desiGn and its relationshiP to Maintenance 17
soil, and many garden sites need to be modified to meet this need. Can organic
matter be incorporated in the soil to improve the conditions and meet the needs
of the plants you are interested in growing? I discuss soil in detail in the next
chapter, and I urge you to read this information before preparing your garden.
Light conditions
How much sun does the proposed garden area receive? People are too often “in
the dark” when it comes to this question. They think an area receives full sun
when in actuality the area receives sun only in the late afternoon, which happens
to be the time they are home from work. Most often people just haven’t taken the
time to think about light conditions. Sometimes they are simply deceived by
sun-blocking trees or buildings. Whenever existing trees, buildings, and other
structures or the angle of the house raise questions about the amount of light
exposure, I have my clients observe what I call sun patterns, or I do so for them.
This involves tracking sunlight on an area throughout an entire day. It is the only
way to truly evaluate light conditions. Sometimes such a survey can uncover
some pretty complex patterns, particularly in large gardens with existing
scattered mature trees. I have seen cases where areas of a garden that are in full
sun for a good part of the day are directly next to areas that are in shade for most
of the day. It is also important to remember that 3 hours of cool morning sun are
quite different from 3 hours of hot afternoon sun. To me, knowing the amount of
sun an area receives is crucial in planning the proper perennials for a site. If the
wrong plant is selected for a shady area, it can lead to leggy plants that may not
flower and will require pruning or staking for height control or support. In an
This garden at Hiddenhaven
was designed for winter interest
and is viewed from our
conservatory, where we spend
a good deal of time during
the cold months in Ohio. It is the
lowest-maintenance garden at
Hiddenhaven, and a real treat!
It features shrubs underplanted
with 15 different species of
ornamental grasses and sedges
en masse.(opposite) Autumn is
a fantastic time in the perennial
garden if the plants have been
properly maintained throughout
the season.