Welcome to our August edition, in which we will look more closely at our NorCal shade garden with Asian accents. In last month’s article we used two phrases to describe the challenges of this project.
The first was “turning a negative into a positive.” We were renovating an area in the garden that had not been used or cared for in some time. At the same time, we were creating usable space on a slope. With that quick review, it is important to note that the challenge of turning a negative into a positive is not unique to slopes. It is what good landscaping is supposed to do. Slopes simply intensify that challenge.
The second phrase we used last month was a quote from Mr. Miagi to the Karate Kid, “Balance, Daniel, balance.” I will be focusing the rest of this article on balance because it pertains to everything from the size of the patio, the size of the steps, the boulders, and of course the maturing sizes of the plants. It all has to “fit” –and not just fit this year, but next and the next. So let’s start with the hardscape first.
In doing this particular hardscape, I decided to layout the size and shape of both the patio and the steps on the ground with marker paint. Though I was working from our landscape design, seeing it on the ground assured me of the balance that I wanted. It is not easy to make adjustments on hillsides, especially when space is at a premium.
Once the area was outlined, we began to excavate and create a trench for the footing for the walls of the patio. Proper footings for patios, walls and steps on a slope are very important. Getting that first row partially below grade locks it into to the hillside, and assures the stability of the rest of structure. Once completed, both patio and steps, it really started to come to life for our clients, and they were in for a wonderful surprise with the plant selection I had planned!
Balance with plants deals not only with plant sizes as they grow, that one plant does not grow over another in the process of maturing, but also with the final size at maturity. For example, look at the fence line. Behind the boulders you see a row of Thujas. They make a very nice “green fence” and as they mature will give the area a sense of place. A sense of place is a design term used to describe a setting that has a unique feel, different from but complimentary to its surroundings. The Thujas serve as a backdrop to an assortment of plants with varying heights and widths, and which adds visual interest. Ninety five percent of these plants selected do not grow beyond a 2 ½ foot size, both in height and width, and many are under that. The few that exceed that size are deciduous, and can be hard pruned in the winter.
Correct plant sizing is critical in all landscapes, as is determining what plants go next to each other. We want a full landscape, but also a feeling of space and variety so that there is something interesting and beautiful to look at from all angles. Designing a small area like this one is much like buying a sports car. You want it to have everything the bigger cars have, but in proportion.
In addition to sizing, the conditions of the garden must be taken into consideration. This particular slope is largely shaded, but you can see in the pictures that there is some light. It is an east west exposure till about 2:30 when the sun goes behind some very large Redwood trees. Before that, different areas of the garden receive varying amounts of light, some filtered, and some direct. Knowing the shade and sun times is essential to a good design because it contributes to the balance through appropriate placement of the plants. Some shade plants can handle direct sun, and obviously some cannot.
As you can see, a well- balanced design takes many factors into account. The result is a garden that is both beautiful and functional for years to come. Until next time – Good Gardening!
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