garden ideas
The space is a cooling-off spot during the summer and a protected spot for warming up in the winter, thanks to a fireplace on the right. There’s a clear view across the deck to the tree canopy behind the house. Gridded black deck railings nod to vernacular hog-wire fencing and keep the views to the canopy open.
Minor players: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Red October’), cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’), blue-green sedge (Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’), cranesbill (Geranium ‘Rozanne’), Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Variegata’) and other irises, panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Phantom’), lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’), meadow sage (Salvia pratensis ‘Midnight Model’), beardtongue (Penstemon ‘Midnight Masquerade’), New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’), betony (Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’), gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Belleza’), purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow Wild Berry’ and E. purpurea ‘Magnus’), lyme grass (Leymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’), eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’), coastal sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’), blue holly (Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium dubium ‘Baby Joe’), Panther ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) and Ginger Wine ninebark (P. opulifolius ‘Ginger Wine’)
The designer choreographed plants in an array of colors that change with the seasons. The meadow garden has junipers and pines that provide hues of green year-round. Perennials add lots of purples, pinks and yellows in spring and summer. There’s a wide range of foliage that goes from light green to burgundy to brown through spring, summer and fall. And a mix of grasses adds softness and movement until the snow falls. Plants like redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea) and coral bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’) provide winter interest and stand out against the black walls and the white snow covering the ground. Sifford has provided a thorough plant list for the meadow garden divided into categories. Major players: Fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’), ornamental onion (Allium ‘Millenium’), tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’), sage (Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’), blazing star (Liatris spicata), blunt mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum), shore juniper (Juniperus conferta ‘Golden Pacific’), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Denim ’n Lace’), feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) and ‘Black Pearl’ coral bells (Heuchera hybr...
round, oversized fire pit, comfy chairs, tall arborvitae to add vertical lines, pavers with grass in between. brilliant!
Q