Places of the Heart

SLHL: Nothing is more relaxing to me than spending time in a beautiful garden, and this one is spectacular. How do you approach each individual job?

NP: Gardening really does take dedication, passion and hard work, but it is truly a labor of love for us. We love what we do! By working closely with each client from the start, we are able to design the highest quality garden space that provides an escape from the stresses of everyday life.

KK: Making a garden is an expression of one's personality and an extension of one's interior space. We work with a client to try to create that vision.

SLHL: Where do you find your inspiration?

NP: Our inspiration comes from nature. Our travels have taken us to gardens in Italy, France and England. That experience has given us an appreciation of the principles of good design.

SLHL: Do you take a job from infancy to maturity?

KK: Yes. That’s the best way. We strive to build personal relationships with our clients and pride ourselves on attention to detail. 

SLHL: What other services do you offer your clients? 

NP: We have the resources to offer outdoor furniture, containers, sculpture and more. We also offer holiday decorating services.

SLHL: What is your definition of an ideal garden?

NP: The perfect garden means different things to different people. We feel that a garden should reflect your personality and lifestyle. It should evolve over time and serve to calm, heal and enrich.

SLHL: Do you have a gardening philosophy?

NP and KK: Perhaps we need to concentrate on downsizing our structural footprint and pay more attention to the development of the land surrounding our properties. Green space definitely enhances the well-being of the human race. We must create a legacy for future generations as the ancient gardens of the world have done for us. Gardens are gifts that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire.   

The Importance of Pruning your Garden from Nancy Pedley and Kim Kelce:
Regular pruning and fertilizing is very important to a plant's success. Summer and Fall flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned in late winter or early spring.Spring flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned after their flowers have faded. There are some exceptions with the hydrangea family. Those that bloom on old wood should not be pruned until new leaves appear. At that time, prune them back to the first set of new green leaves. It is also important to keep up with weeding, making sure to remove the root. Our favorite tool for this activity is a Japanese hand weeding tool. It is also great for planting annuls as it really breaks up the soil.

RESOURCES:
Kelce & Bedley Designs, Nancy Pedley and Kim Kelce, 314-961-7453, www.yourlandscapedesigners.com; Full Care, Inc., www.fullcareinc.com