DIY Network

Privacy Planting, Stream Bed Privacy Planting, Stream Bed From "Weekend Gardening" episode WKG-313

With the site now cleared, graded and enhanced with the addition of the retaining wall, host Maureen Gilmer begins placing the first group of plants. She also creates the look of a stream bed using Mexican black pebbles ....

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Plant for privacy.
Plant an Aurora ® Dogwood tree, strategically positioning it to create some separation and privacy from the next-door unit or other nearby / adjacent structure (Here, Gilmer plants the tree in the site' s upper-left corner.)

Lay out pebbles.
Lay out Mexican black pebbles in the middle of the planting area to create the illusion of a dry stream bed running through the center. Besides giving the garden a natural appearance, it will also make it seem larger than it really is.

Plant Golden Variegated Sweet Flag.
Plant this acorus on either side of the dry streambed. Not only will the bright green-yellow color contrast nicely with the dark pebbles, it gives the appearance of reeds naturally growing along the edge of the water.

Plant Majestic Lilyturf.
Plant this liriope in the lower right corner of the planting area to create the sense of a riverbank reed mass.

Plant Petite Indigo ® Dwarf Butterfly Bush.
Plant one of these dwarf forms of buddleia shrubs in front of the dogwood tree -- and the other in the lower right corner with the liriope.

RESOURCES :

Mexican pebbles
Valley Building Materials
Website: www.valleybuildingmaterials.com

Mulch
Whitney Farms
Website: www.whitneyfarms.com

Maureen Gilmer, Horticulturalist & Author
Website: www.moplants.com

Suggested books/design software:
Gaining Ground by Maureen Gilmer
The Budget Gardener by Maureen Gilmer
Maureen Gilmer's Garden Maker Software