Garden
Planting and care: Plant seedlings about 6 inches apart in containers. Mint can take a full-sun location, but in hot summer climates it will do better with afternoon shade. If you do want to grow mint in a garden bed, sink a crack-free container into the ground, leaving 1 to 3 inches above the soil line. Water the plant regularly and add a complete fertilizer as growth begins each year. Nip off the ends periodically and cut back by about one-third to one-half about halfway through the growing season to prevent plants from becoming woody. These perennials will die back in winter in cold climates; you may want to cut them back to ground level in late fall. You might see some of the usual pest problems, such as aphids, spider mites and whiteflies, but these are easily handled by hosing them off or applying insecticidal soap. Rust may also be an occasional problem. Established plantings are usually trouble free. Divide after the first year and replant about every three years. Full sun to partial shade
First a word of warning: “Invasive” is the polite way to refer to mint’s growing habits. In ideal, or even not so ideal, conditions, mint will take over your garden, spreading by underground roots. Consider it in the top tier of garden thugs. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t grow mint. It smells wonderful when you brush against it or pick it. It can be picked throughout the growing season to use for cooking or flavoring a drink. It’s fairly tall for an herb, reaching up to about 2 feet, so it can hold its own as a landscaping element. It’s said to be a great pest deterrent. It's also ideal for beginning gardeners, as it's tough to kill. Just grow it in a pot (preferably raised off the ground) and be careful to remove any stray plants, including the root system, before they get out of hand. Spearmint used to be the most readily available variety, with peppermint a close second, but readily available mint flavors include even apple and chocolate. Because different mints won’t necessarily grow true from seed, start with nursery seedlings you can smell (and taste) to get the variety you want.
No herb garden is really complete without thyme. For many gardeners and cooks, this has generally meant “common thyme,” known botanically as Thymus vulgaris, but other varieties are rapidly gaining in popularity. Foliage and flowers vary from species to species, so you can choose to plant all of the same or mix and match for a blended look in your landscape. Note: Not all thymes are recommended for culinary use. Be sure to check the variety if you want one to use in the kitchen. Andrea Meyers SaveEmail Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Little once established Where it will grow: Thyme grows easily in most zones, surviving as an evergreen perennial in all but the more extreme climates, such as those that are very cold or hot and humid Prime growing season: Spring through fall; may die back in midsummer if too hot and humid When to plant: Early spring; also fall in warm-winter climates Favorites: Caraway, Common (English), French, Lemon, Lime, Mother of Thyme, Orange, Silver Planting and care: You can start from seeds, but seedlings or transplants are usually easier to grow and are easy to find. Choose a sunny site. Thyme does well in dry, poor, slightly alkaline soi...
Shear back the plant by about one-third to one-half after the first bloom; you may get a second harvest. In spring, once growth has begun, prune lightly to remove broken and dead growth and to shape the plant. If the plant gets woody in the center, cut out those branches and allow new growth to fill in. Lavender is not long lived; you’ll probably need to replace it every 10 years or so.
Shear back the plant by about one-third to one-half after the first bloom; you may get a second harvest. In spring, once growth has begun, prune lightly to remove broken and dead growth and to shape the plant. If the plant gets woody in the center, cut out those branches and allow new growth to fill in. Lavender is not long lived; you’ll probably need to replace it every 10 years or so.
Planting and care: Choose a spot in full sun with very good drainage; add sand or compost before planting to increase drainage. Lavender does best in poor soil. Set plants 1 to 4 feet apart, depending on their eventual height and spread. If you live in a humid climate, be sure to allow for plenty of air circulation between them. You can also add a mulch of sand or pea gravel.
David Buergler Architecture SaveEmail Lavender thrives in drought and poor soil; humidity and wet feet are its nemeses. If you live in a humid climate or have poor-draining soil, consider growing Spanish lavender or French lavender (L. dentata). You can also plant it in a raised bed or on a slope, grow it in containers or treat it as an annual.
Exotic appeal - This custom-made door framed by recycled railway sleepers adds some definite desirability to this urban backyard. An Indian-style garden bench just beside the door creates a theme.
Infuse your garden with a lively, free-spirited attitude. I love this "doorway" that connects a garden to its adjacent orchard. Visitors are lured by the idea of exploration — to discover what's hidden just beyond this periwinkle-blue garden door. The journey promises a touch of intrigue, a memorable experience from beginning to end.
5. Alice in Wonderland. The whimsical placement of mirrors on this tall London hedge — coupled with the mismatched frames, glittering chandelier and colorful seat covers ready for a tea party with the Mad Hatter — evoke Lewis Carroll’s famously surreal story of a girl who fell down a rabbit hole.
4. Rapunzel. It doesn’t take much to imagine Rapunzel locked up in this tower — which stands solemnly in the woods of Devon, England. It’s easy to picture her long hair streaming down from the top window once she hears her prince call, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!”
3. The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Through locked doors and past a passageway of trees, the princesses escape from their kingdom each evening to dance the night away. One day a soldier follows them and uncovers their secret by bringing back branches from the massive trees the princesses pass when entering the dancing world. Although the soldier spoils their fun, the draw of secret passageways and entrances, such as this garden door in San Francisco, remains as thrilling as ever.
A hideaway in the canopy. The best way to get away from everything is to rise above it all. A hidden tree house, whether small or more generous in size, would be an ideal place in which to regain perspective, escape the oppressions of routine and be inspired by the sight of the wind gently blowing through the overhanging branches.
Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects SaveEmail A Hellenic homage. Nestled among stately cypress trees and well-manicured shrubs, this neoclassical gazebo invites you to escape from the everyday and find your very own personal muse. Perfect for … writing an epic prose poem in homage to Homer.
A haven among the bushes. Sometimes a simple chair and table set among freely growing shrubs and bushes is the best no-frills space to achieve peace of mind and find creative inspiration. Discreetly nestled among the garden’s greenery, this little seating area is ideal for undisturbed work. Perfect for … completing a critical essay on the role of satire in 20th-century Mongolian poetry.
A tucked-away garden shed. Garden sheds surrounded by lush shrubs and flowers make for a worthy hideaway for any artistic endeavor. A wide spectrum of writers and artists have turned to a humble garden shed to complete their masterworks. The little veranda in this powder-blue hut invites you to take a break outside with a cup of coffee, surrounded by the relaxing scent of lavender, and feel a little less pessimistic about the state of the world around you. Perfect for … writing your personal manifesto.
Create pathways framed with hedges and bushes that lead to a quiet spot for thought and reflection.
The old stone walls that shield this garden from the outside world provide an attractive backdrop to the greenscape as well as a barrier from outside intrusions.
Now this garden looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel. The high stone walls allow for privacy and keep out garden pests. The bridge and rockscape are an inspired touch and break up the expanse of lawn.
There is nothing like a doorway with a hint of garden glory beyond to convince you to explore. This simple garden fence and doorway are picture perfect.
Create a tranquil Japanese-style garden under your outdoor staircase. Guests will get a surprise when looking down and will no doubt want to get a closer look.
This formal-style topiary garden is stunningly enclosed with green walls and overlooking trees. The combination of stone and lush topiary hedges is always a successful one.
This formal garden entices you to walk up the stone steps framed by two well-groomed trees and discover what lies beyond.
Create a hidden courtyard that can be enjoyed from a room inside the house. The calming water feature surrounded by formal plantings along with the wall feature give this garden a quiet sophistication.
Build in defined spaces and secluded sitting areas. If you like the soft touch of carpet underfoot, try a ground cover. It’s nature’s carpet — soft on the pads and easy on the eyes.
For me a secret garden needs to have something a bit magical about it; it should be a place where fairies would feel comfortable, perhaps. It doesn’t need to be somewhere locked away, but ever so slightly hidden by a veil of mystery. A secluded nook, a doorway or pathways leading to beyond are all ways we can incorporate a secret garden into our surroundings. As long as it invites you in to discover what lies beyond, a secret garden can take many shapes and forms, just like these. Adding dif colored foliage and scented flowers helps create and enchanting atmosphere
This hillside perch in Pasadena, California, complete with swoopy modern hammock, is surrounded by drought-tolerant succulents. In the foreground is ornamental Aeonium ‘Sunburst,” whose variegated yellow and green rosette-like foliage looks just like flowers.
ometimes creating a restful moment in the garden is as simple as tucking a teak Chippendale-style bench among the trees. Here a Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura tree) shows off its fall colors and puts out a subtle, sweet fragrance in the waning days of autumn.
The perfect setting for coffee or a casual bite, this teak bistro table for two is surrounded by raised flower beds planted with cheerful yellow and orange marigolds. A pea gravel patio adds texture and firm footing for the table. To successfully install a patio like this, the designer points out, the key is to have a firm base (by tamping the soil underneath) and to use only ½ to 1 inch of gravel.
In a small backyard in Ottawa, Ontario, a simple seating area is surrounded by a sea of yellow flowering sedum. Two stained-wood Adirondack chairs are topped with red patterned pillows that add just a dash more color.
Or perhaps you could turn wasted space under the stairs into a Harry Potter–style sleeping nook. With a nightlight and a curtain as the door, this would make a fun spot for visiting youngsters.
Small nooks in the kitchen can be quite useful — the key is to have something built to fit the space precisely. Here a small desk and shelving come together to create a handy command station for dropping mail or working on a laptop.
In this modern space, a seating nook was built directly into the wall for a simple, sculptural look. Wooden shelves and wood veneer on the back wall bring welcome warmth and texture to the minimalist space.
Add an element of folly. Walter Beck, the owner and creator of Innisfree, enjoyed introducing elements of folly into his landscape. These garden steps, cantilevered out from a stone wall, go to nowhere. An occasional element of folly again prompts us to ask why, adding an appropriate dose of mystique.
Layer your garden. Certain plants can be used in your garden to add depth, mystery and an element of seduction, much like lacy sheer curtains on a window. By partially obscuring a view through adding several layers of a plant, you can add drama and interest to that view. This composition of a zinc planter and horsetail rush (Equisetum hyemale, zones 3 to 11) creates provocative drama at the top of some garden steps. This was accomplished because the rush was placed both in front of and behind the planter, and the planter was positioned where it is backlit by late-morning sun. Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis, zones 7 to 10) and certain grasses can provide the same effect.
Landscape designer and Houzz contributor Jay Sifford found these garden gate doors at Oriental Furnishings in Connecticut.
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