Bromeliads: The Ultimate Collector's Plants

Proceed with bromeliads with caution in case you have an addictive personality. All these (mostly) treetop-dwelling blossom plants would be the designer sneakers of the plant kingdom — and there are almost 10,0000 species and cultivars available, with exotic flowers and foliage in every color possible. Patterns range from pinstripes to blotches, splatters, blushes and polka dots.

Everybody prefers to have at least one bromeliad on a windowsill or in a garden. Get ready, as you’re about to get hooked.

Daniel Nolan for Flora Grubb Gardens

Botanical names: You will find 50 genera in the bromeliad family, with 3,000 species and 6,000 cultivars. The hottest genera are recorded here.

Common names: Bromeliad, vase plant, foolproof plant, queen’s tears, atmosphere plant and more

Where it can grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on species (USDA zones 8b to 11, depending upon the species; locate your zone)

Moisture requirement: Many bromeliads do not require much water, particularly those who have leathery and spiky leaves. Fill the “vases” of tank-type bromeliads (most are tank types and have watertight leaves) when they dry out. Tillandsias, that can be in the bromeliad family, may need occasional misting in dryer climates.

Light requirement: Varies. Broadly speaking, plants with leathery or spiky leaves manage the sun better. Many can be grown in different light scenarios; shade-grown plants take on greener colors and arching forms, and sun-grown specimens shape tight and vibrant rosettes.

Mature dimension: Varies, depending upon the cultivar. The “hanging mosses” of the South are now clumps of tiny air plants, while the enormous Puya raimondii can reach over 30 feet tall.

Seasonal fascination: Varies; most have attractive foliage year-round

When to plant: Year-round where hardy

Feeding: Feed bromeliads with a diluted orchid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer. Highly colored and mottled specimens look best when fertilized sparingly.

Monica Kovacic

Bromeliads have more benefits than just good looks. Vase types attach themselves to trees with their origins but absorb moisture and nutrients from the water collected within their “cups” of watertight leaves; they can be grown in containers, either attached to branches or implanted in the floor. Tillandsias are so proficient at treetop life they absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and terrestrial bromeliads are adapted to life in the desert (or swamp or jungle floor) and are outfitted with wicked-looking spines. As you can see, bromeliads are fairly diverse.

Bromeliad shows seem somewhat like art galleries, with every specimen more unique and crazy than the last. Regardless of what your preferred color combination or pattern, there’s a fairly good possibility that there’s a bromeliad with your title on it. There is a handful of species commonly sold as houseplants, but those are only the gateway drug to a trippy journey down the fractal structures of the bromeliad’s overlapping leaves and blooms. It is like every spike of flowers is its own vibrant blown-glass Dale Chihuly setup.

Planting and designing with bromeliads could not be easier. Since most have limited root systems, they’re relatively simple to dig up and relocate as needed, which is particularly helpful for growers that experience freezes in winter.

Where To Grow Bromeliads

Additionally containers. The majority of readers will be delighted to know that most bromeliads are perfectly suited to growing in containers. You can grow them as houseplants year-round or bring them outdoors in the warmer months.

Collectors swear by their preferred potting mixes, but most bromeliads aren’t too picky as long as the soil doesn’t stay too moist and the roots have space to breathe. Amending the soil with orchid bark or perlite may both contain drainage and increase airflow around the roots.

At a sunny garden. Bromeliads that can manage the sun have brighter colors, thicker markings and tighter forms when grown in sunlight. Choose specimens which have been growing in direct sun when possible, and gradually transition shade-grown plants to sunlight so they don’t burn off. The top bromeliads for full sun typically have leathery leaves, for example Neoregelia and some Aechmea. In the tropics, where sun is more intense, semi sunlight beneath a canopy of tall trees is much more preferable to prevent burning.

At a shady garden. Many bromeliads will grow in the shade, but those who are grown for their colors (Neoregelia and some Billbergia, for instance) will create long and arching green leaves rather. The top bromeliads for a shade garden include Vriesea, Guzmania and other bromeliads with glossy green foliage.

Shade-grown bromeliads collect leaf litter in their own cups, and while leaves do provide natural fertilizer, the cups should be cleaned out occasionally to prevent vase rot. Consider attaching bromeliads to tree trunks for a naturalistic appearance.

Popular Types of Bromeliads

Aechmea. You might have seen Silver vase plant (Aechmea fasciata, zones 10 to 11) before as a houseplant, with its powdery blossom leaves and light pink inflorescence, but it is rather dull in contrast to stunners like the neon-blue and pink-flowered ‘Blue Tango’ (zones 9b to 11, along with the massive orange Aechmea blanchetiana (zones 9b to 11) who are frequently utilised in tropical landscapes.

A number of the cold-hardiest bromeliads are Aechmeas also, such as ‘Blue Cone’ (Aechmea cylindrata ‘Blue Cone’, zones 8b to 11, revealed here), spiky Aechmea distichantha (zones 8b to 11) and matchstick plant (Aechmea gamosepala, zones 8b to 11).

Billbergia. The hottest Billbergia is known as queen’s tears (Billbergia nutans, zones 8b to 11) but outdated and intriguing hybrids have been grown throughout the coastal South and tropics for centuries. All are characterized by arching stems of pink bracts and hanging blossoms emerging from thin and tubular rosettes, and the effect is quite elegant.

‘Hoelscheriana’ (Billbergia ‘Hoelscheriana, zones 8b to 11) is an old hybrid with vertical tubular rosettes of rosy mottled leaves, and several of the other hybrids are rather similar. Another popular one is Billbergia pyramidalis (zones 9 to 11), that includes wide and glossy green leaves with a puffball of pink flowers in autumn. It flowers only for about a week or 2 per year, but many different bromeliads bloom only once every few years. Additionally, thanks to their narrow and vertical forms, Billbergias are ideal for smaller spaces or including a vertical component to mixed plantings.

Dyckia. Most of the bromeliads here are epiphytes, but Dyckias are terrestrial — which is, they grow exclusively on the floor. You can sometimes find them marketed with succulents at the garden centre, but they also grow best with a bit more moisture than most other succulents require. Grow Dyckia bromeliads in full sun, where they’ll achieve their best colors and put out copious blooms on tall spikes, ranging from yellow to red.

One vibrant Dyckia is ‘Cherry Coke’ (Dyckia ‘Cherry Coke’, revealed here, zones 8b to 11), that has become popular enough to make its way to the screens at some big-box retailers. ‘Red Planet’ (Dyckia ‘Red Planet’) is this a deep shade of red it approaches black, and ‘Brittle Star’ (Dyckia ‘Brittle Star’, zones 9b to 11) is notable for its narrow black leaves with white spiny margins, giving it the appearance of a creature you might encounter in a tide pool.

Guzmania. There are some very good reasons that Guzmanias are amongst the most popular bromeliads marketed as houseplants: They flourish in shade, have smooth and glossy leaves, and make for long-lasting flower displays. Due to their familiarity, they aren’t always the most exciting bromeliads readily available, but they’re some of the most resilient ones offered for indoors.

Most of the hybrids available at retailers and florists owe their lineage to Guzmania lingulata (zones 10 to 11), but there are a few more worth seeking out. Guzmania conifera (zones 10b to 11) is one such plant, and its intense orange flower spike is one of the brightest in the genus. Guzmania monostachia (zones 10 to 11) is a beautiful plant; it is native to the cypress swamps of South Florida.

Neoregelia. That is really where bromeliads get really interesting. Neoregelias like painted fingernail plant (Neoregelia spectabilis, zones 9 to 11), shown here, have “insignificant” blossoms in comparison to most other bromeliads, but the tight rosettes of Neoregelias come in so many colors and patterns you’ll overlook that the entire plant isn’t a flower in its own right.

Blushing bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae) is the most common type, with deep green leaves which dared into a fire-engine red in the heart before flowering. Additionally, there are variegated forms of the and others who have white bands down the length of every leaf. Some have blotches and bands also, such as the fiercely spiky and appropriately termed Hannibal Lector bromeliad (Neoregelia ‘Hannibal Lector’, zones 9 to 11) with its blood-red-spattered bands.

Aside from cool names (‘Grumblebum’ and ‘Sexy Pink’ to name a few ) and infinite colors, what makes this genus so fun to collect is that lots of the crops are rather small and will easily fit on a windowsill, like little pieces of sculpture. ‘Wild Tiger’ and ‘Fireball’ are a good beginning for a budding collector.

Tillandsia. Many bromeliads can dwell in the treetops, but Tillandsias do it best, with especially adapted scales called trichomes that absorb water directly from the humid atmosphere.

The most well-known Tillandsia is hanging moss (Tillandsia usneoides, zones 8 to 11), which drapes down from pine trees in the southern United States. You may have grown atmosphere plant (Tillandsia ionatha, zones 9b to 11) on a refrigerator magnet before, but you will discover it does better with more sunlight and humidity. Massive species like cardinal atmosphere plant (Tillandsia fasciculata, zones 9b to 11) and Tillandsia xerographica (zones 10 to 11) make excellent focal points when mounted trees at eye level.

Vriesea. Like Guzmanias, Vriesea bromeliads are ideal for growing indoors or in shady gardens, and some of the more leathery-leaved types will also do well in sun. They are also hardier to freeze than the Guzmanias, and several will sail through a freeze with no harm.

Some Vriesea species have beautifully marked leaves, particularly the green striated bands of Vriesea hieroglyphica (zones 9b to 11) or the pixelated cream and dark burgundy bands of Vriesea fosteriana ‘Rubra’ (zones 9b to 11).

Others have been grown for their flowers rather than their foliage. Vriesea phillipo-coburgii (zones 9 to 11) and Vriecantarea ‘Inferno’ (zones 9 to 11) both have remarkable tall red flower spikes with yellow blooms. The Vriesea sucrei hybrid vehicle (zones 9 to 11) revealed here has a similar inflorescence but on a smaller scale.

Dean Herald-Rolling Stone Landscapes

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How Can I Compute Closing Costs & a Down Payment?

Purchasing a new home can seem complex, but with adequate preparation the buy and closing can be comparatively stress-free. In order to assess how much the home will cost, either in the short term and long duration, you’ll have to figure the down payment and any closing costs that are due at the time of compensation. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), lenders are expected to give home buyers a fantastic Faith Estimate before administering a loan. If your closing prices seem much different from the Good Faith Estimate, then be sure to consult your lender before settlement.

Compute the payment. Down payment amounts fluctuate based on someone’s credit history, income, mortgage type and complete price of the home. For example, if the price of your home is $80,000 and you have been approved for an FHA loan with a 3.5 percent down payment, your total down payment amount will be 3.5 percent of their entire home price. To calculate, simply move the decimal point on the percentage two places to the left (.035), then multiply this number by the entire home price ($80,000). In our example, the total down payment will be $2,800.

Calculate closing prices. Mortgage-Investments. Com gives a valuable overview of shared closing costs, even though they do change by individual cases. First, put in any prices that are associated with your home loan. These include loan origination, credit report, home evaluation, underwriting, tax service and flood certificate fees.

Add up any title fees, like closing fees, title policy fees, endorsements or courier fees.

Add any interest fees or insurance fees that may be necessary at the time of closing.

Add any necessary escrow costs. Escrow fees are sometimes required by lenders. They guarantee that a home buyer will have adequate funds set aside to meet all financial requirements.

Add all of the totals you calculated in steps 2 through 5. This is your closing cost level.

Add the down payment amount into the closing cost amount. The total is about what you are going to need to pay at closing.

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10 Materials Harmonious Landscape, for an Elegant

Perhaps you’ve spent a small fortune in garden design publications or hired a designer for your garden, or you are a do-it-yourselfer who understands the landscape section of the local big-box store inside and out. Regardless, you understand landscaping can get expensive. And with so much cash to be made on landscape products these days, everyone and their brother is trying to advertise and market materials.

But you want something different — sophistication and harmony — along with the imported travertine you are offered feels far too discordant with the prevalent style in your area. Do not worry! With countless years’ worth of examples of world-class design, there are lots of lessons to draw out that could relate to your site.

Blasen Landscape Architecture

Gravel

In many cases finding the magic of the landscape means not competing with or decorating what’s already there. The small boulder walls and loose sand here might have come from the site itself. There is no sterile edging trying to restrain the dirt, which makes this all the more beautiful.

Naturally, the grove of trees is glorious, too. Should you invest in trees for your landscape, regardless of what you do, don’t plant them on perfect facilities! Proceed and embrace the perfectly imperfect.

Bruce Clodfelter and Associates

All right, so gravel is really fine for a woodland walk, however you need a more secure material for a patio area, right? Well, if you are like me and essentially have 10 children to feed, then you may not have a grand funding. Pea gravel, ⅜-inch angular gravel or decomposed granite may make a nice surface to walk. What’s really important is to site the paved space thoughtfully. This patio is situated in a garden where you can imagine cocktail parties with lovely men and women. I will bring the Barbancourt!

5 great sand and rock types for the landscape

MODERNFAB

Boulders

Perhaps you have the perfect boulder sitting in your garden that you’re able to move into your patio area, or perhaps you have the funds to bring one in. Boulders are great because they won’t corrode or rot. And if your 4-year-old takes permanent markers towards the top of it, so what?

This table is as awesome as anything George Nakashima might have built for you. This mass is sculptural in the garden, and I’ve wanted one for my house for more than I’ve wanted these seats by Kettel.

MARPA DESIGN STUDIO

I’ve been after the Colorado designers of this Zen garden for years, so it is worthwhile sharing this beauty while I’m waxing poetic on boulders. If you’ve spent a lifetime researching these items, you are able to produce exceptional places in this way. If you’re new in this, don’t look at the most recent pond catalogue — go take a hike in a creek bed instead. Nature is the best classroom on the planet.

Swaback Partners, pllc

I dream of getting an outside shower daily, and that I would be quite pleased if this were out my bedroom.

Wagner Hodgson

Slabs

Cut slabs, both new and classic, can come from quarries, landscape distribution homes or architectural salvage yards. These slabs could be rather straightforward to set up and are a nice way to experience the topography of a landscape.

Donald Pell – Gardens

Salvaged Materials

Stone Curbs

Locating materials could be as fun since installing them. One of my favorite areas to see in Pennsylvania is Harry Bambi Supplies, to locate classic granite or flagstone curbs like these. These jewels are all excellent materials to use, particularly if you’re adding older materials to an current site.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc..

Irregular Stone

This irregular flagstone is set in a well planted garden. Stone is a no-brainer to make harmony when it is executed this nicely.

Donald Pell – Gardens

Here irregular rock pieces cut into a guest parking area to encourage circulation and connect materials. This might have been what noted American landscape architect Dan Kiley referred to as slippage — an extension beyond the suggested boundary; it is something that I really like to think about and research.

Donald Pell – Gardens

Patterned Stone

Here patterned flagstone is used on a grid. These two- by 3-foot pavers set on bail are simpler to set up than pavers in a mosaic pattern, and they’re simpler to expand upon in the future. The lower plane is set away from the top terrace and out into the landscape, where the garden softens the materials.

Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC

This designer chose a bond pattern as well, but the pavers are regionally salvaged granite collection more loosely than previously. The looser joints permit for plantings involving the rock, for a more rustic setting.

Conte & Conte, LLC

Here full-color stone and thermal bluestone coping combine from the paving surfaces. I really like the rock columns with log beams.

Donald Pell – Gardens

Sandstone

Sandstone walls mix with thermal bluestone counters and footrests to complete this outdoor bar and kitchen. A durable cedar pergola and hand-forged mission-style fixtures make this structure beautiful to look at in the evenings. Ensure you use a sealer with bluestone in a program like this one, since it would otherwise absorb grease from the grill.

Arterra Landscape Architects

Concrete

Not all concrete is made equal. I haven’t yet noticed stamped concrete I enjoy, but this layout team poured sections that appear as large, strong pavers.

Stained benches and measures warm up the concrete. I think materials like concrete, steel and glass require wood finishes to bring life to the compositions. I have been very impressed with using concrete by Bernard Trainor.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate panels create displays that allow for privacy and light here. That is clearly not a natural substance, but I really like the chances these panels provide. With a modernist sensibility, mixing materials like those with materials in an older vernacular could be artfully done. Purists, hold your comments!

Scot Eckley, Inc..

Steel

Using weathered steel, or Cor-Ten, eliminates maintenance requirements, like painting. This substance is used to make bridges, walls, treads and whatever you can imagine. It has even become more prevalent in civic spaces.

How to start picking materials: With all these materials to choose from, I recommend considering walkways initially, and then selecting materials based on the future of the job and the experience you would like to create.

For inspiration escape the showroom and take a walking tour of your city with your camera. Now’s public spaces are being developed by talented designers and are fantastic areas for gleaning thoughts on distance and substance usage. Let me know where you find inspiration!

Browse the job of landscape designers around you

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11 Ways to Eliminate Your Summer Porch

Embracing simple summer living can be as straightforward as spending some time each day on your backyard. There’s something utterly relaxing about hanging out on the porch, whether it’s to sip morning coffee or unwind in the end of the day — then there’s the additional perk of making your area feel warmer, friendlier and more connected. Make your porch a location you can’t wait to spend some time on with these 11 simple, amazing ideas.

Wettling Architects

1. Channel the Hamptons. Natural wood, sandy beige and blue create a classic beach house combination that works anywhere. Engineered teak furniture fades to sandy gray as it weathers, and it seems just right with indigo and linen-hued cushions and cut hydrangeas.

See how to groom a beach house, from deck to drawer knobs

Historical Concepts

2. Reach the flea market. Digging for treasures at outside flea markets and summertime yard earnings is always an adventure. Folding chairs, classic wicker and little wood tables are organic choices, but keep an eye out for interesting containers for plants, mirrors and art, also. Imperfect finds you could pass up to your living room could be piled onto a summer porch, so keep an open mind.

Linn Gresham Haute Decor

3. Set up an outside dining space. Eating al fresco is even more pleasant when you’ve taken care to create your space as comfy as you can. Begin by using a table as big as will comfortably fit on your own porch — ample room is best for leisurely meals. Add plump cushions to chairs, line your desk with lanterns and hang rope lights overhead.

Barn Light Electric Company

4. Bring shade outside with cut flowers. Next time you are cutting blossoms out of the garden or scooping up a market bouquet, why not take a couple extra to your porch? Vases of flowers or possibly a little posy would be unexpected and completely charming on the porch — you can sit and love the blossoms as you sip your morning coffee.

Shelter 7

5. Hang a porch swing. Only considering a porch swing invites relaxation. And swinging on a single while fretting on a summer afternoon is even better. Be sure to get help hanging your swing therefore it has the appropriate support.

Cortney Bishop Design

6. Repurpose and refresh. Take advantage of a free weekend to liven up your porch with a couple creative DIY projects. Fashion a stump into a plant stand, give your porch flooring a coat of colour or whip up some new cushions utilizing vintage fabric or inexpensive burlap.

Kate Jackson Design

7. Display summer equipment. Prop up that surfboard, screw in a couple of hooks to hang wet beach towels on and toss sandals in a basket by the door. By providing your most often used summer items a home, you will make things easier on yourself and make instant decor.

Wind and Willow Home

8. Stencil a message. Eschew the typical welcome mat in favor of something more creative: words stenciled directly on the floor. Paint words onto the steps, front walk or porch floor to get a personal touch.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

9. Monogram it. Oversize monograms are an enjoyable way to set your house apart from the neighbors’. Embellish plain letters in the craft store or keep an eye out at flea markets and thrift shops for classic letters made from metal or wood. Do not wish to use your initials? Display the abbreviation to your town instead.

Terracotta Design Build

10. Cool down. If sunlight and heat are keeping you from appreciating your porch just as much as you could, an outdoor ceiling fan or some pair of outside drapes could help. Bonus: The moving air by a fan might help discourage mosquitoes, also.

Crisp Architects

11. Create a cozy spot for two. Rather than letting it sit fill that little nook or awkward corner with a pair of chairs and a little table. Bring out coffee in the morning, a publication and iced tea in the afternoon, or even a nosh and a glass of wine as the sun dips in the day.

Tongue & Groove

Tell us : What is your favorite way to use your porch in the summertime?

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Great Design Plant: Deer Grass

Plants should look great in the backyard, but they must also do good too. Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)is a no-brainer: indigenous, adaptable, wildlife food source and shelter. It is said that the powerful sweep of the welcome western United States native could be credited to Native Americans, who among other things wove its foliage to baskets and storage vessels. While we have only ourselves to blame for the rampant spread of many undesirable plants, deer bud reminds us of people’ great deeds.

The western United States includes numerous varied growing conditions and climates — not all them the friendliest or easiest to handle. Consider this unthirsty, easygoing indigenous your free pass; it may manage situations from irregular frost and intense sun to drought and seasonal flood.

Edger Landscape Design

Botanical name: Muhlenbergia rigens
Common names: Deer bud, deergrass, meadow muhly
USDA zones: 7 to 11 (find your zone); hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit
Water requirement: Low once established
Light requirement: Entire sun but tolerates some shade
Mature size: 4 to 5 ft tall and wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant; provides shelter for birds; birds eat seeds; tolerates urban conditions; mature plants are deer resistant
Seasonal attention: Evergreen; darkened plumes project 2-3 feet above foliage in summer and autumn
When to plant: Plant from toddlers in autumn

Poetic Plantings

Distinguishing traits. Tired of waiting for your nursery purchases to fill in? Grass grows to full size in a couple of seasons.

Deer bud is a big, bunching, warm-season bud. It may be confused for pampas grass, with its own green strappy leaves and silvery floral tufts. But unlike the rampantly invasive pampas grass, we can welcome indigenous deer bud into our gardens with open arms. Some restoration projects throughout the western United States have deer grass as a substitute for invasive grasses like pampas grass.

Luciole Design Inc..

Grass requires next to no grooming. Leave this up for wildlife throughout autumn and winter and allow its gold color light an otherwise dormant backyard.

Edger Landscape Design

The best way to utilize it. You’d be hard pressed to find means not to utilize deer grass in the backyard. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, but is nice with some shade and seasonal flood. Mass deer bud with other flowering natives, especially pollinator attractors, such as a gentle and meadowy wildlife sanctuary. You will want to leave lots of room, a few feet between plants, to love deer bud’ soft, mounding form once it fills in.

Should you prefer something simpler, use deer bud as a specimen. Its breezy texture may also be used to soften architectural succulents and Southwest natives, without even making the look overly cluttered.

Deer bud is also a garden problem solver. Unstable stream banks and hillsides may benefit from the root system.

Urban Oasis

Planting notes. Western U.S. natives, though drought tolerant and low maintenance, may be finicky about growing conditions — the right drainage, sun exposure and soil are crucial. This isn’t the case for deer marijuana, a tolerant and fairly fuss-free bud. Described as very elastic, deer grass thrives in full sun, even reflected warmth, but tolerates some shade.

Located along riparian zones, it tolerates times of dry soil and times of seasonal flood — just be sure it does not stay too wet for too long. To start, water it regularly. Afterward deer bud can go literally all summer without watering, but additionally, it will do just fine with a summer water. Browning leaves in summer might mean that your deer grass is a little thirsty.

Deer grass could be cut back in late winter, just before new growth pushes out, but many indicate that a very simple rake-through for dead foliage is everything you need. Should you decide to trim and tidy up your bud, wait as much as you can, as many indigenous and beneficial critters overwinter in its own foliage.

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I became a gardener 17 decades ago when we bought our first house, a north-facing ranch set on a corner of a block in which the remaining homes faced east or west. We had two side yards and a small front yard. On the rear was about 10 ft of yard, which split the south side of the house by our neighbor’s driveway. There and on the west side, there was no garden in any way, just grass right up to the base.

The east lawn, on the other side of the attached garage, was ruled by trees. There certainly are a bit of earth cover and a few shrubs. Half the yard was thick and luxuriant, but the other was scraggly and more dirt than anything due to the colour.

The brunt of this landscaping was dedicated into the front lawn. Does that sound like an attack? There were 14 footprints jammed to the beds on either side of the front entrance, and they had been a hodgepodge of types, planted without any thought for layout or even reason.

Amy Martin Landscape Design

I was eager to start gardening but felt overwhelmed with just how much needed to be achieved; each lawn seemed to be yelling for attention. My husband, Paul, and I had been the parents of a kid, as well as new homeowners, and our budget was small. Paul had no interest in gardening and was dedicated to the most minimal of care: mowing. I was dreaming about creating a thing Garden of Eden–ish, or its own 21st-century approximation; never mind that I knew next to nothing about gardening.

I had a huge vision but no plan. I handled my yards with energy and passion, learning as I went, but I took the long way around and ultimately generated more work than was sensible for me to keep the point of life, if ever whatsoever.

If this is your very first season of lawn gardening and care, here’s the advice that I wish I’d been given when I was in your shoes.

1. Clean up. You may not want to listen to that, but it is in fact the very first and most important thing to do. Begin with the yard even in the event that you have more weeds than real bud; mow it and give it a good raking. Spring raking removes thatch and any debris in the fall and winter. When you look closely at this film, you are going to observe the yard is somewhat bare, and except for your trees and a couple of shrubs there are not many plants, but it’s beautifully kept and very gratifying — a lovely, peaceful place in which to unwind.

Watch more of this house, which has emerged on Portlandia

2. Pot any existing garden beds. If you are such a beginner that you are not quite sure you’ll understand a marijuana from a perennial, that is OK. Snap some pictures and take them into your local garden centre or post them in the Design Dilemmas section in Discussions, and also a kindly gardener will most likely help you.

guides to winning the marijuana war

jenny_hardgrave

3. Edge your garden beds. This is only developing a clean split between the bud and the garden place, as revealed here. Take a flat-edged spade and “cut” across the edge of your bed. If your beds are straight lines, then that is where you can get creative and add some curves.

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

If your grass is thick, then this could become a really big job quickly, so I do not advise expanding existing beds your very first season.

Edging materials can be utilized, but I would not bother. I actually removed the black plastic ones from my very first garden, because I didn’t like the appearance and they didn’t do the job. I prefer the cleaner look of the yard meeting the soil covered with compost, which brings me to my fourth suggestion.

Kaufman Construction Design and Build

4. Mulch. If you don’t have many plants, this can be even more important. Mulch produces a tidy appearance, but even more important, it suppresses weeds and helps maintain moisture from the soil. Be mindful to not coating it any thicker than 4 inches, and then leave a little room around the foundation of each plant.

How to Decide on a Mulch — And Your Soil Requires It

Environmental Landscape Associates

5. Edge the yard along sidewalks and your drive. This is like eyeliner; it’ll make everything pop up. If the yard is quite overgrown, rent a gas-powered edger to perform the tough work, but after you do the significant cutting, it can be kept with an electric edger, which can be comparatively cheap. My mum mum (another story!) Enjoys to advantage by hand with a serrated kitchen knife. This works well for smaller tasks, but be cautious!

Dabah landscape designs

You could be asking yourself, but what about gardening? What about the flowers?

This is where things get fun, but you need to focus. If there are limits on your time or your budget — like you will find for nearly everyone — that is crucial.

6. Prioritize. When I reconsider my very first house, I understand that to begin, I should have ignored the west and south yards, where the bud moved right to the brick base. There are worse things than boring, and well kept goes a long way. The east yard, which was the natural play lawn, was not a priority, possibly because our baby was not even ambulatory. When I could do it all over again, I would have focused my very first efforts on the front lawn, the one I actually saw daily.

Pick where you need to begin. Your front lawn is your obvious choice, and also the job may be as straightforward as tidying everything up and flanking the front door with a couple pots of annuals.

It’s really OK to begin slowly. Getting things cleaned up and setting new lawn maintenance routines may be all you would like to handle your very first season.

austin outdoor design

Simply maintaining and cleaning, which is a great deal, you’ll learn whether you really enjoy gardening. If you end up just wanting to be done with it, give yourself a break and choose an easy-care approach. Plant a row of shrubs like hydrangea or boxwood. If you have gratifying foundational plantings, keep them preserved and call it good.

Garden Tech Horticultural Services LLC

If the cleaning gets your heart racing and you are excited for more to come, should you find you can’t wait to get to the planting, odds are that you are a gardener at heart. Now you need to:

Katia Goffin Gardens

7. Determine your own style. Would you like matters manicured and formal or informal? Would you love symmetry?

Or is your joyful “mess” of a cottage garden that which you crave?

Browse through ideabooks and images here on under the Outdoor Living category. As you make your own ideabooks, your preferences and style will emerge.

Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes

8. Assess conditions. What type of light do you have? Whether your lawn is mostly in sunlight or in the colour, you’ll have to plant so. This can be a disappointment for new anglers, that have dreams of peonies and roses and lilacs dance in their minds. It could be disappointing to think about plants that could manage less sun; it certainly was for me.

I recall reading a variety of writings by gardeners who started with this frustration and discovered that colour gardening became their preference. I discovered this patronizing then, but with time that I too have adopted the special elegance of colour gardens.

7 Shade-Loving Rarities of the Plant World

Donna Lynn – Landscape Designer

As part of analyzing conditions, think about what you already have and what you may want to remove. On our existing property, there is an 8- by 80-foot mattress which runs the span of one our yards and borders the woods. The former homeowner set up a post and rail fence but planted nothing more than 12 inches.

Years ago a friend let me dig everything out and replant it with an assortment of shrubs and perennials. It was amazing, but I’m in the process of taking it all out. Our gardens have changed. I already have so much to keep, and such a massive bed at the border of our house isn’t a priority. We removed the weapon, and I’m in the process of removing the plants. Many I will Have the Ability to reuse, but some I will be offering to friends, which Is the Reason Why you should:

9. Put the word out. As you start to understand exactly what you would like and need, let folks know. What you are longing for — a row of peonies or even a bed of ferns — may be the very thing a friend, or even a friend of a friend is trying to part with.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

10. Appreciate the beauty. A gardener learns how to take the long view, and you must, or how could you bear to wait years for your vision to come to — sometimes literal — fruition? One of the hazards is the tendency to see just what’s wrong and to miss the beauty of now. Do not let that happen with you. Week by week, even day by day if you are able, take some opportunity to observe and appreciate all you’ve accomplished.

More: What to Do On Your Garden Today | Guides into Flowers

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How to Choose Your Interior & Exterior Doors Materials

Picking the right interior or exterior door should be an easy thing yet most homeowners tend to make many mistakes along the process. The type of door material you decide to go for is determined by many factors. However, overall weather conditions in your area, costs, and maintenance required tend to be the most important considerations.

Well, in this guide we are going to help pick the right exterior and interior window cleaning that meet the standards of quality and durability that you are looking for.

Exterior Doors

Let’s begin with exterior door options. To start with, it’s important to note that the exterior door will be will be exposed to all weather elements. Therefore, it’s important to choose an exterior door material that can withstand the bad weather. Wood, in this case, will not cut it. You will need something stronger like steel or wrought iron door designs.

Here are two common exterior door options that you can go for:

– Fiberglass Doors – The popularity of fiberglass in creating quality exterior doors has been on the rise. Fiberglass can be easily molded into any shape and this makes it easily customizable. In addition to this, the material is highly durable, highly synthetic, and doesn’t suffer from the warping that’s associated with wood. Because of these capabilities, fiberglass does offer the best material for exterior doors. Besides, window replacement are available in several colors. They can also be painted to suit the exterior décor design that you already have at home.

– Wood-Panel Doors – Although wood is not normally used for exterior door options, if it’s designed appropriately, it can do the job. Hardwood, in particular, is highly recommended. Wood such as oak is resistant to denting and it’s pretty durable too. Hardwood or wood panel exterior doors have an additional advantage. They have a beautiful and classic appeal that can easily revamp how your home looks on the outside.

Interior Doors

Since interior window repair don’t have to deal with tough conditions outside, you can choose any material that meets your design taste. Wood is the most common option for interior door designs. It’s easy to maintain from the interior and can be easily customized to meet the interior décor ideas that you already have. A variation of wood such as Stamped hardboard is also ideal. The board is often referred to as Masonite. The door will look beautiful for years as long as it’s maintained properly. If you are looking for something stronger and more durable for interior door designs, you may consider medium density fiberboard door options. These options are available in an array of designs.

Picking the right interior and exterior window installation shouldn’t be hard. There are so many options out there to go for, and the simple guide above will indeed help you.

Strike a Balance: Stuff vs. Space in the Garden

I bet I know what you are doing at this time. You’re looking for ideas for your backyard, hoping to find that photo that starts your creative juices flowing. The one which ends in an “ah ha!” Moment and fractures a stubborn case of designer’s block.

I encourage my readers and students to analyze and deconstruct the design principles which underlie gardens that inspire them. Humans possess a powerful attraction to color (we do not have 6 million cones in each eye for nothing), so it may seem logical to focus your style energy on conjuring up amazing foliage and flower combos.

For me, that is the last step. Before you get carried away, zoom out and consider how that inspiring garden uses the overall space. Not to get too technical about you, but observe just how much space is left and how much stuff is in the backyard. “Stuff” is a not-so-sophisticated term for those plants, boulders, furnishings and assembled components which you’ll find in many gardens. “Space” refers to the unencumbered surfaces you are able to move through without bumping your shins or which you are able to look across: trails, lawns, paved areas or the surface of a pond. The principle of stuff versus space applies in several design areas; consider the way a graphic artist utilizes white space to bring visual balance to the text and images on a page.

Additionally, look at how both of these complementary factors are arranged and balanced. Are the people and objects officially aligned along an axis, or does the visual weight of the essay produce a less-deliberate atmosphere? This easy but frequently overlooked design principle impacts our basic spatial experience and needs to be considered whether you are designing a totally new garden or simply revamping a couple beds in your current lawn.

Let us see how this theory applies to a choice of gardens.

Schmechtig Landscapes

I find this space delightful. The grid instills sequence to this vignette but avoids the excessively static sense of bilateral symmetry, as there are just four grids to the right of this path and just one to the left. The fountain — that the dominant mass in this area — sits two grids away in the path but is centered between the seat and the loosely clipped boxwood hedge. The checkerboard arrangement of paving and plants is lively and enlivening, while serving as a repeating theme that binds the backyard together.

In the distance, the massive shrub at the gate is nicely balanced by an uninterrupted plane of lawn. Additionally, notice how your perception of this space is dictated by the arrangement of the components, not the color of the flowers or temperament of the plants.

Jobe Corral Architects

Whenever there isn’t a great deal of outdoor area to operate with, but the need for living room is a high priority, utility must come first. Consider the actions you need and the furnishings needed to encourage these activities. Be sure to include sufficient space enclosing the area for unimpeded circulation.

Since the tree here develops, it will form a mild canopy over the space, altering the proportions of space and mass, as will the leafy trees from the corner. Whether this arrangement of plants and open area feels too sparse for the liking, you could trade the gently cascading water feature for further planting beds. In terms of how the space is arranged, all the forms are parallel and perpendicular to the construction, making a somewhat formal sense.

Consider how the supply of space and stuff may look on a pie graph. I would call this about 80 percent space and 20 percent stuff, at least before the tree places on more expansion.

Jay Hargrave Architecture

This sparsely filled, narrow outdoor room gets the impression of a contemporary art gallery, with a small number of objects and plants breaking up the vacant corridor. The overall result is that of a still-life essay seen from inside the house, which is similarly supplied in a spare, uncluttered fashion.

The lesson here: If you are drawn to this type of garden, it’s likely a reflection of your own desire for an easy, Zen-like cosmetic. Continuing with the pie graph analogy, it’d likely look like 95 percent space and 5 percent stuff.

Debora carl landscape layout

Using my very unscientific analysis method, I would say this garden is 40 percent space and 60 percent stuff — hence the intimate appearance. The backyard has an obvious central axis, and the backyard components on all sides of the imaginary line mirror one another. With the exception of this creeping fig (Ficus pumila) on the walls, all of the plants will grow no taller than knee high, assuring that the beds will remain uncluttered. This strategy retains a sense of openness and focuses attention on the urn at the center of the “keyhole”.

Goodman Landscape Design

And now for something entirely different. My first impression of this garden is that it’s romantic and intimate. Why? It’s not the specific plants that the designer chose but the way that they overhang the path and encroach in the sides. There’s only enough room to pass, and the remainder is populated with a lavish, lush canopy and finely textured ground covers. Even though the massing of plants is more or less balanced on all sides of the path, the sinuous nature of the stepping stones creates a natural flow, in some instances obscuring the destination.

How do you carve this? I am comfortable calling it 10 percent space, 90 percent stuff.

I just looked up the definition of “cozy.” It did not have a picture of this exact backyard, but it could have. Cozy doesn’t occur by accident. How much space was allowed for the mattress behind the chairs. The back of this tree along with the shade pattern tell us that there’s a generous canopy sheltering this chill-out area, but it avoids seeming claustrophobic as the mass is balanced with a little, open lawn. Details thing: The positioning of colorful potted plants flanking the chairs raises the sensation of familiarity with compressing and embracing the space.

Maria Hickey & Associates Landscapes

This may be a good backyard to wrap up this layout lesson with. It may seem obvious, but supposing you have at least average gardening skills, your plants will grow larger than they had been the day you installed them. Unlike interior layout, in which your coffee table or less stays the size it was when you brought it home, your plants will continue changing. That means that your stuff and space percentages will evolve over time. That’s not a good thing or something, but it’s well worth thinking ahead once you determine just how many plants to buy and how to them.

This giddy garden appears to be devouring the path. Anywhere you look flowers are bumping up against their neighbors, such as a mosh pit of perennials. It’s charming and ideal for the style of house and, I presume, suits the owner’s sense of fashion. The point is, even if your objective is to maintain a certain balance of space and mass, look closely at the mature size of every plant you choose, allowing adequate space to attain the size character intended.

Lay of the Landscape: Find your garden style

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On Trend: 9 Captivating Lights to Energize a Space

Sometimes a lamp needs to be greater than only a lamp. Paging through your ordinary catalog or browsing a house store tends to yield the same results: average table lamp, floor lamp or ceiling fixture. But designers have taken note and are providing us with ever-widening options for light sources. By mixing up scale, positioning, balance, material or colour, these new lighting choices will add something fresh to your interior.

Note: See Areti’s and Channels Design’s sites for supply information.

Atelier Areti

Mimosa Light

Forget straightforward bulbs in a row and adopt a more natural group of lighting that appears to mention buds on a spring division. This chandelier will provide ample light above a dining room table.

YLiving.com

Bender Table Lamp – $199

This diminutive lamp provides the impression that it may fall over at any minute. Put it on your staid traditional desktop for a tiny moment of imbalance.

Green Big Floor Lamp Set – $254.15

Picking a bright colour is a surefire way to add pop to any room. But the very best thing about this lamp is the unusual scale: This is a desk lamp à la Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; its own oversize form is ready to lurk behind your average-size couch.

Atelier Areti

Alouette Bird Lights

Looking for a few subtle whimsy? These lampshades — accessible on table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling fixtures — manage to tip birds without looking cute or kitschy. Though they’d be perfect in a contemporary kid’s room, their simple forms would look lovely in any area near natural elements, like an entrance or a window-filled hallway.

Atelier Areti

Marguerite Flower Lamp

Brightly shining brass retains this ring the center of focus. Hang several together to get a lighthearted entryway or add one on your eat-in-kitchen’s nook.

YLiving.com

Fuego Bio Firelight – $219

Craving a flickering source of ambient lighting? A tabletop fireplace like this may fit the bill. Best suited for outdoor patios, it is a unique way to bring a glowing, romantic look whilst retaining to a contemporary aesthetic.

collection5.com

Bocci 28d Light

All these handblown globes are customizable in so many ways — stop by Bocci’s site to see clusters hanging from the ceiling and draped in staggered displays, in addition to a large range of bright colours to pick from. The choices are practically endless, ready for whatever lighting need you may have.

channelsdesign.com

Finnieston Light

The additional motion in this lamp provides a little bit of whimsy and great old-fashioned purpose. Additionally, the whole lamp is made out of wood, including the color (thanks to the coolness of LED bulbs).

noearlybirds.tictail.com

NEB Brass Lamp

Simple, yet it is reminiscent of the lightbulb thought: a bulb suspended to remind you of the great things on your head. The brass base gives it a unique’70s vibe, perfect for a den or entertaining area.

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A San Diego Townhouse Gets a Bright Update

Architects Audrey McEwen and Jon Gaiser purchased this 1970s San Diego townhouse with the goal of using it as a blank-slate new abode. They made decisions carefully to keep costs down but still make an impact. Using the initial floor plan, adhering to the property’s footprint and searching for materials and appliances at great prices helped them stay on track with their budget. “What we can’t afford to purchase, we do not,” says McEwen.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Audrey McEwen and Jon Gaiser
Location: San Diego
Size: 900 square feet
Price of update: $38,000 (for appliances, materials, demolition, plumbing and electrical work)

Jon+Aud Design

Clean, light and chic materials give the townhouse a modern and glowing appearance. Most of the original structure remains — that the few was lucky to discover a room with a lofted ceiling and an open loft bedroom.

Both trained architects, McEwen and Gaiser measured the whole space and created a new plan using Google SketchUp.

Sculpture:”Seagulls” by Curtis Jere, eBay; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Behr; upholstered chairs: Adrian Pearsall for Craft, Etsy

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

The 1977 townhouse had some interesting geometry, which interested the couple, but everything felt beige and dull.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: Handcrafted and refurbished decor and bamboo-clad openings add visual interest. The couple wanted a very basic material palette, and bamboo’s strength and ecofriendly nature made it a simple option. Used on all the wood accents and flooring, the bamboo generates uniformity.

Jon+Aud Design

The pair inherited some furniture however, discovered most of their midcentury bits on Craigslist and eBay, refurbishing most of them. McEwen made her own Alexander Calder–inspired mobile.

Some custom bits add for their minimalist appearance, too. McEwen’s father, Neal McEwen, is a talented woodworker who aided her design and build the living room console, hallway bench, dining table and other bits.

Sofa: Tazlow Sofa Bed, Madoka Modern; hardwood flooring: Morning Star Natural Strand Bamboo, Lumber Liquidators

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

A pantry between the kitchen and the dining area made the old kitchen feel shut off from the adjacent dining room and living area.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: McEwen and Gaiser moved the pantry to the other side of the kitchen entrance, creating a simpler entrance to the dining area and pub. McEwen made the table, and her father built it. The authentic Mies van der Rohe MR chairs were an extraordinary Craigslist find. Bamboo panels help offset the uniquely angled kitchen .

Jon+Aud Design

Not surprisingly, the kitchen updates ended up being the most expensive section of the remodel, costing roughly $17,000. The couple spent $13,000 on demolition, installing new drywall and plaster, cabinetry, appliances, and pipes and electrical work.

McEwen features most of their funding luck to timing. Since they started their remodel during the summer and spring, a great deal of semiannual and yearly earnings helped them cut down on prices.

Microwave, oven, cooker: Ikea; fridge: Whirlpool

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

Dark cabinetry, fluorescent light and mismatched appliances designed for a poorly lit and outdated-looking kitchen.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: One of the few splurges is that the kitchen countertop — that the Pure White Caesarstone price about $3,500. Integrating the stovetop using the countertop made for an extra-clean appearance.

Countertops: Pure White Ceasarstone; cabinetry: Ikea; backsplash : Arctic White subway tile, Daltile

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

The old staircase wasn’t very eye catching.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: Adaptive but strong 14-foot bamboo rods line the stairs for a straightforward but statement-making bannister. An affordable carpet remnant from a local producer’s warehouse outlines the measures.

Bench: made by McEwen, assembled by Neal McEwen

Jon+Aud Design

“We really love the appearance of bamboo,” says McEwen. “The grain is subtle, and also the mild end enhances rather than distracts from the glowing overall atmosphere we had been attempting to achieve.”

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

The old fashioned bedroom and bathroom felt too open to the main living room below. Only a very low half wall and a little but embarrassing column kept it from being completely open.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: A higher partition makes the bedroom feel more separated from the living room. The brand new wall now holds all of the wiring to the new Nelson Bubble Lamp hanging below.

Sideboard: inherited Danish teak credenza; ceiling fan: Artemis, Minka Aire

Jon+Aud Design

Next to the closet, the open master bathroom has his-and-her sinks, with a private shower and toilet area.

Jon+Aud Design

A small window in the bathroom lets extra all-natural light in.

Before Photo

Jon+Aud Design

Bland carpeting, bare lightbulbs and cookie cutter remover materials made for a drab and somewhat depressing master bathroom.

Jon+Aud Design

AFTER: With some careful budgeting, the couple ended up spending about $4,000 on the master bathroom. They found great deals on the cabinetry and sink, and also cut and set most of the tile themselves.

The price that ended up surprising the few — in the bathroom and in the rest of the house — was light and electrical work. They had all the present lighting replaced with LED (light-emitting diode) and energy-saving fittings, and upgraded all the outlets and switches. “It’s a pet peeve of mine when all the switch plates and outlets are mismatched,” says McEwen. “These small upgrades really add up.”

Backsplash tile: Creama River Rock Mosaic, Jeffrey Court; vanity: Godmorgon sink cupboard, Ikea; faucet: Braviken, Ikea; faucets: Vega in polished chrome, Pfister

Jon+Aud Design

McEwen always wanted a succulent garden, so that she made use of the tall cacti already in the backyard. A brick terrace helps keep the area low maintenance.

Jon+Aud Design

String lights hung from the arbor add to the outside space’s warm vibe at nighttime. An extra-large mirror makes the terrace feel more spacious.

Would they’ve done anything else? Even though they saved some money doing most of the demolition themselves, McEwen would certainly hire someone later on. The work itself was challenging, then they still had to haul off all of the junk. “You need to be emotionally emotionally and financially committed whenever you are doing a total renovation to your home,” she says.

Have you got a great DIY home? We’d really like to see it. Please place a photo below!

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