Comments on: Garden Designers Roundtable: Foliage

By: AK

AK — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:47 +0000

Thanks, Kari! I know, I usually try to ramp up the color in the photos I post, so this was a departure. (The cotton pic too, I think cotton reads amazingly in black and white.)

Funny how Steve Silk came up here re: the black and white thing — I’m overwintering my rice paper plants (Tetrapanax papyrifer) that figure heavily in this plan based on an article he wrote for Fine Gardening a while ago.

By: Kari Lønning

Kari Lønning — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:47:34 +0000

Opening your blog to a B+W page was a bit of a shock, but the concept behind it grew on me. As an art school homework assignment we had to convert an old master into black and white. No greys, no color, just form and negative spaces. The exercise was one I thoroughly loved. I enjoyed Steve Silk’s photos (in Susan’s link) contrasting two gardens. I was delighted to see how strong Sydney’s garden looked. (Her newest book is due out in April… btw)

By: AK

AK — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:38:39 +0000

Hey Susan: That’s terrific, thank you! I think I love anything Nan Ondra and Steve Silk write, so I’ll be excited to read these.

By: susan morrison

susan morrison — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:06:21 +0000

Wonderful way to approach this topic. There were some great posts on the benefits of photographing your garden in black and white as a way to evalute color tone. The posts are over a year old but worth a visit (at least for those who like to look at things with fresh eyes on occasion, which obviously describes you).

http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=2788

By: AK

AK — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:35:13 +0000

Thanks so much, Carolyn! They really can grow everything there, can’t they? I used to be able to plug all manner of things into the ground and leave them — not so in New England!

By: carolyngail choi

carolyngail choi — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:44:52 +0000

Very creative, indeed, Andrew. In art classes we weren’t allowed to use color until we mastered the black and white. It gives one a totally different perspective.

My good friend and neighbor is from New Orleans. I was captivated by the courtyard gardens there as well. Of course with such a climate you can grow just about anything, especially the tropicals which I love.

I look forward to seeing the realization of your Big Easy garden.

By: AK

AK — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:14:57 +0000

@Christina: Thank you! The black and white method, for this garden, was truly eye-opening. I’m pushing myself to use it more now so I can look carefully at shapes, even in less foliar gardens.

@debsgarden: Thanks so much! I think maybe you left a comment here a while ago, when I first signed up for Blotanical, and I’ve been watching your blog since. Love the photos.

By: Christina Salwitz

Christina Salwitz — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:19:06 +0000

Andrew,
VERY creative post!! I have been counseling all of my clients to do all of their garden dreaming in black and white for years for all of the reasons you pointed out. I have them doodle on a picture printed on the regular printer so they can do it over and over with simple shapes and forms and not really worrying about a specific plant.
Lovin the New Orleans vibe- can’t wait to see how this all comes together. :-) The Crabs DO make the garden!!

By: debsgarden

debsgarden — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:50:55 +0000

I agree that foliage is key to a garden’s structure and, I think, color as well. I view flowers as accessories. I think your plans are outstanding, and the courtyard will be a great place to relax and enjoy the garden. Thanks for stopping by my own blog. I will definitely visit yours again!

By: AK

AK — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:32:07 +0000

Scott, you have just unwittingly **made my day.** Thanks for your comment, I’ll be emailing you very shortly!