Landscaping question

[irishgrl]

I need to landscape my yard BADLY! Trouble is, I dont know where to start really. One thing I thought I would try is landscaping software. Does anyone know of any Mac compatible programs that I could get?

Alternatively, does anyone know of any good books on the subject? Im also interested in ideas for fencing.

Also, can anyone recommend some good landscaping sites?

any feedback appreciated.

[David]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

I need to landscape my yard BADLY! Trouble is, I dont know where to start really. One thing I thought I would try is landscaping software. Does anyone know of any Mac compatible programs that I could get?

Alternatively, does anyone know of any good books on the subject? Im also interested in ideas for fencing.

Also, can anyone recommend some good landscaping sites?

any feedback appreciated.

I found a good page on Disneyland topiary:
www.wdwmagic.com/topiary.htm

It has very interesting information on the characteristics of both shrub topiary & sphagnum topiary (which includes wax leaf begonia & English ivy, while the former includes Burford holly & Japanese privet).

A list of where to buy topiary foliage:
http://www.lindaplato.com/Lindas_lis...nformation.htm



It's admittedly sort of an unorthodox idea (to landscape one's own yard with Disney-inspired topiary), but it could prove emotionally & perhaps even monetarily rewarding.

Otherwise, if we're talking about landscape philosophy in general, there are two fundamental perspectives: Natural (unkempt foliage, minimal to no planning or planting) & Artificial (think of the Tuileries or of the typical English country estate, where the idea is to beat back Nature, to impose concepts of order & harmony & balance in order to cover up random wilderness).

The use of timber & stone is striking, if employed creatively.

[Richard B]

I am addicted to the HGTV Channel and they have some great landscaping shows. Here's some good info:
Landscaping Design Tips

Also, just yesterday I was watching a local access channel and they had an amazing show on a couple who are energy green, including their landscaping. It was so cool. Wish I could reference it for you heer now, but it was such a local access thing that it didn't beat me over the head as to what the show was. No commercials either. Whoot for local broadcasting.

[[email protected]]

Do you get the DIY (do it yourself) channel?
If you do (*check with your cable company) they have some great
landscaping shows, one super one is "Desperate Landscapes" where they redo
a whole one in a half hour show.
I can't wait till I have a landscape to fix! LOL.
(have apartment now with patio).
Good Luck!
Barbara

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by David

The use of timber & stone is striking, if employed creatively.

Oh My gosh, this is PHENOMENAL!!!
WOW.

[Richard B]

Topiaries are weird. When I lived in SF, I always walked past Robin Williams' house in Sea Cliff, he had a strange topiary garden.

[irishgrl]

Thanks guys for the ideas I wish I had cable sometimes if only for the History Channel and the Home/Garden shows. Unfortunately I dont have cable, nor do I watch much TV, I dont get the best reception where I am.

I did bookmark the online version of the Home and Garden Show site, and I found a cool program for purchase that is compatible with a mac, but I saw AFTER I bought it, that it worked with a more recent operating system than I have!! YIKES!!! so, then it was over to ebay to see if I could pick up the next OS version....sigh......all in all, an expensive morning!

Oh well, Ive needed to upgrade now for awhile!

[michelle2677]

Originally Posted by David

I found a good page on Disneyland topiary:
www.wdwmagic.com/topiary.htm

It has very interesting information on the characteristics of both shrub topiary & sphagnum topiary (which includes wax leaf begonia & English ivy, while the former includes Burford holly & Japanese privet).

A list of where to buy topiary foliage:
http://www.lindaplato.com/Lindas_lis...nformation.htm



It's admittedly sort of an unorthodox idea (to landscape one's own yard with Disney-inspired topiary), but it could prove emotionally & perhaps even monetarily rewarding.

Otherwise, if we're talking about landscape philosophy in general, there are two fundamental perspectives: Natural (unkempt foliage, minimal to no planning or planting) & Artificial (think of the Tuileries or of the typical English country estate, where the idea is to beat back Nature, to impose concepts of order & harmony & balance in order to cover up random wilderness).

The use of timber & stone is striking, if employed creatively.

I'm torn between laughing my ass off and thinking "WTF?" lol

and I actually like topiaries. just not disney ones.

[irishgrl]

PS: David those were awesome pics you posted, that log fence is breathtaking! and those jets of water over the stones in the water feature/pool are pretty cool too

[JazmenFlowers]

clean, neat and simple is what I go for. remove all unwanted items. make sure grass is healthy and green and neatly cut.

[irishgrl]

I probably wont have grass...for a couple of reasons: first, it requires too much upkeep and it costs to water it. second, the area I live in, grass doesnt do well for some reason, Ive been told that the pines in the area, when they shed their needles, it makes the ground acidic or something...

so for right now, all I can do, until I get some $$$$ is keep the dirt raked (!) and trim the pesky branches in the oaks and manzanitas. My backyard has some pine seedlings that are starting to grow, and a lady told me to cut them down before they get too big, but without a plan in place, I dont know where I want the trees to BE

[irishgrl]

actually, I was kind of considering xeriscaping, using native plants that are drought tolerant, so I wont have to use so much water to keep them alive....plus, the guy who had my property before me practically clear cut it and now I get LOTS of sun!!! most of the plants I care about are in pots on my porch because the sun is so strong, it burns them.

So, until I get some leafy trees started (Im thinking Redbud and Dogwood are good choices for this area) I probably wont have much luck with the smaller plants.

ACK! I wish I could afford an expert to come out and give me pointers!!

[skcin]

Take note of where in your yard you're landscaping (north/south/east/west exposure, protection from wind, etc.) Go to a local nursery & ask them which plants are best & easiest to maintain.

[irishgrl]

my yard is oriented east/west and gets sun the entire day. about 5 or 6 pm, the trees from my neighbors yard provide shade. on my property, my home is situated on the north side with the south side being driveway. the east 1/8 and the west 3/8 are what Im concerned with....I know what grows natively, and Ive noticed that most plants burn because of the amount of sun exposure. Sigh...

[paperflowers]

I.m gathering from what you said you live in nevada az or maybe nm?