Dealing with Change: Creating a Garden and Landscape You Can Enjoy All Year Round
The beauty of a garden is fleeting. Flowers and trees that bloom and bear fruit one season will often look bare and barren the next. If uncontrolled, some gardens will even have a life of their own and can overwhelm the gardener. But change is inevitable and seasons will come and go, bringing with it the challenge of keeping your garden looking good. However, there are ways that you can deal with this change. Here are a few tips on how you can create a garden and landscape design that you can enjoy throughout the year:
Plan ahead.
There are various aspects to garden design and landscaping that you have to have foresight for. First of all, consider your location and the prevailing weather or climate that you have. You should also consider the type of soil in your garden since it will have a major effect on the type of plants you can care for.
Know which plants or trees to use for your garden and landscaping.
Some plants and trees just arent well-matched for certain areas or locations. If you want to plant the Coast redwood, for example, be prepared to supply sufficient water since it will not tolerate drought. On the other hand, flowering plants, such as verbena, pomegranates and crape myrtles, love the sun and will not do well in areas that dont receive a lot of sunshine.
This is why it pays to understand the type of plants that will thrive in your garden. You can then pick which ones will fit so you can take care of them accordingly. You will also know in which area to plant them in order to maximize their growth by location.
Provide a good, solid backbone.
Your garden’s backbone has everything to do with its design and the location of plants and materials, such as paving, fences, and decking. As long as you have a good backbone, expect your garden to maintain its beauty all year round. If it doesnt have a good backbone in the first place, your garden won’t stand a chance at becoming a beauty no matter what you do with it.
Plan your landscaping and garden design carefully. Once you know which plants to use in your garden, ascertain the directions North, South, East and West. This will help you decide which plants should be placed in which area of your garden. Providing fences, trellises, pergolas and similar structures along with planting trees and shrubs at strategic areas will also provide protection for your plants, especially come winter or summer time when temperatures fluctuate.
Structures are also excellent to use as focal points, adding height for multi-level effects. Plants that climb, such as jade vines, star jasmine or wisteria, are excellent choices for these structures, providing color and interest.
Accept that plants have their dormant period.
Even the most beautiful rose will lose its bloom after a few days. If you live in an area that enjoys a temperate climate, for example, you can enjoy six months of flowers and blooms.
After that, your plants will simply decline for the winter months or start growing again in the spring. Although you will have a few blooms and leaves during these periods, dont be dismayed by the lack of vibrancy and exuberance. Just because your trees are barren in winter doesnt mean you should cut them off and get rid of them. To deal with change in your garden and landscape, learn to be patient. If you have prepared your plants well enough, you’ll see that all your hard work will have created a garden that will last in beauty all year round.
Tags: designing a landscape | designing a landscape | creating a landscape | creating a landscape | designing a garden | designing a garden | creating a garden | creating a garden | landscape design | landscape design | garden design | garden design | landscaping | landscaping | gardening | gardening | landscape | landscape | garden