A Tale of Two Side Yards

Here’s how one homeowner tackled the challenges of long, narrow spaces

I wish to weave around my small urban garden in Seattle as often as I can . Along the way , I look at the small-scale of details and the big picture as well . Whether I start in the front or the back , I always go in a loop and come back to where I began . This signify I constantly occur through my two side yards .

Side yard are those tricky areas between a house and its property line . For many of us , these infinite are narrow-minded and therefore gainsay to landscape . householder often are tempted to expend side yards merely as passageways or , at bad , an area to avoid tout ensemble , where trash and recycling receptacles are salt away or compost is pack in enceinte heaps . One of my side yards has been all of these things at one time or another , including a firedog race for several years . I ’ve all but forget those days .

Since the front of our house faces west , the side G on the northward is mostly shade , while the other side enjoy a sunny southerly vulnerability . Both spaces are only about 12 feet wide , but otherwise they could n’t be more different . To make each grounds feel like a classifiable quad , I varied the planting and the materials used for paths , gates , and fence . Even though my side M are very small , I ’ve used sizable tree and shrubs ( 12 to 30 feet tall ) placed close to the property line , because I call back they make the space palpate larger . I also care to mix Tree with high crown and shrubs with undetermined habits to make active plant kinship within the canopy as well as at the lower levels . By judiciously layer the foliage of tree , shrubs , and herbaceous perennial , I ’ve been capable to make each space feel rich but not cramped .

I avoided using excessive hedge in my side yard , since square lines of shrubs can get bore pretty well . I do have some hedged areas , but trees and bush with a variety of foliage , grain , material body , and color provide much more interest . Well - chosen , compatible plantings placed near together can offer privacy without that sidestep - in feeling .

Over time , my side M have become garden spaces with their own special quality . These areas discharge my garden and make my frequent strolls all the more pleasant and rewarding .

The North Side: An Asian gate bisects two shady spaces

This yard is mostly shaded except for first light and previous - good afternoon sun . Since the neighboring house is a comfortable distance from our property line , I installed a substantial Japanese - style cedar tree fence to separate the property . Both fateful and green bamboo grow against the fencing , surface up to 20 infantry and providing privacy and beauty . I keep this standpoint of bamboo as open as potential so that the fencing can be see and my neighbour can get enough lighting in his yard to arise vegetables .

Toward the back of this space , I planted three trees in a line : an Austrian pine ( Pinus nigra , Zones 5–8 ) , a Nipponese clethra ( Clethra barbinervis , Zones 6–8 ) , and a coral bark Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum‘Sango - kaku ’ , Zones 6–8 ) . As they arch toward the sun , they cater skyline interest .

Below all of these are perennials . Several clumps of Japanese forest grass ( Hakonechloa macra‘Aureola ’ , Zones 5–9 ) cascade freely onto a evoke - brick footpath that winds its way to a tall and substantial gate that I contrive . roof like the fencing , it has a peek - a - boo bamboo window . There , the brick track ends , as does the fence .

The gate is perhaps the most important feature in this side thou . It makes a spectacular focal point and lends an element of mystery . When it ’s viewed from either direction , the surprising and stunning contrast between the two sections is a author of delectation .

Beyond the logic gate , in the front fate of this side yard , the meandering path is made of circular Nipponese millstones sink into the earthly concern . Here , the fence is supercede by an 8 - fundament hedge of Portugal laurel ( Prunus lusitanica , Zones 7–9 ) . Also in this space , a golden full - synodic month Japanese maple ( Acer japonicum‘Aureum ’ , Zones 5–7 ) rises above plantings scatter along the course . In the darkest recess of this yard , a motley elderberry ( Sambucus nigra‘Aureomarginata ’ , Zones 6–8 ) scale the height of the family and requires almost no water or sun to cater a much - needed screen for unsightly utility boxes and cables . At the end of the path there ’s a secure - size southerly magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora , Zones 7–9 ) and a stairway leading to a rooftop deck over the garage .

The South Side: A sunnier site means more flowers

The neighboring planetary house to the south runs only about half the length of this side M , but in some place it is a simple 2 feet from our property air , which makes for shadier stipulation toward the front of the space . Privacy was a business concern , but since it seemed inappropriate to establish a unanimous fencing so close to a neighboring sign , I instead select a short , open wood fence .

Next to the fence I plant a mix of evergreen plant and deciduous trees . As they started to reach a skillful height , they gave the pocket-size blank more dimension . I plant deciduous Exbury azalea ( Rhododendroncvs . , Zones 5–8 ) among the trees and a humbled hedge of Japanese box ( Buxus microphyllavar.japonica , Zones 6–9 ) along the existing additive concrete walk .

Between our house and the walkway there is a narrow-minded planting domain — less than a foot wide in some places and up to 3 feet in others . With this spot ’s mostly sunny outlook , I knew it would be ideal for turn colourful climbers . too soon on , I had planted two pear trees against the house and coach them as espalier . In plus to acquire fruit , they act as trellises through which a clematis ( Clematis montanavar.rubens‘Marjorie ’ , Zones 6–9 ) and several bush and climb pink wine grow . Among these are ‘ Lyda Rose ’ , ‘ Sally Holmes ’ , and ‘ Westerland ’ ( Zones 5–9 ) , all of which are ever - flower and shadowiness - tolerant .

Beyond where the neighbour ’s firm terminate , there ’s unobstructed sunshine against the south side of our house . In a brick - edged raised bed beneath the kitchen window , I implant an almost - evergreen plant coast banksia ( Lonicera fragrantissima , Zones 5–8 ) . In August , a scarlet clematis ( Clematis texensis‘Gravetye Beauty ’ , Zones 5–9 ) grows into the honeysuckle , which is surrounded by two very tall specimen ofRosa‘Altissimo ’ ( Zones 5–9 ) and a climbingR.‘Joseph ’s Coat ’ ( Zones 6–9 ) . Beneath the social climber , I implant perennials with a scandalmongering and crimson scheme . The overall issue is one of multiple levels of successive vividness against a green backdrop .

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