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| Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard |
| Not only are groundcovers beautiful to look at, they help prevent erosion in coastal garden areas where the elements constantly shift the sand. | Some natural gardens come, well, naturally. Take for example a seaside garden. What else might one expect near a coastal bungalow? Or what about in the Southwest? A desert garden, of course! And in the steamy Deep South, the landscape is a natural for a tropical oasis filled with sweet scents and gorgeous blooms. Mother Nature provides the inspiration, and you can provide the creation – in your garden, that is. Coastal GardensOf course, the seaside garden theme depends on where your home is located. (The climate certainly isn’t the same from the rocky shores of Newfoundland to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.) Your garden design should reflect this, as well as the geography. A wide stretch of Atlantic beachfront may benefit from paths interspersed with dune grasses, while steep Pacific frontage could be terraced and planted with the varied textures of evergreen, drought-tolerant shrubs.
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| Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard |
| Tall plants can help block onshore sea winds that blow into many coastal gardens. | As in other natural-garden themes, the site dictates the plantings. One of the benefits of coastal gardens is the fact that they generally benefit from the moderating effect of the ocean. And obviously there are some challenges that go along with this, too. To thrive in such a spot, coastal plants must tolerate sandy or rocky soil, natural rainfall patterns, possible salt spray and often strong prevailing winds. Before you head out to the garden center, be sure to study the native and naturalized plants in your area to determine the tough species that can tolerate your challenging local conditions. And don’t forget those native grasses and salt-tolerant shrubs that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion! As you design your personal coastal garden, consider installing a windbreak near your home as well. This can help create a usable microclimate to grow a variety of other plants you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to enjoy so near the ocean.
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| Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard |
| A major goal when designing sparse desert landscapes is to soften and blend the edges between the garden area and surrounding natural environment. | Desert GardensIf you live in the desert or an arid region, you’ve got other challenges – namely poor, sandy soils, little rainfall and extreme temperatures. Planting a natural garden adapted to such an environment is simply the smart thing to do. But don’t think desert gardens are boring and bland – once you’ve seen the desert in full bloom, it’ll become a yearly phenomenon that marks your soul!
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| Facts |
- Cacti often are thought of as stark, simple forms, but they’re actually quite striking. After desert storms pass, their colorful blooms burst open, matching the profuse desert wildflowers.
- Although arid landscapes typically receive more rain than desert gardens, they still only get less than 20 inches a year.
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| Tips |
- Some plants that work well along a coastline include Adam’s needle, agave (century plant), blue fescue, California poppy, crape myrtle, creeping vervain (rose verbena), dusty miller, godetia, lavender cotton, mint, pampas grass (namely Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’), scarlet sage, sumac, thrift, thyme, treasure flower and Virginia creeper. No matter what plants you choose, always first check to make sure your selections are hardy in your USDA hardiness zone before planting.
- Mix sun-loving perennials with arid-garden favorites to create landscapes with surprising color. Cacti and succulents bloom with dramatic flowers, as do other desert-dwelling beauties.
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| Faqs |
- Q: I’ve seen some of these types of gardens outside of their natural range. Does this work?
A: It can – if it’s done right. Especially popular are tropical-themed gardens that are host to plants far outside their normal hardiness zones. These striking gardens work particularly well in areas where the native landscape already is lush in its appearance or in sites isolated from any genuine natural landscape, like a city balcony. Oftentimes the tropical plants are tenderly overwintered indoors or composted at the end of the warm season. - Q: What are some good plants to use near tropical water features?
A: Again, it’s important to find plants that grow in your USDA hardiness zone, but in general, amaryllis, broadleaf philodendrons and canna lilies are good ones to start with.
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