In the next several weeks, I'll be starting a new project on the grounds that is going to utilize the idea of repetition.  Many successful gardeners use this idea to bring their spaces together. Through the use of same/ similiar plants, a unified bond is created in the garden that makes everything look planned out and organized. People's eyes are naturally drawn to these groupings of plants. Here are several ways to do this......

Lantana planted in a row makes a nice pathway into your home from the garden.

One is to put the same plant in various spots around the garden to "balance" out the landscape.  By doing this, the garden will feel even.  Second is to put a row of plants together either to create a natural fence or a barrier to hide a road or a neighbor's yard.  There are many other uses for barriers but these are just a couple that come to mind.  What are some plants that I use for repetition in the gardens?  Prickly Pear, San Pedro Cactus, Oleander, Nandina, Bouganvillea, Mexican Palms, Buddha's Belly Bamboo, and Lantana. This is what works in my area but you are by no means limited.  This can be used with ANY plant! So how do I organize the plants stated above at my place?

Roses, grouped together, create a color patch around trees, ramadas, etc.

Let's start with nerium first. The oleanders here are all red flowers(I like this color), check to make sure you have the same color before purchasing and make sure you purchase them all together.  The best time to do this is when the oleanders have flowers on them at your local gardening center.  Here they are placed along a rotting fence and will eventually create a natural fence.  The Nandina is planted sporadically around the property just to balance out the random/showcase plants in other places.  This plant is prominently used in the courtyard and in the North Planters.  Bamboo is placed in the Southern planters because they love the sun. Lantana is used to create a natural walkway to guide visitors onto the property.

Oleander makes a wonderful natural fence

Here are the best parts.  What is the minimal number of plants used to create this unifying look in the garden? The answer.... 3.  For some reason, a repetition of 3 seems to be the magic number. How do you use it in your own garden?  Well for example, I put all my Mexican Birds of Paradise together to create a ferny patch in front of our Canary Palm.  We also have a random HUGE palm growing on the property that had nothing to match it so I purchased 2 other palms and spread them out on the courtyard.  This will eventually create the holy triad and make that lonely palm fit in with everything else.

Bamboo can create a wonderful private screen.

Pairs.  They are also fine like our two large oak trees or bouganvilleas that "frame" the entrance ways or create a canopy over our courtyard. Note that I used the word "frame" with two plants.  Groupings also work well.....like in rose gardens.

Ferny leaves can create a similiar plantings effect....and another way to look at repetition....

You mentioned cactus.  How do you use these? Any place that a trespasser can cross is where a Prickly Pear or San Pedro cactus will be located which leads me into my project for this spring. I will be placing 10 whiskey barrels together that will create a unified cactus garden and make our front entrance pop.....and it will protect our front property from people who don't belong there.  In the upcoming month, I'll have more reporting and images using this idea of repetition.

Too many palms together....much better spread out over a larger area.

Repetition with similiar/same plants allows you to showcase your favorite trees, bushes, or smaller plants. It allows you to play around with new designs over the years within a natural design.  Try it out and see what happens:)  Until next time, happy gardening!

The project on the property for Spring.  The front will be redressed with a repetitive cactus garden in whiskey barrels.

Labels: balance, bouganvillea, cactus garden, garden project, heavenly bamboo, Mexican Bird of Paradise, nandina, Natural fence, Nerium, prickly pear, Repetition, whiskey barrels

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Bouganvillea is a wonderful plant. However if it is planted carelessly like here by people's doors, it can scar you for life....literally.  These two plants were here when I moved onto this property 3 years ago.  Anyone who works with this plant knows how thorny it is and how it can really scratch you up.  It also has a natural spreading habit.  I do like how these plants frame this stucco building....and if there is one thing that makes stucco stand out, it's bouganvillea.  For that reason, I do not want to remove these dangerous bushes.  For the first year, I cut them down to the ground, but they came back stronger, bushier, and thornier than ever.  There are blood stains to prove it.  During times of pruning, it is not uncommon for passerbys to hear me cursing under my breath at the idiot who planted these on the property....everytime you prune a branch off...several more thornier ones grow back....so what do you do to combat the issue?......shape with wire!

Rule 1....wear gloves.  You'll still get scratched and stuck but you'll minimize the bodily damage.  The picture above is bouganvillea restrained with wire.  Begin by wiring close branches together and then onto the major branches.  Wire more with twisty ties so that in case one branch lets go because of a wind storm etc, you'll have others there to prevent the branches from flying out and lashing their victims. I learned that lesson the hard way.  These plants are also anchored to the building at three levels....low, medium, and high. There is an actual anchor screwed into the building that will hold these plants in place.  That was probably the trickiest for me, but once you have the main branches anchored, the rest will all easily tie together and create a beautiful green column that won't poke anyone's eyes out.  This procedure also works with bamboo or any type of bushy plant.  The rule of thumb with bouganvillea is to plant it away from walkways or where people pass by because of the nasty thorns on the branches.  It can be dangerous so have people spot you when working at the higher levels.  When shaped or structured, bouganvillea will make a striking addition to your garden.....Here are some pointers on growing this plant.....sun, sun, sun if you want those beautiful leaves so plant in FULL sun.  It's best if they are planted near a ramada style building or against strong wiring.  Once established, this plant will rarely need watering. In fact, I don't water this plant at all.  Here is a fascinating regional fact.  In Tucson, this plant will, normally, lose its' leaves during winter while in Phoenix, this plant thrives and blooms all year round.  This heat loving plant can be seen everywhere along the interstate of Phoenix and in the gardens around this hot city.  Phoenix is hell and plants have to be tough to live there.  I may not be a fan of this city but I am jealous about two things that grow very well there .....bouganvillea and banana plants.  Banana plants here have to be protected from the frost and WIND.  However, back to my point....if you are moving to Phoenix or live there, I would highly recommend bouganvillea somewhere around your house away from entrances....it is definitely a xeric plant once established.  Until next time, Happy Gardening!!

Labels: bouganvillea, shaping

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