| Curbside Planting |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-414 |
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Q: How can I increase my house's curb appeal? A: (from Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening expert) One of the best ways to accomplish this is with landscaping. Just a few plantings in strategic areas, such as curbside or near the front porch, can really improve the appeal of your home. Before you begin, keep in mind that curbside plants will face condition that those in your flower beds may not. So be sure that any plants you select are hardy and able to withstand auto exhaust and foot traffic. Among the plants Burns recommends for curbside use are the following: - Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) -- hardy groundcover that can stand up to heavy foot traffic (figure A)
- Evergreen jasmine -- displays gold foliage in the autumn (figure B)
- Sedum -- a succulent, great for dry areas (figure C)
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) -- features bright-red berries (figure D)
- Salvia -- a member of the sage family with soft-looking foliage (figure E).
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you're planting: - Vary plant heights and textures, and remember that if you're planting near the road or a driveway, you don't want plants that will be tall enough to impede visibility.
- If you wish, add compost or fertilizer to the soil as you dig to help the plants get started.
- Remove each plant from its pot and use your fingers to loosen up the root ball.
- Make sure the hole is deep enough that the plant doesn't sit above the opening -- but not so deep that it sits too far down in the ground.
If you plan to plant near the house, boxwood (figure F) is a good choice, as it stays full-bodied with regular trimming and also can be trimmed into almost any shape. You might also wish to accent the area with colorful flowering shrubs (check your local nursery for suggestions) and even with potted plants tucked among the shrubbery.
RESOURCES :
Easy, Practical Pruning: Techniques for Training Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Roses
Model: 0395815916
Author: Barbara Ellis
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
80 Great Natural Shade Garden Plants
Model: 0609800434
Author: Kenneth Druse
Order this book from Amazon.com
(April, 1997)
Easy Care Shade Flowers
Model: 0671755676
Author: Patricia A. Taylor
February 1993
A Gardener's Guide to Planters, Containers and Raised Beds
Model: 0806942436
Author: Chuck and Barbara Crandall
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Roses: A Growing Guide for Easy, Colorful Gardens
Model: 0028626362
Author: Mary C. Weaver & George Ball, Jr.
December 1998
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