This is the month for Marvin Gardens to visit private homes and plant out containers. Amabel uses perennials and long lasting annuals to create a luxurious effect in cast iron urns and other containers. The arrangements require only water and admiration – no deadheading or changing out of plant material until the first frost or Thanksgiving, when Holiday decorating begins. Please contact Amabel directly at (203) 856-0309 to make an appointment. Click on the FACEBOOK icon on the home page to take a peek at completed site plantings.
Tag: Cast-iron urns
Design Your Own Garden Oasis, Year Round
In the harsh winters of the northeast, the challenge of creating a year round garden seems out of the question. But imagine designing your own lush paradise, full of the unique and exquisite plants that you admire. Fortunately, there are ways to keep this environment accessible all the time, with a clever greenhouse.
For decades, master architects and garden enthusiasts have designed greenhouses that ensure a thriving garden throughout the year. Take a look at some of these inspiring greenhouses from all over the world.
Built by ON Design Partners, this Japanese greenhouse provides access to lively plants and fresh vegetables (used for local restaurants) in the middle of a busy city.
This contemporary greenhouse, designed by Gora Art & Landscape is situated in a Sweden courtyard.
Some additional stunning greenhouse designs.
Designing a greenhouse is something that can be done in virtually any space. Even with just a few square feet and sunlight, a remarkable greenhouse can be created to keep you connected with nature all year round. Next, we’ll share more with you about how to create your very own greenhouse.
What do you think of these greenhouses?
Images via Garden Design (1-2), Etsy (3), EcoFriend ( 4 – 5)
Everything You Need to Know About the Philadelphia Flower Show
It’s finally time! We have been sharing with you our excitement for the Philadelphia Flower Show for months now, and this weekend marks the opening weekend of the phenomenal show. As you can imagine, Marvin Gardens has been busy getting ready for the show, bringing in new merchandise and setting up our space at Booth #301.
If you haven’t had a chance yet to research the event and purchase tickets, we wanted to make sure you have all the information you need. The Show will run from March 4th through March 11th and will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2299). Tickets may be purchased online and there’s also a floorplan available that you can use to find us! There will be dozens of special surprises as well, like a special “Man Cave” for guests who need to relax for a bit.
Visiting the Philadelphia Flower Show has always been a wonderful experience for us and we look forward to seeing each of you at the event as well!

Image via M T Miller
A Fanciful Find – The European Factory Mirror
Today we are excited to share with you yet another special find that our team at Marvin Gardens has just acquired. Arriving soon, this impressive European Factory Mirror is just what we’ve been looking for, for our vast garden collections.
The design possibilities for a garden accessory of this nature are endless. We all know that with an interior space, a mirror helps to open up a space, making the room seem larger and more grand – so what better area to recreate the same ambiance than in the garden, where the more openness, the better!
The size of the mirror is just remarkable. Standing 7.5’ high and 5’ wide, the grandness of the piece creates a bold statement. Built during the early 1900’s, the mirror also offers us a glimpse into the architecture and designs of the time over a century ago. The piece is absolutely stunning and we look forward to sharing it with you all! Stop by the Marvin Gardens shop soon to view the stunner.
Wrought Iron Inspirations for Your Spring Garden
You have probably already starting planning the lavish and distinctive elements for your landscape this year. As you all are well aware, at Marvin Gardens we value the uniqueness of each and every landscape element. Whether a piece is of personal value for you or if it something you handpicked from our shop, distinctive landscape elements enable each of us to unleash a new appreciation for creativity!
One garden element that has always been a favorite of ours is the use of wrought iron in driveways, garden gates, fencing, and other features. The look promotes a bold style that is as classic as it is elegant. Just take a look at these images for some wrought iron inspiration.
What do you think you could do with some of these pieces?
As always, our inventory at Marvin Gardens is constantly changing so be sure to stop to see what unique garden items we currently have available!
The Topiary Traditions of Pearl Fryar
Every now and then, we come across the work of designers and artists that is so impressive that we are immediately compelled to share it with you, our Marvin Gardens readers; such is the work from Pearl Fryar.
After moving with his wife to South Carolina during the 1980s, Pearl Fryar set out to create a garden worthy of the local garden club’s Yard of the Month award. His motivation came from the community, as they expected that the African American couple would not keep up their yard properly. At the time, he knew nothing of gardening yet fashioned his three acre garden from salvaged plants from a local garden center’s throwaways. In doing so, he created a garden full of distinctive shapes and garden artwork.
Pearl Fryar went on to create incredible topiary designs though he had no formal training in horticulture or art. His work can now be seen anywhere. From local colleges and his hometown, to the Phillip Simmons Garden in Charleston and the South Carolina State Museum, his topiaries are certainly captivating.
He states:
“Gardening books will tell you that some of these things in my garden can’t be done, but I had never read them when I got started. Not knowing ahead of time that something is supposed to be impossible often makes it possible to achieve. I didn’t have any limitations because I really didn’t know anything about horticulture. I just figured I could do whatever I wanted with any plant I had.”
What do you think of these topiary designs? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section!
Source and images via GardenHistoryGirl
Showcasing the Marvin Gardens Product Line!
When you visit Marvin Gardens (or our new satellite location at Hiden Galleries!) you can expect to have a new shopping experience. Rather than stocking our shop with generic products that can be found at any landscaping store, Marvin Gardens features products that stimulate your creativity. With dozens of unique planters, urns, and other garden accessories, you’ll be able to make your landscape a true original. If you’re looking for something specific, we likely carry that too. Take a look at the impressive Marvin Gardens Product Line.
Cast Iron Urns
Wrought Iron Driveway, Garden Gates, and Fencing
Cast Stone and Cement Planters
Zinc and Lead Planters
Contemporary and Vintage Statuary
Vintage Birdbaths
Vintage Industrial Bins
Metal Folk Art Animals
Arbors
Trellises
Pergolas
Gazebos
Custom Iron Sculptures
Antique and Vintage Architectural Elements
Interior Furnishings and Accessories
Vintage and Antique Lighting
Antique Hand Hewn Beams and Floorboards
Specialty/Exotic Perennials and Annuals such as Citrus Trees
Australian Tree Ferns
Succulents and Tillandsia
Vintage Garden Tools
Garden Design Services
And a multitude of other Garden Elements and Accessories!
Wondering how to incorporate these items into your landscape? We would be happy to help! Just stop by Marvin Gardens at 713 Danbury Road in Wilton, CT to get started!

Delighted to Become a Part of Hiden Galleries!
This year is all about new opportunities for our team here at Marvin Gardens! Already this year we have been delighted to continue sharing our love for bringing together distinctive and intriguing elements for home designs that transcend traditional trends. In support of our efforts to continue to expand our collections and make them available to you, you will soon find Marvin Gardens at Hiden Galleries in Stamford, Connecticut.

Within the antique district of Stamford, Hiden Galleries (47 John Street, Stamford, CT) is the premier location for lovers of all things antique and vintage. The 48,000 square foot showroom houses 275 antique and artisan dealers offering some of the finest decorative furniture, artwork, and garden pieces in the tri-state area.
Marvin Gardens has had the distinct opportunity of becoming a part of Hiden Galleries and will soon offer our products at Booth #1424. Our location will evoke the conservatory style setting with both the indoor and outdoor living pieces that we’re known for. You’ll find plenty of cast iron urns, vintage and antique garden element, as well as patio furniture!
Over the next week we will be moving into our newest location and sharing all the updates with each of you! Once we get settled in, we hope you will all join us in celebrating this exciting addition by stopping by for a visit!
Image via Hiden Galleries
Four Reasons to Attend the Philadelphia International Flower Show
As we shared with you a few weeks ago, this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show is quickly approaching! To be held from Sunday, March 4 through Sunday, March 11, the annual event will once again bring together some of the finest garden talents in all of the world. In fact, since Marvin Gardens will also be one of the exhibitors in attendance, we encourage all of our readers to do the same! Here are four of our favorite reasons we think you should attend the Philadelphia International Flower Show.
1. Exceptional Talent of Designers
This show is dedicated to showcasing the finest talent in today’s garden design. Creative designers worldwide who have spent decades perfecting their work will be on hand to showoff their skill!
The Garden Show isn’t just a daytime event. Be sure to keep up with information about the Flower Show Preview Party, Wedding Wednesday, Girls’ Night, and other evening events.
3. Events for Everyone
During the daytime events at the show, you’ll find activities for everyone. There will be culinary demonstrations, wine tasting, a Garden Tea, and garden lectures.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) receives tremendous support from the Garden Show each year. Proceeds allow the PHS to continue to “improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture.”
To learn more about what we have been up to at Marvin Gardens, just subscribe to our blog by entering your email address on our blog home page!

Image via berrihol
Inspired by the Garden Rooms of the Northeast
Here in the Northeastern United States, we have some of the finest, most romantic gardens in all of the country. Our incredible climate gives us the ability to experience each season thoroughly and enjoy its many benefits. As the year continues, we’ve had our eye on some of these beautiful gardens rooms found in the northeast. These “rooms” offer a beautiful garden retreat for its owners while also being able to take in the outdoors surroundings.
As you know, Marvin Gardens provides the garden accessories and landscaping materials to make garden rooms of this nature perfectly unique. If you’d like to recreate your garden into a private garden room, just visit Marvin Gardens for inspiration! We have devised innovative and creative ways to create this sort of environment right in your back yard.
Images via BHG (1-3), Marvin Gardens (4)