Bayless Design Premier

November 18, 2015 Lara Justesen

What a transformation for a beautiful brick-front home whose landscape had fallen off the previous owners' priority list. The before and after are testimony that an outdoor refresh can completely change the perception of a home's comfort and usability. This design is a fresh start for new owner, Debbie Bayless, who is looking forward to starting a community garden for the neighborhood right in her own front yard. Debbie likes to add new touches to her landscape each growing season, so ample room was provided in key locations for annuals and bulbs.

Wicked Cool Garden Visitor

August 26, 2015 Lara Justesen

Argiope aurantia, the Yellow Garden Spider, is a welcome guest in the garden. They stretch their webs between tall vegetation on the edge of open fields. This one is making good use of the stems of our hardy hibiscus.

Note the telltale zigzag pattern woven into the web. Some theorize the zigzag is to add stability to the web. Others say it's there to make the web visible to birds. Either way, it's cool.

And since the two foot diameter web catches all sorts of flying insects, this gorgeous spider can stay in our garden as long as it likes.