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This landscaping client in Departure Bay, Nanaimo, runs a spa busines located in the main level of the home. The client wanted an attractive garden bed running next to the front entrance of the house. Not being gardeners themselves, the clients wanted a low maintenance garden and didn’t mind waiting for small plants to grow to full size. Additionally, with lots of deer in the area, the client wanted deer proof plants, those that deer do not enjoy nibbling on.
The before picture shows that the garden bed had recently been striped down and didn’t have much growing in it. Notably there was also a dead zone near the house, as an overhanging deck did not allow water to naturally enter this zone.
Before Photo: Spa Garden Makeover
With some creative thinking we suggested that the client bend the straight line of the current garden bed, making a nice smooth curved line from the corner of the house to the far corner of the garden bed.
For the dead zone near the house, we suggested using river rock, an attractive choice of stone since the stones are bigger they look more showy and weeds will not easily gain a foothold. The option would have been to bring in soil to this dead zone and ensure that it was watered regularly. This is challenging for any gardener no matter how much effort they are willing to put into their garden beds, as even a short holiday without someone watering will leave that part of the garden parched.
In terms of the choice of plants we suggested deer proof and heat tolerant plants, such as Lavender, Heather, different Grasses and Miniature Fir.
The following photo shows two different grasses, Euphorbia, Miniature Fir and Lavender. Note the different textures and color, and, of course, the spacing. The grasses will eventually make just one large clump and look more eye catching and full. I look forward to seeing the same bed in 12 months!
After Photo: Spa Garden Makeover
