By Carline Martin
Q: Last fall I purchased a home that has everything I was looking for except curb appeal. The home is located in a lovely neighborhood but the previous owners have not seemed to put much effort into exterior landscaping. I would love to transform my property into a landscape that is beautiful in all seasons, however, I have no idea where to start. I, also, don’t have a lot of spare time so I would like it to require little maintenance. Is this realistic and how can I achieve my vision?
A: Your question comes at the perfect time as spring is here. The answer is, yes, you can achieve this! The key is to make the basis of your garden perennial plants and shrubs that bloom at different times of year. Even during the bleak months of winter, when it would appear that nothing could possibly bloom, evergreens will add color to an, otherwise, barren looking landscape. Some evergreens will bloom colorful berries that will further boost your color palate. Planting crocus, daffodil or tulip bulbs, for example, in the fall will present you with the first signs that spring is dawning in late February – March. While these plants do not bloom for long, a perfectly timed garden will replace these fading blooms with a fresh burst of color from other plants.
While there are a few perennials that may have longer blooming periods throughout the summer, such as daylilies, sedum and echinacea, most will bloom for 2-4 weeks. Therefore, working a few annuals into your garden will provide long-lasting color throughout the summer. This can be done by working plants into beds or placing pots or window boxes overflowing with cascading annuals such as petunias, geraniums, impatiens or marigolds.
To further enhance the appeal of your garden, add some fragrant plants such as hyacinth, wisteria, peonies, roses, lavender or lilacs. These plants will not only add bursts of color but they will emit a lovely aroma during their blooming period. They are, also, great for cutting and displaying in an indoor floral arrangement, adding the lovely scent of fresh potpourri to your home.
The Greenwich Botanical Center offers educational programs that you may find very helpful. Since 1957, they have been offering classes, lectures and workshops to help educate members of our community on a range of horticulture and home garden topics and can be a tremendous resource in your endeavor. You can find out more about what they offer by visiting their website at https://greenwichbotanicalcenter.org/ or by calling or emailing them at 203-869-9242, info@greenwichbotanicalcenter.org.
Having said all this, a perfect garden takes time to plan and construct, something you have indicated you are in short supply of. This should not cause you to abandon your dream of a lovely landscape. Landscape architects and designers are skilled in designing gardens on many scales. Some specialize in municipal and commercial projects such as parks, office or apartment complexes, college campuses, etc. You will want to work with a designer who specializes in residential projects. I consulted Janice Parker, who has been a successful landscape architect for almost 40 years and she offered some very good insight and suggestions.
During her many years as a landscape architect, Janice says that lack of curb appeal is usually the result of one thing, lack of maintenance. Overgrown trees that have not been trimmed can look sticky and can shade out the rest of the yard. Janice suggests starting with an arborist who can identify which trees need trimming. Once trees are cut back, you can begin planning your garden.
Janice says that a beautiful garden is all about form. She suggests sticking to evergreens for the front of your home and making them the backbone of your garden. Choosing slow growing shrubs with lovely form and shape will offer great value to your garden, as you have indicated you have minimal time to invest. Additionally, if you do not have or wish to install proper deer fencing around your property, choosing shrubs that are deer resistant will be important. Russian Cypress is only one of many nice choices. Ground cover, such as pachysandra, is another nice option. According to Janice, “Pachysandra is a lovely ground cover, has a great texture, and a shiny leaf. It’s as nice as an under planting in shrub beds. It is not my favorite underneath trees, as I prefer to see the trees in the lawn, very clean and simple.” Ornamental grasses are also a good choice as deer will not eat grass. Janice has provided a list of her favorite deer resistant plants, which I have included.
While evergreens will provide year-round color, you are, essentially, limited to the color green. You can choose varying shades of green by planting a variety of different shrubs but if you would like to add more vibrant color to the front of your home during blooming months, Janice suggests that you incorporate flowering pots. Flowering plants look beautiful during their blooming season but when they go dormant during the winter months, your front yard will be left looking quite barren for roughly 9 months of the year. Your home’s lack of curb appeal could also be the result of inappropriate plants for the front of a home. Reserve flowering plants for sides and rear of your home.
Another way to add variation to your garden with deer resistant plants is to add some herbs. Sage and lavender are a lovely way to not only add a bit of color but to keep the deer away, as well. Deer, however, are not the only danger to avoid. Improper maintenance can be the kiss of death to your garden. Over watering, in particular, is a common mistake often made by well-meaning but overzealous gardeners. In fact, Janice says that over watering is as harmful as under watering. Plants require oxygen and when they are given too much water, they essentially, drown from lack of oxygen. A clear sign of over watering is yellowing and drooping leaves.
If you are not an avid gardener or are a homeowner with limited time to tend to your garden, it may be a wise investment to hire a company which specializes in yard maintenance. Installing an irrigation system with a sensor would emit water when it senses the moisture level in your soil is low. Another, less costly option would be the use of a soil moisture meter which will allow you to monitor the moisture level yourself and water accordingly. As a general rule of thumb, if it has not rained, plants should need watering about every 3 days.
We have all driven past a home that seems to draw us in with the attractiveness of it’s exterior. Everything just seems to be symmetrical and in the right place. However, even the most beautiful home will lack curb appeal without proper landscaping. The welcoming landscape that dresses a home is often overlooked, unless it’s not there. Most of us do not have the time, vision or green thumb to achieve a landscape that fits our home like a glove. Hiring a landscape designer, like Janice Parker, can be a wise investment in your home.
Bio – Since creating Janice Parker Landscape Architects (JPLA) in 1984, Janice has conceptualized and directed innovative landscape architecture for national private and public clients across the United States. JPLA has established a reputation for conceiving, planning, and installing thoughtful landscapes. Janice is a member of the Board of Trustees for the New York Restoration Project and helped to launch the Cherry Tree Project for the Million Trees NYC initiative with her design of the Harlem River Esplanade.
To discuss a personalized garden plan for your home, you may contact Janice at:
Janice Parker Landscape Architects
95 East Putnam Avenue, Suite 201
Greenwich, CT 06830
TEL 203 340 2824
www.janiceparker.com
email: info@janiceparker.com
NOTE TO READERS – The Greenwich real estate market remains strong and active. We are entering the busy spring market with very limited inventory of homes on the market. Buyers are waiting on the sidelines for fresh listings. NOW is the time to prepare to list your home. Please use the link or QR code below to see what your home may sell for. Then, contact me to discuss the details of how we can sell your home quickly and for top dollar.
https://bhhsne.findbuyers.com/carlinemartin@bhhsne.com?fbclid=IwAR0NxQ3j0tZYZuEpqD5zRv7F9jhsAIwGY9Ejwl2CDVkmLqSpTZh5CwFZn18
SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS – If you have a real estate or home related question for which you would like a professional opinion, please email me at carlinemartin@bhhsne.com with “Sentinel” in the subject line. Each month, I will provide answers to one or two selected questions. Email me your Real questions. I look forward to hearing from you!
This article does not offer the opinions of Berkshire Hathaway/New England Properties and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice.
