Everyone Can Garden to Perfection
The odds may seem against it, but here are four situations where ingenuity won out over a landscape problem.
Have Your Dream Garden
You may want to devote a bit of your property to a garden that appeals to nothing but your fancy – a duplicate of the flower border on the family homestead, a replica of an Old English knot garden – and there is no reason why you should not include it in your plans. The sunken garden may recall a wild garden that nature sowed in the ruins of an old foundation. It could harmonize perfectly with the setting. The garden you have in mind may not be so complementary to the overall plan for your property nor blend with the architecture of your house. If this is the case, have your garden but conceal it from the general view and develop it as a surprise unit.
Heed the Small Details
In a small area landscape, where things are to be seen constantly at close range, attention must be paid to details. For example, in a California garden the leaf pattern of plants could be etched against the Transite section of the fence. A simple bench echoing the rectangular form of the fence, and a sense of distance could be is achieved by planting a rhododendron on the outside of the fence so that it can be seen through the posts. A large group of smooth-leaved iris for balance, in mass and texture, with smooth fence panels. Loose gravel under the bench would provide contrast to the smooth texture of a gravel-brushed concrete terrace. A fine detail is an “extra” horizontal board at the top of the fence that increases shadow play on the panel.
Slopes Offer Many Opportunities
On hillside properties the first consideration is to gain level space for work, play and garden areas. This is done by cutting and filling soil or with “hanging” terraces. Professional help is necessary on steep ground but on more gently sloping property the homeowner can easily cope with necessary construction. Steps can be simply built by laying heavy concrete slabs on redwood risers. Then putting a retaining wall on either side of the steps also of redwood.
It Is Possible to Feature a Rock
If you have an interesting landscape rock it may be left completely exposed, like a piece of sculpture, but if a portion is unattractive hide it with planting. Planting items around the rock like a Japanese maple, rhododendron, dwarf pine and an azalea can make an unusual Textural composition. Along the edge of the rock throw in some color with violets and ajuga.
All it takes is some creative juices to get flowing to create your own private space.
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