Favorite hardscaping material:
Natural local materials like nearby rocks, stone, gravel. Less carbon footprint transporting materials that are likely nearby. I love different textures used together. More plants, less hardscaping is my preference these days.
Go-to gardening outfit:
Above: In her Le Laboreur chore coat.
Protective clothing from the weather. Comfortable layers. A hat. French work shirts got very trendy in the fashion world for a minute, but they are very useful in the garden because of the thick canvas fabric that plants don’t catch onto. Layers for the cold. While working in the winters at Dixter I think I had on at least 5 layers. Waterproofs are essential. I am a toolbelt person…always secateurs (mine are Japanese or Felcos for pruning), my Dixter hand trowel, a pocket attachment for a pen and notepad, a hori hori, and a hand-saw if I am pruning. And clip for my gloves.
Tool you can’t live without:
My Sneeborer wide trowel and Dixter designed short spade. These excellent tools are meaningful to me as I got them on my first real visit to Great Dixter, a succession planting Symposium in 2016. I had no idea I’d still be using these same tools almost 10 years later. I tend to get attached to the history of things.
Favorite nursery, plant shop, or seed company:
Above: Cistus Nursery in Portland, OR.
On the US West Coast, Dan Hinkley’s Windcliff Plants (in person only, and you can visit the garden if you shop at the nursery) and Sean Hogan’s Cistus Nursery. I am so very lucky to be near and visit these 2 incredible nurseries. Digging Dog in northern California (mail order only) is phenomenal. In the UK the Great Dixter Nursery and the Beth Chatto Nursery. I love the Theodore Payne Nursery in LA (they have a large selection of California native seeds), and Plant Material in LA. For seeds: Johnny’s, Hudson Valley Seed Company,
On your wishlist:
Visiting the Atacama Desert and the Silk Road. Always California desert wildflower trips.
Not-to-be-missed public garden/park/botanical garden:
Silver Falls State Park in Oregon (for the waterfalls and native flora), Joshua Tree National Park in California. Windcliff and Heronswood Garden in the Pacific Northwest. Chanticleer Garden near Philadelphia. Great Dixter House and Garden in East Sussex.
The REAL reason you garden:
Above: Layered up and on the move.
Just to be with plants and to be outside connected with the outdoors. I love trying to make something beautiful and interesting that is alive, while also providing for wildlife—that is more important than anything to me these days. And being with other gardeners is really fun. Maybe the best part. I am a team person!
Thanks so much, Julie! (You can follow her on Instagram @julieaweiss.)
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