Northeast Home Landscaping, 3rd Edition E-Book

Roger Holmes

• Herausgeber: Creative Homeowner
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Landscaping
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 502

Beschreibung

Northeast Home Landscaping shows how to beautify 27 common landscape situations, such as front and back entries, walkways, borders, slopes, and patios. 54 design variations incorporate more than 200 of the best plants for the region. Readers also learn all they need to know to install the paths, fences, walls, arbors, and trellises that make up the designs. Step-by-step instructions show how to tackle each project. Plant descriptions also explain planting and care.

Leseprobe

Make a No-Mow Slope

Loved by children with sleds, steep slopes can be a

landscape headache for adults. Slopes near the house are

common on properties with walk-out basements or lower-

level garages. Tame the slope with a retaining wall and

plant the resulting beds with low-care trees, shrubs, and

perennials.

Gateway Garden

A simple structure and plantings make a handsome entry.

This design combines basic elements imaginatively, creating

a romantic, cottage-garden feel. An attractive shrub and lacy

vine surround the arbor with flowers and fragrance in spring

and late summer. Cheerful perennials along the picket fence

and annuals in large containers provide additional bloom

and scent throughout the growing season.

Shade Tree Garden

This planting is designed to help homeowners blessed with

a large shade tree make the most of their good fortune. The

tree’s high, wide canopy provides an ideal setting for a planting

of understory shrubs, perennials, and ferns. The result is a

woodland garden that warrants a visit any day of the year.

Inspiration for Your

Home Landscaping

Inside you’ll find designs to enhance entrances, decks, and patios

by using colorful annuals and perennials, trees, and shrubs. More

than fifty home landscaping designs are included, created by

landscape professionals who live and work in the Northeast region.

NORTHEAST

HOME LANDSCAPING

Including Southeast Canada

Other titles available in the

Home Landscaping

series:

CALIFORNIA

MID-ATLANTIC

MIDWEST

including South-Central Canada

NORTHWEST

including Western British Columbia

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHERN COASTAL

TEXAS

WESTERN

NORTHEAST

HOME LANDSCAPING

Roger Holmes

Rita Buchanan

CREATIVE HOMEOWNER

®

Including Southeast Canada

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any

means, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts

for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of

translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s in-

structions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all

possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented,

neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions,

misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner

®

is a registered trademark of New Design Originals Corporation.

NORTHEAST

HOME LANDSCAPING

WORDWORKS

EDITORS

Roger Holmes, Rita Buchanan

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Monica Norby, Sarah Disbrow

COPY EDITORS

Nancy J. Stabile

INTERIOR DESIGN

Deborah Fillion

ILLUSTRATORS

Warren Cutler, Tony Davis

site plans

,

Elizabeth Eaton, Biruta Hansen,

Paul Mirocha, Gordon Morrison,

Michael Rothman, Michael Wanke,

(Portfolio of Designs); Michelle Angle

Farrar, Lee Hov, Robert LaPointe,

Rick Daskam, Teresa Nicole Green

(Guide to Installation)

Northeast Home Landscaping, Third Edition

eISBN: 978-1-63741-109-4

Creative Homeowner

®

,

www.CreativeHomeowner.com,

is distributed exclusively in North America by

Fox Chapel Publishing, 800-457-9112,

1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520,

and in the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service,

Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

COPYRIGHT © 1998, 2006, 2010, 2016

About the Authors

Roger Holmes

is the founding editor

of

Fine Gardening

magazine. He co-edited

the monumental Taylor’s

Master Guide

to Gardening

and other highly regarded

gardening books, and produced the land-

scaping series of which this book is part.

Rita Buchanan

is a lifelong gardener with

degrees in botany and an encyclopedic

knowledge of plants. She worked with Roger

Holmes to edit

Fine Gardening

magazine

and co-edit several books

.

She is the author

of numerous award-winning books and is a

contributor to many gardening magazines.

■

Always

use caution, care, and good judgment when follow-

ing the procedures described in this book.

■

Always

determine locations of underground utility lines be-

fore you dig, and then avoid them by a safe distance. Buried

lines may be for gas, electricity, communications, or water.

Start research by contacting your local building officials. Also

contact local utility companies; they will often send a repre-

sentative free of charge to help you map their lines. In addi-

tion, there are private utility locator firms that may be listed

in your Yellow Pages. Note: previous owners may have in-

stalled underground drainage, sprinkler, and lighting lines

without mapping them.

■

Always

read and heed the manufacturer’s instructions for

using a tool, especially the warnings.

■

Always

ensure that the electrical setup is safe; be sure that

no circuit is overloaded and that all power tools and elec-

trical outlets are properly grounded and protected by a

ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Do not use power

tools in wet locations.

■

Always

wear eye protection when using chemicals, sawing

wood, pruning trees and shrubs, using power tools, and

striking metal onto metal or concrete.

Safety First

Though all concepts and methods in this book have been reviewed for safety, it is not possible to overstate

the importance of using the safest working methods possible. What follows are reminders—do’s and don’ts

for yard work and landscaping. They are not substitutes for your own common sense.

The Landscape Designers

■

Always

read labels on chemicals, solvents, and other prod-

ucts; provide ventilation; heed warnings.

■

Always

wear heavy rubber gloves rated for chemicals, not

mere household rubber gloves, when handling toxins.

■

Always

wear appropriate gloves in situations in which your

hands could be injured by rough surfaces, sharp edges,

thorns, or poisonous plants.

■

Always

wear a disposable face mask or a special filtering

respirator when creating sawdust or working with toxic gar-

dening substances.

■

Always

keep your hands and other body parts away from

the business ends of blades, cutters, and bits.

■

Always

obtain approval from local building officials before

undertaking construction of permanent structures.

■

Never

work with power tools when you are tired or under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

■

Never

carry sharp or pointed tools, such as knives or saws,

in your pockets. If you carry such tools, use special-purpose

tool scabbards.

Carter Lee Clapsadle

is a horticulturist with the College of St.

Catherine, St. Paul, Minn. Trained at the University of Minnesota, he

maintains 110 acres of college land, managing the greenhouse and

designing garden displays. His design appears on pp. 34–35.

Walter Cudnohufsky,

of Ashfield, Mass., is a Harvard School of Design

graduate and the founding director of Conway School of Landscape De-

sign in Massachusetts. Among his awards is the Massachusetts Conser-

vation Award for Education in Conservation. His designs appear on pp.

52–55, 106–109, and 114–117.

Sydney Eddison

has transformed her two-acre property in New-

town, Conn., into one of the region’s finest gardens. She is the author

of several books, including

The Self-Taught Gardener: Lessons from a

Country Garden

. Her designs appear on pp. 30–33, 40–43, 102–105,

and 110–113.

Larry Giblock

helped form the Native Plant Society of Ohio. In 1988

the Cleveland Botanical Garden hired him to develop their Wild-

flower Garden, and in 1993 care of the Japanese Garden was added

to his responsibilities. His design appears on pp. 60–61.

Jan Johnsen

operates a landscape design/build firm in Westchester

County, N.Y. Trained as a landscape architect with a master’s degree

in planning from the University of New Orleans, Ms. Johnsen has

worked in landscape and planning offices in Japan, Kenya, Hawaii,

New Orleans, and New York. Her designs appear on pp. 26–29,

62–65, 80–83, 88–91, and 120–123.

Jan Little

is manager of horticultural education at the Morton Ar-

boretum in Lisle, Ill. A registered landscape architect, she has worked

on a wide range of projects and has received several landscape de-

sign awards. Her designs appear on pp. 70–73, 92–93, and 118–119.

Cathy Plumer,

of Monroe, Conn., has worked on a wide range of

landscape projects. She has taught continuing education courses in

residential landscape design for homeowners. Her designs appear on

pp. 20–23, 56–59, and 74–77.

Michael Schroeder,

a University of Minnesota graduate, has prac-

ticed landscape architecture and urban design in the region since

1985. He is part of the Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc., in Minneapo-

lis, where he has done award-winning work. His designs appear on

pp. 24–25 and 78–79.

Sara Jane von Trapp

lives in New York City and writes extensively on

residential landscape problem solving. Her books include

Landscape

Doctor

,

Landscaping from the Ground Up

, and

Taming the Backyard Jun-

gle

. Her designs appear on pp. 36–39, 44–47, 48–51, 66–69, 84–87,

94–97, 98–101, and 124–127.

Contents

8

About This Book

12

Seasons in Your Landscape

16

As Your Landscape Grows

18

Portfolio of Designs

20

Up Front and Formal

Greet visitors with classic symmetry.

24

First Impressions

This planting lets you put your best foot forward.

26

A Step Up

Plant a foundation garden.

30

A Warm Welcome

Make a pleasant passage to your front door.

34

Formal and Fresh

Garden geometry transforms a small front yard.

36

Make a No-Mow Slope

A terraced planting transforms a steep site.

40

A Neighborly Corner

Beautify a boundary with easy-care plants.

44

Streetwise and Stylish

Give your curbside strip a new look.

48

Landscaping a Low Wall

Two-tier garden replaces a short slope.

52

A Postal Planting

Provide a perennial setting for the daily mail.

56

A Pleasant Passage

Reclaim a narrow side yard for a shade garden.

60

Side-Yard Walkway

Create beautiful access to the front and rear yards.

62

Gateway Garden

Simple structure and planting make a

handsome entry.

66

Angle of Repose

Make a back-door garden for a sheltered niche.

70

Another Back-Door Corner

This retreat is mostly for your own enjoyment.

74

“Around Back”

Dress up the family’s day-to-day entrance.

78

Beautify a Blank Wall

Paint a picture with plants.

80

Make a Fresco of Flowers

A vertical garden beautifies a blank wall.

84

A Shady Hideaway

Build a cozy retreat in a corner of your yard.

88

Create a “Living” Room

Enclose a patio with foliage and flowers.

92

Another “Room” Out Back

Create an intimate, plant covered nook.

94

A Big Splash with a Small Pond

Add an extra dimension to your landscape.

98

Garden in the Round

Create an island bed attractive from every side.

102

A Beginning Border

Create an intimate, plant-covered nook.

106

Back to Nature

Create a wooded retreat in your backyard.

110

Under the Old Shade Tree

Create a cozy garden in a cool spot.

114

Down to Earth

Harmonize your deck with its surroundings.

118

Integrated Deck

Enhance the look of your deck with landscaping.

120

Elegant Symmetry

Fit a formal garden into your backyard.

124

A Woodland Link

Create a shrub border of nearby woods.

128

Plant Profiles

130

Descriptions of all the plants shown in the

Portfolio of Designs, plus information on how

to plant and care for them

154

Guide to Installation

156

Organizing Your Project

Introducing the tasks involved in a landscape

installation; how to organize them for best results

158

Clearing the Site

Removing turf, weeds, and other unwanted

material

160

Making Paths and Walkways

How to choose materials, prepare the base, install

edgings, and lay the surface

166

Laying a Patio

Employing the same materials and techniques as

for walks and paths; ensuring proper drainage

168

Installing a Pond

Siting, excavating, installing a flexible liner or fiber-

glass shell, and growing pond plants

172

Building a Retaining Wall

How to lay out, excavate, and assemble a precast

modular wall system and steps

176

Fences, Arbors, and Trellises

Everything you need to know to construct fences,

trellises, and arbors, including plans for building

them, shown in the Portfolio of Designs

192

Preparing the Soil for Planting

How to dig and improve the soil, and how to

create edging for beds

196

Buying Plants

Where to go, what to buy, how to get the best

quality and price

197

The Planting Process

When to plant, steps in the planting process,

spacing; annuals as fillers

199

Planting Basics

Plants in containers, balled-and-burlapped plants,

bare-root plants, ground covers, and bulbs

201

Basic Landscape Care

Mulches and fertilizers; controlling weeds; watering

205

Caring for Woody Plants

Basic pruning for trees, shrubs, vines, and roses;

how to make a hedge

210

Caring for Perennials

Routine care, pruning, and dividing

212

Problem Solving

Understanding common problems with animal

and insect pests and diseases; winter damage

214

Glossary

216

Index

223

Credits

8

NORTHEAST HOME LANDSCAPING

About This Book

Unlike some other home improvements, the rewards of land-

scaping can be as much in the activity as in the result. Planting

and caring for lovely shrubs, perennials, and other plants can af-

ford years of enjoyment. And for those who like to build things,

outdoor construction projects can be especially satisfying.

While the installation and maintenance of plants and outdoor

structures are within the means and abilities of most people, few

of us are as comfortable determining exactly which plants or

structures to use and how best to combine them. It’s one thing

to decide to dress up the front entrance or patio, another to

come up with a design for doing so.

That’s where this book comes in. Here, in the Portfolio of De-

signs, you’ll find 54 designs for common home-landscaping sit-

uations, created by landscape professionals who live and work

in the Northeast. Drawing on years of experience, these design-

ers balance functional requirements and aesthetic possibilities,

choosing the right plant or structure for the task, confident of its

proven performance in similar situations.

Complementing the Portfolio of Designs is the second sec-

tion, Plant Profiles, which gives information on all the plants

used in the book. The book’s third section, the Guide to In-

stallation, will help you install and maintain the plants and

structures called for in the designs. The discussions that follow

take a closer look at each section; we’ve also printed repre-

sentative pages of the sections on pp. 9 and 10 and pointed

out their features.

Portfolio of Designs

This section is the heart of the book, providing examples of land-

scaping situations and solutions that are at once inspiring and

accessible. Some are simple, others more complex, but each one

can be installed in a few weekends by homeowners with no spe-

cial training or experience.

For most situations, we present two designs, the second a vari-

ation of the first. As the sample pages on the facing page show,

the first design is displayed on a two-page spread. A perspective

illustration (called a “rendering”) depicts what the design will look

like several years after installation, when the perennials and many

of the shrubs have reached mature size. (For more on how plant-

ings change as they age, see “As Your Landscape Grows,” pp. 16–

17.) The rendering also shows the planting as it will appear at a

particular time of year. A site plan indicates the positions of the

plants and structures on a scaled grid. Text introduces the situa-

tion and the design and describes the plants and projects used.

The second design, presented on the second two-page

spread, addresses the same situation as the first but differs in one

or more important aspects. It might show a planting suited for a

shady rather than a sunny site, or it might incorporate different

structures or kinds of plants to create a different look. As with

the first design, we present a rendering, site plan, and written in-

formation, but in briefer form. The second spread also includes

photographs of a selection of the plants featured in the two de-

signs. The photos showcase noteworthy qualities—lovely flow-

ers, handsome foliage, or striking forms—that these plants

contribute to the designs.

Installed exactly as shown here, the designs will provide years

of enjoyment. But individual needs and properties will differ, and

we encourage you to alter the designs to suit your site and de-

sires. Many types of alterations are easy to make. You can add or

remove plants and adjust the sizes of paths, patios, and arbors

to accommodate larger or smaller sites. You can rearrange

groupings and substitute favorite plants to suit your taste. Or you

can integrate the design with your existing landscaping. If you

are uncertain about how to solve specific problems or about the

effects of changes you’d like to make, consult with staff at a local

nursery or with a landscape designer in your area.

Of all the home-improvement projects

homeowners tackle, few offer greater rewards

than landscaping. Paths, patios, fences, arbors, and most of all, plantings can enhance home

life in countless ways, large and small, functional and pleasurable, every day of the year. At the

main entrance, an attractive brick walkway flanked by eye-catching shrubs and perennials

provides a cheerful send-off in the morning and welcomes you home from work in the

evening. A carefully placed grouping of small trees, shrubs, and fence panels creates privacy

on the patio or screens a nearby eyesore from view. An island bed showcases your favorite

plants, while dividing the backyard into areas for several different activities.

9

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Summary

An overview of the situation

and the design

Concept Box

Summarizes an important aspect of the design;

tells whether the site is sunny or shady and

what season is depicted in the rendering

Site Plan

Positions all plants

and structures on a

scaled grid

Concept Box

Site, season, and design

summary

Plants & Projects

Noteworthy qualities of

the plants and structures

and their contributions

to the design

Rendering

Shows how the design will

look when plants are well

established

Rendering

Depicts the design

when plants are well

established

Summary

Addressing the same situation

as the first design, an overview

of differences in design concept,

site conditions, or plant

selection

Site Plan

Plants and structures

on a scaled grid

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Plant Portraits

Photos of inspiring designs

in similar situations

FIRST DESIGN OPTION

SECOND DESIGN OPTION

10

NORTHEAST HOME LANDSCAPING

GUIDE TO INSTALLATION

PLANT PROFILES

Sidebars

Detailed information on special

topics, set within ruled boxes

Step-by-Step

Process illustrations; steps

keyed by number to

discussion in the main text

Detailed Plant

Information

Descriptions of each plant’s

noteworthy qualities and

requirements for planting

and care

Choices

Selections here help you choose from the

many varieties of certain popular plants.

Plant Portraits

Photos of selected plants

11

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Plant Profiles

The second section of the book includes

a description of each of the plants fea-

tured in the Portfolio. These profiles out-

line the plants’ basic preferences for

environmental conditions—such as soil,

moisture, and sun or shade—and provide

advice about planting and ongoing care.

Working with the book’s landscape

designers, we selected plants carefully,

following a few simple guidelines. Every

plant should be a proven performer in the

region; once established, it should thrive

without pampering. All plants should be

available from a major local nursery or

garden center. If they’re not in stock, they

could be ordered, or you could ask the

nursery staff to recommend suitable sub-

stitutes for them.

In the Portfolio section, you’ll note that

plants are referred to by their common

name but are cross-referenced to the

Plant Profiles section by their Latinized

scientific name. While common names

are familiar to many people, they can be

confusing. Distinctly different plants can

share the same common name, or one

plant can have several different common

names. Scientific names, therefore, en-

sure greatest accuracy and are more ap-

propriate for a reference section such as

this. Although you can confidently pur-

chase most of the plants in this book from

local nurseries using the common name,

knowing the scientific name allows you to

ensure that the plant you’re ordering is

the same one shown in our design.

Guide to Installation

In this section you’ll find detailed instruc-

tions and illustrations covering all the

techniques you’ll need to install any de-

sign from start to finish. Here we explain

how to think your way through a land-

scaping project and anticipate the various

steps. Then you’ll learn how to do each

part of the job: readying the site; laying out

the design; choosing materials; addressing

basic irrigation needs; building paths, trel-

lises, or other structures; preparing the soil

for planting; buying the recommended

plants and putting them in place; and car-

ing for the plants to keep them healthy

and attractive year after year.

We’ve taken care to make installation

of built elements simple and straightfor-

ward. The paths, trellises, and arbors all

use basic, readily available materials, and

they can be assembled by people who

have no special skills or tools beyond

those commonly used for home mainte-

nance. The designs can easily be adapted

to meet specific needs or to fit in with the

style of your house or other landscaping

features.

Installing different designs requires dif-

ferent techniques. You can find the tech-

niques that you need by following the

cross-references in the Portfolio to pages

NORTHEAST HARDINESS ZONES

in the Guide to Installation or by skim-

ming the Guide. You’ll find that many

basic techniques are reused from one

project to the next. You might want to

start with one of the smaller, simpler de-

signs. Gradually you’ll develop the skills

and confidence to do any project you

choose.

Most of the designs in this book can be

installed in several weekends; some will

take a little longer. Digging planting beds

and erecting fences and arbors can be

strenuous work. If you lack the energy for

such tasks, consider hiring a neighbor-

hood teenager to help out; local land-

scaping services can provide more

comprehensive help.

ME

NH

VT

NY

MA

NB

QUE

PEI

Also includes:

NEWF and E. LAB

NS

ONT

CT

RI

This map is based on one developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It

divides the region into “hardiness zones” based on minimum winter tempera-

tures. While most of the plants in this book will survive the lowest temperatures

in the region, a few may not. These few are noted in the Plant Profiles descrip-

tions, where we have usually suggested alternatives. When you buy plants, most

will have “hardiness” designations, which correspond to a USDA hardiness zone

on the map. A Zone 5 plant, for example, can be expected to survive winter

temperatures as low as –20°F, and it can be used with confidence in Zones 5

and 6 but not in the colder Zone 4. It is useful to know your zone and the zone

designation of plants you wish to add to those in this book.

Range of average annual

minimum temperatures

for each zone

ZONE 4: –30° to –20°F

ZONE 5: –20° to –10°F

Zone 6:

–10° to 0°F

‘Crimson Pygmy’

Japanese barberry

Amur maple

‘Carol Mackie’

daphne

Bloody

cranesbill

12

NORTHEAST HOME LANDSCAPING

Seasons in Your Landscape

One of the rewards of landscaping

is watching how plants

change through the seasons. During the dark winter months,

you look forward to the bright, fresh flowers of spring. Then

the lush green foliage of summer is transformed into the blaz-

ing colors of fall. Perennials that rest underground in winter

can grow head-high by midsummer, and hence a flower bed

that looks flat and bare in December becomes a jungle in July.

To illustrate typical seasonal changes, we’ve chosen one of

the designs from this book and shown here how it would look

in spring, summer, fall, and winter. (See p. 98.) As you can see,

this planting looks quite different from one season to the next,

but it always remains interesting. Try to remember this exam-

ple of transformation as you look at the other designs in this

book. There we show how the planting will appear in one sea-

son and indicate which plants will stand out at other times.

The task of tending a landscape also changes with the sea-

sons. Below we’ve noted the most important seasonal jobs in

the annual work cycle.

Spring

Daffodils, forsythia, and other early-spring flow-

ers start blooming in April in the Northeast. That’s

the time to do a thorough garden cleanup. Re-

move last year’s perennial flower stalks and tat-

tered foliage, prune shrubs and trees, renew the

mulch, and neaten the edges between lawn and

beds. By the end of April, it’s time to start mow-

ing the lawn.

Many trees and shrubs, such as the Amur

maple and ‘Carol Mackie’ daphne shown here,

bloom in May. Others, such as ‘Crimson Pygmy’

Japanese barberry, have less showy flowers, but

their new leaves are conspicuously bright-colored.

Meanwhile, perennials are also sending up

clumps of fresh foliage. Bloody cranesbill, shown

here, starts blooming in late spring, along with

peonies, irises, and other popular perennials.

Daylily

False sunflower

Blazing star

Lady’s mantle

Lavender

13

SEASONS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE

Summer

In summer, flowering perennials such as the

blazing star, false sunflower, lavender, daylily,

and lady’s mantle shown here add spots of

color to the otherwise green landscape. To

coax as many flowers as possible from these

plants and to keep the garden tidy, cut or

shear off older blossoms as they fade. Sum-

mer weather is typically humid throughout

the Northeast region, but droughts are not

uncommon. Water new plantings at least

once a week during dry spells, and water

older plants, too, if the soil gets so dry that

they wilt. Pull any weeds that sprout up

through the mulch. This is easiest when the

soil is moist from rain or watering.

Bloody cranesbill

Daylily

Lady’s mantle

Lavender

14

NORTHEAST HOME LANDSCAPING

Fall

A few bright-colored leaves appear here and

there in September, and fall foliage season

peaks in early to mid-October in the Northeast

region. While trees turn red, orange, and yel-

low overhead and roadside grasses dry to

shades of russet and tan, perennials such as the

daylily shown here bloom into the fall. The fo-

liage of lavender, lady’s mantle, and bloody

cranesbill is still handsome, while the false sun-

flower and blazing star have been cut back.

Sometime in September or October, the

first hard frost will kill tender plants to the

ground, signaling the time for fall cleanup. Toss

frosted plants on the compost pile. Rake leaves

into a pile or bin, and save them to use as

mulch in the spring.

‘Carol Mackie’

daphne

Bird’s-nest

Norway spruce

15

SEASONS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE

Winter

In winter, when deciduous trees and shrubs

are leafless and many perennials die down

to the ground, you’ll appreciate evergreen

plants such as the dwarf bird’s-nest Norway

spruce and the variegated ‘Carol Mackie’

daphne shown here. Also welcome in win-

ter are clumps of rustling grass, as well as

shrubs and trees with colorful twigs, unusual

bark, or bright berries.

Normally, garden plants don’t need any

care in winter. If heavy snow or an ice storm

snaps or crushes some plants, you can trim

away the broken parts as soon as it’s con-

venient. But if plants get frozen during a se-

vere cold spell, wait until spring to assess the

damage before deciding how far to cut

them back.

Variegated

Siberian

dogwood

Variegated

Siberian

dogwood

White birch

‘Gracillimus’

Japanese silver grass

‘Blaze’ climbing rose

‘Blue Star’ juniper

Blue oat grass

‘Blue Star’ juniper

16

NORTHEAST HOME LANDSCAPING

AT PLANTING

THREE TO FIVE YEARS

As Your Landscape Grows

Landscapes change over the years.

As plants grow, the overall look evolves

from sparse to lush. Trees cast cool

shade where the sun used to shine.

Shrubs and hedges grow tall and dense

enough to provide privacy. Perennials

and ground covers spread to form col-

orful patches of foliage and flowers.

Meanwhile, paths, arbors, fences, and

other structures gain the patina of age.

Constant change over the years—

sometimes rapid and dramatic, some-

times slow and subtle—is one of the

joys of landscaping. It is also one of the

challenges. Anticipating how fast

plants will grow and how big they will

eventually get is difficult, even for pro-

fessional designers, and was a major

concern in formulating the designs for

this book.

To illustrate the kinds of changes to

expect in a planting, these pages show

one of the designs at three different

“ages.” (See p. 40.) Even though a new

planting may look sparse at first, it will

soon fill in. And because of careful

spacing, the planting will look as good

in ten to fifteen years as it does after

three to five. It will, of course, look dif-

ferent, but that’s part of the fun.

Cinnamon fern

Astilbe

17

AS YOUR LANDSCAPE GROWS

TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS

At Planting—

Here’s how the corner

might appear in early summer immedi-

ately after planting. The white birch tree

is only 5 to 6 ft. tall, with trunks no thicker

than broomsticks. The variegated Siber-

ian dogwoods each have a few main

stems about 3 to 4 ft. tall. The ‘Blaze’ rose

has just short stubs where the nursery cut

back the old stems, but it will grow fast

and may bloom the first year. The ‘Blue

Star’ junipers are low mounds about 6 to

10 in. wide. The blue oat grass forms

small, thin clumps of sparse foliage. The

‘Gracillimus’ Japanese silver grass may still

be dormant, or it may have a short tuft of

new foliage. Both grasses will grow vigor-

ously the first year.

Three to Five Years—

The birch tree has

grown 1 to 2 ft. taller every year but is still

quite slender. Near the base, it’s starting

to show the white bark typical of matu-

rity. The variegated Siberian dogwoods

are well established now. If you cut them

to the ground every year or two in spring,

they grow back 4 to 6 ft. tall by midsum-

mer, with strong, straight stems. The ‘Blaze’

rose covers the fence, and you need to re-

move a few of its older stems every spring.

The slow-growing ‘Blue Star’ junipers

make a series of low mounds; you still see

them as individuals, not a continuous

patch. The grasses have reached maturity

and form lush, robust clumps. It would be

a good idea to divide and replant them

now, to keep them vigorous.

Ten to Fifteen Years—

The birch tree is

becoming a fine specimen, 20 to 30 ft.

tall, with gleaming white bark on its

trunks. Prune away the lower limbs up to

6 to 8 ft. above ground level to expose its

trunks and to keep it from crowding and

shading the other plants. The variegated

dogwoods and ‘Blaze’ rose continue to

thrive and respond well to regular prun-

ing. The ‘Blue Star’ junipers have finally

merged into a continuous mass of glossy

foliage. The blue oat grass and Japanese

silver grass will still look good if they have

been divided and replanted over the

years. If you get tired of the grasses, you

could replace them with cinnamon fern

and astilbe, as shown here, or other

perennials or shrubs.

19

This section presents 54 designs

for situations

that are common in home landscapes. You’ll find

designs to enhance entrances, decks, and patios.

There are gardens of colorful perennials and

shrubs, as well as structures and plantings, to cre-

ate shady hideaways, dress up nondescript walls,

and even make a centerpiece of a lowly mailbox.

Large color illustrations show what the designs will

look like, and site plans delineate the layout and

planting scheme. Texts explain the designs and de-

scribe the plants and projects appearing in them.

Installed as shown or adapted to meet your site

and personal preferences, these designs can make

your property more attractive, more useful, and—

most important—more enjoyable for you, your

family, and your friends.

Portfolio

of

Designs

Pachysandra

B

Evergreen

candytuft

H

Dwarf double-file

viburnum

E

Redbud

A

Pavers

I

‘Crimson Pygmy’

Japanese barberry

D

Japanese holly

C

Bench

K

See site plan for

.

J

21

UP FRONT AND FORMAL

B

Pachysandra

(use 250)

Hardy, adaptable evergreen ground cover

that will spread in the shade of the redbud,

forming an attractive, weed-smothering,

glossy green carpet. See

Pachysandra termi-

nalis,

p. 145.

C

Japanese holly

(use 19)

Choose an upright cultivar of this ever-

green shrub to form a hedge of dark-

green leaves. See

Ilex crenata

, p. 140. In

Zones 4 and 5 substitute the hardier

compact burning bush,

Euonymus alatus

‘Compactus’, p. 136.

D

‘Crimson Pygmy’ Japanese barberry

(use 34)

This rugged deciduous shrub puts on a

colorful show, with small maroon leaves

that turn red in fall when they’re joined

by bright-red berries. A small rounded

plant, it can be sheared, as shown here,

or pruned lightly into an informal low

hedge. See

Berberis thunbergii,

p. 132.

E

Dwarf double-file viburnum

(use 2)

A pair of these deciduous shrubs make an

elegant frame for the door. Tiers of horizon-

tal branches are smothered with small clus-

ters of pure-white flowers from May

through fall. Large, crinkled leaves are

medium green. See

Viburnum plicatum

var.

tomentosum,

p. 152.

F

‘Janet Blair’ rhododendron

(use 6)

The wonderful evergreen foliage and light

pink flowers of this compact shrub anchor

the planting at the corners of the house.

Blooms in late spring. ‘Mist Maiden’ and

‘Anna Hall’ rhododendrons are good substi-

tutes. See

Rhododendron,

p. 148.

G

Dwarf creeping juniper

(use 10)

Layered sprays of this evergreen shrub’s

prickly bright-green foliage lay like thick

rugs on the edge of the lawn. A lovely

contrast to the dark-green rhododen-

drons behind. For extra color in spring,

plant handfuls of crocuses, snowdrops, or

grape hyacinths next to the junipers. See

Juniperus procumbens

‘Nana’, p. 142.

H

Evergreen candytuft

(use 12)

An evergreen perennial ground cover, it

forms a low, sprawling mound of glossy

foliage. Bears small white flowers for weeks

in the spring. See

Iberis sempervirens,

p. 140.

I

Pavers

The courtyard is surfaced with 2-ft.-square

precast pavers. Use two complementary

colors to create patterns if you choose. Sub-

stitute flagstones or bricks if they would

look better with your house. See p. 161.

J

Ornament

An ornament centered in the courtyard

paving provides a focal point. Choose a

sculpture, sundial, reflecting ball, birdbath,

or large potted plant to suit your taste.

K

Bench

Enjoy the courtyard garden from a comfort-

able bench in a style that complements the

garden and the house.˚

Dwarf cranberrybush

viburnum

B

‘Goldsturm’

black-eyed Susan

F

‘Goldsturm’

black-eyed

Susan

F

‘Moonbeam’

coreopsis

G

‘Moonshine’

yarrow

H

‘Stella d’Oro’

daylily

I

Bench

K

Basket-of-gold

E

‘Little Princess’

spirea

D

‘Sea Green’

juniper

A

25

round pale-green color. See

Juniperus chinensis,

p. 142.

B

Dwarf cranberry bush

viburnum

(use 5)

This small deciduous shrub has

a dense, bushy habit and dark-

green, maplelike leaves that

turn shades of red in fall. It

won’t outgrow its place be-

neath the windows. See

Vibur-

num opulus

‘Nanum’, p. 152.

C

‘Frau Dagmar Hartop’ rose

(use 18 or more)

With its crinkly bright-green

leaves, fragrant single pink

flowers, and colorful red hips

from autumn into winter, this

easy-to-grow deciduous shrub

puts on quite a show. Flowers

all summer; forms a dense nat-

ural-looking hedge. Extend the

planting along the house as

needed. See

Rosa,

p. 149.

D

‘Little Princess’ spirea

(use 7)

Another compact deciduous

shrub, with dainty twigs and

leaves. Bears pink flowers in

June and July. See

Spiraea

japonica,

p. 150.

E

Basket-of-gold

(use 4)

The planting’s first flowers

appear on this perennial in

spring. After the fragrant yellow

blooms fade, the low mounds

of gray leaves look good

through late fall. See

Aurinia

saxatilis,

p. 132.

F

‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed

Susan

(use 20)

A popular prairie perennial, this

bears large golden yellow flow-

ers (each with a dark “eye” in

the center) that are a cheerful

sight in late summer. See

Rud-

beckia fulgida,

p. 150.

G

‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis

(use 22)

For months during the summer,

this perennial features masses

of tiny pale-yellow flowers on

neat mounds of lacy dark-

green foliage. See

Coreopsis ver-

ticillata,

p. 135.

H

‘Moonshine’ yarrow

(use 17)

A perennial offering flat heads

of sulphur yellow flowers for

much of the summer. The fine

gray-green leaves contrast

nicely with surrounding foliage.

See

Achillea,

p. 130.

I

‘Stella d’Oro’ daylily

(use 30)

Distinctive golden yellow flow-

ers hover over this perennial’s

attractive grassy foliage from

mid-June until fall. See

Hemero-

callis,

p. 139.

J

Walk

Made of precast concrete

pavers, the walk and decorative

edgings require careful layout

and installation. Consider rent-

ing a mason’s saw to ensure ac-

curacy when cutting pavers.

See p. 160.

K

Bench

A nursery or garden center can

usually order a simple curved

bench like the one shown here,

although a straight bench will

do, too.

‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony

F

‘Blue Star’ juniper

D

Germander

H

‘Techny’ American

arborvitae

C

26

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Rare is the home

without foundation

plantings. These simple skirtings of green-

ery hide unattractive concrete block un-

derpinnings and help overcome the

impression that the house is hovering a

few feet above the ground. Useful as

these plantings are, they are too often just

monochromatic expanses of clipped

yews, dull as dishwater. But, as this design

shows, a durable, low-maintenance foun-

dation planting can be more varied, more

colorful, and more fun.

Broad-leaved and coniferous ever-

green shrubs anchor this planting and

provide four-season cover for the

foundation. But they also offer con-

trasting shapes and textures and a

range of colors from icy blue through a

variety of greens to maroon.

What makes this design special is the

smaller plants fronting the foundation

shrubs. Including perennials, grasses, and

low shrubs in the mix expands the foun-

A Step Up

PLANT A FOUNDATION GARDEN

C

‘Techny’ American arborvitae

(use 1)

This cone-shaped, slow-growing evergreen

fills the corner near the front steps with fra-

grant, rich-green, fine-textured foliage. See

Thuja occidentalis,

p. 151.

D

‘Blue Star’ juniper

(use 3)

The sparkly blue foliage and irregular

mounded form of this low-growing ever-

green shrub look great next to the peony

and germander. See

Juniperus squamata,

p.

142.

E

‘Sea Urchin’ blue fescue grass

(use 3)

The very fine blue leaves of this perennial

grass contrast handsomely with the dark-

green rhododendrons behind. Flower spikes

rise above the neat, soft-looking mounds in

early summer. See

Festuca ovina

var.

glauca,

p. 137.

F

‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peony

(use 3)

A sentimental favorite, this perennial offers

fragrant pink double flowers in early sum-

mer. Forms a multistemmed clump with

attractive foliage that will look nice next to

the steps through the summer. See

Paeonia,

p. 145.

G

White astilbe

(use 3)

The lacy dark-green foliage and fluffy white

flower plumes of this tough perennial stand

out against the blue foliage of its neighbors.

Flowers in June or July. See

Astilbe,

p. 132.

H

Germander

(use 1)

This rugged little shrub forms a tidy mound

of small, dark, shiny evergreen leaves next

to the walk. Mauve flowers bloom in late

summer. See

Teucrium chamaedrys,

p. 151.

I

‘Sheffield’ chrysanthemum

(use 1)

A longtime regional favorite, this hardy

perennial forms a broad mound of fragrant

gray-green foliage. Small, pink, daisylike

blossoms cover the plant from September

until frost. See

Dendranthema

x

grandiflo-

rum,

p. 136.

Plants

&

Projects

Eye-catching as the flowers in this planting are,

the foliage is the key to its success in every sea-

son. The evergreens are attractive year-round.

And each of the perennials has been chosen as

much for its foliage as for its flowers. A thor-

ough cleanup and maintenance pruning spring

and fall will keep the planting looking its best.

A

‘Wichita Blue’ juniper

(use 1 plant)

This slow-growing, upright evergreen shrub

has a neat pyramidal form and lovely silver-

blue foliage and blue berries to add year-

round color at the corner of the house. See

Juniperus scopulorum,

p. 142.

B

‘PJM’ rhododendron

(use 5)

An informal row of these hardy evergreen

shrubs beautifully conceals the foundation.

Vivid magenta flowers in early spring, small

dark-green leaves that turn maroon in win-

ter, all on a compact plant. See

Rhododen-

dron,

p. 148.

dation planting into a small front-yard

garden. From spring until frost, flowers in

white, pink, magenta, and mauve stand

out against the blue-and-green backdrop.

When the last flower fades in autumn, the

evergreen foliage takes center stage,

serving through the winter as a

welcome reminder that

the world will green

up again.

Flagstone paving

Star magnolia

D

Dwarf creeping

juniper

C

Morning glories

in planter

K

‘Bonica’ rose

B

‘Six Hills Giant’

catmint

I

‘Gracillimus’

Japanese silver

grass

H

Dwarf creeping

juniper

C

‘White

Meidiland’

rose

F

‘Gracillimus’

Japanese

silver grass

H

Jackman clematis

on lattice support

G

‘Blue Star’

juniper

A

‘The Fairy’ rose

E

‘Gracillimus’

Japanese silver grass

H

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Summer

CONCEPT: Easy-care

plantings and flag-

stone paving make an

attractive entryway

to the house.

31

A WARM WELCOME

J