We let the butterflies go

on purple salvia.

They climbed

up the flower spike

and took

off.

My child said,

"We will remember this."

Yes, yes, yes, we will."

Flight, Poems by Anne Poarch

A lot has been happening in our world, and it’s not letting up.  I have been out walking the trails again after a long hiatus.  I’m out looking for joy, those moments of pure presence, because I need it.  I need to ground myself on the dusky dry trail, scuff along the first leaves to fall on the earth.  To celebrate the migration of butterflies and send them onward with hope this Fall.   I want to nurture this tender sensation of hope in my chest.  Hope is revolutionary.  Everything seeks to quench this belief that I matter, you matter, and what I believe matters.  Very intentionally, I invite you to become a joy hunter. To nourish your flame and jealously guard your moments of rest and joy.  

This is your permission slip to let go.  To come outside and play.   Finally, the temperatures are cooling down and the the breeze beckons you to roll down your window.  The sun on your face feels good and the grass under feet isn’t too hot so you linger.  Fall beckons us back to harvest the best fruits of later summer, and look forward to the still warm days ahead.  I feel like I have been given the hall pass from Mother Nature herself.  Put down the pencil and get outside and play.  It's time to let go. 

Much like you, sometimes I forget I am part of nature.  My life is full.  Driving to my next appointment, creating on my computer, and cooking dinner for my family compose the arc of my day.  Add extended heat to the mix and I have been hard pressed to get outside this summer except for activities involving water or poolside fun.  Now that cooler weather is on the cusp of the season, I am reminded why I love to be outside. Pausing for a moment and taking in a deep breath in the midst of nature is why I love and create gardens.  

Having a haven at home, for a daily physical and mental respite from the busyness life, is essential to my well-being.  For creativity, to get my heart beating faster, I need more.  Sometimes, I want to get out into the wild.  I want to be in a place that feels like there are no boundaries.  I feel like I have my best ideas under a tree.  And if I’m feeling sad or down, usually gazing at the riverbank helps me manage my feelings.  Have you experienced this?  A friend recommended the book, The Nature Fix, which the author deep dives into the many ways nature restores and inspires us, and finds the science behind the feels.  Maybe you already know this deep down.  A walk in the woods will benefit your body and soul. 

RVA Immerse

Longing for pristine wilderness to hear birdsong and enjoy the whisper of tree canopy overhead?  We need play, fresh air, and wild natural spaces to enjoy ourselves in nature.  The James River Park system is our 600 acre urban oasis featuring rocks, rapids, streams, and forests in the heart of Richmond.  Our natural playground offers bird watching, paddle sports, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, walking, and scenic views from sunrise to sunset.  From urban Belle Isle to the suburban Pony Pasture you are probably a short distance from one of the many accessible and free park area to enjoy the wild. 

One of my favorite places to immerse in nature is the Wetlands.   I love to enter the quiet hush of the forest canopy and walk trails by the James.  Here the birdsong lowers my heart rate and sense of ease flows through my nervous system.  As I walk the trails and notice the native Paw Paw trees in blooms, I feel more at peace. I love to see the turtles sunning themselves on logs, hear the vireos trill, and watch the forest change with the seasons.  I notice the bark of favorite trees like the Paw Paw, which have the illusion of eyes on the trunk, or the Hackberry, which are fun to touch the warty, alligator-like skin of the tree.  There is always something to inspire and remind me I am part of something bigger than myself. To remind me that I am precious and I am wild. 

So where do you start?  If you desire some help figuring out how to visit the James River Park system, the Friends of the James River Park is a fantastic resource.  They have online resources to help you explore and support our most wonderful resource.   You can discover different areas on the park based on location or on your favorite activity.  Find out about best ways to explore the park, and check out the calendar to see what’s happening in the park.  Support the FOJRP by becoming a member, or  keep the park clean by leaving no trace after you visit.  Whether its rock hopping, paddle boarding or a quiet woodside stroll, you will find a perfect place to play by the James.  

If you would like to take home a part of the James River Park experience with you, please stay tuned to my newsletter.  Later this month I am creating a Wetlands Plant Palette for you to enjoy. With a donation to benefit the Friends of James River Park, you will take home a Wetlands Forest-inspired plant palette to implement at home complete with CAD drawing and a plant list. I am excited to release this out into the wild and I hope that it encourages you to plant your own haven at home. 

Garden Guidance

The past month has been super dry in August after a very rainy July.  This is a great time to keep at the WEEDS (I’m looking at you crabgrass) and don’t allow them to set seed.  You can pull them or scalp them with a string trimmer if you have a large patch.  It’s also a great time to scan the garden and see if there are empty areas in your landscape.  Fall is simply the BEST time to plant.  The nurseries are full of beautiful new stock, and the weather is perfect for dividing and transplanting your plants…make more!  I encourage you to seek out what native trees, shrubs and perennials you may add to your garden to this Fall.  Here is a great resource to help you make decisions or visit your local native nursery.  As the leaves begin to Fall, rake or blow them into your beds.  When possible, consider leaving them under trees to create soft landings and incubators for pollinators for next year.  Consider these areas your “nursery” for future butterflies and lighting bugs.  Here is a great article that goes in depth about soft landings. 

Client Inspiration

I loved visiting with a client last week and looking over her entire front yard garden planted earlier this Spring.  We completely renovated her front garden after her addition, so there were a few lonely plants that survived.  We created a gorgeous plant palette for her new garden that HAD to be gorgeous and deer resistant.  If you live along the River Road corridor, you know that the deer are present.  We added some boxwood shrubs and varieties of Oakleaf Hydrangea Shrubs with Peonies, Ferns, Hellebores, a lovely Fringe Tree and a Weeping Cherry Tree.  Other perennials include perennial Geranium, Japanese Anemones, Carex grasses and a lovely Mazus groundcover.  One of the favorite parts of their design was adding a brick walkway and a pierced brick wall to create an entrance to their porch.  I loved working with these friends and clients to create a haven for friends and family to enjoy. 

Native Plant Guide

Amsonia is a four-season beauty! I highly recommend amsonia hubrichtii, also known as threadleaf bluestar.   This magical plant lends an ethereal airiness and fine texture not to be found in any other perennial.  Here it blooms mid-Spring,  and adds contrast to broader foliage perennials.  Amsonia is the perfect companion to the tall monarda/bee balm like ‘Raspberry Wine’ and ‘Jacob Cline’ that are prone to foliar decline by early August. Plant bee balm behind Amsonia to hide the “bare knees.”  In the Fall, Amsonia’s feathery foliage changes from light green to lime, then yellow, then orange and even bronze/red.  The shorter amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’ is a stellar ground cover with broader foliage that also develops to a golden yellow in late fall.  Let your Amsonia stand through winter and cut back in early April. Here is a great guide to help you pick the perfect perennial for your garden.