Debe Holland - Newsletters

A Quote to Ponder...
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge with it, move with it, and join the dance" Alan Wattseng

Book Review:
"Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston
After designing gardens and teaching classes for 17 years, one of the most rewarding actions you can take for yourself, is to clear the clutter in your life. Clutter is stuck energy that limits your growth and new ideas for positive change. Clients sometimes have a difficult time seeing the clutter around them, so in this book Karen Kingston beaks it down into 3 sections: 1). Understanding Clutter 2). Identifying Clutter 3). Clearing Clutter. I think you'll find this book to be concise and very helpful through out any situation that arises in your life. Karen Kingston has written several books and has given many successful workshops addressing clutter and sacred spaces.

A Noteworthy Plant:
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire', Russian Sage
Woody based clump, gray-green foliage, leaves are 1 to 3" long and deeply cut. In late spring lavender-blue sprays of small flowers at top of branches. To extend blooming season trim off spent blossoms. Plant reaches 3-4' tall and as wide. Can spread by underground stems sending up new clumps. Takes any soil as long as drainage is good. Extremely resistant to drought and heat. Cut nearly to ground level each spring before new growth starts. Zone 2-24, full sum, moderate watering.

Xeriscape and Feng Shui:
Xeriscape (dry landscaping) ties with the principles of Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement. Feng shui has developed over the centuries to stand for a type of gardening and architectural design based on harmony and on a balancing of energy called 'chi'. Xeriscape and feng shui garden designers focus on emphasizing the importance of natural design and water wise plant material. Some of the plant material I recommend for Xeriscape/feng shui garden are: Russian sage (above mentioned), sago palm, bouganvilla, african daisy, mexican honeysuckle, red yucca, blackfoot daisy, agave, cacti etc. Along with the use of native plant material, some of the other characteristics of feng shui, such as wind chimes, meandering pathways, high energy entryways, attracting nature to the gardens, well designed lawn (if any), obviously work well with Xeriscape designs and are part of the tradition of the southwest gardens.

© 2006 debe holland, APLD

A Quote to Ponder...
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge with it, move with it, and join the dance" Alan Wattseng

Book Review:
"Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston
After designing gardens and teaching classes for 17 years, one of the most rewarding actions you can take for yourself, is to clear the clutter in your life. Clutter is stuck energy that limits your growth and new ideas for positive change. Clients sometimes have a difficult time seeing the clutter around them, so in this book Karen Kingston beaks it down into 3 sections: 1). Understanding Clutter 2). Identifying Clutter 3). Clearing Clutter. I think you'll find this book to be concise and very helpful through out any situation that arises in your life. Karen Kingston has written several books and has given many successful workshops addressing clutter and sacred spaces.

A Noteworthy Plant:
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire', Russian Sage
Woody based clump, gray-green foliage, leaves are 1 to 3" long and deeply cut. In late spring lavender-blue sprays of small flowers at top of branches. To extend blooming season trim off spent blossoms. Plant reaches 3-4' tall and as wide. Can spread by underground stems sending up new clumps. Takes any soil as long as drainage is good. Extremely resistant to drought and heat. Cut nearly to ground level each spring before new growth starts. Zone 2-24, full sum, moderate watering.

Xeriscape and Feng Shui:
Xeriscape (dry landscaping) ties with the principles of Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement. Feng shui has developed over the centuries to stand for a type of gardening and architectural design based on harmony and on a balancing of energy called 'chi'. Xeriscape and feng shui garden designers focus on emphasizing the importance of natural design and water wise plant material. Some of the plant material I recommend for Xeriscape/feng shui garden are: Russian sage (above mentioned), sago palm, bouganvilla, african daisy, mexican honeysuckle, red yucca, blackfoot daisy, agave, cacti etc. Along with the use of native plant material, some of the other characteristics of feng shui, such as wind chimes, meandering pathways, high energy entryways, attracting nature to the gardens, well designed lawn (if any), obviously work well with Xeriscape designs and are part of the tradition of the southwest gardens.