Re: enlarging a space (was Fine-textured blue or grey foliage shrubs/trees?)

At 04:54 PM 5/2/2002, Cheryl Renshaw wrote:
>I've been reading the Pioneer Plants thread with interest, as I'm working on
>a design for a couple who have just moved into a new house. New house means
>the back yard has been scraped of all topsoil (ugh). The site is completely
>flat and rather small, so I want to try to suggest that the yard is larger
>than it is by placing blue or grey foliaged plants near the back fence.

Hi Cheryl -

I've heard of this idea before.  From my experience, I am not sure how 
effective it actually is.  And if you use foliage that is too gray or 
white-gray, it can actually advance rather than recede.  The foliage change 
should be gradual and subtle, if it is to work at all.  Foliage scale can 
also be used in this way (again with dubious results) - larger in the 
foreground, smaller in the background.

Perhaps the more effective way to increase the apparent size of the yard is 
to obscure the boundaries.  Plantings should hide the fence but allow views 
of significant tall shrubs or trees in the landscapes surround this 
property.  Whenever possible, maximize a distant view of a handsome 
specimen a few properties away.  Rather than circle the property with 
uniform shrubbery to hide the fence, use various types and have some 
planted forward, other back.  Maximizing a diagonal transect on the 
property also helps lengthen it.  Another trick is to have a path that 
disappears around a structure or shrub, appearing to go somewhere, when in 
actuality it runs right into the fence.  This suggestion of something lying 
beyond is often effective.  Artfully placed mirrors on the back fence can 
also suggest a continuation, especially if the viewer's reflection is 
seldom caught (spoiling the deceit).

Again, the most effective trick I have found is the 'borrowing' of one or 
two distant trees, tailoring the design to showcase them effectively in 
views and designing your color/texture scheme carefully to relate to these 
outside items.  And at the same time obscuring the actual boundaries of the 
small space.

Regards,
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.
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