GardenLeap

tips, guides and articles to jump start your garden

Designing A Year-Round Garden

Posted by plantsman On December - 22 - 2009

An ideal garden design is one which offers something during every season. In spring and summer, ornamental trees and flower beds are full of colorful blooms. Vibrant foliage adds beauty to the fall landscape and in the winter the berries, evergreens and bark color provide color. Also important in the winter is the silhouette of [...]

An Introduction To Japanese Gardens

Posted by plantsman On December - 6 - 2009

Japanese gardens are designed to portray a scene that mimics nature, through symbolization and abstraction, by using trees, shrubs, rocks, sand, artificial hills, ponds, and flowing water as art-forms. Often Japanese gardens reduce the scale of the natural environment, which may consist of mountains, rivers, trees, and ponds, through the use of symbolization and abstraction. [...]

7 More Spring Flowering Trees

Posted by plantsman On November - 25 - 2009

After a long cold winter, small ornamental flowering trees are a very welcome sight as they are among the first garden plants to brighten up the landscape and announce the arrival of spring. The following are a few classic spring flowering trees for the garden.

Shade Gardens

Posted by plantsman On November - 19 - 2009

Gardening in the shade presents gardeners with the opportunity to work with a wide variety of beautiful plants. There are virtually an end number of plants which can grow in a garden. Many plants, in fact, prefer at least some protection from full exposure to the sun.

Woodland Gardens

Posted by plantsman On November - 16 - 2009

Working with the existing conditions of site rather than overhauling the site often times result in very successful garden. Woodland gardens are generally planned in such a way. A shady spot beneath a stand of trees, for example, is the ideal location for a woodland garden. Prepare the site for plants such shade tolerant shrubs [...]

Garden Structures

Posted by plantsman On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS

arbor Arbors are structures that bring focus to outdoor living spaces. Arbors can be made of wood, metal, plastic, branches or twigs. Arbors can be stained, or painted or just left alone to have a natural look. Some Arbors have arches and curves while others are straight and geometric. With such a huge variety to choose from it will not be difficult to find one to match your garden design.

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7 Spring Flowering Trees

Posted by plantsman On February - 15 - 2009ADD COMMENTS

magnolia Though it is still winter, most gardeners are thinking of spring so for a little taste of what’s to come here’s a list of 5 more great spring flowering trees.

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flowers, trees

Seaside Gardens

Posted by plantsman On January - 15 - 2009ADD COMMENTS

Gardening along the coast presents unique challenges. Wind, salt spray, dry sandy soils as well as actual sea water makes it difficult to grow traditional garden plants. Few plants can survive when exposed to the open ocean. Therefore, proper site preparation and careful plant selection are critical.

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Winter Gardens

Posted by plantsman On January - 5 - 2009ADD COMMENTS

frosted_red_berries Though spring, summer and fall provide are the of the garden, winter does provide the opportunity to draw attention to some overlooked but striking garden characteristics. A well thought out garden can create a winter landscape with great winter qualities. Against the stark backdrop of snow and earth, a wide variety of plants can provide winter interest to your garden.