Rule 1: Continuity is Key. Your new landscape should tie into your house seamlessly – after all, they’re both part of the same home. But tying into your house does not mean matching it exactly. “Too little continuity is called ‘chaos,’” Bob Hursthouse says, “but too much is called ‘monotony’.” To walk a line between […]
Is your landscape design environmentally friendly? That’s a complicated question, and environmentally conscious landscape planning is an ever-evolving study. But there are a few choices you can make right now that will have a positive impact. As a landscape architect, it’s a given that I love and celebrate the natural world and want to do […]
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Some gardens are more fascinating than others. They’re intriguing and inviting. The secret is often a well-designed path that leads to an interesting vista or focal point. “Paths are one of the most important elements in a garden,” says landscape architect Bob Hursthouse. Whether it’s made of brick, cut bluestone, slabs of limestone or grass, a […]
If there was a beauty contest for flowering shrubs, surely the hydrangea would come in first place. In recent years, many new hydrangeas have appeared in garden centers. Breeders have been busy developing and introducing new varieties, especially those of the “panicle” hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata). They are named for their upright cone-shaped flowers. Panicle hydrangeas make […]
A garden can have the best plants, the most pristine paths and a fabulous layout, but something may still be missing. Garden ornaments—from benches and fountains to sundials, mobiles and sculpture—are the elements that complete a setting and reflect the owner’s style. “Think of your outdoor spaces as garden rooms—places you move through just as […]
Who doesn’t love an outdoor party during summer? A well-designed garden can be the perfect space to host a celebration, whether it’s a wedding, a family reunion or a casual get-together with friends and neighbors. A garden should feel comfortable and be safe to use not only during the day, but at night since many […]
Liquid Assets Earth. Fire. Wind. Water. Our ancestors were fascinated by those elements and they continue to captivate us in gardens today. Water is often an overlooked feature for residential gardens, but the sound of trickling or cascading water can be very relaxing. It can also mask some of the street noise in urban areas. […]
Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get the garden ready for dining alfresco and entertaining outdoors. Patios, decks and other outdoor spaces often function like a living room, dining room or a kitchen. There’s seating, lighting, accessories, music and maybe a flat-screen TV. Outdoor kitchens have become sought-after additions to patios. […]
Of all the creatures that visit gardens, butterflies are perhaps the most exotic and magical. On warm summer days they sail from one flower to another in search of nectar. In sunlight, the shimmering wings of the red-spotted purple appear iridescent. And, while the large, brightly colored swallowtails, monarchs and painted ladies tend to grab […]
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Why do so many us of love working in the garden? Why do we give plants and flowers as gifts? There’s a pretty good reason! Plants have the power to bring smiles and a sense of well-being to those who interact with them – in fact, the positive effects of plants are so powerful that […]
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