garden
Choose your blooms. Aquilegia, commonly known as columbine, produces nodding, spurred flowers with delicate leaves. It self-seeds and comes in many colors: deep blues, pale mauves, pinks, creams and bicolors, as well as double forms, such as the lovely pink ‘Nora Barlow’, above. The deeper, double ‘Black Barlow’ looks stunning teamed with border grasses, such as Luzula nivea.
The vegetable garden can be seen from the hydrangea garden through an oeil-de-boeuf, or round window, trimmed into the hedge. To protect the estate from the wind, Dubreuil planted hedges of local species, such as hazel, hawthorne, viburnum, dogwood, rosehips and hornbeam. The hedges surround the estate and run for 3,200 feet.
Philippe DUBREUIL Jardiniste SaveEmail Garden gazebos near the stables are fitted with benches where one can relax with a book or converse. “It is a location full of exquisite fragrances, thanks to old scented rosebushes,” including ‘Pink Cloud’ and ‘Sombreuil’ climbers, and clematis, Dubreuil says. “The inspiration comes from medieval gardens, where one could court or be courted.”
Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) Supports over 40 bee species and over 100 insect species Got dry shade and experiencing a world of hurt trying to grow stuff in it? Try calico aster, which gets about 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide and blooms a ton in midautumn. Native from Minnesota to eastern Texas and all points east, this stalwart aster will create a busy buffet line.
Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens SaveEmail Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Native from Maine to Florida and west to Texas At 6 to 10 feet tall and wide once mature, this is one of my favorite all-season, fairly drought-tolerant, go-to shrubs. Clusters of white blooms in mid to late spring support tons of insects, such as early-emerging native bees, and late summer sees dark blue berries that are quickly eaten. The fall color can be yellow, orange or red, but is always dependable. I also think it has one of the best sort of classic-looking branch structures of any shrub: full, even, symmetrical. You will need different cultivars to pollinate one another; ‘Red Feather’ paired with ‘Blue Muffin’ would work. Dry to medium soils in full to partial shade work best.
My simple arbor is planted not with a vine but with a weeping bald cypress (Taxodium distichum ‘Cascade Falls’, USDA zones 4 to 9). Many of its pliable, draping branches are intentionally left intact so the visitor has to physically part them to enter the space. They recall strands of beads that hung from door frames in the 1960s. Because the visitor must interact with the branches to gain access to the garden, a strong initial impression is created. Additionally, the arbor is well shaded by the cypress, creating a sense of journey by sending the visitor from darkness into light.
Bath Garden Who doesn’t love a relaxing soak in the tub? Always have ingredients for your next soak available when you grow a bath garden. Create tub teas, aromatherapy sachets, herbal massage oils or salves for dry skin. What to plant in a bath garden: Lavender, calendula, chamomile, rosemary and mint.
Tisane Garden If you love sipping herb tisanes, why not have a tisane garden? You can choose your favorite herbs, make your own blends and save money in the process. Use herbs fresh from the garden to make tisanes or dry them. What to plant in a tisane garden: Lemon balm (seen drying here), peppermint, lemon verbena, chamomile, bee balm and yerba buena.
What to plant in an edible flower garden: Nasturtium, lavender, violets, pansies and Johnny-jump-ups all have edible blooms. Rose petals are edible as well, though the flavor varies from plant to plant. In the vegetable beds, squash blossoms can be harvested and are delicious when stuffed and fried, or tucked into a quesadilla. Be safe and remember to keep pesticides off edible plants.
Shown here "is a praying mantis egg case I found one year while cutting back my garden," she continues. "It was at this point I learned to slow down my fall pruning until the spring, when the leaves were cleared away and overwintering wildlife was easier to see."
Enroot Landscape Planning and Design SaveEmail Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) Who can resist the smell of caramel corn or cotton candy? The scent of the katsura tree has been described as both of these. As the foliage turns yellow, the fragrance is released and can be enjoyed from a considerable distance. I was introduced to this remarkable tree when I moved to the Pacific Northwest and was working at a nursery. The scent was tormenting me as I hunted everywhere for the kettle corn stand that I was convinced must be nearby. My colleagues eventually stopped laughing and pointed out a cluster of these magnificent trees at the far end of the parking lot. Not surprisingly, I now have one in my own garden. To me it is the harbinger of fall. Origin: Japan and China Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Average but needs more water in full sun Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun Mature size: 40 to 50 feet tall and 25 feet wide When to plant: Spring or late fall
Hillside Black Beauty Snakeroot (Actaea simplex, previously Cimicifuga simplex) With such an unfortunate name, it’s hard to imagine that snakeroot, also called black cohosh, could be either beautiful or fragrant — but in fact it’s both. There are several garden varieties of snakeroot that have almost black leaves, and one of my favorites is Hillside Black Beauty. Rich blue-black leaves form a large clump, which is stunning enough, especially when set off against golden foliage such as that of Golden Spirit smokebush. In late summer tall spires push skyward, each one tipped with long, white foxtail-like blooms that release a vanilla scent until fall. Origin: The species is native to Russia, China, Korea and Japan, but this is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Soil requirement: Moisture retentive Light requirement: Partial shade Mature size: Flower spikes may reach 6 to 7 feet tall, but the basal foliage is about 2 feet tall and wide When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Amsonia hubrichtii Common names: Hubricht's Bluestar, Bluestar, Arkansas Amsonia, Hubricht’s Amsonia
Suspended. Air plants — especially the really large staghorn ferns — can be suspended from a tree canopy by a rope or chain, as long as the plant is in full to partial shade. The plants will grow into a mass, like the staghorn fern hanging on a chain pictured here.
Le jardinetSave to IdeabookEmail Photo 4. Focus on foliage for a modern look. Flowers are wonderful, but they need a strong backbone of foliage to really look their best. By focusing on the colors and textures of foliage, this garden not only looks good all year, but it also has a more modern vibe that really sets it apart from typical neighborhood designs. The Silvers: Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare) The licorice plant shown here is a fabulous drought-tolerant and deer-resistant ground cover. The felted silvery foliage provides interest all summer. Origin: South Africa Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 9a to 10b; find your zone); or enjoy it as an annual Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun or light shade Mature size: 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide
Silver Mound Wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound') The soft feathery texture of this herbaceous perennial begs to be touched. Enjoy it at the front of the border. Origin: Japan Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant; deer resistant; easy care Seasonal interest: Spring to fall When to plant: Spring
Hidcote Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’) Despite there being so many lavenders available to us today, Hidcote remains a favorite for its compact habit and deep blue summer flowers. Lavender is perfect for lining pathways where its fragrance can be enjoyed daily. It is also effective as a low hedge, as a container plant or as part of a mixed border design, especially since its gray-green foliage remains year-round. Origin: The species is native to the Mediterranean, but Hidcote was hybridized at Hidcote Manor in England. Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer and rabbit resistant; attracts butterflies and bees; fragrant; drought tolerant
3. Add flowers that have great foliage. Blue Sunrise Hardy Geranium (syn. Cranesbill) (Geranium ‘Blue Sunrise’) Blue Sunrise wins a place on my plant wish list, not because of its flowers but because of its unusual chartreuse leaves, which continue to add color to the garden long after the early-summer blooms have gone. This attractive cultivar has a similar weaving habit to Rozanne, throwing out tendrils that mingle with adjacent plants Origin: Garden hybrid Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 8) Water requirement: Average to moist Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 feet tall and up to 4 feet wide, but can be trimmed back in midsummer to keep it more compact Benefits and tolerances: Low maintenance; usually deer and rabbit resistant; attracts bees and butterflies
All Gold Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’) I have long been a fan of Japanese forest grass, which forms a soft waterfall of green and yellow variegated foliage from spring until fall. All Gold is very similar, but as the name suggests, it is a purely golden variety and as such is best suited to shady locations; it scorches in full sun. Origin: While the species is native to Japan, this cultivar is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Average to moist Light requirement: Protection from afternoon sun Mature size: 18 inches tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer resistant When to plant: Spring or fall
All the grasses you see are the Japanese forest grass. Tree on left is a deodar cedar. Not sure of shrub just behind the lantern, Large tree back right is a Western red cedar, cloud pruned tree is a pine - probably a Japanese black pine. Can't ID others from this distance. You'll need to check to see which if any are hardy in zone 3 though. This garden is also featured in my new book Fine Foliage (St. Lynn's Press, 2013); http://www.lejardinetdesigns.com/new-book-coming-soon/
Chinese Stewartia (Stewartia sinensis) This small tree has it all — beautiful bark for winter interest, white, fragrant camellia-like blooms in summer and vivid red fall color. The smooth bark of the Chinese stewartia is noted for its mottled appearance, which is revealed as sheets as the outer layers peel away. Plant this beauty in an area with protection from strong winds and late frosts.
Must-haves: The homeowners knew they would need a generous sink, a counter that drains well, plenty of shelves and a durable floor for their potting projects. “These were seamlessly incorporated in this project and resulted in a special little structure that ties the entire property together,” Frear says. Floors: Stone pavers and gravel edging were used for a floor that drains well and is easy to maintain.
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