Glow in the Dark Gravel to Illuminate Any Exterior

Anything that can absorb light to glow in the dark and conserve energy sounds like a good thing to us. So naturally aside from the gorgeous display of light these pebbles creates– they’re eco-friendly as well. They’ll stay shining for 10 hours with just 2 hours exposure to the sun, and can be used in under water applications.They’re available in an array of colors, and can be found as loose pebbles or as stones on a plastic backed sheet for a more precise or geometric layout. These ‘Core Glow‘ pieces crafted by a Canadian company are waterproof, non-radioactive, non-toxic.

A template for those seeking a west-coast contemporary style

Last year, my husband and I headed down to New Zealand and toured both the South and North Islands. New Zealanders love their gardens and the moderate climate is well suited to the vast array of flora that was introduced by many of its British-influenced immigrants.

The Hamilton Botanical Garden

One botanical garden in particular­ – the Hamilton Botanical Garden – is a horticulturalist’s as well as landscape designer’s dream. A large area is devoted to garden design throughout periods of history. Each garden style is physically partitioned from the other so that you feel you are stepping back in time.

The American Modern Garden

In this particular blog I show you the American Modern Garden, which is rooted in the 1950s and due to the influence of the great landscape architect Thomas Church. The elements of this garden are adaptable to those wishing a more contemporary flair to their garden style, plus there is emphasis on using plants native to your particular zone – perfect for Pacific Northwest post-and-beam architecture or for those wishing to create a garden that is edgy and fun.

• landscape architect
• British-influence gardening,
• Hamilton Botanical Garden,
• gardens and landscapes

http://www.jardinshistoricos.pt

Gardens are an indispensable part of society. Amongst the existing gardens, a particular kind stand as monuments for their heritage and beauty: the historic gardens. They represent the testimony of a past society in the landscape. The historic gardens are living art objects, a legacy from our ancestors and cultural landscape that we admire and ought to protect, understand and defend.

The historic gardens are a living patrimony which makes their maintenance sometimes very difficult. Frequently, their owners cannot face the maintenance of their gardens by themselves. Gathering these owners towards a common goal – the preservation of historic gardens – was one of the factors that led to the creation of the Portuguese Association of Historic Gardens and Sites.

The APJSH was established in 2003 due to the need to highlight and preserve the patrimony of Portuguese landscape art.

This initiative was launched by a team of professionals – currently members of the Board of Directors of the Association – and many owners aware of the fragile situation of their heritage scattered throughout the country. All together we believed that the recreational, economic and historic value of the gardens should be considered a repository of the Portuguese culture.

The APJSH now includes historic garden owners, landscape architects with a experience in the requalification of these areas, teachers in the field of garden art history, agronomy and forestry, jurists, economists and architects, of about two hundred members.

The professional objectives of APJSH are to increase the value, to maintain and conserve the historic gardens and sites, both public and private, that are viewed as areas of aesthetic value, and with a scientific, cultural, educational and landscape interest; represents and supports its members and owners; collaborates with the public administration, namely with the Portuguese Government, in the study and preparation of legal and regulatory diplomas, as well as projects that financially support the conservation and restoration of gardens.

The first three years were important to consolidate and to demonstrate the professional quality of the Association in relation to its members with the submission of applications for funds, namely the EEA Grants Program, in partnership with several of the associated historic gardens. Regarding the first application for funds, the Association was proud to be selected, amongst more than 150 applicants, in a project for the restoration of the hydraulic structures of twelve historic gardens.

In order for us to further strengthen the sense of better defences for the historic gardens we need to grow…become a member and support the work of APJSH. Membership form available on request from rosie@thebtf.net

Modern Paved Urban Garden - Dealing With The L-Shape (Image 1 of 7)

Like many urban gardens, this one is L-shaped, which means not only is the side return often too small to do anything meaningful with, but also that the view from within the house into the side return is often quite bland (or of the neighbouring house). This design combats these problems firstly with a white painted wall. The wall reflects light back into the house, provides privacy and a backdrop for the architectural planting in front. Also, the shallow nature of the border in front of the wall means that the side return is uncluttered and therefore spacious enough to provide a sheltered seating area or place for children to play.

Define Your Spaces (Image 2 of 7)

How do you create a garden with in a small space that's packed with interest? Planting obviously helps, but it can take up lots of room, so ideally should be kept to a minimum - and those plants you choose should be architectural showpieces. Ideally, then, your hard landscaping has to do the talking. Changes of level or material underfoot are a good design trick. Here, a length of deck sits between two areas of paving. Just as it would indoors, this change of flooring defines the dining space within the garden, soften the effect of the paving and adds visual interest.

Create A Quiet Space (Image 3 of 7)

The far end of the this garden has been set aside for a small seating area. This garden is very sheltered on every side, but the principle remains solid - if you can find a space within your garden that's hidden from view, protected from the wind and is quite separate from the rest of your garden, you've got the ideal chill out spot. In a small or awkwardly shaped garden, like this one, this has been achieved with the addition of a half-wall that hugs the bench.

Think About The Detail (Image 4 of 7)

In an urban or contemporary garden, your design is likely to be very simple to make the most of the space. This is where attention to detail really pays off - here in the form not only of juxtaposed materials, but in the play of angles - the decking runs in one direction, while the lines within the paved area of the garden run in another. This not only looks more interesting, it plays a visual trick, too, since the eye is drawn along the lines, creating the impression that the garden is longer in every direction than it really is.

Consider Your Planting (Image 5 of 7)

In a small urban garden, your view is going to be more important than that of a country garden that's surrounded by trees and an abundance of plants all year round. So, it's important to make your planting count right from the word go - and this means picking plants that are in leaf - or at least interesting to look at - in every season.

Use Paint To Exaggerate Your Design (Image 6 of 7)

A paint colour or stain - whether on a wall or fence - can make a huge impact on a garden. Apply the same rules as you would inside the house: use bright white to make a small, dark space seem bigger and lighter; use exuberant colour to show off your furniture and plants and to create an exotic looking garden; choose sombre greys and blacks to contrast with your planting and create a very modern look.

Break Up The Landscaping (Image 7 of 7)

At design stage, remember to leave areas within your hard landscaping - assuming you're decking or paving most of your garden - free for planting. A specimen tree set into a large expanse of deck, a colourful flowering shrub sat in a corner or a row of blooms will soften the harder features of an urban garden, add colour and scent and attract wildlife.

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