Landscaping or Gardening?

Since we bought the new house, I've had to re-orient my ideas of landscaping and gardening to a much larger scale (which I welcome, although it is a little daunting!). The just-over-1/3 acre plot of land we now own is over 10 times the size of our previous city rowhouse. While tiny, the garden there was my lab, an ongoing experiment in learning how to garden in the earth, not just containers. It evolved drastically over the 5 years we owned it, and I could easily have taken another 10 years to make it into my vision. Not that I actually had much of a vision for it.

So with 16,000 square feet comes a whole new sense of scale. I am trying to consider that I am no longer a gardener, but a landscaper. (Or "lawndscaper" as I just wrote by mistake!) We inherit a distinct lack of garden. Instead, our lot is inspired more by the landscape of the nearby Arboreteum. Dominated by the weeping willow, the lot is bordered on all sides by trees, with swathes of grass underneath. In the front, in addition to the willow, we have two eastern white pine, a spruce and an oak (as well as many cedars). The backyard displays a classic pattern of evergreens (spruce and cedar) on the north side, deciduous trees along the east and south lines. The deciduous trees are mainly maple (sugar, or possibly black, I think) with some alternate-leaf trees TBD. One Ash on the north side as well. One Buckthorn which - well, we'll see if it survives! And a mystery-thorny shrub/small tree bent over drastically. Hawthorne?

So on the one hand we've got some good bones and structure in place. There are several trees in questionable shape (I plan on hiring an arborist to guide me through a tree-care session!). As far as I can tell (still lots of snow out there) little in the way of understory shrubs, perennial gardens etc. I do have a vague sense of a) wanting to keep the naturalistic, woodland feel (and improve it) and b) planting in drifts. Because of the lines of the house, I am trying to think more "horizontal". I also have a weakness for weeping plants, and now I have some slopes with which to show them off.

I've only recently discovered the design ideology of Piet Oudolf's "Wave" gardening, as well as its influences on the designs of firms like Oehme, van Sweden. While I'm generally uncertain about how much I like ornamental grasses (I prefer plants with a tidy habit) - I do like some sedges and grasses. And the plant-in-drifts aspect really speaks to me. I'm pondering how far I could take this design in our garden, or a place like Ottawa in general. Winter interest around here is measured in evergreens - seedheads are buried under the 1-3 feet of snow cover! Carefully selected, I think some swathes/river of plants in a bed sweeping along our steps and across the front of the house could look really good, and not require too much maintenance. I do have a weakness for flowering shrubs (peonies, rugosa roses, hydrangea, rhodos etc) and limiting myself/drawing the line will be an issue. Because - again - it's a question of scale. My old habits of one plant specimens, tiny beds won't work here. I need a Design.

This summer I will be attempting Patience. Learn the property is my task! I want to know about the soil, sun, and drainage. I want to get better at making compost, and learn about the trees. I will think about where to put garden beds (and what to put in them), and learn how to tend a lawn (organically, I hope!). I will see how we actually use the space.

I must still garden (though I imagine mostly I will be pulling out the pruning equipment) - and will try to figure out where I can tend an herb and heirloom vegetable garden. Perhaps some pots here and there as a test case? I am also starting some plants from seed, and will hopefully add some more as well. I'm also considering a "greenhouse bed" for small perennials (started from seed, or little babies) which I can tend and transplant later.

Centre Commons Perennials

Centre Commons perennials available at Make it Green in Kanata.

Athyrium ‘Ocean's Fury’ PPAF
This new deciduous fern has an upright habit, with an unusual combination of fronds that are crested at the tips and also lightly silvered. A unique hybrid of the Japanese Painted Fern ...
Partial shade / Shade

Athyrium otophorum ‘Okanum’
Similar to the Japanese Painted Fern, Athyrium ‘Okanum’ has more subtle colouring and greater winter hardiness. The sturdy, arching, triangular fronds are silvery green with dark red stems ...
Partial shade / Shade

Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas’ PPAF
With leaf blades all cascading in the same direction much like a waterfall, this is a fascinating ornamental grass for a partly shaded site. In the cooler days of autumn, the green arching foliage ...
Partial shade / Shade

Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ PPAF
With its dense mounds of chartreuse foliage, Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ makes a beautiful bright display, especially when contrasted with darker plants. Sprays of white flowers rise above its foliage ...
Summer Sun / Partial shade / Shade

and several others...!

Winter Sowing

Wintersown.org

I've been thinking about growing more from seed in the future. I've never had much luck in the past - pale spindly babies reaching for the little light they can find. (OK, I've had a couple minor successes, but my point remains!)

This year I've picked up packets of Cerinthe (a self-seeding annual with drooping purple bells), Lavender angustifolia (destined for the front walk, eventually) and a purple/green annual grass that turns out to actually be rice! Plus three skinny windowbox trays that will snug up next to the kitchen window.

But this winter sowing idea - while I haven't read into it much - could be a great way to grow seeds in the future. I'm thinking of creating a growing bed for a few years where I can raise perennials from seed. Too ambitious?

Rideau Woodland Ramble

This might be my favourite garden centre in Ottawa. A bit of a drive, but the Rideau Woodland Ramble offers a luscious woodland garden with incredible plants and combinations. I still dream of a golden-leaved weeping beech they have.

Possiblities are usually extensive, but here are a few from the "What's New" section of their website that have caught my eye:

Juniperus horizontalis 'Golden Carpet'		Zone : 3
Category : Evergreens
Dense golden foliage takes on a third dimension with elongated streamers of new growth appearing to float over the main body of the plant and creep beyond the edges. This carpet takes on mauve tones in winter.

Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Scarletta'		Zone : 5
Category : Broadleaf Evergreens
Description : Scarletta' has beautiful, shiny, dark green foliage that becomes a deep, plum-purple color in cold weather. Great for the shade garden.
Habit : Mounding	Height : 90cm	Width : 60cm

Athyrium 'Branford Beauty'		Zone : 4
Category : Ferns
Description : This hybrid sports silvery gray fronds held upright by reddish stems. It forms an attractive clump and is great for massing in woodland areas or used as a specimen plant.
Habit :	Height : 30cm

Sanguinara canadensis		Zone : 3
Category : Perennials
Description : Pure white anemone like flowers, gray green lobed leaves.
Habit :	Height : 20cm

Cornus alternifolia 'Argentea'		Zone : 4
Category : Flowering shrubs
Description : This is a tree or shrub of incredible beauty when viewed from a distance. It has layers of floating branches clad in silvery green foliage. The leaves are rather slender long ovals with pointed tips, pale green with an irregular white margin. They are held alternately on the branches. In June there are fluffy domed flowers that further enhance the prettiness of this tree. The textural effect is lovely.
Habit : Upright , Mounding	Height : 4m

Name : Halesia carolina tetraptera		Zone : 4
Category : Shade and Flowering Trees
Description : Low branching tree with white bell-shaped flowers. Spring blooming. Prefers acidic soil.
Habit : Narrow, Round	Height : 12m	Width : 6m

"Ottawa is Blooming" Garden Show ... April 18-20, 2008 ... at the Nepean Sportsplex ... Don't Miss It! (formerly the Kanata Garden and Landscape Show)

"Ottawa is Blooming" Garden Show ... April 18-20, 2008

I've always wanted to visit the Canada Blooms garden show (or better yet, Chelsea in London) - but perhaps Kanata can offer a gentle introduction to the world of garden shows?

globeandmail.com: Modernism moves outdoors

globeandmail.com: Modernism moves outdoors

I can't help but love Marjorie Harris, even if she's very "Toronto". I love her emphasis on shrubs, and her new book "How to Make a Garden" is fantastic.

Here she discusses the move towards modern in the garden. Ironically while I love modernism, and bought a mid-century home for that very reason, I am more of a traditional "relaxed" gardener when I get outside. We do need to add railings to our deck which I've been planning as horizontal slats or perhaps airplane cable.. so this article inspires nicely. Our lot is unfenced (here and there a neighbour has chain-linked their lot and it borders ours) and will likely remain as-is. But we are fortunate to have a large lot and a well-sited house and garden means the neighbours are pretty much invisible in the summer. A far cry from the previous rowhouse!

Modern Garden Style

Modern Garden Style - Monrovia quiz

Plants For The Modern Style
		Architectural Accents
		Blue Arrow Juniper		Juniperus virginiana ‘Blue Arrow’
		Ombrella Mimosa Tree		Albizia julibrissin ‘Boubn’
		Golden Spirit Smoke Tree		Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’ PP No. 13082
		En masse
		Golf Ball Kohuhu		Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' PP No. 15329
		Golden Variegated Sweet Flag		Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
		Ebony Knight™ Mondo Grass		Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Ebknizam’
		Blue Creeper Juniper		Juniperus scopulorum ‘Monam’ PP No. 5084
		Coarse Textures
		All Gold Japanese Forest Grass		Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
		Gold Coast Improved Juniper		Juniperus x pfitzeriana ‘MonSan’ PPAF
		Sienna Sunrise™ Heavenly Bamboo		Nandina domestica ‘Monfar’ PP No. 14693
		Grasses
		Sun Stripe® Variegated Pampas Grass		Cortaderia sellowana ‘Monvin’ PP No.5136
		Elijah Blue Fescue		Festuca cinerea ‘Elijah Blue’
		Dwarf Umbrella Grass		Cyperus albostriatus
		Fox Red Curly Sedge		Carex buchananii
		Succulents
		Variegated Dwarf Centruy Plant		Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’
		Bronze Carpet Stonecrop		Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’
		Blue Beaked Yucca		Yucca rostrata
		Space Age
		Golden Barrel Cactus		Echinocactus grusonii
		Toothless Desert Spoon		Dasilirion longissimum
		Sago Palm		Cycas revoluta
		Lure of Exotica
		Tropicanna Gold™ Canna		Canna indica ‘Mactro’ PP No. 13809
		Powder Puff® Hibiscus		Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Monsa'
		Giant Panda Bamboo		Fargesia rufa
		Bold Color
		Champagne Bubbles Coral Bells		Heuchera x‘Champagne Bubbles’ PP No. 11259
		Festival Grass™ Cordyline		Cordyline x‘Jurred’ PP No. 14224
		Evening Glow New Zealand Flax		Phormium ‘Evening Glow’

Elements of the Modern Garden Style
Concrete Steppers Inexpensive but so highly versatile with this style, precast concrete stepping-stones are the perfect geometric form for surfacing. Round, square or rectangular, small or massive slabs; exposed aggregate or smooth surface, they are your most affordable tool for getting the look just right. Metal Grids Originally created as reinforcement mesh for concrete and masonry, welded wire panels of varying density are ideal fencing materials. Use as screen panels for vines, combine with wood planks or create a revolutionary idea with new or recycled segments. Cobbles The rounded, natural form of river stone is the perfect contrast for rigid, man-made industrial materials. They offer an excellent surfacing texture for those difficult spaces that can be turned into serious design opportunities. Widely available in a range of colors and sizes.