Planting Around a Patio in the Pacific Northwest

To create the perfect garden for a seating area, choose plants from three key categories

Februaryin our region was a calendar month of wait for the weather to get better . ardent wind and longer days have lastly arrived , and most of us are desperate to get outside and do something . What good place to start than with apatio garden . A simple patio garden does n’t take much planning , and the plant you want are in the nursery aright now .

Create a space

perchance there is no “ terrace ” within your property yet , but there is a “ outer space ” that could be well - suited for one . This can be a tiny section , with just enough room for a chair and a table . Or it can be larger , with the straightforward - footage needed to hold a firepit , a table , and many chairs . Whatever your limitations , this is a place to ride and find the sun on your face and , if you ’re lucky , enjoy some shade from a nearby leafy tree diagram in the summer .

The control surface can also be simple . Pea gravel or tiny ¼-inch minus crushed rock provides a static and operational aerofoil . The adorable sound of gravel crackle underfoot is very soothing . crushed rock patios also tend to drain extremely well , so no pelting puddle will ruin the terrace party . Of of course , you’re able to also habituate pavers and flagstone to ramp up your entertaining blank space if the budget allows and skilled childbed is available .

Choose your surrounding plants wisely

works are more important around a patio sit area than in many other areas of your garden because you are so close to them . Fragrance , test ( for privacy ) , color , and anatomical structure are all matter to be considered . Starting from near the terrace and working your way outward is the best way to plant . The following are three key category of works that I conceive are indispensable in every patio garden . They will add up all of the attributes mentioned above and secure you ’ll have something interesting to attend at year - round .

Bulbs are a must-have for the spring and autumn color

Smallbulbsare good for bringing early blooms to the setting . They also naturalize readily , so they can pool around the terrace in different locations . Add ground - natural covering light bulb that flower in autumn to arrive at a splash of superfluous interest later on in the time of year as well . Here are my favourite bulbs for around the terrace .

1.Photo : Erin Presley

2.Photo : Joseph Tychonievich

3.Photo : Jason Jorgensen

Choose evergreens with fragrance

Evergreen can give 12 - months of structure , privateness , and pursuit , so they ’re essential around a terrace . Here in the Pacific Northwest we have quite a fewbroadleaf evergreensthat are fragrant , thanks to their stunning rosiness . Here are my favourite fragrant evergreen plant .

1.Photo : millettephotomedia.com

2.Photo : Jennifer Benner

Plan ahead for shade by investing in a tree or two

InMarch , shade might not seem so important , but it will in summer . A light - canopy , deciduous treeis a everlasting alternative for a patio stage setting . If you have lived in the PNW for any length of meter , you know that summers can be ardent but can also be cool . The tree diagram should have an open , small - leave canopy so bits of sunlight can still get through . I advocate either buy a tree diagram with branches that embark on up higher on the trunk , orpruninga tree diagram with low-pitched leg as it uprise so that eventually you ’ll be capable to sit under it . Here are two of myfavorite treesfor this situation .

1.Photo : Joshua McCullough

Now add a chair , a couple of pots , some lighting , and a table for a transcript ofFine Gardeningmagazine , and you will have create the perfect patio garden .

For more Pacific Northwest regional account , go here .

Susan Calhoun is the owner of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

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