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.
Colorful Spring Gardens
Garden Design: Part 5
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
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
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.
If you have steps leading up…
to your front door, the use of planters will charm your visitors
Alternatives To The Traditional Lawn
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
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
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
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.
Juxtapose colors,…
sizes and shapes to create interest when design your garden.
