Plant berry producers. Bringing in winged creatures can give you much satisfaction, because you can see the fruits of your labor paying off — especially if you garden organically. Speaking of fruits, plant berry-producing shrubs like this arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum, zones 2 to 8) or others, like dogwood, serviceberry, chokecherry and elderberry. These plants are bird magnets, and since songbird populations are on the decline nationally due to pesticide use and habitat loss, even one new shrub can make a world of difference.
Imagine how chaotic this restful tableau would feel with a fussy flower bed as a distraction. Instead, generous dollops of Miscanthus grass create a soft backdrop. Upon closer inspection, we see three varieties — one with near-white foliage to blend with the chaise longues — adding just enough interest to avoid monotony.
Days to maturity: 75 to 125 Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Regular eclectic porch by Julie Ranee Photography Add to ideabook by Julie Ranee Photography Favorites: Atlantic Giant, Baby Bear, Big Max, Connecticut Field, Cotton Candy, Howden's Field, Jack Be Little, Jack O’Lantern, Jarrahdale, Little October, Long Island Cheese, Lumina, Musqee de Provence, Prizewinner Hybrid, Red Warty Thing, Rouge Vif d’Etampes (Cinderella), Small Sugar (New England Pie), Sugar Pie, Winter Luxury Pie
An unforgettable vista. An enthralling distant scene is integrated into this lovely landscape with a light hand. Nothing here is contrived, but each aspect of the domestic landscape feels in harmony with the water, hills and naturalized plantings in the distance. This design works because of the placement and execution of the stone patio, which defines the outdoor gathering area. The plantings at its edge are intentionally kept low so they do not obscure the view of the water. The mature trees on either side are lightly pruned to keep low-hanging branches out of the sight of those magnificent hills.
Make it ornamental. This portal emphsizes the distant vista, but it is itself a sculptural object to view and appreciate. Even in the winter months, when the blooms have faded, leaves have dropped from deciduous trees and perennials have died back, this incredible stone moon gate is an essential design element of the landscape.
Balance the composition. Use symmetry or asymmetry to frame a view that's near or distant, giving the viewer a restful (living) picture to enjoy. You can get a formal effect with symmetrical plantings, such as a pair of columnar conifers that indicate an opening to a garden path. Or use an arbor or trellis, centered over a pathway, as is done so beautifully here. Suggest asymmetrical balance with natural or man-made sentinels of equal visual weight. For example, you can offset a large tree on one side of the view with a grouping of garden furniture on the opposite side. The items may be different, but together they create an appealing balance.
Enhance sight lines. As your eye travels through a window or doorway into the garden, follow the direct axis. Where does your gaze rest? How does your eye move around the garden when it is framed by an open shutter or a divided windowpane? Emphasize the importance of these perspectives by displaying furniture, plants or ornamentation to create a well-defined scene. While it may be minor in the grand scheme of your landscape, that little stage outside your window is a valuable piece of real estate in the garden. With this strategy, it's possible (and desirable) that each room of your home will offer those inside a beautiful vignette to observe.
Open up views. Thoughtful pruning or editing can make room for a beautiful distant scene. Instead of cutting down a large tree that may be obstructing your view, invest in the expertise of a certified arborist who can open up view zones with targeted branch removal, allowing you to enjoy both the tree and the view beyond. Here, the preserved tree is essential to the success of this design. Not only does it protect and shade the outdoor patio space, but it deemphasizes the strong architecture of the home and draws one's eye toward the meadow and hills in the distance. Sublime!
Highlight nature. Peer through this vine-clad arbor and observe layer upon layer of shape, form, color and texture. Each plant is highlighted in sharp relief because of the way sunlight dances across its form. When you plan an island bed, lay out a perennial border or place a specimen tree, consider how the sun rises or sets in your landscape. Backlighting — nature's wonderful gift of illumination — can thoroughly change the mood of a garden view. Similarly, the light at dawn or dusk can magnify the intensity of a vignette, making it more alluring at that special moment when the daylight changes.
Portals, entrances and transitions. When there is no distant or territorial view to appreciate, you can conjure an interior view. Garden designers use visual tricks to draw and direct the eye — and you can adopt a similar strategy in your own backyard. Here, a full-scale doorway has been inserted into a fence. When open, it reveals a lovely scene within. With thoughtful planning and placement of plants, the designer has created a spectacular visual treat that invites further exploration. The fence and doorway may be entirely functional, but they define and frame the way one observes the garden.
Botanical name: Daphne odora Common name: Winter daphne Origin: Native to China and Japan USDA zones: 7 to 9 Water requirement: Moderate; don't let the soil dry out Light requirement: Partial shade, especially where there's midday sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, and larger Benefits and tolerances: Small but potently fragrant flowers can fill a garden with scent; a few sprigs brought indoors will perfume a room. The lustrous-leafed shrub fits into many landscape situations. It's generally free of insect pests but is susceptible to often-mysterious root maladies, creating its reputation as an unpredictable malingerer. Seasonal interest: Blooms in mid to late winter and early spring When to plant: Plant container-grown plants almost any time of year, although spring and fall are generally the best times. Daphne odora Add to ideabook Distinguishing traits. Daphne is a good-looking evergreen with dense foliage and shiny green leaves; 'Aureo-Marginata' is a popular variety with variegated leaves. Fragrant pink flowers appear in tight clusters at the branch tips. Growing tips: Find a spot in partial shade where you can appreciate the sight and fragrance of the flowers. Amend ...
Adopt a Color Strategy As with all colors, too much purple can backfire. Still, a single color scheme can work if you use enough variation. Here, for instance, light lilac catmint 'Walker's Low' and dark purple salvia leucantha 'Midnight' create sufficient contrast to keep this peaceful planting from growing dull.
Pretty in Pink Paler shades of pink can appear washed out, especially in the heat of high summer. Add magenta to the mix, however, and it really comes to life. The cushion of rockery pinks (Dianthus sp, USDA zone varies) in the foreground is joined by other drought-tolerant plants in this sun-loving combination.
Shimmering Silvers For a fresh spin on the classic white garden, choose silver. This combination is all about the foliage. Soft, feathery mounds of 'Silver Mound' wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana) contrast with the rough texture of the larger, spotted lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) leaves. The success of this combination took me by surprise in my zone 6b garden; both are thriving in full sun with minimal water. I always thought lungwort needed partial shade. Just goes to show it's worth experimenting.
If you like the idea of a white garden but don't want to commit to such a large area, try flanking a pathway with a simple springtime combination. White daffodils or tulips could join pansies or white forget-me-nots (Myosotis sp, zones 3 to 8) for an early-season display. In a shadier spot, a mass planting of snowdrops would be delightful.
Bulbous irises. These include the Dutch and Spanish irises. The Dutch irises are fairly short, with 1 1/2- to 2-foot stems. Flowers come in a range of colors. They start blooming in March in warmer climates but not until May or even June in colder areas. Spanish irises are similar to Dutch irises but tend to be smaller and bloom about two weeks later. Both want full sun and prefer a location where they won’t receive summer water. Plant in October or November, 4 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. Water from the time leaves appear until about four weeks after the flowers have finished blooming. Reticulata irises are the shortest irises, usually not reaching more than 8 inches high, with small blossoms. The leaves may not appear until after the flower blooms. These irises are ideal for edgings, rock gardens and containers. Flowers generally are violet, blue-violet or white, though there is a yellow species. Set them out in fall, in full sun, 3 to 4 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches apart. Water regularly from fall through spring but keep the soil dry in the summer. traditional hall by Modern Country Lady
H. orientalis, the Roman or French Roman hyacinth, is less familiar but a good choice for warm-winter regions. It blooms early, with white, pink or light blue flowers. eclectic landscape by The New York Botanical Garden Add to ideabook by The New York Botanical Garden by The New York Botanical Garden If your winters are cold, plant bulbs early enough to allow the roots to become established before the ground freezes. In warmer climates, wait until mid to late fall, when the chance of hot weather is past. Keep the soil most after planting and then water regularly while the plant is growing and blooming. If you’re growing these as perennials, fertilize as the flowers fade and water regularly until the leaves yellow, then keep dry until the weather starts to cool again.
Keep smaller spaces simple. Going with a smaller plant palette doesn’t mean limiting your choices or garden experience. A small space can quickly become overwhelmed and chaotic when there are too many plant species or their size overwhelms the space. Think about shorter plants and using more of one kind. Let’s say you have a 100-square-foot garden — maybe you’d use four to six different plant species but have 10 of each. Then if you clump them together or have drifts intermingle, you create intrigue and formal style without the perceived visual chaos of more plant species.
Q