Classic garden elements – Adding unique structures to your landscape

This is a just a sampling of some of the garden structures we create in-house here in Minden Ontario, at Wall Flower Studio – Garden obelisks, vertical gardens, and bee hotels.

Garden obelisk trellis

Planting peas and runner beans on the trellis

Obelisk in the garden, early spring.

Obelisks are perfect for vertical gardening which adds height and an added growing dimension to any garden. We especially love them for the winter interest that they add. Our garden structures are constructed of high quality timber and we offer a variety of paint colours to choose from. One can grow almost any herbaceous climbing plant on these sturdy, simple, classic and elegant structures.

Square succulent wall garden for indoors or out

Our rustic vertical wall gardens are very popular, with good reason! Presently, we have 3 sizes available but we are working on creating different shapes, as well. These space-saving, artistic plant containers are a work of living art. They can be planted with succulents, herbs and more. The only limit is one’s imagination!

We are thrilled to offer solitary bee hotels. 1795607_10153309127676488_1229602207476800234_n

Each one is unique and one of a kind, but they all offer a habitat for our native bees and other beneficial insects. They can be mounted on a fence, a tree or anywhere you like.

Bees are vital for cross pollination of flowers, vegetables crops and fruit trees not only for suburban gardens but also for farms,
parklands, plant nurseries and community gardens.
One way we can all help is to re-introduce these often unknown little pollinators back into our environment and our gardens.

Sharing some of our basil seedlings grown in eggshells

April 2014 Wall Flower Studio growing Basil - seeds in eggshells - Karen Sloan Here’s a handy hint for anyone starting seeds but doesn’t have any wee containers. Simply save your eggshells and start your seeds in them!

I’ve started my large leaf basil, and the beautiful thing is that the whole thing can be planted, including the egg carton! Or, plant the eggshells, rip up the carton, and feed it to the vermicomposter. Worms will love it!

This way the seedling’s roots remain undisturbed, and that summer pesto is closer than ever to becoming a reality. 😉 Happy Gardening!

13862346694_961900bd24_o Basil herbs seeds sprouting in eggshell - seedlings at Wall Flower Studio - Copyright Karen Sloan

DIY Herbal Bath Tub Tea – Create your own herbal packets for the bath – from the garden, naturally!

Calendula Chamomile Lavender in Jar with scoop - bath Wall Flower Studio sm It’s very easy to create your own bath tea bags with herbs. Gathered together here are Lavender, Chamomile & Calendula. All you’ll need, apart from the herbs is an iron and some empty teabags.

Simply mix together all of the ingredients together and fill the bags about 3/4’s full. Iron them shut and you have yourself a packet of herbal goodies that can be tossed right in your bath, or shared with friends!

If you don’t happen to have any empty teabags on hand, simply use a small cotton bag or cheesecloth tied with a ribbon! Or, mix your herbs together and fill a glass jar with them. Makes a lovely hostess Lavender Dryer Sachets at Wall Flower Studio gift if you tie a little wooden scoop on it with some raffia.

I started making my own bath products and cosmetics years ago when I came to the realization that many large cosmetic companies include all kinds of toxic chemicals in the products that I was using.

Now I feel immense pleasure and satisfaction, creating products not only for myself, but for my lovely customers, too.

Have fun and happy bathing!

Scented kindling bundles – Herbal fire starter DIY for campfires and cold nights

Kindling bundles

Herbal fire starters are the perfect way to start the fireplace or wood stove roaring on those cold winter nights.

They’re a splendid way to incorporate the summer garden into a winter holiday tradition!

Use them to light those bonfires and campfires too, as the burning herbs help repel pesky mosquitoes and other insects.

I like to tie one on a bottle of wine, as they make a great addition to any hostess gift!

All kinds of herbs and dried plant material can be incorporated into these bundles.

braided bundles

Many herbs can be dried and used in kindling bundles, including Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Lavender, Marjoram, Mint, Lemon balm Tansy, Savory, Artemisia, boxwood, Statice flowers, Echinacea, Yarrow, black-eyed Susan seed heads, and even dried licorice plant stems from the hanging baskets.

Simply layer different dried herbs together and tie them with raffia. They can also be braided and hung on the wall, waiting to be used.

I especially like using Lemon Thyme in my bundles. It smells so nice! Again, simply dry it flat on an old tray. Same thing goes for Sage, but hanging it up to air dry works well, too.

When it’s time to clean up the garden, take a good look at what can be used from your own garden to create these easy DIY bundles, and save yourself taking it to the landfill!

Happy bundling!