Private Garden Tour

The Garden Conservancy http://www.gardenconservancy.org/ organizes private gardens each year to participate in their "Open Days" program. Finally this summer I found an open weekend to visit some of these gardens in Olympia, Washington. I was impressed!

Placed in dappled shade, this cast face changes moods from sun-up to sun-down

From city lots to acreage tracks, each garden offers something to take notice of. The personality of the owner shines through and you can truly see where their passion lies whether it be specimen plants, growing edibles, or art in the garden.

Lilium orienpet hybrid "Conca d'Or"

A true tri-colored lilly stood a full foot taller than I and scented the air with a delicious perfume. As I strolled through this "front yard" I felt completely removed from the street and neighborhood beyond it's front gate.

A true horticulturist, every plant was labeled with it's botanical name. The placement of the bench provided a destination and focal point for the alpine pathway.

These were extraordinary gardens on ordinary people's plots of land, either large or small. 

Have you encountered the black Calla Lilly? He's quite striking. Zantedeschia "Black Jack".

There were six gardens on this particular tour, open from 10 - 4. It's a self guided tour and you can visit at your leisure. The garden owners are there to answer your questions and point out any feature that is outstanding. Their knowledge is worth tapping into!

The form, texture, and color of this plant combination are exceptional.

Creating interest in your garden is easy. To avoid boredom use contrasting leaf form. Spiky vs weeping, large ovate vs ferny. Use a color chart to make decisions for color combinations and use varying heights of plants - low, medium, tall. Use these tips and your combinations will be a success.

A garden ornament made of glass plates, bowls, and jars adds a little whimsy to any garden.

Whimsical elements add fun to a garden and is a unique way to express yourself. Try making living garden "art" from ordinary objects like the jeans below.

Slid into a plant trellis, filled with soil, then slit open to add plants, these jeans take on a second life!

I took away so many great ideas from these gardeners that I can't wait to put them all into action on my own property! 

Another beautiful combination featuring Astilbe, Drooping leucothoe, and Rhododendron

Dinosaur Kale was tucked into this country garden. 

You don't have to have a vegetable garden to enjoy growing them. Tuck them into a bed of other annuals or to fill out your perennial beds. 

Not finding enough color from flowers and foliage? Add a bit more by thinking out of the box for fences, arbors, and other garden accessories like pots.

The Garden Conservancy Open Days program operates through November throughout the United States. Check their website for gardens near you.

Dramatic Landscape "Quick Fixes" To Help Sell Your Home (or just make it more enjoyable)

Evaluating your existing yard may seem a daunting task but with this bucket full of tools you'll be on your way to taking your plot from "everyday" to "stand out" in no time. 

Many homeowners selling in today's market are not finding success, some due to the current economy, some due to nonchalance to details. Selling in today's market requires savvy attention to details to make your property a cut above.

I want to give you tools that will get you started and only require some thought, elbow grease and (maybe) a few dollars.

Tool #1 - Style - Determine the Style of your existing landscape so that anything you do will compliment the overall design. This may require searching the web or going to the library but it is essential as a first step. Here are a few examples in a broad brushstroke: Northwest, Asian, Mediterranean, Formal, Informal, Tropical, Desert, Tuscan, English. 

Northwest

Asian

Mediterranean

Formal

Tool #2 - Frame - Define your space. Any type of boarder separating your yard from the neighbors. This could mean a fence, a hedge, or masses of plantings surrounding the parameter of your property. This will give a sense of privacy and define public from private space. A mature landscape will be an advantage here, still you'll need to determine where you might want to fill in gaps. Those without a mature landscape should look for plants that grow quickly to maturity but keep in mind the overall mature height. Be kind to your neighbor's needs too. Whatever you plant will at some point give adjacent properties shade and may block views if too tall. Fences are not cheap but will add to the value of your home. Many times neighbors will split the cost of the fence bordering their property. No harm in asking.

The block and stucco walls in this desert backyard define the space and give privacy from neighbors and the street.

Tool #3 - Rooms - Become an illusionist. By breaking up your property into "rooms", like a house, it actually appears larger and creates interest. Even tiny spaces can have areas set aside for specific uses. A small patio furnished with a bistro set and a 22" Weber kettle suddenly becomes an intimate outdoor kitchen when surrounded by potted bamboo while a small grassy area beyond, viewed from behind the bamboo becomes an outdoor lounge when furnished with two orbital loungers and a small side table. If Tool #2 has been implemented you now have a private intimate space that has two rooms with specific purposes. On my third-of-an-acre, so far, there are five rooms just in the back yard. Don't forget those "oh so neglected" side yards as well. I have created some spectacular usable spaces in these forgotten wastelands.

This Seattle Craftsman side yard was dark, dry, and dank with overgrown old fashioned bushes. We trimmed up existing bushes and added shade loving perennials.  The centerpiece red Adirondack lounge beckons a book and a cup of coffee.

Tool #4 -  Access - Be intentional about directing traffic. The most important feature of your front yard should be access to the front door. Don't leave your guests guessing! The anxiety inflicted is almost intolerable when you approach a home and can't determine where or which door is the Front Door. The access walk should be 4 feet wide and the door should be clearly visible. If you have an enclosed courtyard just outside the front door consider installing a Speak Easy (introduced during prohibition) and keep the little door open so guest can identify through the opening the Front Door. Secondary access paths should be smaller at 2-3' wide determined by usage.

In many European countries you're welcomed with masses of flowers at the Front Door. At this French residence there is no question where visitors should knock.

Rule #5 - Site - Take full advantage of your site. If you have a mature landscape ask the question "what lies beyond those tall trees?" Get up on your roof and find out. Is there a hidden view, specimen tree, or sunlight you can let in without sacrificing privacy? Cutting "windows" in existing foliage can enhance your viewing pleasure. This may take some finesse but if you can capture a lost view of the mountains, the city, or water you've just increased your property's selling potential. All that will be required is removing a limb or two which usually won't detract from the tree's beauty if done correctly. Your neighbor may have a lovely specimen tree that would enhance your own landscape. Why not  "borrow" it? By removing an ordinary tree on your property you can enjoy the pleasure without the cost. After living in my home for two years I discovered I could have a view of the local golf course located high on a hill if I removed a few evergreens which were casting too much shade on my garden anyway. From the first day I moved in I've been working with neighbors to preserve  my view of Seattle, one of the reasons I bought the house. Most are more than happy to oblige if I pay the cost of removal because the proposals always benefit the neighbor by improving their property as well.

I have remove two trees from my property and two trees from a neighbors property in the past 10 years to preserve my view. A small price to pay for a priceless view!

By implementing these five tools you will set your property apart from the guy down the street and create a home that's inviting and exciting!