Discover Your Garden Style
One of the thrills of designing landscapes is working with clients to create gardens that are 100% them: how they live, entertain, share time as a family; that reflect their individual philosophies, their style, their personalities. In short, that fit them to a "T." In my 20 years in this role, every client, and hence, every landscape I've designed has been different. This constant variety that keeps me and the gardens we create together fresh.
So how do you define your personal style? Come with me on a tour of some gardens I've designed and we'll answer a few questions as we go.
How would it feel to be in the gardens below? Are they dramatic,
peaceful, restorative, exciting, playful, or surprising?
Remember the adage that form follows function? Well, both of these patios function similarly, but their form is totally different. How do they feel? What is it like to be in the garden on the left? Do you prefer the lush quiet natural garden or the clean structured contemporary one?
As a certified "garden-aholic", I love gardens: large or small, elaborate or simple, tidy or fussy, loose or structured, English, Italian, Moroccan, Brazilian, Southwest, Southern, Bainbridge Islanden. I enjoy them all. But only a few make my heart sing, and I know it the second I step foot into them. Which gardens speak to you?
Contemporary
Contemporary gardens are clean, strong, direct and bold. They appeal to our sense of order, and tidiness. Strong "hardscape" is prominent and they definitely have the feel that of human intervention. The results are controlled rather than natural.
Old World European
Old world gardens give us a sense of formality, order and longevity. (Establishing antiquity in a 2-year-old garden can be a bit of an installation challenge, but rewarding nevertheless.) Structure and symmetry are fundamental to old world gardens.
Natural
Some of us prefer natural, less structured gardens; ones that have avoided the intervention of man and his power tools. The peaceful experience in these gardens brings us closer to Mother Nature and her design sensibilities.
Whimsical
Gardens can be fun and playful. Whimsy provides a sense of surprise, exploration or discovery. The unexpected is present with a glimpse of an unanticipated tension: a prize to be found; perhaps a clever play on words or form or sound.
Asian
Asian gardens epitomize tranquil spaces: peaceful, calming and restorative. The sound of splashing water draws you in.
Bold and Masculine
As great landscapes reflect who we are, some are bold and masculine; full of stout rock, strong shapes, straight-ahead purpose and textural plants.
Casual
Casual gardens are comfortable, intimate and often full of charm and personality. These small urban retreats entice visitors to pause for a glass of wine and make time to share a spontaneous conversation or two.
Ultimately, a well-conceived garden is an expression of our personalities. It's where we want to spend time-whether alone or with family and friends. It's an extension of our home and our interior activities. It's a part of who we are.
So...which garden style speaks to you and makes your heart sing?
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March Honey-Do's for the PNW Garden
This is a busy month in the garden. -
Cut
back evergreen perennials (i.e. ferns & Coral Bells) if not yet completed
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Cut
back deciduous perennials and vines(i.e. Hosta, Golden Forest Grass, Clematis)
if not yet completed
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Divide
any crowded perennials
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Prune
woody sub-shrubs (i.e. Lavender or Bluebeard)
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Fertilize
perennials with a good quality organic granular fertilizer
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Control
for slugs (they are veracious this time of year). Sluggo is an effective organic product.
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Prune and fertilize roses.
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Consider thatching & aerating your lawn
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Still
a good time to plant trees and shrubs prior to our dry summer months and the
nurseries have their best selection of roses and fruit trees right now
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Get
a jump on the spring crop of weeds
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Mulch
planting beds if needed (best to do prior to perennials coming up)
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Fertilize
and prune the dead branches from any tender perennials you may have over
wintered like Fuchsias or Geraniums
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Fertilize
plants in containers (slow release works best)
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