Ideas that would work in urban spaces from Lauren Stimson
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT LAUREN STIMSON’S DESIGN IS FULL OF IDEAS THAT TRANSLATE TO URBAN SPACES
The project was defined by two elements: the first a new modern home for a young family on the south and the second, a comprehensive restoration of the original 19th-century homestead to the north. The juxtaposition of old and new and the themes of rustic and modern became the guiding language for the materials, planting and overall landscape expression.
Long lines of grasses and perennials are intermixed for seasonal bloom and diversity. Grasses like Schizachyrium scoparium and Molinia spp. are teamed with colourful bloomers like echinacea, rudbeckia, perovskia and Verbena bonariensis. The grasses form the backbone of the perennial beds, providing a constant companion for the perennials, which transition between flowers and seed heads.
We like to plant in colonies, the way things would occur in nature. It isn’t often you see one perennial growing in isolation. We try to match plants up with each other – there’s a reason so many plantspeople talk about ‘companion plants’. We are always interested in pushing the exploration of this concept and there’s no rule book for us, except to set the plants up to thrive. Therefore whenever we are working on planting plans, we try to make sure the plants are matched to the site. Consider immediate environmental factors such as shade, sun and wind – and set the plants up to succeed by careful placement.
This garden is shown here three years after installation. I would always advise new gardeners to be patient. Plants are a living thing, so know that it takes several years for them to gradually establish and mature. Enjoy the process of creating your garden and its growth over time, because one thing is for certain – it will continue to change every single season, and that is the fun part.
“I’d always advise new gardeners to be patient –it takes years for plants to establish and mature”