"In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood 


paths, or circulation, are an important element of a successful garden.

paths, or circulation, are an important element of a successful garden.

Garden Design

Design is an important element of a successful garden, whether it's a scaled drawing of the entire space or just some loose ideas in the mind of the gardener.  It's helpful to have a vision and a plan for how you will get there.  Applying some basic design principles can help any landscape be more successful.  Visit Carriage House Gardens for design coaching to make your gardens as beautiful and satisfying as possible.

  

 


Sedums provide reliable late summe color. Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’ bloom earlier but keep going through the summer. .

Sedums provide reliable late summe color. Helenium ‘Mardi Gras’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’ bloom earlier but keep going through the summer. .

Plant Material

Trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines are the most obvious elements of beautiful gardens.  Learn about a few basic, but wonderful, plants and get a head start on creating the gardens you want.  Stop by Carriage House Gardens to see some selections; talk with owner Lucia Droby about your specific site conditions.  'Right plant, right place' is more than just a catchy phrase!

 


Jon Burns and Adam Saunders prepare the gravel parking area at Carriage House Gardens.

Jon Burns and Adam Saunders prepare the gravel parking area at Carriage House Gardens.

Garden Maintenance

It may be enjoyable to weed the garden on occasion, but wouldn't you rather be admiring your efforts, planning the next improvements, sipping tea, reading a novel?  Use your garden for enriching pursuits and limit the time you spend yanking unwanted brutes.  A few useful tips from Carriage House Gardens can help.  


This Hypericum 'Deppe' Sunny Boulevard (St. John's Wort) in bloom is a magnet for bees.

This Hypericum 'Deppe' Sunny Boulevard (St. John's Wort) in bloom is a magnet for bees.

Creating Habitat in the Garden

What's a garden without living creatures to enjoy it?  Invite birds, butterflies, and other pollinators (bees, wasps)  into your garden by planting strategically and by providing food, shelter, water, and safety for your wildlife.  Visit Carriage House Gardens to see some examples of plant material that invite wildlife into the garden.  Get suggestions for developing your landscape habitats.