Plants are the focus of most gardens. Combining plants effectively is the key to a good design. The basic elements of a planting design include bloom color, foliage color, bloom and foliage texture and shape, plant height and width, and the seasonality. Underlying these elements are the soil, water, and temperature requirements of plants selected […] More
Garden structure includes fixed items in the garden. Garden structure includes hardscape—fixed decks, patios, porches, walkways and path, fences and walls, retaining walls, and edging. Garden structure also includes fixed plantings such as trees and hedges. More broadly garden structure includes the property lines and the house and other structures that sit in the landscape. […] More
Every garden has a style; some are more successful than others. Successful gardens, gardens that are pleasing to be in, make sense. They make sense to the eye and to the mind of the visitor. Gardens that are successful are unified; the space, the plants, the hardscape, all work together. When all of the elements […] More
Whether you have a new house with a bare, blank-slate yard or an out-of-control overgrown landscape, the process of planning a garden follows pretty much the same steps. Here they are: Get to know the space Don’t start planting your garden right away. Get to know the space. Start a map or diagram of the […] More
Gardening in mountain regions and at high elevations can be a challenge. Sunlight at high altitudes is more intense than at lower elevations. Snow is a possibility in nearly every season in mountain regions. Mountain garden must often endure wide fluctuations in temperature from day to day and certainly between day and night. Plants in […] More
The Pacific Northwest is known for its rainy winters and dry, moderate summers. The climate is well-suited for gardening. A wide range of plants grows well in the Pacific Northwest including rock garden, mountain, and alpine plants. Many plants native to China and Japan grow well in the Northwest. Here are suggestions for getting the […] More
Florida and a good part of the Gulf Coast enjoy almost year-round gardening weather. Winters are mild and summers are hot and humid in Florida and much of the Gulf Coast. Monthly and seasonal advice for gardeners in most of the country often does not apply to gardeners in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. […] More
Gardening in California calls for finesse. California has four of the five major climate zones found in the world—Mediterranean, semi-arid, desert, and alpine. The fifth major climate zone is tropical—and parts of Southern California come close being semi-tropical. Parts of California are desert hot and dry while other parts are forested cool and wet. The […] More
Gardening near the ocean or a very large lake can be a challenge. Large bodies of water create weather and microclimate conditions that can test plants and gardeners. To garden near the coast you will need to know what plants thrive near water, if they are salt-tolerant, what temperature highs and lows they can withstand, […] More
Gardening in arid regions can be a challenge. Arid regions—including the American Southwest and parts of the West– get as little as 4 inches of rain or less in the course of a year. In some arid regions, rain may come in summer; in other arid regions, rain may come in winter. Where rainfall is […] More
Flower gardening in warm-winter and long-summer southern regions requires attention to plant selection and climate. Plants must be able to tolerate heat and humidity. Because southern gardens have long growing seasons, months of frost-free days, insects can also be a major challenge. If you are a warm or hot region gardener, here are some tips […] More
Understanding your garden is key to successful gardening. Your garden has a “personality” all its own. As you get to know your garden, you will find it more and more interesting. You will get to know its wants and needs and how to make it happy. When the garden is happy, the gardener is happy. […] More
Stephen Albert