Spring is here....officially anyway. It actually snowed here this weekend. But that doesn't keep me from perusing garden blogs and dreaming. I've added some garden inspiration to my blog roll....
This year we're focusing on the back patio and ramada, but I found this picture from landscape architect Laurel Rock's site
(via Studio G...thanks!)
and the shape (of the path & beds) looks so much like our front area....or rather what our front could look like if the deer (and rabbits) didn't eat everything. (No, I'm not thinking of planting these particular plants in the desert. I do however, want the native, drought tolerant plants I do select to fill in and not get eaten.)
We're going to add some big rocks near the path to take up some of the space.
Last May when we originally landscaped
I'm also going to add a rock border between the flower beds and the gravel driveway. I didn't want a hard edge, but we're finding we need the demarcation line now that we have a dog. We're hoping it will keep the gravel where it belongs....
26 comments:
Wow the resemblence is striking. That's totally awesome! I wish I had a yard!
Like Lisa said..spring has 'sprung' finally. Poor you, those deers and rabbits wont leave your plants alone and to think we had 9 of those bunnies at one time..but my bun pooping days are over, thank god:D
At first glance, I thought the inspiration photo was your property, because it has the same feel as yours. It will be fun to translate that to your garden. The bridal veil astilbe is gorgeous but the deer will enjoy it, so find something else.
If you have some shady spots, consider putting some lily of the valley down. It will spread but the entire plant is toxic so the animals won't eat it, but make sure your pooch doesn't eat plants!
I've been obsessing over gardening sites for a solid week now. White Flower Farm allows you to search by deer resistant, fwiw.
That really does look like yours....if I had to choose between the plants or the wildlife...I would take the wildlife! Wish I had deer in my yard. How cool!
I am a major fan of big rocks in a landscape and borders for flower beds, as well. The pussy willows you planted look awesome, by the way. I love that red color in their stalks. One way to find deer-proof plants - check out what's planted in local public areas - town library, post office, shopping center. Those areas usually have to plant hardy to survive neglect.
I wasn't thinking of the particular plants in the first photo, just a full bed.
All the plants we planted last year were native, drought tolerant and 'deer resistant'. The last didn't work. Our plan for this year is to divide the 3 types of plants the deer didn't eat last year: Karl Forester grass, another grass I can't remember the name of, and Russian Sage. Then we're going to do rock and maybe sculpture for the rest.....
We live 8 miles out of town. The nearest town is a blip on the highway. I can't think of any public plantings. The next closest town is 15 miles away. They do have lots of plants, shrubs, trees, but not the deer.
Welcome to the High Desert!
oh what fun to have all that dirt in which to put things to grow! can't wait to see what happens next...
I think it looks beautiful right now..it all looks cozy..
A perfect photo for inspiration, it is so similar! Looking forward to seeing the progression.
When I lived in Colorado, all I planted was rocks and whatever came up inbetween, mostly columbine, but cactus and yucca was always a good choice, but yucca was eaten by bunnies over winter, but always came back...have fun!
You're right - the resemblance is uncanny. Let me know what you decide to plant - we currently have 8 deer in our little neighborhood and they are eating EVERYTHING, including stuff that is supposed to NOT be to their liking. I just refuse to buy plants to feed them, so our yard looks very unhappy.
Kate
Always a bit of a challenge if you are fighting with animals.
A few strategically places rocks might be rather fun.
The astilbe in the photo above looks gorgeous but the deer might think so too...
However, planning is always fun.
love.
Love the "bones" of your inspiration garden. Will be interesting to see how you make yours your own. Having spent a few summers in the high desert with the cows, I can relate to the critters eating everything. Same problem at home. The deer will eat most anything, and what they don't eat they like to rack.
So odd to me to see people here have landscapes surrounded by electric fence, cortina wire, flashers, and the stinky spray. Where is the beauty in that? I much prefer the native flora, and the occasional fawna.
Have fun planning and dreaming! I am sure with the mad skills that you and your hubby possess you will have a gorgeous, artistic landscape in no time!
There's nothing like getting dirt under your fingernails come spring. Always a time to regroup and set things off. Looks like you have a great plan in the making...you must share the progress!
Your plans look good, I hope the snow finishes and spring starts for you soon
: )
Can't wait to see the after pix!
What?! You're going to Italy? Get out!!! :D
Italy...in May!
Oh DD, I love the look and feel of your place. It'll be gorgeous when you're done.
You've given me inspiration. I need to redo the whole backyard. I have some ideas but maybe I'll post pics (when the cleaning is done) and get ideas from readers. Some people (like YOU) are very creative and might be able to advise me. And how fun would it be to have a backyard that reminds me of the loving blog friends I have?!
Just the right inspiration to get me out and into the garden.
Thanx for the post.
You really are doing an amazing job. The similarity is striking.
Greetings from London.
Ah, the backbreaking joys of spring!
Good luck finding stuff the deer won't eat. As my local garden store owner said, "If they are hungry enough they'll eat just about anything."
I definitely have a love/hate relationship with deer that goes beyond my gardening woes. I had Lymes as a young adult and suffered for a decade. We talked all of our neighbors out of feeding the deer corn cobs after a neighbor contracted Lymes gardening in her suburban backyard. : (
I actually thought that was your yard at first! Man, I hate to say it, but I'd get super frustrated about the deer. Hoping your garden isn't terrorized like mine is by squirrels.
I like the edge in Laurels Picture... it's crisp and polished looking, yet still simple too. And yep, with dogs... SO much easier to teach boundaries when there is separation and marks as such in landscaping. ;)
Have fun!
It looks beautiful out there! Great job with the landscaping!!
Post a Comment