These articles on landscape design contain helpful tips on plant selection and maintenance. They were created in January-March 2005. Included among the landscape-design information are tips for selecting hedge plants and hostas. Return to the index to access information on landscape design composed in other years.
03/13/05 - Landscape Design With Hosta Plants
Hosta is a perennial prized as a groundcover for shady areas.
03/01/05 - Landscape Design With Hedges
Hedge plants may serve the practical function of affording a property some privacy or security. They can also be purely decorative. This overview of selecting shrubs for hedges includes links to more detailed articles, with pictures.
02/25/05 - Olmsted, Father of American Landscape Architecture
How's this for a resume: "I was instrumental in establishing Central Park, Yosemite Park, the viewing area for Niagara Falls and, for good measure, one of America's earliest suburbs." Meet Frederick Law Olmsted, who, while not a household name himself, left behind works that are as well known as any in America.
02/22/05 - Yew Bushes
Yews are a popular choice for evergreen hedges, especially for shaded areas in a landscape design.
02/17/05 - Enjoy an "Early Spring" Through Flower Forcing
Flower forcing is a nifty little trick for those who get impatient during the winter months for spring (Who doesn't?).
02/14/05 - Killing Weeds Organically
If you have a weed problem but also "have a problem" with the use of herbicides, soil solarization may become your favorite method for killing weeds.
02/04/05 - Bearded Irises
Like peonies, bearded irises can be highly fragrant perennials. But you have to choose the right variety.
02/01/05 - Peonies
Peonies are among the most fragrant of perennials. And if you plant some, they'll probably still be part of your landscape design long after you've departed.
01/28/05 - Ligustrum Shrubs
Although Ligustrum shrubs (privet) have fallen out of favor in some landscape-design circles, their tolerance of urban pollution often makes them a strong candidate for hedges.
01/25/05 - Landscape Design for Entrances: Dwarf Alberta Spruce Trees
The small size that these dwarf trees reach at maturity makes them a favorite to plant at house entrances, where smart landscape design rules out taller specimens as too troublesome.
01/22/05 - English Ivy Vines
Concerning English ivy, in North America, the landscape-design debate is on whether its good points outweigh its invasive nature.
01/19/05 - Wisteria Vines
Learn about one of the most beautiful perennial vines you can grow on an arbor. Wisteria vines are especially appropriate for the English country cottage style in landscape design.
01/17/05 - Starting New Lawns From Seed
Seeding lawns is cheaper than laying sod. Find out what steps are required.
01/09/05 - Laying Sod to Start New Lawns
Need a new lawn in a hurry? Then laying sod is the way to go for you.
01/08/05 - Landscape Design Color: A Flower Photo Gallery
Use the photos of flowers in this gallery (arranged according to color) to help you plan the color scheme for your landscape design.
01/07/05 - Native Plants for Landscape Design: Wetland Plants
Have a wet area in your landscape design? These native plants will thrive there.
01/05/05 - Black Plants for Landscape Design
"Black" plants is an umbrella term, meant to encompass the darkest specimens available in landscape design. Both plants with dark flowers and plants with deep-colored foliage are highly sought after for their novelty.
01/03/05 - Landscape Design for Spring: Bulb Plants
Plant spring bulbs in fall and reap a colorful harvest for your springtime landscape design.
01/01/05 - Fast-Growing Shade Trees
These fast-growers won't take a lifetime to begin casting cooling shadows upon your landscape design.
