DIY Network

Finished Garden Finished Garden From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-104

Eleven hours into the project, all that's left to do is finish the garden floor with geraniums.

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White Cranesbill geranium

Unlike your mother's geraniums, the varieties we've chosen were developed from wildflowers in Europe. These low-spreading plants are tough and very cold-hardy in northern winters; they'll be perfect between the flagstones. We'll be using White Cranesbill (Geranium Sanguineum 'Album') and Ballerina Cranesbill (Geranium Cinereum 'Ballerina').

Tim Thibault, of Descanso Gardens, says, "The geraniums of Europe are in the genus Geranium; the South African varieties are in the genus Pellargonium. They're both in the same family, Geroniaciae; the primary difference between the two is a small hook on the back of the floral structure in the pellargoniums. The pellargoniums have been highly hybridized to produce a wide variety of plants for a number of different landscape situations.

Groundcover for Rock Garden

Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatus) is perfect between flagstones where there are odd shapes of cracks and crevices. They are sold in square flats, which make it easy for you to cut just the right shape for each area to be filled between the stones. Estimate the size and shape and use a kitchen knife to the flat just as you would a sheet cake (figure A), then lift it out piece by piece (figure B). Although some will come out easily, others will need a little manipulation to be pulled free, depending on how heavily rooted each section is.

Fit it piece by piece into the crevices (figure C), planting it as close together or as far apart as you like. Over time, it will grow and fill in the spaces, but for an instant effect, you can fill in the spaces entirely. You can put it together like a patchwork quilt; even tear it in pieces if necessary. Continue until you've filled in the space to be covered.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Note: Planting groundcover between the pavers will help integrate the walk with the garden.

In just one weekend, we've traded this high-maintenance, water-consuming lawn for a beautiful flagstone entry garden that seamlessly connects the deck and water garden (figure D). Before, the area was plain, with no association between existing landscape elements; now, it's visually enriched by plantings that create an association between the water garden and the deck. So now, instead of spending their weekends mowing, watering and fertilizing, the homeowners can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy their newly beautified surroundings!

Figure D

In three years, the plants will have matured, giving the space a natural look with the impression that it's always existed in this space.