Trees are commonly the largest and tallest elements in a garden or landscape design. They also take the longest time to grow. Trees are commonly defined as woody plants with single or multi-trunks that are greater than 20 feet high. There are dwarf and miniature trees shorter than 20 feet, but they are often treated […] More
Vines create tremendous vertical effects while using little horizontal space. They can be an asset to a garden’s color, texture, and form. If a garden is small, with a lot of wall or other vertical space, vines become an important design element. Vines can complement architecture or other hardscape in a garden or landscape. Vines […] More
Flowering shrubs are an important element in nearly every garden or landscape design. They not only bring color to the landscape they add structure as well. Shrubs are woody-stemmed plants with a number of branches arising at or a little above ground level; shrubs lack conspicuous trunks. All shrubs flower, but some have inconspicuous blooms. […] More
Shrubs along with trees are the backbone of most garden and landscape designs. Shrubs serve different functions in the garden. They can act as walls or low borders. They can stand alone as specimens of interest. Specimen shrubs are colorful and vibrant; sometimes they are oddly shaped. A specimen shrub is usually planted alone but […] More
Roses offer the garden designer a wide palette of colors, sizes, bloom times, and functions in the landscape. Roses bloom in every color except black. There are shrub and hedge roses, climbing roses, bush roses, groundcover roses, and miniature roses. Roses in the garden and landscape When adding roses to the garden consider first how […] More
Flower bulbs are akin to perennial flowers when it comes to garden design. Consider the flower color and foliage color and texture when including bulbs in a flower bed or border. The term flower bulb is loosely used here; it includes corms, tubers, and rhizomes as well as true bulbs. Botanically speaking, all are modified […] More
Perennials flowers might be considered the backbone of the herbaceous flower garden. They are long stayers in the flower garden—commonly three to five years, sometimes more. Perennial flowers, more than annuals, offer height and breadth and usually a longer season of color that will repeat next year and the year after. Perennials are usually the […] More
Annual flowers are a mainstay in the flower garden. They provide almost instant color in just about every season of the year. Annuals grow quickly to fill space where you need color. Annuals are available in every color. They are inexpensive so you can get a lot of color for your money. Annual flowers are […] More
Garden flower color throughout the year requires a bit of planning. If you want blooms in your garden from early spring through winter, here are a few quick steps to get started: If you were able to accomplish these three steps you are a long way toward realizing a year-round flower garden. And if year-round […] More
Flowers can bloom in the winter garden. Clear away the thought that winter is only about conifers and broad-leaved evergreens as the dominant feature in winter. Blooming flowers can give the winter garden a feeling of warmth. This list of winter-blooming flowers is aimed at gardens near 40 degrees North latitude (this latitude runs from […] More
Autumn has a special effect on all plants in the garden. Annuals and perennials are one part of the whole. Many trees and shrubs will be adding their own special effects in autumn. In selecting annuals and perennials for the autumn garden, it is necessary to know not only the overall effect your design will […] More
Summer is the time when the greatest number of blooms appear in the garden. Summer temperatures are warm enough to sow or transplant out all warm-season annuals, tender bulbs, and perennials. The summer garden will include some spring-planted flowers. Flowers planted in summer are likely to give a second and even third bloom if the […] More
Stephen Albert