Over the last decade of gardening in Southern California,
I've been slowly learning how to choose plants I like
and design a garden that can grow and develop over years.
{disease resistant}
My first step is getting inspired~magazines, gardening books,
and the beautiful yards I walk past in my neighborhood offer plenty of ideas.
I've realized that it's important to narrow my focus~
identify the style I gravitate toward the most (for me it's French/English country-ish),
limit my color palette (whites, pinks, blues, and purples with plenty of different shades of green),
and make sure to repeat the same plants throughout the landscape.
{consistent, full flowering all season long}
What I don't tend to do anymore is go to the gardening section of Lowe's or Home Depot,
or to a nursery and just pick plants that look great.
I've found that impulse buying doesn't pay off for me in the garden.
{prolific beautiful creamy white blooms}
If I think a particular plant will work in my garden
I keep my eyes open for it in people's yards or in the landscaping in my area.
You may think I'm crazy, but I then kind of stalk the plant ~ watching how it looks in different seasons, if it gets leggy or too dry and burnt in our SoCal summer. I research the growing habits and then,
if I'm still interested, I bide my time until I can find an affordable (usually tiny) version to purchase.
{dramatic and classic in the landscape}
So, for me gardening ~ even garden design ~ is a long term process,
and the fun is in the process of creation over time,
watching the plants grow into the vision I have for them,
and always making adjustments,
enjoying the seasonal transformations,
being willing to tear things out, cut things back,
and try something new.
{complements any decor}
I totally agree on you have to plan for what plants will work in your garden - not just impulse buy at Lowes. Looking at neighbor's or old established gardens are great ideas! Love your photos. Have a great night!
ReplyDelete