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 Start by visualizing what paradise looks and feels
like to you. A table and chair surrounded by beautiful plants makes
a wonderful space to relax, read a book and enjoy some alone time.
For some, it means a patio or deck filled with colorful planters and
surrounded by ornamental grasses, vine covered trellises, flowering
shrubs, and evergreens. These will help define the space, provide
privacy, mask unwanted noise, and provide a great space for
entertaining.
Don’t let a lack of space, patio, or deck stop you from building a
backyard getaway. Look for those underutilized areas. Perhaps it is
a back corner of the yard, space next to the garage, side yard or a
spot under a big shade tree. A vine covered arbor, piece of
indoor-outdoor carpet and a few planters can turn any space into a
backyard retreat.
Once you identify the space and desired function, think about the
ambience you want to create. For a tropical escape, include leafy
plants like elephant ears and bananas in pots, wicker furniture, a
water feature and colorful flowers like begonias, hibiscus, and
mandevilla. Don’t overlook hardy perennials. Plants like big leaf
hostas, variegated Solomon’s seal, crocosmia, cassia and others help
create the look and feel of the tropics. Continue this theme by
using bamboo, wicker, and wood for any needed screening.
If it is a visit to the Mediterranean you prefer, include stonework,
planters with silver foliage plants like dusty miller, and sage and
a few evergreens. Use upright junipers and grapevines trained on
arbors for screening. An urn or topiary make an attractive focal
point. Fill the garden space with herbs, blue oat grass, calendula,
salvia, and alliums.
For a casual visit to England, craft yourself a cottage garden.
Construct a narrow path leading through an archway at the entrance
to your secret garden. Create an informal collection of flowers,
herbs, and medicinal plants. Use a birdbath, piece of garden art or
water feature as your focal point.
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If it’s the north woods you prefer, make a firepit
the focal point, add some rustic furnishings and complete the scene
with native plants. Or let your personality shine with a colorful
bistro set, garden art, and flowers of orange, red, and yellow.
As your vision comes into focus, it is time to start
putting your ideas on paper. A simple sketch will help you define
the space, arrange the plants, and identify the appropriate
furnishings and building materials. It is much easier to move items
on paper than once they are set into the ground.
Always contact your local underground utility
locating service at least three business days in advance. It’s free
and as easy as calling 811 or filing an online request. They will
contact all the appropriate companies who will mark the location of
their underground utilities in the designated work area. This
reduces the risk of injury and inconvenience of accidentally
knocking out power, cable, or other utilities as you enhance your
landscape.
Because this important step is often overlooked, August 11th has
become National 811 Day. It’s a reminder to include this important
step when undertaking any landscape project, large or small. And
remind others to do the same.
Once complete, you’ll simply be able to step out your back door and
enjoy your slice of paradise.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including
The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook and Small Space Gardening. She hosts
The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the
nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program.
Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms
magazine. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com] |
