breiger's ideas
6' x 9' Oval CAE1001-69OV Surya
The use of just two plant species against a closely mown lawn shows how clever use of both tone and texture can provide just as much interest as a flowering border. Clipped boxwood was used here, allowing the fresh lime-green growth to contrast the shiny foliage of the Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis).
Pachysandra (Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff's Fragrant') It's far from my intention to recommend infinite blankets of ground covers. A default design stroke of too many designers and architects, ground covers can be counterproductive and, yes, a pain to maintain. There are, however, areas — at the bases of shrubs, along pathways — where ground covers are welcome. Of the newer candidates is this gorgeous pachysandra (Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff's Fragrant'). Eons from the oh-so-common Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), this one is slightly taller, thankfully a tad looser and clad with diminutive yet highly fragrant flowers in the fall and again in late winter. A must-have plant. USDA zones: 6 to 9 Water requirement: Moist to well-drained soil Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade Mature size: Up to 1 foot tall; spreads Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Anytime
Utilitech Hardwired Cabinet LED Light Bar Kit - $69.35 » Adding under-cabinet lighting can really brighten up a dim, old space and give it a feeling of modern airiness.
Botanical name: Kalanchoe luciae (often mislabeled Kalanchoe thrysiflora) Common names: Paddle plant, paddle kalanchoe, red pancakes, desert cabbage, flapjack plant USDA zones: 9 to 11 (find your zone); hardy to 25 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit; can be grown as a houseplant Water requirement: Moderate until established; water when dry Light requirement: Full sun, partial shade in hottest climates; bright light if grown indoors Mature size: 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Can be grown indoors; drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Year-round; Kalanchoe are monocarpic, meaning they flower once, set seed and then die When to plant: Cuttings can be planted year-round; wait until the end calluses over Shown: With blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)
Golden Japanese Forest Grass - $12.99 » I really cannot get over Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', zones 5 to 9). My favorite is the variegated variety. I planted mine under a Japanese maple, and the contrast was genius and it has so much movement.
Distinguishing traits. Blue fescue is relatively compact, forming a dense, rounded mound of blue-gray foliage. I like to think of blue fescue as modular — it looks great as a single specimen or massed in a field. Blue fescue blooms, though somewhat insignificantly, in summer; golden inflorescences add height and a softer texture to the otherwise stiffer structure. When other grasses fade to a soft golden hue in fall, blue fescue keeps its soft blue color. Popular cultivars include 'Elijah Blue', 'Blausilber' and 'Siskiyou Blue'.
Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen (3 / 7) 2. Add a dense lower tier. Dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana') always reminds me of a fat little dumpling. It has a rather loose mounding shape and a soft, feathery texture. I love evergreens that change in some way during the year; this one does that nicely, with blue-green summer foliage that takes on a purple cast during winter. Being evergreen, this conifer provides year-round interest. USDA zones: 5 to 8 Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade (so it's ideal for planting under a deciduous tree) Mature size: 7 feet tall and up to 7 feet wide When to plant: Spring or fall
Distinguishing traits. Sedums are all about color. And while vivid shades of blue, green and even pink are typical of succulents, I feel like the the color paired with the more herbaceous texture creates a memorable plant. With more than 400 species of sedum to choose from, a wide variety of color, size and leaf shapes exist. Whether you choose larger, more upright varieties similar to the one shown here ... Shown here: Sedum 'Thunderhead', zones 4 to 10
A seamless transition from your home's interior to its exterior is created when the architectural and interior design style — from line, shape and colors to textures and building materials — is echoed in the outdoor spaces.
More often in contemporary gardens, hardscaping can be the overriding design feature, as with these simple concrete retaining walls. The plantings are used to emphasize the clean lines of the walls. Grasses can be perfect to achieve this. The Festuca grasses used here become low-maintenance ground covers as they grow, requiring minimal irrigation or tending.
Agave Parryi And Euphorbia Cv. Sticks On Fire http://www.flickr.com/photos/texbuckner/4090845068
Weslock Door Hardware » For conventional swing doors, opt for lever handles. Individuals with arthritic hands or limited dexterity can operate lever handles much more easily than round knobs or latch-type handles, which require
Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets Siena Collection Home Office With Wall Bed By Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets http://valetcustom.com Siena Collection Home Office With Wall Bed by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets. Designed & Installed by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets, Campbell CA. Home Office | Traditional | San Francisco Other Photos in Project Siena Collection Home Office With Wall Bed by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets (3 photos):
Plan ahead for a balanced garden. While we are enjoying the start to fall foliage color, notably in the high zone, don't overlook the need for visual interest that includes strong evergreen appearances during winter. Instead of settling on a design with a strong seasonal theme that holds together visually for only a few weeks, aim for a mix of evergreen and deciduous foliage for a balanced garden. Massing local native cacti and shrubs, such as turpentine bush (Ericameria laricifolia) or creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), can accomplish this task nicely. In the lower zones, the same is true — using deciduous plants whose foliage drops is perfectly suitable when you pair them with evergreen species. Mexican evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa), ocotillo and desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) will add some seasonal interest — plus you'll get a bonus of blooms during the growing season.
Finish With Color The American Southwest is not the place for light pastels and gentle washes. The bold landscape calls for equally bold colors for both accessories and walls. This is the place for bright turquoises and chili-pepper reds, whether on pots or on doors.
Symmetrical plantings of multi-trunk olive trees and Mexican feather grass add drama to a contemporary entry.
Distinguishing traits. With roughly 50 species of Sempervivum currently identified, their ability to cross easily means that there are thousands of hybrids and cultivars to choose from. Their shapes and sizes range from the dense rosettes of Sempervivum tectorum to long fleshy leaves of Sempervivum 'Rubikon'. Colors include bold chartreuse to bluish gray, deep magenta and frosty mauve. Some varieties of Sempervivum are covered with fibrous webs.
Botanical name: Sempervivum spp. Common names: Hens-and-chicks, houseleeks USDA zones: Typically 4-9 (hardiness varies between species) Water requirement: Little to moderate Sun requirement: Full sun Mature size: Mature rosettes vary from ½" to 6" in diameter Tolerances: Frost resistant, drought Benefits: Crushed leaves used medicinally to treat burns, warts and other skin irritations
Agava parryi
Botanical name: Agave parryi Common names: Mescal, Parry agave, Parry’s agave USDA zones: 4 to 11 Water requirement: Little to none once established Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide Tolerances and environmental benefits: Drought tolerant, cold hardy
6' x 9' Oval CAE1010-69OV Surya
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