Outdoor living
3. Patios. In counties that regulate the amount of new impermeable hardscape added to a landscape, using gravel as a flooring material can expand your options for outdoor seating areas. Gravel acts as a permeable surface, since rainwater can drain through the stones. As a patio material, gravel makes a nice floor that adds texture but also visually reads as a unified surface. Choose a color that complements other hardscaping materials and is in keeping with the style of your garden. For example, dark gravel often works well with contemporary garden styles while warm-toned pea gravel looks good with English cottage and Mediterranean-style gardens.
Cloth. A detailed and expansive structure isn’t necessary for some simple sail-like shades. While you can easily spend thousands of dollars on a sophisticated shading system with guide wires and the like, a few posts, some wires and fabric will set you back a minimal amount of money and be a really nice way to shade the patio. As with the umbrellas, doing some research into the material for the shades is important. And make sure that the cloth is pitched to allow rainwater to fall off of it. Without that pitch, rainwater can puddle up in the middle of the cloth sail, causing the fabric to stretch and be ruined — or, worse, causing the whole system to collapse because of the weight of the water. And make it so you can easily take down the fabric canopy and store it for the winter, especially in climates that get ice and snow.
Lattice. If your home is more contemporary, a lattice-like covering could be a nice addition. Unlike the traditional pergola, a lattice-like structure has thinner and more simply shaped pieces, and forms a more rectangular structure. For a structure like this, using a durable wood is the key to getting many, many years of enjoyment from the space. While a wood like cedar is good, paying extra for something like redwood or teak will pay dividends in durability over the years. In fact, one of my favorite outside woods, especially when it's left to weather to that beautiful silvery gray, is teak. Sure, you can sand and varnish teak every few years, but I'd rather just enjoy my patio. Adding fabric to the lattice structure will provide some flexibility for shading control as well as soften up its overall aesthetics.
Make it adjustable. Sometimes you want to read in the shade; sometimes you want to lie in the sun. You could opt for a fixed shade sail or an umbrella, but let’s face it: A bit of you always pokes out of the umbrella’s round pool of shade, and the big ones are a pain to lift. So why not invest in a sail that you can open and close like an indoor window shade?
Raise those planters. Add more vertical cover (and much-needed color) by securing planters on top of a low concrete or brick wall.
Create a potted plant border. For an inexpensive apartment solution, try adding medium-height potted plants along the balcony railing.
Think about an outdoor fireplace. Flanked by arborvitae trees, a tall fireplace effectively hides this fun entertainment space from sight.
Go vertical with your flowers. To block the view of two-story neighbors, landscape architect Bartron bolted this tall custom metal trellis onto the garage wall. She added colorful Orange Clock Vine for additional privacy.
Screen in your hot tub. Ensure your spa isn’t out in the open by installing these corrugated acrylic panels. You can even filter light from behind for a romantic background glow.
Keep it private with curtains. For a more secluded setting, add outdoor curtains to your pergola. They're easy to move when not in use and can help add to your outdoor decor.
Create seclusion with a wood slat wall. With a partition added to an already-there concrete wall, this small deck now offers plenty of privacy.
Raise some artistic decorative panels. Privacy screens don’t need to be boring. These custom pieces block the neighbor’s view and act as an interesting outdoor focal point.
Think about the view from above. If you live in the city, an arched trellis like this one will ensure that no neighbors — not even those towering over you — can see what’s going on.
Blue Surprise Port Orford Cedar (syn. Blue Surprise Lawson’s cypress) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’) The dusky blue of this slender conifer is eye catching and a welcome change from shades of green, but the surprise is that this conifer takes on burgundy highlights in cold weather. Traditional Landscape by Le jardinet Le jardinet Origin: Blue Surprise was cultivated in the Netherlands; the species is native to Oregon and California. Where it will grow: Hardy to -15 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 6 to 9) Water requirement: Average to low; do not overwater Light requirement: Full sun or light shade Mature size: 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring or fall Planting notes: This tree is now available from Monrovia on disease-resistant rootstock.
Forever Goldie Golden Arborvitae (syn. Forever Goldy western red cedar) (Thuja plicata ‘Forever Goldie’) Forever Goldie is the golden teddy bear of the conifer world that just begs to be hugged. In spring and summer, it moves through shades of chartreuse to gold, while in winter it takes on an orange cast. This outstanding cultivar is one to include no matter how large or small your garden may be. Origin: This cultivar was discovered in the Netherlands in 2002 as a seedling. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 7; find your zone) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Does not shed; scorch resistant; tolerates a wide range of soil conditions Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring or fall Planting notes: Since this was just introduced in 2011, it is not easy to find landscape-size trees. I recommend purchasing a small one and enjoying it in a container for a few years before transplanting it. The one shown here was purchased as a 15-inch-tall plant in a 1-gallon pot four years prior to this photograph’s being taken. It is now approximately 4 feet ta...
Wissel’s Saguaro False Cypress (syn. Wissel’s Saguaro Lawson’s cypress, Wissel’s Saguaro Port Orford cedar) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Wissel’s Saguaro’) This is a conifer with attitude. With oddly bent branches like the cactus, this stands out from other plants by virtue of its shape as well as its deep blue-green color. This is my go-to conifer for narrow spaces, since it rarely grows wider than 2 feet. Origin: The species is native to Oregon and California, but this cultivar was developed in the Netherlands. Where it will grow: Hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 6 to 8) Water requirement: Average; do not overwater Light requirement: Full sun or light shade Mature size: 8 to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring or fall Planting notes: Plant it in well-drained soil.
indoor outdoor living. Now that's a pool house!
Whoa, all around awesome.
Sun protection
Some of the lower grasses are also welcome additions to the dry garden. With their fine foliage and tufted growth habit, they sway in the wind, contrast with thicker succulents and don't mind getting parched. Blue fescue (Festuca spp) and this Ponytail grass (Stipa tenuissima) are some of the best choices.
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