Horticulturist Maureen Gilmer's dilemma: how to create something out of almost nothing. The narrow, shady space she's challenged with does have a nice view, so it's worth saving. When she's finished, she will have created an outdoor room -- mostly with plants! For an average do-it-yourselfer, the project's requirements are as follows: Skill Level: 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult)
Time Needed: 12 hours (for 20' x12' space)
Supplies:
Yellow construction twine
Wood stakes
Wood clothespins
Compost
1" ground-fir bark
Pea gravel
Weed-control fabric
Statue
Teak bench
Plant material (see list) Tools:
Standard gardening tools
Shovel
Iron bow rake
Garden hose
14-lb. pry bar
Hammer Instructions:
- Water area 24 hours in advance to soften ground.
- Using three stakes and some construction twine, create a 90-degree angle where cypress trees will be planted. The length of the string line depends on the size of area to be planted.
- Attach a clothespin to the twine every 3' to indicate ultimate placement of trees (figure A).
- Score a line in the soil along the string line so that it can be removed for digging.
- Dig an individual hole for each tree if you're using small, immature trees in five- to seven-gallon containers. If you're using mature trees, in 15-gallon containers (figure B), you should dig a trench for all of the trees. The hole should be deep enough so that the top of the rootball is level with the ground (figure C).
Expert tips: - An alternative to the Italian cypress is skyrocket juniper. It has a similar form but is a little wider, and the color is a little more blue.
- Our under plants include Jerusalem sage, French lavender and green and gray santolina.
RESOURCES :
Plants from Monrovia Growers
Monrovia Growers
Website: www.monrovia.com
Plants from Ball Horticultural Company
Various plant material
Ball Horticulture Company
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com
GUESTS :
Tim Thibault
Email: thibault@descansogardens.com
Website: www.descanso.com
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