About Garden Shoots
Entering 
the blogging world is a little like learning how to design gardens or photograph them. As a recovered lawyer learning to exercise my left brain at mid-life, I have to start somewhere, and learn as I go along.
I live in the metropolitan Washington DC area but I love to travel and photograph gardens – and other subjects – wherever I can. I’ve been to England, Kauai, the Hudson River Valley, and the Brandywine Valley area (around Philadelphia). Here at Garden Shoots I’ll offer some modest gardening advice and share favorite photographs.
Why “Garden Shoots”? It’s a double-duty moniker. I design gardens for a living, and I photograph them (and other subjects) for pleasure and as a freelance photographer. I’ve learned that each activity enhances the other. So I’m here to share what I’ve learned in both spheres with you, and hope you’ll enjoy what I have to offer.
Thanks for joining me on my journey.
Melissa Clark
Garden Shoots 
January 4, 2010 at 11:22 am
A kindred spirit indeed… not only do you follow some great photographers in the gardening world, but you’re a fan of Margaret and Helen…I’ve been won over. Welcome to the world of blogging.
January 4, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Isn’t that a great blog? I hope I can live up to their standards. Thanks for the kind words.
January 20, 2010 at 7:57 am
I enjoyed looking around your blog and websites. Good for you for making the switch to your left brain! I saw that you have a book about Chanticleer. I went there last year (taking many photos as well) and was stunned at how beautiful and interesting it was.
January 20, 2010 at 8:21 am
Thanks! Yes, Chanticleer is wonderful. I’ve been to four or five photo workshops there as well as visiting on my own so that was the inspiration for producing the book. It’s so magical. I’ll be doing a lot of posts on it as spring approaches.
May 30, 2011 at 8:48 am
Hi Melissa, Good to be in the company of a life-long learner and adventurer. My husband and I as well started it up at age 60 and built a website – it’s almost a year to the day since launch. We’ve been lucky enough to be one of the five Community finalists at South by Southwest, which we thought was great. Other than that, the site’s had some nice success with a garden log (we call it Glog) which is shareable.
If you get a chance, would you please look at our site, the Citizen Science pages, and see if it has anything you might be able applicable to you or something you’d be interested to write about? Hope so. Best to you and a long and leisurely spring. Contact me with any questions or comments or if there is a way you think we might be able to work together to get the word out.
Lisa Finerty
Strategic Outreach Director
Your Garden Show
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September 8, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Found your blog looking for ideas and hydrangeas. I see you enjoy them too. This is our collection: http://tinroofgardens.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-tin-roof-gardens-hydrangea-edition.html
Mc
September 15, 2012 at 5:41 am
Hi Melissa,
The word “shoots” has a double meaning here as it also means the tender green tips or growing apexes on plants. 🙂
September 15, 2012 at 11:44 am
That was one of the meanings I had in mind when I came up with the blog title. Thanks for stopping by!
March 30, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Hello Melissa, Thanks for your interesting and inspiring website.
I am an aspiring landscape designer and photographer, too. I have a question for you…….I am heading out to San Francisco next week and I plan on visiting public gardens. I think I remember that you traveled there last year, so can you recommend any favorite gardens or man-made landscapes in the Bay area as inspirational?
March 30, 2013 at 3:02 pm
You know, we didn’t visit a lot of public gardens – we had a brief stop at the SF Botanical Garden and I would love to return, especially since I didn’t have time to visit the Japanese garden there. So I would definitely put that on your list. And if you get a chance to visit Alcatraz and its gardens, do that. You should probably book in advance since you need a ferry reservation.
August 11, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Hi Melissa
Just stumbled across your blog. So pleased to find you doing what I do in the UK, State-side. http://visitinghousesandgardens.com/
Regards
Robin
August 24, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to exploring your blog soon. Mine may be taking more of a turn towards other photographic subjects in the future, as I’m intrigued by architecture and travel as well.