Saturday, March 8, 2014

FIGURE GROUND


It is commonly thought that rugs or carpets created from Persia to China were significantly influenced by the landscape.  As far back as the 6th century grand carpets were depictions of formal gardens.  
“Ardabil”, a Safavid carpet at the V&A Museum in London


Fast forward to the eighteenth century in Rome when a planner/surveyor transposed Rome onto a map…

a close-up of which looks like this...

and the detail...
 

This is Giambattista’ Nollis 1748 figure/ground map of Rome. Youll find reproductions for sale in Rome, Little Italy/NYC and on the Internet.  The extremely accurate, entirely black and white map was commissioned by Clement XII partly to serve as an instrument of control over the city. Nollis inventive map-making strategy was to show all public spaces in white and private inaccessible spaces in black. Solids vs. voids. The Nolli map, as its known, was the result of seven years of measuring and recording by a group of surveyors.

This map is a seminal example of what is referred to as “figure-ground” or “figure-field” – “the pictorial relationship between positive and negative spaces in an art work; in this case architecture/landscape design, the spatial and hierarchical relationship between primary (usually functionally or symbolically important), spaces which may be “figured” or sculpturally elaborated to signify their importance and the less important support and service spaces which surround them.” (Theories of Urban Design by Roger Trancik)

The building coverage is denser that the exterior space, thereby giving shape to the public openings – in other words- creating space as object, redefining negative space.  The open space in Rome is carved out of the building mass as a continuous flow-linking interior and exterior spaces and activities.  In Nolli’s map the void is figural.

Which brings me full circle to this carpet I found at "Skitch", a home products retailer based in Milano.


or a less detailed version can be found at Target!
 

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LUXURY FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING

LUXURY FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING
LUXURY FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING
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Friday, March 7, 2014

landscaping ideas for the backyard

landscaping ideas for the backyard

There are as much ways to landscape the back garden, because there are ideas that this imagination can produce. First even so, there are concerns to take into account.
1/ Size of rear garden or garden
2/ Dirt quality3
3/ Tree insurance coverage
4/ Privateness
5/ Lighting
6/ Hue
7/ Months of the year (temperature and/or freezes)

These products are important to think about because they decide the type of plant life you will seed, where you will certainly plant these and how several plants youll plant.

Right after are some concepts for your garden landscaping:

Place beds together with pathways--To have paths in your backyard can be a nice go with to your home. They may be areas where you place down thick mulch or seashore shells and also lay brick or some kind of stone all around them to determine them. Of course this requires a number of expense along with work however it is well worth it whenever completed. Growing flower/plant beds across the pathways generates a relaxing along with enjoyable using backyard space.

Grass--Many everyone has an all turf back garden. This can be particular accurate for people with animals that need a location to run all around in and make use of the bathroom. Turf is fairly an easy task to maintain. It will take mowing as well as weeding but total it is a good option for a loved ones that would like minimal routine maintenance.

Fenced in backyard--Fencing inside a garden is a good idea in case you have pets. It is usually great within the privacy which it presents. Inside fence, the actual yard may be landscaped however, you want to do the idea; all lawn, pathways, plant life and turf....

Pool using a concrete or perhaps stone deck--If there is certainly room and also within price range, adding a swimming pool, particularly in cozy climates is a perfect way to landscape the back yard or perhaps garden. Around the swimming pool you can have almost any decking that you need; stone, cement, brick, crops in mattresses...Pools are fantastic places to own social occasions as well. Give a grill nearby the pool plus youve got just the right substances for a amazing party.

Tested in porch--Adding any screened throughout porch in your backyard is always a stylish alternative. Display screen porches look after night time reduced mosquitoes along with bugs they enjoy to come out during the night. Most in addition have a patio with them that may include a bbq grill and recliners with vegetation in bedrooms around these.

landscaping ideas for the backyard pictures
landscaping ideas for backyard on a budget

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10 Simple Ways To not Make An Impact On The Environment

I have been looking at my business lately, trying to figure out how we can reduce our impact on the environment. Being in the green industry, we should really be setting an example to our clients and other businesses.

There are some simple things that I believe we can do, and are doing, but at first glance it seems as if this shift in mindset doesnt come without some cost - whether time, energy or money.


Some of the solutions should have long term benefits, but what are the short term costs?

These are the questions Im asking us as a business, and should probably be asking my suppliers as well:
  1. Are we using sustainable resources?
  2. Are we being efficient with our resources?
  3. Is there any way of recycling materials (waste or other)?
  4. Are our staff being paid a fair wage that can sustain them and their family?
Sustainability is a word that is being over-used in so many contexts, that its in danger of losing its meaning in the near future. There is also a lot of debate over how to define sustainability anyway.
Broadly speaking, sustainability is defined as :
"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."
But I think we are all guilty at some point of looking for the shortcut, or the lower price, without asking some difficult questions.
For example, do I know whether my suppliers are paying a decent wage to their staff?
When I am buying materials, what guarantees do I have that theyve been sourced from a sustainable supply?

Simply put, are people or the environment getting ripped off for my benefit?

Some simple things everyone can do to lessen their impact:
  1. Visit Ecofoot.org and do the quiz. Also check out Breathing Earth
  2. Recycle glass, paper etc. as much as possible. Glass is one of the few things that can be re-re-recycled.
  3. Replace normal light bulbs with Fluorescent - the use a fraction of the electricity, and last much longer.
  4. Support local businesses, farmers, trades-people and products
  5. Buy organic foods
  6. Walk, or cycle where possible
  7. Buy re-cycled products
  8. Turn off lights and appliances when youre not using them
  9. Try to avoid products with excessive packaging
  10. My favourite - Plant a tree (Preferably indigenous!)
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DIY Outdoor Fire Pits Fireplaces

Howdy everyone. Looking to revamp your backyard entertainment space with a fire pit or fireplace? Well, tis the season for home improvement, and if you are looking to save a buck or two, you can "Do It Yourself!"

The DIY Network has some great design ideas on how to create a great gathering space in your backyard or patio.

There are several examples including enclosed fireplaces, exposed fire features, water features and more. Please check it out and when you are done deciding on how to design your backyard entertaining space, come check us out for all your custom fire pit and fire place needs.

Till our next post!
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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Designing With Plants Foliage Colour


Designing with Plants using Foliage Colour can significantly improve the visual appearance of your landscape or garden design. Foliage Colour can be used to provide subtle or contrasting Colour variations and or provide visually aesthetic focal points that are eye catching and interesting.

When choosing Plants for Foliage Colour within your landscape design you have to be aware that some Foliage Colours might occur all year round while some might be seasonal. The seasonal Foliage Plants can be highly useful in the same way flowering Plants can be. These Plants bring a changing appearance to the landscape and are very useful for creating interest and transitional Colour year round. For example Syzygium Royal Flame have green Foliage but during Spring the new growth have red tips so the whole shrub/hedge takes on a red tinge. Another example is Nyssa sylvatica, which will provide a beautiful display of bright orange and red Autumn Foliage.
Plants that hold their Colour all year round can provide interesting and contrasting Colour to a landscape design where by planting layering through groundcovers and hedges can have subtle or bold Colour differences. Singular Foliage Coloured Plants can also be used as features or focal points within a landscape design.

Green is the main Colour for Plants and is caused by Chlorophyll in the leaves which is part of the process of photosynthesis. Green is therefore an easy Colour for use as a good back drop to a landscape planting design. Tthe grey and blue greens can also be used to provide subtle changes. Other Colours can then be used to accentuate focal points, pathway nodes/ intersections, or break up the back ground of green and become accents focal points in themselves. The blue grey, silver, and green grey Foliage Plants can be used to create some interesting landscape designs especially when used in coastal gardens. Reds, yellows or orange can be used well to create highlights, i.e one feature plant.

Colour can be important in plant selection for bold and interesting landscape and garden designs.

Plants Foliage can widely vary in Colour and I was a little surprised when putting this list together how many Colours came to mind. The following are some of the Colours in that list with some Plants that are associated to the Colours;

Light to Mid Green: Plumbago, Gymea Lilies, Callistemons, Melaleucas

Dark Green: Clivea miniata, Spathyphilum, Iron Castor plant, Photinia, Camellias, Murraya

Yellow: Autumn Foliage of Poplars, London Plane Trees, Foliage Colours for Durunta and some of the year of Robinia and Gleditsia tricanthos

Orange/Copper: Phormium Bronze Baby or the new Foliage for some Syzygiums

Red/ Burgundy Photinia (New Foliage), Cordyline Burgundy Spire, Pennisetum Rubrum

Silver/Grey: Gazania varieties, Society Garlic

Green Grey: Westringia fruticosa,

Blue Grey: Juniperus, Festuca glauca (Blue Festcue), Themeda Mingo, Dianella revoluta

Variegated Foliage: Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum, Dianella Silver Streak, Mother In laws Tongue.
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photos of backyard landscaping

photos of backyard landscaping

Backyard landscaping ideas can be really useful if you want to renovate your backyard and do not use a glue the place to start. In this article Let me give you the product specifications you might find helpful.

There are truly so much youre able to do to remodel as well as make your garden or backyard more attractive for you and your family and also friends. Let me just mention a few but you should let your current imagination along with creativity movement.

Think of approaches you want your own back yard to get. Drive close to in the area and see when you can find anything. Use his or her ideas along with be a backup cat. Increase your own design and style. You can do something you like and I am confident your garden will appear really incredible and beautiful.

Here are Two great backyard landscaping ideas you will probably find useful:

Boulders and Rocks: Rocks genuinely give a back garden a unique as well as attractive seem. They match so well using your current furnishings, they are nearly part of the furnishings. There are a lot of how you can embellish these big river rocks to turn your current backyard in a very nice comforting place for all the family.

You can add gravel to a go walking way or perhaps a path. Atart exercising . bigger rocks or boulders to give it a last touch of elegance. Put in a few solid wood sticks for both sides from the path. This specific really seems amazing in case done right.

Water features:

Fountains can be a really great notion if you like to adopt walks with your garden and also smell the actual flowers. These kinds of fountains have become relaxing to think about and the h2o flowing in the top coating to the bottom level layer is simply so beautiful and calm.

There are many different varieties and designs involving fountains to select from such as illuminated fountains, that will give you a really attractive try night instances. Another great water fountain I personally such as very much is actually wall water fountains. They go in any outside wall and extremely give your current patio or perhaps backyard an original and stylish effect.

Click here for articles on backyard landscaping ideas you will probably find interesting. These are merely a few backyard landscaping ideas you can test but because i mentioned above, make use of your creativity to your benefit. Before you start, make sure you just make sure you intend everything very carefully.

Home Improvement Head offers a massive amount interior and also exterior artist tips, tactics and ideas which you might find valuable if you are planning about remodeling or even improving your house. Here are a few backyard landscaping ideas many times interesting and envisage to use.
photos of backyard landscaping ideas
photos of backyard landscaping designs

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Small Backyard Landscaping

Small Backyard Landscaping
Small Backyard Landscaping
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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

What Inspires part 8

Well the first day of winter is finally upon us and we are starting to feel it in the North East. December 21st is the Winter Solstice which signifies the official start of winter.

I was just talking with my Uncle in Florida last night and he told me it is cold there! In fact, he has stockpiled firewood in preparation for cold weather this winter. One tends to wonder about the effects of Global Warming when you need a wood burning stove in Florida to keep you warm!

Anyway, as we head into the Holiday season, I am wrapping up some old projects and starting on some new ones...I cant help but think about the Summer Solstice! It is six months away from now and it was six months ago!!! My one consolation that comes with the marking of this date is that the days will start getting longer by 2 minutes each day until June 21st...

The above photo was taken back in the summer of 2009 around the time of the Summer Solstice... this is the same place I wrote about in a previous article from 2 years ago. It will always continue to amaze me at how Nature can recover a landscape after it has been disturbed by man. It amazes me even more that it can do it in such a beautiful and graceful manner...
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landscape design ideas for backyard

Whatever the time of year, we all desire having a home with a stunning, lush grass, dazzling plants and landscaping in which turns every ones head because they drive simply by. Creating in which yard youve always dreamt of wont be straightforward, but with research and some effort you can do it. Correct planning in almost any landscaping project is paramount to achievement. With the appropriate planning plus some patience, keeping away from some frequent mistakes could make the entire venture proceed without having many troubles and give you the actual result you have often wanted.
landscape design ideas for backyard

If you are intending on landscaping a tiny area, you mustnt have any difficulties doing this modest project oneself. Begin by investigating landscaping books to acquire some ideas. When youre out for any walk observe what you similar to and dont similar to about the meters in your neighborhood.

Compose your ideas documented on paper. Set up some images and demonstrate to them to your loved ones for their thoughts and ideas. Consider the plans to your neighborhood nursery and also discuss your current plans along with someone who understands what flowers and plants do well in the area.

Here are some suggestions for different landscaping locations and alternatives.

Flowers to generate Your Backyard Colorful

To generate your home appear friendlier, then add flowers for your yard. If you need color throughout every season you will need to investigation what crops bloom where seasons.

Through planning a garden you can organize the plants around the lawn so that there is certainly color year-round, therefore, the colors enhance each other.

In addition to placing plants in the bedrooms bordering your lawn, plants can be used to collection a tarmac or the path to your entry way. Splashes of shade can add allure and beauty for any yard.

Developing a Functional and exquisite Backyard

A property backyard is often a special spot. Unlike a new front yard of the home a backyard costs nothing of any unnatural and being injected rules regarding design. Should your backyard will be fenced removed from public look at, you have simply yourself you to please.

With respect to the size of your yard youll have different regions. For example, youll be able to set aside most of the garden for a kids play location with a swing action set as well as fort. An additional area might be set up having a bar-b-q and refreshments table. You could even discover a spot for a new cascading fountain.

Remember, check your local library is a great useful resource for landscaping textbooks to give you some excellent ideas. If you are intending to go through everything and tariff of landscaping your garden, you want to do that right. You need a yard that can bring you pleasure and that you could be happy with for a long time.

Lawn

Did you know that a gorgeous and great lawn has numerous benefits? It can help keep the property cooler throughout summer, supplies a wonderful enjoy area for kids, and more. With regard to added beauty, work in the garden with bushes randomly selected and planted in between.

Shrubbery

Some bushes along the away from the house will offer an entirely distinct look, plus a stone path is something a good landscape amateur should be able to perform themselves after some instruction.

Instances of landscape design elements inside transition tend to be plants which go from harsh to channel to okay textures as well as softscapes that go coming from large trees and shrubs to moderate trees for you to shrubs for you to bedding crops.

Landscaping to Reduce Bills

Did you know that it can save you money on hvac costs through carefully growing trees, shrubbery and even a few grasses and also vines about your home? Simply by planting trees and shrubs on the southerly and western side of your property you can actually decrease summer temperature ranges inside your home through ten levels.

Vines developing on the property and shrubbery near the residence (protecting attic windows) support further. They are important things to be aware of when writing your landscaping plans.
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le Jardin de Maizicourt


An amazing find in the heart of Picardie, not far from the lovely walled town of Montreuil which is full of illustrious restaurants and hotels. (Have a look at Chateau de Montreuil, la Grenouillere and the less Michelin-endorsed but equally delicious son of: Froggys - away from gastronomie and back to gardens..) the Jardin de Maizicourt has been created since 1989 by the current bubbly owner Catherine Guévenoux, who bought the house with trees growing through the walls.


































She has restored the dovecote, installed parterres and a terrace around the house, and instigated wonderful planting based on broad brushes of shrubs with herbaceous planting below. Sedums, hydrangeas and roses are planted against box and yew in large swathes to create an ambience of calm and decorated order. Catherine Guévenouclaims inspiration from her travelling childhood which included time in Bristol and Morocco.


 Like some of the other best Normandy gardeners she must also have been inspired by the Princesse Sturdza who started the local trend for high pruning (see Le Vasterival) . At Maizicourt Catherine has lifted the skirts of the bosque to 20ft, allowing light in whilst keeping out  the heat of the midday sun. She has planted ivy as ground cover and studded the view with whimsical topiary below.
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landscape garden designs

Landscape Garden Design - Making use of Santolina in a Mediterranean and beyond Style Yard
Santolina as a Med native, is actually virtually any "must" plant for any dry, Mediterranean-style yard. It is a sub-shrub or perhaps woody evergreen, growing to around 70cm (2ft) in height along with a meter (1ft) wide. The best-known kinds is Santolina chamaecyparissus, or perhaps Lavender 100 % cotton, with its gray colored, quickly toothed foliage. Types with natural leaves incorporate S. pinnata and also S. rosmarinifolia (virens).

landscape garden designs

 Santolinas furthermore flower abundantly through the summertime with their modest, button, daisy-like blossoms. The vegetation is best selected however for his or her foliage as well as small-scale landscaping properties compared to their bloom color. They are able to serve as a dependable element in any holding the actual border even though perennials have been decrease, and flowering mounds of plants replaced, and they are particularly successful as area of interest plants involving rocks or perhaps flagstones.

Santolina, particularly the grey-leaved Lavender Organic cotton, is not suited to tropical landscapes, looking but out of place while using lush, big leaves as well as course leaves texture usual for tropical plant life. However, the idea combines wonderfully with the perfectly toothed foliage regarding Chrysanthemum, (some) Achillea, or even Rosemary, along with flowering vegetation that have tiny blooms.

Its leaves are good smelling when bruised or even clipped, so it is a important addition to the herb garden, a minimum of from a stylistic standpoint. For most herbal selections, like Jasmine, Sage, and Thyme, can also be Mediterranean residents, and have equivalent leaf shapes as well as texture. A new herb garden surrounded with a foot-high Santolina hedge, is ideal for more elegant compositions.

Imagined should also be provided as to what sort of bedding vegetation associate with the particular trees and shrubs within the garden structure. In order to create just as much unity as you can, the ground aircraft, i.electronic. the bed linen plants, ought to link with the particular "walls and ceiling" with the garden, we.e. the particular trees and shrubs. Consequently, Santolina combines effectively with shrubbery like Juniper, Melaleuca, as well as Grevillea, as well as using coniferous and Mediterranean sea trees for example Pomegranate along with Olive.

landscape garden designs ideas
landscape garden designs uk

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Storm Files Aug 13 2011 Columbia MD

Had to end the work day early. Didnt mind the rain and there was ALOT! Plants sure appreciate it.























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garden designs decking

garden designs decking


Any garden attribute using timber necessarily entails a risk associated with rotting along with decay as time passes. In most instances you will have to properly deal with and blemish the timber in order to protect it from punctures from the aspects, with typical re-applications to keep the security levels way up. But how have you any idea which treatment method to choose? How may you be sure that you are going to choose the right treatment method to keep your timber in the greatest condition?

The very last thing you want can be your timber patio decking turning into decaying, slippery or even decayed timber which makes a good eyesore of your respective garden. Which is why the only real sensible options to purchase pre-treated, non-slip patio decking.

Decking which can be treated with Tannalith? At the preservative will be both beneficial to our environment and useful. Tanalith? E timber preservative is eligible for use while directed beneath the Control of Bug sprays Regulations (COPR) from the UK Safe practices Executive. The actual biocides contained in Tanalith? Electronic wood chemical are being recognized under the Biocidal Merchandise Directive. To help you be sure utilizing decking given Tannalith? E chemical wont hurt your around environment. Furthermore Tannalith? E additive is not considered hazardous spend. Wood addressed with Tannalith? E additive benefits from the 15 calendar year warranty in opposition to decay and also insect strike.

Treated wooden decking thus remains a low-maintenance accessory for your garden design plus your home generally. Although all of us recommend laundering down the top of the timber along with the inserts each 12 months : to remove soil and mold build up, you dont have to apply even more preservative therapy.

garden designs decking ideas



It is really worth noting even so, that because Tannalith? E chemical contains biocides, you should wash almost all exposed skin color after coping with and putting in decking snowboards, especially just before commencing alternative activities, especially ingesting, drinking, cigarette smoking, etc. But not a harmful waste, timber shavings along with cuttings produced during the deck installation procedure should not be employed as canine bedding as well as litter.

Taken care of non-slip decking is a superb addition to your own garden or property design which will not likely negatively affect the environment. You dont to worry about making use of harmful treatment options which might have an effect on surrounding canine or factories. Simply relax and enjoy your non-slip decking characteristic, now along with into the upcoming.

garden designs decking ideas



Choosing a non-slip deck solution that is treated with the preservative is actually good practice. If you do not want to have pricey repair along with maintenance charges or unattractive garden furniture as well as want to keep the garden design safe to use throughout the year then this is the greatest option for anyone. For the environment friendly consumer, Tannalith dealt with decking is the better of all possible worlds.

Why select Gripsure non-slip decking? Our own boards are designed under rigid quality control treatments. We just use the strongest soft wood timber, with the hardest low slip mixture for our card inserts. We have our very own in house R&D section and can strategies a wide range of wood and surface finishes. Our deck is fast-becoming the first option for home owners along with businesses over the UK.

back garden decking designs

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5 Great Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Green Your Garden


Dare to be different with some fresh Backyard Landscaping Ideas. Backyard Landscaping Ideas are legion, and can be used to transform a common old block of land into something quite marvelous.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 1 - Spanish Style Vertical Garden

A vertical Garden will really make your Backyard Landscaping Ideas come to life. Now you can look at a blank wall as if you are an artist about to create a work of art. The blank wall is your blank canvas you will transform into a beautiful living picture of pots and flowering plants that can change into a riot of color all years round.

Spanish style flowers pot holders are available that are specially designed to carry plastic or terracotta pots or even wicker work conical baskets. Spanish style flowers pot holders will give a real flavour of the Mediterranean. Spanish style flowers pot holders are inspired by the narrow, winding alleyways of Southern Spain.
The Best of Spanish style flowers pot holders:

* Strong (being made of mild steel and last for years)
* Available in different sizes
* Simple and easy to handle

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 2 - Feng Shui Style Garden

In Chinese Gardens feng shui is an underlying factor throughout many Chinese Gardens. Feng Shui Garden landscape designs mostly incorporate mountain (Shan) and water (Shui) energy since the basic of Chinese Gardens originated from the art form called Shan Shui, meaning mountain-water

Mountain energy symbolizes good health, harmony and stability. It is yang, strong, hard, tall and vertical. One can identify this energy in actual mountains, higher terrain and mounds. Virtual mountain energy can be realized in boulders, raised planting beds and walls.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 3 - Patio Backyard Design.

There are three type of Patio Backyard Design - Open patios, patios that are enclosed and patio that is placed right outside or connected right your home. Open patio utilized your homes outdoor space by decorating it with different materials and with furniture whereas in closed patio basically use walls commonly glasses wall or sliding wall. The last one of patio design Ideas - patio that is placed right outside or connected right your home. The good thing about this patio design is you can easily transfer inside your home then to your patio and vice versa since it is very accessible.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 4 - Japanese Backyard Garden

Japanese water Gardens are popularly called as koi ponds. Before building these Gardens you should think about the material to be used for building them. Some of the great building elements which can help you in designing a pleasant natural Garden are Bamboo screens, high stone walls and weathered wood. Other than that, you can choose miniature Gardening which include bonsai tree and water elements (ponds).

Backyard Landscaping Ideas 5 - Foliage Garden

Foliage Garden is the flowerless Garden. Do you realize that flowers arent the only things that can bring color to your Backyard? People always talk about the rose Garden, the dahlia bed, the wildflower meadow when they thinks about Garden but they ever seems to talk much about the leaves. But, if you look back at the woodland Garden in summer, no flowers, there are only ferns and heuchera and other leafy things. The fact is Foliage Garden can be beautiful alternative of Garden which consist of flower.

Once you have your Backyard landscape Ideas you can start making a plan on how to achieve your Backyard goal. If youre planning to landscape your Backyard, take time to browse through as many different Backyard Landscaping Ideas as you can to find Ideas that not only look good, but fit your personal needs, too. No need to waste your time. Get some Backyard landscape Ideas and green your home now.For further review of Backyard Garden pictures just visit my site at GardenLandscapingIdeas.org.
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Monday, March 3, 2014

Deck And Patio Company Promotional Landscape Design And Build Long Island NY Swimming Pools



Deck and Patio Company promotional landscape design and build Long Island, NY swimming pools

Deck and Patio Company promotional landscape design and build Long Island, NY swimming poolsswimming pools vinyl gunite koi ponds watergardens waterfalls long island new york landscape design landscaping deck and patio company paver ...

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Can a Small Garden be Grown from Seed

Another horticultural experiment in our garden

See list below for species

I have several horticultural experiments brewing at my own home garden. Last year, my wife and I bought a small, mid-century Ranch house on a corner lot. The architecture is functional, but not terribly charming. We spent most of last year gutting and renovating the interior and still have big plans for the exterior. While most of our efforts have focused on making the house livable, we have started a few different garden experiments.

We’re keeping a small patch of lawn in front of the house, but the two side yard areas have been the focus of our efforts. We located gardens in the side yards mostly out of need for screening. Both spaces are close to streets, so gardens serve the dual function of screening and embellishing those spaces. Each of the gardens will be somewhat opposite in character, a sort of yin-yang of moods. On one side, we planted a sunny, exuberant border—what will be my mid-Atlantic version of the splendor of Great Dixter. That border will eventually be a raucous, over-the-top assembly of all kinds of plants—a hot mess of North American prairie natives, tropical bulbs, Mediterranean herbs, and lots of landscape annuals. So far, that experiment has not been terribly successful—mostly because it has been half-heartedly implemented—but more on that later.

The other garden is intended to be a more serene perennial meadow, focusing mostly on native plants. I want it to be restrained, yet lushly layered. My goal is to create a romantic garden, evocative of an opening in the woodland. Right now, the garden sits under cardboard and six inches of leaf mulch, smothering the lawn. So while the lawn dissolves, my wife (a brilliant plantsman herself) and I have designed . . . and redesigned (and redesigned again) this new garden space.

The Experiment

The space itself is nothing more than a narrow wedge of land between a lawn and a busy street. Two Catalpa trees (one of them rather majestic) sit in the space. The vision is that the entire ground plane will be covered in a native perennial meadow, a sort of edge-of-the-woods landscape.


A plan showing one corner of the garden
The experimental part of this garden will be how it is installed. Most landscapes I design are done with transplants. Plugs, quarts, or gallon-sized perennials and shrubs are planted on a cleared site and, VOILA, instant garden. But the problem with transplants is that gardens never have that looseness, that spontaneity of a wild, self-seeded landscape. When I decide where a plant goes, something inevitably goes wrong: the plant doesn’t like the soil moisture, the heat off the sidewalk, or its neighbors. So I’m eager to try seeding a perennial garden. But there are risks to seeding. Seeding can produce random, chaotic plantings. The outcome is more uncertain and the risk of creating a weedy mess is higher. While I’ve seeded meadows for large projects, but never used them in a small, garden setting.

So to mitigate these risks, I am planning a hybrid approach. First, plugs of grasses and perennials will be planted around the edges of beds. Next, I will seed a custom-designed mix of low perennials and grasses to fill the center. I will add a thick layer of sand mulch throughout the center, and roll seeds into the sand this fall. By using transplants around the edges, I can create a frame that gives the bed structure while allowing for more spontaneity in the middle.

The experiment is meant to be a low maintenance and cost effective solution for a garden space. That way, I can save my pennies for the rare, garish varieties of mail-order Dahlias I’m want for the border garden (see my previous post on Spring Fever). Moreover, the experiment is an attempt to answer some questions: Can hybridized garden perennials (mostly native cultivars) be mixed with straight species native grasses and wildflowers to create a beautiful garden space? Can seeding be used in a small garden scale? And will ceding control over the placement of plants result in a more evocative garden space? Or just create a weedy mess?

Stay tuned. Ill report on progress as it develops.

The Palette: Here are some of the plants I’m considering for one corner of the garden shown in the collage at the top of this post. From left to right. Top: Deschampsia flexuosa, Wavy Hair Grass; Hierochloe odorata, Sweet Grass; Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’; Eryngium yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master; Bottom Row: Allium cernuum, Nodding Wild Onion; Camassia scilloides, Wild Hyacinth; Parthenium integrifolium, Wild Quinine; and Solidago speciosa, Showy Goldenrod
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Great Dixter Garden

Great Dixter looks wonderful in October - yesterday it was noisy with bees, butterflies and all things winged. Like me they were feasting before the winter.













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