Re: enlarging a space (was Fine-textured blue or grey foliage shrubs/trees?)
- Subject: Re: enlarging a space (was Fine-textured blue or grey foliage shrubs/trees?)
- From: B* G*
- Date: Thu, 02 May 2002 19:09:40 -0700
>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. .....
>
>......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.
What Sean describes above is an important technique in Japanese gardens
where often one does not have a lot of space. He described it perfectly,
obscuring the borders by using plantings, as well as planting larger
specimens up front and smaller ones in back. Using distant trees or taller
bushes in your neighbor's yard to make it look like the plantings go out
and beyond your yard.
I've seen one garden where it looked like the property was a big park or
large garden, but was simply a residential garden not much bigger than 40
X 50 feet.
In my opinion, i'd get bored of a garden with blue or grey, or even both
types mixed, primarily because the colors stand out so much they overload
the senses. I'm thinking what Sean wrote may be more effective than simply
using blue or grey leaved plants. If you do go that route, i'd include
some plants that are green. Of course this is just my opinion :).
