Garden
Lime-green fabric is an unexpected departure from the usual white canvas and helps give this backyard Bohemia a piquant presence, while the wood framework echoes the color of the furniture. You don’t expect to see a daybed outside, but in this case it does a great job of preserving sight lines from the sofa
Arthur Lathouris Garden Designer Save to Ideabook Email Photo Japanese maples (Acer palmatum cvs) are suited for gardens in USDA zones 5 to 8 (find your zone). They generally grow best in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade; red-leafed varieties can cope with more sun than can the green cultivars. Indeed, the sun intensifies the red pigments, which act as a sort of natural sunscreen. They prefer slightly moist, well-drained to average soil and require regular water (1 inch per week). The mounding red leaf form is the quintessential Japanese maple that immediately comes to mind. Popular cultivars include the older ‘Crimson Queen’ as well as more recent introductions such as ‘Tamukeyama’ and ‘Red Dragon’. These cut-leafed trees, botanically called dissectum, rarely surpass a height of 8 feet and a spread of 12 feet.
Glow Girl Birchleaf Spirea (Spiraea ‘Tor Gold’) The emerging leaves are tinged with copper before opening fully to a bold lime green. As the summer progresses, this becomes a soft gold, which transitions in fall to rich rose. The white flowers in spring are a bonus. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Average to low but very adaptable Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: A favorite with hummingbirds and butterflies but generally ignored by deer, although they may nibble the flowers; I
Sunjoy Tangelo Barberry Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Water requirement: Average to low; drought tolerant once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant; low maintenance Seasonal interest: Spring to fall When to plant: Spring or fall
Grow vines on a trellis or support. The best way to avoid damage to your house is by training vines to grow on a trellis placed at least 6 inches away from the side of your home — most are placed too close, which allows the vines to adhere to the exterior wall and the trellis. Any type of vine that can climb on an exterior wall should also be able to climb a sturdy trellis without a problem. Trellises can even be built with a hinge at the bottom, allowing the entire structure to be tipped forward when you need to access the exterior, such as for repainting.
Compressing space with trees, a gate or an arbor, as shown in this garden, can certainly entice one to explore the beyond. Not being able to see the beyond from every perspective in the garden adds excitement to the journey.
gravel around raised planters
fence
greenhouse with shelf
pergola, lighting
lower shower head for dogs
Golden Locust Tree
Grass - Zoysia, many endorsements
Crabapple - full sun, well drained soil, birds love the fruit
Andrew Renn - Melbourne
Masonry materials are great for using in the garden, on patios and on porches, because they won't deteriorate like wood or plastic. If you use brick as a paving material, make sure the bricks are paver bricks. Many reclaimed bricks will crack if exposed to freeze-and-thaw cycles in direct contact with the dirt.
front yard
Mondo Grass in front of the wall and to the left of walkway. The small shrubs in the grasses at the bottom of the picture at Morris Dwarf Boxwoods
Looking down. Lights that shine downward rather than up or out create soft pools of light along a stairway. There's enough light to let you see where you're going, but it's not jarring or shining in your face. You don't need to light every tread. Instead, aim for just enough light to keep things safe while allowing the next lit area to draw you farther up (or down).
Korean Velvet Grass
"In this design, larger circles in the foreground and smaller circles in the background accentuate the perspective, convincing the viewer the garden is larger."
Q