Today's Outdoor Design Dilemma comes to us from Erika C., who along with her husband will be retiring to a large farmhouse with a ravine lot. Overwhelming indeed! To help Erika get started on trimming, clearing, digging and taming the overgrown ravine into submission, our landscape expert Carson Arthur, principal of Carson Arthur Design and host of Green Force, give Erika a few pointers...
From Erika C.: "At the end of the month, we will be moving to the country to a Century
Farm House on an acre of land. My husband and I are pensioners and at a
time when most people look to retire to a condo, we’re leaving a condo
to move up to a rather large house. Should be interesting.
"I
have to say, the outside is boring to put it mildly. Besides being
boring, it is made even more challenging by the big ravine in the back
of the property (still ours). It is overgrown with bush and not the
least bit attractive. I will be wanting to create steps and terraces
(is that what you call them?) and plant flowers and greenery of all
kind. Once at the bottom, it flattens out again making a perfect site
for a lovely relaxing seating area, maybe a pond. I think this
property has the potential of becoming a real show place with the right
amount of work.
"Needless to say, funds are real tight right now.
I don’t see us doing anything that requires dollar output. Maybe you
can give me some instructions on where to get started?"
Carson says: Erika, the bush is a good thing! All of the European designers love using forest spaces as 'borrowed views'. Basically, they are back drops to what could be a fantastic garden. You have to define the space though. Here's what I would do first:
• Plant a pair of Crimson King Norway Maples as book ends on the edge of the bush. The burgundy colour will pop against the green and frame the forest.
• The next most important task is to get yourself a plan that you love, with the path as a major focal point.
Crimson King Norway Maple photo via Peatnson.com
It sounds like planting in stages will work best for your budget but you need to know where things will go as the funds become available. Planting a space without a true sense of the finished piece can end you up with something that is disjointed. Believe me when I say that it happens to the best gardeners around the world. Get a design that you are 100% happy with and make it a reality over time. Work from the house out, and you will love the results.
Got your own Outdoor Design Dilemma? Send it in! Carson has signed on to help as many of you as possible, so take a few photos and lets talk landscaping!
Previously on Design Dilemma: Carson helps with curb appeal
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