Ivy covered wall courtesy of Matthew’s Island of Misfit Toys
The most enchanting structures are not made out of brick and mortar; they are made of stems and leaves.
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As gardeners we have an opportunity to be a little more in tune to the changes and happenings as the seasons change. Migrating birds, the coming and going of pesky insects, clouds of pollen, budding, blooming, and eventually, seeding are all things that pass under the nose of the ever-observant gardener. Watching nature can teach you so much about your own garden. One of the biggest questions we get is, “when do I plant this?” The answer for most shrubs, trees, bulbs, and perennials will almost always be: “in the fall.”
Wildflowers, trees, and shrubs all seed in the fall in nature- the summer is filled with fruit and blooms, but the seeds don’t hit the ground until fall. They spend the winter dormant and sprout up right on time in the spring. This works just as well with bulbs and bare-root plants shipped in the fall. They spend their dormant period searching the ground with their roots, slowly becoming established, and they will have a huge leap on any plants planted in the spring.
It is not necessary to plant in the fall, most plants will do just fine as long as the ground isn’t frozen, but the fall planting season is ideal for most varieties. You will have earlier blooms and more productive plants in the following spring and summer.
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After many years of being relegated to accent plantings, white-flowered plants are experiencing a resurgence of popularity. Using white not just as accent, but as a primary part of your gardening palate, can create a very strong impression.
In group plantings, white flowers create a pure, bright sea which can make any colored flowers you use absolutely jump out at you. White flowers also create amazing contrast with green foliage, especially very dark greens or even blacks and reds. White flowers are especially striking in spring. Try clematis or astilbe for bright white summer blooms. Hostas, though typically known for their foliage, often produce wonderfully bright silver or white blooms.
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Trees, especially evergreens make great privacy fences. There are a few varieties that really stand out when you think about privacy fences–They each have their own list of benefits and faults.
Arborvitae or Thuja varieties like “Green Giant” and “Steeplechase” are the fastest growing conifers, growing 3 to 5 feet in one year. They are incredibly dense, require very little maintenance, and give your garden that very desirable elegant evergreen look at a relatively low cost. And, they are hardy to a wide range of climates. Thujas are very symmetrical and require no pruning—they may be pruned for hedging or topiary designs, but are beautiful if untouched.
Hemlocks, very popular in Canada and Northern USA, are the most cold-hardy of the privacy trees, surviving well into the arctic. They do not tolerate warmer climates well, and they are vulnerable to a few pests. However, they are excellent privacy trees with distinct foliage and a long tradition of use in landscaping. And of course, the ever-popular southern alternative, the Leyland Cypress, which stays tough in the hottest and most humid regions of the country.
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