--easier outdoors in the ground than indoors in a pot--so my "house" plants are almost all outdoors.

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