January 2008 – The Whispering Crane Institute

Why I Like Piet Oudolf

From a article in today’s NY Times(Sally McGrane) . . . the last line: “You accept death. You don’t take the plants out, because they still look good. And brown is also a color.” Exactly, I agree 100%. Design the landscape for 4 seasons, not for the month the landscape looks the best, or for… Continue reading Why I Like Piet Oudolf

I’ve Run into a Brick Wall . . .

Of my own choosing. That’s right. This was my choice. I needed some strong physical divider between this terrace and the rest of the World. A separator that would not only knock out the view that direction, but would also stop others from peeking in. To top things this wall screamed aesthetics! . . .… Continue reading I’ve Run into a Brick Wall . . .

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (7)

Time for a few shots from the trade show floor. A smaller trade show floor than 2007, and a much smaller show floor than 2005. The show is getting smaller, and it seems everyone now notice’s this trend. Why? I don’t know . . . there are probably several factors at work, and several reasons… Continue reading 2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (7)

2008 ANLA Management Clinic

I have yet to write everything I wanted to about the CENTS Show(I’d like to post a few shots of the trade show floor) and here I am writing about the ANLA Management Clinic. Benched Sorry to say I am not on this years schedule(maybe I was too much of a provocateur?!?) but that doesn’t… Continue reading 2008 ANLA Management Clinic

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (6)

Well just like that it’s over 3 days. 3 days of classes, lectures, educational sessions, walking the trade show floor collecting catalogs, discovering new plants, new materials, catching up with old friends, and maybe making a new one or two. 3 days later a couple of bags of catalogs, fresh ideas and new perspective .… Continue reading 2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (6)

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (5)

Just got back from the job fair and it was very similar to last years numbers. By this, I mean those looking for jobs and companies with booths. After spending some time talking to companies looking(some of them seem near desperate) . . . we do not have enough good young people coming into this… Continue reading 2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (5)

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (4)

I overhead a great quote from the trade show floor today about Generation X and Y’ers . . . when it comes to landscaping and their landscapes. They’re a bunch of cellular landscapers. More later, after a small get-together.

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (3)

A very late night report,very late. Apparently there was lots of networking and I had a 1st person view of the entire event. Well a lot of the networking, anyway. The APLD meeting went very well, the highlight was a designer from the SWestern part of the state-John DeVore. John packed so much good info,… Continue reading 2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (3)

2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (2)

A morning of educational seminars has come and gone; question is . . . am I any smarter for having set through it? I’d say no, but the people with me would say they(and I) knew better. A few tidbits here and there made the morning worthwhile. Design Joanne Kostecky who owns Joanne Kostecky Garden… Continue reading 2008 CENTS Show in Columbus, Ohio (2)