 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPECIALTY GARDENS:
M&M Garden Designs, LLC has the ability to handle all of your specialized
landscape and gardening needs. From design and implementation of unique gardens
to special features such as waterfalls and fountains, we handle everything
with exceptional professionalism and attention to detail.
Specialty gardens are created for a specific location, distinct purpose or
appeal. Many times these gardens. Click on a link below to find out more about
these specific gardens:
THEME
GARDEN
SHADE GARDENS
LONG
BLOOMING
FRAGRANT
HUMMINGBIRD
BIRD
ATTRACTING
DEER
RESISTANT
GROUND
COVER
ORNAMENTAL
RAISED
BEDS
CONTAINER
ROCK
GARDEN
GARDENS
FOR WINTER INTEREST
THEME gardens can be defined as simply collecting plants
of a similar color or hue. Theme gardens can be a tremendous amount of fun!
There are many ways to give your garden a unifying theme. Whether your gardens
have an English cottage theme, an evening garden's sensual draw, a fragrance
approach, a color-based theme, is nautical in nature, or is inspired by angels
and nature spirits, it speaks of who you are.
Gardens can be separated into sections by plants of similar type, such as
a rose garden, or an herb garden.
Butterfly theme gardens and wildlife gardens are popular. We put birdhouses,
butterfly houses, mason bee houses, and ponds into these landscapes to encourage
the wildlife. We provide a diverse array of plant heights for cover and separate
housing from places where cats or other predators might hide out. We chose
plants that will provide food throughout the year.
How about a fragrant white garden with heavily scented evening blooming plants?
Maybe a pseudo-tropical garden? A garden filled with plants with cat-names,
like pussy willows, catmint and cats-claw? What about a musically themed garden
with fiddler ferns, trumpet vine, carpet bugle and an old tuba as a focal
point? Indulge your
chocolate passion by growing this delectable flower garden! The rich, deep
chocolaty shades of Chocolate Flower, Chocolate Columbine, Midnight Candy
Phlox, Chocolate Royale, Chocolate Nasturtium and Royal Chocolate Painted
Tongue are a treat you won't want to miss!
As you can see, the possibilities are endless, just let your imagination run
wild, or be even more daring and let ours run wild! A little imagination and
your whole garden comes together like magic.
Click here
to see our featured theme garden!
Top
SHADE is a source of frustration for most gardeners and can
have a multitude of variation. Shade may be the dimly lit area beneath a forest
of towering evergreens, or the bright but non sunny spot on the north side
of another shrub. As seasons change, an area might receive more or less sun.
Is a garden which gets a few hours of morning sun, but shade during the rest
of the day considered to be shade? Partial shade? Partial sun? All of these
considerations must be taken into account. There are a wide variety of plants
that do very well in full to partial shade that have beautiful blooms and
intriguing foliage. Go to our portfolio to see examples of some beautiful
shade gardens we have installed.
Top
LONG BLOOMING
Large blocks of color add impact to a garden and the best way to achieve that
is with long blooming perennial flowers. Keep in mind these hard-working perennials
need work to keep blooming continuously. Staking and dead-heading (removing
dead flower heads) is an integral part of the process. "Long-blooming"
doesn't mean "always in bloom." These perennials will stay colorful
from spring to frost, even though they aren’t always in simultaneous
glory. Some plants like pink gaura and the Wonder of Staffa aster will be
nearing their peak, while pink coreopsis will be winding down. Shasta daisy
may be in a lull between flushes of flowers.
Top
FRAGRANT
Flower fragrance is food for the soul. In our everyday life, the average human
draws 23,000 breaths a day. Nothing is as sure to bring a smile to any face
as a whiff of the first bloom on a fragrant viburnum or daphne in spring.
It is the confirmation of the promise of spring, a sure link to the goodness
of the earth, and a vacation, if ever so fleeting, for the senses. There is
a luxury in the perfumes of the garden, a luxury that remains enticingly in
reach of almost everyone. So please indulge yourself and have us plant a fragrant
garden to enjoy outside as well as cut flowers indoors. It is in this spirit
that we plant our gardens with fragrant plants.
Fragrant gardens are much more than roses! We do not want to rely on just
one plant to provide aroma in our garden. We strive to provide a palette of
scent; a “buffet” for the nose to consume. In that same spirit,
we should not lean solely on the flowers for the fragrance in our garden.
The pungency of artemesia or the tang of lemon thyme can be perfect counterpoints
for the spicy odor of flowers. Boxwood can not only define the border of the
garden; it can be the canvas for a complex painting of aromas.
Finally, the garden should not lack fragrance at any time of year. In the
fall, the scent of leaves accompanies our annual clean up, and the smell of
apples and pumpkins remind us of Thanksgivings past. In the winter, the smell
of cut evergreens defines the holidays as surely as, and as the season progresses,
forced paperwhites or hyacinths can herald the approach of spring.
So please indulge yourself and have us plant a fragrant garden to enjoy outside
as well as cut flowers indoors. You will thank yourself nearly 23,000 times
a day.
Top
HUMMINGBIRD
With their distinctive hum, stunning agility, and brilliant colors, hummingbirds
have captured our imaginations as no other flyers have. Best of all, most
every gardener in North America can expect to play host to at least one hummingbird
from late March through September. Because these birds typically feed three
to five times per hour, they are easy to attract with flowering. By growing
a variety of nectar-producing flowering plants, you can maximizing the attractiveness
of your garden for hummers. We’ll start by choosing plants with brightly
colored flowers (especially red, pink, yellow, and orange) that produce ample
amounts of nectar. Tubular flowers tend to be the best, producing and retaining
nectar even in hot weather or in a rainstorm. Hummingbirds must feed 3-5 times
per hour and your hummingbirds may become reliant on your garden for it's
food, but we like to also install hummingbird feeders hung in your garden
for supplement. The best color for a feeder is bright red to attract the birds
from a distance. We will fill, clean and maintain your feeders, but keep in
mind you should never fill your feeders with anything but sugar-water mix
of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Do not use food coloring of any kind, and
never, never use honey. (Honey can develop a fungus which can be fatal to
hummingbirds)
Hummingbirds are attracted to flower colors and nectar, not fragrance. You
will enjoy the entertaining antics and beautiful iridescent colors of these
little garden visitors.
Top
BIRD ATTRACTING
Take a moment and think about your backyard. Is it bird-friendly?. Does it
provide safety and cover for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife you want
to attract? Are there natural food sources such as seeds, insects, and nectar?
What about suitable nesting sites for the birds? Can birds can take shelter
from wind, snow, ice, and rain? Most people think all that's involved in attracting
birds to their yards is putting out a feeder or birdbath -- but these benefit
only a few species and for just short periods of time. Like all plants and
animals, birds require specific habitats -- for example, open meadows, shrubby
gardens, and forest interiors -- where specific plants provide food, shelter,
nesting spots, and singing posts. Because they are highly mobile, birds move
around to find good homes and depart if habitats stop meeting their needs.
To attract wild birds throughout the year, we will create and maintain the
conditions that a variety of birds favor. Feeders and birdbaths alone will
not do the job. We can help you plan now for a fantastic backyard that will
be a magnet for birds!
Top
DEER RESISTANT
There are a wide variety of plants that are “Deer Resistant”.
Deer are a continual source of problems for most Connecticut gardeners. There
are currently a wide variety of plants that deer do not care for. However,
you’ll notice that “Deer Resistant” is in quotes and it
is not to be confused with “Deer Proof’, for which a solution
does not exist. Deer on the verge of starvation will eat almost anything,
and as their habitat declines, the deer become less and less selective about
what they eat. Our best long-term option lies in a landscape plan that prescribes
"deer-resistant” plants.
It is a continual battle, but we can help! Simply planting what Bambi usually
disdains to eat may not seem as strong a deer-proofing measure as surrounding
your property with deer fencing, we admit. But then again, building a fortress
around your property has severe aesthetic drawbacks. By contrast, deer-proof
plants can be every bit as attractive as the specimens you currently grow
in your landscape. Deer-proof plants are also a heck of a lot less expensive
than fences!
Top
GROUND COVER
Perhaps you have a troublesome area of your property where it difficult to
get grass to grow, or you just don’t have the inclination to have even
more lawn to care for. M&M Garden Designs, LLC has the solution. Ground
covers offer beauty and easy care on a large scale! They provide a variety
of textures and color, help reduce soil erosion, and can serve as a transition
between turf areas and shrub or flower borders. Consider ground cover plants
for areas where watering and mowing are difficult, that require extra maintenance,
or that are unsuitable for grass due to exposure, such as:
* narrow strips between sidewalks and curbs or buildings;
* steep slopes that are impractical to mow;
* hot, dry areas along south and west exposures of walls or
* fences; and deeply shaded areas beneath trees or shrubs,
*a long north sides of walls and fences, and in foundation plantings in front
of low windows.
Ground covers also can enhance the beauty of shrub borders and can break up
the monotony of areas previously covered with decorative gravel. They carpet
the ground with bright color in sun or shade, dry soil or damp!
Top
ORNAMENTAL
Many people feel an ornamental or formal garden is beyond the scope of the
average homeowner. Certainly, if you visit the great public gardens with their
large maintenance crews, numerous statues, fountains and elaborate stonework,
you might agree. Yet M&M Designs has adapted the rules and designs of
formal gardens to create more modest versions that harmonize well with rural
and suburban settings. These gardens exemplify a middle style that allows
for more relaxed planting schemes while retaining a definite sense of order.
These Gardens often have very defined lines and angles. You can recognize
then by the symmetrical balance they have These gardens appeal to clients
who like symmetry and have a formal sense of style. It's true that balance
and symmetry are satisfying artistically, and we sometimes automatically or
subconsciously plan our gardens that way. It's also satisfying to revel in
the lush and varied plantings of the more natural garden, as well as the interesting
"found objects" we often use for ornamentation. This semiformal
style allows you to have the best of both worlds.
Top
RAISED BEDS
Have an area of poor soil, poor conditions and an area where having a garden
seems impossible? Raised beds are the answer for you! Raised beds are an efficient,
attractive way to grow flowers and shrubs in tough soil. Gardens don't always
have to be at ground level. A raised-bed garden is simply a planting area
that's higher than the level of the surrounding ground. A contained, elevated
garden area is easier to work and maintain than a traditional garden, and
an attractive wood-framed bed filled with flowers, fruits or vegetables can
add visual appeal to most landscapes. There are a range of sizes and shapes,
from small accent beds to large decorative statements in the landscape. Raised
beds have been used for centuries because of the many advantages they have
over conventional garden plots.
Raised beds provide the ability to better control soil conditions. For areas
with heavy clay, sand or highly alkaline soil, you can grow a wider range
of plants. Because raised beds start with new soil that you amend for your
purposes, you don't have to worry about solving existing soil problems. Raised
beds also warm up sooner in the spring and stay warmer later into fall than
traditional gardens.
There are no rules when it comes to designing a raised bed garden. We use
our imagination to choose materials, textures and shapes that complement your
landscape.
Top
CONTAINER GARDEN
Once you have the structure of a garden - the paths, beds, borders, hard surfacing,
trees and shrubs - then you need the furnishings. Decorative containers offer
interesting ways to grow a wide variety of plants. In a container we can control
the soil, vary the watering regime, adjust the amount of sun or shade, group
plants for impact - and ungroup them if the idea doesn't work. With decorative
containers we can make a sculptural statement in the garden. With plain containers
you can build banks of color and foliage that hide the outlines of the pots
- or any other area you want hidden. Some gardens wouldn't even be possible
without containers.
People have the urge to garden no matter how unpromising the site. I regularly
walk past plots of land where there is little soil or space. A set of steps
going down to a town basement? Put pots along the side of the steps. A balcony?
Use pots brimming with plants to hide the edge. A concrete or paved courtyard?
Disguise the walls with pot grown shrubs and climbers. A thin strip of road
frontage? Colorful annuals in pots will make the approach more interesting.
The possibilities are endless, it's your garden.
Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a garden of flowers in containers.
Planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets and large flowerpots are just
some of the containers that can be used. Our container gardens are limited
only by our imagination.
Top
ROCK GARDEN
Many houses have yards with steep banks or areas of irregular terrain that
may be used for a rock garden. A rock garden is an ideal way to stop soil
erosion while creating an appealing landscape feature. The most attractive
rock gardens are those with a natural setting that blend with a pile of stones
on level ground. A hillside with a rocky outcrop is ideal. A pool of water
or a miniature stream and waterfall will add charm to the rock garden. Trees
are desirable to provide partial shade, and shrubs should be used for background.
If adequate space is available, the garden may include paths made with flat
stones or pine needles and steps on steep slopes to encourage closer inspection
and greater enjoyment.
Top
GARDENS FOR WINTER
INTEREST
Winter need not be a season to close the doors, draw the blinds and sit by
the fire until spring. With a little planning you can enjoy a view from your
window of snow on the plumes of pampas grass or on a garden statue nestled
into a green hedge. You can watch a flock of birds reveling in a feast of
red berries. A flagstone path may entice you into the garden even in the depths
of winter to look for the blooms of heath, witch hazel or helleborus. Architectural
details that give the basic structure to a garden become more noticeable when
leaves are down and flowers are faded. Paths, steps, walls, gates and fences
draw the eye as well as the foot. Features like rocks. sculpture, trellises,
benches and even birdhouses add additional interest. Pools and streams freeze
and thaw, creating an ever-changing scene.
Plants continue to dominate the landscape, but in different ways. Tree shapes,
twig color and bark become more important. Evergreens, hedges, groundcovers
and ferns give color to the scene, while winter-and early-spring-blooming
shrubs, wildflowers and bulbs add scent in addition to color. Ornamental grasses
and perennials with dried seedpods can add a magical quality to the garden
when they glisten with frost or carry a dusting of snow. Berries not only
add spots of bright color but also often attract birds. Evergreen backdrops,
deciduous tree shapes, bark, and twig color along with berries, ornamental
grasses and dried seed pods can all add to the interest of a winter garden
and help chase the winter blues away.
Top
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
