Ideas 4 You: the

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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."

As a visitor walks around the edge of the garden they also discover ever-changing views. Three runs of Cor-ten steel subdivide and frame the garden. Three edifices of Purbeck stone walling add to the suggestion of an enclosed courtyard, while maintaining a sense of openness and space. The contemporary gravel garden has open clearings of sparsely planted gravel, which provide places to pause on a journey that culminates in a courtyard at the rear. A stately Cork Oak (that he searched extensively to find) and the sound of running water combine to create a contemplative retreat. Let Andy take you on a tour of his garden.

Find plant information here:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01645/telegraph-garden-g_1645484a.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Weeping Evergreens in the Landscape

Weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies Pendula)

Weeping evergreens are beautiful and graceful trees that can add much interest in the landscape. Often acting as a focal point, there are a variety of pendulous trees to choose from, each unique in its own way. An important characteristic of these trees is that several specimens from the same cultivar can range in size, shape and form. Since no two trees are identical they can become quite the conversation piece in the garden.

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.

Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus Pendula)

Weeping White Pine (Pinus strobus Pendula) is a larger weeping evergreen in the conifer family displaying graceful soft blue-green needles on cascading branches. This tree thrives best in full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Weeping White Pine prefers to be grown in a slightly acidic, moderately moist, well-drained soil. Height at maturity varies from 5-10 feet and width from 4-10 feet. Candles may be pruned in spring to keep this tree compact. This tree fits nicely into a variety of landscape styles ranging from foundation plantings to informal woodland setttings.

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica Pendula)

Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica Pendula) is a favorite member of the conifer family displaying powdery blue-needles on graceful cascading branches. Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and does best in full sun in a well-drained soil. They can reach a mature height of approximately 10 feet tall and can span in width to 15-20 feet. Plant this tree where it is shielded from strong winter winds and give it plenty of space to grow for it will become a magnificent specimen and favorite in your garden.

Weeping Alaskan Cedar
(Chamaecyparis nookatensis Pendula)

Weeping Alaskan Cedar (Chamaecyparis nookatensis Pendula) is a "false" cedar of the genus cypress with graceful hanging dark green foliage on descending branches. Weeping Alaskan Cedar is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and prefers a moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It thrives best in full sun to light shade and prefers moderate humidity. Weeping Alaskan Cedar can reach a mature height of 20 -40 feet and width of 15 feet. This majestic evergreen serves well as a screening tree or stand-alone piece in the landscape and develops into a beautiful specimen in its maturity.

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!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Labyrinth in the Landscape Story of A Prayer Garden

Labyrinths have become popular in the design of landscapes in recent modern times. The history of labyrinth goes back thousands of years as a symbol of salvation and enlightenment. It is a one way path leading to the center and back again where one can find solitude and peace within. It is a place for prayer. As a landscape designer I had the opportunity to design a prayer garden for a local church and it was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling projects I have ever done. Here is the story of the labyrinth.

I was approached back in 2010 to design a memorial prayer garden where parishioners could go to meditate and pray and enjoy the beauty of nature all in one place. At the start of the project, I encountered an empty slate of lawn area with a gazebo in the center surrounded by a group of walkways. The area ended up being the perfect fit for a 30 foot round labyrinth and the gazebo was able to be reused as an additional sitting area on the left corner. I also felt it was important that the design included benches for guests who would prefer to have a place to rest and partake in prayer. Once the design was completed it was time to build the labyrinth. The structure modeled after the Labyrinth of the Cathedral of Chartres in France was constructed out of grey and charcoal Euro circle pavers with sections of different colored stone as areas of accent along the perimeter. Bluestone treads were placed from the entrance of the labyrinth to the surrounding walkways that were able to stay intact.

Memorialized seat walls and bricks were added to the the labyrinth for visitors to visit, meditate or pray. Gardens of colorful, fragrant and drought tolerant shrubs and perennials such as viburnum and lavender will surround the labyrinth on all sides.

The story of the labyrinth traces back to history thousands of years ago. The sacred geometry of the labyrinth focuses on the numbers four, seven and twelve, each emerging from separate paths. The central portion of the labyrinth represents a cross surrounded by four sections representing the four gospels and seven is the number of 180 turns there are in each quarter of the labyrinth, also representing the seven liberal arts of medieval education. Twelve is the number of paths going to the center of the labyrinth representing the twelve month calendar. As one walks the labyrinth it is meant to be the path of life...a journey to the center of oneself and back out into the world. Walking into the center of the labyrinth is a symbol for realization and "letting go". Time in the center symbolizes clarity, insight and illumination. Finally, the journey out symbolizes union, initiative and taking control of ones life. The labyrinth in all is a metaphor for "lifes journey".

It has been such a wonderful experience being involved in such a project and seeing the results go from a drafted design to the completed project has been very rewarding. One can say the whole experience has been both spiritual and enlightening and I know the labyrinth will bring fulfillment to the lives of all those who encounter it. I know it has certainly brought fulfillment to mine.

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Natural stone used in the landscape

The picture below is an example of stone installation that lacks imagination and scale. I drive by this on a daily basis and wanted to take a picture of it to show you another example of how not to use natural stone.

The idea that inspired this was simple... what is the quickest way to make a raised planting bed with the least amount of skill.... maximum profit on the contractors part and the least amount of cost on the clients part. There are several raised beds on this particular property and I have to painfully say that this one is the more attractive of them!

What makes things worse is the use of the two or three different stone types placed by the sidewalk edge (The most visible side!) You have weathered limestone used all around the raised bed and then you have un-weathered limestone sitting in the front where everyone can see it.

I think that for the amount of stone used in this display and the others on the property, they could have played with the levels of the planting areas, creating high and low beds and actually featuring the rocks for focal points in and amongst some inspired plant material choices.

For just a few dollars more investment in plants and some careful design consideration in stone placement... the grounds could have look very stunning.