Backyard
Create a natural jungle gym. Instead of adding hardscape for a ball court or play structure, make an equally engaging play space out of natural materials. The designer of this Northern California backyard used a sheet of corrugated metal curled into a giant pipe to create a kid-friendly grass tunnel. The addition of wood flooring to the metal tube and a plastic skylight make the interior of the tunnel more inviting.
Grow a bean teepee. A kid-friendly classic for edible gardens, a bean teepee is effectively a structure that provides a trellis for vines and an outdoor playroom for children. Turn a trellis into a teepee by arranging bamboo stakes in a circle — with a section left out as an entrance — and securing the stakes at the top with garden twine. Plant beans, sweet peas or other climbers around the outside of the teepee and train them to grow up the sides.
Flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; fragrant leaves and edible flowers that make good bouquets; deer resistant. North American native scarlet beebalm Popular hybrids that are more mildew-resistant include ‘Blue Stocking’, ‘Fireballs’, ‘Jacob Cline’, ‘Marshall’s Delight’, ‘Petite Delight’, ‘Raspberry Wine’ and ‘Violet Queen’.
Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) Native to eastern North America; the western part of the range includes Nebraska south to Texas. Also occurs from Minnesota eastward to Maine, including Ontario in Canada (absent in Vermont) in the north. Endangered in Pennsylvania. Not only does Ohio spiderwort provide gardens with distinct color and texture, with its clusters of blue flowers and strappy foliage, but it also provides an important pollen source to bees who are building their nests. It’s a very adaptable plant that will do well in almost any soil, including heavy clay, and makes a great addition to a prairie planting or perennial border. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34.4 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Prefers dry to medium soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 18 to 30 inches tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide Bloom time: Bright blue, pink or purple flowers in the spring When to plant: Spring or fall
Add a swale?
Spartan junipers for privacy
Fire Pit Area
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