Published: January 25, 2007 11:51 pm            

Think about landscaping

Even though winter seems to be baring its teeth a lot recently, spring is just around the corner. This is an excellent time to think about what you want out of your landscaping this year.

Style gardens are becoming more popular among homeowners because they are fun. For instance, gardens with a Japanese influence are gaining popularity. We can place Japanese votive lanterns in our gardens to be enjoyed as attractive garden ornaments and they do not require any water, fertilizer or pesticides. Rock gardens, butterfly gardens, cut-flower gardens, eatable gardens and gardening for wildlife are just a few of the options to think about when planning for spring.

There are plants that are more appealing to wildlife and desirable insects than others. Milkweed, for example, is one of the Monarch butterfly’s favorites. You must weigh the pros and cons when planting certain plants, however, because milkweed is just that — a weed.

If you enjoy bird watching, like certain beneficial insects or welcome squirrels, rabbits or deer out your back window, there are certain things you can plant to make your garden more attractive to them.

For those of you with a green thumb, the possibilities are even greater. However, if you replaced your lawn with astro-turf and it still turned brown, then perhaps a rock garden or xeriscape garden is better suited for you. Either way there are options.

If you enjoy bouquets of flowers to bring indoors, there are plants better suited to this than others. Just a few perennials suitable for growing in Oklahoma that are great for cut flowers include Coneflower, Dahlia, Shasta Daisy, Garden Lily and Peony.

If you are someone who likes to cook with fresh herbs, use eatable flowers as decorations or just enjoys homegrown veggies, then an eatable garden may be something you really would take pleasure in.

When it comes to good landscape design, form follows function. Personal preferences in landscaping vary just like they do in any other aspect of our lives. For instance, someone who enjoys mowing might have more grass and less flower beds. Some people find weeding to be an excellent stress reliever, while others find it a cause of stress.

Take some time before spring comes to find the things you enjoy outdoors and build your garden around them. Analyze what went well last year, what you didn’t like and think about the plants that thrived and the ones that didn’t. It’s your garden and you should enjoy it.

(Amy Brothers is a horticulture educator for the Oklahoma County OSU Extension Service.)

        

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