The Three Little Pigs got it right! Story and Photography by Susan Jasan We enjoy what we see in our home and garden, but what you don’t see is critical to the long-term enjoyment of your landscape and your gardens. Just as the classic children’s tale The Three Little Pigs teaches us, it’s important to …
Is there a tapestry hedge in your future? Story and Photography By Lynn Carlson We are all familiar with long rows of identical evergreen shrubs or trees, Leyland cypress (×Hesperotropsis leylandii) for example. But tapestry hedge includes several species of evergreens, or a mixture of evergreen and deciduous species, some tall, some short. Look to …
From plants to pathways … easy ways to handle a tough site Story and Photos by Helen Newling Lawson Many landscapes have at least some degree of slope. In certain situations, a slope can be a design asset, allowing you to create interesting features or place certain garden elements at eye level. But steep slopes …
Garden thresholds can multiply your green spaces Story and Photography by Helen Yoest Whether it’s to a garden or life, thresholds symbolize new beginnings. For brides, being carried across the threshold of a new home marks the start of a new phase of life. For my own wedding in 1988, my husband and I were …
Creating cozy outdoor rooms in your landscape Story and Photography by Meaghan Clark “Putting together a great outdoor space is like fitting together pieces of a puzzle,” says Kenny Rabalais of The Plant Gallery in New Orleans. With lighting, sounds, water features, outdoor seating, pathways, and lush gardens to consider, it is a task that …
Add movement to your landscape with these plants that ‘dance’ in the wind Story and Photography by Susan Jasn Admittedly, when almost any type of music starts, I’m hard-pressed to sit still. It’s as if something in my spirit is calling me to move, to dance. But then reality hits: Grace is definitely not my …
Using natural materials for your landscaping Story and Photos By Diane Beyer More and more gardeners and landscapers are heading “back to the land.” In addition to self-sufficiency, less pesticide use, growing heirloom vegetable varieties, urban homesteading, hardscaping using natural materials is also becoming more popular. Here in the South, where physiographic regions are so …
10 ways to become more water-wise in your landscape 1. Get your soil right before you plant anything – If your soil is too sandy, water will pass through it too rapidly and your plants will be thirsty. If your soil has too much clay, water will go though it too slowly, possibly drowning your …
Simple, elegant, and economical Story and Photos By Nan K. Chase Gravel walkways or paths never go out of style. A well-installed gravel path can last forever, bringing elegance to any garden. Even better, gravel is inexpensive, low maintenance, and available in variety of colors, sizes, and materials. Ancient Romans laid gravel roadways across their …
Non-traditional ways to use annuals in the landscape Story and Photos By Jennifer Williams Driving through most neighborhoods across the country, you can see that we have all been told the same thing about annuals – Keep it simple: Plant your annuals near the front of your flowerbeds, pick one or two options and colors, …
