Northwest Home Landscaping, 3rd Edition E-Book

Roger Holmes

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

Seitenzahl: 515

Beschreibung

Northwest Home Landscaping, including Western British Columbia is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best seller on landscaping northwest-style. Readers will find inspiring ideas for making the home landscape more attractive and functional. The 48 featured designs are created by landscape professionals from the region and use more than 200 plants that thrive in the southeast. Detailed instructions for projects such as paths, patios, ponds, and arbors are also included. Over 400 full-color photos and paintings are complemented by easy, step-by-step instructions. The Pacific Northwest will be in full bloom with Northwest Home Landscaping.US: WA, ORCAN: Western British Columbia

Leseprobe

NORTHWEST

HOME LANDSCAPING

Including Western British Columbia

Other titles available in the

Home Landscaping

series:

CALIFORNIA

MID-ATLANTIC

MIDWEST

including South-Central Canada

NORTHEAST

including Southeast Canada

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHERN COASTAL

TEXAS

WESTERN

NORTHWEST

HOME LANDSCAPING

Roger Holmes

Don Marshall

CREATIVE HOMEOWNER

®

Including Western British Columbia

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.

NORTHWEST HOME LANDSCAPING

WORDWORKS

EDITORS

Roger Holmes, Don Marshall

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Rita Buchanan

COPY EDITOR

Nancy J. Stabile

INTERIOR DESIGN

Deborah Fillion

ILLUSTRATORS

Steve Buchanan (Portfolio of Designs);

Michelle Angle Farrar, Lee Hov,

Robert LaPointe, Rick Daskam,

Teresa Nicole Green (Guide to

Installation)

Northwest Home Landscaping, Third Edition

eISBN: 978-1-63741-110-0

Creative Homeowner®,

www.CreativeHomeowner.com

, is an imprint of New Design

Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by

Fox Chapel Pub-

lishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, and in

the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire,

NG31 7XQ.

COPYRIGHT © 2002, 2007, 2011

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.

He also co-wrote Creative Homeowner’s

Creating Good Gardens.

Don Marshall

heads up the Environmental

Horticultural Program at Lake Washington

Technical College, in Kirkland, Washington,

where he has been Horticulture Instructor for

over 20 years. He is also the sole proprietor

of Plant Designs, a landscaping company that

designs, installs, and maintains commercial

and residential landscapes.

■

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.

John Ahrens,

with Barry Landry and Nena Scott, King’s Creek

Landscape Management, Austin, Texas. Their design appears on

pp. 58–59.

Lee Buffington and Gordon Iwata,

Arcadia Design, Mercer

Island, Washington. Their designs appear on pp. 54–57, 94–97,

and 106–109.

Laura Crockett,

Sylvan Designs, Hillsboro, Oregon. Her designs

appear on pp. 16–19, 46–49, and 82–85.

Kate Day

is a landscape architect and certified arborist in the

Seattle area. Her designs appear on pp. 28–31, 70–73, and 88–91.

Rosa Finsley,

with Cheryl Bryant, King’s Creek Gardens, Cedar Hill,

Texas. Their design appears on pp. 86–87.

Lucy Hardiman

is the principal of Perennial Partners, a garden-

design collective in Portland. Her designs appear on pp. 74–77

and 66–69.

Daniel Lowery,

Queen Anne Gardens, Seattle. His designs appear on

pp. 22–25, 36–39, and 108–111.

Glenn Morris

has designed southern landscapes for many years.

His design appears on pp. 64–65.

Ruth Olde,

Blasig Landscape Design and Construction Ltd., Vancou-

ver, British Columbia. Her designs appear on pp. 60–63, 78–81, and

98–101.

Jana Ruzicka

operates her own landscape design business in Laguna

Beach, California. Her design appears on pp. 106-107.

Dan Sears,

Sears Design Group of Raleigh, North Carolina. His

design appears on pp. 40–41.

Carolyn Singer

owns Foothill Cottage Gardens, Grass Valley, California.

Her design appears on pp. 20–21.

Jimmy and Becky Stewart

are professional gardeners in Atlanta,

Georgia. Their design appears on pp. 92–93.

Mary Wilhite and Sharon Lee Smith,

Blue Moon Gardens, Tyler,

Texas. Their design appears on pp. 26–27.

Phil Wood

owns Phil Wood Garden Design in Seattle. His designs

appear on pp. 32–35, 42–45, and 50–53.

Contents

8

About This Book

12

As Your Landscape Grows

14

Portfolio of Designs

16

Up Front and Formal

Garden geometry transforms a small front yard.

20

Front-Door Makeover

Enhance your main entry in a weekend.

22

A Foundation with Flair

Create a front garden of striking foliage.

26

Another Fancy Foundation

Flowers and foliage create a lush garden.

28

First Impressions

Make a pleasant passage to your front door.

32

An Eye-Catching Corner

Beautify a boundary with easy-care plants.

36

Streetwise and Stylish

Give your curbside strip a new look.

40

Front-Yard Border

Arbor and plantings make a welcoming entry.

42

A Pleasant Passage

Reclaim a narrow side yard for a stroll garden.

46

Landscaping a Low Wall

A colorful two-tier garden replaces a bland slope.

50

Angle of Repose

Make a back-door garden in a sheltered niche.

54

Beautify a Blank Wall

A vertical garden makes the most of a narrow site.

58

Decorate a Sunny Wall

Perennials, vines, and a flowering shrub enliven

a tight space.

60

A No-Mow Slope

A terraced planting transforms a steep slope.

64

Easy-Care Hillside

Landscaping tames a severe slope.

66

A Beginning Border

Flowers and a fence offer a traditional design.

70

Create a “Living” Room

A patio garden provides privacy and pleasure.

74

Garden in the Round

Create a planting with several attractive faces.

78

A Shady Hideaway

Build a cozy retreat in a corner of your yard.

82

Splash Out

Make a water garden the focus of outdoor activities.

86

Easy Pond

Make a handsome water garden in a few weekends.

88

Down to Earth

Harmonize your deck with its surroundings.

92

A Postal Planting

Make your daily mail run a perennial pleasure.

94

A Green Space for Recycling

Screen off bins with a fence, foliage, and flowers.

98

Gateway Garden

Arbor, fence, and plantings make a handsome

entry.

102

Elegant Symmetry

Make a formal garden for your backyard.

106

An Island Retreat

Create a freestanding patio garden.

108

A Woodland Link

Create a shrub border for nearby woods.

112

Plant Profiles

114

Descriptions of all the plants shown in the

Portfolio of Designs, plus information on how

to plant and care for them

140

Guide to Installation

142

Organizing Your Project

Introducing the tasks involved in a landscape

installation; how to organize them for best results

144

Clearing the Site

Removing turf, weeds, and other unwanted

material

146

Water for Your Plants

Water-wise practices; water systems

148

Making Paths and Walkways

How to choose materials, prepare the base, install

edgings, and lay the surface

154

Laying a Patio

Employing the same materials and techniques as

for walks and paths; ensuring proper drainage

156

Installing a Pond

Siting, excavating, installing a flexible liner or fiber-

glass shell, and growing pond plants

160

Building a Retaining Wall

How to lay out, excavate, and assemble a precast

modular wall system and steps

164

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

178

Preparing the Soil for Planting

How to dig and improve the soil, and how to

create edging for beds

182

Buying Plants

Where to go, what to look for, and how to get the

best quality and price

183

The Planting Process

When to plant, steps in the planting process,

spacing; annuals as fillers

185

Planting Basics

Plants in containers, balled-and-burlapped plants,

bare-root plants, ground covers, and bulbs

187

Basic Landscape Care

Mulches and fertilizers; controlling weeds; watering

191

Caring for Woody Plants

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

how to make a hedge

196

Caring for Perennials

Routine care, pruning, and dividing

198

Problem Solving

Understanding common problems with animal

and insect pests and diseases; winter damage

200

Glossary

202

Index

207

Credits

8

NORTHWEST HOME LANDSCAPING

About This Book

Unlike with some 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 designs for more than 28 common home-

landscaping situations, created by landscape professionals who

live and work in the Northwest. Drawing on years of experience,

these designers 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 Instal-

lation, will help you install and maintain the plants and struc-

tures called for in the designs. The discussions that follow take

a closer look at each section; we’ve also printed representative

pages of the sections on pp. 9 and 10 and pointed out their fea-

tures.

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 each situation, 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 shru

bs have reached mature size. (For more on how plant-

ings change as they age, see “As Your Landscape Grows,” pp. 12–

13.) 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 for the

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

mation, 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

Rendering

Shows how the design

will look when plants

are well established

Concept Box

Site, season, and design

summary

Plants & Projects

Noteworthy qualities of

the plants and structures

and their contributions

to the design

Site Plan

Positions all plants and

structures on a scaled grid

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

Variations on a Theme

Photos of inspiring designs

in similar situations

FIRST DESIGN OPTION

SECOND DESIGN OPTION

10

NORTHWEST 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

Choices

Selections here help you

choose from the many

varieties of certain popular

plants.

Detailed Plant

Information

Descriptions of each plant’s

noteworthy qualities and

requirements for planting

and care

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 plant experts in the

Northwest, 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.

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 sci-

entific name. While common names are

familiar to many people, they can be con-

fusing. 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

NORTHWEST REGION

The green portion of the map indicates the

area covered by this book. All but a hand-

ful of the plants in this book will do well

throughout this area. (Alternatives for

those that don’t are usually provided in the

Plant Profiles.)

Area covered in book

Washington

Oregon

Vancouver Island

Cascade

Mountains

Vancouver

Seattle

Tacoma

Pacific

Ocean

Portland

Eugene

California

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.

British Columbia

‘Autumn Brilliance’

serviceberry

‘Powis Castle’

artemisia

‘Vancouver Gold’

silky leaf woadwaxen

‘Victoria’

wild lilac

Hall’s Japanese

honeysuckle

Blue oat grass

Grey’s senecio

‘Tuscan Blue’

rosemary

‘Lucifer’

crocosmia

‘Goldsturm’

coneflower

‘Vancouver Gold’

silky leaf woadwaxen

‘Victoria’

wild lilac

Hall’s Japanese

honeysuckle

Grey’s senecio

‘Tuscan Blue’

rosemary

‘Lucifer’

crocosmia

‘Autumn Brilliance’

serviceberry

‘Powis Castle’

artemisia

Blue

oat grass

‘Goldsturm’

coneflower

AT PLANTING

THREE TO FIVE YEARS

Continuing 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 chal-

lenges. Anticipating how fast plants will

grow and how big they will eventually be-

come is difficult, even for professional de-

signers, and was a major concern in

formulating the designs for this book.

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 colorful patches of

foliage and flowers. Meanwhile, paths, ar-

bors, fences, and other structures gain the

comfortable patina of age.

12

NORTHWEST HOME LANDSCAPING

As Your Landscape Grows

To illustrate the kinds of changes to ex-

pect in a planting, these pages show one

of the designs at three different “ages.”

Even though a new planting may look

sparse at first, it will soon fill in. And be-

cause of careful spacing, the planting will

look as good in 10 to 15 years as it does

after 3 to 5. It will, of course, look differ-

ent, but that’s part of the fun.

‘Autumn Brilliance’

serviceberry

‘Victoria’

wild lilac

Hall’s Japanese

honeysuckle

Grey’s senecio

‘Tuscan Blue’

rosemary

‘Lucifer’

crocosmia

‘Powis Castle’

artemisia

Blue oat grass

‘Goldsturm’

coneflower

TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS

13

AS YOUR LANDSCAPE GROWS

Three to Five Years—

As shown here in

early summer, the planting has filled out

nicely. The serviceberry rises to a height

of about 8 ft. Below, the honeysuckle

twines along much of the fence. The wild

lilac has filled in significantly. Its blue

flowers pair attractively with the carpet of

yellow woadwaxen flowers. The rose-

mary, senecio, coneflower, and artemisia

have become bushy plants with hand-

some foliage and flowers. The blue oat

grass has grown into bristly clumps 12 to

18 in. tall; the taller crocosmia now forms

a small patch.

At Planting—

Here’s how the corner

planting (pp. 32–35) might appear in

spring immediately after planting. The

branches of the Hall’s honeysuckle, 2 to 3

ft. long, have been tied to the fence, where

they can begin to twine. The serviceberry

is 4 to 5 ft. tall, and the shrubby wild lilac

is about 18 in. tall. Bought in 1-gal. con-

tainers, the rosemary, Grey’s senecio,

coneflower, artemisia, and blue oat grass

are about a foot in height; the crocosmia,

a little taller. Silky leaf woadwaxen hugs

the ground near the fence. In addition to

mulch, you can fill the spaces between the

small plants with short annuals.

Ten to Fifteen Years—

Shown again in

early summer, the serviceberry, now 10 to

12 ft. tall, has a graceful habit and casts

dappled shade over the planting. Its lower

limbs have been removed as the tree has

grown, making room for the wild lilac,

which has overgrown the woadwaxen.

Annual pruning has kept the honeysuckle

vigorous but confined to the fence. The

crocosmia has been divided over the

years to keep it in scale (and provide starts

for other clumps around the yard). The

rosemary, senecio, coneflower, artemisia,

and blue oat grass commingle, with just

enough pruning each year to keep the

planting tidy and the clumps defined.

15

You can use

any of the 48 professional landscape

designs presented in this section outright or adapt

them to suit your property or personal preferences.

Each design solves a common landscape problem

and provides a plan to create a stunning landscape

with plants that thrive in the Pacific Northwest.

There are gardens of colorful perennials and

shrubs, as well as structures and plantings that cre-

ate shady hideaways, dress up nondescript walls,

and even make a centerpiece of a lowly recycling

area. Large color illustrations show what the de-

signs will look like, and site plans delineate the lay-

out and planting scheme. The text explains the

designs and describes the plants and projects ap-

pearing in them. These designs can make your

property more attractive, more useful, and—most

importantly—more enjoyable for you, your family,

and your friends.

Portfolio

of

Designs

Paving

M

‘Ramapo’

rhododendron

C

‘Sarabande’

Japanese silver

grass

G

Ground covers

K

‘Ramapo’

rhododendron

C

Peony hybrid

H

‘Tropic Night’

Siberian iris

I

Screen

L

‘Sarabande’

Japanese

silver grass

G

Japanese

stewartia

A

‘Little Grapette’

daylily

J

‘Preziosa’

hydrangea

D

‘Helleri’

Japanese holly

F

‘Flower Carpet

Pink’ rose

B

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Early summer

CONCEPT: Subtle

geometry and well-

chosen plants create

an entry garden of

comfortable, low-key

formality.

17

UP FRONT AND FORMAL

F

‘Helleri’ Japanese holly

(use 10)

Similar to ‘Green Island’, this evergreen

shrub makes a smaller, tighter mass of dark

green leaves. Trim formally to neat geomet-

ric lines. See

Ilex crenata,

p. 129.

G

‘Sarabande’ Japanese silver grass

(use 6)

A perennial grass, this forms a large clump

of slender leaves that arch at their tips.

White-striped green leaves appear to be sil-

ver from a distance. See

Miscanthus sinensis,

p. 131.

H

Peony hybrids

(use 6)

These perennials bear large fragrant flowers

in late spring or early summer on bushy

clumps of compound foliage. A cultivar with

burgundy-red flowers suits this design well.

See

Paeonia,

p. 132.

I

‘Tropic Night’ Siberian iris

(use 6)

In late spring and early summer, elegant

deep-purple flowers rise on long stalks

above this perennial’s slender upright

leaves. Foliage continues to look good after

bloom has faded. See

Iris sibirica,

p. 129.

J

‘Little Grapette’ daylily

(use 10)

Echoing the irises closer to the house, this

perennial also forms a clump of long slen-

der leaves and bears rosy purple flowers on

long stalks. Blooms in early summer. See

Hemerocallis,

p. 127.

K

Ground covers

(as needed)

Of the three ground covers used in this de-

sign, two are shrubs. Nearest the house, ‘Sil-

ver Queen’ euonymus (see

Euonymus

fortunei,

p. 123) forms a low mass of small

green leaves edged in white. Space plants 2

ft. on center. Around the low screens, ‘Mass-

achusetts’ kinnikinnick (see

Arctostaphylos

uva-ursi,

p. 116) forms a dark-green carpet.

Its white spring flowers produce red berries.

Plant 18 in. on center. Edging the walkways

is moss phlox (see

Phlox subulata,

p. 132), a

perennial with grayish evergreen leaves and

pink spring flowers. Plant 18 in. on center.

L

Screen

Low wooden screens adjacent to the walk-

way help separate the public and private

spaces in the front yard. See p. 170.

M

Paving

Rectangular, random-sized flagstones are

durable and reinforce the formality of the

design. See p. 149.

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Late summer

CONCEPT: An

imaginative informal

planting transforms

a front yard into a

pleasant stroll garden.

Dwarf

pampas grass

B

Pot

N

‘Autumn Joy’

sedum

L

‘May Night’

salvia

I

Dwarf eastern

white pine

E

‘Lochinch’

butterfly bush

A

Purple

fountain

grass

H

Path and

seating

O

‘Magnus’ purple

coneflower

J

‘Sarabande’

Japanese

silver grass

P

Grey’s

senecio

F

Rockspray

cotoneaster

D

‘Victoria’

wild lilac

C

‘Lucifer’

crocosmia

K

Ground

cover

M

Ground

cover

M

‘Hidcote’

English lavender

G

‘Hidcote’

English lavender

G

Free-spirited

front yard

If formality isn’t your style and you prefer gardens to lawns, con-

sider this design. Here, sweeping masses of shrubs and perenni-

als create a colorful undulating landscape. The foliage is varied

in form, color, and texture, and there are flowers and striking seed

heads from spring through fall.

Though informal, the composition is subtly purposeful. Eye-

catching plants define the planting at the corners. Distinctive

pines frame the doorway, while walkways from drive and side-

walk invite entry.

But for the visitor or resident inclined to dally, a meandering

flagstone path leads not to the front door but to a comfortable

bench where the plants can be enjoyed at leisure. You might con-

sider removing any concrete walkway from the drive to empha-

size the garden stroll.

You need undertake no major construction for this design,

and you can install the planting in stages, retaining lawn in areas

yet to be planted.

Plants

&

Projects

A

‘Lochinch’ butterfly bush

(use 1 plant)

Long clusters of fragrant violet-

blue flowers bloom from mid-

summer through fall on this

deciduous shrub. See

Buddleia

davidii,

p. 117.

B

Dwarf pampas grass

(use 1)

An evergreen perennial with

arching leaves. In summer and

fall, it bears pink flowers and

pale yellow seed heads. See

Cortaderia selloana

‘Pumila’, p.

121.

C

‘Victoria’ wild lilac

(use 1)

This upright shrub offers attrac-

tive evergreen foliage and clus-

ters of deep-blue flowers in

spring. See

Ceanothus,

p. 119.

D

Rockspray cotoneaster

(use 1)

A low deciduous shrub with

pinkish white spring flowers

and long-lasting red berries.

Leaves turn red in fall. See

Co-

toneaster horizontalis,

p. 121.

E

Dwarf eastern white pine

(use 3)

This evergreen tree or shrub

grows slowly and has soft blue-

green needles. See

Pinus strobus

‘Nana’, p. 133.

F

Grey’s senecio

(use 3)

An evergreen shrub with small

gray leaves and yellow daisylike

flowers in summer. See

Senecio

greyi,

p. 137.

G

‘Hidcote’ English lavender

(use 23)

The gray foliage of this compact

evergreen shrub bristles with

spikes of dark-purple flowers in

early summer. See

Lavandula

angustifolia,

p. 130.

H

Purple fountain grass

(use 9)

This perennial forms a clump of

very thin reddish leaves topped

during the summer with strik-

ing plumes of tiny purple flow-

ers. See

Pennisetum setaceum

‘Rubrum’, p. 132.

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Late winter

CONCEPT: A few

well-chosen plants

and a few hours’ work

can invigorate a

nondescript entry.

‘Little Gem’

evergreen candytuft

B

Cottage pink

C

‘Spring Bouquet’

viburnum

A

‘Stella d’Oro’

daylily

D

‘Compacta’

heavenly

bamboo

E

21

FRONT-DOOR MAKEOVER

Plants

&

Projects

This simple planting is easy to

maintain. Clip the candytuft after

its spring bloom to encourage re-

bloom in the fall. Deadhead the

daylilies and pinks to keep them

tidy. As the years pass, you may

need to prune the heavenly bam-

boo and viburnum in spring or fall

to keep them an attractive size.

A

‘Spring Bouquet’

viburnum

(use 2 plants)

This compact evergreen shrub

blooms from late fall to spring,

bearing white flowers with a

rosy pink tinge and light fra-

grance. Dense, dark-green fo-

liage looks good year-round.

See

Viburnum tinus,

p. 139.

B

‘Little Gem’ evergreen

candytuft

(use 6)

Forming a solid mass at the

feet of the viburnums, the dark

leaves of this evergreen peren-

nial are covered with white

flowers for several weeks in

spring; in some areas, they

bloom all year. See

Iberis

sempervirens,

p. 129.

C

Cottage pink

(use 6)

This perennial is prized for its

delicious scent. Single or dou-

ble flowers in shades of white,

pink, and red float on wiry

stems above a mat of gray-

green foliage from late spring

into autumn. See

Dianthus plu-

marius,

p. 122.

D

‘Stella d’Oro’ daylily

(use 6)

A remarkably long-blooming

daylily, it bears cheerful yellow

flowers on sturdy stalks from

late spring through fall on

mounds of grassy foliage. See

Hemerocallis,

p. 127.

E

‘Compacta’ heavenly

bamboo

(use 2)

Planted in containers, this ever-

green shrub greets visitors with

colorful foliage, fluffy white

flowers in summer, and long-

lasting red berries. It won’t

quickly outgrow its pot or its

space. See

Nandina domestica,

p. 131.

‘Lucifer’

crocosmia

G

Barnes’ narrow

male fern

F

Amur

maple

A

‘Little Gem’

candytuft

H

Dwarf Hinoki

cypress

C

David

viburnum

D

‘Moyers Red’

heavenly bamboo

E

Barnes’ narrow

male fern

F

Dwarf Hinoki

cypress

C

23

A

Amur maple

(use 3 plants)

This small multitrunked decidu-

ous tree offers months of inter-

est. In spring, fragrant yellow

flowers are followed by bright

red, winged seeds. Summer’s

glossy green leaves cast a dap-

pled shade and turn striking

colors in fall. See

Acer ginnala,

p. 114.

B

Plume cedar

(use 1)

Making a neat cone, this ever-

green tree contrasts nicely with

the nearby maples. Needlelike

blue-green foliage turns bronze

in winter. Peeling, cinnamon-

colored bark is also attractive.

See

Cryptomeria japonica

‘Ele-

gans’, p. 122.

C

Dwarf Hinoki cypress

(use 2)

Flanking the steps, a pair of

these small evergreen trees

form mounds of layered emer-

ald green, scalelike foliage.

Plant has a sculpted look. See

Chamaecyparis obtusa

‘Nana

Gracilis’, p. 119.

D

David viburnum

(use 11)

A compact evergreen shrub

with handsome, leathery, dark-

green leaves. In spring, pink

buds produce flat clusters of

small white flowers. It bears

metallic blue fruits in fall. See

Viburnum davidii,

p. 139.

E

‘Moyers Red’ heavenly

bamboo

(use 8)

This evergreen shrub forms

a clump of erect stems bearing

soft lacy foliage that is bronze

in spring, green in summer,

and an intense red throughout

fall and winter. Bears fluffy

white flowers in summer,

sometimes off and on through-

out the year, and orange-red

berries. See

Nandina domes-

tica,

p. 131.

F

Barnes’ narrow male fern

(use 9)

This semievergreen fern forms

a narrow clump of upright

fronds with slightly ruffled

leaflets. See Ferns:

Dryopteris

filix-mas

‘Barnesii’, p. 124.

G

‘Lucifer’ crocosmia

(use 6)

Clusters of bright red-orange

flowers hover on graceful arch-

ing stems among this peren-

nial’s swordlike leaves from

summer into fall. See

Crocos-

mia,

p. 122.

H

‘Little Gem’ candytuft

(as needed)

This perennial ground cover

forms mounds of glossy ever-

green leaves. Flat clusters of

white flowers cover the foliage

in spring. See

Iberis semper-

virens,

p. 129.

I

Tulips

(as needed)

Plant a generous number (100

or more) of these colorful

bulbs in the candytuft for a

striking spring display. See

Bulbs:

Tulipa,

p. 118.

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Midsummer

CONCEPT: Mixing

small trees, vines, shrubs,

and perennials makes

a colorful foundation

planting.

Japanese

maiden grass

F

Firebush

C

‘Blue Princess’

verbena

H

‘Blue Princess’

verbena

H

‘Autumn Joy’

sedum

G

‘Goldsturm’

black-eyed Susan

I

Firebush

C

Heavenly

bamboo

B

‘Catawba’

crapemyrtle

A

‘Gold Star’

esperanza

D

Carolina

jasmine

J

26

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Another Fancy Foundation

FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE CREATE A LUSH GARDEN

By adding smaller plants

in

front of the taller shrubs near

the house and including a

small flowering tree, a mix of

shrubs and perennials, and a

flowering vine along the railing,

the design transforms a foun-

dation planting into a small

garden. Here, there’s some-

thing for everyone to enjoy,

from porch sitters to passersby.

Starting in early spring

with fragrant jasmine and

rosemary and the eye-

stopping flowers of the es-

peranza and verbena, the

garden reaches full exu-

berance in summer, with

bright flowers in yellows,

purples, blues, and or-

anges. Foliage in a mixture

of greens and grays and a

variety of textures show-

cases the flowers, several of

which attract beautiful but-

terflies and hummingbirds.

And the evergreen leaves of

many of the plants extend

this foundation planting’s

appeal through the winter.

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Midsummer

CONCEPT: Easy-

care plantings and a

distinctive walkway

enhance a home’s

main entrance.

‘Wood’s Dwarf’

heavenly bamboo

E

28

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Why wait

until a visitor reaches the front

door to extend a cordial greeting? An entry-

way landscape of well-chosen plants and a

revamped walkway make the short journey a

pleasant one. They also enrich your home’s

most public face and help settle it comfort-

ably in its surroundings.

The flagstone paving here creates a walk-

way with the feel of a cozy courtyard, an at-

mosphere enhanced by the small trees,

shrubs, and bench. Extending along the

First Impressions

MAKE A PLEASANT PASSAGE TO YOUR FRONT DOOR

Plants

&

Projects

Preparing the planting beds and

laying the flagstone walkway are

the main tasks in this design. Once

plants are established, they require

only seasonal cleanup and pruning

to keep them looking their best.

A

Sourwood

(use 7 plants)

This small deciduous tree pro-

vides light shade and helps cre-

ate a casual privacy for the

entryway. Leaves change from

bronze to green to orangey red

from spring to summer to fall.

Clusters of bell-shaped white

flowers dangle from the ends of

branches in mid- to late sum-

mer. See

Oxydendrum ar-

boreum,

p. 132.

B

Peegee hydrangea

(use 1)

Pruned as a standard (a mass of

foliage above a single bare

trunk), this deciduous shrub

greets visitors by the drive. Elon-

gated clusters of creamy white

flowers stand out against the

dull green foliage from midsum-

mer into fall. See

Hydrangea

paniculata

‘Grandiflora’, p. 128.

C

Bigleaf hydrangea

(use 3)

Large hemispherical clusters

of white, pink, red, or blue

flowers grace this vase-shaped

shrub from midsummer into

fall. Deciduous leaves are shiny

green. See

Hydrangea macro-

phylla,

p. 128.

D

Compact strawberry tree

(use 3)

Framing the window and

door, this upright shrub offers

glossy evergreen leaves with

red margins and stems and

colorful peeling bark. Bears

clusters of white flowers and

red fruit simultaneously in fall.

See

Arbutus unedo

‘Compacta’,

p. 116.

E

‘Wood’s Dwarf’ heavenly

bamboo

(use 21)

This multistemmed shrub pro-

duces feathery evergreen fo-

liage that is bright orange when

new, green in summer, and

scarlet-orange in fall and win-

ter. See

Nandina domestica,

p.

131.

F

‘Goldflame’ spirea

(use 10)

This deciduous shrub has strik-

ing leaves—red in spring and

fall and golden yellow in sum-

mer. In addition, flattened clus-

ters of carmine-pink flowers

bloom in summer and again in

early fall. See

Spiraea japonica,

p. 137.

G

‘Harmony’ reticulata iris

(use 9)

Sky blue flowers with yellow

throats bloom in spring before

the grassy foliage of this peren-

nial appears. See

Iris reticulata,

p. 129.

H

Perennial salvia

(use 7)

This popular plant bears nu-

merous upright spikes of violet-

blue flowers on a mass of dull

green foliage. Blooms off and

on from spring through fall. See

Salvia

x

superba,

p. 136.

I

‘Autumn Joy’ sedum

(use 9)

The fleshy gray-green leaves of

this perennial are topped by

flat clusters of tiny flowers in

late summer. Clusters turn from

pale greenish pink to russet

over a long period. See

Sedum,

p. 137.

J

Columbine

(use 3)

From spring into summer, ex-

quisite flowers of blue, pink, or

purple float on wiry stems over

this perennial’s airy blue-green

foliage. See

Aquilegia,

p. 116.

K

Wintergreen

(use 16)

This low, creeping evergreen

shrub displays small, glossy

green leaves at the ends of

short stems. In summer, bell-

shaped, white-to-pink flowers

dangle among the foliage. Red

berries follow. Leaves and

berries have wintergreen scent

when crushed. See

Gaultheria

procumbens,

p. 125.

L

Paving

Laid on a sand-and-gravel base,

rectangular flagstones in a vari-

ety of sizes provide an attrac-

tive, level surface. See p. 148.

driveway, the paving makes it easier for pas-

sengers to get in and out of a car. Attractive

plants lead the way to the door and make the

stroll inviting, while providing interest to

viewers inside the house and on the street.

Flowering trees and shrubs bloom from

spring through fall in whites and pinks. Peren-

nial flowers add blues, reds, and purples. A

mix of evergreen leaves and eye-catching

fruit and bark make winter visitors welcome,

too.

Sourwood

A

31

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

clusters of white flowers nestle

on stems at the base of the

lance-shaped leaves in spring.

Foliage turns bronze with cold

weather in fall. See

Leucothoe

axillaris,

p. 130.

E

‘Dora Amateis’

rhododendron

(use 8)

This is a compact form of the

popular evergreen shrub. In

spring, it lights up the space be-