Landscaping With Color

Limited Growing Space Does Not Have to Mean Limited Color!

Many backyards have very limited space in which to be able to adequately and safely provide play space for children, an entertainment area for friendly get togethers, pet activity, a bit of lush green lawn and lastly, a favorite tree or two, elegant shrubs and colorful perennials. A small space surrounded by most likely, a stark and unappealing wooden fence truly can leave a lot to be desired!

Just as many of today’s newer community developers are building housing upward and skyward bound versus the sprawl of yesterday’s architectural concept, that same concept can be utilized for developing a beautiful and colorful backyard landscape that can include many of the other elements previously mentioned!

Even the smallest of shrubs require a landscape bed depth of approximately 4 feet to permit the plants to grow into well shaped specimens versus ones that lean outward due to being crowded tightly against a fence or wall.

Irrigation heads for your lawn area should be positioned out and away from your fence approximately 12 inches at a minimum to reduce the risk of overspray causing a discoloring effect on the fence surface. Why not utilize that available space by adding just a few more inches to be used for planting vertical growing or climbing plants in lieu of space consuming plants that sprawl more outwardly?

Ideally, the thinner bed shape running along a fenceline or wall can be irrigated through a typical drip irrigation line. Relying upon overspray from surrounding lawn irrigation may not be your best option as the overspray can discolor your fence and may end up being too much water for the new plants in this location.

As with all landscape bed areas it is best to properly amend the soil with the appropriate amount of compost worked thoroughly throughout the entire area versus amending just the planting holes. Amending only the planting holes can result in a swimming pool affect thereby drowning your valuable and costly plants!

These narrow bed areas which run alongside fences, privacy walls, the walls of your home, garage or shed can be planted with climbing plants that most times do best with some form of support in order to grow successfully.

Plant supporting elements can range from simple galvanized wire stretched taught similar to the grape plant supports in a vineyard to more architecturally creative cedar grid that blends well with an existing fence.

But what about plant choices for these unique areas…? It is important as with all landscape planting choices to choose plants that are easily maintained. A few snips with your pruning shears is all the maintenance that may be required in many cases.

One of the most colorful and elegant plant combinations is Clematis Vine mixed with Climbing Rose. For the best blending effect try planting them both in the same planting hole! The foliage during the growing season is remarkably similar and when the flowers for each come into bloom, be prepared for a display second to none!

This combination of Clematis Vine and Climbing Rose is best considered where there is full sun. A south facing fence or wall is perfect! Just be sure that the roots are well mulched to keep the rootzone cool during hot weather and to conserve soil moisture. Just be certain to keep all organic mulches from coming in contact with the plants crown and stems to prevent rot. Pulling the mulch back approximately 6 inches from the plants crown or stems works nicely.

For north facing fences and walls, try using Climbing Hydrangea for an excellent year around elegant appearance.

Even in the deep of winter the exfoliated bark texture on Climbing Hydrangea adds uniquely to your dormant landscape.

Wildlife friendly Virginia Creeper can expeditiously cover a fence or be maintained more conservatively for vibrant fall color!

Loved by Hummingbirds, try Trumpet Vine for a very efficient and enduring feature.

Honeysuckle Vine can accent your landscape with a hint of fragrance although not all types are considered fragrant.

Utilizing your favorite vertically growing or climbing plants combined on architecturally pleasing support systems can truly accent your landscape elegantly without consuming excessive amounts of other valuable real estate.