Perennials Work Beyond the Blooms

May flowers are getting all of the attention right now.  And in the next few weeks this explosion of color will be spectacular!  As you see bright purples, pinks, and yellows pop up, if you are like me, you will head to the garden center to obtain the 'perennial of the week'.  Just be aware that in a few weeks, perennials blossoms will fade and you will just have the foliage to view in the landscape.

Beyond the blooms will be months of what can be a landscape full of interest, textures, contrasts, and soothing colors.  As the progression of flowers comes and goes, think about the setting, not as a Monet, but as a sunrise or sunset. The swirls and blends of soothing shades of leaves will be a delight. And who doesn't like to view a sunset?

Bright

 leaves of heuchera are brilliant examples of color available in foliage plants. I've grouped these closely so the shading will play off of its neighbor.  A mass planting , say five or seven plants, of just one of these would be an eye catching element in the garden, too. 

 

Ferns and Hosta (this hosta is H. Gin and Tonic) work in the shady garden.  The broad leaves of the hosta and the light, airy fern compliment each other well. 

This combination of Catmint (Nepeta), with its small  leaves, and open clump, sits next to Hosta, and a large Sycamore Tree. The tree trunk bark has alot of texture and adds to the tapestry .   The Sunny spot behind the tree is a Gold Thread Juniper. Don't forget to consider year-round interest when placing plants in the garden.  Our winters can be long and cold here in Zone 5b, and the evergreens and tree trunks put on a show all year long! 

The bright contrast of the euonymous is a year round event, too.  The chartreuse next to the deep green is stunning.  I've tucked a Hosta in the mix here.  The large leaf of the Hosta, and the smaller leaves of the euonymous have a nice effect.( And note:  no flowers!)

Some other elements that offers visual texture to the landscape are stones and boulders. 

The rocks have an edge, and the plant material tucked up close, softens the edges for a calming feeling.

When choosing plants the foliage and textural contrasts play an important role in the overall feeling of the garden.  Wide leaves next to light airy fronds or light colors beside dark shades all complement the eye.  The low round plant next to a tall, spikey one will go a long way to add interest to your yard.

Veriagated foliage, as in this Loriope, can bring a brightness to a group of plants and offer its own sublety.

It may not scream 'Look at me!' but the minds eye will quietly appreciate the effort.

I've presented an insight to my psyche.  I like the long term relationship of plants. I love the blooms when they are here, but the steadfastness of the full season soothes any loss I feel  beyond the blooms. Enjoy.

10 Money $aving Ideas for the Landscape

Nothing takes the fun out of a project than spending too much money and the end result got lost along the way.  Landscape projects can quickly get out of hand in costs and size.  Realistic plans that are doable are more likely not to break the bank. 

1) This is the planning part of the project.  Collect pictures of outdoor spaces that may work in your landscape.  Many times a professional landscape designer can actually save your money.

A design plan by a professional may have an upfront expense, but avoiding a costly do-over down the road is worth this added step.  Occasionally, I have had customers come to the garden center with photos of a space they are thinking of improving in their yard.  This is a great way to get an idea of plant sizes, colors, and costs.  Suggestions on plant spacing and maturity sizes can eliminate some experiences like these.



2) Realistic projects also help spread out the cost of an entire landscape





project over several seasons. Do-it-yourself projects may seem like a good option, but many mistakes and trips to the home improvement store can end up costing us in time and money.  Hiring  professionals for irrigation, or cement work is a good investment. Electrical outlets done wrong are annoying at best, and dangerous if done wrong.
 

3)  Sowing seeds instead of buying plants is another money saving step.  Certainly by starting seeds in small starter pots ahead of  sowing them outdoors can be easily done in a sunny windowsill. Direct seeding in beds can generate dozens of plants in a short period of time.
 


4)  Buying plants in small sizes can save money over buying larger potted sizes.  A quart perennial is cheaper than a gallon perennial.  Growers can charge less for the smaller quart sizes because they have less material used in the process.  Less soil, less containers, -  and more  smaller containers can be shipped, reducing fuel cost for transportation.


5)  In a similar thought, purchasing perennials rather than flats of annuals can save money.  The very fact that annuals need to be replaced ‘annually’ is the key.  And a border of perennials can be just as colorful when bloom times are staggered, and plants with colorful foliage are chosen. 



6) Perennials are plants that live at least three seasons.  Most live much longer.  As the second or third season comes around, perennials are easily divided, offering the landscape a new plant with no cost. I recently divided Hosta, 'Lime Delight'.  One clump gave me six root sections that I have spread around the garden to fill in black spaces.  Now that’s saving money!





I have picked up plants on the cheap at Garden Club plant sales, garage sales, and plant association sales like the Miami Valley Hosta Society is having Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Buying plants in this manner gives a chance to talk to the folks who grew the plant in your area.
 


7)  Compost is another great way to save money in the landscape.  No fertilizer bags to lug home from the store with that plastic packaging to dispose of in the trash.  Compost provides great organic material with no fuel cost to bring it to your home, no processing costs at a manufacturing facility, and  no chemicals to harm the soil, or leach into waterways.

At $3 per bag for trash haulers to remove grass clippings, it seems more economical to use a mulch mower and let grass clipping stay in the lawn.  This added organic matter is the same as one application of fertilizer – at not cost to the homeowner.


8)  Less lawn can save money too.  If we can save on gasoline to mow, less water used to keep lawns green, and less herbicides and insecticides are needed, money savings can definitely add up.


9)  Native plants, whether perennials, shrubs, or trees can save money long term in the landscape.  Native plants do not need to be babied with added fertilizer, excessive water, or pesticides.  Once established, native plants are quite pretty, and easy on the budget.



10)  One last tip on saving money in the landscape is to plan to purchase trees, shrubs, and perennials in the ‘off season’.  Many bargains can be found at garden centers and through landscapers in the fall and early winter.  Many of these folks do not want to store the plant material over the winter and are willing to offer great deals to the public.  As long as the ground is not frozen solid, trees and shrubs can be planted into winter.  Perennials may need time to get established before really cold temperatures arrive, so plan to pick perennials up in late summer and early fall to allow roots to take hold for best results. 
Planning landscape projects can save money.  Costly mistakes occur when we start a project that is too big and too complicated.
Consider what we bring in in terms of cost – soils, mulches, plants, cost of transportation, maintenance equipment needed.



Then be diligent in what the landscape produces as yard waste and disposal of leaves. Recycle yard debris and eliminate fuel costs of having it hauled away, and gain the added benefit of great organic material for the next seasons to come.

What thrifty practices do you incorporate in your landscape? 

Planning a New Landscape-Time to Refocus

Caretaker of the Home Landscape

My landscape had a major face lift this past season. When we lost four big trees, the sun/shade dynamic was clearly changed. So..... I'd like to share my thoughts on the landscape makeover, and what we are considering.

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article for the Montgomery County Master Gardeners newsletter on Permaculture.  Two Australians, Bill Mollison and David Helmgren brought to the forefront the idea  that humans need to 'mimic' relationships we find in nature.  This idea translates into 'permanent agriculture,' and perhaps an even broader philosophy of, 'permanent culture'.

Becoming aware of patterns in nature, we can apply these patterns to our landscapes and our lives.  For a species to survive and reproduce, essential needs must be met.  Each species, whether plant or animal, has a natural expression and when these needs are met, harmony exists.

When we design an ecosystem with little or no stress on the plants chosen, the harmony is high.  (My collection of hosta is not going to be happy with the full sun it is going to get.)

I need to create niches for the plants with minimum competition for light, water, and nutrients for my plants to survive. By planting polycultures - groups of plants that work together - these companion plants thrive.

This concept goes further to expect us to take responsibility for our own existence and therefore, we must design our communities to be more self-sufficient.  Newly planned communities have shopping,  doctors, and schools nearby.  The plan not only saves us time, but also, fossil fuel use is greatly reduced. 

Three keywords that the Permaculture mindset embraces are Fairshare, Peoplecare, and Earthcare.

Fairshare  ideas have us limiting our consumption and using wisely and equitably products, foods, and fuels.  Reduce, reuse, recycle is a familiar mantra of sustainability and permaculture.  Share crops you cannot use, and buy locally grown (or made) products.  Local purchases reduce fuel and lower transportation costs.

Peoplecare  is supporting and helping others to embrace the concept of  'Do No Harm'.  Sharing ways to care for our water resources, soil nutrient, soil erosion, and air pollution are aspects of 'do no harm'.

Earthcare encourages us to design the way nature does - in layers.  Earth is the life source and with that in mind, we must treat it with care.  From micro-organisms in the soil that make nutrients available to plants, food those plants provide, the carbon dioxide the plants absorb, and the oxygen the plants give off to sustain our life - - Yes, Earth is indeed the source of life. 

All of this to say this.... If we put together the right things, in the right place, they will support each other and create harmony in our gardens, and in our lives.  Observe nature, then intervene at the right time.  Do not rush to impose your will. 

I have some planning to do before I redesign my yard.  And my foremost thought is to remember that these changes must be good for the Earth.  And that we are a PART of the Earth, not APART from it.