Bella Blooms Design Blog

Ok ok ok so we all want our plants to be happy and live a long healthy life right? Well my new favorite organic plant food to use is Espoma Plant Tone. All you have to do is add a little to the hole when planting. Your plants will be happier then ever.

Here are the names of a couple of plants that are blooming around town.

 There’s no getting around it. “I’m bulb crazy right now!”

This time of year you want to get your bulbs in the ground. Elephant Ear’s are beautiful in the garden. They come in all kinds of different types, and don’t worry there are types for the shade and the sun. WOO HOO right???? First you want to go to your local garden center and select some healthy elephant ear bulbs for planting. Make sure the bulb is firm, not soft.  Plant the bulbs in the early spring when the ground starts to warm up. Adding in compost and a little fertilizer to the ground always helps. Once they start blooming they won’t stop until the first frost. The tropical look is key for a Charleston garden! Enjoy planting.

Here are a couple of types i like you use. 

 Black Magic ‘Colocasia esculenta’

Black Stem ‘Colocasia Fontanesii’ 

lIlustris ‘Colocasia antiquorum’

Giant Alocasia ‘Macrorrhiza maki’

I picked up these old rocking chairs off the side of the road that someone was throwing away. They have a real old distressed look which is great for the garden. I sanded them down and replaced the rotting wood with new. Using a clear coat sealer to protect the wood from the outdoor elements,  I am able to keep the distressed look. This is a great way to recycle!

 Winter annuals should be planted now for spring color. Snapdragons,pansy,violas,poppies,and ornamental kale’s are some great winter flowers. Mass plantings of flowers are a nice touch to the landscape. They will grow all winter and bloom beautifully in the spring.

Check out some of our latest work on the gallery page of our website. Here’s a couple of previews for your viewing pleasure.

Bella Blooms Design was recently on the DIY Network show "Indoors Out"! If you are into Zen, relaxing, romantic, or contemporary design, you’ll definitely want to watch this. See how Bella Blooms Design brings Eastern influence to Charleston, SC by designing and building an outdoor Zen Den in this episode…

OKAY, so it’s finally starting to warm up and everyone has spring fever….  So what does that mean???  It’s time to start getting your flower beds ready for planting.  By adding in new top soil as well as mushroom compost,  you will  help generate new healthy growth.  Till up the soil first and then add new soil.  After you plant and mulch, don’t forget to apply some “Preem” as a final step to help prevent any summer weeds from growing in the bed.  Here are a couple of names of some nice spring flowers to plant now.  Diascia, Nemesia, Sweet Alyssum, Petunias, Bacopa, Dianthus, Euphorbia, Lotus vine, Blue Daze, and Foxglove.  Have fun in the garden!!!

We were asked by DIY Network to film an episode for their  show “Indoors Out.” Of course, we’re extremely excited to even be considered for this amazing opportunity. Filming will start on December 11th and the show is scheduled to air in the beginning of 2010. If you are into Zen, relaxing, romantic, or contemporary design, don’t miss out on this episode. Bella Blooms Design is going to bring Eastern influence to Charleston, SC…

Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming TV debut!