Bulb Gardening - Aggie Horticulture - Texas A&M University

landscaping without grassTalented Gardeners, Amazing Yardsby Cheryl ArmstrongMG 2010More and more isbeing written aboutthe use of water ingardens and lawns. There isdiscussion about reclaimingrainwater, minimizing runoff,and Xeriscaping as an alternative.Some cities, like Las Vegas,Nevada, for example, are requiringnew homes to have frontyards with no lawns at all. So,what is a gardener to do?This month we are featuringthe landscape of Dickinson resident,Anne Coppenhaver. Severalyears back, Anne decidedit was time she found a way tocreate a beautiful landscape thatnot only required less water;but also required less maintenance—ahuge undertaking.She and her husband broke thetasks into doable phases. Theymapped out their yard, drew upa plan and went to work morphingtheir back landscape.As you look at the photosof their backyard, you will seethat there is no lawn at all. Thebackyard is entered throughdouble glass doors. As youcome out of those doors, thereis a bed with a tiered fountain,designed as a focal point, todraw you into the garden.Meandering around the yard isa wide gravel path. The gravelpath was constructed with aFrench drain to minimize waterpooling along the path. Largeplant beds encompass the rest ofthe yard with lush tropicals andnatives that are known to growwell in the Houston/Galvestonarea. A desire to hide the fencewas solved by planting BlackBamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, afast growing, non-invasive variety.The end design is to haveno irrigation at all. All plantswill be sustained by naturalrainfall and moisture in the air.Until they reach that point,however, they recognized thatnewly planted plants neededirrigation, so they installed atemporary above-ground irrigationsystem. This system will beremoved when the plants’ rootsystems are mature enough notto need the additional watering.Flowering pots add the seasonalcolors. There are a minimumnumber of pots carefully locatedon the patio. These add beautywhile minimal gardening effortsare required. Statuary andtrellises dotted here and therecreate interest and keep the eyemoving.The front landscape issomething to behold as well.While they kept some lawn inthe front, it is minimal and meanderingin creative paths. Thebulk of the landscape is large,wide beds, sometimes separatedby creative stone pathways andother times lawn. Pine needlesfrom their trees are rakedup and used as mulch withminimum mulch being broughtin from the outside. The viewfrom the street is one of orderand beauty. Who would guess itrequires so little of their time?This yard captured myinterest because it is so easy forme to get caught into a trapof more, more, yummy plantsand flowers until pretty soon Ihave a maintenance nightmareon my hands. The Coppenhavers’inventive landscape hasreminded me that being responsiblewith resources does nottranslate into an ugly yard.The effort to create a sustainablelandscape requiring less ofmy time and less water is worthtaking another look at it. Thankyou, Anne, for sharing yourbeautiful landscape with us.The Galveston County Master Gardeners Magazine - December 2013/January 2014 - Page 12