Neill’s Garden: Part I

As I continue my adventures in gardening I find there are two things that challenge the gardener. The first is to understand the plants needs and matching it to the right environment so it will thrive. The second, is blending color, form and texture to create a visually and aesthetically pleasing environment you enjoy.

My friend Neill tried his hand at gardening this past season, but had little success and found it frustrating. He asked if I could help out and as my experience is limited I asked my friend John of John’s Garden posts to help out.

John and I surveyed the garden. Neill’s property sits in an urban setting on a corner lot. The beds measure about four feet in width from building to sidewalk. Parking strips line both sides of the property between streets and sidewalk. Flagstones in the parking strips act as paths and add texture to the landscape. Tall maples create a shady environment, but the street corner gets direct light from a southern exposure.

Neill planted ornamental sedge grass along one of the parking strips. 

We met with Neill to understand his concerns and wants for his garden. He wanted something that blended in with the neighbors gardens, since the buildings share a similar architecture. He also liked his neighbor's use of pots to add height and dimension to their landscapes. Another important factor for him was a low maintenance garden.

John and I recommended either a three-pot or two-pot combination to line the entrance and break up the straight lines. A hardscape would need to be installed under them for support. John suggested a tall plant form to grow up the blank wall to the left of the entrance and break up the solid space. Since Neill also wanted low maintenance plants, hardy, drought tolerant plants were in order. John suggested evergreens that would keep their color and texture through winter.

We selected this Cephalotaxus H. 'Fastigiata' or Japanese Plum Yew to work as an eye catcher as it grows up the blank wall to the left side of the building's entrance. It's height should get to ten feet tall and its unique form adds texture.

Three of these Aucuba J. 'Rozannie' will add texture and form with their pointy leaves.

This Fatsia japonica adds a tropical form with broad evergreen leaves.

Next we outlined a visual pattern for the hardscape with the intent to use flagstones to mirror the parking strip and create a base support for the pots.

We found these rustic-looking pots that would contrast from the modern architecture.

I created a drawn rendition so Neill could see the effect these pots and the hardscape would create by the entrance.

Next post we start the hardscape and position the plants for the softscape.