Fine Gardening Magazine

Written for passionate gardeners, Fine Gardening provides inspired ideas backed by detailed instructions for creating healthy gardens, outdoor rooms, and beautiful landscapes suited to the region. Horticulturists, nurserymen, and designers share their expertise on plants, care, soil, eco-friendly pest control, propagation, design, and landscaping.

Finding common ground with Fido

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OVER THE FENCE • | READER COMMENTS AND OPINIONS |

Fine Gardening Magazine

CONTRIBUTING THIS ISSUE

READERS’ TIPS •  | FROM ONE GARDENER TO ANOTHER |

GARDEN SHED •  | BOOKS WITH FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO INSTRUCT AND INSPIRE |

SUPER COOL PLANTS •  | FIND OUT WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE GROWING |

GARDEN PHOTO OF THE DAY • A space created with Chinese design elements and English garden aesthetics

RESTORATIVE LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BALANCING OPEN SPACE WITH PRIVACY • Use well-designed fencing and layered plantings to define outdoor rooms with style

Create a privacy fence that’s worth a second look • The fence that encloses the side and back gardens offers visual appeal without overwhelming the space. Vertical posts are clad with horizontal bands of hardwood, staggered so the planks on one side cover gaps on the other. Both faces of this neighbor-pleasing privacy screen look equally beautiful.

ADAPTABLE NATIVE PERENNIALS • Consider these beauties the next time you need resilient plants that are able to withstand variable site conditions

HOW TO TELL IF A PLANT NATIVE TO ONE REGION MIGHT DO WELL ELSEWHERE • There are a number of clues that indicate the potential for a native plant to be widely adaptable. In general, this information can be found by looking at the characteristics or stressors of the plant’s original native ecosystem. There are also physical characteristics that are telltale signs of adaptability. When evaluating a native plant’s flexibility, ask these questions.

4 TIPS FOR INCORPORATING NATIVE PLANTS INTO YOUR GARDEN • Adding native plants into an established garden design can sometimes feel tricky or daunting. Many get tall but then flop over, quickly creep across open real estate, or generously seed around. There are several tricks for managing native plants to keep them tamed and looking beautiful in more refined settings.

THE SCIENCE OF SOIL HEALTH • With careful observation and a few simple tests, you will help your garden reach its full potential

DESIGNING A BEAUTIFULLY LUSH, dog-friendly GARDEN • Thoughtful details can turn an ordinary backyard into the ultimate play space for people and pets

Ways to make pets feel welcome • It seems like we often talk about ways to keep our beloved pets out of our garden spaces, but we seldom think about ways to welcome them in. Simple details can be found throughout this beautiful space that are specifically aimed at making the resident doggies happy. Incorporating these elements lets four-legged family members know where they are allowed to roam and helps them feel more at ease.

8 gorgeous, dog-friendly plants • One might argue that all plants are beautiful, but not all plants are well-suited to a garden that is frequented by pets. The following are some offerings from this landscape design that are of particular interest, adding lushness without being potentially dangerous if they are nibbled on by your pups.

TRULY DEER-RESISTANT EVERGREENS • If herbivores are ruining your landscape treasures, these picks stand the best chance of staying unscathed year-round

3 different ways to use evergreens in the landscape • There are many opportunities for these structural woodies to give your design a boost or increase its functionality. Depending on your needs, you can use evergreens to create a hedge or screen a view, or as...