Get in shape!

Wandering past Rainbow Row in Charleston, I turned toward the Battery and peered into the beautiful gardens lining the park. The one above particularly caught my eye. At first glance it appears not only opulent and beautifully tended, but intricate. The kind of outdoor space that draws us in, yet at the same time deflates us. How could we possibly have such a lovely landscape without a full-time gardening staff?

We can! By incorporating the right materials into a clever design, any garden can look lush without extravagant cost--in cash or time. If you look closely at the layout you'll see basic principles at play. First we'll look at garden style. This one is fairly symmetrical, in keeping with the traditional nature of the historic Charleston area.

Next, let's break down the design. It appears the landscape architect cut the yard into curved rooms, each one surrounded by boxwood walls. Breaking up a large area into various shapes adds character to a space. Ovals and circles create interest in square or rectangular yards. Outlining each shape in evergreen hedging is rather like putting a frame around a photograph--it highlights what's inside and manages to look properly presented.

Finally, we'll focus on materials. Flowerbeds appear to be edged in reclaimed bricks, a natural selection for this stately landscape. Traditional garden statuary, wrought-iron gates and a brick wall enclose the area and ramp up the charm factor, while crushed stone defines the garden paths.

The initial cash outlay is considerable, since it takes a few hundred plants to produce the hedging effect, yet each boxwood plant in the heart of the space is small (only the mature hedge along the left side of the yard has attained 3-4 feet). Many nurseries sell in bulk, so check into the possibility before purchasing plants. It's possible to get each 1-2 foot plant for five or six dollars. The good news is, if planted and tended properly, a good hedge will last for many years. As for plants inside each hedged area...be creative. Go formal with roses or crazy exotic with yucca and prickly pear. Your designs are limited only by your imagination.

Bricks, stone, concrete statues and wrought iron gates can be costly, so incorporate them into your garden a little at a time. Peruse quarries and plant nurseries in the off season in order to score some bargains. Hit up the discount home goods stores in search or special outdoor finds.

As for maintenance, hedges are deceptively easy to keep in shape. Invest in a good electric trimmer and hit your hedge once a month to keep stray branches at bay. It may seem like a lot of work, but spending an hour or so each month equals a four-hour investment per summer. Easy peasy.