| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Layer Your Plantings
Part three in a series In our last article, we helped you layout your new landscape. In this article we'll explore which plants to put where and what makes an effective landscape. If you think of your landscape as a stage, you can easily imagine the basics of layout. On a stage, you have a nice background or backdrop in the back. The backdrop is usually large and fills your entire view. In front of the backdrop, you have some smaller items that set the scene. These may be small pieces of furniture. And then in the very front you have your actors?your stars. They take the front and center to get the most attention. So, looking from back to front, you have your backdrop, your accent pieces, and finally your stars. Laying out a good landscape uses the same principles: we start with a backdrop in the very back, then we add some accents, then finally, our stars! The Backdrop The backdrop can be any number of things but the basic principle is that the backdrop simply serves to show off the items in front of it, and can also be used to hide things behind it. A good backdrop could be something as simple as a wall or fence, or something as elaborate as a planting of evergreens. As long as the evergreens have one common element (perhaps they have the same color or same texture), they will serve as a good backdrop. The Accents Your accent pieces are plants that help to dress the set. These work well if planted in groupings of at least three. For example, a clump of bushes off to the left of your "set" and a clump or flowering plants on the right. Or perhaps some clumps of grasses would serve as a good accent. The Stars Now for the stars! Taking center stage are your accents. And they don't have to be centered! As long as they are different from your backdrop and accents plants, they will become your stars. For example, an evergreen backdrop with some grasses used as an accent set up a nice monochromatic green image. Place some white flowering plants in front and they become the stars of your landscape. Because of their different color from the rest of your "set", they will stand out. You can create multiple "sets" in your landscape. Just break up your landscape into smaller mini-scapes. As long as each area is separated by backdrops and accents, you can easily achieve a beautiful look. Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including http://www.the-garden-doctor.com and http://www.dr-landscape.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
landscaping gardening - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for furniture, both indoor and out. There's a wooden furniture form to suit every budget and décor -- from rustic twig loveseats to classis cedar Adirondack chairs to sophisticated teak tables and benches. Fertilizing Your Water Lilies... Unfortunately, sunlight is not enough.Your water lilies will grow, thrive, and bloom much better if you get in the habit of fertilizing them regularly. Tidy Your Garden Up Cheaply Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all I use to do was mow the lawn when it overgrew. How to Grow Avocado Fruit gardening and vegetable gardening is a very exciting venture. Growing Avocado's was one of the challenges I took on as a hobby fruit and vegetable gardener. Xeriscaping is Waterwise Gardening What is xeriscaping? You may have heard of xeriscaping as a way of landscaping in the Southwestern United States. You may picture xeriscaping as a lot of gray gravel and cactus in a hot desert yard. For the Birds: Selecting and Placing a Bird House Bird watching brings enjoyment to many people. Selecting and correct placement of bird house can attract many birds to your yard. Preparing Successful Seedlings Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions. Working with Landscape Contractors Having a beautiful and functional landscape is every homeowners dream. Hi, My name is John C Wilkes III and I have worked in the landscaping industry for over a decade. Teak Furniture - A Cut Above The Rest As you shop around for outdoor furniture, you will notice that much of the higher quality pieces are made from teak wood, and for good reason. Teak furniture is not just sturdy and durable, but also very beautiful with rich warm tones. How To Prevent Damping Off Damping off is the single term used to describe underground, soil line, or crown rots of seedlings due to unknown causes. The term actually covers several soil borne diseases of plants and seed borne fungi. Plants, Birds, Love and Deer Hate Hi Friends;This is the second year in a row I am dealing with a woodchuck.That's a ground hog to some. Grey Water- Not Drinking Water- For Your Garden The average home can reduce their water consumption by around 30% by re-using grey water on their garden.The figures are compelling. Flowers and Butterflies, the Perfect Combination! Spring is coming fast and with it the colors of the world come to life. The spring season is not just a time for the gardens to bloom, but a season for the butterfly to come to life as well. Fall Flowering Bulbs Deciduous trees dazzle us with the brilliance of the golds, oranges and reds they display before dropping their leaves in the autumn. However, you don't have to be satisfied with autumn leaf color alone. How To Find Cheap Flower Delivery In Your Area As humans, we are always on the lookout for a deal. Deals on flower delivery are no exception. Unique Flowers make a memorable gift! Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral gift! The possibilities are endless! Floral Design is an art and florists can customize a masterpiece of flowers!Many florists put a sampling of arrangements on their websites for you to see, but don't feel confined to the photos! The most impressive arrangements are of an "original" design.Ask the florist about any "specialty" flowers they may have in stock. Pond Filter A pond filter is one of the most important components for your pond, without one your pond water would get really mucky. The kind you need depends on its size and whether or not you have any fish. Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) It is not difficult to grow bedding plants from seeds, and you may be surprised to know you do not need to have a greenhouse or some hot room to grow them in. I have managed to grow my plants by placing them in an old carton/pot covered in a polythene bag. How to Choose the Right Bulbs for Your Spring Flower Garden Choosing the right bulbs involves more than just selecting colors and cultivars. Timing, bulb size, and most importantly, bulb health are equally significant factors in designing your spring garden. The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has long been commended as the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. It has qualities unlike any other wood in its ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climates, yet weather attractively.
|
