Welcome to CamelotCards.com. Up in the Northland, although the grounds are snow covered, it is time to begin planning our gardens for the new year. The house is littered with little sketches for a garden or two on napkins, paper bags, used envelopes, and all sorts of paper that was handy when the thought struck. Soon we'll be taking all those notes and bringing them together into a plan for the 17 gardens we keep each year so that there are enough flowers to make cards AND to enjoy.

Combining vegetables or herbs in the flower garden is my goal this year. For instance, the large leaves of the squash plant can add an interesting affect to an otherwise status quo flower garden, bringing the added benefits of edible blooms, plus fruit of the vine.

Leek is another plant that can add interest, in that the spiked leaves it produces present both interest and contrast in the flower garden. Besides being edible, it is lovely. It is an excellent additive to soups and casseroles.
I love the profuse greenery of parsley which can also add interest to a border planting.

Mint adds not only interest, but aroma. When placed strategically with a profusion of the not so wonderful aroma of marigolds forinstance, it can add a pleasing affect.

A garden of different hues of the same color has always been a challenge. Leaf structure, blooming season, plus depth of color are difficult to arrange. This year my plan is to provide at least one garden featuring blues. I’ll use chives, with their early season pale blue blooms, followed by Virginia Blue bells, and dark blue petunias, with tall blue delphiniums in the background. The globe thistle with it’s blue “globes” placed strategically as an accent, should provide interest all season long.If you have any favorite blue flowers, I’d love to hear your suggestions at; info@CamelotCards.com.