In garden design, the term "bones" refers to something architectural that defines the structure of a garden. Think of bones as the skeleton or framework for your garden's look. They can be features on their own or used to move the eye from one part of the garden to another.
Garden bones can be artificial, such as an arbor or obelisk, or they can be a plant. Very often evergreen trees or shrubs are used. Evergreens delineate the garden no matter the season, standing out equally well in the profusion of summer and against a backdrop of snow.
Large-scale gardens have successfully used evergreens in mixed borders for centuries. It is fairly recent that home gardeners have developed an enthusiasm for including them in more modest garden designs. Part of the popularity of using evergreens as the garden's bones is due to the wonderful variety of dwarf evergreens currently on the market.
Let's take a look at two of our favorites:
DWARF CONIFERS
Large-scale gardens have successfully used evergreens in mixed borders for centuries. It is fairly recent that home gardeners have developed an enthusiasm for including them in more modest garden designs. Part of the popularity of using evergreens as the garden's bones is due to the wonderful variety of dwarf evergreens currently on the market.
The ideal time to plant conifers is while they are dormant in October through March. Most prefer full sun and slightly acidic soil. Because they grow so slowly, no fertilizer except healthy soil should be necessary.
Also because of their slow growth, dwarf evergreens are expensive to propagate and can be expensive to buy. Be sure to buy from a reputable nursery with a 1- to 2-year guarantee.
Abies balsamea Hudsonia(1 foot tall and 2 feet wide) This tiny, slow-growing balsam fir is perfect for small gardens and landscapes. And as anyone who has had a balsam Christmas tree can attest, balsams are among the most pleasantly aromatic evergreens. It grows in zones 3 through 7.
If you're thinking of adding some dwarf evergreens to your landscaping and would love some assistance, we're here for you. Just give us a call or click on the email tab to get in touch!
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