This Month in the Garden: Sustainable Gardening-Design of a Lawnless Landscape

This Month in the Garden: Sustainable Gardening-Design of a Lawnless Landscape 

Welcome to This Month in the garden! With today’s busy lifestyles and overwhelming schedules, many homeowners prefer to forego a lawn, yet still desire a functional and welcoming landscape. This could be a challenging task, but with careful planning, the goal can be achieved with optimum results.

Front Garden Before

I received a request for such a garden a couple of years ago from a client that no longer wanted the challenge of having to mow a lawn every week or hire someone else to do it. The client wanted to achieve a garden that could be enjoyed and also desired a place where seasonal vegetables and strawberries could be grown. As a designer, the planning of the garden took several steps and my job was to incorporate both hardscape and plantings into a functional, yet aesthetically pleasing garden. 

Front Garden After

The process started with the clearing of a large tree that was very close to the house and had overgrown its space. Afterward, environmental conditions were noted and careful measurements were taken of the site. Landscape flags were used to lay out curving bed-lines and list of desirable low maintenance evergreens, flowering shrubs and perennials was compiled along the the client. 

Front Garden After

Once the area for the garden beds was marked, I imagined a “lawn” composed of pea gravel with irregular bluestone stepping-stones, which would serve the purpose of guiding visitors from the front driveway to the main entrance, to an adjacent pond area and then towards the backyard. In the backyard, raised vegetable planters would be positioned in a central region allowing for easy access with plantings along the perimeter. Additional stepping-stones were used to access the raised beds. The lack of lawn also would create a more sustainable landscape with less watering needed.

Back Garden Before

The front gardens consist of various evergreens, such as holly, euonymus, Skip Laurel, Blue Globe Spruce, Hinoki Cypress and Japanese Garden Juniper with flowering shrubs such as Magic Carpet Spirea and Hydrangea. Various long-blooming perennials such as Salvia ‘May Night', Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ and Daylily ‘Stella D Oro’ were added for summer color into fall. Evergold Sedge and Variegated Liriope were incorporated to a add a low maintenance grass-like element to the garden and pond area.

Conceptual Rendering

The back gardens consist of Emerald Green Arborvitae and Skip Laurel along the perimeter, giving a sense of privacy, along with various flowering shrubs such as Little Lime Hydrangea, Double Knock Out Roses, Crape Myrtle and Tree Hydrangea. Assorted perennials were also added for continuous color throughout the growing season. Above is a computer generated conceptual layout of the backyard design.

Back Garden After

The area comprising the "lawn area" in both the front and back yards was cleared and prepared with a compacted RCA base. Paths were constructed of landscape fabric and edging with a 2-3 inch thick layer of 3/4" pea gravel with Pennsylvania irregular bluestone inserts added for walking. Two Railroad Tie Planter Boxes (approximately 3.5 x 7 x 26”H) were each constructed with open gravel filled bases for drainage. Drip Irrigation lines were run in preparation for plantings.

Pennsylvania Irregular Bluestone Walkway in Pea Gravel Base

Pennsylvania irregular bluestone on a pea gravel base with landscape edging makes for an informal and inviting walkway.

Back Garden After

The completed project turned out to be a huge success and created both an enjoyable and functional atmosphere to be enjoyed by the homeowner for years to come.

Front Garden 1 Year Later

 Here is the front garden one year later. As you can see, the plantings are already starting to mature...

Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'

 and here is a view of  Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' that the homeowner sent me. 

This Month in the Garden: Sustainable Gardening-Design of a Lawnless Landscape 

I hope you enjoyed This Month in the Garden for June. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. of each month for This Month in the Garden, as I share gardening tips, information and horticultural adventures! Linking with: Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal, Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up and Dishing It & Digging It.

For more gardening information and tips...Visit My Author Page/Purchase My Books

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations and my latest...

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener

~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening,© Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

This Month in the Garden: Growing Air Plants

Growing and Maintaining Air Plants 

Air plants, known as Tillandsia, have become a preferred plant for those leading a busy lifestyle, while looking for a low maintenance houseplant to enjoy. Tillandsia is the largest genus in the bromeliad family, consisting of approximately 650 species of flowering evergreen plants, native to the forests, mountains and deserts of Central and South America, southern United States and the West Indies. Tillandsia are ephiphytes, meaning that they grow without soil. In their native environment, air plants find footing on tree branches, where their roots act as an anchor to give the plant support. The leaves of Tillandsia are covered with specialized scales known as trichomes, which are responsible for absorbing moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere, decaying bark and insect matter. All healthy Tillandsias have the potential to bloom with flowers that are as interesting as the plants themselves. 

Air Plant  Terrarium Garden

LOCATION: Tillandsia prefer temperatures somewhere between 60-90 degrees with high humidity and bright, filtered sunlight, as in an east or west-facing window, or beneath a skylight. When growing air plants indoors, many homeowners take advantage of the moisture in a bathroom setting to locate their humidity loving plants. If growing Tillandsia outdoors, a screened porch or lanai can provide the filtered sunlight they prefer. These plants are often grown in a terrarium-like setting, as in a glass vase or ball, which is specifically designed with openings for air circulation. For a decorative look, Tillandsia are also grown attached to a piece of driftwood, in a rock bed or inside a sea shell. You can enjoy creating an arrangement for your plants and the design possibilities are endless!

Tillandsia Bloom

WATERING: Proper watering is very important with these plants. While they are very low maintenance, it is important to provide moisture to prevent drying out. The most successful practice has been to completely submerge your plant in a dish of water for several hours every 7-10 days. During this time, the plant will only absorb the amount of water that it needs. When removing the plant from its soaking, gently shake off excess water from the center of the plant to prevent rotting. Daily misting provides moisture as well, but not enough for survival, and excess water lying on the foliage can rot out the plant. When watering, use rain water, bottled or distilled water. Hard water from the tap contains elements that can eventually clog the trichomes on air plant leaves. When you first get your plant, develop a watering schedule by monitoring the plant's color and appearance before and after watering and be observant of changes. Leaves on a drought-stressed plant may curl under, fade in color or turn brown, while browning on the bottom of a plant indicates over-watering. Rinse plants verses soaking when flowering to protect their delicate blooms.

Tillandsia Foliage 

FERTILIZING: To fertilize your Tillandsia, use a water-soluble fertilizer that is meant for ephiphytes, bromeliads or air plants and fertilize once or twice monthly. These fertilizers contain nitrogen in a form that air plant leaves can absorb. Before submerging your air plant, add the fertilizer to the water first following the dosage amount on the packaging. Generally, air plants with smooth, glossy leaves are "mesic" types that originate from shaded rain and cloud forests, where water is abundant. They have less pronounced trichomes to protect them from drying and require more frequent watering and fertilization. Leaves appearing "fuzzy" with feathery white, silvery or dusty coatings indicate "xeric" types that come from sunny, dry climates. Their more pronounced trichomes collect maximum water and hold it for use during dry periods; therefore, less watering and fertilization are required. Through basic observation, you will get to know your plants. Next time you are seeking something different, with no soil involved, try some air plants. By following these simple guidelines, Tillandsia can be an interesting, low maintenance and fun plant addition for your indoor or outdoor space.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved

This Month's Color in the Garden September 2017: Feature Plant-Black Mondo Grass

This Month's Color in the Garden

Welcome to This Month's Color in the Garden! It's September and the feature color is black. Black is a rare and unusual color in the garden, but is exquisite when mixed with the right combination of plants. Although there are no truly black flowers or foliage, some varieties appear black due to the deepness of the purple or burgundy hues within them. Black blooms or foliage can bring interest and drama to the landscape when used properly. One plant in particular, which is known for its striking black foliage, is Black Mondo Grass. Mondo Grass is actually not a grass, but rather a member of the genus Ophiopogon, a genus of evergreen perennial plants native to India, China, Japan and Vietnam. Black Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is considered a ground cover that grows to approximately ten inches tall and slowly spreads to about two feet in width. Foliage emerges as dark green in spring and matures to a deep purplish-black by summer. Black Mondo Grass is hardy in zones 6-10.

Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' )

Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' produces spikes of small light pink-white bell shaped flowers in mid-summer, followed by small black berries. Mondo Grass prefers to be grown in full to partial shade in a well-drained, slightly acidic soil. In cooler climates, Mondo Grass can withstand some sun. These plants can be propagated by division, best to be performed in early spring before new growth emerges. 

Black Mondo Grass and Golden Japanese Sedge (Photo Credit: Houzz Idea Books) 

To add that wanted interest and drama to the garden, combine Mondo Grass with other grass-like plantings such as Variegated Liriope, Golden Japanese Sedge and Golden Variegated Sweet Flag (as pictured above). Black Mondo Grass fits into a variety of garden styles, including container gardening, mass plantings and rock gardens. Mondo Grass is mostly maintenance free, except for an occasional feeding with a light fertilizer, or as mentioned, a division in spring. If desired, prune back old foliage in spring to tidy up the plant and promote new growth. 

Black Mondo Grass with Variegated Liriope in Backdrop

When discussing the color wheel and design, black, white and gray are not true colors (or hues) but are considered as neutral, achromatic colors. According to the language of flowers, the color black has been associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery throughout history. It denotes a feeling of strength and authority, and is considered to be formal, elegant, and prestigious. In the horticultural industry, plant developers have been working on hybridizing even darker varieties of plants due to the increased interest of using black in the garden. 

I hope you enjoyed This Month's Color in the Garden for September. Please do share your experiences with the color black in your garden, whether it be with plants, hardscape or garden decor. Next, join me for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day and Foliage Follow-Up on the 15th! See you around the garden!

 Linking with: Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, Macro Monday 2, Friday Photo Journal and Dishing It & Digging It.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved