garden design

Why Create a Pollinator Garden in YOUR Home Environment ?

November 21, 2014

Pollinators in Peril

The iconic monarch butterfly, whose numbers have plummeted 90% in the last 2 decades, is pending listing approval as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act(ESA). The Garden Club of America sent a resolution letter this week to Dan Ashe, Director of The Fish and Wildlife Service in support of the pending petition.

Why would you want to help this beautiful butterfly? Why help any pollinator ( bat, bees, butterfly, bird)? Pollinators serve an important purpose in sustaining biodiversity. In recent years, their survival has been compromised by climate change, habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and spread of invasive species.

You can help! By providing a plot of milkweed, the adult monarch will have a place to lay its eggs. These leaves provide the only food for the monarch caterpillar. The monarch’s dependence on milkweed is being threatened by genetically-engineered crops and pesticides that eradicate milkweed and thereby imperil monarchs and other pollinators.

There are many resources available from the Garden Club of America.

If you live in Atlanta, The Greater Atlanta Pollinator Partnership [GAPP] spearheaded by Georgia Highlands College (GHC), the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (ABG), and USDA Forest Service. The goal of the partnership is to develop pollinator-friendly habitat within a 25-mile radius of downtown Atlanta, 1.2 million acres. Individuals can register their gardens as part of the partnership at this website.

Outdoor Sanctuaries

April 25, 2014

As spring continues to bloom, it’s hard not to spend your day outdoors. In an outdoor sanctuary, you’ll find the best of both worlds — wonderful fresh air and natural beauty, along with the intimacy of the great indoors. In Mary Palmer’s book Timeless Landscape Design, she shares some features of the best in class for this category to help you get the most out of your outdoor sanctuaries, whether you’re looking to add a terraced perimeter, courtyard, walled garden or all of the above.

Terraced Perimeters
A terraced perimeter is a paved outdoor area that behaves as an extension of the nearest room(s). They make the adjoining rooms feel and appear larger and can add space and seating that may be lacking otherwise. Consider adding a series of these areas to create a linked perimeter that wraps around your home. By simply bordering your home with a terraced perimeter, you’ll create a 24/7, multipurpose space for relaxing, eating and entertaining.

Buckhead landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Cashiers landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Courtyards
Courtyards are paved outdoor sanctuaries in which two out of four enclosing walls are shared with the home itself. The size, wall height and wall material used in courtyards vary depending on building codes and personal preference. It’s best to choose a style that will appear seamless with your home’s existing style instead of making a separate design statement.

Charleston SC landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Atlanta landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

For privacy, walls enclosing courtyards are typically six to eight feet tall. Growing vines and creeping plants along your walls can soften their solid appearance. To achieve this effect, try adding a custom treillage to your wall, or support lattices that guide the direction of your plant’s growth. Water elements are perfect for drowning out unwanted noise, creating ambiance and providing a lovely focal point. Remember that every decision and selection appears magnified in smaller spaces, so your area should be carefully planned and executed.

Walled Gardens
Walled gardens cover a wide variety of functions and are less room-like than courtyards. They enclose everything from swimming pools to formal gardens to lawns. They also operate as separate entities, not necessarily adjoined to any other rooms or walls of the home. You can even situate a small courtyard within a walled garden to create more dimension.

Charleston landscape design — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Are you inspired by these lush garden ideas? Contact Dargan Landscape Architects, and let us help you turn your home’s outdoor sanctuary dreams into a reality.

P.S. – Don’t forget to join us at The Garden Show of Buckhead this weekend! Hugh and Mary Palmer will unveil their miniature landscapes at the event, which takes place at The Buckhead Theatre Friday through Sunday. Be sure to stop by on Saturday from 4 to 5 pm for Mary Palmer’s Big Birthday!

Adding a Terrace to Your Landscape’s Perimeter Spaces

April 23, 2014

Terraces are one of the most important aspects of your landscape’s perimeter spaces, especially for those who live in smaller suburban homes and townhouses, where they may comprise the majority — if not the entirety — of your landscape plan. A terrace, or patio, is any paved surface that joins the house, regardless of its size. A well-designed terrace will be congruent with the existing architecture and will also create a seamless transition to the subsequent landscape, providing homeowners with more ways to use their outdoor living space to the fullest.

Atlanta GA landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

If you’re considering the addition of a terrace for your landscape, consider the following tips from Mary Palmer’s book, Timeless Landscape Design:

Size: The first thing you’ll want to consider is how large or small your terrace should be.

Small. A small terrace is ideal for an intimate bistro table for two. In cases where outdoor space is limited, a 6’x6′ space will suffice. For a sightly larger dining area, you may want to allow for a 12’x12′ area.

Buckhead GA landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Medium. If you entertain often and enjoy dining alfresco, we recommend at least a medium-sized terrace, measuring 12’x18′. This will accommodate two 60-inch round tables, which can each comfortably seat six to eight people with room to move.

Large. If you commonly host large gatherings, a large terrace should measure at least 24’x36′ and accommodate three 60-inch tables.

Charleston landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Larger terraces are often required in backyards with a pool to provide enough patio space for entering/exiting the pool and lounging. Without ample space, the pool may become littered with landscape debris.

Shapes. A terrace’s shape is usually determined by its function. If the terrace will have a grill, that should be accounted for to prevent impeding traffic flow. Pools and water features affect the shape, as does the size of the house — the larger the house, the larger the terrace for proportion’s sake. Ground-level terraces are often designed with a round or bowed shape to create a graceful aesthetic that flows into nature.

Western NC landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

Materials. The two most traditional terrace materials are brick and stone. The largest surface area is called the “field.” If you choose a different material for the edge, this area is referred to as “edging” or “banding.” The materials and colors you choose are completely dependent on your existing architecture and landscape features. Monochromatic palettes are optimal for a soothing ambiance. Contrasting colors and patterns will also liven things up.

Sea Island GA landscape architects — Dargan Landscape Architects
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

For more information on terraces and perimeter spaces, purchase a copy of Timeless Landscape Design, or contact Dargan Landscape Architects for professional assistance with your next master plan or tuneup project.

Landscape Design Inspiration from Near and Far

April 15, 2014

One of the best parts of planning a new landscape design is digging through photos of gardens from all over the world – or even visiting them – to find the perfect blend of elements and styles for your property. Of course, with an array of timeless landscape design features, historic gardens are some of the best sources for garden inspiration. In continuation of our series on historic sources of landscape design inspiration, today we’ll take a look at the Palácio de Fronteira, Villa Gamberaia and the Gardens of Historic Charleston.

Palácio de Fronteira
Along with the palace, the grand formal gardens at the Palácio de Fronteira were created in the 17th century for the first Marquess of Fronteira, whose descendant – the current Marquess – still resides there today. The gardens of the Palácio de Fronteira have been called “stunning,” not just for their classic formal layout and design. The utilization of azulejos – colorful blue tiles – by Portuguese garden designers in place of masonry, makes a wonderful backdrop and juxtaposition of color. When viewed up close, the azulejos tiles depict scenes of battles, hunts and religious images.

landscape architects in Atlanta GA — Source: Golisbon.com

Villa Gamberaia
Because of excellent design and form, the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia are not only enjoyed by gardening enthusiasts, but they’re also officially studied by gardening professionals. Begun in the 17th century with the building of the Villa, each owner over the centuries has made additions to the gardens and – remarkably – improved upon the design. With manicured yew hedges, statuary, multi-level walkways and staircases, water features and garden rooms, the gardens at the Villa Gamberaia are very near to perfection in the Italian style.

Cashiers NC landscape architects — Source: Villagamberaia.com

landscape architects in Buckhead GA — Villa Gamberaia
Photo Featured in Timeless Landscape Design

The Gardens of Historic Charleston
Unlike the previous two garden settings, the gardens of Charleston, South Carolina, are directly adjacent to private homes located in the center of Historic Charleston. Existing behind high walls, in the shadow of two- and three-story homes, these “shade gardens” make use of bright azaleas and hydrangeas in spring and colorful shade loving annuals in summer and fall. Charleston’s gardens are notable for their small size, as well as their balanced scale and proportion to hedges, plants and statuary. Common elements are brick walls, walkways, plus iron gates and fountains.

Which historic gardens do you look to for landscape design inspiration? Share with us in a comment below.

Are you ready to incorporate design inspiration from a historic garden into a master plan or tune up for your landscape? Contact Dargan Landscape Architects for a consultation. Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan and the rest of our team are ready to speak with you and share how we can help plan your new garden oasis.

Gorgeous Garden Design Inspiration from Italy & France

March 30, 2014

The stately gardens of England have inspired many people worldwide with their regal beauty. Not to be outdone, France and Italy have their own awe-inspiring contenders that spark our creativity. Let’s take a look at a few estates that solidify their gardens’ status as paradigms of masterful landscaping.

The French Formal Garden
Surrounding the Château Vaux le Vicomte in the Ille-de-France region lies the French Formal Garden. These gardens win us over from the start with their inviting approach and arrival sequence. The grand entrance marks the direction visitors should venture, providing a straight line forward with linear tree formations and ornamental flower beds. The gardens boast decadent water features and walkways, highlighting the cohesive way designer Andre Le Notre combined manmade elements with the existing landscape. Although these grounds cover miles of property, Mary Palmer Dargan reminds us in her book “Timeless Landscape Design,” that Notre’s signature designs can be scaled down and incorporated into your own space.

landscape architects Mary Palmer and Hugh Dargan — The French Formal Garden at Château Vaux le Vicomte
Source: Facebook.com/chateauvlv

The Gardens of Villandry
Nestled in the French Loire Valley, the Château de Villandry is an impressive sight with its 20th-century garden. The most famous feature is its unique jardin potager, or beds of plants containing delightfully unexpected pairings of flowers and vegetables. The gardens also contain geometrical shapes of formal parterres. Designer Jean Le Breton used the Gardens of Villandry to transition the medieval fortress to a Renaissance château through bright flora and lowered walls that allow a scenic view.

The Villa Lante Gardens
Located in Bagnaia in the Lazio region of Italy, Villa Lante‘s gardens are a shining beacon of the Mannerist period, when proportion play and geometric patterns were king. The gardens display terracing, echoing the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and its symbolic descension is drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphosis. With its Water Chain cascade, geometrical parterres and iconic grotto, it’s clear that the completed space required the work of a skilled group of artisans and bishops over several years.

landscape architect Hugh Dargan — Source: Beniculturali.it

landscape architect Mary Palmer Dargan — Source: Gardenvisit.com

How are you inspired by these historic gardens? Tell us about your plans for incorporating some of these French and Italian designs from antiquity into your own outdoor haven in a comment below.

If you would like to speak to a landscape architect about creating a master plan or a tune-up for your property inspired by the historic gardens and landscapes of England, France, Italy or elsewhere, contact Dargan Landscape Architects in Atlanta. Our team, led by Hugh and Mary Palmer Dargan, will be happy to schedule a time to speak with you about your property and how we can help turn it into the oasis you’ve been dreaming of.

garden design

Footer

Let’s Get Started on Your Project