Author: EARTHeim
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Adding Charm with Glazed Ceramic Pieces in the Garden: Uses, Styles & Seasonal Care
Glazed ceramic pieces can bring a touch of color, elegance, and personality to any garden space. Whether you prefer classic terracotta tones or vibrant modern finishes, ceramics are a versatile design element that add both beauty and functionality. Types of Glazed Ceramic Pieces for the Garden At Home Beauly Blue Birdbath 22.8″ How to Use…
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Permaculture Perennial Plant Guild Design Plan
I’m excited to share my brand new Permaculture Perennial Guild Design Plan, crafted for gardeners who want more than just a pretty space. This design goes beyond aesthetics — it’s a thoughtfully composed plant guild that supports pollinators, builds soil, provides food, and seasonal beauty. 🌿 What’s Included in the Design Plan? This downloadable 39-page…
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4 Elements of a Long-Lasting Retaining Wall
Retaining walls do more than just hold back soil — they create functional, beautiful spaces in the landscape. But not all retaining walls are built to last. Whether you’re dealing with hills, erosion, or just looking to elevate your outdoor design, it’s important to understand what makes a wall durable over time. A professionally installed…
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How to Build a Bird-Friendly Yard Without a Feeder
Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds, but they require regular cleaning and refilling. If you want to support local bird populations naturally, you can create a thriving habitat right in your yard. By planting native plants, incorporating water sources, and designing a layered landscape, you can turn your outdoor space into a…
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How A Designed Native Plant Garden Differs from the Natural Landscape
A native plant garden and the natural landscape are similar in that they both utilize plants native to a region, but they differ in several key ways. A native plant garden is designed to replicate and enhance the natural landscape of a specific region, but with intentional planning and selection of plants to suit a…
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Choosing the Right Garden Furniture for Your Outdoor Space
When it comes to creating an inviting outdoor retreat, garden furniture plays a pivotal role. From relaxation to entertaining, the right pieces can transform your yard into a comfortable, stylish oasis. Here’s what to consider when choosing garden furniture, including types, materials, sizing, and styles. EARTHeim has recently teamed up with Crate & Barrel to…
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Spring Garden Clean-Up: Timing for Pollinators’ Emergence
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s tempting to jump into garden clean-up mode on the first warm day of spring. However, it’s essential to be mindful of when you clean up your garden to ensure that pollinators, like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, have time to emerge and thrive. Pollinators…
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The First Day of Spring: An Annual Beginning for Gardeners
Today is the first day of spring, March 20th 2025. The first day of spring is a time of renewal, signaling the end of winter’s chill and the start of longer, sunnier days. For gardeners, it’s a moment to embrace new possibilities and prepare for the growth and beauty that lie ahead. As the earth…
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3 Symbolic Lucky Plants to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17 and is associated with luck, good fortune, and an Irish spirit of joy. While shamrocks are the most iconic symbol of luck associated with this holiday, there are other flowers and plants that hold similar meanings of prosperity and good fortune across cultures. As we…
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Tenalach: A Sacred Connection Between Humans and Nature
In a world where we often find ourselves disconnected from the natural environment, the ancient Irish concept of Tenalach is a reminder of the deep bond we can share with the earth, the air, and the water that surround us. The word is rooted in Irish tradition, and speaks to something more profound than just…
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A New Garden for a Historic Home (& video)
This historic home received a new landscape makeover, complete with an updated pergola, a custom built arbor, custom wood privacy trellis, a pond with a waterfall, stepping stones, and many new native plants. This garden became a certified Wildlife Habitat and certified Monarch Waystation too. We also solved some drainage issues on the site. All…
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The Tiger Swallowtail: A Colorful Butterfly with Fascinating Traits
The Papilio glaucus, commonly known as the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, is a large and striking butterfly native to North America. Recognizable by its yellow wings adorned with black tiger-like stripes, this butterfly is a favorite among nature lovers and gardeners alike. The Tiger Swallowtail is not only beautiful but also plays a crucial role in…
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A Serene Landscape Design & Installation (& video)
This serene landscape design was installed in 2023. This video shows post installation, in the fall. After this installation, we also installed over 30 trees on the property! The gardens around this newly built home included a front yard garden with native plants, sweetbay magnolias, boulders, and a paver walkway. In the backyard, we installed…
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Exploring 3 Native Species of Bee Balm: Monarda Didyma, Monarda Fistulosa, and Monarda Bradburiana
Bee balm, scientifically known as Monarda, is a genus of beautiful flowering plants native to North America. These plants are well-loved for their vibrant blooms, aromatic foliage, and ability to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Within the Monarda genus, three native species stand out: Monarda didyma, Monarda fistulosa, and Monarda bradburiana. Each has…
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5 Flowers That Are Symbols of Love and Romance
Flowers have long been used as symbols of love, affection, and deep emotion. Throughout history, different flowers have been tied to various feelings, often serving as a romantic gesture or a way to express the unspoken. From the petals of a rose to the sweet scent of a lily, each flower carries its own story…
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Create a Hummingbird Paradise in Your Garden: Attracting Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds with Native Plants
If you’ve ever watched a hummingbird flit from flower to flower, hovering in mid-air with wings beating faster than the eye can follow, you know just how mesmerizing these tiny creatures are. One of the most incredible sights in nature is watching the iridescent glow of a ruby-throated hummingbird as it zips through your garden,…
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Native Plant Series: Eastern Redbud
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a North American native tree that is native to the Eastern region of the United states. Habit It is a small, deciduous, understory tree growing 20-30′ on average. They often grow in a multi-trunked fashion unless it is trained to have a single trunk. The canopy will form a rounded…
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Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC
The Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a 55 acre garden located in Durham, NC. It has 55 acres of specialized gardens located on the Duke University campus. The garden is divided into different areas: the native plant garden, Asiatic gardens, historic gardens, and the Doris Duke gardens. My favorite area is the Discovery Garden which…
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6 Hummingbird Garden Design Ideas
Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures and one tiny tough bird. Many of my landscape customers want to attract hummingbirds specifically to their gardens. I always begin designing a hummingbird garden with the plants that grow in our area that I know will attract them. You can first build the backbone of your hummingbird garden with the…
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Landscape Facelift + Backyard Edible Garden & Entertainment Space
The new homeowners of this small acreage property in a rural area wanted to update their landscape and add some fun features that accomodated their lifestyle. The foundational plantings had become old, overgrown, and some of the plants had died. They also planned to make part of their home an air bnb, so they wanted…