Plant Combinations for an Abundant Garden. A. & G. Bridgewater

Чтение книги онлайн.

      Informal peninsular border

      There are only six basic types of border.

      • The edge-strip border that uses the boundary fence as a backdrop.

      • The geometrical border that relates to some sort of formal design.

      • The island border that is set within a sea of lawns.

      • The peninsular border that runs out from a boundary fence.

      • The border that runs hard up against the wall of the house.

      • The border that relates to some sort of functional scheme – it looks to the sun, is just the right width away from the wall for the wheelbarrow, or whatever it might be.

      When you come to design a border, you have to decide how you want it to figure in the scheme of things. For example, do you just want to break up an area of lawn, put distance between you and your neighbors, or create the illusion that your garden is, for example, wider or shorter?

       PLANTING SCHEMES

      A mixed border in summer is usually packed with color, texture and form. This example includes climbers on tripods, shrubs and herbaceous perennials in a variety of flower colors.

      Mixed borders have an exciting, dynamic nature – they are invariably colorful and vibrant.

       EDGINGS

      Edgings function on two levels: they physically prevent the earth of the border running over the path or lawn next to it, and they are a design feature in their own right – such as a wall, a row of tiles or a railroad tie.

       Raised borders

      Ready-made rustic log rolls are an easy option.

      A double- thickness wall is a good choice for a small garden.

      Red brick is a good traditional choice.

       MULCH

      A mulch has many functions. For example, while a mulch such as a layer of manure or tree bark prevents the soil from drying out, holds back the growth of weeds and rots down to enrich the soil, a mulch such as pea gravel or crushed rock holds in moisture, holds back the weeds and functions as a design feature in its own right.

       PERGOLAS, ARCHES AND TRELLISES

      If your idea of heaven is a mix of woodwork and gardening, you are going to enjoy building features such as pergolas and arches. Just think about it – a nice bit of woodwork followed by lazing under your beautifully crafted garden pergola, with a drink and a good book just within reach, all perfectly enclosed with an impressive trellises, with fragrant plants and dappled sunlight all around. Pergolas, arches and trellises can all be used to create instant features.

       Are these features easy to create?

      A pergola weighed down with a vine creates an eye-catching feature as well as a very private area.

      A ready-made arch is good for creating instant height, but plants will take time to grow over it.

      Plant-covered trellises are a good option if you want privacy. Use a variety of different climbers to add interest.

       PERGOLAS

      If you want to create an instant architectural feature in your garden – a place to snooze and play in the shade, a structure for growing climbing plants over, and an eye-catching focal point – then a pergola is an exciting option. The visual impact of a pergola clothed with a wisteria, a grapevine or a honeysuckle can be absolutely stunning. If you are wondering if there is enough room in your garden, a pergola can easily be shaped to suit your needs. It can be anything from four uprights topped with a handful of cross- beams – just large enough to sit under – or a lean-to structure made from rustic poles, through to a substantial brick and wooden walkway that runs the length of the garden.

      A lean-to pergola is a traditional option that is a very good choice for a patio area, especially in a small garden.

СКАЧАТЬ