landscaping
If your creek bed lies in a sunny area, consider ground covers such as sedum (Sedum spp and cvs, zones 3 to 9), creeping thyme (Thymus spp and cvs, zones 3 to 10), ornamental grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum spp and cvs, zones 4 to 9), or low mounding shrubs such as barberry (Berberis cvs, zones 4 to 9), abelia (Abelia cvs, zones 6 to 9) and spirea (Spiraea japonica cvs, zones 4 to 9).
Incorporated into a gate. The fact that rebar is easily bent makes it a logical choice for use in a custom gate or fence. In an installation such as this, it is important to keep in mind that rust is easily transferred to hands and clothing. Once the gate has rusted to the desired degree, you may want to seal it with a good application of clear coat.
Botanical name: Parthenium integrifolium Common name: Wild quinine Origin: Native from Louisiana to Minnesota, fingering east through Tennessee and Kentucky to the Carolinas and up to Pennsylvania Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to dry soil Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide Benefits: Very low maintenance and drought tolerant; uncommon in nursery trade Seasonal interest: White florets in midsummer that turn tan for winter interest, especially when massed When to plant: Spring to fall
eclectic landscape by Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl) Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl)Save to IdeabookEmail Photo 5. Add something that makes you laugh or delights you. There’s an old adage that the only person who has never sat on his garden bench is the gardener. There’s always so much to do, especially in spring, that by summer the garden can feel more like a chore than a pleasure. Before that feeling hits, find, create or buy something for your garden that brings you joy whenever you look at it.
Have you heard of nature deficit disorder? I know — it sounds silly at first, but I believe it's real. I take my college classes outside, and my classmates can't identify the call of a robin or blue jay, both quite common birds, let alone an oak tree. Did you know that the famous nature photographer Ansel Adams had ADHD? Do you know how he eased it? Maybe we all should get outside and photograph lovely natural vistas more often.
Ironstone, a local sedimentary rock, can be found naturally all over the property. Lathouris used the stone to build retaining and feature walls that complement the garden's natural growth. This ironstone sculpture enhances the eulalia (Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegata', zones 5 to 9), blue fescue (Festuca glauca, zones 4 to 8) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, zones 3 to 8) that are so prominent throughout the garden.
The site's shallow and sandy soil presented some challenges, but frequent additions of manure and compost increased the soil's water-holding capacity. Lathouris composts all of the garden's green waste and doesn't use a watering system; the garden is extremely self-sufficient and sustainable.
a blend of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum', USDA zones 5 to 8), Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica, zones 5 to 9)
Mix up your materials. Perhaps you have an existing patio, or are considering adding one but are unsure how to make it feel like a natural part of your garden. The gravel covering the path leading to the patio is the same color as the bluestone patio. Bands of bluestone have been placed within the pathway, creating continuity and a peaceful transition. In addition, by laying out the pathway in a yatsuhasi, or Japanese zigzag, pattern, the designer has created a unique and dramatic space.
Interject an element to induce transition. Boulders can be used to provide interest and contrast. This gives the designer a natural opportunity to begin something new. In this photograph a boulder has been cut into the metal edging along the pathway to provide unexpected interest and a natural transition point between a moss garden and a mass planting of autumn ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora, zones 5 to 9).
Redesigning your bed lines to create more graceful curves will give your space that flow and intrigue you've been missing, allowing for a pleasing transition from space to space.
Lily turf (Liriope muscari 'Big Blue', zones 5 to 10) has filled the racks of many retail outlets. But the species I find truly effective is Liriope spicata (zones 4 to 10). This plant slowly spreads across the ground plane and creates masses so thick, I have found myself laying in its comfort with my little ones. Go ahead and try it; the plant won't mind in the least! Summer flowers are a bonus with this exceptional plant.
Raydon's favorite (Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies', zones 3 to 8) was described by a friend as bulletproof. This plant spreads and seeds out into the garden easily in a variety of soils and explodes in the fall with vivid purple, just as most other plants are beginning to take on their mellow fall colors.
Break up your space. Whether your garden is large or small, breaking it into smaller spaces — each with its own boundaries and personality — creates the illusion of more space.
This mass of Solidago 'Fireworks' is simple and amazingly effective at covering the ground aggressively, limiting potential weeding, mulching and maintenance
Water feature...poles of water
The greenhouse is decorated much like an outdoor room, mixed with interior accents, like the chandelier
This beautiful conservatory works hard as a greenhouse, potting shed and sanctuary with a backyard view
consider turning a fountain into a rain barrel. The scrollwork spigot could easily be attached to a downspout and you could add a hose end to the bottom of the pot.
The use of strands of closely spaced, thin galvanized iron chains is an interesting variation on the more common and larger chains while the colors of the stone and metal blend seamlessly with the home's exterior paint and trim
Planting notes. Desert willow does best in full sun, although it can also grow in partial shade. Plant it in well-drained soil. This desert native isn't fussy and doesn't require a lot of attention. Prune it for shape in winter and remove any suckers in spring. Remove any remaining seedpods in winter if desired. Although desert willow is drought tolerant, it looks best with supplemental water. Water it at least two or three times in the summer and at least once a month in winter.
Inorganic mulch can also be used creatively in high-impact design concepts such as these colorfully bold stripes of recycled glass and ice plant (Delosperma sp), or the sophisticated tone-on-tone textural play below.
"We wanted to tie in a more rustic vibe with the pergola and potting shed, so we juxtaposed the hard edges of the brick with a more chunky and natural-colored stone," Fierabend says. The stone picks up on the different patinas on the pergola's structure and the shed's stones.
Add some paths. Dogs love to prowl and patrol, so paths to explore are as much fun for them as they are for people.
Landscaping materials and chemical controls can also cause problems. While mulch is a great choice for a garden and mostly soft on paws, steer clear of cocoa mulch. The smell may be great, but if your dog eats it, it can cause the same bad reactions as chocolate.
Keep the water flowing. Fresh water, and plenty of it, is essential. Why not take this opportunity to add a water feature to your landscape that your dog can access? A splash fountain or stream is ideal, and you’ll enjoy it, too
for dogs
As shown here in the Brewin Dolphin garden at the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show, stilted hedges extend the height of boundary fences or walls, offering more privacy in modern smaller gardens. The most popular varieties used for stilted hedges in the U.K. are beech (Fagus sylvatica) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), the reason being that they hang on to their leaves over winter, providing almost year-round cover.
Some of the lower grasses are also welcome additions to the dry garden. With their fine foliage and tufted growth habit, they sway in the wind, contrast with thicker succulents and don't mind getting parched. Blue fescue (Festuca spp) and this Ponytail grass (Stipa tenuissima) are some of the best choices.
When the climate turns too cold or moist for proper desert plants, substitutions are key — look for better-adapted plants with similar looks. For example, this knawel (Scleranthus biflorus) may replace the yareta we saw earlier on.
drainage
Of course, if you're going to have sunsets like this, you should take advantage of them. This iron sculpture enhances the view. It's intriguing during the day and stunning with the sky on fire as the sun goes down.
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) Strawberry tree is a wonderful addition to sunny sites that flowers in the late fall and then produces bright red, round fruit throughout the winter months. The fruits are actually edible (although they're an acquired taste!) and are great for holiday wreaths and bouquets. This evergreen specimen is classified as a shrub but over the years can be pruned into a small tree form. USDA zones: 6 to 9 Soil requirement: All soil types Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Size: Slow growing, to 20 to 25 feet
Foxtail fern's soft, fluffy foliage maintains an upright appearance, forming a 3- to 4-foot evergreen clump. Arms resembling foxtails or rabbit ears radiate from the center, covered in small, chartreuse, needle-like leaves.
small staggered groupings of tulips provide rhythm and repetition, leading the eye down the path to the front door.
A lesson in minimalism, Arizona style. With just three kinds of plants and stones as a ground cover, this is a striking example of what could be called Arizona minimalism
If possible, design the boardwalk around the existing plantings. Trees can provide the basic outline for the boardwalk and provide a ceiling for visitors strolling along the path.
Your plant choices expand if you design a boardwalk low to the ground. In this case, you can pretty much work with plants of any height. Just don't impede foot traffic with aggressive, horizontal growers.
If you want a tall, lifted boardwalk, integrate plantings that just brush the walk. If the plants are too short, the boardwalk will feel unanchored. If the plants are too tall, it can feel claustrophobic.
stone wall
Columbine (Aquilegia spp) Native to the Northern Hemisphere Another longtime favorite fill-in plant at Chelsea, columbine tends to be used by designers for its wonderfully shaped flowers and maidenhair-like foliage.
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