Photos and Text by Carla Burgess | March
2008
- Introduction
- John’s Design Tips & Tricks
- Willie’s Quick Picks for Conifers
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John’s Design Tips & Tricks
- When selecting a tree for a site, don’t overlook the subterranean element. People tend to focus on how wide the canopy spreads or how tall a shrub or tree grows, overlooking the issue of root spread. Traveling roots can encroach on house foundations and neighboring properties, and interfere with underground water, sewer or gas lines. They may also compete for food and moisture with other plants you’d like to include in your design.
- Choose combinations of plants that make the garden inviting through all four seasons. A marriage of deciduous and evergreen trees in the landscape adds balance and year-round interest. Consider the texture, color, size, fragrance and shape of all the plant’s parts.
- If you’ve just moved to a new property, “live with it for a while” before launching a wholesale installation of plants or redesign. Notice, over time, what areas tend to retain moisture and which are drought-sensitive. Pay attention to the areas that have greatest exposure to wind, sun and shade.
- Use a large plant to open up a small space and serve as a focal point, rather than completely packing a small space with small plants.
- Use contrast. For example, include delicate plants in front of a large stone wall. Or plant a fine-leaved groundcover around the trunk of a massive old tree.
- Incorporate something of visual interest beyond your property line into your design. This might include a steeple, wall, hillside or tree line.
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