Whispering Crane Institute

A GCSociety Winner . . . NVArt:Art Space

2008-06-19T00:10:00.001-04:00

Absolutely stunning digital rendering:

[ Wow, that is really stunning work, and very creative. ]

A quote from the author Staszek Marek:

The most beautiful places that come to mind always have water, steep cliffs and tropics in common. Lush turquoise colors emphasizing positive vibes, something I've never seen. I wanted to achieve complete integration of future architecture with nature, complete with green parks, trees and gardens.

What caught my eye and train of thought right away was his remarks about how big an influence the landscape is, in relationship to the architecture.

Renderings like this . . . the creativity needs to be shared.

There are a number of other entries here, be prepared to be amazed.

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The Vine Woman, Laura Spector

2008-03-30T01:53:00.001-04:00

Great story in the NYTimes about Laura Spector who goes out into the woods alone and cuts down all the vine(s) she can pull out to make something great out of something very bad.

[From the Laura Spector website.]

Apparently she targets Bitttersweet or Asiatic vine Celastrus orbiculata which has run amok in her part of the "woods".

Her specialty, apparently a little of everything-sconces, mirrors, arches, furniture, etc. Good for her!

From the story:

“I go out into the woods alone, everywhere,” she said. “And I go deep,
a mile or two in from roads. The hardest part is schlepping the stuff
out alone. I have letters of permission from places like the Aspetuck
Land Trust and Aquarion, the water company. They’re happy to lead me to
the worst infestations, as long as I indemnify them in case I fall.”

Here's another great piece from Laura's website; which I am linking you to, the NYTimes does not.

[ One of Laura's benches, I love that Koa wood slab.]

Great stuff, really great imagination. In her own words:

My work is unique in that it is influenced by the rich
and decorative18th Century British Romantic tradition.
British rustic is unique from its more familiar American
cousin, in that its graceful lines follow nature’s
whimsy yet suggest the complexity of wrought ironwork.

Finally this piece of railing:

[Very nice, keep up the good work Laura. ]

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The Blog has been Moved

2007-07-16T02:14:00.000-04:00

I noticed that folks are still stopping by looking for info on Pergola's and such. Be advised that I have indeed been at this new site for quite awhile.

Still discussing pergola's renderings, landscape construction, drawings, waterfeatures, ponds, landscape construction, etc.

In case you hadn't noticed

2007-03-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

Even though I enjoyed my time here and appreciated the recognition of the Blogger staff I moved over to Wordpress.com.

It was not an easy decision because I had to hand export over 250 post, and find a way to move comments also. It was the opportunity to have several pages to add additional info . . . which also allowed me to clean up the front page of my Blog.

I don't know if I'm a minimalist at heart, but my inner designer likes clean and simple. So here I am gone . . . to Wordpress. Here again, is the new site.

Linkers, a moment please:

2007-02-18T11:57:00.000-05:00

If you were kind enough to set up a link to this page from your Blog or page I would appreciate it if you would change that to my new Blog site over at Wordpress.

I appreciate the fact the you thought enough of what I am doing to link to my page and I hope that will continue over at my new site.

Again, thanks a lot in advance. I look forward to your readership, comments, and feedback.

Landscape Design, and Design is important to our lives, and good design makes our life more enjoyable, more pleasant, and more civilized. I will continue to write about what I see, hear, learn, and ponder about as I continue my life's work.

There will be a move to Wordpress

2007-01-27T11:44:00.000-05:00

My friends . . . . have all chimed in, one way or another, and have decided they like the Wordpress look better. So I will respect their opinions and move.

The only real question left for me is do I stay at Wordpress.com or do I move entirely over to another type of site. As in a paying site. Where I can have the blog hosted, and at the same time move the WCI website to also. There are (for me) plus'es and minus'es to both sides of this equation.

All of this is going to have to wait until I get back from the Mgmt. Clinic in Louisville, KY. this coming week. I trip I am looking forward to-this is a very good conference, lots of high energy.

So for now dear readers keep catching me over at the other site where I am posting like mad, like mad I tell you . . . yes actually mad.

I wonder . . . how do you spell plus'es and minus'es?

Blogger vs. Wordpress

2007-01-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

Well I have almost everything moved over to the Wordpress site. I am almost certain I am moving over there. The swag, chiclets(sp?), and buttons are not over there and I am not sure how that is going to work out.

I really do not want to add anymore to the sidebar. If needed I will add those to another page. I have added everyone's link in the link page and think it looks good, and those links look easy to find.

The page loads faster over there, and I like the cleaner look-hey! I'm a Designer! I Design, I like clean simple lines. Just look at my work.

Now I know graphic design is entirely different than Landscape Design, but aesthetics are aesthetics . . . aren't they?

Take a look, but I am pretty sure this is a done deal, unless a flood of folks say different.

The biggest reason not to leave is that Google loves me, it really loves me. I hope it happens at the Wordpress site. We shall see.

Dear readers, I need your help!

2007-01-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have moved my Blog to a Word Press site. To see, just how it would look in a different type of setting. To streamline, to pull back on sidebar stuff.

So I am looking for some feedback, via e-mail or comment. Which style of blog seems to fit what I am trying to do?

It's warmer, the new Hardiness Zone Map

2007-01-15T09:45:00.001-05:00

The new hardiness Zone map from Arborday.org:

I have seen other Blogs discuss this issue, but I couldn't let it pass by without chiming in.

After 30 yrs working in outdoor environments I can safely say things have changed. Definitely changed and who knows if it is for the better. Now here comes a map from the folks at Arbor Day to show those changes.

Now are these changes long-lasting and final? Who really knows. How long have we been keeping records? Real, complete records. 120 years, 150 years? What if we are in a 300, 700, 1,553 year cycle? How about 4,000 year cycle? In another 150 years maybe we'll have Magnolia grandiflora along Lake Erie.

The worst case scenario . . . Global Warming; that it's real, it's happening, and changes will occur. Changes that we cannot stop. Good or bad changes that will effect how humans live on this planet. How humans will co-exist with animals and plants, and the dynamics in play will also change.

So what dies this mean here today? Right here, right now.

Well we get to grow stuff we couldn't grow before, and stuff we didn't want to grow, or run rampant will be allowed to, or continue to happen. Like it or not. We will have to take the bad with the good.

So celebrate, but remain vigilant. For me . . . the biggest news in all this change is the affect on poison ivy. poison ivy (the plant) will benefit by the longer/warmer growing season . . . great. I'm sure folks who deal with kudza/kudzoo(sp?) are happy. The lengthier season will also benefit "fire ants".

Fire ants, nasty fellows-I'm waiting for Jack Bauer to find a way to use them as a torture device. We sure don't need to have their territory expand, but this will most likely happen.

Enjoy your new growing season.

Spartanburg, SC knows Horticulture

2006-12-30T15:18:00.001-05:00

Nice read on some of the horticultural happenings in Spartanburg. The passion start at the top and works it way through the entire city.

Pergola Design

2006-12-28T01:42:00.000-05:00

Entertainment Entry
This pergola was designed with several thoughts in mind, several request asked, and the pergola needed to be substantial.

I had looked at the style and size of house and determined right away we needed something with some bulk, girth, and substance.

The homeowners are not fancy, quaint, do-dad type of people that need to look at lots of embellishment or intricate detail.

Finally the space itself is big, big house, big pool, tall trees, and large lawn. Including a long drive with a big parking area to go through before reaching this back yard space.

Instead of just designing the cliche' wrap around the house footprint style arbor I worked hard to design a arbor that would also work as a separator, This separator is to divide the public space and the pool/private space. The physical act of walking through and under such a structure accomplishes this. The mind changes over, the space is now looked at differently.

The cedar pergola was designed not with the intent of keeping out the shade but to act as the conduit of bring the house and landscape together. That's why I think pergolas are so powerful a design tool. Their ability to link elements, spaces, structures, and emotions together in a harmonious way.

The attachment to the house and the post rising from the Earth . . . the connection is made, and can be made more powerful with the addition of vines, climbers and bloomers working their way through the pergola. Where some space below the pergola is solid and safe for footing and other areas are made beds so that plants and people can thrive together and the garden is accessible to human contact.

The other big thought here is often neglected, not even thought of, and usually excites only as a afterthought . . . that thought is shadows. Shadows bring a sense of theater to the garden, The shadow lines magically move there way across the space as the day plays itself out. This continual movement adds dynamic style to the scene and alleviates boredom of looking at the same space in a very un-dynamic style the entire day. Light and shadow in the daylight much too often underlooked, under-appreciated, and very rarely designed for, but designing shadow can be a very powerful design tool.

Every pergola design/designer should keep this in mind when creating the overhead for the pergola. Where is the sun? What is the suns path? What is this path during the most busy time of year using the pergola? What is the pattern to be determined for? Is the overhead designed to block out a large percentage of sunlight? Do crosspieces run with or against the suns path? Does the pergola include 2 sections of crosspieces to create a even more intricate shadow pattern?

Enough questions? For now. We haven't even touched the post, and their embellishment or lack thereof. Or the finish work to the crosspieces . . . the detailing, or lack thereof. Nor vines, nor climbers, nor paint or stain . . . how about going a la natural?

Lots of questions, lots of possibilities, but no doubt one of the most under-utilized structures in residential landscape design.

Merry xmas 3

2006-12-24T16:17:00.000-05:00

Willie Nelson, on "produce"

2006-12-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

" It’s a good thing I had a bag of marijuana. If I had a bag of spinach, I’d be dead by now." -Willie Nelson

The photo is by Mark Seliger photographs.

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"Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over."

2006-12-19T01:23:00.000-05:00

I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man. ~Henry David Thoreau

Filthy water cannot be washed. ~African Proverb

"Throughout the history of literature, the guy who poisons the well has been the worst of all villains..." -ANON

"Water is a very good servant, but it is a cruel master."
C.G.D. Roberts, "Adrift in America", 1891

"You could not step twice into the same rivers; for other waters are ever flowing on to you."
Heraclitus of Ephesus

"When you drink the water, remember the spring"
Chinese Proverb

"When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water"
Benjamin Franklin

"The stone in the water knows nothing of the hill which lies parched in the sun."
African Proverb

My thanks to Samuel Clemens for the title quote, thanks again Mr. Twain.

The above falls was built from Colorado fieldstone, the falls in the photo is about 18inches high, and running about 1700 gallons per hour regarding the rate of flow.

My eyes are deceiving me . . . I think

2006-12-17T11:49:00.001-05:00

Is that what I think it is? A fire-pit in the living room . . . Okay I know I an no longer hip for 2 reasons; #1. I don't live on the East Coast, preferably New York, and #2. I just turned 50. But a fire-pit in the living room, something rather uncommon in my parts and it's not just any old fire-pit, it's a rolling fire-pit.

Plus I'm not quite sure what's going on with the twigs and the bamboo back by the wall. Is it supposed to be rustic Japanese with a dash of peacock?

The entire story is on the NY Times. What is this all about? The collection of stuff, or a unique design style?

One thing that comes to mind looking at this trend, if work gets slow outside for me it appears that I now have another venue working indoors . . . in New York.

The Art of Arborculture

2006-12-15T14:51:00.000-05:00

Arborculture is the art and practice of doing unusual things with trees to create living works of art. There are even practitioners who grow trees to only cut them down and create furniture.

The photo on the right is a living sculpture by the father of the movement Axel Erlandson. The 6 Sycamores create a fantastic and unusual sculpture.

The photo was taken at Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, CA. Which is not where these trees started out. They actually started in the San Joaquin Valley as part of Erlandsons Tree Circus. The story of how they got from one place to another is told here, here, and here. The page for Mark Primack is here.

A pdf from Bonfante Gardens which talks about the large aquascape gardens and later in the file talks about the big move of Erlandson's remaining 29 trees from their original location to their present home. It's quite a story of determination and co-operation, and a man who wanted to see these specimens survive.

The fellow on the left is Arthur Weichula. Art had some interesting idea about arborculture and other uses for living trees. he was very interested in how living joints, or how inosculation worked.

While looking at all this I was reminded of the ancient art of pleaching, which was developed by the Romans. I say Romans because they were the 1st to speak of it in their writings. it's certainly possible pleaching happened before then. But . . . I digress.

Here's a good explanation, the images were missing when I looked at the page. Here you can see a few good examples of pleaching but the writing on the page looked strange for me. The 2 examples will give you a very good idea of what pleaching is all about. let me know if the links are a problem.

In today's World of Arborculture the guru seems to be Richard Reames who has written the book, called ARBORCULTURE, Solutions for a Small Planet. I have not read the book but between his site and his work, and now the book there has been a new growth in interest in this form of living art.

Here is a interview in Cabinet magazine with Richard Reames, and I have a few other links of interest from other place/sites in the world where there is great interest in the art of growing trees to create art:

pooktre.com where they are creating "people" out of trees. I would think in the dark with just the right mist this place could turn into a horror movie.
living houses? maybe, I found this on the Kircher Society web site.
Growing Village, Arborculturist from around the world.
Archinode goes into the future of arborculture with a look at the Fab Tree Hab. Hey . . . who knows?
Finally Mr. Wu, chair anyone?

Finally, finally . . . a big thanks to Hank over at a Lake County point of View. Thanks a lot, I was just spinning through the day minding my own business and boom! It happened Topiary, more topiary, and after catching another post on topiary on the site (like 3 in 3/4 days) I came across a comment refer to arborculture-that was enough to set me in motion. Now, much later in the day-it's up (the post on arborculture). Thanks Hank.

A few interesting sites

2006-12-14T23:46:00.001-05:00

A couple of sites worth a visit:

***A blog for a landscape company in Santa Cruz, Ca. One of the few blogs I've seen at a landscape website. They are using this blog to promo their work and it looks much better than the typical static landscape website. Kudos to Silver Tree Designs.

***In 2008 Quebec city will be celebrating their 400th anniversary. One of the big parts of the celebration will be the Ephemeral Gardens:

EPHEMERAL GARDENS AT THE HEART OF THE FESTIVITIES

The Ephemeral Gardens will be an artistic event where creators from different horizons are invited to bring an artistic viewpoint on the major themes of Québec City's 400th anniversary. This viewpoint will be expressed through creator gardens : outdoor creations using mediums that combine different elements, including plant materials.

If you think you got a great ephermal design in you, go here to look at their call for proposals.

***The website for the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a good one. It is definitely worth a look.

***Finally, a list. This is a list of things a freelance illustrator has learned over 17 years of working as a . . . freelancer. I find this appropriate because I am a frelancer/consultant/self-employed kind of guy. All 17 are good advice, or great common sense reminders, but I think this is my favorite:

Dealing With People's Questions.
You will have interesting questions posed to you as a freelancer. Some
people have ideas that all freelancers are of the of fuzzy slippers and
jammy pant wearing, constant soap opera watching or constantly sleeping
variety. There is really no solution to this line of questioning other
than to answer their questions as honestly (not defensively) as
possible. After awhile, they should see that you are a diligent worker
who might have a slightly different schedule than most, but who still
punches a "time-clock". Be patient, the comments will eventually stop.

Please take a look at the comments below the list, some are useful, funny, and or . . . well-comments. Starting with:

#18 - Don't use orange font to display something meaningful

Even though not a freelancer yet, or maybe I am a freelancer just haven't
gotten any work yet! ha, still loved reading the list. They may be common sense but they can be easily overlooked and who doesn't need a refresher. Congrats on 17, and early congrats on the next 17! And the orange font does just fine, cause if you really want to read it, you will. ha ha
Excellent guidelines. I have been a freelance illustrator since 1973, minus six years as an art director at an ad agency. I second everything you say, and if I might I would add a couple of other lessons I've learned:
1.) Always get a jump on a job. If you procrastinate because you have a generous deadline, you may end up having to turn down other work that comes in when you're up against it.
2.) Sensitize your antennae to what the art director says. It may be something like, "The sketch looks great. . . at first I was a little concerned about the guy's hairstyle, but then I thought, no, I'm just over-thinking, so don't worry about it, everything's fine." That means--change the hairstyle!
3.) Communicate early and often. If time permits, fax or email the art director rough sketches before going to tight sketches. This has saved me a lot of wasted effort.
4.) I would underline your point #4 about "attitude." The art director is generally under a great deal of stress. When you get last-minute or seemingly arbitrary changes, or stinging criticisms, accept them cheerfully. Never express the irritation you may feel. The extent to which you can do this will go a long way toward creating successful long-term relationships. Some art directors have poor people skills. If you're one of the illustrators they feel comfortable dealing with, you'll be amply rewarded.

The website is Beetlegrass and I want to say thanks for the list, keep going!

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Martha Schwartz interview

2006-12-12T14:05:00.001-05:00

I just ran across this interview in Metropolismag.com. I was hoping to read a good in-depth, insightful interview. Let's just say I was disappointed. it comes across a one of those 20 pop questions type of interviews. Not quite what's your favorite color, instead we get . . . bookmarks? Bookmarks? Martha doesn't have any by the way.

Martha has continually pushed the envelope and has marketed her brand well. Her work gets lots of press, her people submit for awards (which they win), and the critics are severe. Sounds like someone at the top.

The infamous HUD Plaza.

I was hoping for some insight into her design process, and how she reads sites. Interprets the area she is going to work in. The best we get is her insistence on physically seeing the site and this tid-bit:

Most useful tool: My equal-space divider. You quickly divide things—as opposed to measuring them out—which is a godsend: I work fast and I’m bad at math.

Still if you are not familiar with her work take a look at the article, and then go to the firm's website, one of those fancy flash pages. Here you will get a much better understanding of her work, and a better understanding of the publicity machine, look at the amount of print, not including all the critics columns

Residence in SW, New Mexico, I believe.

For more info on Martha here is the Wiki entry for her. I was speaking earlier about how she has been lambasted by some . . . here you go.

To counter that Martha has won the Cooper-Hewitt design award, 2006 in Landscape Design (scroll down). The award was for her design of the Grand Canal Square in Dublin, Ireland, for a really great breakdown of that project I found this, and this from Ireland.

Martha is more of the artist side than the horticulture side of the picture and this mindset has put her on the opposite side of the fence with a lot of folks in the landscape design world. There is usually a lot of stuff going on in her projects, some would consider them very busy or not very people-friendly. You could even say they are better to look at and admire from a distance, than to actually participate in.

Her designs are not for everyone, but I admire her ability to push the envelope and take a chance in her public projects. Even if some projects weren't perfect who can say that all of their's were. I sure can't, can you? can anyone?

The important thing is to dream, to think big, to continue to reach out to be the best you can, the most expressive. The most creative. Keep going Martha.

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Trees for the Future

2006-12-11T11:57:00.001-05:00

Local children working to make their village a better place to live:

A denuded hillside in Central America:

If you have any interest working/supporting an organization the does reforestation work let me suggest Trees for the Future. I met Dave Deppner several years ago and immediately liked the man. he is honest, sincere, and dedicated, very dedicated. Dave is a strong believer in sustainable agroforestry, from the website:

Tree Planting: We help people plant multi-purpose, fast-growing, ecologically appropriate tree species. By choosing species tailored to the needs of the communities we serve, we create agroforestry systems that rebuild worn soils, reduce erosion, replenish groundwater aquifers and create microclimate conditions that encourage the return of indigenous species.

Agroforestry Training: We have developed a long-distance agroforestry training program that is being used to train community leaders worldwide in sustainable agroforestry practices. The curriculum covers agroforestry techniques, appropriate species, nursery management, livestock management, pest control, and more. Successful completion of an exam is required to graduate. To learn more, click here.

The "Forest Garden": The forest garden is a multi-layered agroforestry system that strives to realize the diversity and productivity of a natural forest with species of plants and animals that are useful to humans. In many cases, we see spectacular harvests from this combination of trees and cash crops. Integrating more crops on one piece of land yields greater total production, reduced incidence of insects and other pests, increased quality of food produced, and lowered damage from storms and soil erosion.

More stripped rainforest:

What's unique about Dave and Trees for the Future is how they spend the money. Dave goes right to the villages and the local leaders. His is truly work at the grass roots level. To educate, train, motivate the locals to become stewards of their land to begin the recovery in the area surrounding their local villages.

Too often the money starts at the top and works its way down through the levels, and in these 3rd World countries there are a lot of levels and a lot of interests, if you know what I mean. Dave has always believed it is better to go right to the people whose lives and villages are at stake.

Leucaena tree project. Leucaena benefits. The Moringa oleifera tree "Horse Radish tree". These are 2 of the several trees used to reclaim the land. Erosion control, feed for the live stock, compost materials, fuel and building materials are factors when considering which trees to use.

The other challenge is getting local farmers to try something different. The peer pressure is great amongst most locals to not change, to do it the same way its always been done. To start anew, to become terrace farmers, and sustainable aware is tough. But Dave and his volunteers keep plugging along, trying to change one farmer on village at a time.

If you're looking for a cause/group to donate time or money, let me again suggest Trees for the Future.

Sandstone thoughts, continued

2006-12-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

The steps from a wider angle:

On 12/7 I posted a close-up of the stone steps, showing some of the detail. I was after a look of strong yet informal steps that led out on to the lawn.

These steps are the only way to get from the parking court and upper terrace to that front lawn. The large barnstone on the left was needed to hold up the planting bed. This bed was designed in to screen the view of the cars from the street. and create a buffer of green between the view and the asphalt.

The bed swirls on the right before working back into another small wall that took advantage of stone found on the property. This wall was built to hold up the planting bed and upper terrace walkway and patio.

The view from here show the upper terrace. This is a flat stone called Maryland chocolate set on a bed of limestone dust and screenings. The steps are at the far end of this patio between the Crabapple trees. If I remember correctly these are "Sugar Tyme' Crabs.

I would like to point out these pictures were taking last summer, the Summer of 2006, and this job was installed in the Spring of 2000. The patio has held up quite well, and most of the plants are still in the same place we planted them 16 years ago.

I had an opportunity to chat with one of the homeowners. She had pulled in when I was shooting these pictures. We talked about several things and she mentioned how happy they had been with everything all these years. I had to tell her they had done a great job with the upkeep and that everything still looked great.

This view shows a better look at the short wall that holds up the small bed and terrace. The beds; after 16 years, look fairly tidy.

Sandstone thoughts

2006-12-07T22:28:00.001-05:00

"Without discipline, there's no life at all." -Katherine Hepburn

The Vermont Gardener, a man who loves stone.

2006-12-06T09:24:00.001-05:00

How could you not like an post about the use and love of stone. George has written a nice piece about stone, moving stone, and how stone works in his garden.

What I especially liked was his mention of The Forgotten Art of Building a Stone Wall by Curtis Fields. If my memory serves correct this was the 1st book on stone in my library. George is right, it is a small, clean simple book, but if you love stone, and want to build walls it is an indispensable tool in you stone building toolbox.

Thanks George and keeping moving those stones. Nice use of standing stones, look to the last photo in the post.

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BYU Landscape Management

2006-12-06T09:04:00.001-05:00

Brigham Young University has a page that touts their degree in Landscape Management. A snippet from their web page:

This can be found in a life-long and rewarding career as a landscapemanagement major within the college of Biology and Agricul-ture.

Landscape management, a relatively new program at Brigham Young University, is highly respected among its professional commu-nity andoften turns into an equally profitable career.

I've seen degrees in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Horticulture, Landscape Technician(2 yr). This is the 1st I've seen in Landscape Management. A degree in this field makes sense as Landscape Companies grow their is a need to have solid designers, foremen, and supervisors on staff.

Here's to hoping that BYU remembers that landscaping begins with the use of a shovel, and that hard physical work in the field is the beginning of success

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Stone and Paver Walkway, Answers to Questions

2006-12-04T23:06:00.000-05:00

This continues the story from Sundays post on The Appreciation of Stone. I've been asked a few questions and will attempt to answer them here:

The stone and brick are not the same depth. The stone was placed 1st and the pavers were poured around the stone.
The stone is a waste product from Briar Hill Quarries near Glenmount, Ohio. They use to refer to this product as: 3" offset. Briar Hill has changed the way they cut blocks of stone and they don't have much of this product on hand now.
The wall stone is also a Briar Hill product. They sell several different sizes of this wall stone. It can be used as a freestanding wall, or a retention wall. Seen here it makes beautiful risers for outdoor steps.
This was in South Carolina about 30 miles above Columbia. Yes, that means we shipped a semi-load of stone down to install the walkway.
This photo, and Sundays were taken about 2 yrs after the job was installed.
The slab-bench photo was taken right at the end of initial installation.
Yep, the pavers are brand new, and very architectural in style (clean edges and lines). Complete opposite of the rough and tumble sandstone. I was looking to mix opposites together to create strong visual interest.
The entire length was over 120 feet and did vary width wise 5 to 8 feet with that landing.
The landing was built to display art and as a visual resting spot, It was not built to hold furniture, or to become a patio. After two years it was still that way.
The original request was to create a visual entertaining walkway from the parking court at the front of the house to the pool house on the other side of the service drive. You can see the opening to the pool area at the end of the walkway in that small patch of light in the dark area (top center).
I'm still looking for the drawings for this project. I have the original concept drawings, and they are buried away somewhere.

I think that's everything that was asked of me. I enjoyed the project very much the client was actually very easy to work for, and they enjoyed the final product. Most of the plantings were installed at the initial phase, we went for perennials and a few shrubs that would adapt to beds without irrigation.

The only questions I don't want to get in here are the cost of the install. I hope the questioner will understand. Yes I do charge an hourly rate but when working away from the home base area I have daily and weekly rates along with expenses.

Thanks for all the interest, and questions. I'll keep looking for the drawings . . .

An Appreciation of Stone 19

2006-12-03T14:11:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's about Landscape Design . . . but . . .

2006-12-01T13:49:00.000-05:00

Spaz in the wheelbarrow
We have a low spot in a bed where the water will lay for; up to, 24 hours. The soil is clay, and it's a nasty area. I was able to do some mounding in the middle and back part of the bed to raise those areas, however we know beds have to slope down to their edge. What to do, what to do . . .

Well the entire area is low, water collects, I am not going to raise the entire area because a stone walkway is going through next year, and it needs to be at that height to set up a series of steps out of the low lying area. So it's going to stay low.

This means I have to look for plants that will endure this type of culture/micro-climate. I am one of those who would rather find a plant that lives in a certain type of micro-climate than change the area entirely.

What I have learned over my many years is one change leads to another, to another, to another usually affecting another part of the garden in a very negative way. Specifically moving water, drain water, run-off, etc. Water is at the top of the list.

I have also learned there are plants to adapt to almost every climatic, cultural situation. You just have to learn what works where . . .. a good reason to hire the Professional Designer (shameless plug).

But I digress, the plant in the wheelbarrow, along with Spaz, is Acorus gramineus commonly called sweet flag. Acorus is a short grass and does very well in standing water, temporary flooding, and straight clay soils. I have used Acorus in these conditions from zone 4 down to zone 9 with good results.

Spaz had decided to help us out when he jumped in the wheelbarrow and decided to nap instead-typical cat. Anyone on this cold blustery day I thought I would share this photo and talk about plants and drainage.

Sort of kill two birds with one stone. Uh; maybe that's a bad analogy when cats are involved in the story.

Whats in a Word?

2006-11-29T09:59:00.000-05:00

On 11/21/06 I posted a short blurb about books for the laymen in reference to a short list of books for (what I consider) folks who want to design/garden their property. So I was using laymen as a term for someone who is interested in horticulture/gardening but in no way, shape or form receives money for their interest.

On Nov. 27th over at a blog called A Lake County Point of View, the County Clerk was kind enough to refer to another post of mine 27 Books every Landscape Designer Should Read. In this post he also mentioned the 11/21 post; inside that post was a comment about my referring to laymen, and referencing the word layman was a little pretentious-on my part.

This starts a little back and forth, and a question from me about what term should I have used instead of laymen? So today the County clerk post a long discussion (quite interesting) starting with an apology to me-which I didn't think was necessary, but it is accepted.

Now the good stuff, this is a great post on the English language and the importance of words and how they are used, or should be used. It is a fantastic explanation of connotation vs. denotation with a little classical music thrown in.

My point in bringing all this to the forefront? What have I learned? Well one thing I have learned from this Blog was that I needed to craft my wording so that others would understand my way of speaking/talking/writing. I had previously been published over 35 times (mostly trade journals) but always had the other set of eyes look at my writing-the editor. I was lazy, editors made it too easy for me. It was, "just give me the how-to's of the installation, I'll clean it up for publication".

Well that's not the case here with this Blog . . it's me. What I write here is what makes it out to cyberspace and the public world. I gotta tell you, I like it. I like the challenge - a lot. So when I am called out on something, something like this (the use of word laymen), I really don't mind.

I have gotten lazy with some words, for me laymen/layman had become the great catch-all. Laymen was easy. So I ask you this . . . what is a better way to describe those that love to garden? those that like to be out in their private spaces, to dig in the dirt, to nurture those plants? With no thought of monetary reward. To separate Professional from the strict amateur.

By the way A Lake County Point of View is a terrific read all the time, so many interest, so much thought. Heck, just go back and read last weeks entries about Walnut, you'll understand. Great stuff.

*Small confession: my wife has been known to log on here and do a little editing, she is terrific at catching all the typo's and stuff that I am good at missing. Many thanks Mrs. A.

*The above picture was taken at 9,000 or 10,000 feet in the Wasatch Mountains, east of Salt Lake City, Utah. It's worth the visit.

More on the Sandstone Bench

2006-11-27T20:56:00.000-05:00

From the yard, a look before final facing
Comments, e-mails, even a phone call. Thought I would show a few more shots of this rather large bench. You can see part of the walkway, a combination of pavers, sandstone slabs, and wood for the bridge.

A look from top of walkway:
This is a look of the project/walkway in the fall, you can see down to the bench on the left. I was asked to create a pleasant walkway from the front of the house to the pool house.

The client was very adamant in her desire that the walk would be interesting, and those visitors getting out of their vehicles would be able to look over to a very pleasant scene.

The walkway is over 120 ft. long, and the width varies from 5 to 8 feet. All the rules for walkways were thrown out, rules for steps were thrown out, pretty much all rules were thrown out. In the end it was all about the aesthetic, the visual, the experience.

An Appreciation of Stone 18

2006-11-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

A Sandstone Bench
This sandstone slab is just over 9.0 wide and about 3.5 feet deep. We used a tractor with extended forks to set this slab. After it was set I did some facing on the stone to create that interesting edge.

The slab came from the discard pile at Briar Hill Quarries, which is located in nowhere, Ohio. It is truly out in the country very close to Glenmount, Ohio. The folks at Briar Hill are good people. If you call and get Rusty tell him Rick Anderson said hello.

A link kind of day

2006-11-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

Some old Doodle:
A interesting article from Southern California about ripping out the yard and filling it full of plants.

Katie Campbell has written a book called Icons of Twentieth-Century Landscape Design, here's an excerpt:
In her book, Icons of Twentieth-Century Landscape Design, Campbell explores 29 sites, from Parc Guell, Gaudi's Art Nouveau extravaganza in Barcelona, to the stark landscape around the Jewish Museum in Berlin; and two Scottish gardens have made their mark on the international design scene.
This article goes into the thought process behind the book and what Ms. Campbell is hoping to accomplish, I look forward to reading this one.

Do you like maps? Do you know how to read a map? Some folks consider large landscape plan drawings-maps. Well I like maps and heck I can even read a complicated landscape plan. Here's a Blog that looks at the World of maps, strange maps to be exact.

Tree selection (follow-up)

2006-11-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

I found another article on the trees for the WTC memorial. This article goes into a rather detailed explanation of the trees, selection, holding area, planting, and culture involved to make this work.
A interesting read.

World Trade Center Memorial (tree selection)

2006-11-22T13:37:00.000-05:00

From a article in the NY Times:

"This is the field where 380 swamp white oaks and 57 sweetgums — to be shipped in from nearby states — will be kept and cultivated before making one more journey in 2009, to the World Trade Center memorial in Lower Manhattan".

Swamp white Oaks in new York City, I find that very interesting. Now I am sure people much smarter than me have made this decision, and know what they are doing, but swamp white oaks?

I just have a hard time wrapping my head around this one. To me the cultural requirements just seem so opposite. It will be interesting to see how the prepare the for the planting holes and how much room they allow for root growth, water, oxygen, etc.

Again they are much smarter than me, so I am sure they have this worked out.

By the way this is Quercus bicolor from Michael Dirr's description:

Found in low-lying swampy situations.
moist bottomlands, along streams.
requires acid soil.
mixed news on transplanting ease.
normal color is yellow, he says he's seen red-purple.
Natl. champion is 120' x92' in Maryland.

It's closely related to Quercus alba which is a good-looking tree, one of my favorite oaks, but I understand a very difficult tree to transplant.

I wish all the best for the landscape design for this project, if any memorial was deserving of a contemplative place the World Trade Center is certainly deserving

In regards to the sweetgums, they are a beautiful tree, great fall color, good presence (straight trunks and all).

Books for the Laymen

2006-11-21T12:44:00.000-05:00

Several weeks ago I posted a list of 27 books I thought were good books for the Professional Landscape Designer. I see that Joel Lerner has written a suggested book list for the home gardener.

If Joel suggest this list I am sure it is a good one. I've known Joel since 1989 and have a lot of respect for Joel and his wife Sandy, they are really good people and fun to work with. Joel is also the consummate professional, and well thought of in our industry. Joel also has several books to his credit.

Beyond that he was one of the movers and shakers who had a lot to do with the formation of APLD. APLD is the only professional organization that speaks as the international voice of Professional Landscape Designers.

Having said all that I am sure it's a good list.

Another top 10 list (that's a joke)

2006-11-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

Ta-da! 10 tips for creating a beautiful landscape. Come on down you've won! Quick, neat, easy, no muss-no fuss. I am really tired of these list, they compete with HGTV in what annoys me the most.

The easy way out.

This kind of stuff does more to set us back than move us forward. See, what these list do is tell you the what, but in no way, no shape, no how!!! Nowhere in this list does it even begin to explain the how's . . . the real teaching that needs to be done, the real technique. Just follow this list blindly along and boom . . . . . . beautiful landscape.

So homeowners then become turned off by the whole process, the heartache, the backache! and the lost money.

We professionals then get called to solve the problems, of frustrated, angry, tired, sore, homeowners. At least these people have tried, and then realize they need professional help and call us. I actually feel bad for this group of homeowners as opposed to another type of homeowners.

The no maintenance crowd. Or the doesn't care crowd-because you/service are going to maintain. But that's for another day . . .

Desire Path ?

2006-11-21T12:13:00.000-05:00

I have always been fascinated how; we, in the landscape industry use words. Especially how Designers use words to help describe what they are trying to design, to come up with a phrase that matches the situation or solution.

Have you ever seen a worn out path of grass in a lawn? Or a beat down path where people take a short cut? Well apparently there is a phrase for it, and it seems so simple, so perfect That i can't believe I haven't used this phrase before . . . desire path.

I know this will now become part of my toolbox of phraseology, how cool!

Does the Pergola fit the front entry?

2006-11-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

Color rendering: markers, colored pencils on yellow trace
This rendering is another take on what we had discussed last week. Especially the talk about where does the fountain belong, or not belong.

This rendering shows the fountain a little further up the sidewalk with a pergola area further behind and to the right. Do they belong together? I'm not sure, but do Tom and Katie belong together? Not sure there but we are all giving it a shot.

It is important to remember in a conceptual that it is just that . . . . a conceptual. If you are going to critique something, or tear it apart, or move something around-now is the time. The client wanted to see if a pergola/gazebo would work, and where I would suggest it. My take is the structure belongs off to the right and back from the sidewalk.

Back to last week, I'm not any more sure about this idea than the other rendering I had up last week. I'll be real curious how the homeowners react to suggestions. I am pretty sure either solution was beyond their scope of visualization . . . this is not a bad thing or a offhand remark, it's just how these concepts work out.

When clients ask for paving, walkways, structure, classical fountains, driveways, and parking courts . . . it gets complicated. Heck, that's why I get called in.

A unobstructed view of existing front door
Well here it is. The entry is big, it's massive, it's imposing and it goes absolutely, positively nowhere . . .

An Appreciation of Stone 17

2006-11-19T18:08:00.000-05:00

Sandstone formation in Southeastern Ohio.

Plan View Rendering (fountain)

2006-11-18T10:26:00.000-05:00

This drawing goes with previous renderings.
Okay all the hemming and hawing about the fountain and where it goes, what goes with it, or not with it, etc . . . . well here it is.

This is a photo that was shot off the drawing board right after I had finished this drawing. In the lower part of the drawing is the driveway for the garages, from there to the new parking court the height differential is about 8.0' foot.

Everything on the drawing would be new. There are no walls right now, no plant material of any kind, no walkway-nothing. That drive on the far right is there, the drive goes around to the horse barns, but we have to come past the utility boxes to start the new drive up to the parking court.

What does this plan view show us? A new entry drive, a parking court, a walk to the front door, a gathering place (where the fountain is), and how the beds for the plant material would/could work.

Now that I am showing this drawing does it make any more sense? Does it make any more sense to me? I am still not sure I like how this thing lays out, or the flow, but it is, what it is . . .

A Front Entry Fountain

2006-11-16T11:28:00.000-05:00

A Fountain for nowhere, maybe?
This is the image I spoke of a few posts earlier. I took this right after I finished the drawing. You can see the tracing paper beneath and the original photo beneath that.

On the tracing paper is a sketch done in pencil, what I was after was a outline of the fountain and how it related to where I was guessing the end of the walkway would be-and it was a total guess.

The foreground is the parking court. I would call this an entry garden, or entry courtyard. The homeowners got themselves in a little bit of trouble here. They designed the back of the house to face the primary view (a 5 acre lake). The drive came into the side with a 3 garage door entrance, which wound up being an entire story below the main living level. And the grandiose front door??? Well here it is completely detached from the drive, the garages, the view . . . everything.

So they have lived in the house for awhile and have now realized why no one comes to the front door . . . no one can get to it!!!

So in order to get there we have to get a driveway up there, and we have to park the cars, of course, and then we have to be able to get folks from the parking court to the front door. While we are at it we might as well make the journey from the car to the door interesting. We also need to have a gathering place to say hello or goodbye.

They also need to add some plant material to transition from the house to the surrounding grounds. Right now there is nothing, zip, zada, zero! The softer perennial/grasses to the left act as a buffer zone between the parking and one of the retaining walls to be added.

Do I like the design? not sure . . . I can't decide on the fountain, it seems too exposed and it appears I have taken a very formal subject and placed it in a very informal setting. I'm just not sure it works.

As for the actual drawing . . . by now my loyal readers know I am never satisfied with those drawings, need to keep working on those.

Ice-Cream Monster Toon Cafe

2006-11-15T23:46:00.000-05:00

I am not sure how Alina came up with this name for her Blog, but hey it works for her which is all that matters.

Another great post of her fantastic ability to make a page come alive, she is so good with color. Plus this time she throws in a little philosophy. So I think I'll throw some in too.

"Farmer, pointing the way, with a radish" -Issa

Looking at the Urban Environment

2006-11-15T23:12:00.000-05:00

A Blog that takes a unique look at the urban environment, the good and the bad, with the decay and the possibilities of all that entails.

The name: Walking Turcot Yards, it's worth a look.

Funny list at CNN.com

2006-11-15T22:59:00.000-05:00

They have a list over there for the top 10 jobs to get you outdoors, and Landscape Architect is on the list. I find this rather amusing, actually very amusing.

The LA's I know are chained to their CAD programs on their computer, while at their desk. They also have Botanist on the list, which I also found somewhat amusing.

Check it out . . .

By the way I am a Landscape Designer, not a Landscape Architect in case you were wondering.

Landscape Conceptual

2006-11-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

Having fun with a rendering
I just realized as I get older my definition of having fun sure has changed. After a day of fooling around with this design I decided to take a couple of shots with the layers piled on top of each other. Woo! hoo! having fun now . . . .

Beneath the colored rendering is a pencil sketch rendering, and below that is th original photo of the entry which I print out in black and white. The black and white image is better for me to read in the sense that the lines are easier to read.

Between you and me I'm not really sure I like this design, I never was one for just having some fountain floating by it's lonesome, these clients seemed pretty adamant about having one however, and trying to find a good spot for it has been driving me crazy.

More on this job, and drawings this week, though the closer we get to the Ohio State ////M*ch*gan game (Columbus has gone crazy), the more difficult it will be to concentrate on such mundane matters as this Blog.

Garden Theivery

2006-11-13T11:25:00.000-05:00

Okay, now I understand someone stealing an occasional lawn mower, or barbecue grill. I mean you can sell the mower and you got to eat. But stealing the furniture? Stealing the flagstone? Stealing the Koi? Then stealing the pond . . . . ?!??!?!? What the heck is going on.

It appears there is a major garden crime wave in Great Britain, and the thieves are busy, really busy.

I have not seen anything like this here, in terms of these types of numbers. If anyone has seen some numbers please pass along the link. I would appreciate it.

I do remember back in the mid-90's when I lived in South Carolina there was a brand new upscale neighborhood where there were several installs and that 1st night a gang of crooks would dig up all the newly planted plants, stripping the landscape bare. This went on for several months and no one was ever caught.

A Chinese Web-site

2006-11-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

I recently came across this web-site in China with this one page in English. It talks about the state of Landscape Architecture in China. There is also a lot of discussion about all the growing pains the Chinese are going through.

I have been to China, would love to go back, and know that all these problems are real. The Chinese people are great, everyone I ran across was engaging, fun, interesting, and curious. What I came away with was that the Chinese people aren't much different from us, shocking, and just want to lead a decent life with family and friends, have a decent job, and be consumers-just like us!

Evolution of Landscape Rendering Presentation

2006-11-12T00:11:00.000-05:00

The original: shown to client

2nd Attempt: on trace, or as I like to say trash

Later attempt: evolved drawing style on Vellum

Backyard Patio story continues.

2006-11-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

Single water falls, and tan sandstone walkways
More on the previous post. This was the 1st plan view color drawing that was shown to clients. Take notice that in this conceptual drawing there is only one waterfall, and the walkway is tan in color. the homeowners looked at this drawing and were very impressed.

I then remember them . . . starting to study the drawing and going over ever detail. It was decided pretty quickly they didn't want brown sandstone for the walkway-they were positive about this.

2nd they were very concerned that the one falls would not make enough noise to screen out the eat of the neighborhood noise, and would only one waterfall be loud enough to hear in the kitchen, and breakfast nook.

Normally, I would just show them a different color of stone (actual stone piece), and take some overlay paper and draw the other falls in the hillside. That wasn't going to work here, they wanted to see another drawing (specifically the wife).

So, I called the contractor and said I had to do another drawing for the homeowners, for x amount of hours to do the work (which he hadn't agree to pay me for). He asked me if they were excited about the conceptuals and were they close to jumping in?

I said; heck yeah, they're ready! . . . .

So the previously posted drawing is what they looked at, and of course they jumped in, over original budget request . . . because it was everything they wanted, in a logical layout, and the best parts could be enjoyed/viewed from inside the house.

Color rendering of pond and fire ring
Along with the plan view rendering, I showed the clients this conceptual rendering of how this area would relate to the new kitchen addition.

The addition is shown only in black line. I was trying to present the landscaping to add to the backyard, which is why my stuff is in color. We needed to excite them about tha landscaping, Heck they had already agreed to add the kitchen-no need to promote that.

I did; however, have to show how the new landscape would relate and enhance the new space. This rendering does a much better job than anything I could have done on a plan view drawing.

This drawing was the deal-clincher for this side of the backyard. I basically laid this on the table and it was over. Let's go, let's put it in, we can't wait . . . those were the comments.

I've said this before, and will say it some more (hey, I'm a poet!), if you design hardscapes, structure, level transitions, etc . . . you must render. This is the only way to really communicate what you are trying to achieve to the client.

Has for this drawing, I'll have more on my evolution as a designer . . . tomorrow.

Color; Plan View Drawing

2006-11-07T13:14:00.000-05:00

More on yesterdays Hardscape Plan
Now we can take a look at where that sandstone walkway goes to. The bridge leads directly to the fire pit area, in a very enclosed area.

Just above the fire pit is the mound with boulders and plantings. To the bottom side the pond surrounds the fire pit. I was trying to create this very intimate space for those who wanted to wander over to this area. While the paver area was more of the public type area.

The homeowner had specifically asked for two separate areas so the adults could gather in one and the kids in another.

Everything was designed with this thought in the back of my head, remember the view from the new kitchen addition . . . remember the view from the new kitchen addition. You can see the breaks in the house line where the windows were being placed . . . there are a lot of them, and we wanted something interesting happening wherever you looked out.

This was taken the 1st winter of the garden. I took this photo with a zoom lens while standing inside the kitchen. Where the window is rounded off they have a breakfast nook set up there.

I think it's a pretty nice look while your sipping on you morning cup of joe, and having a bowl of Cheerios. What do you think?

The falls originate in bio-falls boxes, and I always used 45mil, EPDM liner, covered in stone-usually 3-5 different sizes. I believe this helps with creating a more naturalistic waterfeature. One other thing about siting waterfeatures . . . I like having some sort of evergreen back drop for my falls. I think a good solid screening backdrop helps with selling the realism of the waterfeature.

I am also a sucker for low weeping plants around streams. Plants the branch out over the water, or crawl down into the waters edge. It's more of the blending between land and water to create a; sort of, seamless edge.

Sandstone Walk, with Paver Patio, the drawing

2006-11-06T09:44:00.000-05:00

Color Landscape Rendering
(This drawing goes with last weeks photos)

This was the plan view drawing that was shown to the client. to help finalize how the design would work, and how we could make the patio space work with the new kitchen addition.

The hardscape is so overwhelming here it was really important to get it right on paper. We all wanted the clients to be happy with this layout, and by giving them a precise scale drawing the contractor was able to give the client a very good, and accurate estimate to install the project.

I had been requested by the homeowner to stay within a range of numbers after we had looked at several sets of conceptual drawings. These early conceptual's had rough numbers attached to them, so between those numbers and the rough landscape drawings we were able to come up with this plan rendering.

I was hoping to post some of those rough conceptuals, but, dang it! I can't find them.

Anyway take a look at the drawing, (if you click on it, it enlarges). Then compare to the actual install of the project. I think you'll agree we came pretty close.

An Appreciation of Stone 16

2006-11-05T15:08:00.000-05:00

A Babbling Brook
This is part of a series of small falls, that tumble down a 6 or 7 foot embankment. The stone used is a West Virginia fieldstone. A nice gray color with some mineral veins running through the stone to create some real interest.

Because fieldstone is aged, tumbled, rough it makes great stone for waterfeatures because it shows that aging that you are hoping for to sell the naturalism of the waterfeature. To give it that; hey it just might be real.

Sandstone Walk, with Paver Patio

2006-11-03T11:54:00.000-05:00

The journey continues, from Yesterday
Coming off of the Paver patio the walk through the garden continues on the sandstone walkway. To a bridge made of antique curbstone. Pond is on far right. Fire ring area is across the bridge and double waterfalls are on the left.

That mound is artificial. It was built for falls and streams and to add sense of enclosure to the seating area. More on this later.

Hardscape Design

2006-11-02T09:41:00.000-05:00

Continuation on Monday's post
This image is just a pull back from Monday's post and gives you a better idea of how that smaller circle works. The sandstone slabs in the foreground continue to where the gate opening is to enter this garden.

What we are looking at here is what you(the observer) sees when 1st entering this garden space.
A few more steps and a look to the right is where the double waterfall, stream, pond, and fire pit are located.
The direction we are looking back to is where the 1st photo was taken from. I would say we can now appreciate the size of the main circle. This patio space had to be large enough to hold a 6 seat table, a couple of small benches, a chaise lounge or two, and a grill whew!!! A lot of stuff.

Plus enough room to navigate around all this stuff without feeling pinched in, cramped, stumbling over each other.

Right at the very bottom of this photo you can see a different color of brick. This is the landing step coming out of, or going into the kitchen. That brick work is all mortared, and the patio is dry-laid on limestone stone dust.

Ohh, one other thing, see that little bit of sandstone to the bottom left, that was specifically designed as a space for the grill. Convenient to the kitchen access, but completely out of the way of foot traffic and other patio furniture.

Botanical Space Invaders

2006-11-01T20:09:00.000-05:00

So how about Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and Hogweed fields, Hogweed fields ??? Yep, it appears to be one of many that got away.

How do I find this stuff anyway??? Don't ask . . . ..

Rock Piles in the Woods

2006-11-01T19:40:00.000-05:00

Rock Piles, that's right, rock piles. This is a Blog about some guys who find strange rock piles in the New England area. Their goal is to promote the sites but at the same time keep them secret.

Give them a look they're worth it!

The Importance of Hardescape Design

2006-10-30T11:31:00.000-05:00

Brick Hardscape Ideas
This walkway/patio was one of those tricky designs on paper that you hoped would work out on the ground. It's like I draw this to exact scale, knowing the materials we are using . . . and hoping the field guys can implement the plan correctly.

I knew when I drew this and presented it to the clients that this could look really great in their back yard, I mean really great. I believed one of the keys was making the sandstone work into a good strong pattern.

Luckily for me the supplier was able and willing to give me the sizes I wanted, at the dimensions I wanted. So the stone could be scaled out exactly the way it would w0rk in the space shown. The slabs were cut in some ratio of 12 inches. so the pieces were 1x2, 2x2, 2x3, 1x4.

This also cut down on waste; everything was scaled out, laid out, on paper. That way I knew exactly how many of each piece we needed. I remember we picked up 2 extra of every size in case of breakage, chipping, whatever. These extras were latter used underneath a pergola swing.

After the sandstone walkway was laid out it was a simple matter of laying out a couple of large circles of brick to interact with the sandstone.

I remember moving the circle template around to try and find some sizes that would fit the scene . 1st starting with the largest circle and working to fill in the blanks with the smaller circles; or , slices of circles.

The tri-colored dark pavers are a strong contrast to the tan sandstone slabs. So . . . even with the strong color contrast, a contrast that was, to me very powerful . . . the stone and pavers flow together. I guess you could say the scene is harmonious . . . without being harmonious.

A side note: Over the last few days I had wriggled my way in to a cyberspace argument on planning, specifically . . . why planning is a myth, or bad somehow. I think the above post is a perfect example/explanation of the design process, and is the perfect response to; why design is important, and believe me----Design is important. If you want to move a perennial around, or buy a shrub on a whim . . . go ahead. I just wouldn't recommend buying 7 tons of stone on that same whim.

An Appreciation of Stone 15

2006-10-29T10:40:00.000-05:00

Hidden Millstones
In the above photo the unfinished millstones (grindstones) are sitting in stacks so high, long, and deep it almost looks like the rockface of a hill side. This must be where stones were stored before finishing, or heck, it could be a pile of seconds.
The shape and the outline of the stone is much clearer in this image. The way they're stacked with the outline that is showing (the tracery) . . . this could be a sculptural installation.

I really like how the stone jut out of the hillside, the randomness of the stack, and the shadow lines. It is in those area's of darkness that make the light more pronounced.

The interplay of those elements is a powerful tool in the designers toolbox (How's that for a cliche' ???). The added height of interest, and mystery is great.

Feed the Birds Day

2006-10-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

Dinner Time

Tomorrow is Feed the Birds Day, Saturday the 28th. Now I do not know who proclaimed this, or certified this, or what makes the 28th the day, but tomorrow is the day. Maybe it is tied into the day we turn our clocks back, which signifies that autumn is flying by and old-man Winter is near, boooo!!!.

I originally found out about this on the Treehugger site, and from there went to the RSPB site. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Where you will find just about everything you need to know about feeding birds, and I mean everything.

When looking at this; I am starting to wonder, is this a British Day, a International Day, or something we've hijacked for commercial purposes?.

Actually I am now really wondering because I don't know if the Brits practice Daylight Savings Time. Would this confuse the Queen? Hmmmm, it seems that this post is more about questions than answers.

At any rate, a Landscape Designer has a responsibility to create environments that our beneficial to our feathery friends. Personally, I like it when the client remarks about being a birder, and for me, landscaping to accommodate that hobby is important. Designing for birds leads to a emphasis on plants that allow for cover, food, water, shelter, and protection from predators.

As for the above photo . . . well predators gotta eat, and out here in the country they do a pretty good job of cleaning up road kill. It is part of the cycle of life.

So no matter who's day it is tomorrow here's to our little feathery friends, now go put the cat away . . . at least for tomorrow.

Creating a Forest Garden

2006-10-26T12:04:00.000-04:00

My forest in the fall
The area you are looking at is the start of my forest garden, luckily for me I have this great canopy to work with. From there I had originally thought it was a matter of adding other vegetative layers to make this a successful garden space. How wrong I was about this. There are actually 5 distinct architectural features according to the folks at Edible Forest Gardens. From their site:

Soil horizon structure, vegetation patterning, vegetation density, and community diversity are also critical. All five of these elements of community architecture influence yields, plant health, pest and disease dynamics, maintenance requirements, and overall community character.

The ecology of a forest is very complicated and for that reason there is very little recreating of actual forest in Landscape Design. What most of us seem to do is plant a few canopy trees (or borrow those existing on-site), add some shrubs that fit existing soil requirements, and then throw in a few perennial groupings.

I don't even think I have ever referred to my former work as a forest garden. Maybe a vignette of nature, a recreation of nature . . . but never a forest garden. The thought of calling spaces (forest gardens) where the idea would be to develop that ecology just never occurred to me. Add to that this isn't something that comes up everyday in residential Landscape Design.

I was originally peaked on this subject by a article in the Columbian, about the forest garden in the Northwest U.S. and that's lead me on to further exploration.

The 1st site to go is Edible Forest Gardens, this is more than a site hawking a book, there is a lot of good info here to go through. I found a couple of other pdf's worth downloading one is from Cornell, and the other is from The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!); here's the pdf, and here's the fact sheet. which include a plant list that has a lot of info on a wide variety of plants that work in creating a forest garden.

I believe this is an important discussion for us Landscape Designers as we are faced with the continuing struggle of designing on former farmland, field, or forest that has been pillaged to make way for a subdivision. To try and create a sense of space that is warm and inviting with some enclosure. What better way to do that, than with trees.

With trees comes the opportunity to add other varied material, to create diversity, color, opportunity, wildlife, and tranquility . . . the forest garden. The trees are the beginning of the forest garden, a reclamation of former forest, and a gift to future inhabitants.

ANLA, Management Clinic

2006-10-23T23:45:00.000-04:00

Every year in Louisville, KY. the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) holds their yearly conference, they call it The Management Clinic. The dates for the 2007 Clinic-Jan. 31st through February 3rd.

It's very easy for me to describe the Clinic . . . it's a blast! an absolute blast!!! I belong (have belonged) to many organizations in the industry, and attend many conferences, events, seminars . . . the Management Clinic is the best. The ANLA staff is terrific; going way above and beyond the call; and the ANLA members who volunteer to make the Clinic work . . . work like dogs to make this the premiere National Event in the industry.

From the opening session straight through to the Muggets, the Clinic is one learning event, one moment changer, one networking opportunity after another, after another. The willingness of the attendees to share what they know, and the depth of the speakers knowledge is terrific. I can't wait for the time to get here, well I can but you know what I mean.

Need another reason to go . . . ta da! I'm part of the program. This will be my 3rd time as a speaker at the Mgmt. Clinic and I really look forward to participating. This is how the Mgmt. Clinic describes my program:

Changes In The Landscape World - A Provocateurs Perspective:

During the Clinic, speakers will wax philosophic about sustainability, social responsibility, design trends, technology and systems, and marketing strategies. Do you buy what the "experts" are saying? Why make big changes when things are going OK? Should you guide your clients' tastes, or just give 'em topiary if that's what they want?

I'm being asked to reinvent the panel discussion where a bunch of guys would talk about the new petunia, or the next hot spreadsheet. Well . . . to quote Emeril "Bam! let's kick it up a notch!".

I hope to jump start a more lively discussion and really bring the audience into the discussion, I want interaction! I will throw out some new trends I see on the landscape Design/Build side, ask for some input from the crowd, and we'll mix it up from there.

I plan on using this Blog, the Blogsphere, Web Forums, cyberspace, etc., to kick start the discussion and find as much info as I can ahead of time. I hope those of you that stop in and e-mail me about stuff will contribute to my findings. I also am looking for more feedback from those lurkers (I know who you are) around here-speak out! Let me know what you're thinking. Or send me to sites or info I need to see.

One other thing about the Mgmt. Clinic for 2007, Mike Lin is coming back and doing another of his (sure to be terrific) 2-day graphic workshops immediately preceding the festivities. Mike is the man when it comes to teaching graphics in the field of Landscape Design. I mean he is the man. If you want to pick up your game in rendering technique, coloring skills, or drawing speed these 2 days would be worth your time with philosopher Mike. (Do you think this plug will get me in the session???).

The 2007 ANLA Management Clinic, if you are in any part of this industry, this industry that makes the World a better place to live . . . Ask yourself this . . . how can I be anywhere that week, but in Louisville, KY? See ya' at Muggets . . .

An Appreciation of Stone 14

2006-10-22T12:43:00.000-04:00

These Gate columns were laying in the stone yard of a demo/excavator not far from where I live. What I would like to point out here is the level of craftsmenship for the joinery.Including the openings at the top of the columns to accept a decorative cap.

The finish on the columns which has darkened over time from exposure to the elements stops where the stone was buried in the Earth. This is also where the mason stopped working the stone. time being needed to move on to the next project.

Tools today would allow us to cut and face the stone faster, so in this day and age columns are cut smooth their entire length, usually on a diamond embedded saw. The above columns would make great gates, markers, entry columns in today's gardens.

The Demise of the Pink Flamingo ????

2006-10-21T11:39:00.000-04:00

Say it ain't so ??? Could it really be happening? Could it be the end of the Pink Flamingo? This great American Icons days look to be numbered. . . . . . Not to be confused with this Pink Flamingo.

For a more complete history on this great piece of Americana, and something that should be part of every front yard landscape you need more information. I think this is some really great background on this perfect piece of yard art. But for others where else but Wikipedia; and it's take on the Pink Flamingo

I originally found out about this story in a blurb on boingboing, and I'm glad I did. If you're interested in going to the site where the famous Pink Flamingo is sold, here you go.

I'm not sure what will happen . . . will someone step in? Or will the Pink Flamingo go by the wayside? Eagerly sought out at estate sales, yard sales, auctions, or mad bidding on E-bay. Or will this great American Icon go the way of other great American icons, and be made overseas in some small insignificant shop in an uknown, unpronouncable town in a small relatively unknown country.

A Stonemason's website

2006-10-21T10:23:00.000-04:00

I have been meaning to put up a link to The Unturned Stone for a while and haven't gotten around to it till now. The photo they have up on today's post was the final straw. If that really is the look out of their office . . . then wow! what a view.

They don't post a lot but what they do is worthwhile. Go back in a take a look at some of their work. These guys really know how to put stone together

2006-10-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Entryway, continued from yesterday . . .

This rough rendering over the photo, gives me an idea of how a fountain may work into the landscape . . . tied into the proposed circular drive. The idea of a fountain here is a request of the homeowners.

This very fast drawing with a Sharpie is just a way of sizing it in. The conceptual drawings shown below were done on trace over the top of this image

This color rendering was done with the intent to show it to the homeowners during the concept(s) meeting.
The biggest difference between this drawing and the plan view drawing shown yesterday . . . the boxwood is shown wrapped around the fountain.

After seeing the fountain just setting out there all alone, the idea was to extend the parking pad, add space for a gathering spot, and some benches. Tying the fountain area into the house and landscape.

This last color rendering was a desire by me to give the homeowners another look at how a waterfeature could fit into the landscape. As though it were part of the foundation planting.

The parking pad is designed large enough to also act as a gathering space for guest and the homeowner, while moving the waterfeature off to the side.

This look; to me, is more contemporary in style. The 3-tier fountain out front surrounded by the boxwood is much more traditional. Personally I like the more contemporary look here. The final decision rest with the homeowners.

It is the Designers job to give the homeowner realistic options to get to the final decision. Hopefully one that the homeowners are happy with, and the design works with the site.

2006-10-17T09:04:00.000-04:00

Conceptual drawing for entryway

This drawing was to give the clients a look at a more formal entrway to their front door. Usung a circular driveway paved with a common material, except for the area right in front of the entry into the house.

This area would be out of some sort of paver to play off of the material used on the house, I guess what I want to say there was going to be some brick trim on the house and we were looking to complment those colors.

The idea of the fountain was a request of the homeowner, they wanted to see if I could work it into the landscape. The house, the entry and fountain lent itself to a more formal planting which is shown in the drawing. With the boxwood hedge lining the driveway, and the massing of shrubs along the front of the house.

Added October 18th: The decision to do this drawing in plan view only was to show the spatila relationship between the elements on the parking pad. The rendering above shows how the fountain would look out in open space.

Sidoarjo, Indonesia no place for me

2006-10-15T15:14:00.000-04:00

Mud, mud, and more mud

Indonesia has been having a rough time of it lately with all types of natural disasters. Including earthquakes, volcanoes and that catastrophic 2004 tsunami. Really terrible stuff.

Now, in Eastern Indonesia, East Java (very exotic sounding) comes an unstoppable mudslide. A mudslide that is consuming a place called Sidoarjo, The pictures are unreal, the place is unreal and no one seems to have any answers of when the mud will stop or how much will flow. It may even lead to war.

After doing some reading one thing is very obvious . . . the poor and the downtrodden, those with meager means and abilities seem to be the most affected . . . isn't that how these things seem to happen???

Right now it doesn't quite seem to be the place to live, I think I'll stay in my lttle valley In tuscarawas County.

An Appreciation of Stone 13

2006-10-15T12:02:00.000-04:00

Waterfall, approx. 2.0' high

The combination of very large stones, medium size, and smaller stone is what helps bring realism to this setting.

27 Books Every landscape Designer should Read

2006-10-13T12:37:00.000-04:00

Ta-da! a blog post with a list. I believe this is my second post with a list . . . the 1st was about Viburnums. Anyway as requested here you go. Happy reading.

This is my partial book list that I think every Professional Landscape designer should have/read:

Gardens are for People, by Thomas Church
Natural Pattern Forms, by Richard Dube'
The Zen of Seeing, by Frederick Franck
The Tao of Architecture, by Amos Ih Tiao Chang
Space and Illusion, by Teiji Itoh
Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens, by David Slawson
Siftings, by Jans Jensen
Isamu Noguchi "Space of Akari & Stone, Chronicle Books
In the Company of Stone, by Dan Snow
Drawing and Designing with Confidence, by Mike Lin
The Inward Gardener, by Julie Messervy
Designing with Plants, by Piet Oudolf
The Landscape of Man, by Geoffery and Susan Jellicoe
Creative Gardens, by James Rose
Residential Landscape Architecture, by Booth and Hiss
Architecture in the Garden, by James Van Sweden
Gardens by Design, by Noel Kingsbury
Planting the Natural Garden, by Piet Oudolf
Introduction to the Study of Landscape Design, by hubbard and Kimball
Noguchi "East and West, by Dore Ashton
The Golden Bough, by Sir James George Frazier
As a Man Thinketh, by James Allen
Who moved my Cheese, by Spencer Johnson
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, by Mike Dirr
The Native Plant Primer, by Carole Ottesen
Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing, by Frederick Franck
From Concept to From in Landscape Design, by Grant Reid

This is only part of what is in my library. I have suggested every one of these books because they have made a difference in my professional career. I know that I am missing a few from this list and when I figure out which ones, I will post those also.

Props to Victoria Scott at Mississipppi State for prompting me to write this list. I hope it will be as helpful to you and all other students who want to enter such a great field has they have (and will continue to be) for me.

Have something you think I should read, or a comment on the above list, let me know . . .

Nepenthes truncata what a carnivore

2006-10-11T10:36:00.000-04:00

So just when you think Nepenthes truncata only eats insects, you learn something new.

Ahhh, I wouldn't call them Landscape Designers

2006-10-10T20:34:00.000-04:00

Other folks call them Visionary Artist. I've seen the term folk artist thrown around for this type of thing. At any rate what all these folks have in common is this. Doing something totally original in their own backyard, and I mean totally original.

You are going to need flash to be able to negotiate through this web-site. A very interesting group of people, my hats off to their particular vision, spirit, and joy of life.

Hybridizers keep on hybridizing

2006-10-09T09:49:00.000-04:00

A nice article from the Washington Post on the quest for the perfect plant. Including some of the newest varities and a sneak peek at some of those varieties. The article links to several sites including the Novalis website, which is worth a visit.

By the way if you are looking for a certain plant through a wholesaler this is the web-site to check. It is a subscriber site, but they do keep an up to date list.

If you are looking for cutting edge on the retail market the on-line Nursery to check with is Tony Avent's; Plant
Delights Nursery. Great information, good photo's, and he's funny!

Another great on-line site full of information on cutting edge plant material comes from another Southern plantsmen, Don Shadow. He's another of one of those guys who has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. If you ever get a chance to hear Don speak you will not forget it. A great presentation, what knowledge.

An Appreciation of Stone 12

2006-10-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

Setting the Big Boulders !!!!

Now this is fun . . . . More shots of this project at my web-site.

Stone Wall; Retention and Walkway

2006-10-06T00:03:00.000-04:00

A early conceptual, click to enlarge

A interesting story behind this conceptual drawing. A drawing that was never finished. A drawing that has become no more than a scrap of paper. A scrap of paper that has become a great reminder.

When 1st challenged to look at this site/drawing I thought this was going to be one of my most difficult and unique challenges. The homeowners had asked me to create a walkway from the back of the house, to the street, that was unique and very artistic.

I immediately thought I would have to use large blocks of sandstone to make this happen and that it would be a challenge to put them together . . . on some type of long graceful curve. The type of curve that would be long, slow, sinewy, sexy. I tend to liken that type of curve to the small of a woman's back; you know, the perfect curve.

The above drawings were probably the 4th or 5th page of drawings, I remember having a difficult time trying to relate what I was seeing on the site to what I was putting on paper. I couldn't get the perspective quite right, close but just not there. I remember this drawing being one of the few times I was close to being frustrated with the flow of my work.

This was a point where I could show the conceptuals, these scraps of paper to the homeowners. I went to see them, and could immediately tell something was really wrong. What was it? The concepts? The stone? The flow of the walk? Wow . . . how could I have missed so badly? How wrong I was.

The couple proceeds to calmly tell me that the wife had relapsed in her cancer treatments and the prognosis was not good. They were telling me this in such a way as to not hurt my feelings about how they were cancelling the project, to take care of more immediate concerns.

They handled everything with such grace, courage, and dignity . . . very powerful moment. An event that was another dynamic reminder to live every day, every project, every moment as best we can.

I keep that scrap of paper as a reminder of how fleeting, how fragile, how unknowing life can be. She died a few months later.

Over 200 Post on Blogger

2006-10-05T23:54:00.000-04:00

A small milestone for me, and most likely of no use to anyone else. The only reason to publicly note this is that I have a long way to go and look forward to the continuing journey.

This Winter has paying work goes down I plan to expand on Landscape Design Principles, and go in-depth into the plant material I use, and/or wish I could use.

Sectional, and Plan View Drawing

2006-10-04T12:59:00.000-04:00

Sketchbook drawings, on-site

These conceptual drawings are from the same job site as yesterday. Yes, I know . . . I wrote yesterday about
using a green marker for plant material, and boom! here we are showing plants in brown. Well it is the only
marker I had with me on-site.

The top drawing is a rough plan view drawing of the site and the lower is a quick elevation drawing of the
site. If I remember correctly I drew the plan view drawing 1st then the elevation. On-site I would say I draw
the elevation 1st about 75% of the time. Even more than that if the client is standing there. After all this type of landscape rendering tells the real story.

The follow up of the plan view shows spatial relationship. The circles for the plants are rough and fast, the idea is to show that I am looking at several varieties, and of several sizes. The elevation drawing even better shows the plant differences and height variations.

At no point though are we specific on the varieties. The only specific is the use of barnstone for the wall, and that there would be a terrace designed above and slightly back to the left.

p.s. This design did not go in. The owner was given a deal on a Unilock display, and since they are a Unilock dealer that's what they put in.

Conceptual Rendering, Waterfall

2006-10-03T09:57:00.000-04:00

A Waterfall Rendering-selling stone.

These 2 landscape renderings were drawn into my sketchbook on the job site. Normally thses days I make a few notes, shoot a lot of pictures, and just absorb the site. Then I go back and draw something up on the board to present to the client, during the conceptual meeting.

Here . . . I drew up these 2 conceptuals right on site. My tools of choice for a on-site drawing are; a couple of Sharpie pens (different sizes), and one or two Chartpak markers, in this case . . . just one . . . a brown one. Now here's the interesting part about using minimal color.

What is the Focus ???

Focus; as in, what am I trying to achieve in the renderings for the client. Here, the owner operates a retail stone yard. There focus is to sell stone, whether by wholesale or retail, but the focus is to sell stone. So when I do a drawing for someone like this. I'm going to promote how the stone will be displayed, and used . . . . promote the stone highlighting with a brown or gray marker.

Had this been for a retail nursery what color would I have used? Green, of course! I would want to help
promote the plant material and a way to highlight that plant material would have been the priority.
The conceptual would have been slightly different, the stone not quite as prominent.

Had this been for a private residence I would have used very little brown, a swipe or two of
green, and a blue marker to highlight the water feature. The homeowner usually fixates on the water
feature anyway, so that's where the focus need to be.

Let's review, for these conceptual on-site renderings . . . keep them fast, loose, un-specific. Keep color to a minimum highlighting the important stuff only. I can't emphasize this enough about highlighting . . . keep it
to a minimum, a touch of color will take you a long way.

Plants; Native vs. Exotic

2006-10-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

Another article about the aggressive nature of exotics vs. what was there in the native
landscape. The reason I post this article from the N.Y. Times is . . . no one is
shouting. The author give some weight to both sides-leaning to native plants, but it
is well-written and presented.

As for my view . . . I am going to hold off on posting this for a few months. I will get
into this in a much more thought out and deeper discussion. I think it would be a
great dis-service by me to discuss this in a few lines on one post.

How's that for dodging/fence-straddling/spinning . . . . ???

Green Industry Conference

2006-10-02T11:00:00.000-04:00

*PLANET* which is a merger between ALCA and PLCAA, the Landscape Contractors
group and the Professional Landcare group is just about ready to have their big yearly conference.

The *GIC* is the Green Industry conference and will be held November 1st through
November 4th in Columbus, Ohio. The Hyatt Regency is the Headquarter Hotel and the
Conference will be in the Convention Center adjacent to Hotel.

I've been to the Columbus Convention Center several times it is well suited to hold
this conference. Even if you can't go to all the educational seminars the show exhibition is
worth the time. It is an equipment junkies nirvana.

I'd like to mention that several of the biggest contractors in america will be there,
and it's a good place to rub shoulders, network, and ask questions of those who have
become successful in the green industry.

If you go, walk across the street and have a beverage at Barley's . . . this is not a paid
endorsed announcement from yours truly.

Discovery Home Channel

2006-10-01T15:17:00.000-04:00

Aaaaaaaarrrghhh!!! even though it is no longer Talk like a Pirate Day, all I can say is aaaaaaaarrghhh. This morning I caught a show called Garden Police and all I can say is aaargh.

The premise is that a couple of landscape designers knock on the door telling the unsuspecting/surprised homeowners their landscaping is busted, . . . but we are going to fix it in 2 days. This morning the show centered on the homeowners son. He had dug up the front yard over several months attempting to install a putting green . . . never finishing. There were piles of dirt, weeds, and dead grass covering the entire front yard . . . it had apparently been that way for several months, absolutely hideous.

So the Garden Police (along with homeowners, and said son) go about renovating the yard. In another of those cutesy type renovations: impractical, knick-knacky, maintainence nightmare jobs. Aaaaarghh!!!

I was actually asked by my wife to not watch these shows because the threat of where they send my blood pressure. This one about did me in. If they would spend some time on practical information, solid design principles (beyond, oh a nice picket fence here!), and less knick-knacky junk they might have something.

It might also help if the design looked like something beyond what a 3rd grader would draw-it is TV after all . . . shouldn't we be educating besides entertaining . . . . if this is entertainment give me boredom.

Also why do they show before and after in a Sesame Street tone, do the producers think we are 3rd graders??? Discovery Home Channel . . . . you're busted . . . .

Aaaarrrr!!!

An Appreciation of Stone 11

2006-10-01T00:44:00.000-04:00

Waterfall in Winter

This waterfall shot was taken right after completion and the weather had just turned
real cold, real cold. The falling water, the snow and ice. Gotta love it.

I'm a Blog of the Day

2006-10-01T00:31:00.000-04:00

Blog of the Day has given me some nice props by giving me their Blog of the Day designation. Thanks to Rob for this recognition I appreciate the nod.

More info on the National Garden

2006-09-30T10:31:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's post linked you directed to the U.S. Botanical Garden site, today I have a link to
the Washington Post with a very good article on the National Garden.

The article goes in depth to the history of the Gardens development. There looks like a lot of
politics involved at times. here's hoping the garden turns out well. We need more culture in
our lives and great public gardens are part of that culture.

The National Garden to open October 1st

2006-09-29T14:59:00.000-04:00

The National Garden, plan view

This drawing shows the layout for the National Garden which is next to the United States
Botanical Garden in Washington D. C.

The 10 million dollar project was funded entirely with private money. From a press release:
When the National Garden opens to the public on October 1, 2006, it will mark the successful completion of one of the first public-private projects undertaken by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. The project was solely funded by private donations raised by The National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden.

This not-for-profit corporation raised $11.5 million in private contributions pursuant to Public Law 102-229. The National Garden's mission is to educate visitors about the great diversity of American plants and their importance to the environment; to help connect people to nature; and to demonstrate the relationships between plants, water, and humans.

As you can see the designers have created several different rooms each with their own separate type functions. It appears this will allow visitors to have many unique experiences as they work there way
through the gardens. I look forward to visiting

The Garden "above" the Hot Tub

2006-09-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

The Garden Entry

This concept drawing was to give the homeowner an idea concerning the changes to the upper terrace. Turn the space into a perennial and cutting garden. It is the only part of the yard getting full sun through mid-day and the afternoon.

Plus it allows for a nice walk from the drive to either the back deck or new patio. A nice little pleasant walk. The trellis' are partially up on the left, the homeowner has an interest in espalliers for some apple trees.

The important thing to remember about quick concept drawings like this is to present an idea of where the space could/may go. Realize the fence doen't have to look exactly like this, of the overhead exactly like that. What is important is realize that I am suggesting a short open fence with a arbor type opening.

These quick conceptuals tell that story, and allow for homeowners to visualize their future. Or; has I have mentioned before, they may blow this idea completely out of the water. Time to go in a different direction. Good designers usually do not have to start over because they have learned one very important thing-listening.

When a good designer listens to their clients they usually are able to come up wtih a good solution, or something very close to what the clients are looking for.

More on the Hot-tub

2006-09-27T16:27:00.000-04:00

Looking from the Other Direction

This drawing was done to show the homeowners how this would look from the other direction. This view shows the relationship between the new patio and the small retaining wall. The patio shown here really gives the viewer a better idea of its size for the new landscape.

I stayed with the square layout for the patio, becuase it plays off the square base of the hot-tub. A square patio fits nicely with the straight lines of the short retaining wall and the straight lines of the deck.

For those of you not familar with this type of design. Straight lines, all right angles, strong squares means we are looking at Geometric design as opposed to Curvilinear or naturalistic.

Geometric must be harder to pull off because just about every landscape I see these days is some sort of wavy line-usually a weak/lazy wavy line. Which everyone likes to call naturalistic; or, "ooooh, look how natural . . . oooh" Aaahhhh!!! Enough to drive me crazy!

Where does the Hot-Tub Go???

2006-09-26T12:01:00.000-04:00

This is the Exsisting Landscape

I was asked to come up with an idea for a designed space where the seating area was extended out onto the exsisting lawn, a perennial/cutting garden above the wall, and find a place for a hot-tub.

It made sense to tie the hot-tub into the deck space so there would be good solid footing to get to the tub from the house, and at the same time keep it fairly close to the house and yet be in its own space. While not infringing the patio/entertaining space.

My Version of New Landscape

Designing hot-tubs into these spaces, heck designing hot-tubs into almost any backyard . . . is tough. They are big clunky boxes, even the best designed ones are big clunky boxes. Add in the logistical requirements needed to run hot-tubs. The electrical, plumbing, servicing, etc.

Whats even worse is most designers don't even try to add in the hot-tub in a harmonius way. Homeowners . . . forget about it, just drop the box on the patio.

The real problem is that this is usually considered something needed for a private space, but almost always is sited in the most public of spaces, sometimes right next to the picnic table or grill . . . how romantic!!! Which is the context in which most homeowners ask me to find a space for the hot-tub . . . a clam, quiet, romantic place for the husband-wife.

Where space considerations are a factor usually the best we can do is place the tub in a corner of the patio. The corner chosen should be the one where there will be the least amount of traffic or commotion. Away form the back and forth of people. Hopefully the patio will be large enough to allow for furniture and other stuff to be placed on the opposite end. Add to that landscaping that will compliment the space, and compliment the mood of the space.

A Conceptual Plan View of the Landscape Design

This is a plan view drawing of the same space shown in the rendering above. These conceptual drawings work together to tell the story of where this space could go.

I have spoken about this before, the plan-view drawing is how most designers/contractors present their solutions to homeowners-it doesn't work. Most Americans can't read a road map, and most people are not good at visualization. The plan-view drawing helps solve neither of these issues. Where the rendeering does solve those problems.

The solution is right in front of them, it's like the story of a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Well then, what's a rendering worth? To the homeowne? To the contractor?

The rendering shows the potential of the space, and the plan-view drawing shows the scale of the impacted space. Together they present the entire story of the space's potential.

Bloglines re-subscribe

2006-09-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

I've noticed that I have the dreaded red exclamation mark in my Bloglines feed, plus a reader of mine was kind enough to point out the problem also; thanks Anna.

What I had done in the past was go back to the site and just re-subscribe to the url, I think that has worked for me. So what I have done this morning is to put a new Bloglines button im my sidebar for those of you using Bloglines for a news reader.

I like the Bloglines set up for going through blogs so I hope this works. This has happened to me 5 or 6 times. So I hope this works for you. The orange button leads you to the Feedburner RSS for this site and there you can choose your feed if you don't want to use Feedburner.

I guess all of dig in the dirt types need to stick together, and just struggle our way through cyberspace.

Questions, yell at me.

p.s. you can also get this sent to your mailbox, just check the box on the sidebar.

An Appreciation of Stone 10

2006-09-24T12:15:00.000-04:00

Somewhere in Southeastern Ohio

300 million plus year-old sandstone formation. The younger sandstone at the top
is harder than that below, accounting for the awesome overhang.

I also appreciate the interplay of light and shadow, something all designers should work for.
Though we rarely get to work at this scale. From the top of the ledge to bootm of the
"hollow" is over 90 feet.

Einstein . . . on nature

2006-09-23T13:10:00.000-04:00

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true
art and science."                     -Albert Einstein
"I shall never believe that God plays dice with the World."                     -Albert Einstein

   "You and I
Are suddenly what the trees try
To tell us who we are;
That their merely being there
Means something; that soon
We may touch, love, explain."
-John Ashbery, Some Trees

Another great Link

2006-09-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

During the last week I had several folks stop by and drop comments on several different topics, this of course, leads you to look at their sites. One of those commenters was Alina Chau who is a illustrator and artist. And a artist she is.

I hope everyone takes a look at her site. Most importantly take a long look at her doodles and sketchbook
post. It shows great insight into the design process. Which every designer including yours truly needs to continually improve and adjust. They are terrific. Thanks Alina!

Someday I think I will have to host a seminar where we do nothing but lok at the design process,
through the doodle, rough-sketch, sketchbooks, loose line way of graphic thinking.

To my way of thinking this is where I see a lot of CAD Landscape Designers fail.

They do no rough sketches, doodles, anything. Just straight to the layout of the house/property and right onto the landscape . . . probably having it look just like the last 10 designs. I've seen
a lot of these designs from other LD's where it is just the same thing over and over.

At any rate go look at Alina's great work, very inspiring!!!

Woo Hoo I was #2

2006-09-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

Well, that was short lived, at the #2 spot on the Top Gardening sites. Now that my 15 minutes
of fame is over it's back to serious business. I never even considered all this peripheral stuff when I started. Just talk about the field of landscape design the best way I know how was/is my goal.

Thanks for stopping by.

Woo hoo!!! I'm #2

2006-09-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

For reasons I still don't understand I am now up to #2 on the Top 100 Gardening Sites. So I'd like to
thank all of those who got me here. Even though I've no idea how you got me here.

I realize my bump on blogger has helped so it will be interesting to see how that translates over when I go off the top 10 of the Blogger, Blogs of Note.

All that aside, I am having a good time with this and have enjoyed answering questions that you've asked me. So keep 'em coming and I'll do my best to answer them.

And remember . . . we're #2 !!! Even if Vince Lombardi dsagrees;

"There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game and that is first place. I have finished second twice in my time at Green Bay and I never want to finish second again. " -Vince Lombardi

Plan View Drawing

2006-09-20T16:54:00.000-04:00

Residential Plan View

This is an example of a plan view drawing. Most in this industry call this the master plan drawing. The reasoning behind this, everything is on the plan. The hardscape layouts, fence lines, driveway, bed areas, and all plants are labelled.

You'll notice the plants are labelled with common names instead of the botanical names. I do that with most homeowners to lessen the confusion. There may be another list made with the Latin names so there will be no confusion when it comes to the buying of plant material. Most of you know common names can cause confusion, and mis-identification of plant material.

Sometimes I will just give a plant grouping a generic label and then we will decide on the exact cultivar that will go in that area. The important thing is that I know the form, shape, size and texture of what I believe works best in that area. This way everything works with what has already been identified.

The house is a very typical upscale house in a neighborhood where most houses are priced between $400,000 and $1,000,000 down. A brick two story on a cul-de-sac. Homeowners asked for the typical stuff, asked me to figure out the drive, and to show a area for small dogs connected to the back of the house.

The atypical part is the stone terrace overlooking the ravine and the surrounding landscape. This was a request that turned out to be the budget buster for contractor. This and the stone wall at the end of the drive just added up to more than where the homeowner wanted to go. We tried to work out alternatives but in the end it was to no avail. The homeowner fell way back in his ambitions and went with something about $40,000 less.

The irony to this story is he still refers the contractor I worked with on this job and we have gotten a couple of nice jobs from this. Why do I show this? To show that it is important to talk about the losses along with the wins. It's just how life works.

So, what is a quick-cut saw???

2006-09-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

Stihl cut-off saw

This Stihl cut-off saw is often called a "quik-kut" saw or a "quickie" saw. Guys in the trade refer to thse saws that way for an obvious reason-they're fast. They get the job done quickly and for the most part efficiently.

Stihl; of course, is not the only maker of this type of saw. There are several different manufacturers where the main difference is power and weight of the saw. 2 sizes of blades are usually avaiable for use, those being 12" or 14" circular blades. The blades are made to several different specifications to use on a wide range of materials from stone to asphalt to sewer tile.

I bring this up because of several questions I received about this saw stemming from Mondays post, and what exactly is a quik-kut saw. I am glad this happened because it allows me to post separately on what this saw is/does.

In the day, I used this saw a lot to shape and sculpt sandstone for walls and walkways, especially large slabs for walkways. Frankly the biggest drawback to this type of saw is the physical toll it takes on the human body (ouch) my lower back hurts just thinking about it. There is also the mental strain of using a tool that is so dangerous, very dangerous.

Even though these saws can be rented, I do not suggest the typical homeowner do so.You need some guidance and training to learn these saws and all their quirks. The noise, the dust, the whirling blade it's a real ass-kicker.

Negatives aside, the tool will do a lot for you, and has a lot of flexibility, but not as much as one of those new chain saws running wet (hose hook-up) with a diamond blade. If your a homeowner don't risk it with these two tools-hire the professional. Work smart, be safe.

Now thats a Chain-Saw !!!

2006-09-18T11:37:00.000-04:00

In order to get this circle . . .

The contractor was trying to get some old foundation stone circled up to create a firepit for a backyard entertaining area. Previous times we would have used a quik-cut saw with a 12" or 14" circular blade. Which would have meant more handling of the stone. Flipping this way, flipping over, etc.

Before the quik-cut saw. A tremendous amount of hand work, a lot more labor intensive, chisels and hammers pounding away to split these blocks. Time moves on and the tools get better.

You need this saw

This is the latest and greatest in splitting stone with a high degree of accuracy. This water-fed chain saw has been available for awhile, but it has been cost prohibitive. Especially the blades/chain. Landscape contractors who invest in this technology improve their install work, increase labor time rates, and allow for a wider range of work because of this.

Rough boulder stone taken out of quarry piles can be easily edged/shaped/fitted to improve the quality of boulder wall work. I'd like to also mention this keeps the dust down when cutting sandstone which is of great benefit to the tool operator.

Another from the sketchbook

2006-09-18T00:26:00.000-04:00

Monolith type Yard Art

Maybe someday, somewhere for somebody . . . .

An Appreciation of Stone 9

2006-09-17T01:16:00.000-04:00

Stones and Water

Yes I seem a little prejudice when it comes to stone and water. I will always feel that the most powerful element added to any designed space is water because it works on so many levels, but the element that adds a sense of permanence, and definition is stone. After all . . . look at the pyramids, they're still hanging in there.

So . . . put these two together and you get the best of the most important elements to create a truly dynamic element/space in the garden. 4 seasons of movement, sound, light, reflection, life, and tranquility.

My goal in building any water feature like this is to attempt to leave the observer feeling as though they are looking at something that has naturally occured as opposed to man-made. If you can just sell that illusion for a little bit you have succeeded as a designer/bulder.

From the Sketchbook

2006-09-16T02:28:00.000-04:00

Waterfeature

This was a black and white line drawing I had scanned from one of my idea books, and turned into a color drawing using Paintnet. I guess what I am really doing is using several different types of mediums now when I doodle.

I have often talked about how important it is to doodle if you are in a creative field or endeavor.Doodling switches me into a total different mindset, and I've noticed the more I doodle-or if my doodling gets real intense-a lot of ideas begin to flow, and flow fast they do.

What's really fun; especially when it's late . . . like right now as I post this. Is that the World seems so quiet I can go with that quiet for one kind of thought process/ solution finder, or I can go totally opposite. Put on the headphones, crank up the music, and let it just rip.

I have actually reached the point where I can watch my right arm draw-very weird to watch. It's like there is some sort of dis-attachment between mind and body. I guess it's what some would call being in the zone. Heck-in my case it may be me out of the zone.

So I think that the doodling thing . . . is good. for many reasons:

To kill time.
To start the creative process.
To warm up for actual rendering/design work.
To find solutions in a quick, stress-free way.
To aggravate teachers (yes I was one of those).
Work with different tools . . . as in no pressure to draw with the pen/marker that a final drawing will be completed with.
Impress people who can only draw stick men and circle trees . . .

So there you have it, get busy doodling, it's only 10 till 3:00 AM my time.

Caladiums

2006-09-15T01:31:00.000-04:00

I think most good Landscape Designers love and appreciate the use of foliage . . . this is pretty good evidence why that is true.

Landscape Rendering, and Elevational Drawing

2006-09-14T00:04:00.000-04:00

Never Built

This was a fairly quick rendering that I have pulled out of my archives. Its dated Fall, 2002. The drawing show the possibility of a gazebo that has a stream and falls wrapped around on a hillside.

I always thought the contractor of record did a poor job of selling this job and lost it to another contractor who put in something much less substantial for almost the same amount of money. Sour grapes on my part-maybe so.

Then again maybe I could have come up with a better set of drawings to help sell the project. I know that if I were to draw this today it would be at more of an angle to the gazebo, and there would be some color thrown in .

Avon calling??? I think not . . .

2006-09-13T14:13:00.000-04:00

Oh Deer!

Well I had an unexpected caller today. "Spike" as the neighbors (all 3 0f them) are prone to calling him just showed up at the front door today. I'm not sure exactly what he wanted but he hung around for awhile, I think he was having a pretty good time. Spike wanted to come in but I didn't think it would be a good idea, besides there was some other opinion on whether or not anyone should come in.

So at the behest of others, Spike stayed outside and the gang stayed inside. Spike wandered down to the old apple tree and everything went back to normal. Well at least, what passes for normal in our part of the World.

What does this have to do with Landscape Design? Not much, but it does have everything to do with the World we live in, and our respect for nature. Which has everything to do with Landscape Design. Enjoy the day.