Alden Lane Nursery - 981 Alden Lane - Livermore, CA 94550 - (925) 447-0280 ph - (925) 443-8512 fax
Open 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Daily - Closing at 5:00 beginning November 2
Open 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Daily - Closing at 5:00 beginning November 2
Anatomy of a Front Yard
Anatomy of a front yard
· Carve away at the edges of your lawn by widening some or all of the perimeter plantings around an existing lawn. Existing plants around the edge of a lawn are likely poised to spread out given the extra space. 10'+ borders allow you to create layers of contrasting texture and color by planting lower plants in front of existing plants. Layering adds interest. A typical plant wants to be wider than tall. Many homes the border is only 3', 4', 6', not allowing layering.
· Shrink the lawn even more by separating the lawn from the shrubs with a stone or gravel pathway instead of a bender board; this creates a line for the eye as well as access for maintenance.
· Smooth the transition from the public street to the private entry with plantings that you walk through and create a buffer against a chaotic environment. Creating a bed between your lawn and street instead of letting your lawn flow out to the street can shrink your lawn and also separate the private portion of your landscape from the street.
· Adding island or peninsula beds within your lawn reduces the lawn size and also adds interest. Make beds 10 or more feet wide so they can be layered with plantings from all edges. Shape islands beds as curving paisley or kidney shaped mound. Island beds can be built up to 12" high or more with excellent soil for easy gardening.
· Widen a section of the path to your front door or create an entry patio. Most entry walkways can benefit from widening to facilitate space for a few people to stand and offer hellos and goodbyes. By pushing a paved space several feet out into the landscape you create the feeling of a courtyard. Surround this new paved or graveled space with low plants to further reduce the size of your lawn. Widen the walkway to the street at this time as well, Older landscapes typically have narrower walkways that look updated if replaced and widened, (colored concrete, pavers,)
· Consider removing your lawn entirely and create a mounding landscape with meandering pathways in its place. A few carefully placed, curving stone or gravel paths winding through a landscape and lined with interesting drifts of plants can be much more interesting than lawn alone and will save water.
· Adorn the space with focal points to draw you along, a well placed planted urn or fountain brings focus to an entry garden. Add a bench or a bistro set to lure you out into the garden, or create the sense of welcoming a neighbor, like a front porch.
· A dry stream bed has always been a design feature for water saving landscapes. The adjustment of the terrain suggests that water is not far away and has a cooling effect.
· Plant with an interesting collection of varying heights, colors or textures. For a clean look, stick to just 3-5 plant varieties. Explore examples of landscape plant pallets with different colors and themes. Adding a small, multi-trunked tree or large shrub for height can also increase interest.
· A simple conversion includes removing or sheet mulching your lawn and converting the irrigation heads to drip, placing groupings of low to medium shrubs over the former lawn, including perhaps a pathway and areas left unplanted.
· Consider a theme, such as "butterflies and hummingbirds", or keep it simple. 5-7 planting styles include: Mediterranean European - Wild and natural look - Tropical (arid) - Asian Influences - California natives - Exotics from down under - Vintage 70s
· Group plants across the landscape by type. Massing plants for high impact and ease of care.
Getting more help:
In the nursery: Bring measurements, a scale drawing and 3-5 printed pictures for the best advice.
On site consultation:
Email me with a quick summary of your needs and we can begin a conversation. greg@aldenlane.com
- Consider the public and private areas of the landscape; one is viewed at 25 mph (on the curb) the other ¼ mph or less as you walk to the front door.
- Note the street, views, neighbors, privacy, security, setting sun, shade needs.
- Consider a gathering place near the front door.
- Allow for a transition zone from the street
· Carve away at the edges of your lawn by widening some or all of the perimeter plantings around an existing lawn. Existing plants around the edge of a lawn are likely poised to spread out given the extra space. 10'+ borders allow you to create layers of contrasting texture and color by planting lower plants in front of existing plants. Layering adds interest. A typical plant wants to be wider than tall. Many homes the border is only 3', 4', 6', not allowing layering.
· Shrink the lawn even more by separating the lawn from the shrubs with a stone or gravel pathway instead of a bender board; this creates a line for the eye as well as access for maintenance.
· Smooth the transition from the public street to the private entry with plantings that you walk through and create a buffer against a chaotic environment. Creating a bed between your lawn and street instead of letting your lawn flow out to the street can shrink your lawn and also separate the private portion of your landscape from the street.
· Adding island or peninsula beds within your lawn reduces the lawn size and also adds interest. Make beds 10 or more feet wide so they can be layered with plantings from all edges. Shape islands beds as curving paisley or kidney shaped mound. Island beds can be built up to 12" high or more with excellent soil for easy gardening.
· Widen a section of the path to your front door or create an entry patio. Most entry walkways can benefit from widening to facilitate space for a few people to stand and offer hellos and goodbyes. By pushing a paved space several feet out into the landscape you create the feeling of a courtyard. Surround this new paved or graveled space with low plants to further reduce the size of your lawn. Widen the walkway to the street at this time as well, Older landscapes typically have narrower walkways that look updated if replaced and widened, (colored concrete, pavers,)
· Consider removing your lawn entirely and create a mounding landscape with meandering pathways in its place. A few carefully placed, curving stone or gravel paths winding through a landscape and lined with interesting drifts of plants can be much more interesting than lawn alone and will save water.
· Adorn the space with focal points to draw you along, a well placed planted urn or fountain brings focus to an entry garden. Add a bench or a bistro set to lure you out into the garden, or create the sense of welcoming a neighbor, like a front porch.
· A dry stream bed has always been a design feature for water saving landscapes. The adjustment of the terrain suggests that water is not far away and has a cooling effect.
· Plant with an interesting collection of varying heights, colors or textures. For a clean look, stick to just 3-5 plant varieties. Explore examples of landscape plant pallets with different colors and themes. Adding a small, multi-trunked tree or large shrub for height can also increase interest.
· A simple conversion includes removing or sheet mulching your lawn and converting the irrigation heads to drip, placing groupings of low to medium shrubs over the former lawn, including perhaps a pathway and areas left unplanted.
· Consider a theme, such as "butterflies and hummingbirds", or keep it simple. 5-7 planting styles include: Mediterranean European - Wild and natural look - Tropical (arid) - Asian Influences - California natives - Exotics from down under - Vintage 70s
· Group plants across the landscape by type. Massing plants for high impact and ease of care.
Getting more help:
In the nursery: Bring measurements, a scale drawing and 3-5 printed pictures for the best advice.
On site consultation:
Email me with a quick summary of your needs and we can begin a conversation. greg@aldenlane.com
A recent landscape design class was quite popular so we're sharing the notes here.
