Finding Your Way: Creating a Garden Path

Posted on by
1

Garden paths can be purely aesthetic, functional or both.  They can be invitations to the garden visitor to explore the landscape or perhaps just a convenient route for the landscaper to tend the garden.  Some paths are even created for our four-legged friends in hopes they will not tromp through the flowers.  Whatever the reason, a well-designed and well-placed path can enhance the livability and functionality of your garden.

Gravel: 

Budget friendly, low maintenance and provides good drainage.  Has the ability to handle fairly heavy traffic.  Consider adding a border, so gravel pieces don’t spill out into the landscape.

Pavers:

Give a more formal look and can handle heavy traffic.  You’ll want to make sure a proper base is constructed prior to laying pavers.  Never place pavers on bare soil.

Mulch:

Probably the most common, convenient and budget friendly material.  Has a natural look and best for low traffic areas.  Will need to be replenished yearly.

Turf:

Comfortable to walk on and can handle fairly heavy traffic but requires quite a bit of maintenance to keep it looking neat and tidy.  Make sure when designing a turf path that it’s wide enough to fit a mower.

Sweeney’s can help design and install a path based on your needs and budget.  We can even provide a “concept” design/photo to help you envision your path.

“Some people like to make a little garden out of life and walk down a path.”

Jean Anouilh

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney

The Evening Garden

Posted on by
Reply

With the onset of summer temperatures, oppressive humidity to be exact, I have a confession to make.  I really don’t spend much time outdoors when temperatures start to exceed 80 degrees with 100% humidity.  I run to my air-conditioned car from the air-conditioned house, and to the air-conditioned office from my air-conditioned car, and you get the picture.  I will, however, creep out in the evening, when the sun isn’t so harsh and the temps have dropped off some.  This is truly the time I enjoy my garden the most.  I would guess, even if you loved the heat and humidity, with your busy schedules, that evening is the time you finally get to enjoy your garden during the week.  There’s definitely something romantic and tranquil about the garden in the evening, so why not plant one specifically for this time of day?

First, you’ll want to start with a location that can be easily viewed from your favorite chaise lounge, deck or porch – that special place you like to retreat to after a long day.  Then you want to consider colors.  Dark, cool colors like blues, reds and purples will be lost in the waning light of dusk, so choose light colors, like white, cream or yellow.  Pale pinks and blues can also work, but they will need to be offset by lighter colors (i.e. white, cream or yellow).  Just like with any other garden, you’ll want to choose a mix of spring, summer and fall blooming perennials, so your evening garden has a constant flow of color and interest.  Annuals bloom all season long and are great fillers when perennials are not at their peak.  Finally, consider fragrance.  What is more intoxicating and relaxing than a waft of night-blooming stock, peony or nicotiana.  Herbs are also a great choice.  An absolute must for your evening garden is  Moon Vine.  It has large, fragrant white flowers that open in the evening.  Pretty cool.

As always, when in doubt about where to plant your evening garden or which plants to choose, Sweeney’s is merely a phone call away.  We can even design your evening garden.  Just give us a call.

 

Moon Vine                                  Night Blooming Stock

 

Peony                                                     Nicotiana

The flowers that keep their odor to themselves all day;

But when the sunlight dies away,

Let the delicious secret out.

To every breeze that roams about.

- Anonymous

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney

Butterfly Gardening

Posted on by
Reply

Location, location, location!  You’re going to need a warm, sunny location in order to attract butterflies.  These beauties are cold-blooded creatures that require sun to warm their bodies, so locate a place within your yard that offers lots of sun and protection from the wind – perhaps near a wall, fence or even a hedge.  Additionally, creating a “resting” stop with dark-colored stones, rocks or boulders that attract and hold heat can be very inviting and will allow the butterflies to fly longer, eat more, search for mates, lay more eggs and ultimately bring more butterflies to your garden.   You may even consider adding a small “wet” spot.  A large rock with a small depression kept full of water is a great option.

To attract and feed them, plant large groups of flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.  In other words, make sure when one plant is done blooming, another plant is just beginning, providing choice nectar from spring until fall.  Because butterflies have a mouth similar to a drinking straw, they prefer easy access to nectar.  Unlike Hummingbirds, butterflies do not hover above plants but rather land on them, so sturdy stemmed plants with flat center discs seem to be the perfect platform for dining.  Coneflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Cosmos, Asters and Black-eyes Susans are perfect examples.  Other plants with clusters of small flowers, like Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Bush, Alyssum, Mint and Phlox are good choices as well.  Most butterflies seem to favor pink, lavender and purple flowers, but some varieties will visit other colors.  Butterflies have an exceptional sense of smell and seem to be attracted to heavily scented flowers.  Heirloom and old-fashioned varieties tend to be heavily perfumed.  

Butterfly gardening is not only a means of attracting these beauties, but it can be a way to preserve their populations.  Seems like a win-win!

   

Coneflower                                    Zinnia                                         Cosmos

 

Butterfly on Butterfly Bush                Butterfly on Phlox

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

And for all you Mother’s out there, we at Sweeney’s wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney