Get out in the Garden

Bring the Comfort of Home Outside

By Jacqueline Rupp

When summer arrives, there's no better way to spend your time than outside. The backyard, deck or patio can become some of the most usable space of the house. With so much time spent outdoors, it makes sense to create a welcoming, relaxing space with the same amount of detail to decorating as is given to any other "room." But sometimes taming the wild and bringing the comforts of home outside can be rather intimidating. However, with the right planning and a bit of planting and decorating, that boring backyard can be transformed into a versatile family fun spot.

If you've decided to upgrade that standard square of lawn into a functional, stylish retreat, here are steps to ease the transition. Mary Donovan, owner of Donovan Design in Georgia, has over 25 years' experience with interior, exterior and landscape designing. Her advice for the standard lawn: "Let's make it more interesting! You can do that by adding paths and seating areas made out of pavers or stone. Another suggestion would be to bring in soil and create some raised planting areas."

One trip to Chanticleer Garden, a 35-acre pleasure garden located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and it's easy to be inspired to create a beautiful landscape. R. William Thompson, the executive director of Chanticleer, has some suggestions on how to create a breathtaking landscape in your own backyard. "I think No. 1 is to think about what pleases you; do something to make your own garden special," he says. "Freedom of design is key. Let your imagination guide you to making the garden you really want."

When selecting plants for the garden, first think native. Not only will they attract songbirds and butterflies, but the plants native to your area will also be perfectly suited to the climate and therefore need less care. However, Thompson suggests something a bit more exotic. "We use a lot of tropical plants," he says. "This allows us to use plants that thrive in the heat of the summer – when many plants are wilting – and create dramatic effects with color, height and texture. But we don't rely solely on flowers to give us color; we've planted much more colorful foliage for color and texture that lasts a lot longer."

When planting colorful flowers or foliage, Thompson also suggests creating dramatic effects by thinking big. "If you're tempted to plant 10 daffodils, instead plant 100 in one spot, and next year, plant 100 in another area," he says. "An easy way to add impact is by planting in huge clusters with one color."

Want to see more?

• Backyard Remedies: Growing Your Own Medicinal Garden
• Exterior Design: Pinpointing Your Garden Furniture Style
• How Does Your Garden Grow? Teaching Your Child the Art of Gardening
• Talk about it!