Designing a Lush Backyard Retreat

Create a welcoming, intimate space with gentle curves and an enclosure of plants

horticulture has been a lifelong passion for both of us . For more than 30 age , we ’ve gardened both at menage and professionally , and we roll in the hay pass clock time out of doors . We built the terrace garden on the back side of our house with entertaining and slacken in mind . We wanted it to be an extension of the house — a series of space with cozy seating areas rather than one with child rectangle , which can be difficult to make inviting . handily site neighboring to the room access that lead into our sun parlor and kitchen , the patio garden is a lively and versatile place to spend time outdoors during the warm months .

Gentle curves create unique spaces

We work with the contour of the country to create a lightly curving dividing line that make the boundary of the terrace . The breaking ball produce three familiar areas that , during the grow season , declare oneself glimpses of the eternal rest of the space and the gardens beyond . We build a curve , dry - laid Edward Durell Stone wall , 60 feet farseeing and ranging from 1 to 3 feet tall , into the excavated hillside parallel to the back of the theatre .

The east end feature the first of three distinct domain . Two chairs tucked next to the house by an overflowing plantation owner make a favorite spot for morning coffee . From there , the entire patio is in view , with the curvature of the terrace establishing transitions from one area to the next . move on , the key room is the largest and yet most privy of the three patio areas , where the paving recesses toward the house . This bay is lush with plants and surround an intimate dining area . In the west end , a third seating area is a capital location for gathering with friends . It sits between the sunroom and the end of the pit bulwark .

Tall plantings embrace the space

The entire patio space is on tier with the sign , but it is below the score of the gardens beyond . The habit of tall bold plants above the wall is knowing . Rather than growing the low crawling ground cover that are so often used on the top of walls , we make seclusion by take industrial plant that maturate at least 2 to 3 feet grandiloquent , such as Mexican helianthus ( Tithonia rotundifolia , annual ) , ‘ Carmencita ’ caster edible bean ( Ricinus communis‘Carmencita ’ , annual ) , and ‘ Lady in Red ’ salvia ( Salvia coccinea‘Lady in Red ’ , annual ) . This makes the patio feel like an enclosed retirement without the indigence for wall on both sides . The works also serve as a colorful backdrop for a whisky - cask water supply garden . A collection of colored tropicals and annuals fill out the lower level of the bed and around the base of the barrel . ego - seeding annuals riposte each season to form a riot of people of color .

An edging of plants blurs the line between house and patio

Permanent and container planting along the edge of the menage obscures the distinction between the family and the terrace , further reward the feeling of enclosure within the space . These narrow beds are filled with earth - covering perennials , such as heucheras ( Heucheraspp . and cvs . , USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8 ) , hostas ( Hostaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , and epimediums ( Epimediumspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) . Annual and repeated vines soften the corners of the family . It is here that we have fun experiment with new plant and various combination in containers . The shadowy bay allows us to showcase the houseplants that grace the sun parlor and kitchen windowpane during the winter month . Orchestrating the container with the houseplants , newfangled annual , and some tropicals presents a new look each year .

The terrace garden has given us expectant joy over the years , and it allows us to play with colors and textures as well as new plants and old favorites as we redecorate our outdoor living way each year . Entertaining — whether for a few friends or a heavy gather — becomes easy with such an invite backcloth . And nothing beats construe the hummingbirds and butterfly that gravitate to the space . It has become a retreat for all .

Design Lessons: Essential elements of a relaxing outdoor living space

1.Multiple seating areas

Each region within this curvy patio space sports its own welcome seating area option , whether for dining , unwind in purdah , or chat with friends . When entertaining , all areas are within flock of each other , hold the gathering moral force but cohesive .

2.Sound and apparent movement

A wine - barrel natural spring mask street voice and propose a soothing sound course to an eve outdoors . The move water and the reflections on the water system ’s surface are energizing to the eyes .

3.Personal expression

Just as it does for your indoor living room , adding personal decorative elements to an outdoor room makes it feel more personal and comforting . They also provide visitors with a coup d’oeil into your sprightliness .

4.Lush plantings

Plants are the ultimate outside laurel wreath , and a salmagundi of colors , textures , and shape makes beds energetic and exciting to be close . They surround the space and make one feel part of the garden .

5.A sense of enclosure

Walls , marvellous plant , and meridian changes exercise together to create a space that feels fence , private , and secure . They also aid to add privacy to the indoor spaces .

Mary Allinson and Shipley Allinson are horticulturist who live in Kennett Square , Pennsylvania .

pic : Michelle Gervais . Illustration : Elara Tanguy

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Lush plantings embrace the space.The patio is surrounded on all sides by dense plantings that provide a sense of privacy. The plantings serve as the authors’ gardening playground, where they experiment with new plants and combinations.

Tall plantings and a water feature take center stage.This simple fountain is an exciting focal point, especially as seen from the dining area. The tall colorful annuals and tropicals around the fountain screen the patio from the lawn beyond.