garden design

How to Support Sustainable Gardening? Join Forces with the Highlands Biological Station

January 22, 2015

I have dedicated the bulk of my life to sustainable gardening in one form or another. My passion for plants inspired me to pursue – and obtain – a degree in botany from the University of Tennessee in the 1970s. My courses and educational contacts led me to a job at the Tennessee Botanical Gardens, which resulted in the receipt of a prestigious award for propagating a special species of Echinacea (Echinacea Tennesseensis). Thus began my passionate career as a botanist and landscape architect, or – as I like to say – my lifelong career as “a real plant geek.”

Support Sustainable Living and Gardening at Highlands Biological Station

Part of any landscape architect’s job is educating clients through the process. I have worked as an expert educator, including a professorship at Clemson University where I taught landscape architecture and planning. I continue to travel the country speaking and lecturing for various plant- and landscape-related organizations. In addition to running a successful landscape architecture firm in Atlanta with my life partner, Hugh Dargan, I also lead and represent four states – Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia – in conservation and national affairs legislation for the National Garden Club of America.

Through all of these life experiences, I have maintained a very close and hands-on relationship with the Highlands Biological Station, and now you have an opportunity to personally support the long-view mission of this unique enterprise. The goal is to transform the Highlands Biological Station into a more interactive learning grounds for children and adults. The final vision includes enthusiastic children, students, and groups making their way from the botanical gardens, through the southern Appalachian swamp, back to the classrooms at the new dam and then up to an event facility overlooking the lake where they can apply the micro-aspects of what they have learned to the greater, global picture.

Do you share Dargan Landscape’s goal of saving the planet one garden at a time? Support our collective dream of sustainable living and gardening at Highlands Biological Station by visiting, donating, or volunteering. Contact Highlands Biological Station or Dargan Landscapes to learn more.

What Edging Selections Work Best for Garden Paths & Walkways?

January 21, 2015

Installing borders and edges in your garden and along pathways can easily update the look of your garden and draw attention to areas of note. Although edging can be used to beautify your space, it also has some functional benefits as well, such as retaining gravel or mulch used in your beds, holding back soil, and making mowing easier. Edging projects can be completed in hours or days, and costs range from free to very pricey depending on your choice. There are many edging selections for gardens and walkways to choose from.

Bricks
Bricks are a classic material used in garden edging projects. They are easy to install, however, installation can be time-consuming. They can be laid flat to create a wide border, often referred to as soldier edging; stood up on end to create a narrow yet prominent border, called a sailor edging; or laid diagonally to create interest. New bricks can be used for a crisp look while reclaimed bricks can add texture and interest.

Stones and Boulders
Although natural-looking placement can be difficult and heavy work, stones and boulders make great borders and edges. If you use locally sourced materials, your edging will look more natural and these types of borders work best with casual gardens. Many of our designs feature a crab orchard cobblestone edging, giving the designs a timeless look.

Cast or Poured Concrete
Edging selections for gardens and walkways are limited only by your imagination when using concrete products. There are pigments that can be added to create a wide variety of colors, textures can be designed, and added interest can be created by adding stones, glass and other items. Concrete is fairly permanent, so it is best to choose wisely.

Bender Board
Highly flexible and often made from recycled items, bender board makes a great border for your beds or edging for walkways. The material is extremely pliable which makes it easy to create meandering pathways or uniquely shaped beds.

If you would like help with your landscaping design, including edging and borders, Dargan Landscape Architects is here to help. We invite you to contact us to begin your design consultation to create your dream garden.

Does Your Landscape Need a Tune-up? Get your sample workshop here!

January 14, 2015

Its time to take your landscape to school!

Not everyone can make the long trip to Seattle on January 25 & 26 to join the Association of Professional Landscape Designers Washington Chapter. So, I’ve put together a sample of the workshop for you!

Join us LIVE in SEATTLE ! http://apldwa.org/events-and-news

Be sure to share this workshop with your friends…it is especially appropriate to Master gardeners, Landscape Designers, Landscape Architects, Botanical Gardens educational programs and of course, HOMEOWNERS!

Just contact me at [email protected] or 404-231-3889 and we can discuss your event.

Also, we have 4 introductory videos about this coming soon to our website…visit The Garden Talk Salon.

Cheers,

Mary Palmer

How Can I Incorporate Natural Elements into Garden Paths?

December 26, 2014

Garden paths may be functional and lead to a specific destination or they may be decorative and lend themselves to a stroll through your landscape. Regardless of their purpose, paths should always have a destination as a type of reward for whomever chooses to follow them. For a stroll-type path, the destination may be a beautiful centerpiece such as the one we created as a Dargan Landscape Architects project in this photo. Other destinations may be a sitting area or even a view of water. Incorporating natural elements into garden paths will ensure that whether the design is for function or fancy, they will still be beautiful and tie well into your garden’s overall design.

Once you have determined the destination, you need to assess what elements your garden path will pass through. When incorporating natural elements into garden paths, the idea is to keep them in character with the surroundings rather than having them clash or seem to be an afterthought. For example, a meandering pathway of variegated stones may not work well with a landscape that is ultra-modern and geometric.

To ensure the garden path is safe and comfortable for walking, stones or pavers should not have gaps larger than four inches between them and gravel-type paths must be secure enough to walk over without turning an ankle. Such safety measures do not have to impede your design, however. The materials you choose can be used in many ways to blend beautifully with your landscape. Irregular shapes can be used to create interesting walkways with live plants or pea gravel as space fillers. Uniform shapes can be mixed and matched to create interesting patterns or a cobbled look.

Before beginning construction on your garden paths, you should determine the end result you wish to achieve and create a plan. You can get some inspiration from our Dargan Landscape Architects photos or contact us to help you design and build the perfect pathway for your landscape.

Blending Design & Shapes Into Outdoor Seating Areas

December 12, 2014

As a career landscape architect and gardener, I’m very aware of the positive effects a landscape has on its owners. Your beautifully landscaped outdoor areas may be the only space to escape the trials and tribulations of daily life, as you breathe oxygen-rich air, surrounded by beautiful growing, living things.

Enhance the Holistic Benefits of Your Landscape by Blending Design and Shape into Outdoor Seating Areas

One of the best ways to reap the holistic benefits of your landscape is to add seating areas where you and guests can take a moment to comfortably soak up Mother Nature’s splendor.

Rather than plopping a few chairs or lounges down, I recommend integrating your seating areas by blending both their design and the shape into your existing landscape. Here are some examples of how to do so.

Use boundaries. Timeless cottage gardens have always used boundaries, both hardscape and natural, in order to define different landscape areas, whether they be winding walkways, raised kitchen gardens, or – yes – various seating areas. Larger spaces may be bordered using existing architectural walls or fences. If you are planning on creating a smaller or more intimate seating area, use a trellis, shrubs, or a small section of fencing to create a bit of privacy.

Consider circular or rounded additions. A rounded or circular shape can facilitate the flow of conversation in a particular seating area, as well as its aesthetics. Your rounded or curved seating area will also make a nice change if the majority of your landscape is portioned out in square or rectangular patterns. The addition of an arch or a trellis can also add the curved juxtaposition you’re looking for while serving as a focalization tool, guiding the eye to carefully proportioned and positioned table and chairs.

Use attractive flooring materials. Enhance your seating area’s design by using attractive flooring materials, like natural stone squares or pavers, that can be used in different colors and patterns, augmenting their visual appeal.

Blending design and shape into outdoor seating areas will make them as pleasant to the eye as they are to the soul.

Contact Dargan Landscape Architects to help you enhance your outdoor areas.

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