need suggestions for a focal point. please.

15 years ago

I have a corner that i have recently been landscaping. It has a southwestern exposure, therefore it is very protected from cold wind in the winter, but it also gets brutal sun the rest of the year. I've planted lots of Aloes, user-friendly agaves, and many different succulents just to give you an idea of what else is there because they aren't visible in the photos. One thing to note is that there is an Aloe Marlothii in the upper left hand corner area. I have a path down the center of the path that leads to a water faucet and hose, but that leaves a really good focal point and i would like to plant something there that will soften the look. I just can't think of anything that would look good here and would like suggestions. The first concern would be that it is a 'clean' plant (i.e. one that doesn't drop tons of leaves and flower buds) because the air conditioner unit is there. I wuoldn't mind if the plant reaches out over the path, as long as it is not a spiney plant, because the path has very limited traffic. Here's an overhead look of the area. The spot i am talking about is directly to the left of the air conditioner unit.

{{gwi:35569}}

And here is a direct floor view, so that you could see how the path points directly to the focal point i'm talking about. (at the time i took this photo, there was a yucca guatemalensis in that spot, but i took that one out because the base of the trunk can become MASSIVE within a few years.

{{gwi:35570}}

Any ideas of what could look good here?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

catkim
15 years ago
The aloe won't be enough of a focal point? They grow large and are so dramatic when in flower, very nice plant. Maybe add another aloe such as thraskii?

What is the plant that appears to be a small tree a bit to the left of the path? The area looks like it's going to fill up soon, but if you think you have room, and want something different, maybe Euphorbia tirucalli -- the common name is something like Sticks on Fire (not the green form). It has unusual shape and bright color, very eye-catching and should take the heat, also shouldn't drop much litter.
Central_Cali369
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you Catkim! great suggestions. I really like the Aloe Thraskii. It has great form and thick leaves. The Aloe Marlothii will be a show stopper, but it is off to the side, not directly where the path leads your eyes to. The small tree is a Jujube "Li". It is more of a small shrub than a tree, and the growth habit is very contorted, with small leaves, not lush and overpowering. The fruit is a bonus too. I'm planning on training it so that the branches are high above and form a canopy to provide broken shade below.
Related Discussions
Need help with entry focal point
Q
Comments (1)
Barbara, I've read your description a couple of times and cannot quite figure it out. For example, I don't understand where the east gate is, or whether there is any street approach from the east for pedestrians. I don't even get where the north gate goes... is there a fence around the house that these gates are in? If I understand the basic problem it is to get visitors (who I presume all arrive by car?) past the side entrance to the front door. For that, it seems to me that you are looking at a whole bunch of complicated and indirect ways to do what a small sign saying "Visitors please enquire at front door" would do directly and clearly. I think if I were delivering a pizza I would prefer the clarity of the sign. I'm also not clear on whether by "trellis" you mean a pass-through trellis or a blocking trellis. Curb appeal is sort of a whole other issue. I'm not sure this can be answered without a picture or two. KarinL
...See More
Focal point species suggestion wanted
Q
Comments (3)
After 3 years, the roots should have pretty well rotted, from the BW - I don't think it will pose a problem. I don't know if it would be hardy for you, but I have seen a new Oakleaf hydrangea cultivar here - 'Little Honey'. It has, as suggested by the name, golden yellow leaves, some with a red tinge (very attractive, and I don't LIKE yellow-leaved plants as a rule!), and is supposed to stay under 4'-6' here, as I recall, so it may be too small, but there are other smaller Oakleaf hydrangeas that might do. They do have good fall colors, as well as the flowers. There are native shrubs that have great fall colors - Iteas or Clethras - as well as attractive early to mid summer flowers. Both of these can sucker to form colonies, but I find the suckers easy enough to dig/pull out in the spring - either pot them up to give away or plant elsewhere, or toss them in the compost pile. A variegated evergreen might be attractive - flowers not needed then. How about a holly - you can prune it easily for size if it starts to outgrow the space? Most of the variegated ones I know of are males, but there may be females as well, so you could have berries. There are always the winter colors of red- or yellow-twig dogwoods, although they may be less interesting in the summers, or in flower. If clematis grows in your area, you could grow one (or more) through whatever shrub you planted, and have the summer interest from the clematis flowers, instead of a plain green plant. It could confound your visitors, as the flowers and plant would have a mismatch! Clematis grows lightly enough that it won't strangle or smother the shrub.
...See More
Long and narrow room needs focal point
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Thanks for your help. I really do like the idea of two seating areas in the room. That is the direction we will take. We realized we have a 24" deep Shaker armoire/hutch (closed upper and lower cabinet) that we will probably need to put in the room. Now it's in the dining room, but is not a great match, so any suggestions on how to use would be helpful. I'm thinking on wall right of sofa towards window with chair in front or left side of sofa toward French doors. The door could still be open and sit against wall. I think it is two large to have on stair wall as I should keep it closed as it holds lots of dishes, but I would also lose a great place for a painting. Your thoughts? Again thank you for your time. .
...See More
Need focal point for front bed
Q
Comments (15)
Here is another idea. Since you have a lot of brown in winter, i would want something there that would have more color all year round. So see if there is a variety of cotoneaster for your zone. They have shiny green leafs and in fall develop orange to teal read berries. The branches become kind of twisted and interesting too. I put one in a large front bed similar to this one with large boulder and some river rock. The contrast is beautiful.
...See More
barefootinct
15 years ago
I don't think a focal point is what is needed here. There's a sidewalk and a large beautiful stone path going off from it, and then directly across from that path there is this little teeny path to nowhere, to a blank wall. Why do you need a path there? Who is going to "wander" down that path? I understand you want easy access to the hose and the AC unit, but a path is not the way to go here. A path should lead you on a journey...to the welcoming door of the house, through a lovely garden, and so forth.

Eliminate that odd little path and make a more concealed access from the side (behind a larger plant) to the faucet and AC unit with gravel or mulch. Put one more of those fern like things (that are on either side of the little path) in the center so that one is not "invited" to walk the path to nowhere.

Just my two cents. (Meanwhile the Talking Heads song "We're on the Road to Nowhere" keeps going through my head)
karinl
15 years ago
Bingo, Barefoot!!

KarinL

need suggestions for a focal point. please.

Comments (4)

catkim

Central_Cali369
Original Author

Related Discussions

barefootinct

karinl

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

need suggestions for a focal point. please.

Comments (4)

catkim

Central_Cali369Original Author

Related Discussions

barefootinct

karinl

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Central_Cali369
Original Author