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Landscaping Tricks of the Trade

Photos and presentation by Susan Arlene BellLandscape Designer and Contractor

Landscaping Tricks of the Trade

Part One - Design uses 6 basic principles:• Unity – a cohesive theme, harmonious style (no palm trees/flamingos)

• Repetition – repeating elements to create rhythm/harmony

• Contrast – adding different elements for interest (spice it up)

• Sequence – visual and physical movement through a garden

• Proportion - scaling of elements in pleasing relationship to each other

• Balance – sense of equality using mass and weight, symmetry

Part Two – Garden maintenance the right way• Keeping a garden healthy through diversity and natural controls

• Solutions for common problems

Sequence

When you cannot see everything at a glance, you create mystery

Straight walks are intended to move you quickly to your destinationCurved walks purposely slow you down and help you relax

Proportion or ScaleAt left a shade tree overpowers and

‘targets’ the building and foundation

Below the tree is at proper scale and distance to frame the two story building

mgmont@umd.edu

Balance at Wm Paca HouseAssymetrical – informal,

‘random’ placement

Symmetrical – formalMirror image placement

Plan ahead to reduce impulse buyingMistake: no plan,

just a collection, one of each

Solution: use the

principle of repetition

Too manypoints create

confusion, violates theprinciple of sequence Liriope edge

Removing competing

focal calms the view

Redistribute Liriope

to pull garden together, remove

one spiral

Remove shrub competing with focal

Proper sequencing creates a dramatic

focal point

Homeowner doesn’t like her house

Same plant‘soldiered’

in single row

Out of balance with no height at this end of

building

Add balance to frame and create symmetry

Proportion determines

plant sizes to compliment architecture

Before10’ AcomaCrape Myrtle

Improving curb appeal

Planting the right sized plants,

enhance entrance, screen AC/meters

and side yard, drainage issues

Before

Cryptomeriajaponica

Solutions: Raise beds, native wetland plants for improved drainage

Correct sequence: block view to utilities

back/side yard

Improve view from inside home

This planting island to balance mature trees other side of driveway

Add depth, layers, color to bed and height between windows

Before

After

HinokiCypress

Native Serviceberry

A garden is not just plantsRose arbor take center stage

swing invites you to sit and relax

‘Mountain Fire’ Pieris japonica

Example:intention was low

maintenance

bench as focal point

Before

Tuckingin a bit of whimsy

Creating harmony in garden theme or style

Anything out of place?

Before

Planting too close to

house unhealthy for plant and can damage

siding

Juniperus procumbens nana

Give trees room to grow

Redbuds Cercis canadensis

spread 20 feet

Note natural symmetry growing at

woodland edge

Ask “How big does this get?”

April

After4 months

After 24 mos.

Updates to house entrance

and paintingstone installed over damaged

concrete

new accessoriesstorm door

Before

Screen out eyesores

Create a better view and borrow too

Include interestthroughall four seasons

Fall leaves

Winter berries

Spring tulips

Summer blooms

Winter interest added to large flower bed

Added stones, Buxus ‘DeRunk’ with Juniperus procumbens nana

Plant groundcovers to reduce maintenance

Use evergreens to compliment shade trees

• Evergreens provide interest in all seasons

• Great variety through color, shape, density and texture

• Nesting, shelter and berries for wildlife

• Great for sequencing: creating garden rooms, screening

Filter run off and

erosion on slopes

Part two

Garden maintenance -

the smart way

Pest management without chemicals

Non toxic methods I have seen or used successfully:

• Bagging (see photo Asian Pear on right)

• Hand removal: scale, hornworms, tent caterpillars, etc.

• Hosing off as in aphids, whitefly

• Entrapment – saucer of beer traps/drowns slugs

• Bird netting protect fruit or flowers from deer

Continued on next slide

By the time you notice plant pests the

beneficial predators or parasites have also

spidersdragonflies

praying mantis

Provide food, water, shelter and nesting

sites for birds

Don’t fear wildlife –by providing habitat they will help

control most pests naturally

Complex gardensattract more beneficials

and wildlife

Solutions for common problems

Overcrowding- separateconverging

plants

increase sunlight and air circulation

reduce nutrient, disease and pest

problems

Water managementplant native, water-loving plant along foundation,

downspouts empty onto splash block filtering through gravel, mulch or plants, if needed

Grass absorbs 15%

Most universal mistake in landscaping

Over-mulching may ‘kill’ your air

conditioner too!

The shrub is in trouble tooalready lost

half of its foliage

Which tree would you prefer to

look at all winter?

Crape Myrtles are available in lots of sizes:

pot sized and up to 40’ tall

topping thinning or heading

Proper pruning: don’t leave stubs to rot

Tree cuts don’t heal, instead a tree

seals off wounds

Pay attention to performance and health Azaleas planted in full sun is stressed, yellows and attracts insects

Your garden will provide warning signs –e.g., fungi grow on rotting wood

woodpecker is eating from insect infestation

Any questions ?