Saturday, February 19, 2011
Backyard Wish List
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| Design Plan for a Small Backyard |
The thought process behind this design was inspired by a very clear and concise wish list bestowed on me from a client who is an avid gardener.
Immediate Challenges to the design:
- small plot size, approximately 70' by 55'
Site Benefits to the design:
- full sun
- clear lot, no existing trees, shrubs, etc. to be removed
Following are some specific requests which I incorporated into the layout and planting:
- divide the space into half edible/half ornamental
- provide areas for quiet comtemplation and rest
- install lots of colorful perennial beds, heavy maintenance NOT an issue
- need a patch of lawn
- provide an "ornamental" vegetable garden(s) with some raised beds; get creative
- love masonry; use belgium block and gravel for walkways
- appreciate formality and organization
For the perennial area, I created a sort of patch quilt design, repeating the various plant materials in a pattern. I used lots of purples, blues, whites, pinks and filled in with various ornamental grasses. Below are some of the plants that I used in this design.
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| Anemone Honorine Jobert |
I really love Japanese Anemones and Honorine Jobert is nothing short of magnificent. It blooms late (love that!) when a lot of the good stuff is burnt out, and it's so pretty! Not a big fan of mums or asters so this one really comes in handy....
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| Summer Skies Delphinium |
This color kills me! It's not a very long show, but mixed into the beds with so many other plants, we can just cut it back when it's done and no one will be the wiser.
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| Mexican Feather Grass |
A stunning grass, especially on a breezy day. Probably one one of the first grasses I started using in the garden, besides Pennisetum and Miscanthus.
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| Geranium Rozanne |
Keeps on going....Rozanne never quits. The color is quite ravishing as well. It was named perennial of the year recently, which it deserved.
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| Salvia Turkistanica |
Salvia Turkistanica has it's place. Salvias are great and this one is perhaps one of the biggest.
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| Verbena bonariensis |
This Verbena does self-seed quite a bit, however, for this garden, I don't mind! I really appreciate the airyness of the branching habit, and purple is my favorite color in the garden.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Front Yard Facelift
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| Front Yard Color-filled Planting Plan |
The goal here was to incorporate an abundance of Spring, Summer and Fall color while retaining some Evergreen anchors to sustain the garden throughout the Winter months. Pink Petunia and Purple Verbena carpets the front of the beds with annual color while enticing pots adorn the entryway; a concrete bench serves as a resting spot. Boxwood fills in as a simple, green and year round backdrop.
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| Photo courtesy of Proven Winners |
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| Photo courtesy of Proven Winners |
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| Pretty! courtesy of Proven Winners |
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Expect the Unexpected
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Swarovski Gardens Innsbruck, Austria |
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Landscape Maintenance Nightmare |
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Where is the giant that plays with these? |
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Creep me out! |
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No fear of color! |
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I'm melting..... |
These are some interesting and thought provoking photos taken by Charlotte Weychan, TheGallopingGardener.blogspot.com
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Attention All Parents!
Here's a wonderful oppurtunity to encourage and promote agriculture in your local school system. Why not check out the requirements and see if your school qualifies?
As a family farmer owned company that is proud to grow and nurture grapes, Welch's values the importance of healthy eating. Hands-on experiences with planting, tending, and growing gardens provide a dynamic setting for learning and benefit kids of all ages.
Now in our second year partnership with Scholastic and the National Gardening Association, Welch's will support school garden programs through Welch's Harvest Grants. We are pleased to invite you to submit an application for your opportunity to win a valuable garden for your school.
Entries will be judged by experts at the National Gardening Association and two schools in every state will be selected to receive a Welch's Harvest Grant. Winning schools will receive a customized indoor or outdoor garden package filled with a variety of tools, seeds, educational materials, and more. Five (5) $1,000 gardens and ninety-five (95) $500 gardens will be awarded. Deadline for submission is February 11, 2011, so we encourage you to start working on your grant application today.
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Friday, January 14, 2011
The Orchid Trail of Ecuador
As I look out my window, the mountains of plowed snow loom over eight foot tall; great white sentinels beckoning sleighs of children. I sigh, thinking, Spring is so far away.....Thankfully, I find great solace in my virtual walk through the Orchid Trail of my favorite South American stomp, Ecuador! Enjoy.....
Friday, December 10, 2010
Adding Curb Appeal in Manhasset, New York
"I can't wait to clean all this out! I call these my junkyard trees!". I had to laugh. It was a fitting description. The Walnut and Sumac and wild tangles of vine did indeed need to vacate the property; as quickly as possible, as far as I was concerned.
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| Driveway Before |
My client and I were definitely on the same page. The goal was clear. Transform an overgrown, neglected five foot buffer zone into an elegant, semi-private border that would enhance both homes, create privacy and mask the view of the car parked next door.
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| View from the neighbor's side |
My client and I shared coffee and discussed options. We both agreed on trellis fencing from the start. I suggested four inch square openings to not only accomodate flowering vines, but to detract from the "barrier fence" feeling (My client wanted to continue to greet her neighbor but, understandedly, did not want to stare at his car all day). I also incorporated spaces between the sections of trellis fencing transforming them into garden panels. I then went home and committed these, and other ideas, unto paper and delivered a concept plan for the newly redesigned driveway buffer. We started work a couple weeks later.
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| Concept Plan for driveway buffer |
Unfortunately, as in many cases that I come across, the previous homeowner had used this particular unoccupied space to be his own personal landfill. There were enormous chunks of concrete, rolls of wire, metal stakes, rocks of all shapes and sizes, and shiny, glittery chards of granite type material. We carefully excavated what we could, without disturbing the neighbor's prized paver retaining wall!, and replaced the strip with twelve yards of fresh, clean topsoil. The earth signed a quiet exhalation of relief, as did my client and I.
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| Unwanted debris |
A few minor tweaks needed to occur due to an enormous underground stump that could not be extricated without demolishing the neighbor's retaining wall. So, we adjusted placement of the posts and tightened the panels up. I no longer had room for upright Evergreens seperating each trellis panel, however, the effect was still tremendously appealing. We also had to deal with a soft grade change; we staggered the panels slightly to accomodate. One lovely upright Japanese Maple later, centered between the six panels, and the finished hardscape looked wonderful. My husband and his crew installed the soaker hoses and now, come Spring, I will get to embellish the finished work with english climbing roses and colorful annuals.
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| Ready for planting in the Spring |
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Think Spring!
- Jennifer Garces
- My experienced team and I have been creating and maintaining unique gardens and lavish landscapes throughout Long Island, New York for the past decade. Specializing in the creation of outdoor living spaces that are extraordinary yet functional, I glean inspiration from the traditional English style of gardening which incorporates lush perennial gardens, old world style masonry and wood accents. I believe unlimited creativity may be ignited by merging site potential, client desires and designer vision. Truly, gardening is a natural process that evolves and becomes more breathtaking with time. I hold a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Rhode Island and have over 6 years of field experience.
