ituated on a three-acre wooded lot, this home was originally a 1950s brick ranch style house with a walk-out basement. The existing house was demolished down to the floor structure to build the new home from the same foundation. An addition to the house was added at the rear to provide for a new living room space with a 16-foot high ceiling and glass wall facing the wooded backyard. The composition of this 4,000-square-foot house is an interplay of cubic volumes, vertical stucco walls and floating roof planes. The roof planes create a cascading, stepping contrast to the rising stucco volumes. Cedar panels punctuate the stucco volumes at the roof and window intersections. Interior privacy and exterior views were both addressed by limiting glazing on the street side of the house while maximizing views towards the rear of the lot. The interior utilizes large planes of wall surface illuminated in ambient light, creating an ideal setting for displaying the owner’s art collection. One of the primary functions of the house is hosting large family gatherings of 30+ people. The kitchen, dining and living room areas were designed to easily interconnect and allow circulation between these spaces for these large gatherings.
To complement the new residence, a new detached garage and pool house were added to this property. The two structures are located in pre-programmed locations, under the original design, and attempt to extend the interior and exterior spaces into the landscape of the property. The structures create visual boundaries that define and enhance the outdoor spaces of this naturally wooded site. Each form influences the compositional principles of the house by using cubic volumes and floating roof planes in a modernist architectural language. The use of limestone walls and clear cedar planks make a connection to the natural setting and act as a counterpart to the massing and texture of the stucco forms.


We know what grows best in Iowa because we're from Iowa. Locally owned and operated- we are a full service landscaping and lawn care company. Everything you need from lawn care & landscape design to water features, tree planting, irrigation, and snow removal. Visit our garden center, call, or click to get to know us and how we can help you grow your garden.
Tip of the Week
QR Codes-- Our Plants Talk
“Hi – I’m a Sun Patiens and here is why you want me in your garden….” Talking plants? Close! Plants with a QR code can tell you everything you want to know about them--what they like to eat, how much sun they need, and even who they like to hang around the garden or patio pot with.
QR stands for quick response and can be read by any cell phone with a QR reader--a free quick app you can download. Look for QR codes on our plants, scan...and then let the plants do all the talking!
Heat Loving Tropicals!
Add a Splash of Tropical to Your Outdoor Space
Just in to our Garden Center, tropical plants that love the summer heat!
A variety of plants in many sizes and colors including hibiscus trees!
Stop by while supplies last!
Love the Scent of Lilac?
Bloomerang Lilacs Now Just $20!
The highly fragrant flowers explode in spring, are “resting” now
but will then bloom again in mid-summer and continue blooming until frost.
Stop in for this great THREE season plant!
Select Perennials $2.50
Back by Demand
Popular Perennial Sale is Back!
Select perennials $2.50.
Buy 10 or more—just $2.00.
Lots to choose from for a beautiful garden year after year.
*Select perennials only
You can enjoy this summer!
Thanks to everyone who came out for our one-time only “Garage Sale” auction. It was a great success and we know lots of you got some terrific deals. As we head into the heat of July many of you may be thinking of adding to, re-designing, or constructing an outdoor space. KPBS can help in any or all stages of planning and installation. Stop by or call to let us help you create a personal outdoor space you can enjoy this summer and many summers to come.
The know-how you need now to get rid of weeds and keep them from coming back. Read the full article on the Know How Page.
KPBS has joined WHO radio’s The Big Show to encourage Iowan’s to plant 50,000 new trees in 2013. All summer long Kaldenberg's will be offering tips and advice to listeners such as planting a wind break, guidelines for selecting trees, watering newly planted trees and when to plant. Be a part of the journey plant a tree in 2013.
5555 NW Beaver Dr.
Johnston, IA 50131
MON - SAT


Backyard decks are an excellent way for homeowners to extend their living space. Whether you’re looking to build a deck, fence, pergola or gate, we deliver quality craftsmanship and attention during all project phases. While the look and feel of many decks has evolved, so has our design approach. We provide multi-level deck designs with custom features to bring you outdoor living spaces that stand out. Our team of specialists will develop designs best suited to the specifications of your space and style of your home, and source quality materials that last.


Trail work taking place along Duck Creek this month & Community Planting Day June 19
Improvements to a trail and wetland area along Duck Creek in the Mendenhall Valley began today, June 7, and will continue through the month. Please use caution in this area and follow any construction signage. Improvements include clearing trees, storm water control, and creating a walkway to the bridge. Project goals include rehabilitating wetland areas and improving habitat.
MRV Architects designed the improvements, Trail Mix is performing the trail work, and Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition will facilitate the revegetation of the area. The work is being funded through mitigation money provided to the City and Borough of Juneau by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities for impacts to park property from the Stephen Richards Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road Roundabout projects.
The public is invited to a Community Planting Day on Saturday, June 19 at 10 a.m. to participate in the rehabilitation and beautification of the area. Please meet at the bridge crossing Duck Creek north of the Duck Creek Market.
For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 586-5226, or MRV Architects’ Kevin Jeffery at firstname.lastname@example.org or 907-586-1371.


Drain lining is a way of correcting and issues that may be occurring in drainage pipes as a result of cracks and holes that can appear naturally over time and could be as a result of tree roots that have penetrated the pipes. It is a much quicker method than digging up the roads to replace the entire pipe.
Here are some of the benefits of using drain lining.
Minimal Destruction of Landscapes
Digging up the ground to replace pipes will cause a level of destruction to the local landscape as well as the destruction of plants that may have aged and grown. Terrace steps, concrete and other materials, all of which must be replaced once the repair is complete. Relining ensures that much less damage to the surface occurs. This is a simple recovery tool that helps keep the house in good shape.
Relining will save you a considerable amount of cash. It also needs less labour since it is not necessary to raise the pipes from the ground. There will also be less of a need for remedial works to the area to take place after the pipe has been repaired.
Quickly turned around
To fix the pipe, far less time is required than if you dug it up and fixed it. Relining also helps you more easily to rehabilitate pipes in hard-to-reach locations. The fast turnaround time helps reduce the cost of installation. It also helps to more easily return the setting to its original form.


3/22/2013 10:00:00 PM Column: Head-high hedges block what you don't want to see
Photos.com Cultivate tall hedges for natural privacy screens Ė but keep them at head-height so you donít block your view.
Courtesy photo Butterfly lavender is one of a mountain garden's easiest to care for herbs.
Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener
Spring weather has arrived in all its mountain glory and we gardeners are back to the great out-of-doors! Now that we can enjoy the vistas from our patios and decks, ensuring some privacy is important. If your landscape needs a privacy screen, this might be your year to get one started.
An unfortunate mistake many a homeowner makes is to plant a hedge that becomes massive within several years, overgrowing its space, obscuring walkways and even the entire front of the house. Also, screens taller than head high planted in the wrong place can obliterate vistas and obscure sunsets.
Today's column is dedicated to those plants that are easily maintained at head height, mostly with a minimum amount of manicuring. Because our arid Arizona climate causes plants to grow on the small side of natural, spacing is critical for a fast filling hedge. So, for a thick hedge, if the plant tag says your plant will grow 4-5 feet wide use the smaller of the two spacing numbers recommended.
Here is my list of the top seven performers that can grow into exceptional hedges in local landscapes.
Red-tipped photinia is the most common plant used as a tall hedge, even though this 12-foot-high evergreen requires a bit more maintenance
than other plants in this list. A ladder may be required to prune this hedge if left untended for very long, as well as making it too large for most properties. The new spring growth emerges red then matures to a waxy green leaf.
Glossy privet has the same look as the photinia but may be a better choice for a residential landscape. Growing to only 5-6 feet high, it forms a dark green, thick hedge. The waxy leaves retain moisture within the plant's structure so that the result is a low-maintenance hedge with low water needs, and fewer bug problems than its red tipped counterpart.
Mint julep juniper is the super hardy plant your grandfather used as a hedge, but with a more attractive color. The signature sea foam green foliage grows quickly to head high with little help and even less water. It forms a very thick hedge that requires infrequent trimming to keep it perfectly manicured. As northern Arizona is famous for its juniper forest, a juniper hedge blends right into the landscape.
Victory pyracantha is another old-fashioned plant perfectly suited to an 8-foot high hedgerow. It is surprisingly hardy and the fastest growing of the tall hedge plants. This plant has all the seasons covered for an interesting landscape; its thick glossy green leaves are small, its white flowers in spring form orange berries that birds dearly love. Long, vicious thorns will prevent unwanted visitors from coming or going through this hedge.
Gilt-edged silver berry is a new hedge plant with a native twist that rivals the manzanita. Bright gold edges highlight each bright blue leaf for a truly striking hedge. Planted at 4-foot intervals it will grow into a head high privacy screen so thick that no one would dare try to penetrate it. Investment property owners use this plant because it classes up a property's value but is hardy enough to withstand damage from the most abusive tenant.
Golden euonymous is the most popular of the hedge plants. Although its year-round bright gold foliage appears almost festive, this plant is tough as they come. An ideal hedge, it can be sheared or left to grow into a natural form dense enough to make a good visual and sound barrier. Look to the Silver King Euonymus for the same design element but in a silver cream color that is equally striking. For long hedgerows, feel free to combine the two varieties.
Oregon grape holly has several varieties that grow wild in the mountains of Arizona. With minimal care it grows quickly to a height of 6 feet. Once up to size this hedge can be cut off from all care except for very infrequent watering during the heat of summer. The gold flowers that cover this plant in early spring are followed by a grape-like berry that birds really enjoy. The leaves resemble English holly, but are well adapted to our wind and bright sun. It makes an excellent hedge to border driveway entrances and property lines.
Plant of the week is Butterfly Lavender. Purple flowers flutter above this herbal delight of fragrant silver foliage in an evergreen mound. This is the perfect plant for gardeners who want easy to care for flowers because they travel often, and/or share their yards with dogs, rabbits or javelinas. Surround this herb with heat, sun, rocks, and neglect to guarantee a happy lavender that keeps on blooming. It is in glorious flower right now, and that's enough to bring a smile to the face of any spring gardener.
Gardening class - It's almost time to turn on the irrigation systems in our landscapes. On March 30 at 9:30 a.m. Dan Croskey from Ewing Irrigation will be sharing his expertise on drip systems, setting timer clocks and proper watering schedules for local landscapes and gardens. Join me for this technical, but enjoyable and enlightening class.
Until next week, I'll see you at the garden center.
Throughout the week, Ken Lain is at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Road, Prescott, and can be contacted through www.wattersonline.com.
Posted: Saturday, March 23, 2013
Article comment by:
Thanks for an informative article. In these times, when water is disappearing, and increasing in cost, it would be helpful to let readers know the water requirements of each of the attractive hedge options. The cost of the gardening class (if there is one) would be helpful as well.


Shade Structures are the perfect accessory for many of our other outdoor products including commercial playgrounds and recreational courts. We offer many high quality shade solutions for both residential and commercial use. Each structure is custom designed for your specific application.
Shade Structures can be the ideal solution for many outdoor areas including playgrounds, parks, parking lots, and car dealerships. Our high quality shade products cool the air beneath the structure by as much as 25 degrees and block up to 97% of harmful UV rays. The rigid frame of our commercial line can withstand up to 90mph winds with the shade fabric on providing superior weather protection.
We have several different shade structure styles available for your specific needs including 4-post, cantilever, sail, and umbrella options. Contact us for more information about our shade products.
For more information or to request a quote click here!


Several years ago we bought a tree, probably around 6 feet tall, and planted it in the back yard. Around that time . . or maybe the following year, we placed old tractor tiles in a pile for the kids to climb on not far from the tree.
A seed was somehow planted inside the stack of tires. And the safety of the tires helped that little seed grow so well! That tree is now taller than the tree that we planted! It is crazy!
Well, we are planting lots of trees this year. And I wanted to recreate the environment that the tires made! But, I don’t want to put multiple piles of tires around my yard! I walked around the Dollar Tree with the kiddos and looked for the tallest thing we could find to protect the trees. A kiddo found small trash cans! That looked like it would work! Then we bought some flower scissors, also from Dollar Tree.
We cut the end out of the trash cans and cut a side open. This way, we can remove the trash cans later when the trees are big enough. We are going to have to get a special saw to get the tractor tires off the tire tree!! And viola! Our new trees have protective shields. And hopefully will grow super-duper great!
Tonight I am thankful for a (hopefully fantastic) Dollar Tree fix to help our new little trees stay safe and grow well!


Genesis Permaculture Resources and Links
THis is what started it all for me: Greening the Desert with Geoff Lawton
Building a Herb Spiral:
The term “weed” is, in part, a human value judgement of certain plants or plant species as interfering with the desired use of a particular field or tract of land at a particular time. Even alfalfa (Medicago sativa), one of the most highly valued forage or hay crops, can be a weed in a vegetable garden.
Weeds are also, in large part, a human creation.
Nature does NOT till
What is a pioneer species?
Weeds, don’t shoot the messenger: http://www.cog.ca/documents/WeedsMessengerSU06.pdf
Pioneer species are hardy species which are the first to colonize previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady-state ecosystem. Since uncolonized land may have thin, poor quality soils with few nutrients, pioneer species are often hardy plants with adaptations such as long roots, root nodes containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and leaves that employ transpiration. Pioneer species will die creating plant litter, and break down as "leaf mold" after some time, making new soil for secondary succession
Weeds are hard wired to immediately cover disturbed and bare soil helping us to reduce the loss of soil from erosion and winds. Whenever we rototill, we create a disturbance (an edge) which provides an opportunity for weeds.
What are Dynamic Accumulators?
Dynamic accumulators are plants that mine nutrients from the soil through their roots. These plants can then be used as a fertilizer, or as part of a fertilizer mix, for other plants that may be deficient in those particular nutrients. They play an important role in many permaculture guilds.
What is Succession and how will it benefit my garden or farm fields?
We can help the succession of weeds through the landscape by not tilling our soil anymore, creating established raised beds and chopping and dropping the weeds as they come up (prior to seed) and allowing the plant to decompose into the soil; thus feeding the necessary nutrients from the weed into our soil (dynamic accumulator)and allowing for natural succession of plant species.
For larger areas, we can help succession by:
- Reducing or eliminating the need for soil disturbance
- mowing the weeds at a height of about 7 to 8 inches prior to any appearance of seeds (thus ensuring that competing plants are not mowed down in the mix)
- Planting native grasses, shrubs, trees, willows etc.
- Planting pulse crops which come up earlier in the season therefore choking out the invasive species
Polyculture is the practice of planting a community of interrelated, interdependent plants, mimicking in your garden the complex relationships that are found between plants in nature.
In the case of food crops, a polyculture tries to set up conditions where you can eat almost continually out of a garden bed filled with different varieties of plants maturing at different times. The faster growing plants protect the tender ones from the sun. The thickness of the planting virtually eliminates weeds, and also functions as a living mulch, keeping the soil moist and cool beneath a carpet of green. These beds look quite different than the tidy rows of carrots and cabbages one used to see.
Here is an example of a professional polyculture bed out of Gaia's Garden, one which creates salads, cabbages, and beans. Polyculture from Gaia's Garden, attributed to Lanto Evan:
After the last frost cover your garden bed evenly with a light broadcasting of the following seeds. Don't mix them before broadcasting because they will fall differently according to their weight., and so separate out in the throwing. Spread one type of seed at a time, aiming for an even distribution of each type of seed all over the bed. Sow: radish, dill, parsnip, calendula and many types of lettuces, late and early harvesting types to extend the length of your season. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil.
Meanwhile, start cabbages from seeds in containers, early and late maturing varieties.
4 weeks after sowing you can pull some of the first radishes, because they grow fast. As you eat those, put the cabbage seedlings in the holes.
6 weeks after sowing you can eat the lettuce; first as a baby lettuce mix, later in its more mature leafing form. Pull out entire plants to make space, so things don't get too crowded.
Continue this way until the soil warms up. As you eliminate lettuce plants, begin to put beans in their place. The dill and calendula will start coming into their own, and the early cabbages. The beans will be ready by midsummer, and the parsnips and the rest of the cabbages will follow in the fall.
The secret is in choosing plants with staggered harvesting times, so they don't come in all at once, overwhelming you and competing with each other for space, and also in choosing plants that are not all from the same families, so they don't compete for the same nutrients. The beans in the polyculture above help replenish the nitrogen in the soil that the other plants drain out. Very clever; with little effort compared to normal gardening, you will be harvesting veggies from one plot all season long.
I have a large garden and I don't know if I can plant the entire space and keep everything covered - what do I do? Mulch the rest
Nature never does just one thing; large blocks of single plant type and vegetation that is all the same height and root depth is Man's creation and causes weeds and plant disease.
Companion Planting – Attachment D
There are so many different camps on this subject and all kinds of resources; one of my favourites is Carrots love Tomatoes – a great little book on companion planting. Rather than go into great detail here I would say that this subject is a course of self discovery. Talk to the lady down the street that always has such a lush and vibrant garden or peruse the Internet for insights. Another great resource is Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemingway but each region is different so most of what you will be doing is taking steps forward and then accepting the feedback – don’t forget to keep a diary of all your adventures:-D
You have all heard me talk about Sepp Holzer, a very resourceful man who lives in the Tyrol Mountains in Austria; well here is a great article on the work he has done creating micro climates, pond & fish systems, Hugelkultur; the list is endless but this article and embedded videos is a great start. http://www.celsias.com/article/permaculture-miracles-in-the-austrian-mountains/
1. South facing - Build your beds facing the south and plant the highest plants in the back of your beds to frame the smaller or more fragile plants that will be planted in front.
2. Reflective surfaces – by utilizing a white or light coloured wall we are able to reflect the sun’s rays back onto the garden or directly onto our plants growing along the wall for additional warmth and sunlight
3. Thermal Mass & Greenhouses - http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Greenhouses fill rain barrels with water and paint them black; fill black plastic bags with gravel or sand these will also store heat. Two liter bottles painted black and filled with sand will also serve this purpose. Black stones can also be used or cinder blocks painted black. You can utilize this method to help grapes and Arctic Kiwi to grow as it provides a warm place for the roots and the thermal mass holds the warmth of the day well into the evening. Now where else can I use thermal mass mmmmm....?
4. Increase reflective capacity by placing a pond in front of a Heat Sink. With or without a pond, these systems are beneficial to plants and trees like orchard trees that require warmer conditions but don’t limit yourself to these types of trees and vegetation.
Taller plants are placed in the back and frame the smaller plants in front; this provides protection from the elements just like a warm hug. You can also utilize this system to provide more warmth for your home.
Keyhole beds increase growing capacity in your garden and provide access to everything growing within its radius; keyhole beds allow for some pretty funky companion planting; you can plant taller trees, shrubs or vegetables in the back (or north side of the bed) getting shorter and smaller as you come forward. Although keyhole beds work at a premium when they are designed as south facing, this is not absolutely necessary but make sure to plant your taller plants to the north end of the bed.
Raised beds and mulched pathways
Raised beds and swale (ditch on contour) pathways filled with wood chips provide so many benefits. By establishing this type of garden, you eliminate the need for tilling. Tilling, as we know depletes the quality and nutrient levels of our soil and provides a short term benefit for a long term deficit.
Raised beds allow for:
· easier access
· good water drainage
· plants get watered from the bottom up ensuring healthy plants with good strong root structures that are able to mine for nutrients.
· Fantastic Soil building benefits
· The woodchips offer a wonderful soft pathway and add humidity to our garden area.
The best video ever on how to build a Wicking Bed
We all know about lady bugs and how they love aphids well, there are so many more insects more that are more than happy to work alongside with us to keep our gardens and edibles foodscapes healthy and humming along – check them out:
plants that attract Pollinators
Swales and re-hydrating the landscape
Swales have to be one of my most favourite Permaculture designs; they are a key element in maintaining healthy soils and so important in re-hydrating degraded systems.
I come across farms that have too much water and farms that don’t have enough water and the solution for both of these problems is to build swales to allow the water to hydrate “into” the land instead of spilling over the land and either washing everything out or simply evaporating into thin air.
Whether you are digging a swale or ditch on contour within your garden (nice and level just like the bottom of a bathtub) to ensure that all of the water evenly distributes throughout your entire garden or you would like to construct a large swale dug on contour across your land to bring large volumes of water into your land to rehydrate your soil here are some great answers on how to:
Lasagna Method or Sheet Mulching – GROWING FOOD ALL THE WHILE GROWING SOIL
So easy and so beneficial, we are going to add 6”to 8”of material to build our soil. You can do this any time of the year but the most beneficial time is in the fall, that way ensuring that you have plenty of humus to work with next year when planting your gardens.
- To reduce the compaction in the soil we are going to take a pitch fork and lightly rock back and forth to loosen the soil material – do not turn the soil over as this will kill off and disturb the microbes living in the soil. Do this for the entire area you wish to sheet mulch.
- Next, spread a layer 4” thick of good compost over the entire area, this will ensure that you have millions of helpful microbes going to work for you right away, breaking up and aerating the soil.
- Next, is the Cardboard – a barrier layer preventing the grass from growing up
- Next is the Mulch layer wood chips, leaf litter, straw, any kind of carbonaceous material
- Then Water
Keyline Plow with Darren Doherty
7 Layers of the Food Fores
Mature forests occupy all available space with lush growth. “Forest gardens” model themselves after natural forest Eco-systems but focus on plants that provide food, medicines and other resources. Urban yards can also take advantage of the possibilities of using vertical space to make up for what they lack in horizontal space. All 7 layers (root, ground cover, herb layer, shrubs, mall trees, large trees, vines) can be occupied by plants that offer not only beauty but food, medicine, or other benefits as well. When appropriately designed for a particular bio-region, forest gardens provide an abundance of food in a way that is self-perpetuating, self-fertilizing, self-mulching, self-watering, self-pollinating and highly resistant to disease.
One Million Pounds of Food on 3 Acres – Aquaponics/Greenhouses/Closed Loop Systems
SPIN FARMING – (Small Plot Intensive Farming)
Stacking – Plants incorporated into a permaculture landscape are “stacked” both in space and in time. Plants will be chosen to occupy the following 7 layers; below ground (i.e. root crops), ground cover, herbaceous plants, shrubs, small trees, tall trees, and vines. Similarly, thought should be given into the long term development of the landscape over time, ensuring that the system will be thriving many years from now.
Stacking Functions #1 – All elements in the design should serve multiple functions.
All elements in nature do more than one thing- they are imbedded in a multitude of relationships performing a variety of services for the life community in which they reside. So too does each element in a permaculture design play multiple roles and offer multiple yields. A well chosen and placed tree can provide food, shade, cooling, bio-mass, beauty, building materials, a structure for other plants to climb, habitat for many species, recreation and many other functions. A fence can be made of plants that provide privacy, food, habitat, beauty, and bio-mass. A water cistern can also store heat for a greenhouse or function as a structure as part of a building.
Stacking Functions # 2 – All functions in the system should be served by multiple elements.
This principle is essentially one of planning redundancy into the system so there is less fragility and more resilience. We may have a variety of strategies to meet the water needs of the system including household grey water use, roof-top catchment, soil building organic matter, landscape contours such as swales or ponds, in addition to the conventional water sources available to us. In order to support the key element of food production we may employ a variety of food growing models including annual vegetable beds, edible perennials, edible forest gardens, mushroom cultivation and small livestock such as bees, rabbits or chickens. In short, don’t put all your eggs in one basket!
Stacking Functions # 3 – Stack elements in vertical and horizontal space as well as in time.
Particularly in smaller urban lots, we want to be able to grow as much as possible in a vertical plane to maximize the amount of bio-mass we can generate and the food and other yields we can create within the system. This might include multilayered growing areas, espaliered fruit trees, wall mounted systems, and green roofs. Similarly, we will design the space along temporal lines, ensuring that the annual vegetables are planted in succession or that perennial systems are evolving towards a state of succession in which they are at maximum productivity, and that there are younger plants prepared to replace older ones. Edible Forest Gardens are a good example of permaculture systems that are stacked in both space and time.
Excerpt taken from www.theurbanfarmer.ca
A FARM FOR THE FUTURE
One of the most important and exciting elements of applying permaculture principles to all that we do in the garden is that we are building soil.
What is Soil?
Soil is a substance made up of sands, silts, clays, decaying organic matter, air, water and an enormous number of living organisms. Survival of all living systems depends greatly on synergy and efficiency to optimize the functioning of all processes and to keep waste as low as possible. When synergy and efficiency begin to wane, declines follow.
An excerpt from “We Have The Tools Series”
Article derived from: http://www.hippocratesinst.org
Most people have a static rot compost pile in their back yard which helps to reduce waste and provides a level of goodness for your garden but for the most nutrient rich, dynamic compost possible, Building a Thermophilic Compost Pile is the way to go. Thermophilic composting is the practice of breaking down biological waste with thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria. One teaspoon of compost derived from this method can contain up to 1 Billion microbes on 1 teaspoon of compost.
The most important element in building healthy compost is OXYGEN and most of these backyard compost bins are made of black plastic and create a stinky anaerobic mess – certainly not what we want to put into our garden.
When we build a thermophilic compost pile we are using a 30 to 1 ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen by weight. This is hard for people to envision and they are often shocked when participating in the actual construction of a composting pile to see how little nitrogen is added compared to how much carbon.
What is Carbon and What is Nitrogen
Carbon is brown and nitrogen is green; other examples include the following items that can be used in building a compost pile
Nitrogen Rich Materials:
fresh, juicy materials are usually higher in nitrogen. In addition, materials of animal origin (such as feathers, manure (cow, chicken, goat - NOT horse), and organic blood meal) are typically higher in nitrogen; grass clippings, green leaves, coffee grounds, all great sources of Nitrogen.
Carbonaceous Materials: Drier, older, or woody vegetable and plant tissues are usually higher in carbon; Wood shavings, fine wood mulch, straw, old dried up hay bales, cardboard (cutup fine), dry leaf litter etc.
Composting Made Easy:
If your compost pile starts to smell, then it is too hot and has gone anaerobic; quickly add more carbon material to cool things down and monitor the compost pile to regulate heat. The preferred temperature is no higher than 65 degrees Celsius.
How to Calculate Compost Coverage
Compost is one of the most valuable garden materials available and can improve nearly any type of garden. Not only does it provide valuable nutrients without the use of chemicals, it also helps loosen soil, prevents soil compaction, retains moisture and provides winter protection for tender plants. Compost also reduces the amount of work needed to maintain a garden by helping to keep weeds down. Using the right amount of compost is the key to ensuring plants receive all the benefits it has to offer.
Step 1 - Measure the length and width of the area where you plan to spread the compost.
Step 2 - Multiply the length by the width to determine the square footage of the area you plan to cover.
Step 3 - Decide how deep you want the compost to be spread. We recommend spreading compost between 1 and 3 inches deep in vegetable gardens or for covering crops or plants over the winter..
Step 4 - Multiply the square footage that you determined in steps 1 and 2 by the depth of compost that you chose in Step 3.
Step 5 - Multiply the number you arrived at in Step 4 by .0031. For example, if the area you are covering measures 5 feet by 5 feet, or a total of 25 square feet, and you want the compost to be 2 inches deep, you would multiply 25 by 2, and then multiply the result by .0031. The resulting number is the amount of cubic yards of compost required to cover the area to the desired depth.
To determine how much rain falls upon your house and out buildings, look up your average rainfall on the internet; now measure the square footage of your house or building you are going to use to harvest the rain
for every inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect approximately 600 gallons of rainwater. Ten inches of rain falling on a 1,000 square foot catchment area will generate about 6,000 gallons of rainwater!
Your roof catchment area is equal to the total square feet of your house plus the extension of your eaves. You don’t need to consider the angle of your roof, like you would if you were buying roofing material, because rain falls evenly on every part of the roof.
To calculate the square feet of your house’s catchment area, measure the area of the outside walls and then include the overhang of any eaves. For example, let’s say you have an oblong house with outside dimensions of 36 feet by 46 feet. You’ve calculated the overhang of your eaves as 2 feet. So, add the 4 feet of the eaves to each wall length (2 eaves of 2 feet equals an additional 4 feet for each wall) to get the total length of the walls plus the eaves (40 by 50 feet).
Now multiply 40 times 50 (length times width) to get your total roof catchment area.
(36 + 4) x (46 + 4) = 2,000 sq ft
Your roof catchment area is thus 2,000 square feet.
Since one inch of rainfall provides approximately 600 gallons of water for a 1,000 square foot catchment area, and our theoretical house has a 2,000 square foot catchment area (twice the area), you will multiply 600 gallons by 2.
1” of rain = 600 gallons of water from a 1,000 square foot catchment; therefore a 2,000 square foot home would be 1,200 gallons of water catchment.
600 gal x 2 = 1,200 gallons
Edmonton average rainfall = 18”
1,200 gal x 18 inches of rain = 21,600 gallons
Multiply number of Canadian Gallons by 4.5 to establish how many litres
21, 600 ÷ 4.5 = 97,200 Litres
If you have an average rainfall of say 20 inches per year, you have the potential to collect 24,000 gallons of water in one year.
Depending on the needs of your household, that can be significant amount of water to augment your water supply.
You should consider that rainwater harvesting systems aren’t necessarily 100% efficient. Most sources estimate efficiency between 70% and 90%. All rainwater harvesting systems lose some of the rainwater. It may spill out of the gutters or the wind may blow it away. Evaporation will undoubtedly affect some of it. To maximize your collection of rainwater, you can use out buildings such as barns or sheds. If you’re creative, you can even use rainwater from a patio or other paved areas around your house.
Our society tends to be an Aquaphobic society where water is driven out and away when really, water is our greatest resource and we should be slowing it, soaking it and sinking it into our landscape. What can you do on your property to slow it, soak it and sink it?
Two great references for Rainwater Harvesting are Brad Lancaster:
And Craig Sponholtz:
There are many ways to harvest the rain and take advantage of this great resource in nurturing and caring for your landscape. Please feel free to contact me for additional information or to help you design and setup up a rainwater harvesting system for your home.
BATS IN THE BELFRY
Bats are extremely valuable to our country’s agriculture due to the incredible number of insects these small animals consume and many homeowners encourage bats to roost near their homes by installing specially designed bat houses to reap the insect control benefits that bats provide. Bat habitats have reduced all over N. America which has reduced populations and endangered the species so by placing a Bat house on your property you can do your part to ensure that these beneficial bat populations return.
ROCKET MASS HEATER
Rocket mass heaters are simply amazing and can be fired up simply with coppice wood from willow or Caragana. Heat your home, chicken coop, workshop, hot water tank, so many uses.
Bunyip Water Level
Dynamic Accumulators and the periodic table
7 Layers of a Food Forest
Permaculture Design Principles
Many of these relationships are fairly general. The best results come from creating diversity by using a variety of herbs and ornamental plants alongside the edible crops planted in the garden.
Some Companion Plants are:
- Basil helps repel flies and mosquitoes
- Birch leaves encourage compost fermentation
- Borage in the strawberry patch will increase the yield
- Catnip repels fleas, ants and rodents
- Caraway helps breakdown heavy soils
- Chamomile deters flies and mosquitoes and gives strength to any plant growing nearby
- Chives grown beneath apple trees will help to prevent apple scab; beneath roses will keep away aphids and blackspot.
- Elderberry a general insecticide, the leaves encourage compost fermentation, the flowers and berries make good wine.
- Fennel repel flies and ants
- French Marigold root secretions kill nasty nematodes (not the beneficial ones) and will repel white fly amongst tomatoes.
- Garlic helps keep aphids away from roses
- Hyssop attracts cabbage white moth keeping brassicas free from infestation
- Mint repels cabbage white moth. Dried and placed with clothes will repel clothes moth.
- Nasturtium secrete a mustard oil, which many insects find attractive and will seek out, particularly the cabbage white moth. Alternatively, the flowers repel aphids and the cucumber beetle. The climbing variety grown up apple trees will repel codling moth.
- Pyrethrum will repel bugs if grown around the vegetable garden
- Rosemary repels carrot fly
- Sage protects cabbages from cabbage white moth
- Tansy (Tanacetum, not Senecio) repels moths, flies and ants. Plant beneath peach trees to repel harmful flying insects. Tansy leaves assist compost fermentation.
- Wormwood (Artemesia, not Ambrosia) although it can inhibit the growth of plants near it, wormwood does repel moths and flies and keeps animals off the garden.
- Beetroot: Onions, Lettuce, Cabbage, Silverbeet
- Cabbages: Beans, Celery, Beetroot, Onions, Potatoes
- Cauliflower: Celery
- Celery & Celeriac: Chives, Leeks, Tomatoes, Dwarf Beans
- Carrots: Lettuce, Peas, Leeks, Chives, Onions, Cucumbers, Beans
- Broadbeans: Potatoes, Peas, Beans
- Tomatoes: Asparagus, Parsley, Broccoli, Sweet Basil, Carrots
- Sweet Corn: Potatoes, Peas, Beans


Perhaps you have contemplated engaging the services of a professional in order to landscape your property. However, it is much less expensive and much more fun if you do it yourself. You simply need to be informed on the issue. Keep reading in order to get the information that will help you create a great looking yard.
Think about making a drawing of your prospective landscaping project before you begin the work. You’ll be able to get a clear idea of the results and the materials needed to achieve those results. Making your mistakes on paper first can save you lots of time later on.
One great tip is to first write down every material that you will need. The worst thing is to have to stop your project in the middle because you are short on mulch or missing a critical tool.
If you are thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen, then consider using granite as your surface cover. Even though marble and other materials may cost less, you are able to put hot items on granite without having to worry about getting ruined. Plus, it does not need a lot of upkeep.
Invest in a drip style watering system for your plants. These irrigation systems are easy to install, and they allow you to give your plants a continuous stream of water. Instead of soaking the ground with a stream from a hose or automatic sprinkler and causing lots of runoff, the drip system waters the plants directly.
Make sure you test your soil before you start your landscaping or gardening project. Getting your soil examined is a good way to decide whether or not it needs adjustments before you start introducing new plants. This will ensure your garden and landscaping have a greater opportunity to flourish under optimum conditions.
Landscaping isn’t just putting grass into your yard and planting a few trees here and there. Add a little texture and fill out your design with accent pieces or structures in wood, iron, or even cement. Bird baths, arches, decks, and pergolas can enhance the visual interest and beauty of your landscape. These elements come in a broad range in terms of prices for any budget.
A lot of people never consider purchasing landscape supplies online. This can not only save you money, but it can also help you to find plants that are more rare and not carried locally or even in specialty stores in your area.
Speak with a professional before beginning any landscaping work on your yard. They can often give advice that will save you from making a costly mistake. If you are new to landscaping or are inexperienced, this expenditure may be of great help to you.
Save yourself some money by shopping online, and browse a much larger selection. Lots of websites exist that offer great merchandise at appealing prices. Read a few user reviews to ensure that you invest in products that will satisfy your unique needs. Always shop around from site to site.
Many times, you can go with the cheaper product. Products such as mulch, planting containers, and many perennials have cheaper versions that are the same as the higher priced items. Take the time to inspect plants before you buy them. Stores that are selling them at a lower price may not have taken care of them properly.
Plan a yard and garden that will continue to be beautiful throughout the year. This means that you’re going to need various plants that bloom during different seasons. You can also get pine trees so that your yard is green in the winter. A thorough knowledge of plant varieties is the best way to accomplish a landscape design that is impressive at any time of the year.
Ask for references if you hire a landscaper to handle your yard design. Though price is certainly one aspect of your decision making process, having the opportunity to speak with former clients and see pictures of finished products might influence you too.
For anyone designing their own garden, it would be prudent to place mulch in any of the flowerbeds. Mulch keeps moisture in the soil so that heat and dry air don’t kill your plants. They will get just the amount of water they need every day.
Those looking to undergo a large landscaping project should consider using plants with differing textures. Using some of these in your beds helps provide much-needed visual contrast. To tie it all in properly, make sure to evenly plant them throughout your yard.
Don’t overlook how some landscaping for your home and yard will affect your overall property. If you are careless about the size and placement of large shrubs or trees, their root systems may affect your home’s plumbing system or crack your driveway. Their size may block your view when driving on and off your property. Take these sorts of issues into consideration as you carefully plan your landscaping design.
If you want to produce a landscape that is distinctive, hardy, and easy to maintain, focus on selecting native plants whenever possible. It’s a lot easier to take care of most native plants than plants that don’t grow locally because native plants have already adapted to your climate. Using native plants will also need much less supplemental irrigation, saving you a lot of money.
Before you start your project, it’s worth the money to get a little professional advice. Whether you need to hire a professional to install something, fix a mistake or even just give you advice, it’s worth every penny. An hour of consultation is enough to get important pointers that you might need.
You should be aware of the kind of soil you’re working with when designing your landscape. Certain types of soil may hinder the growth of your plants. If you do not have good soil, you may want to use purchased soil to create beds for the greenery.
Now that you’ve read this article, you are well on your way to getting your dream yard! Good work! You just saved yourself a lot of money and are about to have some fun. Go out and begin your landscaping project plan and get to working on making your plan a reality.


How to Build a Pergola for A Beautiful Entertaining Area
Follow these steps to build a beautiful pergola as a perch for climbing plants, to finish off a concrete slab, or to create an airy outdoor room.
- Working Time: 12 hours
- Total Time: 12 hours
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Estimated Cost: $200+
Rather than spending thousands of dollars to tear out a concrete slab and refill it with topsoil, learn how to build a pergola. A backyard pergola attached to the house or a freestanding DIY pergola can be completed in two or three weekends. Pergola materials are also relatively inexpensive.
Both open and covered pergolas provide a beautiful setting for backyard barbecues, firepits, hot tubs, and more. DIY pergolas are also ideal for climbing plants, creating an area of dappled sunlight that’s ideal both relaxing and entertaining. You can make it as shady as you like by adding climbing plants and creepers, or topping off the structure with fabric. The four corners of the pergola can also be anchored with planter boxes. We’ll show you how to prep and assemble a DIY pergola that’s perfect for outdoor living.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Tape measure
- Polyurethane glue
- Posthole digger
- Carpenter’s level
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Saber saw
- Wood: 6×6 posts, 2x10s, 2x2s
- Concrete mix
- Deck screws
- Bolts (if attaching to an existing structure)
How to Build a Pergola
The following steps detail building instructions for a DIY pergola. Customize your structure with additional pergola design ideas, paint, or stain.
Plan Pergola Design and Dig Holes for Posts
Plan to sink posts at least 3 feet into the ground for a freestanding backyard pergola. For example, an 8-foot-tall pergola needs posts at least 11 feet long. If possible, bolt some of the posts to existing decking posts or similar strong structural members.
Using a posthole digger or an auger, dig the postholes at least 30 inches deep or to the depth required by local codes. Shovel several inches of gravel into the bottom of each hole and insert the posts. (You’ll cut them to height later.)
Set Pergola Posts
Brace the pergola posts temporarily, so they are plumb. Use 3- to 4-foot 2x4s or 2x6s at the bottom and 1×4 or 2×4 angle braces anchored to stakes. Getting the posts both plumb and placed at the correct depth may require some shifting, but it won’t be readily visible if you are off an inch or so.
Combine water and bagged concrete mix and fill the postholes. Work the mix up and down with a stout stick to remove all air pockets. Overfill each hole so rainwater will run away from the DIY pergola post.
If your building site allows you to anchor posts to an existing structure, do so using bolts. Take time to ensure the pergola posts are perfectly plumb.
Cut and Install Roof Beams
Prepare for installing the beams by cutting the posts. Mark the cutoff lines on the posts, and be sure to account for the 2×10 beams before finalizing the height of the posts. Cut the posts with a reciprocating saw.
Measure the distance between the posts at the top and miter-cut 2x10s for the outer beam pieces. It’s okay to bend the posts an inch or two if they are not equidistant.
Working with a helper, place each beam piece so it aligns with the top of each post, and attach them by driving three 3-inch deck screws into each joint. Measure and cut the inside beam pieces. Laminate them to the outside beams using polyurethane glue and 1-1/4-inch deck screws driven every foot.
Also read our next article about maintaining a deck: Tips for Maintaining Your Deck for Years to Come. Don’t let it go to waste and rot away!
Determine Roof Design
A basic pergola roof consists of notched 2×10 lower rafters set perpendicular to the upper rafters. Generally, the lower rafters are 2 to 3 feet longer than the arbor width, and the uppers are 2 to 3 feet longer than its length.
The rafters often have decorative ends. Develop a pattern for your rafter ends using a freehand drawing or use a purchased or borrowed pergola plan. The design can be as simple or intricate as you would like.
On top of the lower rafters, cut a notch for the upper rafters to fit into. Cut notches on the bottom of the upper rafters for every lower rafter. Place all rafter notches an equal distance apart.
Cut the notches first with a circular saw, then a saber saw. Clean out the corners with a hand saw and chisel. As you work, check that the notched rafters will fit tightly together.
Raise the Roof
Next, notch the rafters. For the lower rafters, notch the bottom of each end so the rafters will fit over the beams. The notches should be 3×2 inches.
Add Finishing Touches (Optional)
If your DIY pergola wobbles, stabilize it with angled braces. Apply two or more coats of stain, finish, or paint to the pergola for long-lasting style.
After you have finished, you will want to read our next article to keep it clean: Best Deck Cleaners of 2023 for Your Home
How to Build a Pergola Planter
If desired, you can anchor the four corners of your pergola with planter boxes. To build the four planter boxes around the pergola posts, attach 1x4s to 2×2 framing with 1-5/8-inch screws. Butt-join the corners, line with 4 mil plastic sheeting held in place with staples, and cover with 1×4 trim pieces. Top it off with a 1×4 ledge and fill it with soil.


There shall be a minimum 10-foot clearance between an energized high voltage distribution conductor and any part of a tree. Fast growth tree species will require a minimum of 15-foot clearance. Only OSHA 269-qualified employees may clear lines or trim trees within the minimum approach distance of 10 feet of energized lines.
Trees should be trimmed to the extent that the designated minimum clearance area will be kept free of new tree growth until the next scheduled trimming cycle. If advanced trimming cycles are needed for fast-growing tree species or where limited trimming is permitted by the tree owner, appropriate cost and records will be maintained by United Electric.


At Pictona, we're proud to have Humana as our valued sponsor of the gardens. Their generous annual donation of $5,000 plays a crucial role in supporting our beloved gardens.
The hydroponic garden consists of ten towers that yield fresh vegetables and herbs, directly benefiting Pictona's onsite restaurant, The Kitchen. Thanks to Humana's support, we can ensure that our restaurant serves the freshest and healthiest ingredients to our visitors and members.
Growing a Brighter Future
We're excited to announce that the Humana Gardens at Pictona are currently undergoing major renovations. Thanks to Steve Parker, landscape architect, we've taken a significant step toward transforming our gardens. Steve presented us with three innovative design options pro bono, and after careful consideration we've selected a final plan that promises to enhance the beauty and functionality of our cherished gardens.
The garden renovation project will preserve the hydroponic garden, relocating it to the northeast corner. Our primary objective for the gardens is to create a tranquil oasis, offering a peaceful space to take a timeout from pickleball, where visitors can unwind in a serene environment surrounded by lush trees, vibrant plants, and beautiful flowers. Delight in the charming nooks with built-in seating, enjoy the soothing sounds of a water fountain, and watch the butterflies and birds.
Construction is set to commence soon, with an anticipated completion date in January 2024. We're looking forward to unveiling a renewed and rejuvenated Humana Gardens at Pictona that will continue to enrich the lives of our community members and visitors alike.


Modern Courtyard Garden
Our clients had a small private courtyard area to the side of their house, which they wanted to improve; it wasn’t used, due to its dull and uninspiring appearance. The office, with large floor to ceiling windows, projects out into this space, so it was also equally important that the courtyard looked good from here.
The transformation started with a bespoke water-wall feature, in slate with a wood surround. This can be seen from the office and the sound of moving water has a calming effect on the work environment.
The paving is a cool grey ‘plank’ paver set slightly on the offset, giving the illusion of a deeper and wider space; also contrasting well with the bright purple/pink planters. These were also bespoke and give a really bright and contemporary feel to the space. The planting is in soft pinks, purples and whites, adding colour and softness to the space. Herbs are also featured as they give a Mediterranean feel and the clients were keen to have them to use in their cooking.
The clients love the space and this lovely ‘suntrap’ is getting lots of use!
Click on pictures to enlarge


Building for biodiversity to create a greener future
Recent policy introduced in February on biodiversity net gain (BNG) has set out a new approach to development, building on the legally binding Environment Act introduced in 2022, to create better quality natural habitats wherever development takes place.
Attending the Surrey Nature Partnership Biodiversity and Planning Conference 2024, discussion from industry stakeholders highlighted the barriers to overcome in adopting widespread best practice and most importantly, the opportunities this refreshed approach to nature conservation presents.
Firstly, it’s easy to forget that human beings are an intrinsic part of nature and developments that enhance the environment for wildlife, our living environment, and provide better homes for all.
In particular, multifunctional green infrastructure presents an exciting opportunity to create healthier and happier neighbourhoods, as research has highlighted a strong link between living near green spaces and our overall health and wellbeing. For example, a recent study from the Hasselt University in Belgium found that children with more green space near their homes have significantly stronger bones, lower blood pressure and better mental and emotional wellbeing.
Meanwhile, green spaces are also linked to better physical and mental health in adults, with woodland walks estimated to save £185m a year in mental health costs in the UK.
Not only do green spaces create habitats for wildlife while increasing the visual appeal of a development, they also can be used as recreational areas for residents. Moreover, if designed thoughtfully, infrastructure such as a wildflower meadow can largely maintain itself, requiring minimal upkeep.
To maximise the benefits of nature-inspired design, developers must adopt a holistic approach. Retaining existing natural assets, creating wildlife corridors, incorporating green roofs and walls, and integrating habitats into homes with swift bricks and hedgehog corridors are just a few examples of how developers can make a significant difference.
The urgency for this nature-inclusive approach to design cannot be overstated. The UK currently sits in the bottom 10% of countries for biodiversity, with a staggering 16% of species threatened with extinction.
Alongside recent BNG policy, in late 2022 the UK Government outlined ambitious targets aimed at restoring and enhancing wildlife habitats, increasing tree cover and ensuring that everyone in England lives within a 15 minute walk of a green or blue space. There is also a growing commercial awareness of the importance of nature capital, and we are now seeing policy coming together with collective interest in sustainability to prioritise our natural environment.
Challenges raised at the Biodiversity and Planning Conference included the narrow scope of BNG policy, which does not include swift bricks or hedgehog highways, and the lack of ecologists available to consult on projects and fact check planning applications.
To navigate these challenges effectively, industry stakeholders must prioritise collaboration and knowledge-sharing. To ease the pressure on Local Planning Authorities, establishing codes and standardised approaches can help ensure that biodiversity considerations are seamlessly integrated into planning applications nationwide.
Moreover, investing in green skills and supporting career pathways for aspiring ecologists to specialise in habitat creation will be crucial for sustaining progress in the long term.
While there has been some scepticism towards the purchase of ‘BNG credits’, which means that developers can invest in habitat creation off-site and away from their developments, this system is turning disused land into habitats that will be protected for at least 30 years, creating new thriving green spaces across the UK.
The Environment Bank, for example, is creating over 6,000 acres of new habitats to rapidly combat biodiversity loss through privately funded nature recovery.
Overall, beyond regulatory frameworks, there is also a collective responsibility to foster ecological resilience through community engagement. By empowering the public to take action and creating interconnected networks of green spaces in their own gardens and community spaces, we can work together to create more sustainable neighbourhoods in the long run.
Biodiversity will not thrive in isolated pockets of habitats created on new developments, but in interconnected ecosystems that span across regions.
As the industry navigates this new policy and landscape, one thing remains clear: the path to a greener future lies in our ability to harmonise much needed urban development and new homes with the natural world. By embracing innovative design solutions, fostering collaboration, and inspiring collective action, we can pave the way for more biodiverse and resilient communities for future generations.
To find out more about biodiversity net gain, listen to our podcast episode here:


2015 Peacemaker Awards Gala
March 21, 2015
Nomination Form | Register Online | Sponsor Form | Past Award Recipients
Please join the San Antonio Bar Foundation on Saturday, March 21 for our Peacemaker Awards Ceremony and Celebration at the Japanese Tea Gardens! The picturesque Japanese Tea Garden is a registered Texas historical landmark, featuring beautiful floral displays, a waterfall and a safe habitat for Koi fish and aquatic plants. The garden opened in an abandoned limestone rock quarry in the early 20th century.


Plant singly as an accent plant in the shrub border or in large groups for hedges or screens. Best in eastern and central Kansas.
Tips for Homeowners:
Prune lightly in early spring only if absolutely necessary. If pruning is needed to regain a framework for the shrub, cut back hard in early spring but know that this will decrease the amount of flowers.
Rate this Plant:
A beautiful multi-stemmed tree with smoky looking flower clusters followed by an amazing show of color in the fall.
- Rounded shape
- Green foliage with vibrant fall color
- Long-lasting ornamental display
Interesting Notes about American Smoketree:
Smokebush gets its name from the showy collection of many tiny flowers and silk-like hairs that develop, giving this plant a smoke-like appearance. The leaves on the American Smoketree emerge green and follow up with a fantastic mix of color in shades of yellow, red, orange and purple in the fall.
Characteristics & Attributes
- Mass Planting
- Border or Bed
- Great Foliage
- Drought Tolerant
- Fall Color
- Full Sun
- Partial Sun
- Deer Resistant
Season of Interest (Flowering):
Season of Interest (Foliage):
- Average Water


Designing high-performance landscapes.
RPK has designed hundreds of residential projects in the United States. We are often brought into a project early on as part of the design team, which consists of an Architect, Interior Designer, and a Landscape Architect. We believe the garden and home are one; treating the landscape as an extension of your home and garden spaces as outdoor rooms.
RPK collaborates with top architects, planners and civil engineers on urban public spaces, academic campuses, green roofs, commercial developments, cultural institutions and recreational destinations. We provide creative ecological based solutions that complement our project teams technical design talents.
For constructed landscapes to perform as we need them to, we must get their underlying ecology right. RPK presents a solution to this complex challenge by integrating landscape architecture, horticulture and arboriculture to help communities plan, quantify, implement and manage comprehensive projects aiming to advance ecological benefits. Our ecological approach creates resilient landscapes that help combat Urban Centers against climate change.


The Ecological Restoration Specialist will assist with a variety of public, private, and institutional projects throughout the Mid- Atlantic region. Projects, which will vary in type and scale, may include watershed assessment, stormwater management design, and the development of integrated ecological restoration and engineering design.
» Applying an ecological mindset to the resolution of challenges posed by the built environment
» Stream, wetland, and shoreline restoration design
» Developing stormwater management retrofit design plans
» Low Impact Development (LID) and Environmental Site Design (ESD) assessment and design
» Creating site-specific conceptual designs through construction documents
» Preparing specifications and cost estimates
» Construction bid support and construction inspection
» Stream, wetland, shoreline and/or outfall restoration experience
» Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
» Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation
» Strong written and oral communication skills
» Unwavering environmental ethic
» Client centered focus Additional Skills Helpful
» LID and ESD experience
» Pond retrofit and utility engineering experience Education BS or MS in related field (engineering, landscape architecture, or environmental sciences)
Years of Experience: 7 to 12
Biohabitats is a purpose driven, performance oriented, and values led organization. To ensure that you will thrive at Biohabitats, we highly encourage you to review our Mission, Values, and Approach before applying.
Biohabitats is an equal opportunity employer.
Remember to say you found this opportunity at EnvironmentalCareer.com


Urban planning competition I participated to reform the area between the N75 and N702 in Limburg, Belgium. (Atelier Europa - Architectuurwijzer)
To restore the values of the central green area the concept is to create (green) gates to make the green area visible for the surrounding area. The green area already has it’s quality. It just needs to be made visible and readable. The planned gates make the area readable and understandable. The users will find their way to the green area and will know how they can use it.
The project became in front of the jury in the first round selection but was not selected for the final round.


With Outdoor Creations your space will be one that others would love to have. A garden adds value to your property. By having a boutique team of Landscape architects, we ensure that your project gets special attention, unlike the production line of larger firms.
Your garden is a reflection of both your personal tastes and practical requirements that is a clever marriage to the architecture. For some, an Outdoor Creation is an architect designed landscape that is beautiful for you and others, feels emotionally restorative,
You want your landscape design to be timeless so that it can be enjoyed forever. We make sure your garden will still be a show piece in years to come..
Your Wish List
First, we would send you a “wish list” which we ask you to fill out (largely by ticking boxes), together with any pictures you may have. You may have some conflicting ideas, but that doesn’t matter. It’s our job to find the best solutions that fit your dreams, while being functional, matching the building and adding value.
Landscape Design Consultation where we go through your Wish List, ask a lot of questions and listen intently so we fully understand your needs and desires. We discuss and explain what is best and why and what can be achieved most effectively.
At the end of the consultation you will be very clear on how the details of how your garden can be constructed to fulfil your dreams, add value and support the architecture that adds value over what you spend and approximate costs for different options. View a sample consultation report here.
From there we can proceed with your landscape design. Because we have done the preliminary work with you, this is why we get it right, so you have a fabulous landscape that will take your breath away.
Who better to coordinate the creation of your own personal paradise than the people who sat with you and listened to just what personal paradise meant for you? We take the headaches and sleepless nights, the arguments and stress off your hands out of dealing with councils and contractors. We are your advocate to coordinate the trades to not take short cuts and comply with all construction information.
Step 5 – Living in Paradise
Every day that you live with an Outdoor Creation is a day where you can step outside and instantly feel fantastic, because we can maintain it for you.


Dec 07, 2008 How do plant roots split stones and concrete? Actual force exerted by a root, but what I can say is that. Split in two by a tree growing through it! Tree Roots – Damaging. It’s true that tree roots can crack concrete slabs when they grow underneath and can split rocks when they follow a crack to find. 10 Tree Roots Winning Their Battle Against Concrete. Collected of tree roots colliding with concrete are beautiful. It Through Life 20+ Hilarious. Tree roots are known to break apart the concrete. Tree roots winning the war against concrete. Tree roots were able to escape through.
When Trees Attack: How Tree Roots Damage Your Foundation Everyone loves the look of a majestic tree in the front yard or supporting a tree house for the kids out back, but might that tree pose certain risks for your home? Under certain circumstances, an otherwise desirable tree can pose a significant threat to your home’s foundation. Here’s what you need to know about the risks, and what you can do to prevent problems down the road. How tree roots affect the soil Tree roots are very powerful — even small, newly forming roots.
Because they are driven to find more sources of water and nutrients, tree roots constantly extend themselves in the search. What happens as a result of these movements depends on the kind of soil the tree is planted in. There are two primary types of soil that will can be substantially affected by tree growth, and the effects are different for them. The first is soil composed primarily of clay., and become more densely packed as tree roots push through them. Soil that consists of loose dirt and rocks, on the other hand, simply tends to shift and become displaced, which allows roots to move through it more easily. It’s highly useful to know which type of soil your home sits on because that should tell you the kind of damage that tree roots may have in store for your residence.
Another way that trees can affect the soil beneath them relates to prevailing weather conditions. During droughts, roots may shrink as clay soils dry; during heavy rains, the as they absorb water. Both shrinkage and expansion can damage the structural integrity of soil. Concrete settling and foundation damage To be fair, tree roots themselves are not the direct cause of foundation damage, though many homeowners believe they are. Instead, the changes in the condition of the soil are what actually cause most of the damage to home foundations.
Full Version Battle Realms. This most often manifests itself in the form of. In many situations, concrete settling is only unsightly, but sometimes it can also be dangerous. When concrete settles, it is more likely to shift and crack. Vijay Tv Shows. Depending on how significant the movement is, the overall structure of your home may be affected. If concrete only cracks due to root activity, homes — especially newer homes — may not be disrupted at all. When concrete shifts because of settling, residential foundations may be more substantially impacted. In extreme cases, particularly with older homes, the entire house structure may suffer damage.
Support beams may shift, walls may sink or crack, and ceilings may become uneven. Though concrete settling is not always a hazard, too often it can cause basic structural damage in older homes.
Other causes of foundation damage It’s all too easy to blame trees for causing foundation damage because industrial societies regard them as invaders in developed areas. But there are many human interventions that can cause foundation damage. Poorly insulated basements, gardens planted by homeowners, and drainage pipes.
All of these can cause soil dehydration and concrete settling. How to prevent root-related damage If you’re concerned about the potential for roots damaging your foundation, you can take a number of steps to protect yourself. In most cases, concerns arise after the foundation has been laid and nearby trees have already been long in place. One way to address the issue is to. In order to do so, you may have to dig all the way down to the base of your home’s foundation. You can cut away roots that are approaching your foundation while you’re digging for the barrier. The process can be a hassle, but it’s better than merely trusting that your home will be left undamaged by weather cycles and root growth.
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Who says New Yorkers can’t get their nature fix in the city? Saturday, Ed and I took a really nice bike ride, from our home in Park Slope, over the Brooklyn Bridge, to High Line Park. The High Line is breathtaking and they just opened the second section last month. I just love the way it’s architects have managed to blur the boundaries between nature and (hu)man-made. What is interesting is that the High Line is completely remade, yet still retains an image of the run-down, over-run with wild flowers, above ground track that was neglected for so many years. Inspired by the old, the High Line has been manicured and the indigenous wild flowers that once overtook it are now tamed into a sort of wild garden. It is really fantastic.


From landscape design to development, maintenance to enhancements, our comprehensive services make your job easy. Be assured that you are working with an experienced landscape specialist with years of experience creating exceptional landscapes. We are passionate about the possibilities and committed to great execution. Our team is focused on making it easier for you to achieve your project goals.
Since launching this firm, Irriscape has positively impacted the landscaping and lives of many home owners and businesses, from simple touches to major renovations, from maintaining or improving a commercial space to providing a tranquil sanctuary at home. Simply put, Irriscape creates and maintains beautiful Florida landscapes that enhance our lives at any budget. Irriscape's professionally trained courteous staff ensures satisfied customers and a thriving beautiful business or home landscape.
Your outdoor spaces speak volumes about your lifestyle and exquisite taste. A stunningly beautiful driveway, an aesthetically pleasing patio and pool deck, and great landscaping do much more than just add beauty, they increase your property value, while being the envy of neighbors and friends. The most important aspects of a well-crafted driveway, patio, or pool deck are functionality and durability. These are the very outdoor spots that make your special moments even more special. This is why getting them paved in the right way from an expert like Irriscape is critical. Our top quality paving stones and a streamlined installation process provide a lifetime of enjoyment, where every patio, driveway, walkway, and pool deck stands the test of time. We offer the best quality of landscape designs and craftsmanship in the industry with these attributes that characterize our services: superior workmanship, top quality pavers, prompt service, competitive pricing, guaranteed satisfaction, and unparalleled expertise.
At Irriscape, we offer a wide array of residential and commercial lighting services designed to provide customers with the highest quality installation and repair. If you are looking to beautify your backyard or front yard, we offer reliable and high-quality outdoor accent lighting. Our landscape lighting will not only make it easier to spend time outdoors after hours by increasing visibility but also improve the look of your property.
In addition, landscape lighting will increase your property value and makes your home more secure. You may have trouble seeing what is going on around your property at night, but with carefully placed outdoor lighting, you no longer have to worry. You, your family, and your friends will enjoy greater nighttime visibility, safety, and security.
Our experienced staff has the skills and knowledge needed to provide you with landscape lighting design and installation. Our services are not only speedy but affordable as well. When you work with us, we will create a customized outdoor- and accent-lighting installation plan that will incorporate your taste, needs, and budget.
Irriscape Landscaping covers the Florida counties of St. Johns, Clay, Duval, and portions of other nearby counties. Our service area is roughly a 50 mile radius from Green Cove Springs. If you are borderline within the 50 miles, contact us to make sure we can help you.


Trees represent a green resource for communities, providing leaf and bark aesthetics, fall colors, and multiple specific environmental benefits, such as air filtration, protecting individuals and street pavement from damaging solar rays, and reducing the heat island effect of parking lots and office building sites.
In this regard, trees serve as an important infrastructure of the community – and they appreciate in value as they get older, compared to the expected depreciation of most other equipment and materials we consider infrastructure.
Tree selection for basic structural integrity and proper site placement are only the beginning of the story for developing a sustainable community urban forest. Trees must be planted to provide proper trunk depth at soil grade, suitable (if not optimal) root growth space, and proper moisture and nutrient status for up to three years after the actual planting event. Most trees, unfortunately, do not receive this degree of care once they are planted.
Planting trees is not the easy task that most people envision. There are many factors to consider, and not paying attention to the basics can be detrimental to tree survival.
Nine tree care tips and techniques are provided by the Arbor Day Foundation for just such situations. They include finding a tree, selecting a healthy tree, tree planting, the importance of mulch, tree watering, when to prune, keys to pruning, annual pruning steps, and basic pest/disease problems to expect.
An excellent reference is available through the International Society of Arboriculture: Planting Trees and Shrubs. G. Watson, E. Himelick, 1997, ISBN 1-881956-18-0
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council is an organization that supports education, projects, and groups related to urban and community forestry. NUCFAC seeks to establish sustainable urban forests for all communities.


The University of Arizona.
“Thanks to Mark Novak, Campus Landscape Architect at UA, for his help with the images. This is a great campus to focus on because it presents such a strong visual contrast to what we have looked at before. UA has been a leader in sustainability initiatives due in large part to unique regional issues it faces regarding climate change and natural resource management. The historic images do a great job of portraying the native landscape of the desert Southwest.”
The following links give more information on the campus:
Home page with links to tours and photos at the bottom right.
Campus Arboretum page – great section on the Tree Collection


Or: (03) 8768 8672
Even if you’re not that handy, it’s easy to lay your own paving when you choose JEI Pebbles. Our kits give you everything you need to get the job done fast and well. Ideal for creating landscaping features as well as outdoor and under-cover pathways, they’re a durable, stylish option that adds value to value to a property and visual appeal to a space.
Available in a range of great colours to complement all other materials, you’ll be impressed with the versatility and resilience of our range of products. Consider how your property could be enriched by the addition of the JEI Pebbles range.
One D. I. Y. Kit will cover approximately 2.5 square meters to a depth of 16 to 18 mm thick. Different surfaces may require different thicknesses of paving materials. It is recommended that you carefully consider the requirements of your property and the underlying surface to be paved before purchase. Consideration should be given to the end use of the paved area.
Fit for purpose. Suitable for use on foot traffic only pathways when used without an underlying material. Create a fully permeable driveway or resurface an existing one by laying our DIY kits over crushed rock.


Hudson River Modern
This residence sits on the top of steep slopes on the Hudson River. The challenge was to figure out how to fit a swimming pool into the landscape for a reasonable cost. Karen worked closely with the homeowners to design a swimming pool space in the front yard and a new driveway. The pool is completely hidden from the road and vehicular access to the site. Setting the pool lower than the existing landscape drains stormwater away from the house, provides more privacy, and creates the opportunity for a raised planting bed with a fountain wall.
Modern Hamptons Estate
This two-acre property sits on a bend in Heady Creek, in the Village of Southampton. Karen worked with the architects and interior designer to create outdoor spaces that celebrate the beautiful water views. Patios were created at the same level as the first floor of the home, set above the one hundred year flood elevation, to create a seamless meeting of indoor and outdoor spaces. The fireplace and hot tub were sited at opposite ends of the patio. The hot tub was sited in a way to create a pleasing focal element, with large steps for seating around it. It steps down to be closer to the pool but is still high enough to view over the pool to the surrounding natural environment. There was originally a pond in the front yard, but it had dilapidated to a mud pit in recent years. Karen worked with an engineer and landscapers to turn the pond into a rain garden that stores storm water as it empties into the adjacent creek. This allowed the creation of a large lawn to complement the clean, modern aesthetic of the home. Plantings and gardens were created that serve various purposes. A vegetable and herb garden was installed along the kitchen, outdoor barbecue side of the patio to provide the clients with fresh salad greens, herbs and tomatoes during the growing season. In early spring, Daffodils and Grape Hyacinth light up this garden. Terraces were carefully constructed to create ideal planting beds for various types of plants. Evergreen and quicker growing deciduous screen planting was designed to completely obscure the neighboring property immediately during summer months. Slower growing evergreen shrubs were planted under the Birch trees to eventually provide all-season screening.
Modern in the Country
This six acre property is located in Hamptonburgh, New York. Karen was responsible for designing the front entrance to the home, parking court, swimming pool space, entrance walls, and plantings. The project started with a front walkway to the new home and a modification to the existing driveway to create a parking court for guests. The home-owners love clean, modern design with crisp lines and forms. Karen worked closely with the homeowners to create spaces in harmony with the client’s aesthetic, the home and the property. Karen designed a swimming pool space apart from the home to serve as a private retreat in their own backyard. She worked closely with an architect to create an open pool house. She designed the trellis structure and the patio areas, along with all the plantings. A deer fence was installed around the entire property. Karen designed the gate and front entrance to the property. Plantings are simple and elegant. Karen and the home owner visited the nursery so the home owner could help pick out the special plants. Native trees were used along with Japanese Maples and a Purple European Beech, chosen to provide focal points and color in the landscape.


The suburb of Le Bouscat has long been renowned for its racecourse, its residential quarters, its high street shops and, a-hem, its countless car dealers. But this sign greets visitors to one of the latest additions to the town’s portfolio of potential outings: le Bois du Bouscat.
The Bois du Bouscat provides a landscaped walk in the woods which was two years in the making and was officially opened in June 2013 by local mayor Patrick Bobet. The project was the result of the acquisition of woodland which stretches along one flank of the racecourse (indeed, it was previously best-known as Bois de l’Hippodrome) and next to the high-rise blocks of the Lyautey estate.
The project formed part of the wider “Agenda 21” plan for sustainable development throughout greater Bordeaux and sought to achieve a number of objectives, such as enabling the general public to make the most of a natural environment, boosting awareness of nature in an urban setting, making the site as accessible as possible and restricting the ecological footprint of work carried out. (Those objectives in full can be read here.) A whole eco-system of contributors including landscape gardeners, architects and artists all got down to work and the end-product is 12 acres (5 hectares) of woodland which is labelled as being “entre nature et culture”, i.e. at the crossroads between nature and culture.
|Plaque celebrating the official inauguration of the Bois du Bouscat, a pleasingly detailed map of the site, and a section of the pathway.|
|The racecourse and its grandstand, and over to the right the tower blocks of the Lyautey estate.|
- Find it on the Invisible Bordeaux map:
- Bois du Bouscat, Avenue de l'Hippodrome, Le Bouscat
- Dedicated blog: boisdelhippodrome.wordpress.com
La Ruche Collective


The MET Cloisters
Take to the sky to explore the majestic vistas of The Met Cloisters. This branch of the Museum in northern Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park is dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. Explore 360° views over the city, across the Hudson River, and high above two richly landscaped gardens. Inside, spin around to admire the medieval cloisters that form the core of the historic building, and listen to the resonant chimes from the bell tower, more than 100 feet above the ground.


Steel Garden Bridge
Create an enchanting and sophisticated outdoor living space with the Sunjoy Garden Bridge. Crafted out of weather resistant steel, this elegant garden bridge features a slatted walkway and slatted steps on both ends of the bridge. The sides of the bridge feature a delicate open scrollwork design with plenty of classic scrolls and curving lines. At the top of the bridge is an open border that features a unique circular design elements with graceful inner leaf details. A classic black finish adds drama and authenticity to this lovely French garden style bridge. Use this beautiful garden bridge to create a pathway over a pond or other water installation. For a less traditional but still high impact look, try using this garden bridge over a rock garden or to create an enchanted walkway over a patch of overgrown wildflowers. Gorgeous and stylish, this garden bridge is sure to add plenty of beauty, style and distinction to your garden, yard or other outdoor living space.
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I’m no expert on the best UK gardens. I love to visit them, but I really don’t have the skill-set to tell a great British garden from merely a very good one.
I am, however, a very good information miner so I decided to hunt out the opinions of experts on the best of British gardens.
The only thing they could agree on was that they can’t agree on much.
The four experts I sounded out came up with 42 alternatives on their “X Great UK Gardens” lists.
Only a garden obsessive would contemplate visiting that many places in the course of a trip to the UK.
So, in an effort to reduce the choices, I came up with the following list by simply including any garden voted on by two or more of the websites I consulted.
Many of these gardens are owned by the National Trust or English Heritage and if you buy a subscription to my website I’ll tell you how to save on every visit to a National Trust or English Heritage property.
Sign up here and for a mere £9.90 you can subscribe to my Great British Road Trips website and it will make planning and driving a tour of Britain a hellava lot easier.
I’ll lay out all the best (and even a few maybe-not-so) sightseeing options and I’ll give you easy-to-follow navigation notes to get you around with the least possible hassle and the fewest possible “debates” with the navigator.
And I’ll give you some serious money-saving tips when it comes to car hire, accommodation and sightseeing.
“A top ten Great British Garden – Hidcote Manor is one of the greatest gardens in England created this century by the great horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston.
The Hidcote Manor Garden should not be missed. It is situated in the beautiful Cotswold countryside amongst hills, rolling valleys, and drystone walls.
Hidcote comprises of a series of small gardens within a garden, but also with long avenues bordered by different plantings. The garden is famous for rare shrubs and trees as well as its outstanding design features. There are water features, wild flower areas and pools with plenty of places to sit and take in the atmosphere.” from Great British Gardens.
Hidcote Bartrim, Nr Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6LR
You can visit Hidcote Manor as part of a drive from Stratford-on-Avon to Bath, one of the touring routes on on this website.
Sissinghurst Castle. In the 1930s novelist and poet The Hon Victoria Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson, better known as Vita Sackwille-West and her diplomat husband, Sir Harold Nicolson, rescued the ruins of a 15th century moated manor house and turned a wilderness into a classic English garden. Its blend of fresh greenery and stone walks puts it right up there on this list.
Nr Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB.
You can visit Sissinghurst as part of a drive between Canterbury and Brighton, one of the touring routes on this website.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Not all the great gardens are out in the provinces. Here’s one right in the very centre of London.
“Founded in 1673 as an apothecary’s garden, in a warm microclimate by the river Thames, to train apprentices in medicinal plants. Still on a grid system with ordered beds and many unusual plants.” Gardens Illustrated.
Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
A splendid Palladian House with magnificent 18th C gardens – one of the best examples of landscaped gardens in Europe.
With hills, water and classical architecture overlaid by a great collection of trees and shrubs, Stourhead was described as ‘a living work of art’ when first opened in the 1740s. Meandering paths offer vistas through trees to classical temples and surprises at every turn.
Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6QH
You can visit Stourhead as part of a drive between Exeter and Salisbury, one of the touring routes on this website.
Bodnant Gardens located in Colwyn Bay are a world-famous and respected garden home to national collections of plants.
Created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and curated by the vision of generations of the McLaren family and their head gardeners, this haven of rarity and beauty is set to backdrop of the towering Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia.
Bodnant Gardens, Bodnant Rd, Tal-y-cafn, Colwyn Bay LL28 5RE
RHS Garden Wisley
“A flagship of England’s Royal Horticultural Society, this world-renowned spot maintains a staff of 90 groundskeepers to keep things looking fresh.
“Exploring its long, polished lawns and delicately planted flowerbeds is like a crash course in high-style English gardening. Take a walk through its dense wooded trails, listen to songbirds, and admire the garden’s architectural accents, which include a giant glass house the size of 10 tennis courts.” Smithsonian Magazine.
RHS Gardens Wisley, Just off the A3, south of Junction 10 on the London Orbital Motorway, the M25.
The Beth Chatto Gardens
“Superb and influential gardener, Beth Chatto, is responsible for all our current ideas on plant husbandry and suitability, as well as being a supreme garden artist. Splendid nursery of unusual plants.” Gardens Illustrated.
The Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex CO7 7OB
You can visit The Beth Chatto Gardens as side trip on a visit to Constable Country . . . one of the recommended destinations on this website.
Arley Hall and Gardens
“A vibrant garden, cultivated for over 250 years by generations of the same family. The Herbaceous Border – probably the first of its kind in England – draws green-fingered visitors from miles around.” Independent.
Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA.
Arley is signposted from Junction 9/10 on the M56 and Junction 19/20 on the M6. Follow the brown tourist signs.
“Belvoir Castle (pronounced Beaver) is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Rutland. Crowning a hill in Leicestershire, its turrets and towers look over the Vale of Belvoir. The estate has been divided up into four gardens; The Formal, The Japanese, The Duchess and Hermits – all unique and stunning in their own right.” Country and Town House.
It was the subject of a tv doco that recorded the work by the present duchess of Rutland to realise the landscape plan of Lancelot “Capability” brown, prepared 300 years ago but never done. Brown regarded the plan as his final masterpiece.
Belvoir Castle, Woolsthorpe Rd, Grantham, Leicestershire, NG32 1PE. GPS 52.8947, -0.7836.
You can visit Belvoir Castle as part of a drive between Peterborough and Lincoln, one of the touring routes on this website. Take the A52 westwards from the A15.
Chatsworth in Derbyshire has gardens which have evolved over 450 years. The famous waterworks include the 300-year-old Cascade, the Willow Tree Fountain and the impressive gravity-fed Emperor Fountain The gardens also feature a maze, rockery and kitchen garden.
The house and garden were first constructed by Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick in 1555. The Elizabethan garden was much smaller than the modern garden is now.
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP, GPS 58.2293, -1.6122
Hestercombe Gardens are unique as they span three centuries of garden design. Set within 50 acres, the Victorian Shrubbery, the Georgian Landscape Garden and the Edwardian Formal Gardens all offer a different experience.
“Hestercombe House is nestled in a sleepy little village in Taunton in Somerset. Perfect for a stroll, the gardens feature two exquisite historic landscapes – an 18th century park by Copleston Warre Bampfylde, and a Lutyens/Jekyll area with formal stonework and classic colour schemes.” Country and Town House.
Hestercombe House, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LG.
Levens Hall Topiary Garden
The topiary garden at Levens Hall is a living sculpture gallery. It is the finest, oldest and most extensive topiary garden in the world. There are over 100 pieces here, each clipped to an unusual and individual design.
Some of the trees and bushes are three hundred years old and the layout of this garden has changed little since their planting and initial training in the 1690s.
Most pieces of topiary here are nameless abstract or geometric shapes but look out for the Chess pieces – the King and Queen, the Judges Wig, the Howard Lion, the Great Umbrellas, Queen Elizabeth and her Maids of Honour, a Jug of Morocco Ale and four Peacocks.
Levens Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD. GPS 54.2588, -2.7769.
You can visit Levens Hall as part of a drive between Keswick and Chester, one of the touring routes on this website.
These extensive gardens, covering 90 acres, showcase over three centuries of design, incorporating French, Dutch, Italian and English landscaping styles. Don’t miss the statue of Diana, the goddess of hunting.
Fancy French curves and bold Italian geometry provide an opportunity for contrast through the dynamic bedding displays. Explore the sweeping landscapes and woodland walks. From an riot of colour in spring to the lush greens and browns of summer and autumn.
Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45 4HR. GPS 52.0078, -0.4124.
You can visit Wrest Park as side trip on the drive between Cambridge and Oxford, one of the touring routes on this website.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
These award winning gardens are thought to be the largest garden restoration project in Europe. They consist of over 80 acres of magnificent gardens, which until 1991 were lost and forgotten under seventy years of ivy, bramble, laurel and fallen timber. Take a deep breath and cross the rope bridge above a sub-tropical jungle garden. At 100ft long, it’s the longest rope bridge in Britain.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St Austell. PL26 6EN. GPS 50.2876, -4.8142.
You can visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan as part of a drive between Penzance and Plymouth, one of the touring routes on this website.
The Eden Project
Built into the wall of an abandoned china clay pit just outside St Austell, the Eden Project’s biomes house a lush jungle of 10,000 trees and plants from all over the world.
Feel the tropical heat in the Rainforest Biome and experience four of the world’s rainforest environments: Tropical Islands, Southeast Asia, West Africa and Tropical South America.
With the domes and enormous trees towering above you, you’ll follow the path deep into a vast indoor jungle.
The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG. GPS 50.3637, -47458.