Sidewalk Gardens

You may ask, What is a sidewalk garden? A sidewalk garden is an idea of planting a flower or small shrub garden in front of your house along walkways or curbside. It can be a beautiful addition to any home if done with a little planning. Firstly, you don’t want anything that’s going to grow out onto the hardscapes, sidewalk or street. You also don’t want to plant anything that will prohibit parking or convenient access to through-ways or your home.

When considering a sidewalk garden, think about plants that will require low maintenance and tuff. What I mean by “low maintenance” is simply water when needed and adding fertilizer or bloom booster several times a season. You want to use plants that can take traffic and bounce back easily. If shrubs are considered, plan to trim occasionally to keep pathways and access clear. Also don’t plant anything with thorns or sharp leaves such as Barberry or Holly next to sidewalks or streets.

Butterfly attracting plants such as Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Dianthus, and Echinacea (Cone Flower) are nice touches and can withstand direct sun. Sedum and direct sun loving annuals will work nicely too and fragrance perennials such as Lavender provides nice and soothing breeze scents.

If there are trees in front your home, think about a beautiful shade garden with Hostas, Ferns and Astilbe. Use a rich dark mulch to inhibit weed or grass growth or use river pebble.


Use layering principles with smaller plants to front and larger to back. Undulating curves are nice and so are square or rectangular bed styles. Choose whatever plants and colors you like as long as they don’t grow to obtrusive and block pathways.

Choose sweeps of single or multi color to match your home’s front exterior. Add small evergreen textures for effect or simply create a collage of color and type, whichever appeals to your taste.

Sidewalks gardens are great ideas with endless possibilities. They’re small enough to easily manage and great for kids and family to participate.

Have Fun!

Glen Williams
Is Chief Landscape Designer for Specialty Gardens LLC

Visit the web site for more information or call

www.SpecialtyGardens.us
(314) 571.4003

Watch Where You Plant

Landscape dreams can become landscape nightmares with improper tree or large shrub placement. We’ve been called numerous times about taking out or removing shrubs and trees that’s growing into the house, uprooting patios and walkways, and shrubs that have simply gotten too big.

Let’s begin by identifying landscape design as neutral. As the saying goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". However, beauty and function go hand in hand. Landscaping design should be about aesthetics, enhancement and function. Let’s explore.

Aesthetics
Landscape design engages the senses in a visually appealing way. Its goal should soothe and help create a sense of serenity that takes away stress and places one is a pleasant mood. The aesthetics of landscapes are undeniable ranging from nature to arboretums to botanical gardens to front and back yards. They provide beauty and identity of calmness that’s hard to acquire without living plants.

Enhancement
Landscaping can be defined as enhancing property or land. What was once a plain area can be transformed to a stimulating, inviting and peaceful setting that accommodates comfort, entertaining and provides a retreat from stress. Landscaping can often help sell homes and sometimes increase real estate value. Landscaping enhances the function of visual awareness where we enjoy its offerings.

Function
Landscape function provides screening, direction, exposing, focus and comfort. Who would want an over growth of an abundance of plants growing wild on a patio where you couldn’t walk or see through, let alone the insects and bees. So, the function is an important process of the landscape design, which leads us back to Watch Where You Plant.

For large growing shrubs, carefully consider placement. Try to avoid planting large growing shrubberies close to walkways, entry ways, patios, garages and houses. They may seem small and cute when purchased, but consider what they're going to look like in several years. Also consider the required maintenance for shrubs and trees where they’re located. Will they need constant trimming, pruning or all out removal from their placement.

Also consider security issues. Trees and large growing shrubs provide ample cover for people and animals. Try to have clear views of your yards and surroundings. Visability is low on some properties at night, do not add blocking plant growth that limits sight.

Use planning whenever new trees, shrubs and plants are being installed and consider their location and advantage. Planning also helps with determining which plant will work best with your taste and function and remember to always ask about various species when unsure. Don’t go it alone and hope for the best, you can either waste a lot of time, money and pride or you can gain satisfaction, fulfillment, and be the envy of the neighborhood. (smile)

Glen Williams
Is Chief Landscape Designer for Specialty Gardens LLC

Visit the web site for more information or call
http://www.specialtygardens.us/
(314) 571.4003

Landscaping: Having It All

I sometimes have to wonder when I pass by beautiful homes and notice their landscaping. They range from a few shrubs in the front yard to a few perennials or annuals, and just plain turf. Then again, some homes have beautiful landscaping with well balanced color, texture and placement. Getting back to the ones mentioned previously, I wonder why some homes haven't put attention to their front yard scapes. There's probably a myriad of reasons, time, maintenance issues, watering, design skill, cost and just plain ol' no interest. But I think they are sorely missing out on beauty they can have privately on their property.

Let's take a look at how we can "Have It All." Take a look at your landscaping and notice if it reflects your tastes and matches your home or business. Then imagine what could be added or taken out. Imagine what could be done do to make your landscaping better. Jot your ideas down and make a small rough sketched plan on paper. Take your plan to a nursery or designer and ask if this will work and what can be added to make it really beautiful.

With planning there are many variables to consider, for example, sun, shade, property direction, maintenance, growing climate and balance. For the novice, this can seem a little overwhelming, but with a little patience it can be accomplished with a little effort.

Now that you have your front managed, it's time to look at your back. Your backyard is an extended room of your house. The backyard can be your personal oasis for tranquility, relaxation and entertaining. So let's take a look at how you can accomplish of having it all.

There are many, many designs you can choose for your backyard area. You can select themes such as English, Mediterranean, Spanish, Oriental or Feng Shui to name a few. Play around with ideas that will work well with your property and that matches your budget. In adding a themed landscape design you will have an area of your home to enjoy that can take you to a different place.

The design should accommodate enjoyment for day and night. Think of shading some of your garden and leaving portions out for sun. Use your patio for central entertaining and extending it outward into the yard. Use creative lighting for night enjoyment or entertaining.
Think about small ponds, waterfalls and fountains. Think about art placements. And most of all think about plant varieties to put in your oasis that will make you feel great every time you enter it.

Also, think about seasonal design for fall, winter and spring. Fire pits for cozy areas can be exciting on nice brisk fall days. Artwork and artifacts can work well in the holiday season and look great covered with snow. Bulbs planted in the fall will come up in the spring to begin waking up your garden oasis.

Of course, I'm making this sound much easier to do that it really is. Landscape design is a personal and functional matter that needs detailed planning for maximum effect. Get your family involved and work/compromise for everyone's input. With a little time and patience you will find landscape planning is a rewarding and fulfilling experience for the whole family. Try it and see!





Glen Williams
Is Chief Landscape Designer for Specialty Gardens LLC

Visit the web site for more information or call

www.SpecialtyGardens.us
(314) 571.4003

Waiting On The Day

Do you think spring or beyond for a day that will never happen? The calendar says it’s just around the bend! The rich sun drenched, balmy days of March beckon doing everything cutting back winter burn, planting, flowers, the works. But wait... winter can still make a sudden unwelcome return. With that in mind, you can still clean up leaves and debris from the lawn, cleanup planter areas and fertilize cool season turf grass.

As the threat of severe winter passes, cut back winter shrubs, fertilize zoysia and other seasonal turf, weed control planters and prepare containers.

Plant warm season annuals or wait? Other than pansies, violas, snapdragons and the like that can tolerate some frost, a good rule of thumb is to wait until at least late April to install.

Once its the safe time to plant, be sure to water-in, fertilize and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But don’t rest too long, the challenge of summer is just around the bend.

Peter Curtis
Is Manaaging Landscape Maintenance Specialist for Specialty Gardens LLC

Visit the web site for more information or call.
www.SpecialtyGardens.us
(314) 571.4003