garden design plans

Landscape Design Plans
Landscape design plans help you imagine the end result of the landscaping project. Landscape design plans may be drawn employing paper as well as pencil, design-planning application, or by having a landscape design professional. You have to be precise about what can be be able to attract an eye appealing and virtually viable prepare.

garden design plans

The first and main task is always to measure the property area which needs to be landscaped. Right after conducting a questionnaire of the property, draw precisely what features currently exist about the land and judge if you would like for you to retain these. Take into consideration normal factors boasting of the terrain, its incline, elevation, garden soil characteristics and also climatic circumstances. Then arrives the creating part. Examine all forms, styles and also themes which are of interest to you personally, and then decide on what you such as best. The complete land location can be separated into four major sections: open up spaces, place areas, walkways and features. Include the selected forms, styles along with themes throughout each of these regions. For example, should you be considering a round landscape, can you have spherical ponds, blossom beds and also pathways too? Be aware of drinking water inlet and also outlet details on your territory since you will likely need to install colonic irrigation systems. Today draw these kinds of drainage, colonic irrigation and lights systems around the layout. As it is difficult to imagine the design thus easily, you may get help from application or pull it in some recoverable format.

Once the style is finished, it is better to read what resources are required as well as the cost of the items. Then program how much time you are able to devote regarding creating this kind of landscape. If you happen to plan to accomplish it by specialists, this plan is a base to begin work. When you know your requirements the best, a good idea is that you plan the particular landscape design personally.

garden design plans pictures

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GINKGO BILOBA

A few thoughts on the third most populous street tree in NYC.

Did you know that Martha Stewart is a great fan (hope you appreciate the pun, considering the shape of its leaf) of this tree.

 The Martha Blog: My Gingko Tree

Never knew Martha had a blog!  Does she write it herself? Someone should inform her that she should not be surprised that both her Gingkos dropped their leaves so quickly. According to the botanical literature, the species typically drop all their leaves within a couple of days. (Maybe shell read my blog!)

"Stinko Gingko"

Amusing article from the New Yorker on the female of the species.

What Do We Want Dept.: Smelly Trees: The Talk of the Town: The New Yorker

Even NYBG incorrectly purchased and planted the females along the approach road to one of their parking lots! Luckily for them, there are some families of Chinese heritage that sneak in to the garden and  "take" the fruit home to cook in soups --- true story told to me my Michael Ruggierio, former curator of the garden!

Theres a joke about buying ginkgo biloba herbal supplements to increase memory, but it doesnt work because the patient keeps forgetting to take them.

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Ajania

Ajania pacifica ( Silver & Gold Chrysanthemum )

A vigorous bushy subshrubby perennial native to Japan that can reach a maximum size of 2.5 x 5.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet. There are few better border plants to brighten up a drab autumn landscape. It also makes an excellent container plant.
The attractive evergreen foliage up to 3 inches in length is deep green edged silver above, woolly white beneath.
The golden-yellow flowers up to 0.7 inches in width are borne in clusters up to 4 inches wide in October, November and in mild years into December. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on any well drained soil. Very tough and drought tolerant. Cut back hard after flowering. Deer do NOT eat this plant.

* photos taken on Oct 28 2011 in Columbia, MD



* photo taken on Aug 12 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 13 2012 in Harford Co., MD

* photos taken on May 26 2013 in Columbia, MD


Pink Ice
Flowers are yellow in the center and pale pink on the outside.


* photos taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.





* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

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Carduncus

Carduncus

* photos taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.

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African Blue Lily

Agapanthus
A genus of tuberous perennials, that are native to South Africa.
Most species and varieties bloom mid summer to early autumn.
Thrives in full sun to partial shade on fertile, light, humus-rich, well drained soil. Mulch during both winter and summer.
The tubers should be planted 4 inches deep ( deeper in regions with severe winters )
They are rarely bothered by pests or disease.
The hardiest varieties are hardy in zones 6 and 7 on sheltered sites.
In regions that they are not fully winter hardy, they can be grown in patio containers and brought indoors during the winter ( near window in a cool room ).
Propagation is from division during early spring or fall, as well as offsets.
Sowing fresh seed is also an option.

* photo of unknown internet source




Agapanthus africanus
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 5 x 5 feet, that is native to the southern tip of South Africa. in mild climates it is evergreen. The foliage freezes at 25 F.
The leaves are up to 20 x 0.7 inches in size.
The violet-blue flowers are borne in clusters up to 12 inches across.
Requires abundant moisture during summer.
Hardy zones 9 to 10 ( 8 on protected sites )

* photo of unknown internet source


Albus
White flowers

Aureus
Leaves striped with yellow.

Sapphire
deep blue flowers

Variegatus
Leaves mostly white with long green stripes.

Agapanthus campanulatus
A fast growing, long-lived, deciduous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4.5 x 3 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet, that is native to South Africa.
The attractive strap-shaped leaves are glossy deep green.
The deep blue flowers are borne 10 to 30 in umbels up to 4 inches across during mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil. Mulch heavily during late autumn where winters are cold.

Albus
Pure white flowers, otherwise identical.

Kingston Blue Strain
A deciduous perennial, reaching up to 2 feet in height. It is of Agapanthus campanulatus parentage.
The deep blue flowers are borne on rounded clusters up to 5 inches across.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( 6 and possibly even 5 on very sheltered sites with deep winter mulch ).

Agapanthus inapertus, ( Drooping Agapanthus )
A dense, deciduous, clumping perennial, reaching up to 6 feet x 50 inches, that is native to southeastern South Africa.
The narrow, strap-shaped leaves, up to 27 inches in length, are gray-green.
The dark blue to violet, tubular flowers are borne on dense heads atop sturdy stalks.
It is completely deciduous, in its native range it disappears during the dry winter months to then reappear after spring rains.
Hardy zones 7 to 10

* photo of unknown internet source


Agapanthus praecox
A dense, clumping evergreen perennial, reaching 40 x 50 inches.
The leaves, up to 27 inches in length, are bright green.
The mid-blue flowers are borne on dense heads.
Hardy zones 8 to 11

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.


subsp orientalis
An evergreen perennial, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet.
The leaves are up to 36 x 3 inches in size.
The lilac-blue flowers are borne on large spherical heads.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( A. praecox is hardy zone 9 ).
Likes abundant moisture during summer. Flood tolerant.

* photo of unknown internet source


Albus
White flowers.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

Blue Heaven
Reaches up to 2.5 feet.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Blue Storm
Forms a clump reaching a maximum size of 20 x 20 inches with narrow green leaves and very profuse blue flowers borne early summer into early autumn. As many as 50 or more flower stems may be borne at a time.
Hardy zones 9 ( hardy to 14 F with a deep winter mulch ) in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil. Drought tolerant.
Great for use as a patio plant in cold climates if brought indoors during the winter.

Flore Pleno
Double lilac-blue flowers.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

Loch Hope
Reaches up to 5 feet with deep violet-blue flowers borne on large heads.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

Mooreanus
Dwarf in habit, reaching up to 20 inches, with lilac-blue flowers.

Snowstorm
Forms a clump reaching a maximum size of 20 x 12 inches with narrow green leaves and very profuse white flowers borne early summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 9 in full sun to partial shade on well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

OTHER HYBRIDS

* photo of unknown internet source



Agapanthus Baby Blue
Reaches up to 2 feet with pale blue flowers.

Agapanthus Bressingham Blue
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 3 feet in height, with bright blue flowers borne on clusters up to 5 inches across.
Hardy zones 7b to 9

Agapanthus Bressingham White
Reaches up to 3 feet in height, with pure white flowers.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

* photo of unknown internet source


Agapanthus Canadian Blue Diamond
Blue-green foliage and deep purple-blue flowers.
Hardy zones 5 to 9, among the hardiest of all Nile Lilies.

Agapanthus Chatto Blue
Dense, reaching up to 4 feet, with mid-green leaves and deep blue flowers.

Agapanthus Cold Hardy White
Vigorous with deciduous foliage and profuse, pure white flowers borne during mid-summer. Dwarf in habit, it reaches only 15 inches x 1 foot.
Hardy zones 5 to 9, mulch heavily during the first few winters

Agapanthus Elaine
Very vigorous, reaching a maximum height of 4.5 feet.
The deep purplish-blue flowers are borne on clusters up to 8 inches across.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Agapanthus Ellamae
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 5.5 feet.
The flowers are intense violet-blue
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Agapanthus Headbourne Hybrids
Reaches up to 1 foot with evergreen foliage.
The flowers are blue.
Hardy zones 7 to 10

Agapanthus Lilliput
Dwarf and compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 1.5 x 2 feet.
The trumpet-shaped flowers are bright blue.
Great container plant.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

Agapanthus Luminous
Blue-green foliage and soft blue flowers.
Hardy zones 5 to 9, among the hardiest of all Nile Lilies.

Agapanthus Midnight Blue
Reaches up to 3 x 2 feet, with luxuriant deep green foliage and deep purple-blue flowers borne on sturdy scapes.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( 6 on protected sites ).

Agapanthus Mood Indigo
A deciduous, dense, clump-forming perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet. This hybrid contains Agapanthus campanulatus & A. inapertus.
The broad, arching, strap-shaped leaves are mid-green.
The deep purplish-blue flowers, up to 1 inch in length, are borne up to 100 on dense, rounded clusters during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( 6 on protected sites ) in full sun to partial shade.

Agapanthus Peter Pan
Reaches up to 28 x 15 inches.

Agapanthus Queen Anne
Reaches up to 2 feet in height, with bright blue flowers.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Agapanthus Storm Cloud
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 3 feet, with very deep blue flowers. Deciduous.
Hardy to 0 F.

Agapanthus Tinkerbelle
Reaches up to 16 inches, with leaves variegated with a creamy-white edge.
The flowers are bright blue.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

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Enjoying the mild winter

I am sure that most of us appreciate the lack of slip & slide snow days in Southern Ontario. The plus side... less fender benders, less slip and fall law suits, municipal budgets save a large amount of money from not having to provide snow clearing... and the environment benefits from having less salt dumped on it.

I received an email yesterday asking, "Is there a downside to all this?"

(Picture: Last years easy winter produced massive amounts of blooms on the Hydrangea shrubs I planted in 2004)

Trees and shrubs are the unseen victims that suffer the effects of a mild winter. Nature has a built in response to the usual season flow. In early fall, when the days get shorter and nights get cooler, the plants are signalled to begin winter dormancy. Nutrient production in most trees and shrubs slow and eventually stop all together. Leaves fall off and the plants go to sleep.

On a micro-scale, the cells that normally carry water & nutrients stop their function so that when the freezing weather hits, the cells do not freeze and become damaged (like water pipes at the cottage). Deep-freeze and frosts that would normally harm plants have very little effect because of this dormancy protection.

So what happens in a mild winter situation?

The plants begin normal shutdown in fall for winter dormancy, but warm spouts in the middle of winter can cause a reversing of the dormancy. Suddenly sugars and nutrients start to flow which sends growth signals to the buds. Then a frost happens, or worse, a deep freeze occurs!

What began to wake and grow in the plant is now killed off and will be revealed in the start of Spring. You may notice the previous seasons growth will die back and the plant starts its new growth from further in along the branch structure. Some of the more marginal plants that are growing in the limit of their hardiness zone may fold and perish all together.

Its a gamble... Toronto rides a turbulent hardiness zone 6, a deep freeze arctic low can bring zone 5 conditions, a mild winter can raise it to zone 7 conditions.

Winters like this may cause a hit or miss situation where some plants will flourish and double in size during the next growing season, some may die back (as mentioned), some may not produce many blooms or fruits for the next season and yet.... some may bloom like crazy!

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Northern California Aerial Landscape Photographs

Trinity Lake, California

Humboldt County, California

Eureka, California

Southern Humboldt County, California

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Acanthus

Excellent large, bold, specimum plants for sun to partial shade. They do not like soils that are excessively wet in winter thus growing best on deep, well drained, humus-rich, PH neutral loams. Acanthus are considered both deer and rabbit resistant.
Propagation is from seed, division and root cuttings

Acanthus balcanicus

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Acanthus hungaricus ( Hungarian Bears Breeches )
Native to the Balkans in Europe; forming a large specimen plant forming a clump up to 3.3 x 6 feet in size with deeply cut, thistle like, wavy edged foliage up to 3.3 feet x 8 inches in size. The reddish purple bracted flowers are either white or flushed pink and are borne in spikes and are held well above the foliage at up to 5 feet in height in summer.
Hardy north to zone 5 ( tolerating as low as -25 F with pine mulch ) and is also very heat tolerant. Can be invasive on some sites.

Acanthus mollis
Large, very glossy, deep green, deeply lobed leaves forming massive, vigorous foliage clumps up to 4 x 8 feet in size. The leaves can reach up to 36 x 18 inches in size.
Often evergreen in milder climates ( zone 8 and south )
Flowers are pink purple bracted and are white to mauve pink being borne in 36 inch purple stemmed inflorescences that reach up to 7 feet in height.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 ( should be mulched in winter in zone 6 ). Drought tolerant but prefers partial shade where summers are hot. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and does not really like hot humid summers.

* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA



* photo taken on May 15 2011 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on July 31 2011 in Hyde Park, NY

* excellent video found on Youtube

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 @ Stratford, Ontario

* excellent photo link found on internet
http://plants.nature4stock.com/?page_id=247

Latifolius
An excellent focal plant forming a clump up to 8 feet across. The deeply lobed ( but less so than regular A. mollis ), glossy dark green, arching leaves are larger, up to 48 x 12 inches in size.
The pink summer flowers are borne in Digitalis like infolorescences up to 8 feet in height.

Hollards Lemon
Greenish yellow foliage.

Niger
Very dark, glossy green leaves up to 4 feet in length.

Oakleaf
Glossy dark green foliage that is shaped like Quercus rubra - Red Oak.

Tasmanian Angel
Very large glossy dark green foliage with white mottling and margins.
The June through August flower spikes are up to 4 feet in height and are white and purple.
Prefers partial to full shade.

Acanthus spinosus ( Spiny Bears Breeches )
Forms a clump up to 3 x 5 feet, with leathery, rigid, deeply cut, spine tipped, shiny dark green leaves that can reach up to 36 x 12 inches in size
The purple bracted flowers are mauve-pink in color and are in inflorescences up to 5 ( records of 7.5 ) feet in height.
Hardy north to zone 5 and can spread invasively on some sites.
Prefers morning sun to partial shade where summers are hot.

* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD










* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour




* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.


Lady Moore
Foliage is creamy white greening up as spring progresses.
Spinosissimus
narrow foliage with deeply incised margins that is bristled heavily.

Summer Beauty
Spectacular and massive growing! Reaches up to 6 x 8 feet while blooming. The purple, spiny bracted flowers are white.
It thrives in the southeastern U.S., where Acanthus mollis would collapse in the summer heat.

Acanthus Whitewater
Similar to Acanthus mollis Tasmanian Angel but is much more vigorous, forming a foliage clump up to 3 x 6.5 feet.
The foliage is often all white upon emerging, soon turning to deep green and boldly bordered and splashed white. This can be a most stunning foliage focal plant.
The pale pink flowers are borne on tall stalks up to 6.5 feet in height.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in partial shade. It is moderately heat tolerant due to having Acanthus spinosus Summer Beauty parentage.

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