DESIGN TIP

Desirable and value-adding components and characteristics of Outdoor Living Areas

An outdoor living area (OLA) is defined here as an area designed and dedicated to the pursuit of leisure, relaxation, recreation, food preparation and dining, and social engagement in an outdoor environment or setting. Based on a review of thousands of photos of OLAs that I have either visited or constructed myself, the following list represents the principle components of a good OLA (in order of importance):

Stone – “natural” is preferable
Wood – “natural” is preferable
Water – especially its “sound"
Plants – garden
Lighting – 24-hour use
Ornamentation – accessories, knick-knacks, sculpture, etc.

Below is a list of the primary characteristics of a good OLA (in order of importance):

Privacy
Peace, quiet, and security (a “sanctuary”)
Controlled protection from the elements (e.g., a roof)
Year-round interest and appeal
Maximum functionality (multi-purpose)
Ease of use
Ease of maintenance and care

Keep these components and characteristics in mind when designing and building an OLA and the result will be most rewarding.

PLANT FIELD NOTE

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ - Golden Variegated Sweet Flag and Liriope muscari ‘Pee Dee Gold Ingot’ - Golden Monkey Grass.

I have reviewed both of these plants before (Wayside News - Spring 1995 and Fall 2007), but they are such good performers that some of my comments bear repeating. Both are grass-like perennials, but are taxonomically very different from grasses. ‘Ogon’ Acorus is an evergreen perennial that grows about a foot tall and twice as wide. ‘Pee Dee Gold Ingot’ Liriope is an herbaceous perennial of about the same size. Both plants have very bright foliage (especially the new foliage) and are excellent for brightening or highlighting dark or otherwise bland corners of the garden. Both are good performers in Zone 6 (which is our area) and both tolerate full sun as well as dry shade. These are reliable, low maintenance plants.

BOOK REVIEW

Arboriculture and the law. Victor D. Merullo and Michael J. Valentine. 1992. International Society of Arboriculture. 110 pp.

Trees are often the subjects of complex legal battles, especially where neighbor and property rights are involved. This book is a review of some legal cases involving trees. The legal cases provide one with a glimpse as to how matters involving trees have been settled in the past, and how they might form a precedent for resolving future tree disputes. Most property owners will relate to at least some of the legal issues involving trees that are covered here. For instance, the following are just two chapter titles that most can relate to: Chapter 3, “Rights and liabilities of adjoining landowners as to trees growing on boundary lines;” Chapter 8, “Is a property owner entitled to compensation when the owner’s trees are injured or destroyed due to the application of herbicides and pesticides by another?” This book is a good starting point for finding information regarding trees and property rights as they pertain to the law.

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

The importance of “timing” in maintaining a landscape

From a cost / benefit point of view, nothing is more important than the timing of activities when it comes to maintaining a landscape. There are optimal times for insect, weed, and disease control, spring cleanup, planting, pruning, mowing, irrigating, etc. The difference between optimal timing and “off” timing can be significant in terms of cost, effort, and results. Constant critical observation and planning are necessary to allow for optimal timing.

“When” something is done is often more important than “how” it is done. In fact, when something is done often dictates how something is done. For example, spotting and removing a lone bagworm “bag” by hand this year will prevent a major mechanical spraying operation next year. Another example: proper pruning of a shade tree during the dormant season will prevent much of the undesirable sprouting that occurs with “in-season” pruning. Knowing when to do a task is the result of education and experience, and being in-tune with your weather.

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Drainage control

Drainage control is defined as the control of water into and out of the landscape. Drainage issues are unglamorous, and for this reason are often given less attention than they deserve. They can be troublesome and hard to resolve. They are often subtle and inconspicuous. They can be constant or infrequent. Whatever their nature, drainage issues are important; they need to be properly addressed during the design phase and resolved during the construction phase of a landscape’s development. A few important points to remember about drainage problems: don’t ignore them – they won’t go away; don’t underestimate them – they will come back to haunt you; don’t wait until the end of a project to start thinking about them – it is often too late by then, or they are far more costly to correct at that time.

Despite the most conscientious efforts at drainage control, unexpected outside factors (e.g., hurricanes, unexpected development or construction nearby, utility problems, etc.) can overwhelm the best of drainage systems. It is important to respect the power and unpredictability of water, especially when designing and building drainage systems.

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Wayside News is published twice annually and distributed free of charge. It covers topics on landscape design, plant identification, book/literature review, landscape maintenance, and construction. It is intended to be brief but informative, if not argumentative. We welcome any comments and suggestions from readers, particularly concerning topics for future issues. We can be contacted through our website www.waysidelandscape.com

Andrew J. White

President