Thanks for all suggests!
These plan pics juat are original, no more elaborate disposal in detail. um,so these pics look a little rough. U know, if we will make a perfect design plan, need more time and we should communicate with client more to know which style and which plant is their favor or suited . So i just share some ideas here, i don't consider much.
There are so many different suggests, most of them are nice. But i'm so sorry i couldn't use them one by one in my design. oh, these professional advices are very useful for me! i will improve~~~~

need ideas

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Need more information.

What does the homeowner expect of this area when the design is complete?

Does the homeowner have children? Pets? Is a play area needed?
Is this a young person with boundless energy for gardening or someone who is less likely to spend time in the garden due to lack of time, interest or physical strength?
How much money is this homeowner willing to invest in initial planting and then maintenance of this area?
How large is the yard overall? Is this all of it, or just a tiny part?
Does this homeowner entertain a lot?
What kind of weather conditions exist in this area?
What exposure - north, south, east west? Is shelter from cold winter winds desirable, or deciduous shade from summer sun?
Does the homeowner need screening for privacy or to exclude an undesireable view?

It is impossible to create a successful design in a vacuum. Oh, a pleasant enough design can be created, but these spaces are for people, and people and their needs are very different ... so what suits one may not suit another at all.

After looking at some of the more fanciful scenes here the Monty Python animation where the frolicking rabbits are crushed by the smiling hippopatumus(?) comes to mind. I said on the other thread what kind of thing I would do with the house with the symmetric facade and square lawn.

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landscapedesignchina, your scale is way off.

See that black grill on the deck? Those things are usually less than three feet wide. That means your walks are about one foot to a foot-and-a-half wide. Not at all practical.

The gazebo, in addition to being redundant right by the deck, is too small for anyone to use. That looks like a table and four seats inside? I sure wouldn't want to sit on one of those things. lol. The table, maybe. But one would have to stoop inside that gazebo.

I could go on, but have to go to work.

Look carefully at a picture to get an idea of size and plan your designs in a human scale. Also play around with the idea that sometimes less is more. Get your design all finished, then take away one thing ... or, maybe a few things.

Good luck.

Visiting real gardens nearby of the style you are interested in could show what is possible within a given space.

Perhaps you should try landscaping an empty field, as the constraints of a suburban lawn are too small for your ambitions and sense of style.

What would you do with a empty farm field?

We are all responding with our ideas on that person's thread, so you should read that.

KarinL

Uh... to all above elf-inspired landscapes. Gardendesignchina what does your landscape in your yard look like without the photo shop? just curious.

Any chance that Deviant-D knows LDChina?

No one else said anything, but isn't this a significant re-emergence of a sharp and funny perspective from the past? I was barely here before Michele left, but I've read old posts and felt the vacuum by proxy.

Maybe there's no synchronistic cosmic convergence going on here, but isn't it grand that a certain voice seems to be present again?

Lime Jello with those little mandarin oranges for me, please. Cherry and whipped cream optional.

Wellspring

landscapedesignchina,

I think you should really study the photoshop presented by pls8xx. That photoshop didn't recieve the derisive remarks that your portfolio is gathering, and that picture while not emcompassing all of my suggestions actually looks like a great design or DIY effort for the homeowners to complete.

If you could provide a photoshop of that caliber, your skills would be more warmly recieved.

I'm agree that there is something wrong with the scale. I feel sorry because i just spent a little time to photoshop. Maybe i will adjust it when i'm free. thanks for this advice!

I must say, the ideas is the most important thing which i want to show, Not my ability to photoshop. U see, we don't know whether these ideas would be received by client, so it's not necessary to perfect the plan by photoshop. i would like to help some frients who need the design in this forum, but please be tolerant -- i can't spent more time and energy to do it. Except somebody hope i offer special service one-to-one.
good luck, everybody!

Charlotte how lucky you are not to be able to see Michelle's wind up first hand/eye. I am sure that she and "landscapedesignchina" share more than a liking for lime green jello. Deviant and Devious indeed.

Trees,shrubs,flowers all are nothing,key is they form ideas

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Ok here a spot I have.. I am looking for a focal spot in the middle of the yard like bird house or arbor with vines or roses.(in front of the white post and rail farm fence) Maybe some wild grass, knockout rose or Rose of Sharon on either side of that focal point. Any ideas??
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Jess, do you want a focal point by the fence to distract from the trampoline? That's my conjecture, but I think I would depending on how permanent it will be. Right now the rail fence looks fantastic, in my opinion. I would concentrate on creating a "garden room". Currently the trapmpline is serving that purpose by creating an ethereal form, but the can be reinforced with additional plantings by the tree to cover up the foundation of the trampoline (mmmm trampoline foundation planting....) Later when it is outgrown, you will still have a useful garden room division in place.

landscapedesignchina, you got a client now just like you have been asking for... I somehow know you can do it!

Pass the Jello shots!

Well for along the fence we wanted alittle more privacy from neighbors with bushes or shrubs maybe even grasses or vines. I like the fence and open feeling but our neighbors yard is not the nicest to look at so since we are out on our patio most of the summer months we wanted something taller along that side of the fence for semi privacy. As for the trampoline yes its ugly but live with it since the kids still use it(one year planted morning glories up it and it was like a cool hang out.) Those things were tough to get off the netting though!!) and never bothered planning anything under the tree as I thought it would never grow with the tree roots. It sounds like a great idea also!!We can move bushes around also. Here is the whole yard shot so far. The brown fence is our neighbors (which yes was put up wrong but we can stain it or put vines/knockout roses up it)Always thought of adding a shrub or something at the corner post of the patio also but not sure as then we might use up too much yard space.. So we are up for any ideas..
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Jess, I can't remember where, but I think it was here on GardenWeb, but I saw a photo and discussion of a sunken trampoline! A lot of work, I know, to excavate so you can bury the base of the trampoline, but what an awesome effect. And they claim it's safer. (Wouldn't know about that.)

As for something along your fence, where the primary concern seems to be the view of the neighbor's yard, I do think all you need is some kind of strategially-placed focal point (just one more rose bush might do it), to arrest one's gaze before it travels on into the next yard.

Well we do have a Magnolia bush that we need to move in the very back of the yard as its behind the birdhouse by the shed on the right side of the yard now but you can not see it back there with the Sweet Autumn clematis hiding it. I wonder if I should move that Magnolia bush there where the two fences come together. I would have to give it room as I know they can get wilder and taller then a rose bush but maybe that can be enough for some privacy. Its close to 5 foot tall now. Its pretty in the spring but just green in the summer. It would be as tall as the white privacy fence.I hate to toss it so trying to use what we have first..Not sure what it will look like there.It might get too big. I could always keep it trimmed though..

i hope this thread never dies! i would pay 'landscapedesignchina' out of my own pocket to continue and post his jaw-dropping-landscapes if it'll help to keep this thread going:)

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hi,Jess. i'm glad to design this even if it's not very useful for u.
u can choose another shrubs or bushes which u like to instead of some plants here. Now, i just constructed this scheme, then i expect some advices. i will keep on thinking more ideas!

I think Rhodium has the right idea and the photoshop showed an example of it working.

If grass will grow under the treet, then other plants may as well like hosta, epimedium. Also to avoid the roots large pots or pot collection (and more watering...).

Your layout is kind of semi-formal. Long rectangular area, with a dominant focal point at the far end (the garden shed), and rectanglar lines in along the perimeter beds with similar plant forms in each. Also the centered tree add to this overall semi-formal feel. The variety of materials and plant types does help to slow down the eys, so it doesn't just race down all these lines and out the yard. The trampoline is a distraction, but it is also very airy in appearance. The shed behind it really overwhelms it, so it's not quite as dominant.

I would suggest adding a dimple or bulge to your plant bed-lines near the centerline of the yard near the tree/trampoline. This would help to define the area in front of the tree as an area without using up much lawn area. That in conjunction with the trampoline foundation plantings would create more depth in the garden. The edge of the first garden room would serve to keep the eye in the yard. amd mpt looking at the neighbors yard or powerline(?).

I like that idea!! I never really thought of putting anything under the tree as most flowers never do well under a tree but some might. I would would have to see what plants and shrubs might do ok there. Nice idea!!

Hosta. I like that evengreen bush in there on the left what is that called anyone know? I like the idea of evergreen and shrubs or maybe a wild grass (not sure how that would do by the tree)

So should I leave the yard along the fence open? Should we try to move that Magnolia bush to that side of the fence? Not sue how well that would move. Its a Jane Magnolia and is 5 foot high now.

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Well I like the stone on the left side of the picture idea but not sure of the brick circle idea. I kinda like the other one better. I don't care for the brick look or cirle as much as the other lay out.Guess you would have to use some kinda stone or something to build up that area around the tree though. I do like the rock idea on the left of the photo though.
So would you leave the yard open by the post and rail white fence (side yard)or put taller bushes or evergreens down it..Like I said before I do have a magnolia bush that I could try to move along the fence but not sure if that could be worked in along the fence some how..

Sunken tramps are safer...that's what they used at the Olympics. Makes it easier for the spotters. My summer camp had sunken tramps...back in the (VERY) early '70's.

melanie

Okay now, design by committee or brainstorming design committee...?

I think it would like nice to have some more plants going down the left fence line to the rear gate/arbor. I think it would aid in maintaining a unified semi-formal approach.

The dimple or bump out I was referening to is not seen in the above photoshops (thanks for no Jello!!). For the bump out, at the interface between the two fence types on the left I would make the perimeter bed;lines curve into the yard (i.e make the bed a few feet deeper (for the magnolia?) for about 6 feet).

This bump out needs to be made with the shape of the lawn in mind. In conjunction with a center planting area, it will create a path between the "garden rooms' and a viewing axis. Now the issue will be what kind of focal point by the or have it be the garden gate!!

"Guess you would have to use some kinda stone or something to build up that area around the tree though."

Build up the soil level around that tree and chances are you'll lose it.

Jess, sorry, i have a little question--u means,u'r not sure whether change this corner? or whether move along the fence for a magnolia?{{gwi:43267}}
this is your garden gate, right?

There was a whole thread about this piece of fence where the story is explained.

KarinL

Yes this is the gate and arbor which we might want to change to a nicer white arbor but the black iron one was cheap at the time and figure in another year or two the roses will cover it anyway..There are two roses starting to climb it on both sides. One is a Kathleen Harrop thornless rose which is light pink and a Parade Climbing Rose on the left more bright fushia pink (can not see them yet in the photo as they are still two small)
I was thinking of putting something down the post and rail white fence but keeping in mind that there is not much room down at by the gate. Not sure if we should have arborvities all the way down or break it up with Rose of Sharon or more knockouts or something else to finish that side of the yard
Isabella question......The dimple or bump out I was referening to is not seen in the above photoshops (thanks for no Jello!!). For the bump out, at the interface between the two fence types on the left I would make the perimeter bed;lines curve into the yard (i.e make the bed a few feet deeper (for the magnolia?) for about 6 feet).

With doing this what would you do once down closer to our neighbors shed. The area is kind of narrow there so not sure if this can be done down there or not.

As for around the tree in the middle of the yard I guess rock or Stone or something to build up the area around the tree might work. I do not think that would kill the tree as our neighbor has wooden landscape posts with mulch around his Red Maple and its been fine for years. Just wondering what kinda flower or shrubs would grown under the maple tree really.

By the way the magnolia is 5 foot tall so if we did try to move it where the simi private fence and post and rail meet how far out from the fence should we plant it?? or maybe we shoudl plant it further down the fence somewhere... I think the bed is roughly 3 foot wide now where the fountain is..

Jess,I would continue with your rose planting theme... You seem to be very successful at it now. I think if a garden room is made just off the patio by shaping the lawn (with the dimple) taller plantings in it and the "foundation plantinss' by the trampoline, there will be sufficient distraction to ignore the shed.
Also as another idea to consider, in LandscapeDchina's pic a pathway is shown... that could also direct the eye towards your gate and away from the shed.

ok, thank for explaining!
Um, as we see, there is not much room indeed of the part. so i think u needn't to put more anything, keeping current look is ok. Well, in my opinion, using some rock or stons curving line to separate the rose part and lawn is nice.
as for the magnolia, plant it in or near the rose bush is more concordant. the magnolia, rose, and some another evergreen plants blend to create a harmonious effect with rock.
in fact , i think this garden has been quite gorgeous by your effort. because there is not more room, and this collocation had been settled on the whole, we only can perfect details. but, that's enough to have a larruping garden!

Well said, landscapedesignchina.

bump.
This thread has kept me up an hour after my bedtime. Actually, I couldn't sleep thinking about the potential of the new Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. She certainly will have no time for landscaping. If someone can get a shot of her house, maybe "someone" can help her with her landscaping.

vice

Dear LDChina,
Good job! Keep practicing and asking questions, you'll do great!
Kathy G in MI

Um, i don't know why i can't use the account- landscapedesignchina to post anything now. i'm blue. maybe i made some mistake~~is there anybody know the reason here? please tell me! then i will correct.
this is my new account --yin49.

The only think that concerns me about this bed under the tree is how well plants will really grow. Its a red maple tree and not much grows under these trees. The pom pom junipers might do ok and maybe hosta. Not sure about a knockout rose or perennials of some kind. Something to thing about...

Landscapedesignchina - your depictions of gardens remind of China - Yangshuo to be exact http://images.google.com/images?ndsp=20&um=1&hl=en&q=yangshuo&start=0amp;sa=N

Jess - how about some ornamental grass?

I have "freedom" hedge roses alternating with Karl Forester grass against one of my fences and really like the look.

I also love my knockout rose and since you have mentioned it a couple times, how about alternating the knockouts with a tufted ornamental grass (in a purple hue, maybe)? I think the grass would look great along that open fence and because it isn't solid it would allow for wind and movement. You could also plant an ornamental grass on the corner of the patio where the gutter is to tie the grass into another part of the yard.

landscapedesignchina, i'm curious what you would do with this? when you have time. we like simple designs.
thank you!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:43237}}

from the pergola back at the house

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:43238}}

sorry, i didn't see these messages.
ok, friends, i'm glad to do them. Wait a short time.

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thank you, yin49 ... i just found your photo. there is another photo ... pergola view from patio (a reverse view). what would you do there? thanks again!

ok, i'm glad to do it.where is the other photo? please post it here.
i did more than one design plan for the last one photo. u can see it in my photobucket. click on the photo.

yin49, i didn't realize i could click on the photo and see more!!! live and learn. i like all of the designs u made. what program do you use?

rather than repost the photo, here is the message from above (5 messages ago ... my first note to you)... the photo was taken on the patio, looking out at the pergola (as opposed to looking from the pergola back at the house). the house is on the west side of the lot, so the pergola area gets much shade ... not dense, but dappled due to the 4 pecan and 1 ash trees.
i'm attaching another view of the area, as you can see ... we have much yard and open green to 'play' with. where to put medium height shrubs. there are additional photos (taken during the construction etc) on photobucket.

thanks again. you are very talented!
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first post :
"Posted by letsharmonize 9 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 8, 08 at 6:35
landscapedesignchina, i'm curious what you would do with this? when you have time. we like simple designs.
thank you!
Here is a link that might be useful: pergola view from patio"

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:43241}}

letsharmonize,
oh sorry, i think i spoke a little ambiguously last time.
there're more designs of your garden on my photobucket albums.

http://photobucket.com/ylx49

i have see u new photo. um, it's not whole area of u garden? so, do u have a panorama photo? that would be made the design plan more integrated.

Here is a link that might be useful: ylx49

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