Outside
Maybe this is stretching the idea of a mosaic a tad — but then again, maybe not. Make sure you have a friend to help if you do a flagstone patio of this scale (those stones are heavy!). Actually, make sure you have a friend helping no matter how big the stones are, and tell them to bring some wine. And knee pads.
You may be a little hesitant to add roses to your garden. After all, they're fussy and disease prone, and require endless spraying and pruning, right? Not Knock Out roses. These roses were introduced in 2000 to great fanfare and popularity in the gardening world because of their easy care requirements and prolific blooming. This newish rose has made rose gardening so much more accessible to the average gardener, so the biggest decision you'll have to make is which one to buy first. Botanical name: Rosa 'Radrazz' or other specific variety Common name: Knock Out rose USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Consistent moisture Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall; 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Exceptional disease resistance and hardiness; cold and heat tolerant Seasonal interest: Blooms nearly continuously from spring until the first hard frost, with bloom cycles every 5 to 6 weeks When to plant: Midspring or after the last frost Distinguishing traits. This rose has a great medium size, which allows it to be used in many areas of the garden — from borders to containers. It features dark green leaves and blooms in reds, pinks and yellows. The ...
Dynamic paving patterns can create a sense of movement, but here the use of regular paved squares separated by gravel provides a sense of restfulness. The curve of the border planting of Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale, zones 3-11) and the cylindrical planters help to emphasize the formality of the square paving.
Using Simple Geometric Shapes The type of pattern you use as the basis of your garden plan will depend on its suitability to the site, considering levels, views and the style of the building that the garden will adjoin. The simplest of all shapes in garden design is the square or rectangle, as house walls and boundaries usually suggest a 90-degree pattern. The use of a single type of shape produces a sense of movement. In this design, it moves our eyes through the garden to the front door.
The secret garden patio downstairs is nestled into hedges with tiny pebbles that crunch underfoot. A visitor can easily imagine themselves in a timeless European garden. "What makes this home special is that you have different experiences as you go through. First, you don't see the ocean view until you enter the house. Then you go downstairs and have this completely new experience," Davies-Gaetano says.
Before starting out, make sure to prepare your garden soil. The trick to these plantings is creating a solid mass of color, unbroken by other plants. If you don't pull all the weeds now, you will be cursing yourself as your river turns to a mess of thistle and clover. Once you have a blank slate, you are ready to begin.
Proportion is key when choosing exterior fixtures. A pair of lanterns should be roughly one-fourth the height of the door. If you're using a single lantern, or if you want to make a big impact with your lighting choice, bump the size up to one-third the height of the door. When in doubt, go a little larger. A too-small fixture can destroy the look of an entryway.
Rice Dk Melamine Cups by Huset - $31.00 » The shape of these tumblers reminds me of glasses you'd find at a French cafe. I love the rainbow of color options. I'd mix and match colors at the table.
Home Black Solar Metal Lantern Large by Target» Go high-tech with this solar-powered lantern. It automatically lights up at night.
Small Melon Lanterns by World Market- $9.99 » Hang a cluster of these pretty lanterns to add a romantic glow outside — very Arabian nights.
When planting a window box, consider planting vining or trailing plants. Softening the edges of the box and the straight lines of your home, these plants work double duty. They can also act as a bridge between the home and garden. Notice how these plants seem to be reaching toward the garden beds, creating a fully integrated look between the two.
You might think window boxes are far too hard to care for when placed on a second story. Choose drought-resistant annuals that will bloom all summer long. The care needed will be minimal, but the visual impact will be strong.
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This article just barely cracks the surface of combining textures in the garden. Experimenting is the best experience for beginning gardeners, so get out there and try your hand at designing with frilly foliage, slick leaves and other unexpected combinations.
You can also go with a true green palette. This plant pairing is the same exact shade of green. Out of bloom, the only contrast between the two is the texture. The large leaves cascade down like a waterfall, contrasting with the upright ferny foliage in the background. Try planting geranium and chamomile for this look at home.
If you want to go for blues, brunnera (center), blue hostas and blue fescue are good choices.
The combination of hostas, ferns and grasses in this photo provides layers of texture that create visual interest, even though there are no blooms.
Add a Trellis Time required: If it's one that leans against or attaches to the house, just a few minutes. For something more elaborate like this one, you'll likely need to hire someone for a day. Starting budget: An architectural trellis from Hayneedle is $70. You can attach one to a wall, build a wall of trellises or create an outdoor divider with one like you see here. Leave it plain or plant vines like clematis at the base and watch them climb.
The owners of this traditional home in Nevada installed an in-ground trampoline amid their backyard's synthetic turf — perfect for future Olympians and peeking into the neighbor's backyard.
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