Gazebo - A Great Feature For Your Landscape Garden

A gazebo is a wonderful addition for any landscape garden. Manufacturers are creating different styles and colors to fit individual needs. This outdoor feature can be put near a decorative pond, pool, and also a focal point in an informal or formal garden setting. I wanted to give you some ideas for planting around three different colors and styles. Prices will vary and it is a good idea if you are thinking of investing in one, to do some research at any specialty store in your area as well as on line. You can buy a very simple gazebo or opt for a more detailed and personal look.

Two of the sitting areas below are getting ready for a make over. The third was recently installed and I did a design for incorporating low maintenance evergreen shrubs. The goal was to highlight each sitting area with a few good accents of matching color plants.

On Bank

The stark white color sets this gazebo off immediately. The plants on the bank will be removed and a whole new look will emerge. Notice the existing trees close by. This is an indication of having to plant some partial shade to shade plants. The rest of the backyard is an informal look with different outdoor features for the entire family. There is a play area with a trampoline and swings. The owners wanted to keep it looking natural but also with a small defined area near the sitting area. An idea is to create a half moon appearance cascading down the embankment. You could do this in a tiering fashion or just staggered some plants throughout the bank. One thought is to plant some small to medium size evergreen shrubs right around the base of the gazebo. Smaller shrubs like a dwarf Hemlock or a Blue Star Juniper would give you some different color tones.

Dwarf Hemlock	Blue Star Juniper

You could also put different heights around the base. A tip, is to make sure you know the maturity of the plant specimen. In the picture you can see the tree in the foreground. Define a small circular bed and add your favorite Hostas or shade perennial flowers. In the gallery of plants section there are many different photos and descriptions you can browse through. Down the bank think about planting some Blue Pacific Juniper as well as a few dwarf ornamental grass. Add some low growing perennial flowers. The Geranium as well as some ground covers will fill in nicely. At the base of the bank, border with some variegated Loriope, dwarf Mondo grass or small rocks. This will give it a very natural look.

Defined

This sitting area is situated in a backyard. The bed encompasses the entire back of the yard. As you can see there are many established plants as well as other outdoor features. The area around the gazebo is going to redone as well as taking some of the old plants throughout the garden. The garden has a soft gentle look to it and by adding a couple of different varieties of roses around the feature, this will enhance the yellow color.

Knockout Rose	Carpet Rose

Both of these varieties represent the true beauty of the Rose plant family. The Knockout is becoming one of the most popular specimens on the market. It requires less care and attention then other roses. The Knockout does well in zones four through nine and grows two to three feet tall. It will bloom continually from late spring on. The Carpet Rose is one of my favorites. It can be left untrimmed and grows naturally outward. The vibrant pink blooms start blossoming in spring and will continue blossoming throughout the fall months. This picture of the Carpet was taken on October 21st of this year. The Carpet will grow well in zones five through ten. This plant also grows to between two and three feet high. Plant a white Carpet Rose also for additional color. The rose would be an ideal specimen around this sitting area.

Natural

The final gazebo was installed new in a subdivision. The homeowners association decided to add this feature near the pool for families to enjoy. They wanted the evergreen look with little maintenance as possible. One idea I had was in front about two feet from the entrance, add two natural decorative planters. There are some gardeners that live in the subdivision and willing to keep the plants watered. The sitting area receives quite a bit of sun, so some Dianthus or Verbena would look great in the planter. Add some sprigs of ivy to give it a natural look.

Dianthus	Verbena

Around the sitting area, think about putting some defined color evergreen shrubs such as Mop Cypress, Dwarf Chinese Pizazz, Globe Arborvitae, Yew, or Indian Hawthorn. Any of these shrubs will accent this feature. Stay within the theme of other colors in the subdivision.

These are just a couple of different ideas for you to think about when considering a gazebo for your landscape. If you need any help for your geographic zone and would like some assistance in selection of plant material, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help you out.