Home Owner Advice

Apr 30, 2009

02:32 PM

A Theme for Your Garden

Spring is here which means that you may be thinking of ways to make the landscape around your house more special. This is easy to do if you have a vision of what you want to create. Choosing a theme for your garden will help provide a framework for all your landscape design decisions. For example, if you select a tropical theme then the plants and the design accents in your back yard should be bright, colorful and splashy. On the other hand, if you prefer a more meditative, Zen-like look, then the garden features should evoke a quiet, inward and muted quality. Here are a few garden themes and the plants that are a good match.

An English Town Garden is a restrained formal space that combines solid forms with loose flowery associates. Plants to use include clipped boxwood, Daphne, all Hydrangeas, carpet roses, lavender, ladies mantle, iris and summer phlox.

A Japanese Zen Garden is a quiet, sometimes shady spot that can include rocky outcrops. Plants to use include the varieties of moss, Mugho pine, azalea, Carex, Japanese painted fern, Japanese garden juniper, Euonymus wintercreeper, dwarf astilbe.

The Tropical Dreams theme is a fun garden that is especially suited for a poolside landscape. Plants include Yellow leafed Hakonechloa, Hibiscus moscheutos, Canna lilies, goldmound spirea, lantana, oakleaf hydrangea and coleus.

Modern + Minimalist gardens emphasize textures and mass plantings ot create an edgy feeling. Plants to use include Sedum Cape Blanco, Sanseveria (mother-in law tongues), Sedum Vera Jameson, Blue Fescue, Hardy bamboo, Baltic ivy, vinca minor and Japanese Blood Grass.

A Flowery Cottage landscape revels in the many blooming plants and their combinations. Some stand outs for this include Cleome 'Senorita Rosalita', Verbena Bonariensis, Boxleaf Euonymus, Knock Out Roses, Montauk Daisies, Holly, Weigela 'Wine and Roses' and Peonies.

There are many other themes you may think of such as ‘Arts and Crafts’ Bungalow style, Woodland chic, Moonlight garden or A Fragrant Retreat. All of these can be the starting point for creating a private paradise that reflects you. Happy Spring!