~ GARDEN & LANDSCAPE ~ Inviting gardens and greenspaces

Go green

by Connie Byers

AGREEN SPACE CAN BECOME MUCH MORE THAN JUST A GARDEN WHEN DESIGNED WITH INTENT.

It can become a summer dining area, a place to play and explore with the kids, or even the central place to linger with friends and family. But what makes a garden or green space inviting?

Consider The Purpose

Owner of Durango Nursery, Tom Bridge said, “It’s important to create spaces that fit your needs.” Before designing a space, consider its primary purpose. Is it intended for growing food, relaxing, playing or entertaining and hosting? Whether you want an ornamental garden, a rock garden or a food garden, “always create the space around your needs first,” Bridge said.

Think Big Picture

Next, consider the size and shape of your proposed garden plot. The space will help to dictate the design. For instance, my vegetable garden is built on a steep, south-facing slope. Rather than viewing the slope as a negative, we installed terraced beds that run horizontally. This design takes advantage of the slope to capture and retain rainwater while providing our plants maximum sun exposure. Consider all aspects, from size and shape to hours of sunlight.

A WELL-TRAVELED PATH

An inviting garden is all about providing space for people to spend time. Walkways are key. Clear paths encourage people to explore to see where they lead and what might be found along the way.

Balance And Rhythm

When designing inviting spaces, things in the landscape should be repeated with a standard interval, creating rhythm and balance. Even in an eclectic design, patterns and plants should repeat to create a sense of continuity that is inviting and visually pleasing.

Sit And Stay A Spell

From a picnic or dining table to a bench or lounge chair, seating space in the garden instantly makes people want to linger. It welcomes you in, inviting you to kick up your heels and admire the beauty of the space and the work that went into it.

Light It Up

Good lighting is the key to enjoying outdoor spaces into the evening hours. For my garden, we placed inexpensive ball-shaped solar lights along all of the pathways and string lights along the fence line. The gentle glow from those tiny points of light creates an almost magical feel that encourages both my family and our guest to linger long after dark.

Add Interest With Vertical Elements

Whether you have a veggie garden, a flower garden or have opted for xeriscaping, adding height adds interest. Vertical elements welcome you in and encourage you to look around. If you have a large space building a pergola or arbor can create not only a shady space but a support for vining plants to grow up.

Pick A Single Focal Point

Every good landscape design needs a focal point. Above we discussed the need to add vertical elements for interest, but don’t get carried away. Pick a single place intended to catch the viewer’s eye, pique their interest and encourage them to explore the space. From fountains and bird baths to trellises and arbors, each space should include a central point that captures attention and the imagination.

Think Outside The Planter Box

Even small areas can be tranformed into inviting spaces. Bridge said “rock and crevice gardens are gaining popularity.” These creative gardens can be tucked into the nooks and crannies of rock groupings, and even the narrowest of cracks can hold life when native plants are used. Bridge said “Consider species like apache bloom, mountain mahogany, blanket flower, and penstemon.”