Our team at Dovecote in Cashiers, NC is installing a hobbit hole — for our miniature garden lovers!
Videos
What are the Health Benefits of Elderberries? Learn About Elderberries with Mary Palmer Dargan
One of our goals here at Dargan Landscape Architects is to heal the planet one garden at a time. In practice, this is an overarching goal as we work to create sustainable landscapes that do more good than harm for our communities and planet-at-large. However, the same plants you use to heal the earth can also be used to heal yourself.
Are You Familiar With the Health Benefits of Elderberries?
Mother Nature has provided free healthcare and remedies via her plants’ roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and plants. Until recently, medicinal gardens were a staple of any home landscape and slowly but surely, the pendulum is swinging back to nature (literally!) as people learn the health benefits of the plants and herbs growing in their gardens. Today, I’m going to talk to you about the health benefits of elderberries, the fruit of an easy-to-grow shrub that is also an aesthetically pleasing addition to your landscape species roster.
Elderberries are the products of a common North American shrub that goes by many names, including elderberry trees, golden elder flower trees, black elderberry or North American elderberry. The berries grow in clusters (although the birds can diminish a cluster in no time leaving only the occasional berry here and there!), and proper treatment of these berries, including the making of teas, bitters, tinctures and even wines and cordials all yield healing benefits.
Elderberry has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. The berries contain high levels of Vitamin C as well as antioxidants. Bioflavonoids and unique proteins lend elderberries antiviral properties as well. The healing benefits of elderberry compounds include:
- Lower cholesterol
- Enhanced immune system function
- Improved vision
- Protection against both bacteria and viruses, providing relief from colds, flus and tonsillitis.
- Mild laxative properties
- Diuretic properties
- Improved heart health
In some families, elderberry is still the primary go-to source for relief of the first signs of a flu or bug. Check out our video on how to harvest elderberries. Keep posted for more information on how to make tasty elderberry bitters and wines or contact Dargan Landscapes to learn more.
Time to Take your Garden to School? Landscape Design Workshop Intensive in Seattle Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) Presents Landscape Architect, Mary Palmer Dargan at the Center for Urban Horticulture
Does your garden need a tune-up? Would you like to learn landscape design tips from a master with 40 years in the landscape design trenches? When the APLD contacted me about offering this workshop, it presented the perfect opportunity to share how to avoid the common landscape design mistakes and pitfalls. We’ll be taking our experiences with us on the road for a presentation at the APLDWA Annual Design Symposium.
Join Dargan Landscape Architectects at the APLDWA Annual Design Symposium in Seattle ( open to both homeowners and landscape designers)
On January 26th, Mary Palmer Dargan and her life/ business partner, Hugh Dargan, will host a presentation, lecture, and a landscape design workshop intensive at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, Washington. The event is designed to help landscape professionals ( and landscape designing homeowners) avoid the common pitfalls that lead to “embarrassingly dysfunctional, over-budget & unsustainable client projects.”
The three secrets they’ll share are designed to help attendees design landscapes that are, in the words of ancient Roman author, architect, and civil engineer, Vitruvius, “firmitas, utilitas, venustas.” That’s, “solid, useful, beautiful,” for those of you who aren’t up on your Latin. These three secrets involve:
-
Applying the tenets of a four-part master plan, so the project is not only aesthetically pleasing but is functional such that its purpose will be realized year after year.
-
Implementing an innovative system of “layers,” which will help you organize and utilize site improvements.
-
Using lifelong landscape design principles to create and guide a sustainable philosophy.
Registrants will receive a workbook (register early as we can’t guarantee workbooks for late-registrants) and are encouraged to bring paper copies of a survey at 1/8-inch of front or rear of project, an aerial photograph (Google Earth is great for those) and three photographs at letter size.
The cost is $150 for members, $200 for non-members, and $100 for students. The cost includes the workbook and an on-site lunch. Late registration (after 1/12/2015) is $250. Online registration will open soon at www.apldwa.org/events-and-news. You can also contact us here at Dargan for more information.
Therapeutic Landscape Designs for Mental Well-Being
Are you bogged down with stress and looking for an outdoor escape? Gardening has long been considered an activity that can be cathartic and calming for those who enjoy working with plants and soil. The idea of nurturing plants to produce a bounty of vegetables and fruits, or creating a beautiful display of flowers and greenery, can provide a space for healing, meditation, restoration, and contemplation.
Traditional Landscape by Atlanta Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Dargan Landscape Architects
Recently, scientists, doctors, and landscape architects have started collaborating to create therapeutic landscape designs for mental well-being. Unlike traditional gardens, landscape planning for therapeutic gardens involves specific goals.
While a healing garden is designed to encourage overall health and encourage meditation, restoration, and contemplation, therapeutic gardens are designed to go beyond these goals to promote health and well-being. Landscape architects often work closely with the medical community to create gardens that will measurably contribute to a patient’s healing.
While this form of landscape planning is often used in long-term care facilities or rehabilitation centers, you can also opt to work with a landscape architect to develop your own therapeutic garden. Since the goals and measurable outcomes vary with the client, it’s essential to know what you want your therapeutic garden to accomplish.
For example, a garden created for a hospice may focus on quality of life and restoration for families, while a rehabilitation center’s therapeutic garden may serve as an actual component of therapy that provides respite from the hard work of physical therapy.
With 40 years in the business of landscape architecture, Dargan Landscape Architects would be happy to consult with you on a therapeutic garden design. Browse our portfolio of completed projects and contact us to learn how we can help.
Light Up Your Landscape with Votive Candles
![03060-w.128pxc-025_PRw_[07860]_sconce_iron_rope_glass_candle](https://dargan.com/wp-content/uploads/03060-w.128pxc-025_PRw_07860_sconce_iron_rope_glass_candle.jpg)
Do you want to light up your garden for late night strolls? Have you been looking to bring whimsical details into your garden design? From safety to creating a new focal point, votive candles can make a visual statement in a variety of garden and landscape designs.
Landscape lighting can be used to create safely-lit pathways, highlight certain features of your yard, or create an intimate setting for evening conversations. And when you are looking for soft light that encourages intimacy and a relaxed atmosphere, votive candles is an excellent choice.
The vessels you choose to contain your votive candles help define the style you wish to convey. Our Dargan Boundless Garden product line has many beautiful votive candles and accessories to make landscape lighting easy.
- Our Iron Rope Sconce with glass mounts to any flat surface and features a wrought iron scroll that encases protective glass for your votive candles. Mounted on deck posts or walls surrounding your conversation areas, you can create a soft, warm glow for relaxation or entertaining.
- Garden Votive candles are offered in several different color choices of textured glass. Whether used singly or in groups, these votive holders can cast beautiful light from any surface in your garden.
- Spring Mix is a selection of six garden votive selections in spring colors that come with their own wrought iron basket to create a beautiful spring centerpiece for any table.
- Add some romance to your landscape with our Hanging Wildewood Votive with glass. Wrought iron construction with detailed leaves can create a softly-lit romantic pathway or highlight an intimate conversation area.
- For a touch of whimsy in your garden, the Shard Rabbit Planter is the perfect size to accommodate a votive candle and makes a great conversation piece while casting soft light. These can be strategically placed to highlight features or used in a centerpiece to invite conversation.
Dargan Landscape Architects has many products and services that will make your landscape beautiful and unique to your tastes. Please visit our site for more landscape lighting ideas, or contact us to learn how we can design the perfect landscape for you.