A Grower Perspective
Tag >> landscape design and inspiration
Narrow Trees for Tight Spaces & Small Gardens
Posted by: Ashley in trees, pleasant hill nursery, our insight as growers, landscape design and inspiration on Aug 2, 2011
We had a customer call the other day looking for a columnar tree to fill a specific location between buildings. It got us thinking about all of the trees that we have in the nursery that are super narrow but grow tall without large, spreading heads. These trees are great to line driveways or provide a strong vertical element in an otherwise low, shruby landscape. Athyrium niponicum- Japanese Painted Fern
Posted by: Ashley in pleasant hill nursery, plants, landscape design and inspiration on Jul 19, 2011
Japanese Painted Fern adds a delicate form and silver filigreed brightness to moist shady woodland areas. Soft green outlined by deep red pink in the stems and touched by a silvery white are the hues of this very hardy fern. The fronds vanish in the winter and then reappear as maroon fiddleheads in February. They grow ten to eighteen inches tall and wide. Although very hardy they can be overwhelmed by rougher plants, so give them a bit of space of their own. Plant with hosta, astilbe, heuchera, carex and Japanese maples. This fern gets better with age. Avoid direct harsh afternoon sun as it is too hot for the delicate fronds. The painted fern is also great in a container. Lavender: Time to Harvest and Prune
Posted by: Ashley in summer, pleasant hill nursery, nursery discoveries, landscape design and inspiration, growing, benefits of plants on Jul 15, 2011
Yes, it is time to harvest and prune lavender once again. Last year we wrote step-by-step instructions on how to harvest and prune your lavender and keep it looking beautiful all winter long. To learn how, click Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'
Posted by: Ashley in trees, pleasant hill nursery, plants, landscape design and inspiration on Jul 12, 2011
Bloodgood maple is not an unusual plant, yet it is spectacular. The color of the leaves with sunlight coming through is a stunning crimson red. It is a tree that fits in most gardens large or small or even in a container on a deck. This maple grows 15 feet by 15 feet in about 10 years. Plant in full sun or partial shade. The trunk and branches are a nice gray and the whole tree has a wonderful look year round. In the nursery garden the ‘Bloodgood’ maple is under planted with Piersis, wood fern and lithodora ‘Grace Ward’. Laruel Hedge
Posted by: Ashley in pleasant hill nursery, nursery business, landscape design and inspiration, growing, benefits of plants on Jun 25, 2011
We get a lot of questions from customers about hedge material. What makes a good hedge? How can I block the view of the road and increase privacy in my yard? What hedge is low-maintenance? What hedge is fast-growing for an instant screen?
