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Crazy for cool plants
Zen
Garden
Before
The homeowner had a variety of goals: get some privacy in the windows, disguise the garbage bins and make them more accessible, protect her small dogs from falling off the ramp, and incorporate her statuary in a peaceful Asian style garden. She wasn't interested in flowers.
Design
We picked simple 2ft x 2ft concrete slabs to build a path for the garbage bins, matching the exisiting path on the other side of the sidewalk. To add privacy in the window, and instead of planting large trees that would would only grow larger, we thought to mount a black garden screen on posts. After a trip to the Seattle Japanese Garden and the their many thoughtfuly designed structures, we were inspired to install 1in x 1in wood strips along the ramp. We made some modifications to the hardscaping as you'll see below.
Plants
We chose three Chamaeyparis 'Gracilis,' Hinoki Cypress, because of their graceful and very pacific northwest feel, and their relative accessibility in nice sizes for planting. Additionally, a Japanese Maple for height and texture. Underneath, a simple planting of low, glossy Mt. Vernon Laurel shrubs, Low Glow Pines, and a mix of ground covers, Red Creeping Thyme and Coral Carpet Sedum. Additionally we planted a stream of Japenese Blood Grass, bordered with steel edging to keep it from running.
Demo and Install
The team first hauled away the existing planter and tore out the lawn. Then the privacy screens were installed and painted, along with the wooden slats along the ramp. We used the same slats to build a removable screen around the utility unit.
Completed
We installed this garden in May, by July, the plants were settled in and looking lush.
Built Elements
The wood slats were painted a natural brown by the client's contractor. Her bins are hidden but easily accesible through the latched gate, and smoothly pulled down the new path.
Window Screens
The posts for the screens were painted black for simplicity.
Art in the Garden
The client's statues were varied, and so we wanted to place them each in their own space.
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