Downingtown Garden 3 years later

Project Site: Downingtown, P.A.
Design & Installed: Summer 2007
Design Program: The Homeowners felt as if their back yard was a 'fish bowl' as every time they went outside to use their deck or yard the neighbors could see what they were doing. Screening was the first priority coupled with four season interest and complimentary plantings. Rather than put up a green wall around the entire perimeter I selectively screened some views and we kept open other long views between the homes. A seating area was planned for and future plans of a pool were planned.

Master Landscape Plan

Before

After 2008

After 2008

After 2009

Before 2007

After 2010

Before 2007

After 2010

After 2008

After 2010

Lavender flanks the red Adirondack chairs with the Gateway Joe Pye weed and 'Yoshino' Japanese Cedars providing a secluded resting spot.

The swallowtail butterflies enjoying the 'Gateway' Joe-pye Weed

plants that impress me 2010

Here are soem native plants that have impressed me this year.

Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly weed- early Summer bloom- native

Mertensia virginica- Virginia Bluebells- Mid Spring- native- dies back 3 weeks after blooming, good paring with hosta

Amsonia tabernaemontana 'Blue Ice'- late spring- native- yellow fall foilage color

I will add some more as the season progresses.

Red & Green: Colors of the season

Although I'm a little late on the posting two showstoppers in the garden at christmas and well into the new year are the native winterberry shrubs (ilex verticillata) and the ornamental and non-invasive heavenly bamboo (nandina domestica).

Above is the smallest of winterberries 'Red Sprite'. The male pollinator counterpart is 'Jim Dandy' (they are from the holly family, however they are decidous). At maturity they reach 3'x 3'. A larger winterberry, and just as deserving in the garden, is 'Winter Red' (female) and the 'Southern Gentleman' (you guessed it, male). Both range about 8' x 8'. All winterberries prefer sun and are tolerant of wet soils. They are found in swampy areas in north america. The red berry color is for our benefit, the actual berries that hang on until late winter are for the birds, literally. Migrating songbirds forage upon the berries as they return to your locale.

Heavenly bamboo has a more unique berry cluster set. It does well in part sun, part shade and retains most of it's foliage in winter.  Mature height of 6' tall x 3' wide, it's best to cut the plant back after it becomes a little leggy. Doing so will rejuvenate and guarantee a striking show.

fall perspectives

While at a client's historic home in northern Chester County I snapped a few photos of lichen, moss, and our great native vine Virginia creeper (parthenocissus quinquefolia) living happily together on a stone wall. Mother Nature is truly the ultimate landscape designer.

Same property, a burning bush (semi-invasive) and weeping Japanese maple play off each others colors.

 Lastly on my commute I noticed two glorious ginkgo trees (ginkgo biloba) with a neighboring red oak (Quercus rubra). I had to pull over and take a photo, which unfortunately does not do them justice.

Late summer flower color

As the summer season winds down, color still remains in the garden.

'Stella d'oro' daylilly, Sedumn 'Autumn Joy' , Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'

'Tardiva' Hydrangea, 'Winter Red' Winterberry fruiting up, 'Northwind' Panicum

Heliopsis helianthoides, native species

Heliopsis helianthoides paired with Eupatorium maculatum 'Gateway'.

The bees and butterflies are loving them!

Echinacea in the garden

Photo above is a garden in Landenberg, PA one year after planting. Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' with Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' behind and Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva' to the left for some late summer blooms. All deer and drought tolerant!

In a different clients garden, Landenberg, PA. Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'

Same residence, rear hillside garden one year after garden installation. Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' in center of photo.

Echinacea purpurea, or Purple coneflower, is a eastern and central North American native flowering perennial that every sunny garden must have. They are drought tolerant and deer seldom bother. In recent years plant breeders have developed rather interesting cultivars. These newer varieties showcase yellow, orange, red and even white flowers. They make great cut flowers, butterflies and bees love them and when the seed heads are left in tack over the winter season the birds will appreciate the meal! When designing my clients gardens I often sneak a few in mix, they liven every garden up. Plant some today and everyone wins!