Cox incorporated almost all the owner’s existing plants. “A lot of clients say, ‘My plants aren’t good enough,’ but actually they might just be in the wrong spot,” she says. ”[The client] had a lot of great plants in pots around the perimeter. I just put them in the right place and now they’re thriving.”
In addition to it being a sustainable choice, there are advantages to keeping existing plants where possible. “You get that maturity, and it brings the cost down, as mature plants are expensive,” she says. “Plus they’re plants [the client] recognizes, so it still feels like her [yard].”
Many of the pots themselves were reused too, with the largest now home to a fig tree (Ficus carica, zones 6 to 9) in the “hero” bed (seen here). The owner enjoys having birds visit the yard and wanted to encourage them to keep coming. They’re drawn by the fruit and the feeders she now hangs from the tree’s branches.
Apart from a simple lantern above the bifold doors, there’s no lighting in the yard. “Because it’s so small, there’s enough ambient light coming from the interior. [The client] is mostly planning to use it during the day, and the sun goes down late in summer,” Cox says. “It also makes it more wildlife friendly.”
Create a Lovely Wildlife-Friendly Garden in a Yard of Any Size
In addition to it being a sustainable choice, there are advantages to keeping existing plants where possible. “You get that maturity, and it brings the cost down, as mature plants are expensive,” she says. “Plus they’re plants [the client] recognizes, so it still feels like her [yard].”
Many of the pots themselves were reused too, with the largest now home to a fig tree (Ficus carica, zones 6 to 9) in the “hero” bed (seen here). The owner enjoys having birds visit the yard and wanted to encourage them to keep coming. They’re drawn by the fruit and the feeders she now hangs from the tree’s branches.
Apart from a simple lantern above the bifold doors, there’s no lighting in the yard. “Because it’s so small, there’s enough ambient light coming from the interior. [The client] is mostly planning to use it during the day, and the sun goes down late in summer,” Cox says. “It also makes it more wildlife friendly.”
Create a Lovely Wildlife-Friendly Garden in a Yard of Any Size