Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home
When Allison Ronney decided 3 days ago to renovate her 1/4 - acre property , her chief goals were to create a pollinator haven and a humble veg garden that was functional yet beautiful to await at . Her suburban Bellingham , Washington yard ( USDA Zone 8a ) border a nature reserve , which is a verdant home ground for birds and other wildlife .
The property was littered with small boulder and overgrown with blackberry bush and native ocean spray shrubs ( Holodiscus discolor ) . Allison cleared the blackberries and other scraggy vegetation , and the rocks were excavated to build a terraced wall . “ I attempt to employ what ’s already here to augment the natural landscape , ” she say .
See below for Allison ’s design tips .
The stone patio and seating area were plan to be look at and enjoyed from the home . Decorative touches include containers and window boxes planted with cheerfully colored yearly .
A miniature H2O garden found with aquatic variety is one of several piss features . “ I did n’t need an in - land pond that required a lot of upkeep . set urine features in different spots around the yard serve to attract a variety of birds and other wildlife , ” Allison says . A log pedestal is one of many natural features from the property that are integrated into the landscape painting .
Allison divided the yard into garden rooms , each with a different routine . This calm Nipponese garden was pose off the back porch in one of the few domain with shade . A bubble spring provides the soothing sound of filter body of water that can be enjoyed from the porch or inside the plate . An adjacent fence in heel run provides a spot for pets to play . ( Read elbow room . )
Because the native soil was rocky , evoke vegetable beds were essential . The four beds develop an teemingness of tomatoes , zucchini , potatoes , Brassica oleracea italica , cauliflower , salad greens and herbs . An neighboring seats area with a fire stone pit is a favorite post to lounge on summer evenings .
discover at a service department sale , a 1940 ’s bicycle is one of many vintage objects that Allison incorporates into the garden . “ It reflects my passion for bike riding , ” she pronounce . A hoop imbed with bright jaundiced tick-weed complements the blue bike frame .
The wedge - shaped holding presented a challenge when it get to project the different garden rooms since nothing is satisfying . An odd shaped secluded corner became a secret garden with informal seating that is illuminated at Nox with decorative solar lantern .
In the veg garden , Allison combines function with beauty to create this imaginative sketch . Blue Lake perch beans are train on an arbour that curve over a wooden bathtub planted with rhubarb . The curved frame of the arbor contrasts with the straight fence line , while bold rhubarb foliage sets off the smaller heart - shaped bean leaf to make an engaging scene .
An old cementum birdbath was repurposed into a low - maintenance succulent garden that needs little or no supplemental water system . The birdbath is topped with a Hellenic urn planted with more succulent and spiky dracaena for additional height and strait-laced flair .
A vintage copper teakettle repurposed into garden decor creates an element of whimsy . The tympanum is planted with annual bidens and creeping zinnia ( Sanvitalia procumbens ) that provide months of upbeat summer color .
Lavender , a favorite plant of pollinating bees , is harvested to share with admirer and advert to dry out . Allison uses the dried lavender bud to make Christmas gifts such as scented sachets and soaps , as well as flavor salt .
Allison collects vintage items found at antiques stores , specialty shops , yard sales and on-line sources . An old bench get hold on a farm is used to display potted herbaceous plant , a unsophisticated wooden tool cabinet becomes a miniature succulent garden , and a tin bucketful is repurposed as a plantation owner for lavender .
‘ Rosita ’ hummingbird mint ( Agastache cana ) is one of Allison ’s favorite plants . This unsloped shrubby perennial blooms abundantly with rose - pinkish bloom spikes from former summertime to fall . “ I care the structure and scent that it adds to the garden . The hummingbirds and insect pollinators lie with it , ” Allison says .
Culver ’s root ( Veronicastrum virginicum‘Lavendelturm ’ ) is always an attention getter with garden visitors . “ It ’s not a well - fuck plant , so most citizenry have never watch it before , ” says Allison . She like the unique candelabra - like body structure it add to the pollinator border , plus it ’s a favorite of bee and butterflies . This adaptable stout perennial , which blooms from mid - summer to go down , make showy blooms on racy stalks up to 6 feet tall .
ALLISON’S DESIGN TIPS
Create destinations . Allison create defined areas and visually exciting vignettes throughout the landscape to summate an component of surprise . “ I need visitors to stop and become immerse in a particular flora or feature , to thread and explore to see what else is just around the corner , ” she aver .
Use what you already have . Allison likes to desegregate natural cloth from her attribute into the garden design . Boulders were repurposed into a terraced wall , while log section cut from descend Tree became footstall for planters and garden interior decoration .
Choose a style that complements your home and personal taste . “The rustic country front that I strain to reach in my thou complements the cursory suburban life-style where I live , ” Allison says .
Try novel thing . “Don’t be afraid to change up your planting or move thing around , ” Allison say . She often motivate industrial plant or fill in new single if they do n’t do work in a particular area . add up a new keepsake or rearrange furniture can bring a fresh tone to a tired quad . “ I like tidy sum of colour , ” she sum .
Repurpose used finds . “I revel searching for salvage items to lend a vintage touch , ” Allison enunciate . On weekend , Allison and her baby browse antiques fund and local shops to rule just the right collectable . “ I do n’t always know where I ’m going to put something when I buy it , but I eventually find just the right daub . ”
flora for wildlife . By create a pollinator garden and put up food , protection and water , Allison attract a diverseness of shuttle and other wildlife . Include regionalnative plantsin your landscape and place birdbaths , saucers , fountain or waterfalls around the yard to draw unlike birdie , insects and other critters . “ My water features are impose oftentimes by robins , sparrow and goldfinches . It is unfeignedly a joyousness to sit on our patio and marvel at nature , ” Allison say .
