DIY Network

Getting Started From "Weekend Gardening" episode WKG-209

Project time: 11 hours

Tools:
Standard garden tools
Pots for accents
Potting soil
Bamboo stake
Stone slab for table
Ceramic chimney flues for table legs
Sandstone steppingstones
Artistic accents
Furniture (optional)
Plant material

Garden spot: before.

Garden spot: after.

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Figure A

The essence of an interesting garden depends on how much of an artist you are willing to become. Blooming plants make up the bulk of the artist's palette in the creation of a bright, sunny garden. A shady or dark gardening space, however, opens up a different concept of thinking: how to create the illusion of sunlight. The solution is foliage, not blooms. Foliage gardening is one of the newest trends in gardening. The result is a sophisticated, relaxing and visually compelling space that is also one of the easiest gardens to achieve. Foliage plants with vibrant and unusual colors can provide a visual interest for every season. Weekend Gardening host Maureen Gilmer uses the term "ziggy" to describe the latest trend in gardening: plants with high dramatic contrast, that, when done on a large scale without flowers, create a high degree of interest, provide excitement to the eye and are low maintenance.

To transform a dark space into an exciting one, it's important to be aware of the color value of plants, a term that refers to a plant's lightness or darkness. Dark-colored plants (dark color values) disappear if planted deep in a shady space, while variegated or light-colored plants (light color values) give the illusion of light. If masses of light-colored plants are interspersed with darker plants, the plants create a color contrast that is visually exciting: they serve as a frame to highlight one another (figure A). Variegation of foliage (multiple colors or shades on each leaf) and the size, shade and texture of foliage will also reflect light and play off plants to create visual interest.

The plants used in this garden are suited to a Northwestern climate. For plants suited for your climate and planting zone, check with your local garden centers and nurseries and on DIYnetwork.com.

RESOURCES :
Plants from Simply Beautiful
Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com

Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Portland, OR 97221-3540
Phone: 503-977-7808;
Fax: 503-244-2745
Website: www.terranovanurseries.com

Whitney Farms
www.whitneyfarms.com

Whitewater Rock & Supply
Whitewater Rock and Supply
Whitewater, CA 92282
Email: wwrock@aol.com
Website: www.whitewater-rock.com

WOLF-Garten of North America, L.P.
Minneapolis, MN Phone: 612-455-1500
WOLF-Garten of North America L.P.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-455-1500
Website: www.ohmygarden.com

Garden Maker Software
Garden Maker Software
Email: mo@moplants.com
Website: www.moplants.com/garden_maker_software.html

Chimney flue pipes
Logan Clay Pipes
Website: www.loganclaypipe.com

GUESTS :
Kate Karam
Garden Designer
Los Angeles, CA
E-mail: gardensla@aol.com