Garden
To be more mindful of wildlife at night, adopt a “less is more” mindset when it comes to lighting — only using subdued light where needed and avoiding harsh bright white lights. To limit overall landscape lighting, consider putting lights on a motion sensor to only brightly illuminate an area when needed.
1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) Native to many regions of North America, depending on species Milkweed is an easygoing garden plant that pairs well with ornamental grasses and other flowering perennials. It’s probably most well-known as being a host plant for monarch butterflies, as it’s the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat. Milkweed also offers a rich source of nectar to more species of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects. Choose a species native to your region for the most wildlife benefits. The star-like clusters of flowers bloom in summer, typically in white, pink or orange, depending on species, followed by decorative seedpods in fall. Caution: Milkweed sap can be harmful to animals if consumed in large quantities but is generally only considered a potential issue for livestock. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone), depending on species Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to part shade Mature size: 2 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet tall
4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Native to the eastern and central United States Purple coneflower is another native of North American prairies that has found a home in gardens. These plants bloom nonstop from midsummer into fall, producing a profusion of spiny-centered, purple-petaled flowers. Mix Purple coneflower with other sun-loving perennials and ornamental grasses, or tuck them around the edges of edible gardens. Bees and butterflies love the flowers, and birds benefit from the seeds that follow. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Regular; can handle some drought when established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 1½ to 3 feet tall, or taller, and 1 to 3 feet wide
7. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) Native to most of North America Native to the prairies, meadows and low valleys of eastern North America, New England aster makes a beautiful addition to late-summer and fall borders. The butterfly-attracting lavender-colored bloom spikes can reach up to 6 feet tall — making for a great plant to grow against a fence or at the back of a garden bed. Plants readily self-seed in moist soil and can spread by underground runners. Cut back after flowering and regularly divide clumps to reduce this. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42.8 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
3. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) Native on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, south to eastern Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Kansas; in Canada, native from British Columbia to Saskatchewan The colorful, daisy-like blooms of prairie native blanketflower may look delicate, but these plants are tough — thriving in baking heat and poor soil. Their easygoing nature and compact size make them great garden plants, and summer-blooming flowers can be cut to add to bouquets. Plant them along garden borders or in hot-colored perennial beds. The flowers attract pollinators and, later, the seed heads provide food for native birds. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 42 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 7) Water requirement: Moderate to low once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: Up to 2½ feet tall and wide
Mini Succulent in a Whimsical Planter A succulent placed in a fun-shaped planter is a cute present that is sure to bring a smile to anyone on your gift list. While any small-scale houseplants can be placed in a whimsical planter, succulents are an easy bet. They take little water, so you can get away with watering lightly and occasionally if the planter you choose comes without a drainage hole. Plus, succulents are generally slow-growing, so a plant can live in limited soil space for a long period. Place potted succulents in a spot with bright sunlight indoors.
One of the few plants that keeps blooming in cold temperatures, heather can be a cheerful addition to porches or windowsills, or act as a pretty indoor accent. For a gift, choose a heather plant with either white or pink blooms from the nursery and pair with a zinc or ceramic container, or drop it into a woven basket.
Friendly-but-Private Patio A front patio enclosed with lattice fencing is a useful solution for those looking for some privacy and security but who would also like to chat with their neighbors.
10. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Native to most of North America The frothy lilac-colored flowers of wild bergamot make a showy display from July to September, attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. Plants look stunning mixed with meadow grasses, in herb gardens or alongside other pollinator-favorites like milkweed or coneflower. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and can be used in herbal teas. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 45.6 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 18 to 30 inches wide
The clever drainage detail: Hidden downspout. The detached pergola complements the architecture of the remodeled 1950s home while also concealing some of the home’s drainage. The extra steel column (the one closer to the house) on the corner of the structure is a drain for the house roof. Water from the gutters on the house drain into this pipe, which drains into a subdrainage system beneath the gravel base. Water from the patio and pergola drain into the perimeter landscaping.
The clever drainage detail: An integrated trench. Seasonal torrential rains mean drainage is an important feature for this mostly paved backyard. Horn installed a custom trench drain that runs the length of the bluestone patio next to the water feature. She left a joint open between the pavers and installed a slotted PVC pipe with a screen over it. Individual stone pieces were cut to fit into the slot.
Pheasant Hill Homes Ltd. 2. I will encourage outdoor showers. If you have an outdoor shower, summer is the time to put it to good use — for rinsing off chlorine and sand, of course, but also (provided there’s enough privacy) for taking the place of some everyday showers. Outdoor showers require less cleaning than their indoor counterparts, and who isn’t up for less cleaning? How to Add an Outdoor Shower
3. I will put up hooks for hanging beach towels. When there’s a clear spot for storing towels, they’re a lot more likely to end up there. A row of sturdy hooks outside is ideal for handling damp, sandy towels — so they don’t end up piled on the carpet inside.
tool shed
This drought-tolerant planting of two Mediterranean natives presents another example of a classic pairing of yellow and blue-violet. The yellow-flowering Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) forms a mound below purple flower spikes of pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), a favorite of bees and hummingbirds.
In a different location in the meadow garden in Missouri featured earlier in this article, the designer paired native purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) with ‘Goldsturm’ coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) to create a beautiful vignette of complementary hues.
In this farmhouse garden in Richland, Oregon, the homeowners planted a combination of dark-centered golden sunflowers (Helianthus sp.), low-growing petunias in both deep violet and pale lavender, pale pastel hollyhocks and other flowers. At twilight, the luminous colors of the blossoms practically glow against the backdrop of rolling hills.
3. Summer in Provence Color palette: Amethyst, lavender, deep eggplant, gold, lemon This classic combination of yellow-gold and purple will remind you of fields of fragrant lavender and golden sunflowers in the south of France (or your favorite film set in the region). On the color wheel, yellow-gold and purple are directly opposite from each other, making them perfect complements. In terms of your garden, this means that flowers in yellow, gold, purple and violet will make winning companions.
This sunset-colored meadow planting includes orange sneezeweed (Helenium sp.), magenta bee balm (Monarda sp.) and ornamental grasses.
1. Mediterranean Sunset Color palette: Bright red, coral-orange, butterscotch, lilac, blue-green Let a palette of rich jewel tones and vibrant sunset hues like red, coral-orange, butterscotch, lilac and blue-green inspire the plantings for your summer garden beds. Together, these hot colors really shine in the evening, when the late sunshine illuminates the color-saturated blossoms, making them glow.
40. A simple garden hose brings a jolt of color to the shower outside this beachy house in Sydney.
Children's Garden
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