Decisions to make when planning your backyard design

 backyard projects  No Responses »
Apr 262011
 

Backyard design is as simple as adding flowers or a complicated as installing a pool or hardscape. But no matter what your backyard plans may be trees and shrubs are a backbone to design. Their color, size and shape help blend the home and yard into a working design that adds enjoyment to you living area.

So what decisions should you make when selecting trees and shrubs?

 

Growing Zone: Your new plantings should relate to your growing zone. I know I cannot grow palm trees in my zone 5 climate. I could grow a crape myrtle but its technically a zone 6 and I am a zone 5 so I would have to baby it in the winter and would probably have to replace it after a harsh winter. Tip: You could check for a microclimate in your backyard or grow the specimen as a container plant.

Size: How tall will this tree grow? Will it invade the electric lines or break up a sidewalk or foundation wall? Does the over all size match the size of your home? Maples and oak tree look nice near a farmhouse or story house but dwarf a ranch style home. Check the growing tag and see how tall and wide the tree will grow.

Lighting and water: Does this shrub need a lot of light or will it do well in a grouping or under a tree? Will it tolerate wet feet or does it need a dry location. Also does it require a lot of water to survive? If you live in an arid climate you may want to select plants with low water needs.

Care: Does this plant need pruning, loose branches easily or have fruit that need so be picked up and disposed of? Some trees and shrubs have few diseases or care requirements. If you’re not a person who wants to spend a lot of time cleaning the backyard low maintenance planting are your best choices.

I have a weeping willow in my yard, which I really enjoy. But its constant care picking up branches after a storm and it also has a few insects that like to invade the trees so its high maintenance. When it’s gone I will probably not replace it.

Display: Will you select a plant that has winter color? How about fruit or berries? Shape may also be a choice. Harry Lauder’s walking stick makes an interesting display in the winter with its twisted branches. Pines add green to a barren winter landscape and flowering trees and bushes will add color all year long if selected carefully.

There are many considerations to be made when selecting new trees and shrubs but there is one that you should keep in mind while buying. That cute tiny plant will grow – remember to check the growing tag. The growing tag will give you information about daily care, planting and future care.

Your local extension office or conservation office has information on plants suitable for your area. Take advantage of their services. Your backyard will appreciate it!

Posted by Denise at 11:26 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Reblooming Lilacs will add color to your backyard

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Feb 032011
 

Lilacs have been a staple in many landscapes for generations. Often time driving through the country you will see the stray lilac in a field, the only remaining landmark of a homestead. Just up the road from my house there is a group of lilacs planted in a field to mark an Indian battlefield.

One the country road I grew up on, every house had at least one lilac tree. Spring had arrived when the lilacs bloomed. But this was the problem. Lilacs bloomed in the spring and then they silently blended into the backyard.

Now there are three varieties of Lilac’s that rebloom again during the same year. They do not bloom with the same exuberance of the first bloom display. But you will be able to enjoy the fragrance and color of the lilac for a longer period.

Lilacs such as the ‘Josee’ will bloom intermittently throughout the growing season after the first early bloom. It is considered a dwarf lilac and will grow 4 to 6 foot tall and about 5 foot in diameter. It will grow in zones 2 through 9.

The Josee has the capacity to rebloom 3 to 4 times per year if the summer is warm and long. It has even flowered as late as October in some cases. To improve the bloom capacity, remove the faded flowers as soon as they dry up. Shearing the plant each year will improve branching and stimulate new growth.

The Bloomerang is another reblooming dwarf lilac. It does not have as many blooms as the Josee but still will add color to the landscape. It also grows in zones 2 through 9.

The advantages of the smaller lilac are that they will work better in a small landscape design, or as a focal point in a small garden area. Have small leaves they would also work well near a pool or pond.

The Superba Littleleaf lilac is a little larger lilac that will rebloom in late summer or early fall.

Lilacs are traditionally large shrubs that can reach 20 feet tall and tends to spread outward with age. The above-mentioned cultivars are smaller and are more compact.
Lilacs can become quite dense so they are often used as a loose hedge or as a screening plant. With their seasonal flowering its best if you want a colorful yard to add flowers near the shrub base or garden art to add interest and texture.

Posted by Denise at 11:33 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Recreate your Backyard with Garden Accessories

 backyard design  No Responses »
Nov 052010
 

Another step to recreating your backyard landscape is accessories. Home and garden areas benefit from the addition of benches, small decorative fences, fountains, garden art and more.

The accessories you select should go well with the plants. For example if your overall feel of the yard is country, old farm collectibles, wagon wheels, picket fence and water pump will add to your home. And you may enjoy a classical style but if you have a house full of toddlers you may have to settle for mini garden statues and a small patio fountain.

Most garden areas have decorative containers and statuary. They blend in and add to any décor. Your selection will be based on your style of home, neighborhood and family.

Planting Containers

Containers are essential to most gardens. Containers allow you to fill in blank spots when your flowers die back. They are also a wonderful way to garden in a small space or to add color to your porch. They also give you the opportunity to change the look of your yard and patio area but simply moving containers or adding new ones.

Containers also give you the opportunity to be creative. They can be arranged in curves, placed by driveways, layered or used on terraced hills. And in small space garden area using containers vertically will add privacy and make better use of your limited growing space.

They can be artistic in nature or rustic. The wide variety available will make decorating your home easy and unique to your personality.

Garden Statues

There are two basic rules when it comes to garden statues.

1.  If you are using large statues (3 foot or taller), then 1 per area of your garden will make your garden look good.

2.  If you use small statues then you can put them in groups to get maximum impact. At least three seem to add balance to your area. I like to vary the size of the pieces to create more interest.

And finally, many people use garden art in their landscape design. You can decorate your garden in your own way with a wide selection of one of a kind collectibles that range from mirror to handmade art. If you have a one of a kind piece, make sure it stands out on its own.

One item many people use in a garden area is handmade hypertyfu containers. They are fun to make and are definitely one of a kind.

When adding accessories just remember to have fun. Using that principle the home and garden areas will show your personality and make your living area a great place to relax and enjoy.

Posted by Denise at 10:39 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Recreate your backyard this Fall

 backyard design  No Responses »
Nov 032010
 

A Backyard is more than a place to relax and share time with family. It is an extension of our personalities. By adding plants, trees, shrubs and garden art we create a feel and leave behind a part of ourselves.

The fall is a great time to look around your backyard and patio area and make changes for a new look. When you look at one area for a long time you tend to overlook things.

One of the first steps to changing your yard is to take photographs. This will help you see your yard from a new perspective. Maybe you didn’t realize a patio window was broke or a step was uneven. A photo often brings these small details to your attention.

Take a look at your layout. Most backyard designs fit in a formal look – straight lines and structured paths. Or a flowing pattern and meandering paths, which creates a more relaxing cottage garden, look to a home.

After deciding on the layout of your garden, and if you are happy with it, you will want to decide on any new plants. Fall is a great time for new plants. They are usually on sale and the plants have time to adjust to their new home without abundant heat.

Japanese Maple and Bamboo are suited for the modern style. Roses and most perennials suit the traditional style and the Black Eyed Susan, flowering herbs and Coneflower are best suited for the country styles of gardens.

Trellises, garden fences and gates create backdrops and boundaries for gardens and other areas of your backyard. They emphasis your plants and make them stand out. The use of short decorative fencing not only creates the boundaries to your garden but also creates a layered look, which adds dimension and seems to expand the look of a yard. In a small space landscape this is a plus.

Small touches will add a new feel and flair to a home or landscape and fall is a perfect time for great landscape deals.

Posted by Denise at 10:00 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Create a Fall Garden Party Garden

 backyard design  No Responses »
Sep 192010
 

Its fun and easy to plan a fall picnic or garden party.  It will give you the opportunity to  enjoy the final days of fall and turning of the leaves if you live in a fall foliage area.

There are many ways to quickly decorate for a fall party including centerpieces and table decorations but a fast a simple fall garden will spruce up a backyard, add a quick backyard focal point and can be used for the rest of the fall season.

One quick fall flower garden is easy to create by utilizing an old wheelbarrow as a container and plant mums and flowering cabbage inside it.

Mums and flowering cabbage are good selections because they handle cooler evenings and light frosts. The combination also works well as the mums have vibrant color selections and the cabbage has pretty colors, wonderful greens and will add texture to the display.

Start by drilling holes in the bottom of an old wheelbarrow for drainage. This will add proper drainage for you plants. (Pick up an old wheelbarrow at an auction or garage sale. The more beat up the better in my opinion. )

Place peat moss around the plants. This will help hold in moisture and protect the plants on colder nights. Decorate the display with a hay bale off to the side of the wheelbarrow, a bundle of corn stalks, a scarecrow and assorted pumpkins and gourds.

This fall garden will last through several frosts and can be covered at night to keep it more colorful for several more weeks after cold weather has set in.

Posted by Denise at 10:54 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,
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