Rock gabion. Formerly a purely utilitarian building style used for retaining slopes, gabion walls have increasingly been finding other uses in residential landscape design. Made from a combination of wire cages filled with chunks of rock, these often 2- to 3-foot-thick walls make one of the best sound barriers around. The uneven surfaces of the chunky rocks in the wire cage absorb more sound than a more traditional smooth rock wall does, as smooth walls simply cause noise to bounce back
Enclosed courtyard with a fountain. If local building codes allow it, you can block the view of a busy street and gain a bonus outdoor room by enclosing the portion of the front yard just outside the front door. The architect of this Austin, Texas, home used three-quarter-inch-thick panels of frosted glass to create a luminous screen that increases privacy without decreasing light. Another way to allow some light to pass through a fence is to choose a style that includes latticed panels or to leave small gaps between horizontally placed boards.
12. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) Native from eastern Montana to New Mexico and east, from Pennsylvania south to Alabama Hands down, this is my favorite aster. It has a nice shrubby appearance, blooms late into autumn and shrugs off drought like a champ. In fact, it prefers rocky soils but does great in clay. Aromatic aster is a host to the silvery checkerspot butterfly. The late-autumn bloom is critical for insects (like some native bees) that are still completing their nesting and for migrating butterflies. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Dry to medium soil Light requirement: Partial sun to full sun Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Dark or dappled shade beneath a tree. Trees are great: They cool homes, clean the air and provide for so much wildlife. Oaks (Quercus spp.), maples (Acer spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.) are near the top in serving a diversity of pollinators and other insects, specifically, that use the leaves and blooms at different life stages. But grass doesn’t often grow underneath these tall trees — mostly because they cast dense shade. If you have rich, moist to medium soil, there are many spring ephemerals to choose from: Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), trillium (Trillium spp.), shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), yellow troutlily (Erythronium rostratum) and Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). For gardeners with dry clay soil, early meadow-rue (Thalictrum dioicum), zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) and wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) are solid choices. Sprengel’s sedge (Carex sprengelii) is a grass-like option. If you don’t want a large bed of strictly plants, weave a path of mulch or steppingstones through. Place a chair or two, a hammock, or a potting bench.
Azureum’ Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’) Native to the Mediterranean region The attractive silvery foliage and blue flowers of bush germander, also called shrubby germander, add a visually cooling element to the fall landscape. Their blooms first appear in spring and will continue through fall. Highlight its foliage by planting it alongside plants with deeper green leaves for great color contrast. Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 7 degrees Celsius), zones 9 to 10 Water requirement: Low to moderate; water every five to seven days in summer, weekly in spring and fall and twice a month in winter Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide Growing tips: Plant in well-drained soil; prune in early spring to desired shape
iolet Silverleaf (Leucophyllum candidum) Native to southwestern Texas and Mexico Violet silverleaf’s silvery- gray foliage catches your attention at first glance — until it begins to bloom, when it produces vibrant purple flowers that quickly take center stage. Flowering occurs in spurts, often in response to increased humidity. Blooming begins in summer and increases in the fall. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius), zones 7 to 10 Water requirement: Low; water twice a month in summer and monthly in winter Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide Growing tips: Plant in well-drained soil and full sun; over-watering will lead to rot, so sporadic, deep watering is best; little to no pruning is needed other than to hand prune any wayward branches when given enough room to grow to its mature size
Lemmon’s Marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) Native to Mexico Finely textured, aromatic leaves cover Lemmon’s marigold (also called copper canyon daisy) throughout the year. Bright-yellow, daisy-like flowers appear throughout winter, spring and fall, taking a break in summer. Deer steer clear of this attractive shrub, making it a great choice for gardens with deer roaming nearby. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius), zones 7 to 10 Water requirement: Low to moderate; water weekly in summer (every four to five days in low-desert gardens); monthly watering in winter is sufficient Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade Mature size: 4 feet tall and wide Growing tips. Plant in well-drained soil in a hole enriched with compost; fertilize once a year in spring; prune back to 1 foot tall and wide in early spring
Botanical name: Justicia spicigera Common names: Mexican honeysuckle, mohintli, fireracker plant, desert honeysuckle Origin: Native to Mexico and Central and South America Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9 degrees Celsius (USDA zone 8; find your zone) Light requirement: Filtered shade is best, but can grow in full sun Water requirement: Moderately drought-tolerant once established, but looks best when watered every week in spring through fall; water twice a month in winter Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Moderately drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Flowers throughout the year in zones 9 and above; in Zone 8, flowers appear in spring through fall When to plant: Fall or spring
With wine bottles. Bottle trees are common in the southern United States, where legend portrays them as a way to capture evil spirits. Typically a metal frame or pieces of rebar are placed in the ground and topped with inverted wine bottles. For this creative take on a bottle tree, wine bottles were threaded onto pieces of rebar, making a unique and whimsical privacy screen.
Incorporated into a gate. The fact that rebar is easily bent makes it a logical choice for use in a custom gate or fence. In an installation such as this, it is important to keep in mind that rust is easily transferred to hands and clothing. Once the gate has rusted to the desired degree, you may want to seal it with a good application of clear coat.
Polycarbonate Polycarbonate panels create screens that allow for light and privacy here. This is obviously not a natural material, but I love the opportunities these panels provide. With a modernist sensibility, mixing materials like these with materials in an older vernacular can be artfully done.
ommon name: Cape plumbago Botanical name: Plumbago auriculata USDA zones: 9 to 11 Water requirement: Light Light requirement: Full sun or light shade Mature size: 6 feet and taller, and much wider Growing tips: Prune or shear it back to control the size in late winter or early spring
Grow your own birds. Bird-of-paradise is a precious cut flower in many places — just look at the intricate, theatrical flower and its flamboyant range of colors to see why. But in much of Southern California and other mild climates, it grows like a like a weed. My antisnobbery suggestion: Even if you live where it's considered a weed, plant at least one bird-of-paradise where you can see it up close — near a window or in a pot. Cut the flowers and bring them indoors — they're particularly welcome in midwinter, even at Christmas. Common name: Bird-of-paradise Botanical name: Strelitzia reginae USDA zones: 9 to 11 Water requirement: Light to moderate; gets along with little water once established Light requirement: Full sun, or partial shade in hot climates Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall and wide Growing tips: In a borderline climate, plant it under an eave or in another spot that offers protection from frost. Water and feed it regularly for a lusher look.
Botanical name: Liatris spp Common name: Blazingstar; Meadow, Prairie or Rough Blazingstar USDA zones: 3 to 8, except L. ligulistylis, which is 3 to 6 (find your zone) Water requirement: L. pycnostachya and L. ligulistylis prefer moist to medium soil; the others, medium to dry; all take loam and clay soil. Light requirement: Full sun to some shade Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot wide Benefits and tolerances: Attracts butterflies, birds and beneficial bees by the dozens; adaptable. Seasonal interest: Planting all of the above Liatris species provides flowers from early July to late September (in zone 5); good winter interest. When to plant: Early spring to late fall; mulch well in late fall to prevent frost heave.
Botanical name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima Common names: Red bird-of-paradise, dwarf poinciana, peacock flower, pride-of-Barbados Origin: Native to the West Indies and Mexico Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 8 to 11); find your zone Water requirement: Medium Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant once established, but it does best if watered once a week in spring through fall; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Bright orange-red flowers appear in April through September. When to plant: Spring, summer or fall
Planting and care. Red bird-of-paradise isn't fussy. Plant it in an area with full sun in well-drained soil. Maintenance is simple: Prune back severely in winter to 1 foot high. Once spring arrives it will grow back quickly, and it will begin blooming in April or May. In colder areas (zone 8), mulch the base of the shrub in winter to protect the roots. To extend the flowering period, lightly prune by removing the top 2 feet in August, which will stimulate new blooms through October.
Change up your wooden fence by reversing the direction of the planks. It’s an easy preinstallation design switch that lends a fresh look.
Simple wooden planks take on new personality when installed at different heights on a slight curve.
Desert Willow- 'Art's Seedless' doesn't produce seedpods, improving the winter appearance of this desert willow variety. 'Bubba' produces dark pink flowers, grows larger then most varieties (30 feet tall and wide) and has fewer seedpods. 'Lucretia Hamilton' has burgundy flowers and is slightly smaller than other varieties, reaching 20 feet tall and wide. 'Timeless Beauty' is covered with bicolor flowers of lavender and burgundy. It does not produce seedpods, is hardy to zone 7 and grows slightly smaller (15 to 20 feet tall and wide). 'Warren Jones' has light pink flowers, and its foliage is retained longer into winter. It is slightly less cold hardy (zone 8).
The basics: Steel edging is a very common landscape option, but depending upon your choice of color, it can make very different statements. Black steel edging looks more formal; green and brown are more traditional; and unpainted (which starts out a gray color and weathers to a rusty patina) lends itself to more modern and contemporary gardens. It also comes in a range of thicknesses, with the thicker material being more expensive (and more durable) than the thinner edging.
6. Light and sweet. Sometimes you simply want a hint of scent, and here's where these roses deliver. Classic, light and sweet — nothing overpowering or exotic. 'Geoff Hamilton' is a great option with its baby-pink petals and classic rose form. It grows to 6 feet tall, so be sure to give it room in the back of your border. It blooms in late spring to early summer and boasts excellent disease resistance. More lightly scented roses to try are 'Hot Cocoa', 'Hot Tamale', 'Agatha Christie' and 'Angela Rippon'.
5. Raspberry. Yes, I know raspberry is a fruit and we've just talked about fruity scents, but it's raspberry. Any flower that smells like a raspberry deserves a separate mention, in my opinion. Take a look at 'Moondance', a stunner that by virtue of its color and scent reminds me of raspberries and cream. White blooms with creamy centers appear in early to late summer, reaching heights up to 5 feet and widths up to 4 feet. Grow it in zones 4 to 10. More raspberry-scented roses include 'Alnwick' and 'Madame Isaac Pereire'.
4. Fruit. The fruity roses are a large bunch, with scents ranging from apple to citrus. I love these roses because they seem very fresh and clean, marrying well with other scented flowers. Try 'Midas Touch', a strong yellow hybrid tea rose with 3- to 4-inch blooms from early summer to midfall. This is a smaller rose, growing only 3 feet tall and wide, so it's perfect for the front or middle parts of your beds. Grow it in zones 7 to 10. Other fruity roses include 'Pink Promise', 'Olympiad', 'Enchanted Evening' and 'Wild Blue Yonder'.
3. Antique. This is the scent most of us imagine when we think of roses; if you're looking for a strong rosy addition to your garden, these are the flowers you want. One of the best is 'Melody Parfumee', a gorgeous dark lavender rose growing up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide in zones 5 to 10. It's an early- to late-summer bloomer with ruffly flowers in clusters. More classic rose scent can be had with 'Gertrude Jekyll', 'The Countryman', 'Falstaff', 'Harlow Carr' and 'William Shakespeare'.
2. Licorice. Who doesn't love a sweet anise scent? This old-fashioned aroma puts me in my happy place; it's reminiscent of childhood visits to candy stores. This rose, 'Julia Child', honors its namesake well with its golden 4-inch blooms and quaint scent. It's a smaller shrub rose, growing up to 2 1/2 feet tall and wide, and blooming in late spring to early summer in zones 6 to 9. It's also remarkably heat tolerant and disease resistant — a plus in any garden. More licorice-scented roses include 'Summer Nights', 'Tahitian Sunset', 'Monkey Business' and 'Butter Cream'.
1. Clove. So many flowers have a sweet scent that it's refreshing to find some that drift over to the spicy side. Spices like clove and cinnamon remind me of the holidays — they offer an instantly homey scent and feel. 'Fragrant Cloud' has a wonderful spicy aroma on 5-inch coral blooms in USDA zones 5 to 9. This early-summer bloomer, growing up to 5 feet tall, is right at home as a hedge or in the back of a border or bed. Other spicy bloomers include 'Scent from Above', 'America', 'Sweet Intoxication', 'Westerland', 'Strike it Rich' and 'Lilian Austin'.
Nasturtiums are some of my favorite flowering annuals (plants that live only for one season) to mix in with vegetables. They are very common and can be bought at any local nursery. Their leaves are as beautiful as the flower.
Nasturtiums are some of my favorite flowering annuals (plants that live only for one season) to mix in with vegetables. They are very common and can be bought at any local nursery. Their leaves are as beautiful as the flower.
Interesting flower in the grass.
Create a composition with a sculpture. Draw the eye to the corner with a sculptural focal point surrounded by a border garden.
The front porch has an eclectic mix of vintage patio furniture, ethnic textiles and architectural elements, like a sheet-metal privacy screen with a punched-out circular pattern.
Red berries on female trees add to the fall color display; they turn blue in winter. They're not edible, unlike the nuts of the related pistachio tree.
Botanical name: Pistacia chinensis Common name: Chinese pistache USDA zones: 6 to 9 (find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Moderate, but this tree is flexible enough to accept light to heavy watering Mature size: 30 to 60 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide Tolerances: No major problems; resists oak root fungus
Tibetan Cherry (Prunus serrula) The Tibetan Cherry is an interesting tree year round because of its shiny, silk-like bark. The rich coppery-red, smooth surface of the trunk comes to life in the winter garden as other colors fade. Its ease of growth makes it a great choice for novice gardeners. USDA zones: 7 to 10 Soil requirement: All types as long as the soil is well drained Light requirement: Full sun Size: Slow growing, to 20 to 30 feet
Botanical name: Cotoneaster horizontalis Common names: Rock cotoneaster, rockspray cotoneaster USDA zones: 5 to 8; tolerant to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (find your zone) Water requirement: Moderate to low Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Attracts birds, bees and butterflies; aids in erosion control; tolerant of wind, pollution, deer and rabbits Seasonal interest: Abundant flowers in spring and summer; showy red berries in fall through winter; colorful fall foliage When to plant: Plant cuttings in summer.
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Smoke Tree Cotinus coggygria This three-season, deciduous shrub — although vigorous and rangy — can give you a year or two in a pot. In fall, treasure its purplish leaves. In spring and summer, the puffy, fading flowers inspire the smoky name. When a plant threatens to outgrow its container, move it into the garden as a background plant. USDA zone: 4-9 Water requirement: Moderate; do not overwater Light requirement: Full sun or light shade Mature size: 10-15 feet tall, 10-15 feet spread Growing tips: To control fast growth in pot, prune when plant is leafless or pinch back during the growing season.
Botanical name: Acer griseum Common name: Paperbark maple USDA zones: 4 to 8 (find your zone) Water requirement: Water regularly until established Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates both clay and sandy soil; no pruning is necessary Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Ideally in fall or spring; I have successfully planted this in August with daily irrigation
Planting notes. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Amend the soil you have removed with about 20 percent well-rotted compost. Add some bonemeal to the planting hole and mix it in — this promotes root growth. Add the tree to the hole and backfill carefully, tamping down gently. Water thoroughly. If you feel staking is necessary, be sure to allow some movement — this actually helps promote stronger roots. Keep the tree well watered for the first two years; after that just water during prolonged dry spells.
Seek the strongest color effect possible." — Henri Matisse This container shows the spirit of Matisse in its exuberant planting. The mixture of cosmos, impatiens and verbena in an informal mass clearly shows how the complementary colors work together.
Botanical name: Asclepias spp Common names: Swamp milkweed, showy milkweed, Sullivant's milkweed USDA zones: 3 to 9, depending on species (find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun to some shade Mature size: 2 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Spicy vanilla scent; attracts many butterflies; all varieties are somewhat adaptable to soil moisture Seasonal interest: Plenty of midsummer blooms followed by autumn puffs of seeds When to plant: Spring to midfall Cultivars of swamp milkweed include this white-blooming 'Ice Ballet'. The scent is irresistible to monarch butterflies and many other winged insects, like beetles, moths and flies.
Planting notes. Indian grass is fairly adaptable. Plant it in spring, summer or fall in a dry clay or rocky soil; even a well-drained loam will work. Once established it can take drought fairly well, needing only an occasional supplemental watering. (This photo shows the 'Sioux Blue' cultivar, whose foliage is a grayish blue.)
Cigar plant gets its common name from its orange-red flowers, which resemble the burning tip of a cigar. It is a bushy plant that will reach up to 3 feet wide. Cigar Plant (Cuphea) USDA zones: 9 to 12 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Pineapple sage is one of several plants in the Salvia family that attract hummingbirds. It is also considered a culinary herb that, as its name suggests, gives off a faint pineapple scent when crushed. The variety seen here, 'Golden Apple', features yellow-green leaves with bright red tubular flowers. Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) USDA zones: 8 to 10 Water requirement: Medium moisture, well-drained soils Light requirement: Full sun Tolerance: Deer
Planting notes. Goldfinches usually adore the winter seed of Liatris, but here this fellow is gathering a summer bouquet for his sweetheart, I assume. Don't deadhead Liatris — you won't get new blooms, and you'll hurt that winter interest. Most Liatris varieties have a kind of small rhizome similar to that of irises, which makes it easier to plant it in late fall along with spring-blooming bulbs like crocus and tulips. Planting the rhizome an inch or two below the soil surface is best — higher in clay, lower in loamy and sandy soil (but you will have to experiment, as each garden is always different).
he wall itself is 8 feet high, 23½ feet long and 2 feet thick, which is substantial enough to block the majority of traffic noise from the street and make the pool area feel quiet and private.
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