Garden enthusiast and author Carole Ottesen gives a tour of her garden, which boasts native perennials, grasses and free-flowing flower beds. Ottesen believes simplicity is the recipe for success in gardening and says gardeners should simply let nature take its course.
Ottesen recommends choosing native plants for gardens. Because these plants have supported themselves for years in a given area, they are well-acclimated to its weather conditions. Ottesen's own garden has a graceful, understated design that reflects the natural surroundings.
Ottesen has several favorites among the plants that are native to her Potomac, Maryland, region. Her preferred choices include obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana, Zones 3-10) and 'Fireworks' goldenrod (Solidago rugosa, Zones 3-10). Ottesen says both of these make beautiful flower arrangements. Other favorites are turtlehead (Chelone lyonii, Zones 4-9), which is perfect for wet areas in the garden, and pokeweed (Phytolacca americana, Zones 5-9), which adds dramatic beauty despite being a poisonous plant.
Trial and error is the best way to learn which plants will thrive in the garden. Read seed catalogs for general guidelines, and observe neighbors' gardens to see which plants are flourishing. And remember that making mistakes is part of growing a garden!
Ottesen says she made a huge mistake when she planted a star magnolia (Magnolia stellata, Zones 5-9) in her backyard. Although nurseries in the area sell the star magnolia, the tree is not well-suited to the region because late frosts tend to make its leaves wither and prevent its flowers from blooming. However, the sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana, Zones 5-9), is an excellent choice: it doesn't bloom until June, so its blossoms are never cut short by unpredictable weather.
Dogs can make garden maintenance an even greater challenge. Ottesen's dogs wear electric collars that prevent them from tramping through her gardens.
If the thought of mowing the lawn every week seems overwhelming, consider alternative groundcovers that are both beautiful and low-maintenance. Ferns, moss, ornamental grasses and pathways provide perfect solutions for decreasing the amount of grass. For example, mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus, Zones 7-11) is an excellent choice for a slope that is difficult to mow. Ornamental grasses can also provide year-round enhancement in a garden--when they die in winter, their bright orange and rich brown hues give the garden color and create interest.
