Behind the Scenes at Firestone HQ!

Here at Bo Firestone Trees & Gardens, we are passionate about naturalistic gardens and cottage style. Recently, we interviewed Bo in her own garden. Gorgeous photos by Sara Toney.

How long have you been gardening?

I have been doing plant maintenance for quite some time now (over 20 years) and dabbled a bit as a renter; but it wasn't until we bought our home in 2020 that I was able to start my own dream garden. There were so many plants I wanted to grow!  It can be hard to reign in the ideas and keep my garden looking cohesive because it really is a test garden first and foremost. It's a way to see what plant combinations look great and grow reliably in the area.  

 What would you call the style of your garden?

I have a cottage garden - this is an informal, no rules style.  It's plant-centered and focuses on those that are easy to grow. Structural elements are usually charming and practical such as mismatched patio chairs, or repurposed objects. There is minimal lawn and informal pathways.  I also include edibles such as fruit trees, perennial veggies such as artichokes, a strawberry patch, and berry bushes.

I love growing and designing cottage style gardens because they are timeless, easy, and romantic - kind of a hair-down type style. It's also practical as it allows for a mix of edibles and flowering plants. 

What is the philosophy behind your garden?

My philosophy is to use plants that are well-suited to our climate and plant a diversity that flowers and seeds throughout the year.  This is the best way I've found for supporting a variety of wildlife - native insects and birds as well as non-native darlings such as Italian honey bees and ladybugs. 

Plants like cherries, oak, cosmos and sunflowers provide lots of food and habitat for wildlife. Cherries and oaks are keystone species. When I design, I like to make sure there are a good dose of beneficial wildlife plants on the mix.  

I believe in the concepts of the "California Landscape Garden" philosophy and taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape.  I think people should look to native trees, shrubs, as well as a variety of native perennials and annuals as being the main bones and functional plants of their Garden. 

I never realized how much I would enjoy seeing the birds and insects in my garden just as much as I enjoy the flowers themselves. I have these beautiful iridescent flies that are only present in my artichokes, and I have several huge mint-green praying mantis that show up in the lavender. Also just so many of ladybugs in all stages of their life cycle!

What inspiration did you draw on for your garden?

I had always thought that I would have a tapestry garden and initially started to plan for those kinds of plants, which is why I have some sprawling rock roses that are a little too large for the space. 

However, during the pandemic, I really felt a sense of community with YouTubers from the UK such as Alexandra with the Middle-size Garden, and Garden Ninja, Lee Burkhill. My husband had also subscribed me to English Garden magazine, and so I was very inspired by those photographs which featured a classic, timeless aesthetic and densely layered mixed borders. English gardening is more than just roses - it's really a whole rich design tradition. 

What are the biggest challenges for your garden?

The heaviness of my clay soil! Clay holds onto nutrients and water so it's not a bad soil type overall, but the limitation is that there's not much air in the soil.  I have mostly low-water plants which are usually adapted to faster drainage than I have. So they have to be really adaptable, and I have some mortality from root rot every winter.  

Do you have any particular problem areas in your garden?

I just have very poor soil and limited volume in my back garden, so there's only certain plants that will thrive or grow at all. The little strip of land along my back fence is just the worst. There's also a planting area I made by tearing up a strip of artificial grass (installed by the previous owner). There's pretty much no real soil in this area but I've managed to create a fun desert garden here. There's also a hot spot along the fence where only something like a geranium or cactus could make it. In the front garden, there's a full shade spot just outside my front door that's tricky.  

What is your favorite spot in your garden?

Ooh it's the little hidden spot behind my eucalyptus tree where the California bush anemone, native alum root, and the black lace elderberry come together in a magical way. It's my kids' favorite spot in the garden too. And whenever I have a friend come over they tend to be drawn to that place as well. We just call it "the spot."

Favorite plant?

My 'Roald Dahl' English rose.  It has an old-fashioned cupped blossom and an apricot gold color that's so soft.  He's the King of the Big Spring Show!  

Any total rockstar plants in your garden worth mentioning?

A workhorse and VIP in the shadier part of my garden is the Heliotropium 'Alba.' It just always looks so happy and blooms when nothing else is blooming, during Halloween and after the spring show has faded. Also, the best border plant I found is foothill penstemon. I have the 'Margarita BOP' variety and as long as I cut it back, it comes back fresh and blooms twice a year. It's just an incredible plant for the front of beds.

Lastly - is there a plant you wish you could grow but can't?

Oh my gosh, so so many. I went to the Anchorage Botanical Garden a couple years ago, and that place could have been a showcase of all the plants I wish I could grow.

I would love to be able to grow big blue or variegated Hosta like we can in the Midwest.  I would love to be able to grow red-leaf rose, lily of the valley, ladies' mantle and Astrantia.  I would love for my Astilbes not to burn.

But my top fantasy plant would be Joe Pye weed for the back of the border.   

We hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes snapshot of Bo's garden. Thank you again to Sara for the beautiful photos!