Bell Garden + Design

06/11/2026

Latest full garden installation with multi season interest and strong rabbit protection. We went from an exclusively lawn garden to a heavily planted border that is built for full sun with a small deep shade area in the corner. We are using the back fence for climbing roses and clematis to serve as a backdrop to a lots of seasonal flowers and variety leaf textures. Black eyed susan, montauk daisy, salvia, cats pajama nepeta, coneflower, lambs ear, Amsonia and dahlia for cut flowers. Shade area=bleeding heart, lady’s mantle, lungwort and foxglove. In this shade area we were looking to get some color in the shade with a variety of leaf textures for interest is a small shaded area. More pics to come as it fills in.

06/11/2026

Rhododendrons stages. Now that the flowers have faded this is a great time to trim your rhododendrons. I have been steadily bringing this one back to a manageable size. I cut the top off last year and now I have a lot more growth in under the canopy. This year I will reduce the overall size by a third around the perimeter. This will give me better growth through the plant rather than just on the outer edges. My plant is looking healthier and will be more compact and healthier to deal with the changes to the seasons

06/11/2026

Now that your daffodils have past the leaves look a little unsightly. Resist the urge to cut them off. Tie them up or braid them together to hide/tidy up a bit. The leaves are still doing their work. They are doing photosynthesis that the bulb needs to be nice and strong for next year. One the leaves have turned brown the. You can remove the leaves and or move the bulbs to a new location for next year.

06/04/2026

Shade gardens part 2 Here I used only found materials from the beach to create a thin raised path. A “Woodland Walk … for all” As this fills in around the path it becomes a walkway through high native jewel w**d. By that time the drama of the high bright greens show off the drama of the black hydrangeas, black cannas, black elephant ear and the pops of pinks in the hydrangeas and caladiums.

06/04/2026

Shade gardens are coming along well this spring

05/04/2026

🌿 Your outdoor space deserves a little love, and I’m here to help on your schedule, at your pace, and within your budget.

Window boxes bursting with color, to full garden renovations, or stone pathway installation, I’ll bring beautiful, thoughtful garden design to your home or small businesses in Nahant, Swampscott, Marblehead, and beyond (🙌 to my long-time clients in Chestnut Hill + Melrose)

🪏Garden planning, renovation & seasonal maintenance
🪴Multi-season displays, containers & window boxes
🏡Hardscaping like pathways, retaining walls & walkways
🌷🌸🪻Cutting gardens, shade gardens, low-maintenance designs
🛫🏝️Vacation property care, I keep things beautiful while you’re away

Let’s talk about what your outdoor space could be.
📧 [email protected]

04/01/2026

The rabbits really got my paniculata hydrangeas this winter. So a trim back is probably a good idea for the overall health of the plant I. The long run. Now is the time to trim your paniculata hydrangea. You have about 2 more weeks before the buds really set.

04/01/2026

Do some of your shrubs look a bit naked this afternoon this winter? Most likely the rabbits got to them. The rabbits really got into survival mode this winter and went after bark and shrubs even herbs they wouldn’t normally eat.

04/01/2026

01/03/2026