i would like to some ideas on landscaping my backyard in a southwestern landscape?
blackfootgirl asked:
i would also like some plant and flower ideas; i live in the north
i would also like some plant and flower ideas; i live in the north
11.28.2008
4 Responses to “i would like to some ideas on landscaping my backyard in a southwestern landscape?”
Hi there. A lot of southwest landscaping incorporates the use of less water. Check out ideas related to an arroyo seca. It is made with rock with places for southwestern plants like cacti, can help you. Be sure these plants are hardy for cold weather. Some won’t survive. The arroyo seca is like a large rock garden with plants that don’t require a lot of water to maintain.Have a great time with your project and good luck
Check the yellow pages under “Landscape Architect.” They are experts in design, and know which plants will be suitable for your particular area.
A Concept Plan isn’t too expensive, and should include a general design layout and a list of plants to use for different situations. Unfortunately I’m probably not licensed in your State. I have done a lot of work in the Las Vegas area woking with someone who was licensed in Nevada, so am quite experienced in that style of design and won a couple of awards on projects I’ve worked on down there. I use a similar design here, which is probably a similar climate to where you are.
Click on my profile and e-mail me and give me the specifics on where you are, I may be able to recommend someone in your area.
living in the north kind of limits your options as far as perennials go, because sowuthwestern plants will not survive cold winters.
you might want to cosider using a lot of large potted plants that would have to be brought indoors in the early fall. cactus, aloe, yucca are all good choices for large terra cotta pots.
there is one yucca that is hardy for northern climates: yucca filamentosa (common name–Adam’s needle) try growing 1 or 2 as strong focal points.
a patio made of terra cotta colored tiles (you can get cement blocks dyed terracotta now too) would give your yard a S.W. flair. also having a chimmenia (wood-burning terra cotta stove) on the patio would add some functional and visual interest.
black wrought-iron or twig patio furniture with some navajo print throws would add a splash of bold color. A small fountain could work, but just make sure it is not too elaborite or “greek” looking. choosing a terra cotta over white or gray in all your pots and statuary, patio blocks, etc. will help create the S.W. feeling.
some annual plants you could grow that would fit the theme are:
-sunflowers (many varieties ranging in height from 1 foot to 8 feet, and ranging in color from white thru all the yellows and oranges to red and burgundy)–you could easily do a whole yard in just sunflower varieties alone.
-california poppies (bright orange and drought tolerant)
-rudbeckia (large, bright golden yellow daisies, the best rudbeckia is a variety called “Indian summer” its 2 1/2 feet tall)
-gazania (short, brightly colored daisies with jagged leaves; comes in hot colors)
some perrenials for a S.W. themed garden:
-sedum-succulent leaves; they look like desert plants but are perfectly hardy for northern gardens (come in many many varieties ranging in height from 1 inch to 1 foot), the small ones make excellent groundcover or to grow amongst rocks–make sure and get the ones that have yellow or white flowers.
-hens and chicks- succulent leaves, these are very tough and hardy little plants, they look just like tiny aloe vera plants. they are very drought resistant and will grow on the surface of a rock or between paving stones and patio blocks.(about 2-4 inches tall, and spread very quickly).
it would also look great to have a few pots of herbs on your patio. sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme. the silvery gray-green leaves look awesome in terra cotta pottery or strawberry jars.
I’d be real careful about adding accents like wagon wheels, lanterns, split rail fences, etc. or you’ll end up with the rustic country bumpkin look instead of true southwestern.
use terra cotta wherever possible
choose plants that bloom in yellow, orange, white, (a little red is okay) and that have grey-green leaves or succulent leaves.
keep the ornamentation to a minimum and keep it plain and simple and not at all classical or European.
You sure get around, girl. One minute you live in the south and want your yard to look woodsy and a few minutes earlier you live in the north and want a Southwestern landscape. A you a gypsy?