Basic Landscape Design, part 2

Second part of my design tips for a beautiful and functional landscape.

6. Plan for those who will use your landscape. This means planning for pets and children. Be aware that some plants are toxic and exclude them from the parts of the yard that may be used unsupervised.

Plan accessability for elderly family members and people with disabilities by using wide paths, gate openings and ramps instead of steps.

7. Be water wise. Irrigate or go with a xeriscape (drought tolerant plantings). You want an attractive landscape, but who wants to spend all summer watering to keep it healthy? These days the trend is toward sustainable in all we do and the ritual of watering your lawn every other day for 15 minutes a zone doesn't fall into the category of sustainable. Modern irrigation systems can be very water smart, with advanced controlers programed to apply long soakings at infrequent intervals to develope a healthy root system without  wasting water by frequent, light watering typical of older systems. Rain detectors are also becoming more of a standard feature, they keep your system from running needlessly during or after a rain.

Xeric Landscaping or xeriscape is the use of plants that are extremely drought tolerant once established (they still need watering the first year or two to get them established). Replacing a thirsty lawn with these types of plants; prairie grasses and wildflowers along with a variety of  trees and shrubs can really reduce or eliminate the need to water. The need to fertilize and apply weed control on a monthly basis is also eliminated once the planting is established.
Another way to be water wise is through the use of a rainwater harvest system. This can be as simple as a rain barrel under your downspout with a garden hose or watering can, or a complex system capturing the water from permeable pavements, rooftops, sump pumps and any other source of stormwater runoff, filtering the water through a constructed wetland, aerating the water in a recirculating water feature and a pump to transfer the captured water to its point of use. Just think of what these strategies could do for your monthly water bill!

8. Plan for the future. Remember the tree that ate the front door? Your plants will grow. Give them the space they need. What is full sun now may be very shady in 5 - 10 years. If you have a picture window with a west exposure and need some shade on it, you want a tree that will either grow quickly or be available in a large size. Or maybe both.

9. Be origional. Creating a landscape is an art. Each is a unique work and should reflect your lifestyle and tastes.

10. Be creative. Don't stop with a lawn a tree and a few shrubs. Flowering annuals and perennials, container plantings, water features, sculpture and outdoor furnishings along with fences, arbors/trellises and the paths that take you to and from these areas in your garden are all important parts of a beautiful and functional outdoor environment.