Designing With Trees and Shrubs
A little planning yields tremendous benefits
Designing your landscape with trees and shrubs can improve curb appeal, disguise a multitude of "ugly spots," and save you a bundle in energy costs over time. A well-landscaped area also provides habitat for birds and other beneficial critters.
These few basic steps will get you well on your way to a beautifully landscaped yard.
Step One: Assess your needs.
What purpose, mood or effect do you want? Asking yourself if you want a formal or casual look, or if you want to focus on saving energy costs, determines what kinds of trees and shrubs to plant, and where to plant them.
Step Two: Do your research.
Just like planning a flower garden, know your planting area. Have your soil tested, take note of how much sunlight the area gets, determine if it's close enough to a hose to water if the weather is dry. Research different trees, shrubs and perennials that will thrive in the planting area. Note: you can sometimes "cheat" the zone you live in with perennials (planting Zone 4 or 5 plants), but it's nearly impossible to do with trees and shrubs.
Step Three: Draw up a plan.
You don't need to be an artist or expert to know general colors, heights and textures you find appealing. Colored pencils and simple sketching materials are all you need. Play around with different designs before settling on a final plan. And have two or three "substitutions" in mind.
Step Four: Prepare the area.
Remove the sod, loosen the soil and add appropriate amendments before planting. Your local extension service can help with soil testing and recommending amendments.
Step Five: Purchase your plants.
Before you go to the nursery, think of a few substitutions in your design plan, in case the nursery doesn't have the exact tree or shrub you're looking for. If only a certain tree or shrub will do, plant annuals in the area until what you really want is available.
Step Six: Plant and care for your trees and shrubs.
Young trees and shrubs should not be neglected. Spend time caring for a young plant for the first few years, and the payoff is worth the effort.
Step Seven: Be patient.
Trees and shrubs take much longer to reach maturity than other plants. Plant bulbs, annuals and perennials with your trees and shrubs to add color and fullness while the foundation plants mature.
Work with what you have, be realistic about your time commitment and budget, keep good records, and have the number of the Extension Office handy ((218) 327-5958). And don't neglect your new babies. They need love and care in the first few years, and they'll reward you.
