Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home
Transforming your garden into a capture haven often involve tackling unsightly elements that threaten to derail your vision . Having contrive gardens for 25 years , I ’ve yet to meet a gardener who has n’t had to deal with at least one eyesore in their garden . From awkwardly locate gas meters , noisy A / C unit , or brood neighboring rooflines ( just to name a few ! ) , these eyesores can easily take away from the harmoniousness of your outside space . However , with a bit of creativity , the following innovational and practical answer can facilitate blend , hide out , or soften these everyday garden mar .
A series of strategically placed mid - sized division blend harmoniously with this kitchen garden while obscuring unsightly water filters , electrical box , and cleansing station . The French Laundry Garden . photograph by : Rebecca Sweet .
PLANTS TO THE RESCUE!
All gardens have their challenges , whether its disguising an awkwardly located water supply meter , hiding an unsightly AC unit , or creating a bit of privateness from neighbors . as luck would have it , with some careful preparation and placement , specific plant varieties are often quite effective at disguise even the most obtrusive eyesore , helping them to blend with your beautiful garden .
forfend the enticement to plant a single specimen straight off in front of the eyesore , which instead of disquiet the oculus can have the paired effect . Instead , place an outsize works or little pigeonholing of plants next to the unit , which re - orchestrate the line of sight to a more pleasant sight . The Macomber garden . picture by : Rebecca Sweet .
Tall Privacy Screening
Privacy is often miss in suburban region with two - story home build close together . While trees may be an obvious cover solution , narrow tidy sum dimensions or HOA rules can often make this unmanageable . Luckily , many trees are available with upright , columnar shapes , stark for miserly space , such asAcer‘Armstrong Gold’,Parrotia persica‘Persian Spire ’ , orCeltis occidentalis‘Prairie Sentinel ’ . And , do n’t forget about larger shrub that can also be pruned into small-scale trees , such asPrunus caroliniana‘Bright ‘ n Tight ’ orDodonaea viscose(hopseed bush ) .
A rowing of fast - growing evergreenPrunus caroliniana‘Bright ‘ n Tight ’ shrubs were lop into a tree chassis to obscure the neighboring roofline . Another advantage of using this tree - mould shrub is it allow opportunity for planting beneath the tree , result in a full and superimposed garden bottom in a skinny outer space . The Miller Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
Small to Mid-Size Living Screens
When using a works to mask an eyesore , it ’s not always about the sizing of the plant . Often , a plant with oversized , bold leafage can have the opposite effect , drawing attention to the very item you ’re trying to hide ! Besides the size of a plant life , its grain can also play an essential theatrical role in serve the offender visually disappear . For example , finely textured plants with small or minute leaf course intermingle in with surrounding plants . Therefore , when order near an eyesore , the delicate textures can also aid it to recede visually .
The tenuous , slender blades of theLomandra‘Platinum Beauty ’ and mondo grass , combined with the finespun foliage of the weeping Nipponese maple , serve the electric outlet to withdraw into this belittled garden bed . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
Vines and Climbers
Vines and climber can rapidly transubstantiate oversized , unattractive garden element , such as a chain of mountains - link fence or an obtrusive outside chimney , into a canvass for exuberant foliage and colorful blossom . However , use care when choosing a vine . Descriptors like " fast - farm " or " quickly cover " often mean the vines can be belligerent and may outgrow humble spaces . It ’s authoritative to take vines that are appropriate for your garden ’s size of it and experimental condition . Consider potpourri bang for being manageable , and always keep an eye on their growth to ensure they do n’t overtake other plant life or structures .
A climbing rose or clematis can prevent an oversize , stark chimney from dominating a narrow planting bed while adding delicious odour and gorgeous blossom to the garden . The White garden . picture by : Rebecca Sweet .
STRATEGICALLY PLACED CONTAINERS
Creative container placement can work admiration for disguise common garden eyesore . When strategically placed , a stunning container can easy obliterate , or at the very least , take the spotlight off of an unsightly utility box , water metre , or neglected box . While oversized container can mask smaller eyesores , another choice is to use a variety show of container sizes and shapes to create layers with a more dynamic esthetic . When constitute with vivacious blooms and lush foliage , the eye is assume off the eyesore and back to the garden .
An ill - place pee meter along this narrow-minded side 1000 nerve tract is hidden by this originative compounding of colorful container in various colour and sizes . An added incentive is that not only is the eyesore blocked with gorgeous flowers , but the gardener ’s shins no longer get banged ! The Mitchell Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
NARROW ARBORS
Unsightly neighboring rooflines are a frequent defeat in residential neighborhood and are specially challenge in small gardens where heavy trees are n’t a screening option . narrow-minded arbors can be an excellent solution , as they have a smaller step and can add an elegant framework for climb industrial plant to turn and disguise eyesore . When choose climb pants , regard those that have fragrant and long - lasting blooming , strike foliage , or multi - season interestingness .
While the narrow-minded trellis does n’t completely obnubilate the neighboring roofline , the combining of evergreenClematis cirrhosa‘Wisley Cream ’ , ‘ Climbing Eden ’ stand up , and largeCoprosma‘Roy ’s Red ’ is enough to soften the eyesore while adding superimposed interestingness to the garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
SCREENS AND PARTITIONS
When create a optic roadblock to hide an eyesore , do n’t overlook the wallop a decorative screen or partition can have in your garden , whether it ’s used as a support for plants or stay unplanted . Let your creativity hang glide by choosing a playfulness paint colour or a material like woodwind instrument or metal that complement your garden ’s esthetical .
When using a blind to hold back an A / C or HVAC unit , it ’s crucial to consider the plant ’s well - being and the unit ’s functionality . Be mindful of the distance between the screen and the plants , ensuring a gap of at least two to three understructure for proper air circulation . Moreover , choose plants that can tolerate the hot air blowing directly on them . This manner , you’re able to maintain a balance between aesthetics and practicality in your garden .
The promising green color of this wooden screen adds personality to an otherwise sterile corner prevail by the gentle wind conditioning building block . Even though the Star Jasmine is set 3 feet off from the unit , the householder still keeps a close center on it to ensure it wo n’t rise out of bounds . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
CUSTOM CONTAINMENT
Sometimes , the best solution for concealing unsightly but necessary casual particular ( such as garden tools , bags of garden soil , waste BIN , etc . ) is to moderate them with clever customized social system . This is especially effective when placed within a side yard , which is typically out of sight from the principal garden and the perfect place to store bulky items . Painting complex body part the same colour as the home helps take out care away from them and places the focus back onto the garden .
This gardener has ingeniously create a dedicated storage field for bulky garden tool and equipment . The wooden storehouse units seamlessly immingle with the fencing , home , and garden , creating a harmonious compounding . The vivacious , layered planting beds nearby add a pop of color , leave in a side K that ’s not just functional , but also a feast for the eye . The Marschin garden . exposure by : Rebecca Sweet .
CREATIVE PATHWAYS
Cleverly designed nerve tract are highly effective in divert care by from eyesore by guiding visitant towards more visually appealing areas of the garden . Incorporating docile curves in the pathway creates a common sense of journey and discovery , encourage exploration and engagement with the garden .
When using materials like gravel or rock , the pleasing grind sound underfoot can heighten the sensory experience , drawing attending to the pathway and surrounding plants . While this auditory constituent is subtle , it ’s one more way to help oneself switch the focus aside from less attractive features .
The textural plant bordering the curving pathway , combined with the satisfying crunch of crushed rock underfoot , draw attention away from any nearby eyesores . design by Bernard Trainor . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
CREATE A DIVERSION
Add some personality to your garden while diverting attention from eyesore by strategically placed artwork , sculpture , and body of water features . For example , transmute an ordinary fence into a focal point by adding coloured containers , prowess pieces , or even a go wall . Or , create an illusion of depth and infinite while deflecting aid from unattractive chemical element by placing mirrors throughout the garden . comprise a weewee feature film not only attracts wildlife but also introduces a soothing sound that adds a sense of calm air to the garden .
The industrial cinderblock wall is softened thanks to the attached antique mirror . The mirror ’s reflective quality take the eye off the rampart while at the same time making the garden appear more grand . The Hill Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS
Sometimes , an eyesore is so unique that it ca n’t be hidden , so the practiced approach is to embrace it and strain to incorporate it into your garden ’s overall design . Fire hydrants are a distinctive example of this , as they must remain seeable for safety reason , so cover them up is n’t an option . In such case , you could change state the eyesore into an intentional feature by planting around it with complementary colors and singular flora extract that draw the visitor ’s eye to the plants rather than the objective itself .
For instance , view using flowers or foliage that echo or complement the color of the hydrant , resulting in a cohesive and integrated part of the garden . This approach not only maintains the functionality of necessary object like fire tap but minimize the misdirection in the garden .
While there ’s no mask this eyesore , the burgundy tones of the epimedium ’s foliage recall the rusty , softened colors of the flak hydrant , make it one of the most attractive fervidness hydrants in the city ! Ciscoe Morris ’s pavement garden . pic by : Rebecca Sweet .
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