Re: Where to start?
- Subject: Re: Where to start?
- From: &* A* O*
- Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 14:39:18 -0700
Hi Fran -
Well, Oklahoma City is certainly NOT a mediterranean climate, but some of
the same types of principles might seem to apply. I'll see if I can
articulate some that might find a fit for your situation.
You are indeed fortunate to have trees in your location, which helps
mitigate that hot summer problems. I assume these are deciduous trees as
well. I assume your soil is clay (based upon what I understand of your
area) and I imagine the leaf drop has amended the soil over time and
possibly made it slightly acidic.
Shade sounds like a factor, so you should try and stay clear of true
sun-loving plants. These will only grow poorly for you and become leggy
and draw, and then be vulnerable to breakage from your hot
wind. Protection from hot summer winds is important - the first plants you
choose should be those that can provide a windbreak in whatever areas have
wind problems. Even plants under 5ft can create a positive effect with
regard to wind. You will have to analyze your property for wind patterns
and how they might be mitigated.
The 'cottage garden style' you prefer is very Mediterranean in
flavor. Rather than thinking of it in terms of the English expression so
ubiquitously presented in books and calendars, consider that its roots come
from country folk collecting plants around them that they particularly
liked or needed. The informal jumble of a 'true' cottage garden can be
refined and balance according to the aesthetic principles or landscape
design (contrast form and texture, create unity by repeating a few special
plants, limit color range to an effective and pleasing combination,
etc.). The plants should be selected to best suit your local climate, and
those requiring much pampering or very special circumstances unavailable to
you should be avoided. Some plants you might consider for this effect and
for shade in your climate are: Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass), Gaura lindheimeri,
Centranthus ruber, Geranium macrorrhizum, Nepeta, Stachys lanata, Sedum
spectabile and its relations, Ceratostigma.
With regard to your various areas, an overall analysis of the entire
property can help you determine if each is being used effectively, or if
you might consider changing a few things. A play area or vegie garden
might be moved to make them more appropriate of useful, storage might be
better in an area poorly suited to growing plants, pathways might be
modified to be more efficient, etc. Then, with these decisions made, you
can start developing areas knowing you are not likely to change you might
later.
I like John Brooks' book called 'Garden Design', even though he is
ostensibly an English Garden designer. He has interesting tools to
generate a garden design. Much of his methods I don't find necessary for
my own use, but I see that many amateurs find them very useful. He also
covers thematic effects, foliage, color, etc.
I see that the University of Central Oklahoma offers a landscape design
course - they might also be a resource for you to learn more and to find
plants suitable to your area.
Since your garden is not really in a mediterranean climate, you should
probably find resources to help you understand your own local
situation. Perhaps there is a native plant group in the OKC area? If I
were to move to OKC tomorrow, I would spend time looking over other gardens
in the area, especially those that were poorly tended or abandoned, and
likely not to receive any extra irrigation. In looking at these gardens,
note which plants do well in spite of this adversity, which do well under
that same conditions as exist on your own property. What flowers well even
when neglected. What stand root competition from trees. Sometimes you'll
find old fashioned plants which aren't available anymore so learning about
propagation techniques will be useful. Sometimes you'll find other
gardeners that would be more than happy to share some of these plants with you.
If you wish to contact me directly with for further discussion about
specifics of your property, I'll do what I can.
Good luck - you're on the right track!
Seán O.
h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara fax (707) 667-1173 sean@support.net
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
