Theme Gardens

Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual beauty, the joy of working with soil and plants, and the pride of showing others what you have created. As a gardener, one is always experimenting and learning anew what delights a flower garden may bring forth. This enjoyment can be intensified by creating your garden, or a room within the garden, with a theme.

Think of the old formal gardens with their hedges uniquely designed to provide a visual appeal that has survived the ages. Think of the Japanese Garden with its calm Zen-like quality. Theme gardens can be based upon a historical time or place or special types or colors of plants. They can be created for the wild creatures we hope to draw to our garden such as butterflies or hummingbirds.

Each type of garden has an unique appeal and some even more pleasing gardens can be had by using combinations. We Americans are famous for being the "Melting Pot", for combining things we have brought from the rest of the world. Imagine having a butterfly garden surrounded by old rose varieties. Imagine a vegetable garden with a Zen garden in the middle. The combinations are endless.

The book Theme Gardens by Barbara Damrosch is a great starting place. She has several types of theme gardens with pictures and layouts. Use these plans to create your own just like her suggestions. Or lay out a garden that is uniquely yours using these plans as a starting point. There is no real right or wrong way to lay your garden out, so learn as you go and have fun.

© 2005, Sandra Dinkins-Wilson.

Find more articles for Flower Garden Lovers at our informative website, http://flowergardenlovers.com.

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table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2008/10/07/do-you-call-it-a-yard-or-a-garden/cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNHGgtyyMbfgZ9I7NpQiG2yY1niJZgDo you call it a yard or a bgarden/b?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fChristian Science Monitor,nbsp;MAnbsp;-/font nobr17 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b reminded of it by David Martin’s comment on the blog post about the best nurseries, “In Florida, we tend to have ‘blandscaping/b’ rather than bgardening/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml%3Fxml%3D/gardening/2008/10/06/garden-elspeth-thompson106.xmlcid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNFH0qYiaSrH033gNnSLN4s-_ElTYQimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=YBM3jydyf2IJimgurl=www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/graphics/2008/10/06/garden-elspeth106.jpg width=80 height=53 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Telegraph.co.uk/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml%3Fxml%3D/gardening/2008/10/06/garden-elspeth-thompson106.xmlcid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNFH0qYiaSrH033gNnSLN4s-_ElTYQbGardening/b: The tropic of suburbia/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTelegraph.co.uk,nbsp;United Kingdomnbsp;-/font nobrOct 6, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b Fraser of Avant bGardener/b, is the unique and intuitive partnership between the planting and blandscaping/b: the latter created entirely from salvaged wood. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/lifestyle-news/your-life/2008/10/07/girl-power-meet-the-girls-in-guys-jobs-92746-21980733/cid=1255137874ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNE4hlzDZ3MHvolKiGp6YWpAX7tTvAGirl power! Meet the girls in guys#39; jobs.../abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fCoventry Telegraph,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr16 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Carolyn, 48, is in charge of eight women who tackle bgarden/b maintenance and clearance and simple blandscaping/b projects. quot;bGardening/b had never been my thing,quot; b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.philstar.com/index.php%3FHeadlines%26p%3D49%26type%3D2%26sec%3D24%26aid%3D20081002138cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNH9QAkPPagkhUCOp4Zw_wCKXnBKVAbLandscaping/b business blooms from Bulacan roots/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPhilippine Star,nbsp;Philippinesnbsp;-/font nobrOct 2, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1When asked why he continued the business of bgardening/b and blandscaping/b instead of starting another business, Nestor simply answered, “We cannot turn our b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx%3Fid%3D800462cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNH5zQpCGm_gwy0buKWwYlMVYXrBHQLongtime Bayside bgardener/b Lorrie Otto is pulling up her roots/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMilwaukee Journal Sentinel,nbsp;WInbsp;-/font nobrOct 3, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1What pleases her most is the fact that she is considered the leader of the natural blandscaping/b movement. The movement is good for the Earth and the bgardener/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/oct/07/hardy-hard--kill-fast-growing-tough-tamarisk/cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNHwO_tPyYHsZFHf4EqQAp5_C3jV8AHardy, hard-to-kill, fast-growing: #39;The tough tamarisk#39;/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fEvansville Courier Press,nbsp;INnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1For those building new home sites in these arid regions, keep this example in mind when selecting plants for blandscaping/b and shade. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/04/gardens2cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNGXjp2dn_SSZCuHUzeY5dMyBYiBPgAnatomy of a bgarden/b Priona, Schuinesloot, the Netherlands/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fguardian.co.uk,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobrOct 3, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1So in a bgarden/b where the walls or fences are straight, the paths and other blandscaping/b should be erratic, with sloping paths, curved hedges and arcing b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20081002/FEATURES0301/810020302cid=1253387587ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNG1QO_U8GoNxWDzdId7Nj5hdilIiAHelpful Techniques For October bLandscaping/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTyler Morning Telegraph,nbsp;TXnbsp;-/font nobrOct 2, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1What great weather to get outdoors, enjoy the changing of the seasons, and take care of those bgardening/b chores you#39;ve been putting off throughout the summer b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sltrib.com/technology/ci_10480615cid=0ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNFXMHqgyrmojdgOmDDpVtNvoocPGwbGardening/b: Trees can bring many benefits to your home blandscaping/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSalt Lake Tribune,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobrSep 17, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1As the largest wholesale nursery in Utah, they supplied blandscaping/b companies with more than 15000 plants last year. Many trees for sale at your local b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/valley/la-hmw-webdatebook4-2008oct04,0,6894106.storycid=1254052873ei=t1LsSOCwGabU6gOU8aWBCQusg=AFQjCNElbvl3J8npB3kTD5R2vo8K1Bmn_AHome and bgarden/b events in the Southland/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fLos Angeles Times,nbsp;CAnbsp;-/font nobrOct 4, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Silent auction will be held at 5:30 pm followed by Greg Rubin#39;s lecture, quot;The Secrets of bLandscaping/b With Native Plants,quot; at 6:30 pm North Valley City Hall b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
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