Flower Garden Design Ideas: How To Create An Amazing Garden!
0 comments Posted by ariya at 5/05/2009A flower garden can be a peaceful and beautiful refuge from the rest of the world. Sitting in the midst of fragrant flowers while reading a book or strolling along paths lined with flowers in cheerful colors can help you to wind down after a busy, stressful day. With some planning and work, a lovely flower garden can be yours to enjoy.
Planning Flower Garden Designs
Creating beautiful flower garden designs takes much planning and consideration. You will need to consider the types of flowers and combinations of colors you desire for the garden. You will also need to think about the placement of borders and shrubs as well as seating and ornaments. It is a good idea to choose an overall style for the garden and stick with it. When you begin your flower garden designs project, you should make a scale drawing of the design to help visualize your concepts.
Shapes in Flower Garden Designs
Decide upon the shape and pattern for your flower garden designs. Rectangular flower garden designs are a traditional shape and always popular. Circular shaped gardens add interest to the standard rectangular lawn. Flower gardens planted on a diagonal to the house can make a lawn appear larger than it actually is.
Styles of Flower Garden Designs
There are a number of styles of gardens that you can plant, and many of them are not too difficult to achieve. Some favorite flower garden designs are listed here.
Rose Flower Garden Designs
Rose Gardens are easy to plant and beautiful to see. In addition to modern roses, include fragrant, old-fashioned varieties of roses whose scent will delight. Plant bulbs in the beds and border them with seasonal flowers to keep the garden full of color during the blooming seasons.
Cottage Flower Garden Designs
Informal cottage gardens have an old-fashioned, rustic look about them. These flower garden designs incorporate the use of flowers, plants and vegetables.
Shade Flower Garden Designs
Shade gardens are good flower garden designs for spaces with many trees blocking the sunlight. There are many flowers that do well in shady areas, including impatiens, begonia, azalea, hosta and viola. The lack of leaves on the trees in spring allows spring bulbs to grow, filling the space with color.
Wildflower Flower Garden Designs
Wildflower gardens are flower garden designs that feature plants indigenous to the area where the garden is located. These gardens tend to require less pampering than some of the other types listed here, usually not requiring much weeding or amendments to the soil.
Butterfly Flower Garden Designs
Butterfly gardens are delightful flower garden designs, planted with flowers known to attract butterflies. Plants such as marigold, lilac, coreopsis, lavender, black-eyed susan and goldenrod are all good choices for butterfly gardens.
Hummingbird Flower Garden Designs
Likewise, hummingbird gardens are a good choice for those who enjoy spotting these small birds. Hummingbirds like richly colored flowers with sweet nectar and a tubular shape. Red and fuschia flowers in particular tend to attract hummingbirds. Some hummingbird garden favorites are morning glory, petunias, azalea, rose of sharon, delphinium and honeysuckle.
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Choosing a garden style that is right for you is a matter of choice. If you design your entire garden according to a particular style, but sometimes just a few sensibly elements call to mind a style.
Any style whether Asian, cottage, formal, and others has its own characteristic details such as particular plants, water features, and materials. Numerous features are so strongly identified with a specific style that they immediately evoke the proper mood.
Look below at these three lasting and respected garden styles, then incorporate these style elements into your garden design for the look you want.
Asian Gardens
In the Asian tradition, landscape contemplation - in the wild, in a garden, or in a scroll painting serves as a sacred experience. The Chinese and Japanese usually held sacred the space within a garden and deemed the world outside profane. A number Japanese garden designs offer a rustic landscape and contain wet or dry streams and waterfalls, bordered by ferns, moss, and contorted pines.
Lake and island style gardens, developed in China, influenced Japanese garden designs. Islands symbolized the dwellings of immortal spirits and consisted of carefully placed earth or jagged rocks set in an imitation pond.
Cottage Gardens
The informality of cottage garden designs lends them an exuberance lacking in most garden schemes, never the less the gardens are neither nor sloppy when the overall design is caringly structured.
These gardens express cheerfulness and gusto for individual plants. Cottage gardens began centuries ago as modest, fenced-in pieces of land kept by cottagers who respected treasured wild-collected plant life for its usefulness. Livestock and vegetables, berry bushes, fragrant flowers, and herbs for crafts, cooking, and medicine packed the areas.
Formal Gardens
While a love of plants or nature inspires cottage and Asian gardens, formal garden designs express the humanistic worth of people as the center of the universe. A formal garden design looks it’s greatest near a traditional-style home so the garden exaggerates the home’s architecture. Formal garden designs are symmetrical though the main alignment often leads from a specific position near the house (a balcony, front door, a stone terrace) to a focal point further away such as a pavilion, bench or sculpture. By continuing the geometry of the house outdoors, a formal garden layout makes a transition to a wild or informal landscape at the edge of the property. property’s edge.
By: Patkee
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
You've probably seen garden sheds at local home and garden stores, hardware stores or even at friends' houses. If you have, you already know that there are tons of styles to choose from. And, there's always that issue of whether you should buy a shed or build one yourself.
Here are 5 do-it-yourself tips for garden shed designs that can help:
1. Decide whether building your own shed is the right approach:
Your desire for backyard organization is admirable, and you no doubt share it with millions of other homeowners. One major choice you will need to make is whether to build your own shed or to buy one. Buying a new shed is surely the easiest option, but it is also the most expensive. And, when you buy a shed you are limited to the design choices available at the stores you visit.
Building your own shed is an attractive alternative. Doing so can be a real money-saver, and you can get access to thousands of plans instantly from the Internet. Imagine all of the design choices! If you have the time and are on a budget, building your own garden shed gives you access to the most choices and saves you the most money.
2. Decide what you will store in your new garden shed:
Okay, now on to how to select the right design for you. Your first consideration will be to think about how you will actually be using your new shed and what you will store there. For example, do you need long-term storage for the winter, or will you be accessing your shed frequently throughout the year? Hint: spend 5 minutes to take a quick mental inventory of what you'll be storing in your garden shed. This will help you estimate how big the shed needs to be.
3. Choose a design that reflects your personal style and that fits in with your landscape:
For some people, having too many design options can be overwhelming. But, when pressed, most people will tell you that they would rather have more choices than fewer. When selecting a design in terms of its style and construction materials, be sure to go with something that will fit with the layout of your yard and that matches the look of your home and other nearby structures.
4. Go to a home store and check out their floor models' designs to get ideas:
Before choosing your final design, pay a visit to your local home store to get ideas. It can be nice to actually touch different sheds with your hands. Be sure to walk around inside each shed to see what the materials feel like and how they look up close.
5. Choose a design that fits your budget and anticipated usage needs:
The final design you choose should be one that will adequately satisfy your storage needs. When in doubt, get a shed that is a bit on the larger size: it's better to have a little extra room inside than to be short on interior space. And, make sure that your new shed won't break the bank.
Spending an hour or two working through these tips will assist you in selecting the very best design for your new garden shed.
Tag : garden,home garden,garden decor
The correct landscape design and the right materials are imperative, but what is also crucial is the placement of each stone and planting to produce the desired effect. The art of creating beautiful water falls landscapes involves the ability to artistically place the natural boulders and plantings in such a way that it looks as if Nature had done the work instead of a human. Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds. The information on this page will make it easy for you to install a pond in your garden. Even the birds will think they are in paradise. Garden Pond Design Aspects The sound of running water relaxes the mind It's a good idea to have some form of water running into your pond Running water blends in with the noise of traffic, it's like music to the ears and it calms the soul. A garden pond will create a peaceful welcoming atmosphere. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design.
The size and location of your pond is not just dependent on the design principles. An often overlooked item is the natural flow of water on the garden site To look natural, you need to adapt your design to this. In a very formal garden design this aspect becomes less important. Remember that you must not fight against nature. If you are thinking of having a river or a waterfall into your pond, Remember, this simple rule: Downhill. This also means taking the natural slope of your garden into account. Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. There are different types of ponds: Concrete Ponds made with an inside plastic liner Pre formed ponds: Include fish in your garden pond design. Provide adequate shelter for the fish against birds. One way of doing this is by placing some broken pots in the pond. Their curved surfaces make an excellent hideaway. You must never be able to see the source of the water comes. For example, a large leaf plant could be placed in the area where the river comes from. The start of the river may also be hidden in some other way, for example a large pot or by another focal point. Provide this through plants close to the pond, and water plants that spread across the surface of the water.
Garden Pond Plants: Choose plants for your pond that will fit into your overall garden design. Water plants are dramatically different to normal plants. Introduce the water plants by choosing garden plants that blend in with your marginal plants. Soil nutrients constantly leached into pond water could result in green water. To overcome this, retain the media (soil) by placing gravel on top of the soil in the pot. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. The sun can also cause the water to go green. Water lilies grow at the base of the pond. The valuable cover of the lily leaves shade the algae out in summer. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. You need one lily for every one and a half to three square meters of pond surface. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. Fill a third of the circumference of your pond with marginal plants. Marginal plants include: Iris laevigate, lobelia fulgens, Mentha aquatica, Pontederia Cordata. Oxygenating plants (submerged plants), provide underwater foliage. These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Use five bunches of oxygenating plants for every square meter.
You can get these plants from pet shops that sell fish and aquarium supplies. Oxygenating plants include: Elodea densa, and Ranunculus peltatus. Floating plants can be attached to two empty plastic cool drink bottles. You can also get floating pots from your local nursery. Introduce one for every one to one and a half square meters of surface area A good floating plant is Azolla spp/Lemna. Plant bog plants (moisture-loving plants) in damp soil near the edge of the pond or a constructed bog garden. Most bog plants prefer to have only their roots in the water. Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. Treating the Dreaded Algae Problem Algae are single celled plants. Spores are present in the air and will colonize any new body of water. They are rarely harmful to water-life, but are unsightly. In severe cases they may cause problems with the health of the fish. There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps.
Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. The natural balance consists of starving the algae of light and nutrients. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae. A mesh bag filled with barley straw can assist in algae control. The silicates in the straw bind nutrients, such as phosphates. The straw seems to promote as organism that feeds off the algae. Straw needs to be replaced on a regular basis as it will start to decompose and pollute the water. I suggest you replace the straw every six months. You can buy barley wheat from your local health shop. Enjoy your Pond Doing a garden pond design for your garden is really worth the effort. I have sat on my patio on many occasions and just marveled at the dragonflies, butterflies and birds visiting and enjoying the water. It is so therapeutic and a special meditation retreat for me. It's easy to give your garden statuary value.
Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps. Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae. [SUBTOPIC=4] Great Gardening Tips helps you to find multiple resources available on the web for water garden pond plan. [SUBTOPIC=5] It has been described as "Nature's Song," that relaxing sound of a mountain stream that leads us to a quiet place of balance and serenity. The art of creating beautiful water falls landscapes involves the ability to artistically place the natural boulders and plantings in such a way that it looks as if Nature had done the work. The correct landscape design and the right materials are imperative, but what is also crucial is the placement of each stone and planting to produce the desired effect. Garden Pond Design for Tranquility and Peace A good garden pond design wows just about any garden.
Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds Water seems to make a garden look bigger. The reflective qualities in a pond attract us, and nature. If your garden pond is designed correctly, it can add a new dimension to your garden. Even the birds will think they are in paradise. Garden Pond Design Aspects The sound of running water relaxes the mind. Its a good idea to have some form of water running into your pond Running water blends in with the noise of traffic, its like music to the ears and it calms the soul. A garden pond will create a peaceful welcoming atmosphere. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design The size and location of your pond is not just dependent on the design principles. An often overlooked item is the natural flow of water on the garden site To look natural, you need to adapt your design to this.
In a very formal garden design this aspect becomes less important. Remember that you must not fight against nature. If you are thinking of having a river or a waterfall into your pond, remember this simple rule: Downhill. This also means taking the natural slope of your garden into account Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. There are different types of ponds: Concrete Ponds made with an inside plastic liner Pre formed ponds. Include fish in your garden pond design. Provide adequate shelter for the fish against birds. One way of doing this is by placing some broken pots in the pond. Their curved surfaces make an excellent hideaway. You must never be able to see the source of the water comes. For example, a large leaf plant could be placed in the area where the river comes from. The start of the river may also be hidden in some other way, for example a large pot or by another focal point. Provide this through plants close to the pond, and water plants that spread across the surface of the water.
Garden Pond Plants Choose plants for your pond that will fit into your overall garden design. Water plants are dramatically different to normal plants. Introduce the water plants by choosing garden plants that blend in with your marginal plants Soil nutrients constantly leached into pond water could result in green water. To overcome this, retain the media (soil) by placing gravel on top of the soil in the pot. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. The sun can also cause the water to go green. Water lilies grow at the base of the pond. The valuable cover of the lily leaves shade the algae out in summer. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. You need one lily for every one and a half to three square metres of pond surface. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. Fill a third of the circumference of your pond with marginal plants Marginal plants include: Iris laevigate, lobelia fulgens, Mentha aquatica, Pontederia Cordata. Oxygenating plants (submerged plants), provide underwater foliage.
These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Use five bunches of oxygenating plants for every square metre You can get these plants from pet shops that sell fish and aquarium supplies Oxygenating plants include: Elodea densa, and Ranunculus peltatus. Floating plants can be attached to two empty plastic cool drink bottles You can also get floating pots from your local nursery. Introduce one for every one to one and a half square metres of surface area A good floating plant is Azolla spp/Lemna. Plant bog plants (moisture-loving plants) in damp soil near the edge of the pond or a constructed bog garden. Most bog plants prefer to have only their roots in the water, Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. See our page on how to build a pond for an easy way to build and integrate a bog garden into your garden pond design. Treating the Dreaded Algae Problem Algae are single celled plants. Spores are present in the air and will colonize any new body of water They are rarely harmful to water-life, but are unsightly. In severe cases they may cause problems with the health of the fish.
There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps. Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. The natural balance consists of starving the algae of light and nutrients. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae A mesh bag filled with barley straw can assist in algae control. The silicates in the straw bind nutrients, such as phosphates. The straw seems to promote as organism that feeds off the algae. Straw needs to be replaced on a regular basis as it will start to decompose and pollute the water. I suggest you replace the straw every six months. You can buy barley wheat from your local health shop. Enjoy your Pond Doing a garden pond design for your garden is really worth the effort. I have sat on my patio on many occasions and just marveled at the dragonflies, butterflies and birds visiting and enjoying the water. It is so therapeutic and a special meditation retreat for me.
Do not overlook safety
Garden Pond Safety Do not overlook safety in your design. Water is always a hazard especially for small children Design your pond with child safety in mind A sturdy stainless steel grid a few inches under the water surface should provide protection on a deep pond A safer bet would be to have a shallow pond where small children will be able to crawl out of the pond Whatever design you decide on should adequately address this issue No matter how beautiful a design, it can never warrant the loss of a child or a pets life.
Enhance Your Garden With Unusual Garden Sculptures And Plaques
0 comments Posted by ariya at 5/24/2009What better to enhance your garden and accentuate the beauty of your carefully chosen plants than garden décor in the form of plaques, garden sculptures, statues and tastefully designed bird baths and bird feeders. Décor that would enhance any garden!
Many people own front yards and gardens with fabulous potential, and then fill them with flowers and shrubs of all sizes and colors. However, they can still tend to look bare. Why is that? Because there is nothing to break up the vegetation, and provide something different for people to look at. Flowers are very beautiful, but a well designed garden needs that extra something to set it aside from all the other gardens in the neighborhood.
How about a bird feeder in form of St. Francis, or even a dragonfly, that you can attach to a wall or a tree, and attract birds in the spring and summer while feeding them in the winter. Many birds will come to rely on you for their food source when they need you most. Place a few stone stepping stones in the flowerbeds to allow you to enjoy them at their best without getting dirty feet. You can use the stepping stones to reach the feeders on the wall in order to refill them. You will attract a wide variety of songbirds to your garden that will provide you with tuneful pleasure all year round.
Does it rain a lot in your part of the country, or is it generally hot and sunny? In either case why not have a thermometer and rain gauge in your garden, tastefully sculpted in the form of a drinking frog or sleepy owl. If it never rains, just have the thermometer in the form a fairy sitting contemplating your flowers as she enjoys the sun. You can find out how much it rained during the night, or just how hot it really is.
Statues are always popular in gardens, and provide a great focal point to break up a lawn or provide a conversation piece in winter and fall when the flowers have died down. Statues in the form of frogs, angels, cats, dogs and even tortoises make a change from the ubiquitous gnome. Everybody has gnomes, but how many have wish fairies or pixies? Be different and stand out from the crowd. Be noticed!
You can also use inexpensive concrete cast stones around your borders, that come in a wide variety of designs, and finished so beautifully that cannot tell it from the real thing. And they are durable! Stones come cast in the form of angels, fairies and a wide variety of angels and birds. These would enhance any garden, and all are available online. You don’t have to go down to the garden center to get your hands on these, just find a suitable online retail site and have them delivered.
Walls generally look a bit bare in the garden unless you have some climbing plants. You can provide a bit of decoration by means of stone plaques that are available in a wide variety of designs. Many are in the form of faces – the sun, for example, or a wide variety of leaves and vegetables with funny and grumpy faces displayed on them. Just the thing to keep the kids happy and amused. Cover them up with a few climbing plants, and watch them begin to appear in the fall.
Another great idea is to have wall plaque personalized as you want it. You have your name put on it or your address, and put it outside your backyard gate. Have a memorable date inscribed, such as the date or year you moved into your house, or the date of your wedding. I am sure you can think of lots of ways in which you can have your plaques personalized.
A few statues or stone animals placed in and around your fountain would make a change, or a large stone planter would look great on the patio. There are so many lovely garden ornaments available to transform your garden into a work of art, and so many talking points that you can place at strategic points around the garden. All it takes is some imagination and the will to start.
Don’t stare at the neighbor’s garden with all its garden décor and garden sculptures that make it look a more complete garden that yours. Do something about it, and design your own with garden décor that will enhance your garden, no matter how large or small. Don’t think about, just get up and do it.
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Imagine how inconvenient and boring it can get to organize a graduation party that you need to wind up before the sun goes down, only because you garden is not properly lit. Forget about parties, can you even stroll in your garden in a breezy summer night without lighting, or sip on a strong espresso to enjoy winters in a dark garden? Without lighting, your garden can look dreary and instead of giving respite, it will scare you.
Garden lighting is immensely useful in a number of different ways. The first, being its use in allaying your fear to stroll in a dark, and gloomy garden. Then properly lit garden can encourage you to arrange different family and friends dinner parties and late-night get-togethers. This will eventually help you enjoy more with your near and dear ones and collect some memories along the way that you will love cherishing throughout your life. Other than this, the garden lighting can actually lease a new life to your dark and dreary garden, provided they are installed at the right locations. Creating a wonderful atmosphere in your garden does not imply that you need to install big bright bulbs all around. Bright and sharp lights can only serve to irritate your guests as well as neighbors, but will never provide a soothing atmosphere, a beautiful evening party demands.
There are a number of different types and designs of garden lights available in the market. Before going for shopping, see if there are separate portions in your garden for sitting and cooking, etc or not. If yes, then you may need to provide extra lighting to that area rather than using the same dim lights as in the rest of the garden area. Afterwards, you should know that the most usual type of garden lighting is the down lighting that can be used anywhere in the garden. Nevertheless, if you have a pond or fountain in your garden as well, you should always think about installing the underwater or spotlights. In addition, you need to highlight the walkways and sidewalks, as it gives further definition to your garden. However, whatever type of lights you use, make sure they are soft and low-voltage lights.
Prices of garden lighting vary widely; nevertheless, it is not expensive at all. To get an even more cheap deal, you can use solar lights. They are available in various attractive designs.
Metal is strong: this is one of the advantages that come with metal garden furniture. You will find that most of the items come coated with a rust resistant coat and this is what gives the material strength hence it will be resilient over time and will manage to withstand different and changing conditions of the weather.
Offers versatility: there are different kinds of metals which can be used to make the garden furniture. The differences offer versatility and therefore everybody ends with furniture that is most suitable for the garden. You can get anything from the light aluminum furniture perfect for picnics to the strong and heavier wrought iron furniture providing a more permanent solution to your garden needs.
Different designs and styles: as earlier mentioned, metal is easy to play around with and this therefore means that the makers of the furniture manage to come up with very attractive and unique designs on the furniture. In case you have a design in mind, you can have the furniture made especially for you thereby making it very unique to your garden.
When looking for garden furniture, one of the important things you will need to consider is the maintenance. When it comes to metal, maintenance is necessary but does not require much. Nowadays, you will find that the metal furniture come coated with rust free varnish and therefore manage to resist rust for a long time. In cases where rust does occur, you can try scrapping off using wired brush that does not leave any damage.
You can get the furniture coated all over again once you find that the initial coating is not serving its purpose and is exposing your treasured furniture to the harsh conditions of the environment. The cushions will however require regular cleaning and it is therefore important to go for colors and fabrics that not only bring out the best in your garden but are also easy to wash and keep looking good for a long period of time.
Every kind of garden furniture has its advantages and disadvantages and you will need to consider them all before making the last decision.
Labels: Advantages, Furniture, Garden, Garden Furniture, Metal
For this reason, experts contend that it would be better to consider the manufacturers first before buying a product.
This is also applicable when buying greenhouses. In today's modern world, most greenhouses are readily made available in the market. In fact, most of the greenhouses can be purchased in kits, while others still opt for the manually constructed designs.
Greenhouses are the innovative forms of gardening today. Confined in "enclosed structural designs" that are usually made from glass or plastics, greenhouses are believed to offer more than what the outside environment can give to the plants. In this kind of arrangement, light and heat are regulated, thus, providing the right amount in conformity to the particular needs of every plant classification.
Greenhouses can be acquired in assembled form, as "do-it-yourself kits," or in specially made models. Most of these types of greenhouses differ upon the kinds of "structural beams" and the kind of windowpanes that go with it.
For this reason, it is highly significant for consumers or would-be greenhouse grower to consider the greenhouse manufacturer to ensure the quality of the materials that are used to construct the "hothouse."
Here is a list of some tips that you must know when contemplating on a greenhouse manufacturer:
1. Do your homework
Nothing comes close in getting a good buy than knowing the kind of situation that you are in. This means that it is important for a consumer to have a handful of knowledge about the product that he is about to buy. This will enable him to confidently identify the things that need to be evaluated first.
Take into considerations the greenhouse manufacturers. It would be better for every consumer to learn about the different greenhouse manufactures in their area. Ask some people, especially those who are already engage into greenhouse businesses, on the ideal greenhouse manufacturer that can provide the best products.
2. Know the manufacturer
If you happen to see a good-enough kind of greenhouse, it would be better to check on its manufacturer. Keep in mind that buying a remarkable product does not always guarantee its excellence. Sometimes people just have to check on its manufacturer to certify its quality.
3. Certifications
When choosing a greenhouse manufacturer, it would be better to check if it is affiliated to a well-known association.
Today, most of the highly acclaimed greenhouse manufacturers are members of The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association or the NGMA. This is a certified "trade organization" built specially for the greenhouse manufacturers as well as the trader or contractors of greenhouses and its parts.
If you will buy your greenhouse from a greenhouse manufacturer that is affiliated with the NGMA, you can be sure that you will be dealing with an expert. This is because NGMA only recognize those greenhouse manufacturers that are highly knowledgeable and qualified greenhouse manufacturers in the business.
So if you are still looking for a good greenhouse manufacturer, try to contact the NGMA for further information. They have a long list of qualified manufacturers that could provide you with the best greenhouses.
4. Shop around
Grabbing the first greenhouse manufacturer that comes your way is a big no-no, even if its manufacturer is highly recognized in the business. It is still better to shop around for more. In this way, you get to compare prices of the greenhouse or its parts among the qualified greenhouse manufactures that you were able to find.
Keep in mind that getting the best buy is not always dependent on the expertise of the manufacturer. The gratification is always double when the product is bought at a good price.
5. Go online
If there are good enough greenhouse manufacturers in the industry, there are also good enough manufacturers online. The best thing about choosing greenhouse manufacturers online is that you get to evaluate the business without difficulty. Best of all, choosing greenhouse manufacturers online is easier because of the reviews provided by the consumers themselves.
Indeed, choosing the perfect greenhouse manufacturer that will work best for you can be very tedious, but keep in mind that its results offers great advantages like no other.
By: Joey Simmons
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
I recommend anyone who is seriously interested in having a Japanese garden in their backyard to avoid such schemes. Similarly, many of the Do-It-Yourself in one weekend advertisements and books are also going to be very misleading.
Anyone who is interested in having an authentic garden should first study up on what style of Japanese garden they are interested in. Next, you need to take into account what type of property you have and where you would like to have you garden. From there you have two Japanese garden design options:
1) Either look into hiring a professional garden design and installation company, which will cost more, but in the long run you will be happier with the outcome.
2) Do it yourself after you have investigated many different styles of gardens, determined which fits best for you site, and obtained the necessary garden tools to build and maintain your garden.
In either option there needs to be a dedication to studying a little about the styles of gardens available as well as some kind of financial commitment to you project. This is something you cannot achieve though a free online garden design. Don't expect to spend $200 and recreate the atmosphere of a famous rock garden one Saturday morning.
There are a handful of good Japanese landscapers outside of Japan. Take the time to seek out these authorities with experience, the outcome will be worth it.
Although many Japanese gardens appear to be very simplistic, it is in the simplicity that millions of details lie in wait to be discovered by the observer.
If you are drawn to and intrigued by a picture of a garden and strive to emulate that in your garden, understand that this tradition is hundreds of years old and has developed over time. Think about what it is that appeals to you in that particular garden and think of how you can realistically create that feeling or atmosphere in your potential garden location.
A good garden designer will visit the location and check out the environment, surrounding areas, the view from the home, check your climate hardiness zone etc. None of these essential pieces of information are possible via ordering Free Japanese garden designs.
Labels: Garden, Garden Design, Japanese
Stylish tiki torches that practically scream "classy" are a perfect garden accessory and their use in landscaping design can offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to in-ground lighting. The ever growing number of options available in metallic torches will provide you with options to compliment almost any theme.
Not only are brass, steel and aluminum tiki torches good fits for modern garden styles, they also offer substantially improved longevity over their organic material counterparts. I've replaced some of my bamboo and wooden models in as little as a year (my fault for leaving them out in a humid environment all year). My metal tiki torches are still outside and looking as good as new nearly 3 years after their purchase!
In addition to durability, metallic tiki torches come in an astounding variety of styles. Elegant fluted designs offer wonderful grace. Squat and bulbous tiki torches are great additions for table-tops and walls or for path lighting. Combinations of glass and metal sit at the pinnacle of elegance. One can even find torches that look like the old gas lanterns lining the streets of old London.
Another benefit to tiki torches as a modern garden lighting choice is the fuel option. By that, I mean that oil isn't the only choice available. Many modern styles offer propane as a fuel delivery system. Tanks are mounted to the torch post or situated on the ground by the torch. Some torches even sport wheels, allowing the owner to "cart" their torch and propane tank from one location to another. And don't worry, smaller (and more portable) tank sizes are available though you're welcome to go with the larger tanks commonly attached to backyard grills.
One feature I strongly favor with tiki torches is their mobility. Wired landscape lighting requires substantial effort if your design expectations change. You can't simply pickup and relocate a wired light without digging up its power source, too. Tiki torches can simply be pulled up and relocated either to accommodate design changes or to completely change the dynamics of your garden or event.
Finally, modern tiki torches are conversation pieces in their own right. The elegant and sometimes dramatic styles available can serve as beautiful accents to a well-planned garden or outdoor setting, evoking admiration even when unlit during the day.
With so many options and materials available, there is simply no good reason to overlook tiki torches for even contemporary garden settings. While they may not have been the first choice on your list, browse around a bit before you settle on wired lighting solutions for your garden. I expect you'll be pleasantly surprised to find a wide variety available and something that would be right at home in your elegant garden.
About the Author
Among other blogs, David writes for tikitorchesguide.com, a blog devoted to the care and maintenance of tiki torches and how to incorporate tiki torches in garden design.
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When people think about garden benches, they immediately believe that the only place they can be put is in the garden. Well, that just is not the case and even though the garden is still a great spot for one, there are still a number of lovely areas that they can go. Plus, not only would one add a wonderful seating option for you, your family, and guests, but it would also enhance the appearance of any space that it is put in.
Really, any place throughout your outdoor area would be a wonderful spot to put one, but if you are stumped on where you could place a few, gorgeous garden benches, then here are some awesome ideas for you. One idea is in your backyard deck or patio area. It would be not only be a nice way to complement the other furniture that you have, but you could also use it as the main source for your outdoor seating since they are so comfortable. Plus, they have a spacious seating area that would be perfect for a few people, so then during those summer barbecues or get-togethers, you do not have to worry about having quality seating for all of your guests. For even more luxury you can purchase a cushion for the ones that you get and one of the best available options are cushions made from Sunbrella fabric, which is water repellent, mildew resistant, and colorfast. Another idea on where you could place one is on the front porch as a nice spot where you, or a friend, can sit and take in the sights and the sounds of the neighborhood after a long day at the office, or a long relaxing walk. A third spot is just right in the backyard on the lawn, for a comfy place to rest during or after those intense lawn games with the family. You could even put one in your home as a rustic decorative twist, like in an entryway or basement area. Basically, they work well in any setting.
Wherever you decide to put one, you are not only adding a lot of comfort to the space, but also a lot of beauty since garden benches are extremely appealing to the eye with their different designs and finishes. Some can have very plain designs that you would see sitting in the park with just straight wood finishes while others can look very elaborate and feature different flamboyant colors. There are a lot of different options available and when you go to purchase yours, it is important to keep in a few things in mind when trying to find one. Like, what it is made out of because you do not want it to be constructed out of cheap materials since they will not be very durable and stable and will have to be replaced sooner rather than later. Some top quality materials include woods like alder, cedar, pine, shorea, and teak along with metal that includes stainless steel and yet another option is stone or brick. Each is very durable and will ensure that what your purchase will last for many, many years wherever you decide to put it. For an easy way to see all of the available options, check out the internet and all of the online stores. Not only is it an easy way to browse, but you will probably end up finding the best possible prices.
So, the next time that someone starts talking about garden benches and how they can only be placed in the garden, set them straight and let them know they would work well anywhere. And, not only do they offer a comfortable place to sit, but they also add to the appearance of the space that they are in. By purchasing one of these fine outdoor furnishings for your deck, patio, lawn, or porch, you cannot go wrong.
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Classical Chinese gardens and fountains are more than collections of beautiful plants, trees and water. They are representations of nature, providing insight into the philosophical and spiritual mind of past Chinese artisans and high-ranking citizens.
The principles of classical Chinese gardening can be useful and insightful to garden lovers living anywhere in the world. Chinese design objectives can inspire American home gardeners to try something new such as a garden fountain and encourage the expression of culture and philosophy through gardening.
In the 2,000 years since the imperial family first set aside natural areas for hunting, traditional gardens in China have developed into an art form equal in rank to painting, calligraphy and poetry. Several of the finest gardens, built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912), have survived the ravages of time and politics.
Suzhou, about 50 miles west of Shanghai, is known as "the city of gardens." For generations, rich officials, merchants, landowners, scholars, garden designers and garden crafters settled in Suzhou to enhance its fame. The principles of classical Chinese gardens were well represented in their gardens. Visitors come to learn their secrets and experience their magic.
These gardens provide insight into the traditional Chinese view of nature, which includes the role human's play in the natural order. The gardens hold clues to the ancient Chinese mind through the winding paths, the use of symbolism and the selection of plants. In the traditional Chinese view of nature, humans were equals with everything in the natural world. As the philosopher Lao Tsu wrote in the Tao Te Ching, "Man follows the earth. Earth follows heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. Tao follows what is natural." Traditionally, Chinese people assisted in the expression of nature but did not impose their will upon it.
Chinese gardens were originally designed to symbolize a living entity: rocks formed the skeleton, water and fountains functioned as the blood, while plants provided the clothing. To portray the influence of human beings in nature, architectural constructions (bridges, pavilions, halls, courtyards, gateways, windows, doors and pavings) were integrated into a garden's design. Their purpose was to illustrate the ideal interaction of humans with nature. Together, these elements made up all that is natural on Earth: vegetation, mountains, and bodies of water with gently flowing Chinese fountains as well as human influence. The way they were integrated into the garden expressed the relationships they have in nature.
Gardeners in the West may be unable to mimic the grandeur with which the ancient Chinese gardeners represented nature, but they can include parts of each element. The goal is to create a sense of wholeness within the limitations of the site and to consider all these elements as integral parts of the garden.
Just as a garden's main elements are symbolic of the parts of a living whole, symbols that make up the culture's beliefs are scattered throughout Chinese gardens and integrated in their design. For example, bad spirits were believed to travel in straight lines so pathways were seldom designed straight or flat. It was believed that the many changes in levels and directions made it difficult for these spirits to infect the people enjoying the garden. Dragons, symbols of strength, change and goodness, frequently adorn Chinese fountain walls and roofs of garden structures.
Suitability -- The most appropriate location for every feature of a garden must be found. Seasonal changes in weather and plants as well as the physical requirements of the garden site are considered. In addition to finding the most suitable site for each garden element (plants, rocks, water fountains and architectural constructions), details such as the size, shape, color and placement of railings, windows and doors in a building, for example, are also considered to ensure complete harmony of the surroundings.
Taking Advantage - The Chinese garden designer attempts to use the garden's surroundings, whether near or distant, to the best advantage. Sights, sounds, movement and stillness, the subtle and the obvious, are used as part of the scenes created within the garden. Many of the private gardens in China were small in size -- no larger than the typical garden sites of single family homes in the United States. It is the challenge, then, of the garden designer to create the illusion of spaciousness by incorporating far-off sights and sounds into the garden's ambiance.
Refinement - To define what is refined in the garden design is a judgment rooted in culture. In Chinese gardens, this refinement has meant incorporating a tranquility, gracefulness, elegance, neatness and distinctness that is in accordance with nature. The expression of these characteristics is judged in China against culturally accepted historical standards. Outside of China, gardeners can define what is considered refined according to their own standards.
Simplicity - To Ji Cheng, being simple means not being extravagant. Resources that are on site or nearby are considered the best materials to use in designing the garden. Rare or unusual objects and plants are considered extravagant.
Changeability - This objective is prominent in traditional Chinese gardens because it expresses the natural law of constant change. A garden design can create a sense of change and unexpectedness with scene changes in every turn of a path, an unexpected or different view from each window and aesthetic changes with each season. Designs can include changes caused by clouds, sun, wind, rain, snow, insects, birds, plants and water.
A garden's plants provide a link among all its elements, symbolizing harmony in nature. Plants are the garden's dynamic, living component.
In accordance with the Chinese view of gardens as representations of nature, the trees, shrubs and flowers of a garden are chosen to reflect the unique features of the garden's region. Most traditional Chinese gardeners select native plants, or plants with special meaning in Chinese culture. Bamboo, for example, is common in Chinese gardens because of the many lessons it teaches. Bamboo is strong and resilient. Staying green throughout the winter, it teaches that one can flourish despite harsh conditions. Bamboo grows in clumps, modeling life in the family. Its fast growth illustrates self-development.
The plants are situated in ways that show off an individual plant's unique features. Their arrangements in the design demonstrate their interrelationships with other species as they occur in their natural habitats. The purpose of plants in Chinese gardens is to reflect the inherent order of nature. More than a collection of plants or even an expression of beauty in the purely visual sense, the classical Chinese garden is a physical representation of Chinese philosophy and culture. These gardens embody the best of traditional Chinese thought and culture, which sees humanity functioning as part of a greater natural order.
Today, home gardeners can apply their plant growing talents in the spirit of these old Chinese gardens by expressing their own culture and philosophy toward nature in their garden designs and by applying Ji Cheng's design objectives. The result will be a garden that unites aesthetics, plant cultivation, philosophy and culture.
Tag : garden,chinese garden,fountains,chinese
Outdoor Garden Benches – a Great Addition For Any Backyard or Garden
0 comments Posted by ariya at 5/13/2009Whether you have small or big backyard or garden, with beautiful grass, flowers, and trees, having outdoor garden benches is a great addition. Placing benches on your patio, under a tree, in the entryway, or your garden, will add beauty to your landscape as well as a wonderful place to sit and rest.
Perhaps you have noticed public gardens, parks, playgrounds, etc. with benches to sit and rest or enjoy the view. Then why should your backyard or garden be any different? Adding garden benches will be a great addition to add to any home landscape. Setting up your bench in your favorite spot can be a great way to enjoy a sunny day, get some fresh air and enjoy nature.
You can make your garden look beautiful by planting flowers and trees, but to really appreciate the scenery you will need a place to sit. This is when you will need to consider building or buying some outdoor benches.
Today there are many designs and materials to choose from. Depending on your landscape and budget you will need to choose the best garden bench that will look best in your landscape. You can buy benches made out of wood, plastic, concrete or wrought iron. Depending on the style, size and material the price will vary. Price will usually be higher for a bench that has allot of details. A bench with no backrest will cost less than one with a backrest A simple bench will be more economical.
If you are handy with tools you can consider building some wood benches. Having plans with step by step detailed instructions you will be able to build beautiful looking wood benches. Cedar wood is among the best, and most common choice of wood to build or buy benches.
Building your own outdoor projects can be a very rewarding weekend hobby. If you have never built anything before, begin by looking at bench plans. You can find lots of plans online, many sites will have them for free. If you feel this is a project you can build, you will certainly save a lot of money and have a well built bench.
Although building your own benches will save you money, if you are just starting out, you might need to buy some tools. Buying your own tools can be a good investment, you will be able to build many outdoor projects. When buying tools, always invest in the best tools you can afford. High quality tools will do a better job, and last longer.
When working with power tools you will need to be careful. Read and understand the safety and instruction manual. Always be extremely careful when working with power tools or sharp tools. Know how to use these tools properly to avoid any injuries.
Weather you will building or buying your outdoor garden benches, this is something any gardener will enjoy and should not be without. Having benches placed in just the right location for yourself or guest will make your landscape pleasant and inviting.
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Some people are lucky and have this innate gift of knowing how to design space, making it a pleasing place to be in. Others don't have this gene and find it very difficult to visualise how the space will work. To create a good design it is important you understand that design is about managing space and people moving around it. The core of good garden design centres round patterns and the space within these patterns. By using geometrical shapes, circles, triangles, rectangles etc. you can achieve a unified feel to your garden. So you need to think about ground patterns and movement around your garden. Where would you like people to go? Ground patterns can be achieved with the use of bricks, paving and plant material such as cut grass etc.
Formal gardens are symmetrical and geometrical and are strict in terms of repeating patterns and plant materials on either side. It is very controlled, plants are clipped, shaped, manipulated regularly and today is often suitable for small gardens like court yards. Urns, balustrades, stone, gravel paths, parterres, formal pools and framed views are all part of the formal garden. There are no surprises, you know what to expect.
Informal designs are asymmetrical and not as regimented. Plant material is allowed to spill over the structural elements such as walls, steps and paths. Plant material is allowed to self-seed and wander around the garden. Informal garden design is softer, full of surprises thus you don't know what to expect.
And semi formal is the combination of the above two. Usually it is the built structures such as retaining walls, paths and steps that are formal and the informal element is the plant material which is allowed to spill over them, softening their hard outlines.
Within these three types, there are many different styles of gardens to choose from such as contemporary, Japanese, Mediterranean, cottage, courtyard, kitchen garden or secret garden.
Contemporary is a modern style that likes to reflect the surrounding but also use a wide range of plant material. Form and texture of foliage are as important as flowers. Hard landscaping is woven into geometrical shaped buildings; all of which flow into the wider landscape. Plants are used as focal points to highlight the architectural forms.
Cottage was a late nineteenth-century ideal to return to the simple cottages of the country. They were planted with hardy bulbs, flowers, fruit bushes and herbs and vegetables. They were geometric, colours were harmonised and luxurious as plants grew well as they were heavily manured regularly.
Mediterranean is not limited to one particular area but are defined according to hot summers and low rainfall. They encompass entertaining areas, shade, good views and dramatic shadows. Hot colourful plants are used and lots of lush green foliage plants to create a cool atmosphere. Plants need to be drought tolerant. Evergreen plants are popular because they cast shade on hot days. Walls are white washed to reflect the sun, pergolas built to create shade and use terracotta pots. There is often a water feature and water provides cooling vibes.
Japanese gardens encompasses religion and Japan's cultural history. Japanese gardens are very symbolic often the symbols relate to nature. Plants are 'tamed' and there is an emphasis on evergreen trees and shrubs. They are very controlled and often minimalist. True Japanese gardens are contemplative a place of meditation and great calm.
Planning
If you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start when designing your garden, I suggest you break it up into areas called rooms thus dividing one big space into several smaller spaces. For example: there is the front garden, the side garden and the back garden. Once you have decided where they begin and end you can then divide each of those areas up again. For example in the back garden you could have the entertaining area, the grass/children's area, the utilities area (includes the compost heap and shed), the pool area and the vegetable/orchard area. Once you have defined the areas/rooms you can tackle one at a time, thus making a huge project into several smaller projects.
The Three Planning Stages
To create an interesting and exciting garden there are 3 sets of plans (may be four if you need an engineer's structural plans) you need to devise:- Site Analysis Plan, Concept Plan and Planting Plan, usually all drawn to scale.
The First Steps
To design a garden that works there are several things you need to do before buying plants and planting them. If you follow these steps you are more likely to have a successful garden.
Site Analysis
It is important to make an inventory of the area you are designing. Things to include are:
Levels - steep/flat
Aspect - North/south
Sun/shade
Sun Summer/Winter
Shadows
Existing trees and buildings
Wind
Views - good and bad
Soil conditions
Entrances - Front/back doors
Power lines
Underground cables and pipes
Clothes line
Fences
Sheds and garages
Paved and unpaved areas
Patio/BBQ
Lighting
Drainage - runoff of storm watered
Once you have noted the above, it is time to draw up the space. You can draw it roughly (not to scale) but eventually you will have to draw it to scale. Start by measuring the area you are designing, draw it to scale ie. 1:100 and put all the above points onto your drawn plan. All these influences need to be drawn on paper, so that you can gauge any trends. For example there might be a paved path from the back door to the garage, but everyone takes a short cut across the lawn, creating a desire line. No - one uses the paved path. So perhaps pave the desire line and make it the official path.
The next step is the concept plan and this is the plan where you put down you ideas. It can be as wild and as adventurous as you like. Forget cost, enjoy your creativity. This is the stage where you put down your dreams of what you have always wanted. Later on, you hip pocket will decide for you whether you can have them. Anything is possible, so don't be shy, dream away. Again this can be roughly drawn or to scale, it is up to you.
The third and final plan is the planting plan and it is preferable that it is drawn to scale as this allows you to know exactly how many plants you will need. It incorporates all the ideas you have decided upon and shows you how the finished garden is going to look. It is the road map which will guide you to building your new garden.
There may be a fourth plan if your site is steep or you are having major elements built, as you may need the advice of an engineer.
Points to Consider
Think about your soil conditions, is it heavy clay or light and sandy? What plants will grow in these conditions? Are some areas boggy and some always dry?
Sun conditions
The sun is higher in the sky during spring and summer and shadows are shorter. Whereas in winter, the sun is lower in the sky and casts longer shadows. So a plant might be in full sun in summer and complete shade in winter. Can it tolerate this? Also think about the conditions the plants require. Are they full sun plants like roses or shade loving plants like azaleas?
Wind
You also need to think about wind direction. Which way does the prevailing wind come from? Screens and hedges are one way of managing this problem but what problems are they going to cause? Making the block feel narrow, casting shadows etc? It is important to know because some plants don't like wind and it is no good putting the BBQ/entertainment area in an uncomfortable spot.
Views
Views out your window or from your garden are very important. Some are intrusive while others are desired. If you wish to block out flats/neighbours etc. you may need to put in a higher fence or a hedging screen of some kind. Or you may want to design your garden to enhance the view of the mountain, ocean etc.
Utilities and Service Lines
You also need to be aware where your services and utilities are; things like clothesline, overhead power lines etc. If you damage the gas, telephone or electricity lines, you are liable to pay for their repair.
Principles of garden design
To create a well designed garden, it is important to put the right plant in the right position. This means considering the cultural requirements of the plant. For example putting a full sun plant such as rose into a shady position isn't going to work, because the rose won't be receiving the right amount of sunlight for it to grow. The idea of good garden design is to follow this philosophy, using the placement of plants to create mystery, tension and surprise by using tricks of the eye, colours and textures.
Tension, mystery and surprise make a garden interesting. One way to create these is to use hedges, low walls, screens, paths, steps to make individual 'garden rooms' with tension points that captures your attention on the way. For example a narrow oblong garden can be made more interesting if you can't see the back fence - that there is a feature (plant or statue etc.) that obscures the fence. It also becomes more interesting if the path way is narrow then opens up into another room. A winding path adds mystery to the garden if you can't see what is around the corner. Surprise comes when you go around the corner and discover a focal point.
A focal point is something like a seat/statue/water feature that leads your eye directly to it. For example - a pergola that has a statue at the end of it. The statue is the feature and is the reason why you look/walk to see it. Another example of a focal point is a pathway leading through a door that is open and shows a vista of the wider landscape.
The success of the focal point can depend on the how successfully the ground patterns lead you there. If the paving encourages you along this path thus creating some tension and mystery, you are more likely to follow the path to see what's there because you have become inquisitive. Narrow paths encourage you to walk quickly and not to dilly dally along the way, where as wide paths say stroll, take you time, look at the surrounding vegetation. A gentle curve can be negotiated at speed, but a tight curve can't be so people slow down as there is risk involved. Paving is used as a directional tool says don't walk that way, but walk this way. Edging bricks say don't step over this - this is a boundary. Paving can also be used to reflect the ground plane of the house or other shapes in the garden.
Long narrow gardens have a strong directional emphasis that needs to be broken up. Square plots are static. To solve these problems the space's shape needs to be changed. A circular design distracts the eye from the straight lines of the boundary fence. You could also use a series of rectangles using the boundaries as part of the design.
Another method is to turn the garden onto a 45 degree angle. A long diagonal line will immediately create a feeling of space. The paving near the house could be done on an angle and high light the diagonal line of the entire garden.
gardens with a dog-leg in them can utilise the bend by using tension, mystery and surprise to lead you around the corner to a focal point of some kind.
Unified space is created by controlling the movement around the garden. It is the way areas are linked together by paths, bridges, pergolas, steps and terraces that determine whether a garden is successful. Careless placing can ruin the flow of the garden. If you wish to direct someone's attention to a particular point then there must be a clear reason in the design for following this pathway.
Ground levels are very important when designing a garden. If a slope is too steep to walk down safely, steps may be needed and if the entire block is on a slope, the whole area may need to be terraced. What material you use is also important. Steps should not be of slippery materials and gravel may wash away. The surfaces need to be flat otherwise they could be dangerous and people will not want to walk along them and instead they may create a desire lines.
Levels help to create interest and 'rooms' in a garden because you move from one place to another by steps/paths/etc. Allow your levels to gently flow into one another and keep them simple. Don't over decorate them. A slope up from the house will appear foreshortened whereas a slope down from the house will appear larger.
Choosing Plant Materials
There are 3 types of gardens:- the plants man, the garden designer and the gardener's (mix of the first two). The plants man gardens consist of lots of singular plantings, unconnected and often rare and difficult to source. The garden designer's garden consists of plants that are tried and tested - they use plants that they know and how they perform. The gardener's garden has learned that their favourite plants can be more effective if planted in a scheme.
When choosing plants you must consider what the conditions are of your garden. There is no point putting alkaline tolerant plants in acid soil or vise versa. It won't work! You need to think about what your plants you have chosen require moist soils, dry soils, shade, sun, well drained, boggy soils. If you do your research correctly and place your plants in the right position, you are well on the way to a successful garden.
The height and spread of your plants also needs to be considered. Tall growing plants are placed at the back of the garden bed, graduating down to the low plants. Remember some plants send up flower spikes that may be much larger than the plant itself, so they need to be positioned according to their flower spike height. Some plants are bushy so don't forget to leave sufficient room for them to spread. They may need annual pruning to keep them in check.
Colour
Another trick in the designing tool bag is using colour. Colour is the sensation of illumination which is light. The way colours inter-react with each other depends on their position in colour wheel. Manipulating colour is great fun and can create all sorts of illusions. Colours are divided into 2 groups primary red, yellow, blue and secondary green, violet, orange. Secondary colours are made of combining two primary such as mixing blue and yellow together to create green. You can make a space look cold or create distance by using pale and brown colours. You can also make a space looker bigger than it really is by using warm colours such as oranges, reds or yellows. If you want to make a space look closer to you, again use warm colours. As reds, oranges or yellow are very busy colours to the eye, it is a good idea to intersperse white flowers or grey foliage plants to calm the visual scene down. White and grey also intensify blue and pale colours.
One thing to remember about the Australia sun is that the best time to look at our gardens is in the late afternoon when the sunlight is not as strong. Our hot sun tends to fade our flowers colours and the glare at mid-day tends to wash the colour out.
If you are feeling overwhelmed about designing your garden, divide your space up and take it slowly, completing one section at a time. Don't start another part until you have finished the section you are working on and very soon you will have a beautiful garden. Remember gardens are ephemeral, it is a process that is for ever evolving. You never really finish.
Labels: Design, Garden, Garden Designing, Good Garden
