Gardening Design
Lynn Sommers.
My seed and garden catalogs began arriving in December. By January I'd filled
in all my order blanks and in February I was about to write out the checks.
But as it happens every, year, I had to come to grips with two problems:
lack of space for the Versailles size garden I'd imagined and the lack of
funds to match it.
Even a garden designer is prone to being over enthusiastic but choices have
to be made and realistic goals must be set to achieve a satisfying garden.
Even the smallest sliver of space can be gorgeous if one follows a few simple
guidelines.
Garden Site Placement Years ago my landscaping teacher told our class,
"Never plant a garden in the front yard." He wanted us to understand
that circumstances can sometimes prevent one from tending the garden in
a timely fashion. A point to be taken and considered strongly before digging
up your front lawn. Think about those leggy and bedraggled petunias you
neglected to shear back last July. How about the powdery mildewed bee balm
that should have been cut down after the first flush of bloom. They didn't
look so awful in the back yard but had that neglect taken place in the front
yard it would have been more than a sad sight. It's an invitation to any
nefarious characters: "I'm not home"; "On vacation."
Think carefully about whether you can faithfully tend a front garden. I
like front gardens. They are a gift and an opportunity to interact with
your neighbors. Plant Selection Exciting as those flower catalogs are, don't
skip over the woody landscape selections. Of course we want to have stunning,
fragrant, ethereal flowers but gardens require a strong backbone that only
woody landscape plants can give. Now is the time to observe the drama of
the shrub and tree form. The River Birch and Burning Bush really show off
their bark; the Zumi crabapple and American cranberry (Viburnum trilobum
for the birds please) can't be beat for winter fruit beauty. Even the ubiquitous
Spirea shrubs and Juniper hedges break up the monotonous and barren landscape.
Along with their beauty these plants proved a home for wildlife. If your
lot won't allow for any of these plantings consider some of the grasses
or sedges now gaining in popularity and readily available. Not only beautiful
to look at the but just listen to the sound of their frozen blades as they
shift about in the breeze. Color Don't be afraid to bend a few rules but
try to limit your pallet to three colors. Cool and old fashioned shades
of pink/rose, purple and white/silver blend beautifully and provide a sense
of relief during the high heat of summer. Hot and contemporary combinations
of red, orange and purple brighten up shady areas that sometimes seen to
blend into the forgotten section of the lawn. Trying to decide with way
to go - warmer cool colors? Generally use warm colors for distant beds and
large patios and cool colors for small beds. Above all, keep colors harmonious.
Take into account the color of your house and foundation and also look up
at the roof. Stand across the street and try to envision the effect you
want to create.
Budget Just a brief word. Don't believe that a perennial flower bed
planted once will last forever. Perennials need dividing every two to three
years and occasionally die out due to winter or insect damage. Perennial
gardens have shorter bloom periods and require more plants and careful planning
to achieve color all season long. Strive for a color and financial balance
by purchasing perennials and annuals. The annuals will cost less, allow
your greater flexibility with color experimentation, and give you color
all season long. Just remember to set aside some of your budget for purchasing
bulbs in the fall. We wait so long for springlet your long wait be rewarded
with the first tulips and daffodils to bloom on your block.
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