This is a good time of year to take a look at your garden to assess its structure (sometimes referred to as the bones of the garden). The bones are what give the garden its shape year round, help to anchor the garden in the landscape and give a strong framework for everything else to build off of. Garden bones are elements that provide shape, form and structure. Without the bones a garden is just a collection of plants.
You can add structure to the garden in several ways. Items such as arbors, trellises, pergolas, fencing or a water feature can add structure to your garden. Once the structural bones are in place, planting should start with the “botanical” bones. Plants with architectural qualities such as large ornamental grasses, trees, shrubs and vines help anchor plantings and provide additional structure. Once these major features are in place, then you can begin adding other plants.
Essentially a garden is a blend of plants and structures. This combination is what makes the garden functional and aesthetically pleasing. When the proportions are right and when there is structure and form, your eye moves naturally over the landscape. Sometimes it is easier to recognize when this does not work in a garden. Individual components should be sized according to their surroundings. If a plant or item is out of proportion, then it is too large or too small for its surroundings. For example a large lawn can accommodate a large flower bed, but a small flower bed looks lost and out of place.
Structural plants can be used to frame or block out views and to lead your eye around the design. Using matching containers or identical pieces of art on either side of a door or path is an effective way to frame a view. To give the garden a sense of organization and cohesiveness establish a background. Gardens without backgrounds will seem incomplete. A wall or fence can be the background, but a green, living background may be more practical and fit with the surroundings. Fences are also a good way to add vertical structure and add depth to the garden.
A hedge is ideal for marking the boundaries of a large or medium sized garden. Hedges also provide shelter and privacy. Try to strike a balance between evergreen and deciduous plants as both have different qualities. Evergreens are the backbone of every garden. Their appearance does not change through the seasons. Evergreens are effective year-round screens, but they can cast dense shade in winter, while deciduous hedges allow some light through most of the year. Deciduous trees and shrubs change their look through the year; new foliage in spring, flowers and berries in summer, leaf color in fall and many have a beautiful winter silhouette.
Hardscapes can greatly enhance your garden. (Hardscape refers to the inanimate elements of landscaping, especially any masonry work or woodwork.) Walks and paths are used to avoid walking on planted areas or to define individual spaces. How walks and paths are designed will determine the type of movement in your garden. Curves slow down movement; straight lines are fast and efficient while intersecting paths cause hesitation.
A path that works makes the garden more inviting. Curved paths reveal the garden gradually, allowing for surprises along the way such as sculptures, an arbor, or a fountain. A straight, narrow path can make a garden appear longer especially if the end is not visible. A winding path draws the eye and the visitor through the garden. In a yard with a large lawn, a stepping stone path can break up and add interest to all that green plus protect the grass from wear and tear.
Focal points draw your eye and give your eye a place to rest. Too many focal points make the garden look disorganized. Strong focal points result where visual lines intersect; for example, where a fence meets the horizon, or where a path meets the front door. Focal points can draw attention to select areas and divert attention from others. In the garden, a focal point can be a special plant or an object. Plants used as a focal point should look good year round. Using pieces of art in the garden usually slows a visitor’s movement through the garden. Placed in the center of the bed, a piece of art anchors the garden. Putting a bench or statue at the end of a long path encourages visitors to travel toward it.
Do not forget to design the ends of the garden. The ends of a garden should be anchored with a plant, or group of plants, with good structural quality. They should have great foliage and if they are deciduous they should provide winter interest.
A garden can be full of interesting treasures, plants or other accessories. Gardens can be complex, but everything must work together as a whole. One of the things that separate a good garden from a great one is the structure. There should be something beautiful or interesting to look at every day of the year.
Resources for this article include: Texas AM University and Kansas State Research and Extension.
For more information contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County Master Gardeners. They may be reached by calling 585-343-3040, ext. 127, Monday through Friday from 10 am until Noon; or stop in at our office at 420 East Main Street, Batavia. They may also be contacted via e-mail at: geneseemg@hotmail.com. Visit our CCE web site at http://genesee.shutterfly.com/. “Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County provides equal program and employment opportunities.”
On Wednesday, April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. the Genesee County Master Gardeners will host a free program on the New York State Purple Martin Project. Learn how to become a Purple Martin landlord and other ways to help conserve this fascinating bird. Free program but space is limited so please pre-register by April 5. Call Brandie at 585-343-3040 x 101. This program will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main Street, Batavia.
Orleans County Master Gardeners will hold their “Spring into Gardening Education Day” on April 6. This year’s theme is “Sustainable Gardening” with eight seminars to choose from plus a delicious lunch. Fee $25, walk-ins $30. To register contact Kim Hazel at 585-798-4265, ext. 26.
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