Van Dycks

The Bulb Lady^®

Garden Design

Using Tough Plants in the Garden

I'd rather fall in love with a tough plant - one that can take whatever I dish out (or fail to) and still thrive. It makes the entire gardening experience more rewarding, and inevitably gives better results.

Trendy Colors for the End of a Millennium

What are the Hot new colors in garden designs.

Vertical Gardening – Looking Up in the Garden

Most gardeners today are dealing with patio or terrace gardens or other small-space gardens. For these gardeners, in particular, vertical accents are essential. When you begin to think vertically, it’s amazing how creative you can become.

White makes a Sophisticated Spring Statement

Plans for an all white spring garden.

Orange isn't Outrageous Anymore!

In fact, used well it can be downright stunning in the garden.

Plantings for Privacy

For many of us, the idea of a secret garden has a certain appeal.

Neutrally Brilliant – Purple in the Garden

Yes – purple is a great neutral in the garden – learn how to use it to blend amazing combinations of plants into a harmonious whole.

Ravishing Reds in the Garden

Certain colors, especially shades of red, seem to perk me up and help me face whatever tasks, problems or rewards are heading my way. Red has the ability to stir up excitement and can stimulate a thrill of anticipation and exhilaration.

Creating Secret Gardens

I saw the movie “The Secret Garden” while sitting on an airplane, about as far from my own garden as I could get. And at the time, the notion that I could have a secret garden of my own seemed about as far from reality as I could get.

Ooooh, Spooky!

About four years ago, I was talking with a well-known Long-Island garden designer. He is originally from England, and keeps up with English garden trends.

Is it a Sun Plant or a Shade Plant?

For some time I assumed it would take a botanist to be able to figure out whether a particular plant would be happiest in sun or in shade. Of course, now I know it is usually much simpler than that.

Creating a Rock Garden

Have you ever seen a well-designed, well-constructed rock garden? I have been lucky enough to have visited several in the US and Canada

Gardens That Say "I Love You"

Ask the typical person about flowers and love and they will start talking about roses. And yet when you think about it, you have to wonder why.

I swear my gardens must be Irish

And what color is more important in a garden than green?

Gardens for Everyone (Creating a Community Garden)

Creating a community garden is not just a way to give back to the community, but a way to become integrated with that community, to become more connected with our neighbors as well as more in touch with ourselves.