Charleston landscape architects

Historic Sources of Landscape Design Inspiration

February 4, 2014

Part of creating a timeless landscape is looking to historical sources for design inspiration. Some of our sources for inspiration are the gardens of England, Scotland and Wales, as we’ve mentioned before in our post on Hidcote Manor & Garden. In this post, we will discuss the allure of several other properties and what aspects you might incorporate into your own landscape. These include The Laskett in Herefordshire, England; Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Sissinghurst, Kent; and Stourhead near Warminster, Wiltshire.

The Laskett
Known as the largest private formal gardens created in England since 1945, The Laskett Gardens were designed by Sir Roy Strong, a historian, and his wife, Dr. Julia Trevelyan Oman, a set designer. The couple transformed the property, which boasts some 30 garden rooms, over nearly 40 years. What makes it special is how personalized the landscape is, featuring inscriptions of meaningful phrases and handmade garden ornaments, for example. It also undeniably beautiful, showcasing the artistic principles of balance, repetition, rhythm, focalization and light and shadow. In the end, the gardens make a strong statement about who the owners are.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Another couple, Vita Sackville-West, a poet and writer, and Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, cultivated the Sissinghurst Castle Garden, which features a collection of enclosures laid out around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion. Each room has a theme with specific plants and colors supporting the theme. Besides being a study in color and plant selection, the garden also shows how layering can create seasonal interest.

Stourhead
Also built around a historical home are the better known Stourhead gardens, created in the 18th century. The centerpiece of the grounds is a man-made lake, which serves as the backdrop for well-placed features such as classical temples, a fabulous grotto and majestically mature trees. This property reminds us of the power of a circular walk and the use of architectural elements as focal points in the landscape.

Feeling inspired to get to work on your own landscape? For more ideas and help transforming or planning your property, contact Dargan Landscape Architects.

Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan to Speak at the Quitman Camellia and Garden Symposium

February 3, 2014

We’re less than two weeks away from an exciting new horticulture event taking place in Quitman, Georgia. Wednesday and Thursday – February 12 and 13, 2014 – will be our first ever Camellia and Garden Symposium honoring Betty Sheffield. The event, co-sponsored by Destination Brooks and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, will feature nationally-noted speakers, including Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan, while also offering attendees the opportunity to learn about plants and gardening in the South.

designing with camellias — Betty Sheffield Camellia
Source: American Camellia Society

Betty Sheffield was an inspiration to many as she worked tirelessly to beautify her hometown of Quitman while simultaneously helping countless others to beautify their own properties with dynamic landscape designs teeming with trees, shrubs and camellias. Sheffield also became quite renowned for her work with camellias, giving us such stunning varieties as “The Betty Sheffield” and the “Betty Sheffield Supreme” among many others.

To celebrate Sheffield and her passion for plants, the symposium will include tours of her historic garden as well as other famous landscapes. Attendees will also learn all about Sheffield’s namesake flowering plants with segments like “The Camellias in Art” and “Camellias in Floral Design.”

The itinerary for the two-day event is packed full with fascinating presentations and hands-on activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about specific plants and techniques for achieving beautiful and thriving gardens and landscapes in the South. Highlights of the event will also come out of impressive roster of key-note speakers including Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan, who will give a lecture entitled “Timeless Camellias: Timeless Landscape Design.” Other impressive designers, landscape architects and garden experts will share their expertise at the symposium as well. Finally, there will also be a garden marketplace where attendees can find the latest garden tools and accessories as well as unique plants to put their knew gardening

Click here to see the agenda and find other event details such as registration and lodging options. Let the Dargan Landscape Architects blog be your resource for landscape design inspiration and info on gardening events throughout the South. Stay tuned or contact us to learn more about how Hugh and Mary Palmer’s team can transform your property into a work of art that heals the earth and lets nature speak.

Protecting Your Landscape from Winter Weather

January 31, 2014

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your landscape and hardscapes if they’re left unprotected. But a little maintenance can help prevent serious damage to plants, pathways and more.

Source: Personal Touch Lawn Care, Inc. via Houzz

Here are some tips:

Landscape

First, you need to determine which of your plants are the most sensitive to cold and frost. Many plants are cold-hardy and don’t need special care, but some species such as gardenias, aucuba and lantana do, according to gardening expert Walter Reeves.

To keep plants frost-free, you can place old towels and sheets over them with tree stakes or poles. The idea is to keep the materials from resting directly on top of the plants while still keeping them covered. This preserves air flow to the plant. During the day, covers should be removed to allow plants to absorb sunlight. Hedges or shrubs can be wrapped thinly with burlap, just not directly on top. Be sure your mulch is deep enough to offer adequate insulation as well. Potted plants should be brought indoors.

Black plastic sheeting can also be used to cover and protect plants from cold. Similarly, evergreens can be wrapped in twine prior to a snow or ice event to offer additional protection. Smaller trees can be anchored to taller, more sturdy trees with rope.

Hardscapes

Hardscapes are just as important as landscapes when it comes to cold weather protection. Be sure to seal and reseal your hardscapes such as driveways, paths and patios to prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. You should also paint or seal any wooden hardscape features such as arbors and decks for the same reason.

Be sure all patio furniture is covered, and watch out for rusting metal, which can stain hardscapes in damp weather.

Draining out water in your swimming pool and above ground ponds will help prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. Pools should also be professionally winterized and covered for the season.

For more landscaping tips and ideas, follow Dargan Landscape Architects on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

The Dargan Landscape Design Process – Part 1

January 28, 2014

Beautiful landscapes require thoughtful planning and a well-executed design plan. That’s why Dargan Landscape Architects has developed a multi-step landscape design process that is both artistic and functional. Our design process helps us create a master plan for your outdoor space, keeping in mind the size and location of the house, the configuration of the grounds and the desires of the owner. In this post, we will cover the first six steps in this process, and we will cover the last six steps in a future post.

1. Make a survey. A survey is a drawing of your property that includes topography, existing trees and shrubs, and the existing or future location of your house and drive. The survey also includes boundaries and easement facts in graphic form.

Atlanta landscape architects — Plat and architectural drawings are essential for creating a survey and developing your base plan.

2. Develop a base plan. The base plan is an overlay of semitransparent tissue on your survey that indicates where two paths cross for the purpose of identifying either how the area can be tightened up or how it can be made into a destination in the landscape such as a garden.

3. Inventory the site. This involves taking an inventory of the existing plants on your site and the space they occupy and placing them on your drawings using circles drawn to scale.

4. Analyze the site. A site analysis takes into account the constraints and potential of your property based on existing environmental and functional conditions such as climate and soil type and desired views.

Atlanta landscape architecture firm — Dargan Landscape Architects

5. Develop a program wish list. The program wish list consists of your goals and guidelines for activities and places you want included on your finished property.

6. Create a functional diagram. A functional diagram includes a complete set of construction drawings consisting of a title sheet, site plan, master plan, layout plan, grading plan, material reference, planting plan and construction details.

Atlanta landscape design — Dargan Landscape Architects

We will discuss the rest of the steps to our design process in an upcoming post, so be sure to stay tuned for more information. For more on how to create a timeless landscape, pick up a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design”.

Infuse Your Landscape with Radiant Orchid – Pantone’s Color of the Year

January 24, 2014

Color, as we’ve mentioned before, is one of the four visual tools for interesting and beautiful landscape designs. So why not infuse magical warmth into your landscape this year by incorporating Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year. “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm” (Pantone). These incredible qualities are exactly why we think this color should not be limited to the runway and home interiors. Here are four plants that can be used to incorporate this stunning shade of purple into your garden or landscape. Ornamental Onion: This gorgeous and whimsical plant is easy to grow and adds stunning spherical shapes. It’s hard to believe this plant is in the onion family because the only thing that will bring tears to your eyes is it’s beauty!

Hazel Spanish Lavender: This plant not only provides the color and fragrance of lavender that you love but is tougher and more durable than other varieties of lavender. Their silhouettes add fabulous dimension to gardens and landscapes.

Cashiers landscape architects — Source: JMSDesignAssociates via Houzz

Chinese Astilbe: Great for a focal point or in a large quantities for extra drama, these plants add height and unique vertical interest to garden beds. They can brighten up landscapes for up to two months with their rich purple hues.

Atlanta landscape architecture — Source: Leslie Rohrer via Houzz

Cheddar Pink Dianthus: With a nice clove-like scent, this wide-spreading ground cover is great for edging and lining beds with delicate blossoms that add bright color.

Cashiers landscape architecture — Source: Bruce Clodfelter and Associates via Houzz

What colors are you thinking about adding to your gardens this year? Share with us in a comment below!

When you are ready to add splashes of radiant orchid or other vibrant colors and plants to your landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects, and we’ll help you tune-up your property or create a master plan for a whole new landscape design.

P.S. – If you are in the Atlanta area and in need of some more inspiration for adding orchids to your landscape, you can visit the Orchid Daze event at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

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