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TRANSCRIPT
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
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 ?