Instead of breaking up the slate patio into planting areas, Ritchey kept the floor space open, save for one area for a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) in the corner. He added planter boxes at the top of the fence filled with blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae), native island alumroot (Heuchera maxima) and western sword fern (Polystichum munitum), creating a cascade of foliage and an attractive view from upstairs windows. New steppingstones set in gravel help alleviate the canyon-like feeling of the pathway leading to the small back garden.
Tree Pollarding It involves pruning a tree (originally to above livestock grazing height) when it is dormant so that it produces multiple new growths once the tree breaks dormancy. Correctly performed, pollarding keeps a tree within a manageable and predetermined scale. Here we see a sculptural allée of pollarded trees thoughtfully installed in a very contemporary space. The following trees are good candidates for pollarding: beeches (Fagus spp., zones 4 to 8, depending on species), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia, zones 3 to 9), lindens and limes (Tilia spp., zones 3 to 8, depending on species), and planes (Platanus spp., zones 4 to 9, depending on species).
Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura tree). While there are other varieties, Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonica) is one of the most popular landscape trees. This type hails from Japan and is an economically important deciduous forest tree. The leaves are multi-hued with heavy veins and tones of pink and green. In fall the heart-shaped leaves take on autumnal tones of gold, orange and red before they fall from the tree. Katsura flowers are tiny, white and insignificant, but the foliage has a strong brown sugar smell in fall, which adds to the tree’s appeal. An interesting fact about Katsura trees is that the botanical name translates to ‘red leaf. Read more at Gardening Know How: About Japanese Katsura Trees: How To Take Care Of A Katsura Tree http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/katsura/japanese-katsura-tree-care.htm
‘Mikawa Yatsubusa’. This small maple is considered by bonsai experts to be one of the top three cultivars in regard to shape and branching. The leaves are slightly larger than those of other small Japanese maples, emerging bright green before changing to a fresh medium green for the summer. The fall color is a yellow-orange. The leaves grow in clumps and are slightly shingled atop one another. Since Mikawa Yatsubusa grows slowly to 5 feet in height, it makes an excellent choice for container planting.
How to use it. With such a small footprint and a good vertical presence, tall blazingstar can fit almost anywhere. It’s striking en masse and in groups but can get lost among taller perennial flowers that bloom at the same time in early fall, like goldenrod (Solidago spp) or some sunflowers (Helianthus spp). It tends to attract more butterflies if planted out in the open. (Maybe the insects find it a safer place to perch, away from any predators, like mantids or spiders.) Planting notes. Some places sell this liatris when it’s dormant, which means there’s just the corm. Plant it like a bulb, about as deep as the corm is wide. Dry soil is best — clay to sand to rocky — but it does fine in a medium-moisture soil in full sun. Stay away from rich soils; like many prairie wildflowers, it will grow too tall and flop over. It’s adjusted to living a harsh life, so let it have it.
Botanical name: Liatris aspera Common names: Tall blazingstar, rough blazingstar, button blazingstar, tall gayfeather, rough gayfeather Origin: Native from the eastern Dakotas and Wisconsin south to eastern Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Dry to medium soil Light requirement: Full sun to some shade Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Does great in dry soils, from clay to sandy to slightly rocky; may flop in rich loams Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to midfall When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; seed in late fall through winter.
Citrus blend. Mix sweet and tangy reds, greens, oranges and yellows. A colorful umbrella can be the perfect way to bring in a tangy color in a large-scale way
Citrus blend. Mix sweet and tangy reds, greens, oranges and yellows. A colorful umbrella can be the perfect way to bring in a tangy color in a large-scale way
Lemon and black. Golden yellow balanced by black can set off any outdoor space that needs brightening or is simply begging for the spotlight. This courageous combo is fierce when these colors are the stars.
Botanical name: Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ Common names: Thunderhead pine, Thunderhead Japanese black pine Origin: Japan Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 10; find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun is ideal but will accept partial shade Water requirement: Average (1 inch of water per week) Mature size: Slow growing to 10 feet tall and up to 15 feet wide
Another blue bedroom ceiling, this one a deeper teal. It looks supercrisp framed by the white ceiling trim. The light warm gray wall and floor offer a soft and subtle foundation for this modern palette. A teal to try: Middy Blue A1258, Glidden
Planting notes. In droughty situations, Maximilian sunflower will not reach a height of 10 feet — 5 feet is more typical. The roots are fibrous and often thick and somewhat woody, combined with rhizomes. The plants spread outward by the rhizomes, forming large clusters over time. In winter the tall flower stalks stick out above the snow, providing seeds for birds and small mammals. The seeds are an important source of protein for wildlife, especially in areas with significant snowfall.
Distinguishing traits. Upright, tall flower stalks give rise to clusters of yellow flowers; the leaves have a fold along the midvein, giving them a narrow, pointed form. How to use it. Maximilian sunflower historically occurs in tallgrass prairies. It therefore works very well combined with tall prairie grasses, such as Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Due to its size, it’s best to use this native perennial in informal or naturalized landscapes where fall color is needed. It also works well as a backdrop in a perennial border and can be used as an herbaceous hedge. Plant tall plants next to Maximilian sunflower to prevent its tall flower stalks from flopping over.
Soil requirement: Mesic to dry, sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soil types, including limestone-rich soil; avoid planting in heavy, wet clay; very versatile as long as the plants are sited in full sun Seasonal interest: Large, bright yellow flowers in late summer and fall from August to October When to plant: Spring
Botanical name: Helianthus maximiliani Common name: Maximilian’s sunflower Origin: Native to all of North America except Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Vermont and New Hampshire in the U.S.; in Canada it does not occur in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or the Canadian territories Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, meadows, savannas, bluffs and woodland openings
Bench seat floating on concrete planters, decorative screens
Coral bark Japanese maple - plant with Japanese forest grass” “accented with Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and purple coral bells (Heuchera sp) for contrast.” The palmate leaves are absolutely lovely and very delicate. During the summer the leaves are a yellow-green . so they work well in small spaces — if the space is very confined, they can also be planted in large containers
Golden Japanese Forest Grass / Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' A graceful, colorful groundcover for shady areas. Slender stems hold bright yellow foliage with thin green stripes having the effect of a tiny bamboo. Great in containers
Stool / side table - $250
Flux indoor/outdoor chair, folds flat. $150
A gas fire pit can be instantly converted to a large grill with two grates.
Structure incorporates grill
Bneato Professional Organizing added this to File Your Cabinet Under 'Repurposed' Continuing on the planter front, how cool are these colorful porch containers? Shots of orange and yellow can be seen from the street, bound to increase curb appeal. This homeowner has many great tips, from where to find an old filing cabinet to how to get away with not having to fill the larger one with tons of dirt. My favorite touch: adding wheels.
Cement planters
planters are made with Viroc. It’s a cement bonded fiber board that’s composed of a mixture of compressed dry pinewood particles and cement. It combines the flexibility of wood with the strength and durability of cement. Viroc is so versatile that it can be used inside and outside. It’s often used outside because it’s an idea material for wet areas
Webnet trellis, wire mesh trellis
Bright greens
a well-designed summer combination, with fiery shades of burnt orange, burgundy and scarlet offset by cooling chartreuse. Yet this is a veritable buffet for both hummingbirds and butterflies,
Fairmount tiles - interlocking planter tiles
Screen around chimney - design for A/C screen
Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' robust with variegated leaves. 1m tall
$111 stool
Variegated grass
Design ideas: Emphasize the paler shades within Spitfire by combining it with Orange King coleus (pictured here). The leaves of the two coleuses may differ in size and pattern, but their shared color palette creates a sense of unity. I also planted Spitfire with Luscious Piña Colada lantana, which has a soft creamy yellow flower.
Orange and chartreuse
This is 'Aureola' (Hakonechloa macro 'Aureola', zones 5 to 9), named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2009.
Metal mesh trellis
the chartreuse grasses on the left and right are Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'.
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) Native to central and southwestern Europe This plant draws comparisons to blue fescue but is larger, up to 2 feet tall and wide.
Tough but airy, these low-water-use plants have lots of movement. Thriller: Fairy Tails Feathergrass (Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails') Spiller: Marnier's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe marnieriana) Filler: April Gruen Sheep's Fescue (Festuca amethystina
Blue fescue will produce its bluest color when grown in full sun, though it can survive in some shade, especially in hotter climates. It looks best when watered but can tolerate periods of drought as well as frost. If you see grass browning after winter, cut back (to about 4 inches) in spring to promote”
Zebragrass in pots in background
Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa "all gold"
Botanical name: Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’ Common name: Skylands Oriental spruce Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8a; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium, well-drained soil (1 inch of water per week) Light requirement: Full sun to morning sun/afternoon shade in warmer climates Mature size: 30 feet high and 10 feet wide, growing 4 to 6 inches per year once established Benefits and tolerances: Well suited to smaller spaces; some drought tolerance once established; additionally, it offers a good nesting spot for birds Seasonal interest: Year-round chartreuse foliage; colorful cones; great structure for the winter garden
Gabion bench
Gabion bench
'Shenandoah' Switchgrass Botanical name: Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'Common name: 'Shenandoah' switchgrassUSDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: LowLight requirement: Full sunMature size: 4 feet tall and 2 feet wideBenefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant and deer resistantSeasonal interest: Fall colorWhen to plant: When the soil is warm (spring through fall)
Water tap into artistic bowl
Built in planters and benches, lighting
Circular concrete design, low bench wall to protect firepit
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