Garden Rooms

Garden Rooms

Whether you realize it or not, your yard already consists of different Photo Courtesy of Tammy Paruch, Personal Photo Collection garden rooms. Your front entrance is the first glance that passerby and visitors have of your property. It is the "Formal Face" of your home, and hopefully, reflects some of your personality.

Other garden rooms found on every property include sideyards and backyards. There tends to be designated use areas, such as the area where the kids play, the patio or deck area where we entertain, even the area where we store the garbage cans! As you can see, some areas are utilitarian, some are for family use, and some are for pure "show".

Perhaps the most logical place to start a discussion on garden rooms is with the front yard. It used to be fairly common to see clipped juniper hedges or globe arborvitae in front of every home, and the general appearance of most neighborhoods was pretty much the same, with little variation. Thank goodness that gardeners are finally realizing the potential of individualized landscaping in their yards!

You don't have to offend the neighbors and bring the code enforcement people screaming down your throat by redefining your front yard area. Within reason, you can develop something that is uniquely yours, and something that is a pleasure for all who view it.

The beautiful thing about doing your own thing is that you do not have to spend tons of money hiring a pro, although it does make sense to consult with a professional when you are up against a wall. You don't have to be a whiz, just use common sense. Rome wasn't built in a day, and your garden rooms won't be, either. Look at it this way: That is the fun of gardening, everything is always evolving!

You can start by removing some of the overgrown evergreen hedges. But, if you like them, fine. You can work around them. If you live in a formal setting, consider adding a little formal, off to the side bed, perhaps add a statue or birdbath. The idea here is to personalize your space. If you tend to be less formal, maybe have a meandering flowerbed out front, add a few things such as a birdhouse or bench, maybe tuck in some low growing bushes and anchor the area with a small flowering tree. This isn't some public garden, it is your place, and you want to leave your signature.

Sideyards can present more of a challenge. Often they are narrow, and serve little to no purpose in the scheme of things. If you have the room, you might consider adding a collection of plants in a border against the house or garage, and a few shrubs and trees in the sideyard itself. You might want to add a low-growing ornamental tree such as a Japanese Maple or a weeping cherry tree out in the sideyard. If you really have the room and don't park the hedges right on your property line, it might look great and add privacy to add a mixed shrub border. Of course, allow room for growth and be careful not to encroach on your neighbor's yard! Those small bushes can get pretty big within a relatively short time!

With garbage cans and sheds, "doll it up" a bit. Hide the trash cans with some inexpensive lattice, add some shrubs such as spirea, 'Anthony Waterer', or add some well-behaved vines, such as clematis. The idea is not to interfere with the function of the area, just hide it a bit. Sheds can be treated to flowerbeds and low growing shrubs, roses, and well-behaved vines.

The back yard can be just about anything goes. It it's large enough, you can divide it into several different garden rooms, running from totally formal, it that's your style, to very relaxed and informal. Herb beds, patio and dining areas, cutting gardens, secret gardens, kid's use areas, it can all be done tastefully and harmoniously.

I buy tons of gardening magazines, attend flower shows, go on garden tours, visit public gardens, and watch gardening shows on T.V. All of them inspire me, and they can inspire you, too!

When you look at your yard, consider it to be an extension of your home. Express yourself! Add a few more rooms for you, your family, and your guests to enjoy. I am sure you will be pleased with the results!