Saturday, March 8, 2014
INSPIRATION IN THE GARDEN
Andy Sturgeon, a highly regarded garden designer had won several medals in past years from the Chelsea Flowers Show. Almost a year prior to designing a Chelsea 2010 show, Andy’s life forever changed.
His partner, Sarah Didinal, the mother of his three young boys - Luke, ten, Cameron, seven, and Tom, five - had enjoyed Chelsea Flower Show with him.
A week later Andy found her dead in bed. She was only 37, apparently fit and healthy. She died from an irregular heartbeat. Her last post on Twitter read, Going to bed happy.
Andy reflects on the Daily Telegraph, …..The way I dealt with Sarahs death was by having goals - positive things to work towards, that are more about the future than the past, or even the present, he says. This garden has been one of the tools Ive used to help me along.”
“I had the germ of the idea when I was on holiday with the children (after Sarah’s death) in Italy last summer, every day looking out at a dry landscape of evergreen oaks and lavender.”
I never normally design anything so quickly. But I had this idea of screens so I made a scale model and a few walls, which I slid around, and got down to check the views. This design is all about the views. Its a metaphor for life. You have choices in the garden - two different ways to go. Depending upon which path you take - the direct path or the winding path - you has different experiences along the way. As you journey through life, the screens open up and allow glimpses of what you might have experienced if youd taken another path, but you end up at the same destination."
Find plant information here:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01645/telegraph-garden-g_1645484a.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Yellow plants in Creative Landscaping
One of the three "primary" colors, yellow is the graph of everything and all the time - a fact that advertisers are aware of. not in your landscape, you invent, yellow flowers, the next ugly old garden shed, you want to put in second place, but perhaps like to use yellow, a sculpture of the mark, or light water or a strange patch of fallen leaves focus who would otherwiseignored.
Many plants with yellow flowers in partial shade, in which easily lift, as the glow of street lamps on a dark night flower. Examples include digital yellow Clivia and Corydalis. Tiny yellow primroses are great in a dark corner and the colored leaves of Hosta can add wonderful.
Especially in spring, when we are curious away from the dark gray and white of winter, a vase with yellow flowers is a sure way to a boring room is being revived. Some yellow-bloomingInstallations for the collection of forsythia and daffodils (obviously). In summer there are many more: roses, lilies, dahlias, gladioli, asters yellows.
You can plant a soft yellow Anizoganthus (kangaroo paws, a native of Australia) to the subtle tones of an accent mixed perennial border when it leaves the other summer-flowering plants die. This evergreen plant grows in heathland and sandy plains in their homeland, so guaranteed, easy to love hot areas. Grows to 3 metershigh and 1 foot wide and takes full sun and well drained. Needs protection in winter.
Yellow Hemerocallis (day lily) is a good additional choice for the perennial border. Daylilies are not fussy about soil type, easily make up the majority of situations and needs little maintenance, other than pouring some introductory. While enjoying a hot summers, cold winters that support private well disappear until the conditions for its bright green leaves in spring popcontinue through the soil and the strong growth. Daylilies grow up to four meters high and made lots of flowers over a long period of time. They are not suitable for flower arrangements, because, true to its name, each flower lasts only one day.
Beware of yellow with exaggeration. curious yellow walls in a room has been shown to habitancy look angry, so. Accent color balance with plenty of green foliage. You can breeze in beds of daffodils daffodils pale cream orapply yellow roses with cream or white roses, "Pascal", "Margaret Merrill", "peace" and the great white "Iceberg" are some of the older varieties that seem too obvious a bush yellow accent.
And yellow is the complementary color (in the sense of an artist "color wheel") is purple, so purple pansies or violas, or dark purple herbs look so dramatic accent plant with a yellow.
Article by Steve Boulden Landscaping Videos.com provides free consultation, landscape architecture and landscapeIdeas, images and video to do it yourself. Get even more free Landscaping ideas http://www.Landscapingvideos.com.
Backyard Landscaping Designs
Mainly designed for entertainment purposes and for extended living areas, backyard landscaping designs can be as detailed as needed to gain the look desired. Taking time to draw out a design is important. This design should include plans for existing trees and shrubberies, retaining walls, fences and backyard structures. Backyard landscaping designs need to be well thought out and planned. Use and function of the layout should be the first designing step. Privacy issues with neighbors, pet issues, and stray animals need to be addressed when planning the landscape design. Play areas and entertainment areas need to be well planned for.
An ugly fence or chain linked fence can be covered up by a tree line or shrubbery line that will bank against it properly. Use this period of designing to think about planting for noise and privacy reasons. Most landscaping designs flow freely with no set structuring other than being pleasing to the eyes of the beholder. Existing patio areas and pools should be carefully designed around to keep entertainment value high. Crowding plants around in haphazard ways is not an option when it comes to seating arrangements. Boxy seating areas are not as pleasing to the eye as those that curve and curl around a seating area on two sides or more. Every corner should be taken into consideration by the height of plants needed for privacy. Proper walking paths can be scattered with pea gravel or set with occasional stepping stones winding through the landscaping design. Pavers are also ideal path material and can be used, as to avoid having to edge the landscaped area with edging material.
Often, a plant or shrub can be safely moved to be incorporated into the design. Large trees may take more planning. Talking with a local nursery about moving larger planted trees, like fruit trees, is recommended. Planning the move for existing plants should be done when they are in their dormant state to avoid any potential re-rooting problems. The design stage should also include a nearby water source for landscape watering, or a water irrigation design should be added. It is recommended that all waterlines, underground cable lines, electric line, phone lines and gas lines be well marked beforehand. Calling the local utility and power company is a good idea before ever digging up a yard.
Once the backyard landscaping designs are drawn and finished, plants, trees, water structures and pavers or stepping stones need to be bought. Plants, trees and shrubbery should be chosen for their beauty as well as their hardiness. Make sure the plants that are bought for the landscaping project are properly zoned for the area. A local nursery or landscaping magazine will have this information. Native plants should be used, not only for the existing wildlife species, but because invasive species tend to become aggressive and quickly take over the design, often killing off native species.
Water fountains and backyard water ponds lend artistic and architectural value to backyard landscaping designs. Plants that are known water species or tolerate wet soil conditions should be easy to find and establish in and around these water features. If fish are added to the water pond, a good investment would be a pond mesh covering to keep birds from fishing in the pond. Additional features to add around ponds and fountains are beautiful riverbed rocks and small landscaping boulders. Lights that light these features up at night can add even more interest to the landscape. Solar light kits are the most popular and most cost-effective to use.
For more backyard landscaping ideas, stop by http://www.BetterBackyards.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Florin_Ciobanu
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Recent Visit To Austin
To prepare for a new landscaping project in downtown Austin I drove down to the Far South Nursery. The overcast and cold December day could not keep me from exploring plants that I was familiar and unfamiliar with. Making a list of plants that looked good in Fall/Winter was a valuable experience. It was also a real pleasure meeting and speaking with the owner/plantsman Henry Chalmers. Hes super friendly and passionate about what he does.
I look forward to seeing a fully stocked nursery when I return in the spring.
Read More..
I look forward to seeing a fully stocked nursery when I return in the spring.
I also walked around downtown Austin to get a sense of how plants are used in local front yards.
Weeping Evergreens in the Landscape
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| Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies Pendula) |
Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies Pendula) is hardy in USDA zones 2-8 and exhibits dark green cascading branches. Picea prefers a moderately moist well-drained soil and will tolerate a range of soil pH from strongly acidic to mildly alkaline. Weeping Norway Spruce will tolerate some partial shade but does best in full sunlight. This tree makes a beautiful specimen in the landscape and it also deer resistant. Weeping Norway Spruce is one of the more compact varieties of pendulous trees and ranges in height and width from 4-15 feet. The tree is quite versatile in that the branches can be trained while young to any desired stature, thus making it possible to use in smaller spaces.
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| Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus Pendula) |
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| Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica Pendula) |
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| Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Chamaecyparis nookatensis Pendula) |
Weeping evergreens can supply lasting color and form to any landscape and even look beautiful in winter as their cascading branches are graced with snow. Their range of form and color makes them very versatile in the landscape and they are reasonably easy to grow once established. If you are able to incorporate one of these beautiful weeping evergreens into your landscape you will not be disappointed. Each one is so unique and elegant that it will quickly become a favorite conversation piece and greatly admired focal point to all who have the pleasure of viewing it.
As always...happy gardening!
As always...happy gardening!
Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved
small backyard landscaping ideas
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| small backyard landscaping ideas |
Create a schematic design to your yard.
If you live not wonderfully inclined, a great way to visualize your last project is always to plan ahead. The size and design of ones plan could possibly be simple as well as elaborate, remember the overall measurement of your landscape as well as existing grow or hardscape content. You may have outdoor furniture, tools, or sitting down spaces. Making an entirely brand new landscape is one choice or including existing components into your plans a second alternative.
Design elements. You can find seven design aspects, but the several most important tend to be: texture, coloration, size, form, and path. Consider these elements in choosing plant types. Plantings might be grouped jointly or give a nice edge path. Acquiring plants which might be dwarf varieties or perhaps have reasonable growth would certainly also advantage a smaller landscape.
Design rules. A few design rules are also useful when preparing your final design. Such as: balance, rhythm/harmony, oneness, contrast, points of interest, and repeating. All of the organic and man-made materials in your landscape must work together in the cohesive way. You may want a new specimen sapling as the principal focal point or even create place groupings during, leading your skills around a reduced space. Whatever the case, plant peak and placement are essential factors in your plan. Any kind of hardscape materials utilized should go with your new plants.
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| small backyard landscaping pictures |
What pursuits will be taking place in the place? If you reply only one problem this would be the main. This will figure out how the space will likely be utilized. Could it be a place for engaging, gardening, relaxing, enjoying, or each of the above? Bear in mind square footage and exactly how much room is enough for caught or that the 20 x 20 enjoyable patio would be utilized in the final system. Whatever the reasons, plot away specific measurements and leave no less than a few ft along good deal lines regarding future plants or secure fencing.
Which crops would you like to observe here? You might consider sowing a berries tree or even shade shrub in your yard. Another choice would be periodic gardens using evergreen edges. You may also take into account an all local landscape. Whichever vegetation you choose take into account the light, drinking water, maintenance, along with growth needs. You should also think of grouping related plants collectively, maximizing vitality efficiency as well as minimizing your current maintenance program. Sunlight, color requirements, as well as drainage may also be determining aspects in the ultimate placement of seed species. Take into account where every plant expands best and may thrive when planted.
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| small backyard landscaping ideas pictures |
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