Woodland Retreat. Private shade garden under a canopy of mature cedar trees.
Image Gallery
Click the thumbnail images below for full size versions.
-
- before
Lake Samammish, WA
Author Archives: michael
Water thoroughly and keep your garden healthy
Especially this year, our typically dry July, August and September quickly erase any reserves stored below the surface of the soil. Fine-tuning watering techniques can not only conserve water but also create healthier plants.
Keys to watering:
- My answer is to water deeply and less frequently. This can be accomplished most easily with either a drip or soaker irrigation system. The drip system can be set to water individual plants, shrubs, or trees. The water requirements of different plants can be met by using different sized emitters, and by placing several emitters on large shrubs or trees.
- A soaker system will water the whole garden evenly and can be hidden underneath mulch.
- Hand watering is also an option, but make sure that the water is penetrating deeply.
- The final way to irrigate is with an old-fashioned sprinkler head. Make sure that the spray hits all areas and that you leave it on long enough to water deeply.
Tips for watering:
- Getting water to the bottom of the root zone promotes drought tolerance by keeping the roots deep in the soil, instead of on the surface where they can dry out quickly. Water should soak in deep enough so all roots are thoroughly wet. The first few times you water, test to see how deep it goes. After a few tries, you’ll know how long the water needs to run.
- Always water during the cooler part of the day to lessen evaporation. Nighttime or early morning is best.
- Make sure you mulch.
- Plant densly enough so plant roots are not overheated by the sun.
As your garden matures and plants become well established, you’ll be able to cut back the frequency of watering.
Michael Muro Garden Design offers garden planning and comprehensive landscape design in Washington State.
Waterwise landscape design
Even with the likelihood of a drought in the Pacific Northwest again this year, there is no need to be resigned to wilted, brittle and brown plants this summer. There are many ways to keep a garden looking lush during summer, while conserving water. First, by analyzing the site environment, we can select the right plants for the existing conditions. The most successful plantings will be those that thrive in existing conditions. The less that has to be done to alter those conditions, the more successful the landscape plantings will be.
Water less often and more deeply. This encourages plants to develop deeper roots and draw from water stored deep below the surface of the soil. Shallow watering equals shallow roots and drier conditions for plants. After heavy rains or a deep watering, mulch garden beds to help seal in moisture and insulate roots from heat, resulting in less need for water. Prune back overgrown perennials and shrubs — fewer leaves mean less plant mass to support and less need for water. Never allow plants to wilt. Stressed plant are more susceptible to disease and insect infestation. These simple steps will keep plants healthy and therefore better looking, no matter what the weather does.
A drought tolerant garden requires thoughtful planning.
I like to draw from a palette offering an array of interesting flowers, leaf types and growth habits. I recently designed a garden that cascaded above a rock retaining wall using a combination of Artichoke, Barberry, Blue Oat Grass, Rock Rose and trailing Rosemary — all plants that not only survive, but thrive, in Northwest landscapes. Well drained soil, direct sun and conditions on the dry side are perfect! Once established, they will thrive with little or no watering.
Typically, most drought tolerant plants fall into the lower maintenance category. Many thrive in dry summer conditions and tolerate wet winters, making them excellent choices for the changeable Pacific Northwest climate.
Here’s to summer around the corner and an easy care, beautiful garden!
Cordially,
Michael Muro
Daily Snapshots
Mercer Island, WA
Curb appeal. Native plants and ornamentals, pop under a canopy of mature Douglas Fir.
-
- before
Madison Park, Seattle
Madison Modern. Featuring a “Living Wall” and custom metal work. Seattle Landscape Design
-
- after: street view
-
- before: street view
-
- custom iron gate
-
- living wall
-
- living wall detail
-
- after: interior courtyard
-
- before: interior court yard
-
- container gardens
-
- after: entry corridor
-
- before: entry corridor
-
- before: fencing
-
- after: fencing
Queen Anne Hill, Seattle
Contrast of modern clean lines and an Asian-inspired garden. Seattle Landscape Design
-
- before
Eye Catching Container Gardens
Container gardening is for everyone, whether you have a small balcony or extensive landscape. Large pots, small pots – they all add to any homes’ outdoor decor. Continue reading
Fall Planting Season is Here
Trees and shrubs love to be planted in the fall. Now is an ideal time to get your plants in the ground so they can begin to establish a sound root system before the heat of summer.
Winter precipitation means less watering to get a plant established, and there will be fewer insects in cooler weather. Wait to plant tender varieties until spring. But most trees, conifers are ideal for fall planting.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to do a few of those post-summer chores throughout the garden, like deadheading flowers, cleaning out dead leaves and amending the soil. Use organic soil amendment to feed the soil with important nutrients. This will give your new plantings a healthy beginning. And, of course, water until the rains start next month.
Feel free to contact me with your questions about what type of trees and shrubs to plant now.
If you need more ideas, schedule a design consultation and learn about the best plants for any spot in your garden!
Best wishes,
Michael
Extend Summer Color with Perennials
Showy, Fall-blooming perennials extend summer color in the garden.
These garden mainstays flower reliable, year after year. Unlike annuals and biennials, which live for only a year or two, perennials are permanent plants that need only periodic division and replanting. About as low maintenance as it gets! Some plants are evergreen; others die to the ground at the end of each season, and then reappear from the roots the following year.
After the dog days of summer, the landscape can begin to look a little peaked. Using fall-blooming perennials is a great way to extend a fresh splash of color until the first frost and beyond. These robust specimens will extend the blooming cycle and can be planted among summer-blooming perennials and annuals for a seamless display of color that can last from early spring through November.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Echinacea ‘Hot Paypaya’. Rich, dark green foliage and large orange-red flowers atop stems up to 48″ high. Full to part sun, drought tolerant.
- Sedum spectabile ‘Neon’. Sturdy Foliage capped with dark pink disks of tiny star-like flowers. Full to part sun, drought tolerant.\
- Asters (many, many cultivars). Sturdy plants covered with small daisy-like flowers. An array of growth habits and colors to choose from. Full sun, drought tolerant.
Late summer is a great time to reevaluate the perennials in your garden. Choosing carefully can maximize bloom season and refresh the garden. Then, look to broad-leaf and coniferous evergreens for color, texture and structure come winter.
If you need more ideas, contact me for a design consultation and learn about the best plants for any spot in your garden!
Best Wishes,
Michael Muro