As we continue our “garden Rehab Project” it is time to look at the planting of the landscape.
The treatment of the main garden, which may be described as a balanced garden, with a little of everything, should be self-explanatory. It could be changed in accordance with the owner’s taste.
The Terrace Tree
The ornamental tree at the north end of the terrace is the picture tree of the garden and should be selected thoughtfully. Height, shape, foliage and bark should be considered. It should be fairly high crowned. It should not be a messy tree, with leaves that shed constantly, or berried fruit that will squash on the terrace. Since there are several fruit trees in other parts of the garden, a contrasting type of tree is a better choice. The silk tree (Albizzia julibrissin rosea), and a thornless form of the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) would both be suitable.
Deciduous Shrubs
The big deciduous shrubs from the old garden are used along the boundary line to make a dense screen on the north side of the terrace. A lilac is added at the far end, chiefly because it is so much in the character of the garden. The pee-gee hydrangea from the old front garden is used as a specimen between the seat and the Norway spruce. The deciduous shrub planting will give spring color from the lilac and forsythia, and in late summer there will be the red berries of the honeysuckles. The picturesque flowers of the hydrangea will persist long after the first frosts have tinged them with rose.
The Hedge
The hedge defines the shape of the main garden, screens it from the play area, and provides a rich backing for the flowers. It should be at least four feet high. Hemlock, or an upright variety of yew, would be ideal, but if these plants are too expensive, privet can be used. Certain woody trees, such as the hedge maple (Acer campestre), or beech, planted close together and kept trimmed to hedge height, would also be suitable.
The Flower Beds
Roses would be pretty near the terrace and would provide season-long color, but if they are unacceptable, the two rose beds could be planted with daylilies (Hemerocallis). These are among the easiest plants to maintain, and, if the right varieties are selected, a long succession of bloom is possible. Daylily catalogs list hundreds of kinds and give their flowering dates. Other suggestions for these two beds are dwarf evergreen azaleas, a collection of lilies, chrysanthemums interplanted with annuals, or simply annuals. Whatever treatment is decided on, the two beds should match.
The far border is backed by the hedge, and perennials from the old garden are used as a foundation, with spring flowering bulbs and annuals interplanted in clumps. A mixed border such as this should be planned, not planted in haphazard fashion. Perennials of strong character, such as peonies, make a good backbone, with the other plants grouped around them.
