Corner Landscaping Ideas
This gardening season, go to your corner. The corners of your yard are excellent places to start a manageable-sized garden, whether you are a novice or have exhausted all of your other available gardening space. With a little preparation and planning, you can dazzle up your front yard for passersby or create a private backyard retreat in a secluded spot. Here are some ideas to wake up an often-neglected spot and make the most of your corner space. Does this Spark an idea?
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Consider an Anchor
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The back of the corner garden should have a backdrop: a design element that visually anchors the garden in place. If you already have a fence or retaining wall at the rear of your desired space, these would be appropriate anchors. If you don't have a permanent structure, you can use evergreens, deciduous shrubs, ornamental grasses and high perennials with similar results. Boxwoods are a great anchor for formal settings; high grasses such as Miscanthus Sinensis provide a relaxed feel; and one of the many giant hosta varieties are suitable for corner shade gardens.
Choose a Focal Point
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The difference between a good corner garden and a great corner garden is strategic use of focal points. Focal points come in many shapes and forms. They can be live plants--such as a bright-red perennial bee balm or a dwarf Japanese maple tree. They can be inanimate objects--such as a garden flag, a bird bath or a large rock. Or your focal point can be a mixture of both--for example, a bucket cascading over with flowers or an old suitcase spilling with florals.
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Add Seasonal Interest
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When planning your corner garden, consider each season. Focal points are a quick and easy way to swap seasonal elements. If you've used a wheelbarrow full of impatiens for the summer, for example, fill it with gourds in the fall and evergreen branches in the winter. Many plants also provide interest year-round, such as the Corkscrew Hazel, with its twisted branches and catkins, or the Burning Bush shrub, with brilliant red leaves in autumn.
Use Texture and Color
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As with any garden, varying textures and colors can produce visually stimulating effects. When considering colors, choose complementary hues and be sure to read plant instructions to make certain that blooming times match. Don't forget about leaf color, which also can add interest and contrast long after flowers have faded.
Special Considerations
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If you live on a corner lot, make sure your new foliage doesn't impair visibility for drivers at intersections. Choose shorter plants and leave higher stems for another part of your yard. Finally, before choosing plants, consider sun requirements, soil types and water needs for your newly created gardening space. It would be a pity to invest in a dazzling hosta garden filled with leaves of varying sizes and an array of blues, greens and yellows only to have them die out for lack of shade.
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