What does your garden look like from a deck or upper window?
room decorator talk about sight telephone line , which take the eye through gardens and footpath with a destination . In the Pacific Northwest we have another standpoint to deliberate . Many of our sign of the zodiac now have unlike level , with patios on the ground but also decks at a higher grade . Gardeners in these homes should consider what their gardens look like from above .
When viewing a garden from an upper point , it is important to debate what it looks like from a hiss ’s perspective . The pattern that the pathways and planting make are two areas that add visual interest . With the following snapshots from a nearby garden , I ’ll excuse more about how to design from the top down .
A winding, rocky path ties together a woodsy garden
In the top - down view above , you may see a firepit , a pathway , and a deck of cards to the side . At ground level , however , these destinations ca n’t be seen right on away . On the ground , you would go down a itinerary with a good sense of discovery drawing you to search further . From higher on the deck of cards , though , you could see the destinations and planting all at once . Large rocks near small-scale , evergreen tidy sum California fern ( Tsuga mertensiana , Zones 5–8 ) give you the feeling of being in an alpine part . This site is perfect for this native , which prefers moist air travel and cool summers . The flag has a unified texture and color , and the figure is clearly visible from above .
Textured foliage has added depth amid more-visible bed borders
The ferns in this scene above are set en masse , with the quilt - like form of William Green creating the feeling of a wood canopy from above . It reminds me of viewing tree fern from high mountain salary increase in Hawaii . Other views of this garden divulge pattern made with plants amid the great native trees on the fringes . In this more traditional garden bed , the habit of figure and hardscape are evident at ground level but are also crucial from above . Being immersed in the garden as you wander through is wonderful ; it has a second of riotous chaos and exuberance . From above , however , the restrictions of pavers , pathways , and raised bottom show the ordination amid the chaotic bed .
A bird’s-eye view lets you focus in on each section of the garden
you may see the full impact of this garden from above in this shot . Each scoop of the garden gasconade its own advantage decimal point to relax in . Here are just a few of them .
A shady sitting orbit
The sit down area is secluded and shady in an otherwise very assailable and gay garden . It ’s a welcome break after a tenacious day of puttering around in the garden .

A sunny patio
This maculation is a welcome gathering place to watch the sundown with family unit and booster , hem in by tropic foliage and bloom .
A summertime margin

At the border of the garden , the summertime border leads you along a drain swale that collect excess piss and diverts it into a grab washbasin . Each of these area continues to delight when see from above .
These examples can help you consider viewpoints and planting scheme in your garden . As great as it is to be plunge in the garden , it is also very substantial to see a unlike perspective from the deck , upper story , balcony , or stairway . programme for both on - the - ground and from - above standpoint when you have the opportunity .
— Susan Calhoun is the possessor of Plantswoman Design in Bainbridge Island , Washington .

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The symmetry of this patio’s hardscaping is best appreciated from the deck above.Photo: Susan Calhoun
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Hardscaping elements like the bridge, gravel connector, and flagstone path seem more unified and part of the design from above.Photo: Susan Calhoun

From the deck, you can see that the ferns below are circular in their splayed forms, which adds a new dimension to the design of the bed.Photo: Susan Calhoun

A wide shot of the entire garden provides the full effect of the garden’s design at once, allowing you to look at separate sections but also see the greater design connections between them.Photo: Susan Calhoun

Photo: Susan Calhoun

Photo: Susan Calhoun

Photo: Susan Calhoun


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