Texas Home Landscaping, 3rd edition E-Book

Roger Holmes

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

Seitenzahl: 505

Beschreibung

Texas Home Landscaping is an updated, expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's award-winning best seller on landscaping Texas-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. Nearly 400 full-color photos and paintings are complemented by easy, step-by-step instructions. The Lone Star state will be in full bloom with Texas Home Landscaping.

Leseprobe

A Sunny Welcome

Flagstone walkways invite visitors

to stroll from the driveway to the

front door along a choice of paths

lined with eye-catching flowers and

equally attractive foliage. Many of

these perennials bloom nonstop

from spring to frost. Preparing

the planting beds and laying the

flagstone walkway are the main

tasks in this design. Once plants are

established, only seasonal cleanup

and pruning are required.

A Garden Path

Many residential lots include a slim strip

of land between the house and a property

line. This neglected passageway can become

a valued addition to the landscape. Like

furnishings in a room, the plantings make the

small space seem bigger than it is. A gently

curving flagstone path widens the passage

visually and lengthens the stroll through it.

An Outdoor “Living” Room

This design demonstrates how a patio

next to the house can become a true

extension of your living space with the

addition of an arbor, a fence, and plants

that create an attractive setting—and attract

hummingbirds as well. From early spring to

late fall, the plantings will provide colorful

accompaniments to your patio activities.

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.

Forty-eight home landscaping designs are included, created

by landscape professionals from the region.

TEXAS

HOME LANDSCAPING

Including Oklahoma

Other titles available in the

Home Landscaping

series:

CALIFORNIA

MID-ATLANTIC

MIDWEST

including Southern Canada

NORTHEAST

including Southeast Canada

NORTHWEST

including Western British Columbia

SOUTHERN COASTAL

SOUTHEAST

WESTERN

Greg Grant

Roger Holmes

CREATIVE HOMEOWNER

®

TEXAS

HOME LANDSCAPING

Including Oklahoma

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 trans-

lation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s instructions

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, misapplica-

tion, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner

®

is a registered trademark of

New Design Originals Corporation.

Texas Superstar

®

is a registered trademark owned by Texas AgriLife Research.

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

WORDWORKS

EDITORS

Roger Holmes, Greg Grant

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT

Rita Buchanan

CREATIVE HOMEOWNER EDITOR

Neil Soderstrom

COPY EDITOR

Sarah Disbrow

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)

Texas Home Landscaping, Third Edition

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010933378

ISBN-10: 1-58011-513-6

e-ISBN: 978-1-63741-107-0

CREATIVE HOMEOWNER

®

www.creativehomeowner.com

Creative Homeowner books are distributed exclusively by

Fox Chapel Publishing

1970 Broad Street

East Petersburg, PA 17520

www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

COPYRIGHT © 2004, 2007, 2011

About the Authors

Greg Grant

is a horticulturist with the Stephen F.

Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant

Center in Nacogdoches. He previously held posi-

tions with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service,

Louisiana State University, Lone Star Growers, San

Antonio Botanical Garden, and Mercer Arboretum.

He is a regular contributor to

Texas Gardener, Neil

Sperry’s Gardens,

and

Ornamental Outlook

maga-

zines and co-author of

The Southern Heirloom

Garden

.

Roger Holmes

is the founding editor of

Fine Gar-

dening

magazine. He co-edited the monumental

Taylor’s

Master Guide to Gardening

and other

highly regarded gardening books, and produced

the landscaping series of which this book is part.

He also co-wrote Creative Homeowner’s

Creating

Good Gardens

.

■

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, RLA, and Nena Scott,

King’s Creek Land-

scape Management, Austin, Texas. Their designs appear on pp. 36–39, 60–63,

70–73, and 88–91.

Mark Bowen,

Living Art Landscapes, Houston, Texas. His designs appear on pp.

30–33, 80–83, and 84–87.

Michael Buccino,

Michael Buccino Associates, Palm Desert, California. His

designs appear on pp. 34–35 and 64–65.

Rosa Finsley, with Cheryl Bryant,

King’s Creek Gardens, Cedar Hill, Texas. Their

designs appear on pp. 52–55, 94–97, and 112–115.

Michael Parkey,

Dallas, Texas. His designs appear on pp. 20–23, 56–59, and

100–103.

Susan Romiti and Ross Holmquist,

Mike Parker Landscape, Laguna Beach,

California. Their design appears on pp. 28–29.

Carolyn Singer

owns Foothill Cottage Gardens, Grass Valley, California. Her

design appears on pp. 78–79.

John S. Troy, with Anne Solsbery,

John S. Troy Landscape, San Antonio, Texas.

Their designs appear on pp. 40–43, 48–51, and 66–69.

John Valentino and Bob Truxell,

Truxell and Valentino Landscape Develop-

ment, Inc., Clovis, California. Their designs appear on pp. 98–99, and 110–111.

Jenny Webber,

Oakland, California. Her design appears on pp. 92–93.

Mary Wilhite and Sharon Lee Smith,

Blue Moon Gardens, Tyler, Texas. Their

designs appear on pp. 24–27, 44–47, 74–77, and 106–109.

Richard William Wogisch,

Oasis Gardens, San Francisco, California. His

design appears on pp. 104–105.

Contents

8

About This Book

12

Seasons in Your Landscape

16

As Your Landscape Grows

18

Portfolio of Designs

20

Up Front Informal

Turn a small front yard into a welcoming garden.

24

A Foundation with Flair

Flowers and foliage create a front garden.

28

Fancy Foundation

Create a striking entry garden.

30

First Impressions

Make a pleasant passage to your front door.

34

An Entry Oasis

Extend a friendly desert welcome.

36

A No-Mow Slope

A terraced garden transforms a steep site.

40

An Eye-Catching Corner

Beautify a boundary with easy-care plants.

44

Streetwise and Stylish

Give your curbside strip a new look.

48

A Garden Path

Reclaim a narrow side yard for a stroll garden.

52

Landscaping a Low Wall

A two-tiered garden replaces a bland slope.

56

Angle of Repose

Make a back-door garden in a sheltered niche.

60

Beautify a Blank Wall

A vertical garden makes the most of a narrow site.

64

Backyard Makeover

Get a lot out of a small, frost-free lot.

66

Gateway Garden

Arbor, fence, and plantings make an inviting entry.

70

Elegant Symmetry

Make a formal garden for your backyard.

74

A Beginning Border

Flowers and a fence make a carefree design.

78

Year-In-Year-Out Border

Perennials and a wall make a traditional design.

80

Garden in the Round

Create a planting with several attractive faces.

84

A Shady Hideaway

Build a cozy retreat in a corner of your yard.

88

An Outdoor “Living” Room

Patio and shady arbor provide open-air

opportunities.

92

Formal Outdoor Living

Create shady entertaining space on this formal

patio.

94

Splash Out

Make a handsome water garden in a few

weekends.

98

Poolside Pleasures

Plantings enhance your swimming pool.

100

Down to Earth

Harmonize your deck with its surroundings.

104

Decked-Out Deck

Make your deck an inviting gateway to the

outdoors.

106

A Green Screen

Hide refuse and recycling bins with a fence and

foliage.

110

Planting in the Pines

Surround your woodland deck with flowering

shrubs.

112

A Woodland Link

Create a shrub border for nearby woods.

152

Guide to Installation

154

Organizing Your Project

Introducing the tasks involved in a landscape

installation; how to organize them for best results

156

Clearing the Site

Removing turf, weeds, and other unwanted

material

158

Water for Your Plants

Water-wise practices; watering systems

160

Making Paths and Walkways

Choosing materials, preparing the base, installing

edgings, laying 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; growing pond plants

116

Plant Profiles

118

Descriptions of all the plants shown in the

Portfolio of Designs, plus information on how

to plant and care for them

172

Building a Retaining Wall

Laying out, excavating, and assembling a precast

modular wall system and steps

176

Fences, Arbors, and Trellises

Wood selection, layout, post setting, basic con-

struction; plans for building the fences, trellises,

and arbors shown in the Portfolio of Designs

194

Preparing the Soil for Planting

Digging and improving the soil; edging for beds

198

Buying Plants

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

the best quality and price

199

The Planting Process

When to plant, steps in the planting process,

spacing; annuals as fillers

201

Planting Basics

Plants in containers, balled-and-burlapped plants,

bare-root plants, ground covers, and bulbs

203

Basic Landscape Care

Mulches and fertilizers; controlling weeds and

watering

207

Caring for Woody Plants

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

making a hedge

212

Caring for Perennials

Routine care, pruning, dividing

214

Problem Solving

Understanding common problems with animal

and insect pests and diseases; winter damage

216

Glossary

218

Index

223

Photo Credits

8

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

About This Book

Planting and caring for shrubs, perennials, and other plants

can afford years of enjoyment. 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

Designs, you’ll find designs for more than 28 common home-

landscaping situations, created by landscape professionals.

Drawing on years of experience, these designers balance func-

tional requirements and aesthetic possibilities, choosing the right

plant or structure for the task, confident of its proven perform-

ance in similar landscaping situations.

The second section, Plant Profiles, gives information on all the

plants used in the book. Complementing the Portfolio of Designs

and Plant Profiles is the Guide to Installation, the book’s third sec-

tion, which 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

landscaping 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 special 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.

To see how a landscape

changes within a single year, see “Seasons in Your Landscape,”

pp. 12–15. For more on how plantings change as they age, refer

to “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 situation 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 struc-

tures or kinds of plants to create a different look. As in the first

design, we present a rendering, site plan, and written informa-

tion, but in briefer form. The second spread also includes photo-

graphs of a selection of the plants featured in the two designs. The

photos showcase noteworthy qualities—lovely flowers, handsome

foliage, or striking form—that these plants contribute to the designs.

Install plants exactly as shown here or rearrange groupings

and substitute favorite ones to suit your taste.

Of all the home-improvement projects

homeowners tackle, few offer greater rewards

than landscaping. At the main entrance, an attractive brick walkway flanked by eye-catching

shrubs and perennials provides a cheerful welcome. 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 divides the backyard into several areas for a variety of activities.

The Texas State Flower

Although the wildflower

called “Bluebonnet” (

Lupi-

nus subcarnosus

) is the state

flower, we did not include it

in this book because it is

not easy to grow. A winter

annual, it does best in the

middle of the state. If you

want to replace any annuals

in the Portfolio of Designs

section with Bluebonnet, it

is widely available as seed. However, it is rarely success-

ful, and because Bluebonnet is a spring bloomer, it is

typically not available for fall or winter transplanting.

Site Plan

Plants and structures

on a scaled grid.

Summary

Addressing the same situation as the first

design, this variation may differ in design

concept, site conditions, or plant selection.

Rendering

Shows how the design will look when plants

are well established.

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.

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.

Summary

An overview of the situation

and the design.

9

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Rendering

Depicts the design when

plants are well established.

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Variations on a Theme

Photos of inspiring designs in

similar situations.

Concept Box

Site, season, and design

summary.

FIRST DESIGN OPTION

SECOND DESIGN OPTION

10

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

PLANT PROFILES

Step-by-Step

Illustrations show process;

steps are keyed by num-

ber 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.

GUIDE TO INSTALLATION

Sidebars

Detailed information on special

topics, set within ruled boxes.

11

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Plant Profiles

This section of the book includes a de-

scription of each of the plants featured in

the Portfolio. These profiles outline the

plants’ basic preferences for environ-

mental conditions—such as soil, moisture,

and sun or shade—and provide advice

about planting and ongoing care.

Working with plant experts in Texas,

we selected plants carefully, following a

few simple guidelines: every plant should

be a proven performer in the state; once

established, it should thrive without pam-

pering. All plants should be available from

a major local nursery or garden center. If

they’re not in stock, they could be or-

dered, or you could ask the nursery staff

to recommend suitable substitutes.

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 greater 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; ad-

dressing basic irrigation needs; building

paths, trellises, or other structures;

preparing the soil for planting; buying the

recommended plants and putting them

in place; and caring 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 be adapted easily

to meet specific needs or to fit with the

style of your house or other landscaping

features.

Installing different designs requires

different techniques. You can find the

techniques that you need by following

the cross-references in the Portfolio to

pages in the Guide to Installation, or by

skimming 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 energy for

such tasks, consider hiring a neighbor-

hood teenager to help out; local land-

scaping services can provide more

comprehensive help.

TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA HARDINESS ZONES

This map is based on one developed by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture. It divides

Texas and its neighbors into “hardiness

zones” based on minimum winter tempera-

tures. While most of the plants in this book

will survive the lowest temperatures in Zone

7, a few may not. These few are noted in the

Plant Profiles descriptions, where we have

usually suggested alternatives. When you

buy plants, most will have “hardiness” desig-

nations corresponding to a USDA hardiness

zone on the map. A Zone 7 plant, for exam-

ple, can be expected to survive winter tem-

peratures as low as 0°F, and it can be used

with confidence in Zones 7 and 8, but not in

the colder Zone 6. It is useful to know your

zone and the zone designation of any plants

that you wish to add to those in this book.

Range of average annual

minimum temperatures

for each zone

Zone 6: –10° to 0°F

Zone 7:

0° to 10°F

Zone 8:

10° to 20°F

Zone 9:

20° to 30°F

Dwarf pampas

grass

Gaura

Chaste

tree

Soft-tip

yucca

Trailing

rosemary

Dwarf

pampas grass

12

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

One of the rewards

of landscaping is

watching how plants change through the

seasons. During the winter months, you

look forward to the bright, fresh flowers

of spring. Then the lush green foliage of

summer is transformed into the blazing

colors of fall. Perennials that rest under-

ground in winter can grow chest-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 (see pp. 74–75) and shown here

how it would look in spring, summer, fall,

and winter. As you can see, this planting

looks different from one season to the

next, but it always remains interesting. Try

to remember this example of transfor-

mation as you look at the other designs

in this book. There we show how the

planting will appear in one season and

call attention to any plants that will stand

out at other times of year.

The task of tending a landscape also

changes with the seasons. So we’ve noted

the most important seasonal jobs in the

annual work cycle.

Seasons in Your Landscape

SPRING

Gaura

Trailing

rosemary

Chaste

tree

Soft-tip

yucca

Russian sage

Red yucca

Gray santolina

Autumn sage

13

SEASONS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE

Spring

The spring flower season begins in March

in much of Texas and peaks in April when

the lawns turn green and the trees leaf

out. In this garden, spring offers a re-

freshing display of new growth. Grasses

and perennials are greening up, and a

thick profusion of new shoots sprout

from the cut-back crown of the chaste

tree. A sprinkling of miniature blue flow-

ers on the rosemary and the gaura’s pink-

ish white flower buds garnish the

greenery. Do a thorough cleanup in early

spring. Remove last year’s perennial

flower stalks and foliage, cut ornamental

grasses to the ground, prune shrubs and

trees, renew the mulch, lightly fertilize,

and neaten the edges between flower

beds and lawn.

Summer

The summer garden is an explosion of

color. Nearly every plant is in bloom. The

nodding lily-like flowers of the soft-tip

yucca, the purple spikes of the chaste

tree, and the coral red spikes of the red

yucca make a big show. The diminutive

blue, white, and yellow flowers of the

Russian sage, gaura, and santolina shout

less for attention but are no less pleasing.

Despite its name, autumn sage produces

a fine show of tubular red flowers. White

plumes wave in the breeze above clumps

of dwarf pampas grass. Water new plant-

ings 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 eas-

iest when the soil is moist.

SUMMER

14

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

Trailing

rosemary

Dwarf pampas

grass

Gaura

Autumn

sage

Fall

Fall brings changes in the garden as well

as mercifully cooler temperatures. New

for the season are the small lavender-

purple flowers that almost smother the

pale gray foliage of the fall aster. Dead-

heading has produced a full second

bloom on the chaste tree, while dis-

tinctive seedpods have replaced bright

flowers on the soft-tip and red yuccas.

Gaura and autumn sage continue to

bloom, and the plumes of the pampas

grass reflect some weathering. The

Russian sage has lost most of its tiny

blossoms, but its foliage is an attractive,

wispy presence. The santolina has been

sheared to keep it tidy. You can leave

grasses and perennial stalks standing all

winter, if you choose, or clear them

away whenever hard frosts turn them

brown or knock them down. Toss the

stems on the compost pile, along with

any leaves that you rake up.

WINTER

FALL

15

SEASONS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE

Trailing

rosemary

Chaste tree

Soft-tip yucca

Russian

sage

Red

yucca

Gray santolina

Fall aster

Winter

In winter, when much of the landscape turns

tan and brown, you’ll appreciate evergreen

plants such as the red and soft-tip yuccas,

trailing rosemary, and santolina. After a hard

frost, the Russian sage, fall aster, and gaura

have been cut back to ground-hugging

crowns. The narrow leaves and plumes of the

dwarf pampas grass remain a pleasing sight

throughout the winter, as do the branching

forms of the chaste tree and autumn sage. In

late winter, cut back these two plants in

preparation for vigorous new growth in the

spring.

16

TEXAS HOME LANDSCAPING

Wax myrtle

‘Spring Bouquet’

viburnum

Polyantha rose

‘Shi Shi Gashira’

camellia

‘Edward Goucher’

glossy abelia

Tropical

plumbago

‘Blue Princess’

verbena

‘Edward Goucher’

glossy abelia

‘Shi Shi Gashira’

camellia

‘Bath’s Pink’

dianthus

‘Indigo Spires’ salvia

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.

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 it was a major concern in

formulating the designs for this book.

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 ten to fifteen years as it

does after three to five. It will, of course,

look different, but that’s part of the fun.

As Your

Landscape

Grows

AT PLANTING

THREE TO

FIVE YEARS

Wax myrtle

‘Spring Bouquet’

viburnum

Tropical

plumbago

Polyantha

rose

‘Blue Princess’

verbena

‘Indigo Spires’

salvia

‘Edward Goucher’

glossy abelia

‘Shi Shi Gashira’

camellia

‘Bath’s Pink’

dianthus

17

AS YOUR LANDSCAPE GROWS

TEN TO

FIFTEEN

YEARS

At Planting

—Here’s how the backyard

hideaway (pp. 86–87) might appear im-

mediately after a fall planting. The plants,

of course, are small, though their size may

vary from what we show here if you want

to spend more for more mature trees and

shrubs. The multitrunked wax myrtle

looks like a bush rather than the small tree

it will become. The viburnum, glossy

abelia, and polyantha rose are several

years from filling out their spaces or your

expectations. With a good fall start and

spring awakening, the perennials will

make a creditable show next summer.

The first year after planting, be sure to

water during

dry spells and to pull weeds

that pop up through the mulch.

Three to Five Years

—As shown here in

fall, the planting has filled out nicely.

Limbed up to about 5 ft., the wax myrtle

provides shade for the bench, while the

nearby shrubs have grown to make a

comfy

enclosure.

The

now

well-

established perennials join the shrubs in

producing the blue and pink floral scene.

Evergreen foliage of the wax myrtle,

camellia, viburnum, and glossy abelia

make this an attractive spot through

the winter as well.

Ten to Fifteen Years

—Shown again in fall,

the planting has become even more of a

hideaway with the passing years. The wax

myrtle envelopes the site with its pres-

ence and its shade. The shrubs are fuller

and larger, though kept in bounds by ju-

dicious pruning. The perennials have

been divided several times since planting

to keep them healthy and tidy looking.

Their off-spring may feature in parts of

the landscape elsewhere on the property.

19

As you peruse the following pages,

you will find

48 home landscape designs by 19 notable land-

scape designers who have devised ways to enhance

entrances, decks, and patios; create gardens of

colorful perennials and shrubs as well as structures

and plantings for shady hideaways; dress up non-

descript walls; and even make a centerpiece of a

lowly recycling area. Large color illustrations show

what the designs will look like, and site plans delin-

eate the layout and planting scheme. Each design

is accompanied by text that describes the plants

and projects appearing in them. Installed as shown

or adapted to meet your site and personal prefer-

ences, 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

‘Warren’s Red’

possumhaw holly

B

Dwarf

Burford holly

D

Ground

covers

K

Ground

covers

K

Paving

M

‘Strictus’

porcupine grass

F

‘Gulf Stream’

heavenly

bamboo

E

Turk’s cap

H

Plants

&

Projects

Once established, the plants in this

design are not particularly de-

manding. Prune trees and shrubs

as needed to maintain size and

shape. Seasonal cleanup will keep

the planting tidy.

A

Texas red oak

(use 1 plant)

Growing 30 ft. high and wide

after many years, this red oak is

a fitting shade tree for a small

garden. It has silvery bark and

lacy leaves that turn from green

to red and orange in fall. See

Quercus buckleyi

, p. 140.

B

‘Warren’s Red’ possumhaw

holly

(use 2)

These multitrunked deciduous

hollies have small lustrous

dark-green leaves. They bear

countless showy red berries in

fall that persist on bare silver-

gray branches in the winter. See

Ilex decidua

‘Warren’s Red’,

p. 132.

C

American beautyberry

(use 1)

Prized for its bright clusters

of violet berries that hang on

through winter, this de-

ciduous shrub spreads into

a loose thicket of green leaves

under the red oak. See

Calli-

carpa americana

, p. 123.

D

Dwarf Burford holly

(use 4)

This durable shrub’s glossy

evergreen foliage and dense

round shape create a hand-

some screen for the heavenly

bamboo. Red berries peek

through the foliage in winter.

See

Ilex cornuta

‘Burfordii

Nana’, p. 132.

E

‘Gulf Stream’ heavenly

bamboo

(use 9)

An outstanding evergreen

shrub. Fine-textured foliage

turns from bronze to green to

red. See

Nandina domestica

‘Gulf Stream’, p. 137.

F

‘Strictus’ porcupine grass

(use 2)

This ornamental grass forms a

graceful vase of yellow-striped

emerald green leaves. Silvery

tan flower plumes wave above

the plant in fall. The foliage and

flowers stay showy even while

the grass is dormant in winter.

See

Miscanthus sinensis

‘Stric-

tus’, p. 136.

G

Inland sea oats

(use 12)

A clump-forming grass grown

for long, dangling, oatlike seed-

heads that dance above the

foliage in late summer, turning

from light green to bronze and

then to tan. See

Chasmanthium

latifolium

, p. 125.

H

Turk’s cap

(use 8)

Cousin to hibiscus, these bushy

perennials make an attractive

21

UP FRONT INFORMAL

flowering hedge near the patio.

Deep-green foliage is speckled

from late spring to fall with red

blossoms resembling small

Turkish turbans. See

Malvaviscus

arboreus drummondii

, p. 136.

I

Fall aster

(use 16)

These carefree perennials form

a solid mass of fine-textured

foliage completely covered in

autumn with lavender-purple

daisylike blossoms. See

Aster

oblongifolius

, p. 120.

J

Mexican bush sage

(use 7)

From late summer to frost, this

grayish green bushy perennial

bristles with long spikes of

purple and white flowers. See

Salvia leucantha

, p. 145.

K

Ground covers

(as needed)

Two low-growing evergreen

perennials make durable

“welcome mats” along the

paths and around the patio.

Asian jasmine (

Trachelosper-

mum asiaticum

, p. 148) spreads

to form a thick glossy carpet of

small green leaves on both

sides of the front walk. Mondo

grass (

Ophiopogon japonicus

,

p. 138) has fine dark-green

foliage that adds grassy texture

around the patio and between

the flagstones on the narrow

walk to the driveway.

L

Container

Plant a patio pot with purple

fountain grass for a fountain of

foliage topped with foxtail-like

flowers. See Annuals, p. 119.

M

Paving

A wide front walk of flagstone

handles heavy foot traffic and

outdoor furniture. A more

casual flagstone path to the

drive has wide joints filled with

prepared soil and planted with

mondo grass. See p. 160.

SITE: Sunny

SEASON: Fall

CONCEPT: Well-chosen

plants and paving

create an entry garden

of comfortable

informality.

‘Strictus’

porcupine grass

F

Mexican

bush sage

J

Firebush

C

‘Catawba’

crapemyrtle

A

24

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Rare is the home

without foundation

plantings. These simple skirtings of green-

ery hide unattractive underpinnings and

help integrate a house with its surround-

ings. Useful as these plantings are, they

are too often monochromatic expanses

of clipped evergreens, dull as dishwater.

But as this design shows, a low-

maintenance planting can be more var-

ied, more colorful, and more fun.

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 founda-

tion planting into a small garden.

Here, there’s something for every-

one to enjoy, from porch sitters to

passersby.

Starting in early spring with fra-

grant jasmine and rosemary and

A Foundation with Flair

FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE CREATE A FRONT GARDEN

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

Heavenly

bamboo

B

‘Gold Star’

esperanza

D

Carolina

jasmine

J

the eye-stopping flowers of

the esperanza and verbena,

the garden reaches full ex-

huberance in summer, with

bright flowers in yellows, purples, blues, and

oranges. Foliage in a mixture of greens and

grays and a variety of textures showcases the

flowers, several of which attract butterflies

and hummingbirds. And the evergreen leaves

of many plants extend the planting’s appeal

through the winter.

28

PORTFOLIO OF DESIGNS

Garden

penstemon

H

‘Goodwin Creek

Gray’ lavender

G

Plants

&

Projects

This is a low-care, low-water-use planting. In

addition to routine seasonal pruning, you can

promote flowering of the butterfly bush by

cutting older stems to 1 ft. long in late winter.

Shear the sweet-pea shrub to maintain the

variation in height with the neighboring Cape

mallows and, if necessary, below window

height, as shown here.

A

‘Pink Dawn’ chitalpa

(use 1 plant)

This small but fast-growing deciduous tree

provides airy shade near the house. Spec-

tacular clusters of ruffled, trumpet-shaped

pink flowers bloom in early summer. See x

Chitalpa tashkentensis

, p. 125.

B

‘Nanho Blue’ butterfly bush

(use 1)

Anchoring the corner of the house is a

dwarf form of a popular deciduous shrub.

Spikes of fragrant blue flowers at the ends

of its arching shoots attract butterflies

from midsummer through fall. See

Bud-

dleia davidii

, p. 121.

C

Blue hibiscus

(use 1)

The coarse, deeply cut, dark evergreen

leaves of this shrub are a bold accent by

the steps. Large lavender-blue flowers

heighten the effect off and on throughout

the year. See

Alyogyne huegelii

, p. 119.

D

Mexican bush sage

(use 1)

This shrubby perennial is prized for its

long, arching purple-and-white flower

spikes and attractive gray-green foliage.

See

Salvia leucantha

, p. 145.

E

Cape mallow

(use 2)

Pink, hollyhocklike flowers blanket this

fast-growing evergreen shrub almost

year-round. (Its bloom season is more

restricted in cooler areas.) See

Anisodon-

tea

x

hypomandarum

, p. 119.

F

Sweet-pea shrub

(use 3)

This evergreen shrub’s light-textured

foliage is covered for months with

small purple flowers. See

Polygala

x

dalmaisiana

, p. 140.

G

‘Goodwin Creek Gray’ lavender

(use 3)

Fragrant gray foliage and short spikes of

blue flowers recommend this mounding

evergreen shrub. Blooms in early sum-

mer and for much of the year where win-

ters are mild. See

Lavandula

, p. 133.

H

Garden penstemon

(use 3)

This perennial’s striking flower spikes are

right at the front of the planting. Blooms

in late spring and summer. Choose one

with pink or purple flowers. See

Penste-

mon gloxinioides

, p. 139.

I

Pincushion flower

(use 3)

Showcased at the center of the planting,

this perennial bears light-blue flowers

above airy foliage for much of the sum-

mer. See

Scabiosa caucasica

, p. 146.

J

‘Peter Pan’ agapanthus

(use 7)

A dwarf variety of a perennial, its blue

pom-pom-like flowers float above green

foliage by the front steps in late spring

and summer. See

Agapanthus

, p. 119.

Fancy Foundation

CREATE A STRIKING ENTRY GARDEN

There’s something to enjoy in all four seasons

in this foundation planting, which

has been transformed into a small garden to welcome visitors. All the plants bear

eye-catching flowers in pinks, purples, or blues for long seasons, some almost

year-round. They are sure to attract hummingbirds and butterflies for your

enjoyment. Foliage in a mixture of greens and grays and a variety of textures

showcases the flowers and is handsome in its own right. In front of the bed, the

airy chitalpa casts a light shade on the front windows and provides a measure of

privacy without blocking the street entirely.

Mexican

bush sage

D

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

31

‘Ice Follies’

daffodil

J

‘Ice Follies’

daffodil

J

‘Daisy’ gardenia

B

Holly

fern

G

Texas gold

columbine

F

‘Bath’s Pink’

dianthus

I

Redbud

A

See site plan for

.

E

Plants

&

Projects

Preparing the planting beds and

laying the flagstone walkway are

the main tasks in this design. Once

plants are established, only seasonal

cleanup and pruning are required.

A

Redbud

(use 1 plant)

With a splurge of pink blossoms

in early spring, this small decid-

uous tree is an eye-catching

accent. Heart-shaped leaves

are light green in summer and

yellow in fall. See

Cercis

canadensis,

p. 124.

B

‘Daisy’ gardenia

(use 2)

This desirable shrub will scent

the entry with sweet white

blossoms in May and June.

Foliage stays fresh and glossy

all year. See

Gardenia jasmi-

noides

‘Daisy’, p. 128.

C

‘Yuletide’ sasanqua

camellia

(use 1)

This evergreen shrub or small

tree grows 5 ft. tall and wears a

thick coat of dark-green leaves.

Fragrant red flowers bloom in

time for Christmas. See

Camel-

lia sasanqua

‘Yuletide’, p. 123.

D

Dwarf yaupon holly

(use 5)

These shrubs form neat low

mounds of tiny, oval, evergreen

leaves in front of the windows.

Clusters of red berries decorate

the foliage in winter. See

Ilex

vomitoria

‘Nana’, p. 132.

E

Dwarf Mexican petunia

(use 22)

The large lush leaves of this

low-growing perennial emerge

just in time to cover fading

spring bulbs. Purple flowers

bloom from the center of each

plant all season. See

Ruellia

brittoniana

‘Katie’, p. 144.

F

Texas gold columbine

(use 3)

This perennial forms neat

mounds of lacy foliage. Slender

stalks bear delicate golden

flowers in spring and summer.

See

Aquilegia chrysantha hinck-

leyana,

p. 119.

G

Holly fern

(use 16)

An unusual evergreen fern with

leathery, rather than lacy,

fronds. The dark-green glossy

leaves add coarse-textured

sheen under the redbud and

along the walk. See Ferns:

Cyrtomium falcatum,

p. 128.

H

Tropical plumbago

(use 5)

Ideal as a ground cover beside

the drive, this trouble-free

perennial creates compact tufts

of small, pointed, pale-green

leaves. Its clear blue flowers

look cool and inviting next to

the pavement, especially in

summer heat. See

Plumbago

auriculata,

p. 139.

I

‘Bath’s Pink’ dianthus

(use 9)

This perennial creates a pretty

border of fine-textured blue-

green foliage topped in spring

with masses of delicate and fra-

grant pink flowers. Leaves look

fresh all year. See

Dianthus

‘Bath’s Pink’, p. 127.

J

‘Ice Follies’ daffodil

(use 27)

Scatter these bulbs on both

sides of the walk for white flow-

ers in spring. The spiky leaves

are a nice blue-green. See

Bulbs:

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

‘Ice Follies’, p. 122.

K

Walkway

Flagstones of random size and

shape are perfect for the curved

walk and for the stepping-

stones into the front lawn. See

p. 160.

L

Bench

Extend your welcome

beyond the front door with a

comfortable bench next to the

stoop.

Bench

L

Plants

&

Projects

A

Althea

(use 1 plant)

A lavish floral display greets vis-

itors when this deciduous

shrub blooms in summer and

fall. A cultivar with large laven-

der flowers suits this design

well. Trim up about 3 ft. to

make room for nearby plants.

See

Hibiscus syriacus

, p. 131.

B

‘Spring Bouquet’ viburnum

(use 2)

This compact shrub has deep-

green foliage that stays attrac-

tive all year. Clusters of lightly

scented white flowers open

from pink buds in early spring.

See

Viburnum tinus

‘Spring

Bouquet’, p. 150.

C

‘Belinda’s Dream’ rose

(use 1)

This rose forms a lovely vase

of glossy leaves and exquisite

pink flowers. See

Rosa

x ‘Be-

linda’s Dream’, p. 142.

D

‘Edward Goucher’ glossy

abelia

(use 3)

Small sparkling leaves line the

arching branches of this ever-

green shrub, turning from dark

green to purple-bronze in win-

ter. From spring to fall, clusters

of honeysuckle-like pink blos-

soms dangle from all of the

branches. See

Abelia

x

grandi-

flora

, ‘Edward Goucher’, p. 118.

E

Rosemary

(use 3)

This low-growing evergreen

shrub produces tiny pungent

gray-green leaves. Whorls of

equally aromatic blue flowers

dot the shrub in late winter and

early spring. See

Rosmarinus of-

ficinalis

, p. 143.

A sunny welcome

If your entrance is sunny, consider this design. Here, flagstone

walkways invite visitors to stroll from the driveway to the front

door along a choice of paths lined with eye-catching flowers and

equally attractive foliage.

Many of these perennials bloom nonstop from spring to frost.

Viburnum’s fragrant white bouquets arrive early in March, and

the lavender blossoms of aster appear in the fall, extending an al-

ready long season of bloom well into November. Handsome fo-

liage, much of it evergreen, ensures interest all year. Like the

planting in the previous design, this one needs only seasonal care.

F

Daylily

(use 16)

This mounding perennial trims

the walk with slender grassy

leaves and large trumpet-

shaped flowers. There are

many flower colors from which

to choose. We’ve shown a pale-

coral pink with a yellow throat.

A soft yellow variety would

work as well. See

Hemerocallis

hybrids, p. 130.

G

Fall aster

(use 1)

Just one of these perennials will

fill the space near the walkway

with a dense stand of gray-green

leaves, blanketed all fall with

small lavender daisylike flowers.

See

Aster oblongifolius

, p. 120.

H

‘Apple Blossom’ yarrow

(use 7)

Fine feathery leaves and a lace-

work of tiny pink flowers that

bloom for months makes this

perennial an especially lovely

companion for pink roses. See

Achillea millefolium

‘Apple

Blossom’, p. 118.

I

‘Homestead Purple’ verbena

(use 3)

This perennial forms a bright