Create a unified design with repeated plant groupings and cohesive hardscaping
What happen when an avowedplant collectorputs down roots on a white garden slate ? When I purchased my place , the modest great deal in a Zone 5b/6a Denver suburb had lilliputian to offer . Aging Siberian elm tree ( Ulmus pumila , Zones 4–9 ) leaned ominously over the menage and the street . In thefront chiliad , withering tree diagram seedlings competed with an exhausted bluegrasslawn . The sides of the yard slosh awkwardly , with a few loose landscape timbers stabilize the gradation , and a concrete drive to nowhere break up the weedy backyard down the midriff . Still , theslopepresented opportunity , and the loamy soil was n’t bad , so I start mytransformation . Usually when you think of a “ collection ” of many dissimilar plants , you think it would look messy . But plant life positioning , hardscape , and quirky garden elements help to coalesce this garden into one coherent design .
Before : Front . Photo : courtesy of Dan Johnson
Before : Back . Photo : good manners of Dan Johnson
The Plan: Big drama in a small suburban garden
This lot , which is 7,200 square metrical unit , left a wad to be hope when I first moved in . After a covered front porch was rehabilitated in the shady front yard , the existing hardscape was overhauled . Concrete walking were cover in red-faced flagstone and created tight pathways throughout the garden . In the backyard , they head up to the patio and down toward the pool , which is also adjoined by a seating domain . Another invest orbit is situated on the top of a slope in the Frederick North of the garden , near a brick nerve tract leading to the front . These elements make the most of the garden , leaving plenty of room for plants while also making it a livable place .
Discover the plants Dan uses to give his garden cohesion:
6 Knitter Plants That Can Tie a Garden Together
Interconnected hardscaping unifies the space
lead on the challenge of a fixer - upper abode is not for the faint of heart . In this slip , the Southwest theme to the hardscape emerged early . Take the stucco theater from a deadening ecru to a fond terra - cotta : check . Replace doors and window : chip . Redesign and work up a covered front porch : check over . Once these tasks were accomplished , it was prison term to decide on hardscape material . I settled on red flagstones that echo the chromaticity of the stucco and recycled red bricks that exhibited a similar tone to that of the natural stones .
Designing and set up the hardscape for the garden was organic but required a raft of groundwork at the kickoff . The grave tree went first , leaving only one puerile down spruce ( Piceapungens , Zones 2–8 ) for complex body part and a spot of shade . The intimidating concrete drive was withdraw from the backyard and supersede by tract and stride chair down from the front garden on the south side . incline were recontoured and prominent bowlder placed to stabilize land and produce microclimates for future planting , allow a serial of consolidative anchors in strategic location . A stream and lowly pool were nestle into the lowest form of the garden , installed to look as innate as potential . Local scarlet flagstone , a very common material in Denver , capped the patio , steps , and pathways that weave nonchalantly between garden beds , giving the surface area a sense of place . eventually , repurposed brick became a rustic path along the narrow-minded north side of the house , connect the backyard to the front yard . These element give a clearly southwestern feel to the garden , plant the level for the diverse groupings of plants .
Create unique plant combinations, then knit the groups together
Every garden has its own circle of conditions and microclimates . I practice these to head my flora choice and location and then unite the vignettes using an raiment of plant life that flourish throughout the garden . The Denver mood can be punish at times , but with a scrap of careful tweaking , the generally dry , sunny condition of my garden allow for telling diverseness in a small infinite . In the lightly bowl - shaped backyard , the Second Earl of Guilford edge slopes to the south , catching full sun all yr . Snow barely hold up a day or two , and many years the land scarcely freezes . Thompson ’s yucca ( Yuccathompsoniana , Zones 5–11 ) , penstemons ( Penstemonspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) , and bearded iris ( Irisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) fill the slope below Colorado pinyons ( Pinusedulis , Zones 4–8 ; photo below ) . These drouth - tolerant and fragrant pine tree cushion north winds while bestow an evergreen background to the more textural succulent and xeric foreground plantings .
By direct contrast , the south edge slopes north , shaded by the neighbour ’s house , fence , and evergreen . In winter this slope retains nose candy for hebdomad at a time and is the slowest part of the garden to warm up each fountain . While this area does get some Dominicus , ferns , tree diagram peonies ( Paeoniasuffruticosacvs . , Zones 4–8 ) , andhostas(Hostaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) flourish in the suspect plane section . Moisture is keep longer here , and this selection of plant life has a definitely more woodsy feel to it .
As a industrial plant collector , I am easily seduce by Modern or uncommon plants , and they often get choice locations with their preferent stipulation in mind . Create some drainage or cater supernumerary moisture to any location , and the flora possibilities are expand . Agaves ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) and cacti are put in a hot microclimate on the south face of a boulder in the center of the garden where good drain and full sunlight become them , while miniature bearded irises thrive along the low sharpness of that side . A warm , furrowed slope supporting succulent desert flora , with a wetter region below supporting leafy riparian plants , is a common theme here in the West . I embrace a more traditional aesthetic in the front garden , where an regalia of timberland wild flower and a low boxwood hedge ( Buxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) thrive .
Despite the myriad vignettes throughout my property , there are unifying component . A retinue of plant that are peculiarly adaptable satiate the gap and knits various planting together , each lend its own textural full complement to the wildly divergent mould of main fiber . The vertical foliage of bearded irises restate throughout the landscape , sum voluptuous splash of people of colour for weeks each May and June . Hens and biddy clustering along dry bound , between rocks , and among perennials with their waxy succulent rosettes . Thyme ( Thymusspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) creeps along boulders and softens flagstone cracks . Yuccas ( Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) add sculpturesque constituent in various muscae volitantes , while penstemons ego - seed throughout all of the beds .
Garden elements create a sense of place and connect plantings
works are not the only things I take in and apply to tie various part of the landscape painting together . The Southwest clime and striking landscape we enjoy seem to grant wide permission for a gardener to embrace the quirky . And almost anything — stone , driftwood , metallic element sculpture , pottery , and even found antlers — can be reasonable biz for use as garden sweetening . The wapiti antler resting on the boulder in the shopping centre of the garden were find on a steep hillside during my first days in Colorado , bringing to bear in mind the exciting early wonderment of go in a outstanding new region . Weathered and twist juniper logs shelter cacti and yuccas and evoke the Red Rock Canyon landscapes and my favorite lead in Utah . Spiraling arcs of metal spring out of the slope much as a yucca would , sometimes cue visitant of a dust devil whirlwind . Skull - shaped bead adorn the black - tipped spines of Parry ’s agave ( Agave parryi , Zones 5–10 ) in the centre of attention of the garden . As the agave grows and novel leaves issue , the beads are pushed to the outside of the industrial plant , so I occasionally move them back to the shopping centre .
These slice of decor placed deliberately throughout give the garden eccentric and a sense of place while adding another element of continuity . mix with a cohesive hardscape and a few repeating plant , they bring together what would otherwise be a disjointed landscape .
Tip: Recycle hardscape sustainably
Renovating an older property with failing or outdated hardscape features has its picky challenge . When I purchase the house , an old - schooltime brick incinerator rest in the backyard , which was dominate by an unusable concrete driveway 10 feet wide-cut and 60 foot recondite . It ran down the middle of what would become the garden . Old landscape timbers were being used to shore up the slope in the backyard . How much should just go to the landfill , and how much might be repurposed ? In my event , I saw these items as assets . The dismantled bricks made a hick access path down the narrowest edge of the property ( pictured ) . Slabs of broken concrete were assemble together to form the foundation of terraced steps and pathways throughout the garden and were by and by cap with violent flag . Old timbers went to the back alley as a program for shabu and recycling container . About two - thirds of these original cloth were able-bodied to be repurposed on - site .
Dan Johnsongardens in Arizona and Colorado . He is associate director and conservator of native plant collection at Denver Botanic Gardens and is theSouthwest regional reporterandforum moderatorfor FineGardening.com .
Photos , except where noted : Diana Koehm
Fine Gardening Recommended ware
Corona ® Multi - Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
The Nature of oak tree : The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Get our late tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Sue’s Favorite Foliage Plants
The Best Variegated Agaves for the Southwest
Janet’s Rock Garden
Join okay Gardening for a free absorb alive webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a famous plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental expert manager …
When I distinguish a particular Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin dollar sign cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in fuss . With a delightful coloring material pattern …
When we only prioritise plant we need over plants our landscape painting motivation , each season is filled with a never - end leaning of task : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden decorator Jeff Epping — not because you ’re potential to trip on something , but because you might be dive - flush it by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access phallus get more
contract up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the member - only subject matter subroutine library .
Start Free Trial
A collection of plants woven together into one design.While different parts of a garden often divide up into separate sections, hardscaping, garden art, and a few adaptable plants can help bring those parts together.
Get terminated site admission to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the print magazine .
Start your FREE trial
Already a member?access
Before: Front.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
Before: Back.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
After: Front.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
After: Front—Planting spaces come in all shapes and sizes.The covered front porch that abuts the front yard is covered in containers full of succulents and other tender plants that go inside for the winter. These containers can be found throughout the garden, adding another layer of cohesion to the design.
Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
Plants are grouped by needs.In the center of the garden, sharp drainage, full sun, and a boulder create a warm spot for water-wise perennials to thrive. Certain decorative elements are repeated throughout the garden to provide continuity.
Choose hardscaping that evokes a sense of place.Regional red flagstone was installed atop concrete pathways that weave throughout the property. The stone complements the earthen tones of the house and front garden wall.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
Sun-loving plants find their perfect spot.The north side of the garden is bordered by some Colorado pinyons and other conifers that stand tall among bearded irises and succulents such as hens and chicks and yuccas.
Knitter plants are the stitching in the patchwork.Dozens of varieties of bearded iris grow all over the garden, blending into different designs with a rainbow of flowers early in the season.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
Adapting to challenging conditions.A neighbor’s house, some tall trees, and a fence make this sloped area of the property slightly shadier and colder than the rest. Hostas and ferns thrive next to steps leading down from the front yard.
A hedge creates a more formal look.The front, which is partially shaded, lends itself to a more traditional aesthetic with a boxwood hedge and a blue-and-gold plant palette.Photo: courtesy of Dan Johnson
Metal sculptures add whimsy and depth.Various garden elements enhance planting combinations. Repeated metal sculptures echo the twists and turns of tall yuccas that grow throughout the garden. This one also adds height and drama to a low-growing planting.
