Garden Design - Putting It All Together
Nothing intimidates a gardener more than garden design. Here are ideas for taking it step-by-step and creating a foundation to build on, with minimal anxiety. Great garden design takes practice.
Using Large Plants as Focal Point in Your Garden Design
Every garden needs a focal point and large, dramatic plants fit the bill nicely, getting better every year. These drama queen plants will take center stage in any garden. You only need one to make an impact, or use several as an eye-catching hedge.
Every garden needs a focal point and large, dramatic plants fit the bill nicely, getting better every year. These drama queen plants will take center stage in any garden. You only need one to make an impact, or use several as an eye-catching hedge.
Focal point plants are often described as architectural, because they add structure along with impact. That's why you don't want too many dra…
Garden Design Basics
Successful gardening design requires learning certain skills, in the end, a garden’s beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are no fixed rules to garden design. But there are a few elements of composition that will serve the garden designer well, when combining plants. And the only way to get good at garden design is to do it.
Successful gardening design requires learning certain skills, in the end, a garden’s beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are no fixed rules to garden design. But there are a few elements of composition that will serve the garden designer well, when combining plants. And the only way to get good at garden design is to do it.
Garden Bones - An Important Element of Garden Design
In garden design, the term 'garden bones' refers to something architectural the defines the structure of a garden. It's not as hard as you think to create bones in a garden. Here are some ideas to get you started.
In garden design, the term 'garden bones' refers to something architectural the defines the structure of a garden. It's not as hard as you think to create bones in a garden. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Evaluating This Year’s Garden Design
Fall is a great time to take stock of what worked in your garden and what was less than successful. A garden is a work in progress that should get better every year. The following 10 questions will help you evaluate your garden and garden design, so that you can plan for the garden you envision.
Fall is a great time to take stock of what worked in your garden and what was less than successful. A garden is a work in progress that should get better every year. The following 10 questions will help you evaluate your garden and garden design, so that you can plan for the garden you envision.
Regaining Control of the Out of Control Garden
At some point, everyone's garden starts to look a little overgrown. It's very exciting and satisfying when plants first start filling in, but all too soon the thugs take over or lush simply turns to chaos. The following 5 ideas will make your garden look better immediately, with a minimum of effort. They won't make garden maintenance go away, but they will help keep your garden looking good, by giving it definition.
At some point, everyone's garden starts to look a little overgrown. It's very exciting and satisfying when plants first start filling in, but all too soon the thugs take over or lush simply turns to chaos. The following 5 ideas will make your garden look better immediately, with a minimum of effort. They won't make garden maintenance go away, but they will help keep your garden looking good, by giving it definition.
Makeovers - Re-Designing Your Garden
Making over a garden can become necessary when the garden becomes overgrown or when site conditions, like lighting, change. Sometimes gardeners simply want to try creating a new garden. Here is some advice for taking a look at where you are with your garden plans and reassessing what you can do to capitalize on what you have.
Making over a garden can become necessary when the garden becomes overgrown or when site conditions, like lighting, change. Sometimes gardeners simply want to try creating a new garden. Here is some advice for taking a look at where you are with your garden plans and reassessing what you can do to capitalize on what you have.
Creating Seating Areas in Your Garden
Gardens are meant to be viewed, but most gardeners spend the bulk of their time up close and personal with the plants. Still, seating is an important aspect of any garden. Gardens are representative of the gardener's vision and as ever changing as the weather, so there are no hard rules about using seating in a garden. It can be purely functional or as fanciful as the gardener's imagination. Here's how some gardeners have added relaxation to their gardens.
Gardens are meant to be viewed, but most gardeners spend the bulk of their time up close and personal with the plants. Still, seating is an important aspect of any garden. Gardens are representative of the gardener's vision and as ever changing as the weather, so there are no hard rules about using seating in a garden. It can be purely functional or as fanciful as the gardener's imagination. Here's how some gardeners have added relaxation to their gardens.
Garden Art and Ornaments
What makes a garden statue look like it belongs there and another look completely out of place? Most of us tend to purchase garden art that is just too small and so then we buy a lot of it. Of course, like all art, personal preferences should always be considered. But there are some simple guidelines for choosing garden ornaments that complement your garden and that you won't have to keep explaining over and over to your friends.
What makes a garden statue look like it belongs there and another look completely out of place? Most of us tend to purchase garden art that is just too small and so then we buy a lot of it. Of course, like all art, personal preferences should always be considered. But there are some simple guidelines for choosing garden ornaments that complement your garden and that you won't have to keep explaining over and over to your friends.
Easier Gardening - 10 Ways to Make Gardening Less Work
Gardening easier means you can garden more. Use these smart gardening tips to make your gardening chores and maintenance less time and labor consuming and make your time in the garden more enjoyable.
Gardening easier means you can garden more. Use these smart gardening tips to make your gardening chores and maintenance less time and labor consuming and make your time in the garden more enjoyable.
Planning for a Great Fall Garden
Fall can be the icing on the gardening season, if you give some thought earlier in the season to plants that shine in autumn. Long after the last daylily has faded, fall bloomers and plants with electric foliage come out from the shadows and take center stage. <p>The one catch to having a dazzling fall garden is that you need to plant it earlier in the season. Spring is best, but early summer is when plants start to go on sale and fall bloomers are usually still in great supply.
Fall can be the icing on the gardening season, if you give some thought earlier in the season to plants that shine in autumn. Long after the last daylily has faded, fall bloomers and plants with electric foliage come out from the shadows and take center stage. <p>The one catch to having a dazzling fall garden is that you need to plant it earlier in the season. Spring is best, but early summer is when plants start to go on sale and fall bloomers are usually still in great supply.
Feng Shui in the Garden
The elements that bring order and harmony to your home can also be used to attract good energy to your garden.
The elements that bring order and harmony to your home can also be used to attract good energy to your garden.
A - Z Listing of Plants
An alphabetized listing of the plants discussed on About Gardening, including selecting plants, growing and suggestions for using the plants in garden design.
An alphabetized listing of the plants discussed on About Gardening, including selecting plants, growing and suggestions for using the plants in garden design.
Meanings of Flowers
Flowers have held meaning for centuries. You know a rose says love, but how about expressing yourself with violets for modesty, peonies for shame or daisies for innocence? The language and meaning of the flowers in you garden or bouquet can be as involved or as fun as you choose to make it.
Flowers have held meaning for centuries. You know a rose says love, but how about expressing yourself with violets for modesty, peonies for shame or daisies for innocence? The language and meaning of the flowers in you garden or bouquet can be as involved or as fun as you choose to make it.