Oh Zara, why do you taunt me!

Zara is a staple to many budget-conscious girls here in the city, but the only thing we can adorn with Zara are our closets and ourselves. Across the pond, girls can adorn their entire apartment in the awesome and affordable goods offered up at Zara Home. I've yet to hear any news of them giving us a little love in the states, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.



oh I'd love to have a rain forest in the middle of my apartment








I LOVE this hutch, but it's not something they actually sell






Art Nouveau tea towels!!!



Lots of pretty knobs, hooks, and hardware.

Osmanthus Fragrans (Fragrant Tea Olive)

Osmanthus fragrans is an evergreen shrub for zones 7-9. In spring and again in autumn, this shrub is highly fragrant. For weeks now, our osmanthus have been blooming heavily. We have at least twelve of these shrubs! Needless to say, we have a fondness for this shrub. We planted osmanthus at a previous house as well.

Osmanthus fragrans can grow 10-20 feet high and 8-12 feet wide. With a medium growth rate, it is easy to keep these shrubs pruned, if necessary to fit the space. While they are drought tolerant, they also do well during periods of heavy rain. This is a deer resistant shrub.

These evergreens work well in a mixed border or for privacy screening. The dark green foliage may have reddish orange tints on the tips of new growth. Since osmanthus fragrans works well in full sun or partial shade with acidic soil, it can make a nice backdrop companion for perennial gardens and acid-loving flowering shrubs such as azaleas/rhododendrons, hydrangeas and gardenias.

2 photographers, double the interior inspiration

I was so happy to come across these two portfolios. They're each different, but are simply beautiful to see. Patricia Burke is a home and garden photographer out of New Jersey, and Joe Schmelzer works out of California.






More of Patricia's work can be seen at her website.












Check out more of Joe's work at his website.

Dividing Time: Japanese Iris

Autumn is the time to divide clumps of iris ensata (Japanese iris) that have become too large. The best way to know if your irises need dividing is by the bare spot in the middle with blades splaying outward in a circle. This usually needs to be done every 3-5 years. My irises were planted in fall 2006, but they were crowded in gallon pots. My iris are planted in the rain garden where the soil stays moist. I've not had to use supplemental irrigation this summer due to frequent rains. During the drought last year, I sparingly used the drip irrigation (we are on a well).

I will dig out the clumps and separate into individuals. Before dividing, I will have the planting spot ready to keep the roots from drying out. Japanese iris like moist, acid soil, full sun. It is best to plant at least 24" apart to plan ahead for rapid expansion. Plant with the junction of the fans and roots about 1-2" below soil level. I will probably separate the individuals into about 3 fans each.

In my research, I've read that you shouldn't replant Japanese iris in the same spot. I did further research and found suggestions of digging out the soil, using new soil and/or flushing the soil to wash away the root secretions from the previous plants. Given the layout of my garden, I will have to replant some of the individuals in the same place.

When the foliage dies back (yellow) in the fall, I cut it and clear it away to keep thrip eggs from overwintering. Other problems are deer nipping blooms when the irises bloom in late May through mid-June. The damage hasn't been severe enough for me to stop growing Japanese iris.

Gardening Questions from Readers

How do you winter elephant ears (colocasia) in zone 7?

I wait until frost to cut back my colocasia. Last year, I put a mountain of mulch on top of mine and they came back just fine this spring. Some gardeners lift the tubers and store them in a garage or basement over the winter and replant in spring.

Do rabbits eat buddleia leaves?

I haven't had a problem with rabbits (or deer) eating any parts of buddleia. I've not had any problem with diseases on buddleia either.

Can I plant Knock Out® Roses in the fall?

All of my roses were planted in September. I'm in zone 7.

Is tall verbena deer resistant?

So far, the deer have never even tried the verbena bonariensis. I have a mass planting of tall verbena and it reseeds, too. It is a favorite plant. The color works in all other combinations. It is narrow, so it fits in everywhere in a sunny location. It attracts bees and butterflies, and I've even seen hummingbirds go to it for nectar.

Are Dutch iris deer resistant?

I've never had one bloom missing on my Dutch irises. I am confident enough to plant more. I have 100 more bulbs on order to plant in late October. That said, you never know what deer will try if hungry enough.

Do deer eat Spanish bluebells?

I've never had deer eat the Spanish bluebells in my garden. Spanish bluebells are planted in fall and multiply rapidly. The blooms last a long time. After bloom, the foliage is fairly easy to conceal with other perennials.

Do deer eat Lady Banksia rose?

Yes. For some reason, they didn't bother mine this year. I think this is because they found other food. In previous years, they ate every leaf and bloom that they could reach, but did not eat the canes.

What is the best time to see flowers in France?

I've been to the French Riviera in May and Provence in mid-June and saw plenty of flowers. I've also been to Paris in late June where we took a day trip to Versailles and saw flowers in bloom. Hopefully, I'll make it to Giverny one day!

Do deer or rabbits eat agastache?

Never had either critter try the agastache that I grow. No insect problems either. Agastache is one of my favorite plants. It has a long bloom season, too.

How do you divide agastache?

In spring, I take a sharp shovel and cut apart the roots into smaller plants. I suppose you could divide it in fall, but I don't cut mine back until spring.

What month to plant coneflowers?

I have planted coneflowers in April, May, early June, September and October. They need water to get established. No need to fertilize coneflowers (in my experience). Echinacea 'Ruby Star' is my favorite. I recently planted 'Prairie Splendor' because I got a great deal on them at a local store.

Can I cut back coneflowers after blooming?

I deadhead after the 1st bloom to get a 2nd bloom. After the 2nd bloom, I leave the cones as birdseed for the Goldfinch. If I shake the cones and no seeds fall out, then I cut it back.

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dazzling charming living rooms

How great would it be to walk into your home and decompress in such a pretty living room? I'm sure with a little bit of saving and planning it could be accomplished, but I think the most important part this day and age is setting oneself a time frame - at least for me time is often the biggest obstacle.

A. I love how cozy this living room is while still feeling airy. The white coffee table keeps all the leather from being too stuffy and dark.

B. I love how the wallpaper has been treated more like art in this room, hanging on just one wall. It's so energizing!

C.

D.

E.

F.I love the color palette of this room

G.

H.

I.That clear coffee table is something I've been coveting for almost two years now...I don't know what's holding me back!

J.So cozy...

K.

L.

M.

N.LOVE the upholstered chairs!

O.

P.

Q.

R.

S.

T.

U.

V.

W.

Do you have a favorite room/s? It's soooo hard to choose, but I'd say mine would have to be A,B,J,L, and N.

Images via Ideal Home