Friday, March 4, 2016

Not Hiring a Garden Designer? What You Should Know

I keep thinking, "It's spring, what's the most important thing to pass along to a new gardener, who won't hire a garden designer?"  The typical, have a job, home, family, little time, tight budget, new gardener.  If you've read this far I know you are a stubborn sort.  Headstrong.
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Gonna do it your way.  You will figure out the bonafides of a garden, and do it better.
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Yes, you, I'm considering you.
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Found both pics, below, recently.  Probably not at all what you are considering.  Yet, you should consider both gardens, intently.
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For starters, describe elements, below, of each garden.  You probably don't have a vocabulary to describe these gardens.  With your impatience, I'll give you some garden design words, axis, double axis, cross axis, fine texture, coarse texture, layers, high density, low density, focal point, focal point on axis,  views on axis, color trinity, flow, contrast, repetition, seasonal focal points, cross axis, evergreen, hardscape, deciduous, herbacious, pollinator habitat, property value, HVAC costs, seasons, walls, ceiling, floor, groundcover, backdrop, historic, modern, deer proof, low maintenance, drought tolerant, pleasure garden and etc.
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Name it to claim it.  Corny, and true in garden design.
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Both gardens, below, though different are the same.
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What is the most important fact about both gardens?  Hint, it's a single word.
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This important fact, is for you, the new gardener.  Peruse the pics, the 'word' describing both is at bottom.


Talk about curb appeal! These homes look like they're straight out of a work of art.:
Pic above, here.

lovely:

Pic above, here.
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In addition to the most important word about both gardens, above, you have a personal arrow in your quiver of garden design.  A mission statement.
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Liking words, a few words, tossed into zero order, in describing what I want for/from my own garden design as a mission statement: thought opera, traditional notions, intellectual journeys, obscure, subliminal, engaging, layering events, penchant, gaggle, lacy melodies, cello, ruminative, densest moments, ravish, musical fodder, droll, matter-of-fact, jester, astute, hepcat, pervades, dance to their tune, dramatis personae, sprite, poignantly, and you get the idea of how I wish to live in my own garden design.
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So, you've had time, what is the best word, describing both gardens, above.  Why would I choose them for you, a new gardener?
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Fast.  Both gardens will give a 'fast' effect.  Too many garden designs take 5-10 years to be anything.  Both gardens are loaded with structure, trees, hedges, paths, lawn.  Notice what each garden does not have?  Loads of flowers.  Flowers are secondary in garden design, structure is primary.  Ironically, human nature is all about flowers.  This, at the front end, is strongest in my heart to tell you, the new gardener.
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Links for both pictures have slide shows of more good gardens.
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Garden & Be Well,    XO Tara

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Bones. I use Bones. Houston area, typical HOA house and yard, absolutely no bones. I need you to come to Houstan and tell me where to start and what to do.
Chris

Joanne said...

I would say they are classic, elegant & quiet. Both very pleasing to the eye, mind & spirit. My kind of garden.

Anonymous said...

Just better to hire a landscaper methinks. My feeling is that you would save money in the long run and have a garden that is brilliantly thought out and easy to maintain. There is always room to sneak some flowers in while still preserving the look right?

La Contessa said...

I like BOTH of them..........NO FLOWERS..............MAYBE I will try...........since all of a sudden I seem to be ALLERGIC TO MY GARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I pray it isn't SO.............
XO