The Design Process

Designing an entire landscape or garden bed, or simply choosing a plant, can be done with great ease with a few steps. One of the first considerations is site evaluation including light, soil, weather and temperature ranges (hardiness and heat zones). Plant tags can be confusing with the growing information, but knowing details such as the difference between partial shade and partial sun can make an immense difference in plant selection. Full sun denotes plants that need six or more hours of direct sun. Partial sun and partial shade are used interchangeably for plants that prefer three to five hours of sun, however there is a distinction between the two. Plants with partial sun requirements will prefer sun closer to four to five hours while partial shade plants prefer less with three to four hours. Full shade is considered two hours or less of direct sun. Also consider when the sun will be shining in these areas. Watch the sun patterns one day of the growing season and note where there is morning sun, as this is weaker than the strong sun of the afternoon and the southern sun.
Soil will be the largest factor in whether a plant will survive. A good soil is dependent on pH, availability of nutrients, drainage and organic matter to give the best performance. Your soil can be tested with a home kit, or you can send it out through Rutgers at a fee with more thorough results and recommendations. Hardiness zones will also factor what plants can be grown. The garden is a living ever-changing collection – Mother Nature cannot be planned.
What are the goals and expectations for this garden or plant? Consider maintenance and budget as the first obstacles. How much time will be spent on maintenance? It is best to plan for lower maintenance plants such as Coreopsis (Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam,’ ‘Zagreb’), Catmint (Nepeta), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Buddleia (new, sterile varieties and dwarf varieties), Hydrangea (‘Nikko Blue,’ ‘Endless Summer’) and Yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’) for disease resistance, long life and minimal staking, fertilizing and pruning. Budget for plants not only based on initial costs, but the long-term commitment of maintenance that is vital to sustaining the garden.
Visualize the garden space using aids such as garden hoses or bright electrical cords to outline new garden beds, or take pictures and draw shapes of plants over them to get a general idea of scale and proportion. The size, shape and plant selection of the bed will reflect the function of the garden, i.e. aesthetics, butterflies, cut flowers and fragrance. When will the peak season be? Think of plants in all stages of life and choose plants that serve several seasons. In spring, Goldflame Spiraea (Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’) has wonderful bronze tipped new growth against lime yellow foliage that flowers pink in July with coppery-orange fall foliage.
Most of all, plants should be suited to the right conditions (including yours); “right plant, right place” is the motto in the landscape and horticulture field. There are many to choose from and with guidance, good pictures and good notes, a well-designed garden is waiting in your yard and our garden center. Visit Cape Shore Gardens at 1028 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House. For more information, call (609) 465-5161.
Written by Lauren Popper, horticulturist at Cape Shore Gardens and graduate of Temple University’s School of Environmental Design.