Katharine project, other gardening
More ways to create separate space. Apologies, had been collecting other things for you but got distracted by a project of my own. But these do have links for you to follow and we can talk about.
Replace small lawn areas with a low-maintenance perennial ground cover. Small areas and those that are hard to access may best be served by this low-maintenance solution. Once established, a mass of ground cover has a simple, calming effect. Proper plant selection will eliminate mowing, reduce water consumption and drastically reduce the need to fertilize — saving you time and money. Choose a plant with multiseason interest: flowers, colorful foliage, winter texture. Some ground covers will tolerate a small amount of foot traffic, too. Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spp, zones 5 to 9), shown here, has a lush, grass-like look and is also evergreen. Additional choices — depending on your garden's growing conditions — might include periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus, zones 4 to 9), creeping thyme (Thymus praecox, zones 4 to 9) or snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum, zones 3 to 9).
"Remove lawns where they are hard to maintain. Target narrow side yards, areas around trees and shrubs, and spaces smaller than 12 feet by 12 feet. Mowing, trimming, fertilizing and watering these small, awkward areas are difficult and time-consuming tasks." Other narrow side yard ideas around here someplace.
The entire article about landscape lighting.
Thinking of waterfall, plantings, lighting, underlighting. Played up well, just playing with it more. Did dropping posts of plants into pond so they seem to be growing out of it? or onto layers? Hey, what about those waterproof cords of lights - could they be used on the underside of each stage? But think that runs into running electricity again.
Not exactly this groundcover, which is for wide open spaces, but perhaps here and there, fading from backyard into treelines, around/along front of house or yard to soften away from standard mown grass without causing a neighborly fuss? I remember something about Urban Meadows or some such: more there for ideas including just different types of ornamental grasses, but more controlled here. Think I've mentioned the low, sturdy type of groundcover to hold flagstones in place and set into the environment
More as an example: Heat can be focused or dispersed in different ways. I like the traditional chimenea, built into a wall so heat is directed out in two directions. No good walls, perhaps things grouped such that there is place for just family, or family and a couple of friends? Put chimenea into that grouping? Overlap with ideas re outdoor curtains? This style loses heat because it goes out in all areas. If cast iron might work better. Translate that into table-top fire pits? The heat is at a useful level, often has edges that may or may not be too hot to down a book or drink so you can get close. The few professional outdoor heaters I would also live with are at professional prices.
That first one could help you fill in the one you have? That is, from the gate on in, maybe? Arch of the same materials of the Pergola? Planting beds for veg outside, just low wood or stone borders around each. ---- Maybe combine with various forms of Secret Garden, not just walking around to the back but entering new space?
May be some idea inspiration here
[Firepits etc in general: can use outside longer into or coming out from cold seasons. More I look at it, less I like it but leaving it on list in case you do. Needs to be on fire-safe surface
Found because I was looking for firepits (I like this design, btw, but it's not a style on my shopping list for you), instead made me think of steps from porch spreading out on stone towards the pool? Porch is soft shapes, pool very rectilinear, joining the two? Is there still a hot tub? Hmm. The one curtain design I've saved thus far. Wider version for entire front, two or three panels, each tied back?
"This London courtyard has appeal straight out of The Secret Garden. And a palette that’s mostly green with white blooms thrown in makes you appreciate all of the different forms and textures of the plants, which range from carefully clipped shrubs on the ground to wild vines that climb the walls and extend overhead." Nice, but would require total rebuilding!
This started with ideas for the pergolas and I still think these are something to consider. But I gradually realized that the overall concept is based on the outdoor living in the southwest, Latin America, even parts of the Mediterranean. Space is fluid, much of it outdoors and overlaps to indoors. We can't live that way but as I tossed in this and that I've come up with some ideas you might like to use as a framework if you went that direction, specifically, how to use light. And light is what defines how you see the dark. Less poetically, we can define what's light or dark and play with them. You have three sides: your pergolas, your guest house, and the trees along the back. The first is the most important: It's where you gather people, a few stay together after everyone else has left, you want a bit of peace and quiet before going to bed or before going to work, if you want to have drinks together and just read or talk this is the place. And you want it to be pretty. So loop lights through it. Not those tiny twinkly things, the sort you'd use on an outside patio. Yes, you'll have to figure out some task lighting: grouping bulbs doesn't always work but a couple of weatherproo...
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