Norbert White is a potter and, with his partner, he has created a garden haven at their Chicago home that showcases some of his lovely creations.  It is surprising to me that I love this garden so much.  My mother is a complete pottery nut….I have a hue collection of pottery pieces, none of which I have purchased for myself, and I have to admit to cringing at the arrival of another thing that doesn’t tend to be my style.  But this is so stylish and relaxed and I think I might be a pottery convert.

The star piece (in my opinion) is the chandelier.  It is a three tiered pottery creation that is a beautiful focal point.

Here is a closer look at this beautiful piece.

Also a mosaic artist, Norbert created the wall fountain -  a small but pretty piece that fits perfectly with the rest of the setting.

I am so inspired by gardeners and outdoor spaces that are an expression and extension of the creators and owners.  This potters garden is a brilliant example of making a space uniquely your own don’t you think?

Are you heady for Halloween?   I can’t help myself….it is not until Saturday, but I have to share this spooky garden with you….hopefully I will be able to find more equally post-worthy Halloween garden topics to carry us through to Saturday (ideas accepted).  When I finish this post, I have to put the finishing touches on my costume….I will share it with you when it has all come together.

Anyway, this garden was photographed at night by Troy Paiva for his Lost America Series.    He is a seriously talented night photographer ( and has a website to teach you the tricks of the trade) and his photos are so interesting.  It is worth checking out his books too (click here for a list and links to all his photography products).

This shoot titled  “Bed Springs and the Oasis of 29 Signs“  is the garden and private collection of  Ben Bottoms located in 29 Palms, California.
Ben collects old steel signs and has artistically laid them out in the landscape for all the world to see.  I find the garden to be a perfect Halloween influence.  The mannequin walking into the bamboo just doesn’t get an creepier.  One look at it and the whole place takes on a new level of spookiness don’t you think?

Ben likes his solitude so if you are in the 29 palms area please, don’t bug him. Apparently he has a dog that will chew your leg off.

Are you doing anything for the holiday? I am not decorating the house…we don’t get trick -or -treaters in the country….but I am working over my costume and prepping the kids for our big night in the center of town where all the homes decorate and everyone chips in for the candy (that the police dept distributes to all the town center houses)  — it really is lovely to live in this small town.

by Er.We

As the line of peak foliage moves south (I think it is in my neighborhood right now),  asters and chrysanthemums are taking center stage.  Checking off another state in the 50 natives…. Rhode Island has four varieties of native asters (all are featured in this charming picture).  They are Aster novae-angliae, Aster divaricatus, Aster ericoides, and Aster laevis.

by atsjebosma

Native asters have a somewhat deserved weedy reputation, but there has been alot of selection to improve them – Alan Armitage has a great article here about some of the best varieties.

by haikulinde

For the love of Gardening also has a nice post about native and hybrid asters.  As I think about all my fall platings, I have to admit, I do not now the difference (scientifically) between asters, daisies and mums….I think I can tell, (between petal shape and layout, leaf and stem structure) by looking at them, but they are so similar and there are so many varieites that could go either way….does anyone know definatively how you tell the difference?  I am going to do a bit of research….

by Walks On Rocks

I am fascinated with a recent discovery.   In the desert southwest the Ocotillo Cactus (Fouquieria splendens) is harvested to create living fences and other garden features.  It is a material that is exciting in that it is unique to the region where it is used and it really gives a sense of the place.

by Walks On Rocks

Like many cactus, the plant comes alive, in a sense, when water is available.  While the stems can look dead – even thought they are not, when dormant, it is amazing to me that when they leaf out, the leaves almost look like boxwood.

Poppies with ocotillo fence in the background by alicia_d_lars

Ocotillo cactus is harvested and used in garden construction. Rancho Lobos is a producer of ocotillo fencing and this is how they describe the product:

These shrubs have been used by rural communities for ages in the construction of fences, ramadas and ceiling decorations. With the distinct feature that, when used for fencing, the ocotillo stems are buried about 4 to 6 inches into the ground, allowing them to root, providing a living fence that can grow up to 20 feet tall. For commercial purposes the stems are cut 2 to 3 feet from the base, choosing diameters between 3/4 to 2 inches, considered to be mature stems. They present little to no spines, except for the top part of the stem, which is trimmed to provide segments as uniform as possible 6 feet tall. Then they are woven together with a thin galvanized wire (cal. 18) to hold them together and allow growth. Making fence sections 5 feet long that can be easily rolled for transportation.

by Schooksonruss

This old corral fence was made from Ocotillo Cactus sticks.  The sticks are also called Candlewood, Slimwood, Coachwood and Vine Cactus.

by fucher is now

In a way, I think it is similar to willow.  I am wondering if there are other locally known plants that can, in this way, be used to create a natural barrier or fence.  Do you know of any?

Oh, I have a garden for you today.  It is an artist’s paradise near near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  When you see a living room like this, my first thought (besides wow!)…is, what must the garden behold?

The garden, which is part of the greater complex called Casa Las Ranas, is more an art installation than a home and studio. Partners in creation are Anado McLauchlin and his husband Richard Schultz and they describe it as an homage to all outsiders, gardeners, and folk artists the world over.

The eclectic home is covered in tile mosaic collages and decorated with McLauchlin’s altars. Every wall and even ceilings are different colors.

Anado’s studio (he is an artist) in La Cieneguita and the house and grounds of Casa Las Ranas (House of Frogs)  are available for tour groups or private individual visits upon appointment.  If you would like more information on visiting Casa las Ranas contact Anado at: bearbeing@unisono.net.mx or call from the United States at 011-52-415-155-8044 or if in San Miguel at 155-8044.

Richard and Anado. (photo: Ann Summa LA Times)

Urban Exotic is a Landscape Design Firm in New South Wales Australia and their portfolio is very exciting.  The textures and attention to each detail in this space  and others that they have designed is captivating.

The white clam shaped lights seem like they must be custom – I have never seen anything quite like them before, but I really like the way they pop out against the slate blue wall.

I am also noticing the amazing attention to detail.  the wooden bench is like a wavy puzzle all fit together and the pavers (again of a style I have never seen) really compliment the pattern.   What details are you noticing in this design?