Focal points. Focal points. and features in today s gardens. and features in today s gardens. Suzette Stephenson & Louise van Rooyen

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Rooyen I dedicate this book to my first grandchild, Michael Stephenson, who

1 Focal points and features in today s gardens Focal points and features in today s gardens Suzette Stephenson & Louise van Rooyen Suzette Stephenson & Louise van Rooyen I dedicate this book to my first grandchild, Michael Stephenson, who brings so much joy and love to the family. May he spend many happy hours in the garden.

2 Contents Introduction 6 Feature plants The magic of colour First impressions Structural elements Original ideas Statues and ornaments Up the garden path Contained splendour Illumination Creative completion Stylish seating Water features acknowledgements 160

3 Introduction Garden design is the outdoor equivalent of home décor. It combines elements of fashion, trend and personal taste with shape, form and function, and relies on conventions and traditions similar to those of interior design. And the most important of these is visual impact. Every room, whether it is in the house or in a garden, needs a focal point a point to which the eye is drawn and on which it comes to rest. Focal points in a garden add structure to the design and are visually important in that their impact invites the visitor in. Because they guide movement around the garden and give form and focus to the composition and structure as a whole, the choice and positioning of focal points is crucial to the success of a garden plan. Gardens should never be static. To fully appreciate the space, they should invite and inspire movement and exploration and focal points lead the way. A focal point may be the perfect placement of a simple garden pot at the end of a path, or a dramatic fountain framed by an avenue of trees. It could be a bench under a rose-covered trellis, an urn or statue, a piece of sculpture, a gate leading to another garden room. At its most subtle, it may be a reflective pond or pool or the soothing sound of running water. 5 Introduction

The curve in the road creates anticipation by hiding what lies ahead and drawing the visitor to discover where it leads. The strip of lawn between the tracks adds extra dimension.

4 A glorious, flowering azalea (Rhododendron) offers a blaze of colour next to a curved path. The path is flanked with mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) forming a soft, thick edge to the beds while serving as a groundcover to retain moisture and contain the soil. The curve in the road creates anticipation by hiding what lies ahead and drawing the visitor to discover where it leads. The strip of lawn between the tracks adds extra dimension. Azaleas grow well under deciduous trees because they need the sun during cold winter months. Add peat moss to the soil and feed regularly during the growing months. Rocks, huge trees some of which fade away into the mist and lots of greenery extend a warm welcome to this large garden. Most of the trees are pines (Pinus ponderosa), usually grown for timber, with an old-fashioned rambling Banksia adorning a large section of its trunk. Nestling at its feet is a beautiful specimen of Gunnera manicata, not often seen in South Africa. The moist conditions in this KwaZulu-Natal garden are ideal to promote lush growth, with even the mist playing an intricate role in maintaining ideal conditions. Gunnera boast some of the biggest leaves of broad-leaved plants and are mainly used for their stunning foliage, whereas some have interesting flower spikes.

Tips for paths Lengths of wood edging the path and holding back the soil add to the natural feel of a rustic garden. In time these will become home to all manner of insects and wildlife.

Rather allow them to meander, leading to a focal point, view or another garden room. If you have a big garden, make your paths wide enough for two people to walk side by side, usually about 1,6 m.

If you are in the process of constructing a paved area, shape the earth-and-sand base on which the bricks or tiles are to be placed so as to direct the water into the garden.

One side of the driveway can be made slightly raised, so that water will be directed to one side of the driveway only.

If the area is in the sun, consider planting a rose garden, for example. If it is a shady spot, plant ornamental shrubs and flowers such as azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and impatiens.

5 Tips for paths Lengths of wood edging the path and holding back the soil add to the natural feel of a rustic garden. In time these will become home to all manner of insects and wildlife. When using wooden rings cut from tree trunks, set them on a bed of gravel chips that ensures good drainage and prevents the wood from rotting. Try not to make paths too straight or too long. Rather allow them to meander, leading to a focal point, view or another garden room. If you have a big garden, make your paths wide enough for two people to walk side by side, usually about 1,6 m. Make sure the treat of the steps is wide enough to walk on comfortably. Try to be as waterwise as you can. If you are in the process of constructing a paved area, shape the earth-and-sand base on which the bricks or tiles are to be placed so as to direct the water into the garden. A brick driveway can, for example, be slightly raised in the centre so that water flows to the outer edges and into the undergrowth. One side of the driveway can be made slightly raised, so that water will be directed to one side of the driveway only. Make areas that receive higher-than-average water (either from rain or runoff created by paths, driveways and other focal points) a high-water zone and plant with moisture-loving plants. If the area is in the sun, consider planting a rose garden, for example. If it is a shady spot, plant ornamental shrubs and flowers such as azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and impatiens. Do remember to water this high-water zone regularly during dry months. If your existing paved areas have kerbing that results in wasteful water loss, remove some or all the kerbing to allow rainwater to reach the garden. Use pathways to invite discovery and allow them to meander between garden spaces. Hidden pathways, for example, suggest mysterious journeys. These are all good examples of meandering pathways, carrying a sense of mystery and anticipation. Pebbles and pavers make a practical combination that will take care of excess water and remain visually interesting. A stairway built from natural stone and inlaid with natural sleepers creates a planting pocket for the Dymondia margaretae Silver Carpet an excellent plant to introduce colour contrast. The Dymondia bears yellow flowers in summer when it will echo the yellow-green of the Duranta erecta Sheena s Gold. The tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica), aspidistras and arum (Zantedeschia aethiopica) provide variety of texture. The white margin of the aspidistra complements the white lily-like flowers of the arums. Tip Use hardy groundcovers between steps such as these. Dymondia grows in full sun and is fairly drought resistant. It is a useful, evergreen, mat-forming groundcover that adds colour with its silver underside, dark green leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. The wide pathway up a slope will slow you down so that you can enjoy the cherry blossoms covering the gravel underfoot. The amazing beauty and transience of cherry blossoms symbolise mortality, while the white flowers of Erigeron along the sides add their delicate beauty to the picture. Treated poles have been set wide apart to contain the gravel, form different levels and act as steps. 9 10

This gives the illusion that the garden is actually part of that room and an extension of the house.

6 Lighting at night can help create new emphasis and highlight areas that are less prominent during the day. A very confined garden space sited immediately outside a window, for example, can be brightly lit to the same level as the room from which it is viewed. This gives the illusion that the garden is actually part of that room and an extension of the house. Runway lights set flush with the ground are particularly appropriate lining a path or lawn, to create or emphasise a vista. On a path to a front door they provide a guide without being too intrusive. If the path is paved, it is easier to place the lights in a strip of gravel on either side of the path. On the lawn they should be flush with the soil so that they can be mown over and not be damaged by the lawn mower. These garden lights create a magical landscape, with the well-lit fountain dominating a stunning display at night. The lighting from the sides creates interesting shadows on the gravel path, and is reflected in between on the white retaining wall. Everything contributes to the drama created on the way to the magnificent focal point. Tip Avoid planting deciduous trees and shrubs near your water feature or pool, as falling leaves from these specimens tend to clog pump filters. Lighting along pathways has the dual purpose of providing safe passage and welcoming the visitor. Lights also soften the formal structures, changing the character of the garden at night. Tip Lights fitted with solar panels are freely available and easy to use, especially in areas with long daylight hours. 11

Focal points and features in today s gardens Suzette Stephenson & Louise van Rooyen 260 x 210 mm 160 pp Soft cover with flaps RRP: R185.

za Metz Press is an independent publisher of high quality information books and illustrated non-fiction for the local market as well as the international co-edition market.

Other gardening books by Publisher: Wilsia Metz Tel: +27 (0)21 913 7557 Mobile: +27 (0)83 424 6662 Fax: +27 (0)21 913 5102 or 086 575 5769 Email: info@metzpress.co.

za Postal address: PO Box 7322, Welgemoed, 7538, South Africa Street address: 1 Cameronians Avenue, Welgemoed, 7535, South Africa This sequel to Today s gardens deals with features and focal points

7 Focal points and features in today s gardens Suzette Stephenson & Louise van Rooyen 260 x 210 mm 160 pp Soft cover with flaps RRP: R ISBN Publication date: April 2012 Available in Afrikaans: Fokuspunte en verfraaiings in eietydse tuine ISBN METZ PRESS Metz Press is an independent publisher of high quality information books and illustrated non-fiction for the local market as well as the international co-edition market. We have sold rights to our books in countries all over the world, having impressed reputable international companies with our quality of content and production and our ability to deliver. Other gardening books by Publisher: Wilsia Metz Tel: +27 (0) Mobile: +27 (0) Fax: +27 (0) or info@metzpress.co.za Web: Postal address: PO Box 7322, Welgemoed, 7538, South Africa Street address: 1 Cameronians Avenue, Welgemoed, 7535, South Africa This sequel to Today s gardens deals with features and focal points that draw the attention, add interest and give a garden special appeal. Learn how to use statues, sculptures, fixed structures, water features, plants and more to add the finishing touch to your garden. Magnificent commissioned photographs taken in gardens throughout the country, with extended captions, show and tell you how to achieve the illustrated effect in your own garden. With loads of hints and tips throughout, the book not only inspires but has a solid, practical application. The contents include: Paths and paving Containers Colour and its use Edging and finishing Statues and structures Original ideas Lights and lighting Plants as focal points ISBN METZ PRESS

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