After a long cold and gray winter, a colorful spring garden is a welcome sight. Bulbs, many species of shrubs and a few perennials can brighten up a garden long before there are even leaves on the trees.
Archive for the ‘design’ Category
Colorful Spring Gardens
On January - 20 - 2010
Garden Design: Part 5
On January - 18 - 2010
Trees, shrubs and garden structures can be utilized to frame views within the garden or vistas or the distant landscape. They can also help draw attention to favorable elements within a garden and distract from unfavorable ones.
Garden Design: Part 4
On January - 11 - 2010
Texture in garden design refers to the visual roughness or smoothness of a plant. At close range the texture depends on individual leaves, flowers or bark. At a distance, however, texture is read in the mass and void of foliage or the patterns of light and dark.
Urban Woodland Gardens
On January - 5 - 2010
In urban areas the woodland garden is often started from scratch perhaps taking advantage of the space beneath a large tree. Both evergreen and deciduous trees are perfect for a woodland garden. Some light pruning may be necessary to allow some dappled sunlight into the space. Remove some lower branches will also increase the air flow through the garden and allow access. Usually preparing a site for a woodland garden involves only some light soil conditioning. In the city, however, the soil is generally of poorer quality than in country or suburban gardens so some additional site preparation may be necessary.
Alternatives To The Traditional Lawn
On January - 2 - 2010
Across the country, the tradition lawn is the dominant landscape feature. Lawns are quite labor intensive as they need weekly moving and other tasks such as aerating. Also, since they are not a natural occurrence they depend on chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides to really flourish. Some lawn space can be managed with little trouble but the vast, weed-free lawn can be rethought. Think about reducing the size of your lawn and replacing it with a more low maintenance, environmentally friendly alternative. The possibilities are endless and often result in a more attractive garden.
5 Garden Resolutions
On January - 1 - 2010
Each fall I regret that there were projects I just didn’t have time to get to and each spring I try to recall the successes and failures of the previous season. This year I’ve decided to change all that and resolve to prioritize certain projects and hopefully solve some of my garden issues.
The Uses And Types Of Stone In The Garden
On December - 31 - 2009
Stones are an important part of the garden. They have functional qualities, such as, strength and stability, as well as aesthetically ones. Stones have wonderful sculptural characteristics. When designing your garden consider the use of stone, whether for a wall, a path or as an interesting focal point within the landscape.
Designing Gardens For Early Spring
On December - 29 - 2009
Colorful flowers, whether bulbs, shrubs or perennials, are always a welcome sight. Incorporating these early bloomers is a great way to brighten up the landscape after a long barren winter.
Creating A Planting Plan
On December - 23 - 2009
Often gardeners plants on impulse, without a overall garden plan, only to realize later that there is nowhere in the garden to place the new plants. Having a planting plan helps. There are a few factors to consider before buying plants for your garden. It is important to carefully analyze the existing conditions of your garden. Check to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well or poorly drained and whether your garden is exposed to winter winds. Knowing these conditions is important and will help inform your plant selections.
Planting And Selecting Trees
On December - 23 - 2009
Before planting new trees, determine both your needs and the existing conditions of your site. Remember that many trees grow quickly and continue to grow for many years. Once a tree is planted and begins to establish itself, it won’t be easy to transplant so be sure to work from a garden plan.
