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Tracy DiSabato-Aust in her conservatory. Photo by Dr. Deb Goff.
Tracy DiSabato-Aust, garden designer and author of three books, including The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, The Well-Designed Mixed Garden: Building Borders With Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Annuals & Bulbs and 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants (all Timber Press), will speak in Kenai on Friday, May 1, and in Anchorage on Saturday, May 2, at 7pm at the Alaska Wild Berry Theatre. We had a chance to ask her a few questions before her appearance.
Q: You will be giving two talks in Alaska on the well-designed mixed garden. Can the principles in your talk be applied to zones such as in our cold-climate state?
A: Yes, absolutely. Principles of design have universal application, and I present these principles through the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.
Q: Can you give us your five favorite carefree plants from your top 50 list that will work in our Zone 3-5 areas?
A: Only 5? Arkansas Amsonia, Blue False Indigo, Wild Oat, Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss and Elin Meadow Rue.
Q: Do you weigh in on either side of the organic vs. chemical and natives vs. cultivated plants discussions?
A: Organic practices should be followed whenever possible—my gardens and my clients’ gardens are maintained 99-100% organically. I look at the value of all plants be they native or non-native. There are desirable and non-desirable species in both camps. Just because a plant is native doesn’t make it good, and just because a plant is non-native doesn’t make it bad.
Tracy DiSabato-Aust at Hiddenhaven, her garden in Ohio. Photo by Todd Meier
Q: The photos of your home garden are gorgeous and show a much-loved and well-tended garden. From the looks of your calendar, you are hardly ever home – who tends to your beautiful garden when you are away?
A: First—thanks. I’ve designed my gardens with dynamic, low-care plants—in other words, I practice what I preach in my book “50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants.” They don’t require care daily so I work it into my schedule just like my other priorities in life. If I’m gone for a week at a time, one of my assistants will come, one morning during the week, and perhaps do some weeding etc., especially if there is a photo shoot or something pressing in the week(s) to follow.
Q: With the economy the way it is and the trend towards growing your own vegetables and greens, are you now designing gardens that incorporate a mix of vegetables and flowers?
A: Yes, I like to promote ornamental veggies in mixed garden designs--see my blog referencing this --also see the media section for numerous articles I did with AP writer Dean Fosdick on saving time and money in the garden--with my newest books among other fun options:):)
Q: You’ve traveled all over and visited and worked at some of the most famous gardens in the world. What gardens do you recommend as “must see before you die”?
A: Beth Chatto’s garden in England. The natural forests of tree ferns in New Zealand—it is breathtaking!
Q: I read that you are a top triathlete and train for 2-3 hours every day for competition. How will you do that while you are in Alaska? When is your next race?
A: My husband Jim and I train together - it’s great for our marriage of 25 years! We both compete for Team USA at the world level. He is coming to Alaska with me this time and we always find pools/running paths/bikes or spinning bikes to fit in our workouts no matter where we are. Our biggest race this year will be triathlon worlds in Australia in September—can’t wait!!
Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Photo by Dr. Deb Goff.Q: I have to ask about your hair – it looks incredibly labor intensive. Is it actually one of your ways to save time for other more important things?
A: Yes it’s a pay-forward sort of thing. They take forever to do but save me over an hour/day. I love the braids because they fit my very active/outdoor lifestyle. I do go without them at times—I won’t have them this trip to your beautiful state.
Q: Do you have another book in the works? If yes, can you tell us about it?
A: NO!!!
Q: Anything you want to add?
A: I’m excited about coming back to Alaska to speak. It’s so gorgeous there and the people are warm and friendly. I’m only sorry I won’t be able to skate-ski this time!!
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