Hello from the Yard Fairy and welcome to all of our new subscribers!

It's April in San Diego... the perfect time to get going on those hardscape projects. The Yard Fairy has a special feature article this month sharing the many types of hardscape that you can choose from to create pathways, build walls, coordinate with your outdoor furniture and otherwise cultivate a uniform look for your yard.

Click here to go directly to our article on Hardscape Materials.

Of course, no one wants their spring weekends to be all work and no play. Why not take a tour of Pasadena's gorgeous Huntington Library Botanical Gardens? You can get the Yard Fairy preview right here.

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As always, if you need assistance with your landscaping design, would like to have a Smart Irrigation system installed, or have any other questions about low water landscaping, please contact us at info@theyardfairy.com.




Diane Downey, Owner
The Yard Fairy Inc.
www.YardFairy.com

Hardscape Materials

The non-living parts of a landscape such as walkways, patios and patio covers are considered hardscape, and they make up a key component of your landscape. Hardscape is the hard stuff, the inanimate parts of the garden that include woodwork and masonry. This even includes the lawn gnome sitting outside your door. As long as it's not living, it can be considered hardscape.

Anything from stones to pine wood are acceptable to use in your hardscape design. This article will look at which materials are available for use as well as which are best suited for certain projects.

Stone

Not only is stone one of the most durable hardscape materials, but it's also one of the prettiest. With such an abundance of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from, there is bound to be a type of stone to fit the style and theme of your garden. If you plan to create something out of stone, such as a walkway, you can either cut your stone to form smooth edges, or break it up for a more mosaic feel. Stone is very versatile and can be carried throughout your garden's theme. Incorporate stone pieces into benches or walls... create borders around plant beds... line a walkway with flat stones. Scatter small stones about amongst flowers and plants, or create a riverbed feel. Whether it's for a functional or decorative purpose; there's no limit to the ways you can enhance your garden with beautiful, durable stone.

Continue reading "Hardscape Materials"

 

Solar Lighting

A Yard Fairy reader asks: "Can you tell me about solar landscape lighting? How efficient is it and what types are available? Thank you!"

The Yard Fairy responds:

Great question and thanks for writing in! Here are some salient points about solar lighting.

Pros:

Solar lights are the greener option because they do not run on electricity and therefore do not require coal fired power

Solar lights are easily installed and moved

Solar lights provide a gentle light

Cons:

Color of solar light can be too blue, which does not compliment the landscape

Some less expensive units can be flimsy

Solar lights may have a shorter life span than higher quality low voltage lights

Click to learn about some fun and easy to install options in solar lighting

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Huntington Library Botanical Garden Tour

There is always that one amazing garden with enough flora and fauna to keep us wondering where it all possibly could come from. Well-kept rows of hedges bordering roses or violets, fountains with cherubs and other mystical beings. Sweeping expanses of gorgeous flower fields and secret, hidden enclaves. The Huntington Library Botanical Garden affords its visitors endless sensory enjoyment as well as a crash course on a variety of plant-related topics. A 120-acre garden surrounding a research institution in Pasadena, California is where it all takes place.

The Huntington estate was originally a residential place for Henry E. Huntington and his wife, Arabella. In 1928 the library and garden opened for the public. Today you'll discover over 6 million books within the library and hundreds of thousands of plants in the garden. The Huntington offers plant sales and tours throughout the year, with a wide array of different gardens to traverse as well as a varied assortment of unusual and unique plants. Visitors can choose from 4 different tours, depending on what they prefer or would like to see at the time. Within the park, 14 interconnected gardens each harbor their own theme and showcase different plant varieties.

Continue touring the Huntington Library Botanical Garden with us!

 

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