Side gardens are notoriously difficult to landscape. Portland, Oregon-based garden designer Darcy Daniels of Bloomtown Gardens has come up with some stylish ways to make her own side garden beautiful and productive even in the height of summer.
Side gardens are notoriously difficult to landscape. Portland, Oregon-based garden designer Darcy Daniels of Bloomtown Gardens has come up with some stylish ways to make her own side garden beautiful and productive even in the height of summer.
Photography by Gillian Carson for Gardenista.
Photography by Gillian Carson for Gardenista.
The side garden used to be a driveway. But as her garage was too small to use, in 2006 Daniels decided to make the area into a productive side garden growing both fruit and ornamentals.
The side garden used to be a driveway. But as her garage was too small to use, in 2006 Daniels decided to make the area into a productive side garden growing both fruit and ornamentals.
The entrance to the garden is through a wooden gate that uses delightful 1930s stained glass panels, which she thinks originated in England.
The entrance to the garden is through a wooden gate that uses delightful 1930s stained glass panels, which she thinks originated in England.
Daniels bought the windows from a local antiques dealer and reused them as a nod to her previous garden.
Daniels bought the windows from a local antiques dealer and reused them as a nod to her previous garden.
Daniels also is the founder of eGardenGo, a web app for gardeners. In her own garden, she has created a series of raised beds laid out in a zig-zag pattern to encourage visitors to meander through the garden and stop to look at different elements.
Daniels also is the founder of eGardenGo, a web app for gardeners. In her own garden, she has created a series of raised beds laid out in a zig-zag pattern to encourage visitors to meander through the garden and stop to look at different elements.
Side yards, by their very nature, are often the boundary between you and your neighbor. She added glass balls, for decoration, that were created by a local artist.
Side yards, by their very nature, are often the boundary between you and your neighbor. She added glass balls, for decoration, that were created by a local artist.
“The mesh lets the light though and so I have more growing options. It also gives me an opportunity to bring some art into the space,” she says.
“The mesh lets the light though and so I have more growing options. It also gives me an opportunity to bring some art into the space,” she says.
“On the flip side, don’t be afraid to use a solid screen if it’s needed. We have one fence panel that is solid to afford privacy to both neighbors. That works for us.”
“On the flip side, don’t be afraid to use a solid screen if it’s needed. We have one fence panel that is solid to afford privacy to both neighbors. That works for us.”
Darcy has created interest by using very tall plants.
Darcy has created interest by using very tall plants.
Container groupings are vital to keeping the garden looking fresh. Darcy frequently changes out plants and even pots to create a new look based on the season.
Container groupings are vital to keeping the garden looking fresh. Darcy frequently changes out plants and even pots to create a new look based on the season.
“If you are in an urban or new construction situation, then raised beds enable you to control your growing medium more successfully. It also extends the variety of plants you can use,” Daniels says.
“If you are in an urban or new construction situation, then raised beds enable you to control your growing medium more successfully. It also extends the variety of plants you can use,” Daniels says.
“Changing your garden’s line from linear to angular can open up lots of new opportunities,” she says.
“Changing your garden’s line from linear to angular can open up lots of new opportunities,” she says.
“Hiding ugly utilities is often a need in a side garden,” Daniels says.
“Hiding ugly utilities is often a need in a side garden,” Daniels says.
Daniels says the garden will probably continue to evolve as her tastes and needs change My main garden is so small that I run out of space a lot The side yard has become an experimental ground where I try...
Daniels says the garden will probably continue to evolve as her tastes and needs change My main garden is so small that I run out of space a lot The side yard has become an experimental ground where I try...
...out plants I play with flowers more there too which I tend not to in the main garden I rarely cut flowers and you won t see me deadheading either so the side yard certainly has a free feeling to it
...out plants I play with flowers more there too which I tend not to in the main garden I rarely cut flowers and you won t see me deadheading either so the side yard certainly has a free feeling to it
