Smart & Sustainable, Green Garden Design, Coaching & Seasonal Maintenance


Saturday, August 15, 2009

More Curb Appeal

fountain
In one of my landscape design classes, our teacher taught us three key elements of good design...repetition, contrast, and focal point. Since then I have found these to be elements that apply outside the garden as well...be it interior spaces, a piece of music, or fashion. Christina Salwitz, The Personal Garden Coach, from Renton, Washington, was kind enough to share these photos of a project she did (with notes on plants...I love that!). They are a great application of the "Big Three".

the fall border
Front border taken in October to show lovely fall textures in front as we go into winter.

fall border close-up
The fiery Nandina in fall color glory, added some Dwarf Phormium ‘Jack Spratt’ for texture.

the spring border
Same front border in spring where the Euonymous and Barberry are glowing with new color!!

the focal point fountain bed
The Focal Point Fountain is surrounded by annuals and perennials (Orange Begonia, Violet and Orange Impatiens, Spider Plant, a small Lady’s Mantle volunteer, Euphorbia ‘Black Dragon’ and Gaura), a Leucothoe ‘Rainbow’ and a Willow Standard ‘Hukuro Nishiki’ (white variegated foliage). The half-wall baskets sitting on either side of the entrance contain Fuchsia ‘Aurea’.



the border in summer
“High Summer” color: added simple Lobelia ‘Crystal Palace’ in the front border of alternating ‘Crimson Pygmy’ Barberry, Euonymous ‘Emerald & Gold’ and Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’ under planted with Wooley Thyme.

From her website, Christina says, "I am fortunate enough to be able to witness the before and after effects of gardening with my clients. Those who are intimidated by the seemingly daunting task of renovating or creating a space they can enjoy are soon overtaken by the oneness they feel with what they have created afterward. No pills or potion can duplicate that high. That’s a fact that doctors worldwide have known for hundreds of years."

Fall is a great time to tackle those garden projects you've been dreaming about. The plants love it as the ideal time to get settled into the ground, and you'll love gardening in the cooler weather.


Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:08 PM

    Hey,

    This is a message for the webmaster/admin here at genosgarden.blogspot.com.

    May I use part of the information from your post right above if I provide a backlink back to your site?

    Thanks,
    William

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sure. Just send me a note or whatever so I can see how it looks. Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
  3. I enjoyed reading your post on curb appeal and agree with your that a focal point is needed as well as balance. Your images are lovely and you have a great eye for design.

    ReplyDelete