If you're the type of person who is thrilled to get a pallet of rocks for Christmas, you're going to love this new series.
For gardeners, one of the hardest objectives to accomplish is keeping the yard looking good and interesting throughout the year. To help us with that, lifetime master gardener Crystal Eskola has agreed to share her garden through the four seasons. We'll visit with Ms. Eskola throughout the year to see how she does it in her fabulous and creative yard.
Ms. Eskola creates year-round interest in the landscape by choosing plants that peak in different seasons, and by using shapes and textures that complement each other.
Entering her yard in National Hills is like stepping into a magical place. She started with two pine trees and a crape myrtle in the front yard in 1992. It's hard to imagine how it might have looked then, when now there is a rich tapestry of plants that fill the spaces along a chipped bark pathway.
Ms. Eskola uses evergreen plants to keep the yard full of life throughout the seasons. She also makes use of layers, blending plants together, such as placing shade-loving gingers under taller ferns planted under ornamentals and trees.
A hearts-a-bustin', a midsize plant near the center of the front yard, is putting on a terrific show, with its red casings that open each fall to reveal orange berries.
When considering a plant for the landscape, investigate what it will look like in all four seasons. Witch hazel is beloved by many because it usually has the first blooms of the year. But seeing its fall colors, like the one that shimmers in Ms. Eskola's yard, is enough reason to bring one home.
Having good bones is an important attribute for a plant in the nontraditional blooming season. Ms. Eskola uses cedars.
"I love cedar trees. I think they're the best trees in the world." She has some beauties, too, including the weeping varieties.
Ms. Eskola's backyard is a private oasis that she and her husband, George, hate to leave regardless of what the weather is.
Off the back porch is a pond that Ms. Eskola built from the pallets of rocks she received one Christmas and for a birthday. The pond is self-sustaining. The leaves fall in and decompose, providing food for the goldfish which dart between the water plants.
A huge bunch of horse tail, and pots of orange tea olive and walking stick give the area height. Below those canopies are several varieties of ferns and gingers.
Ms. Eskola built paths that meander through the backyard. Plants were chosen not only for her enjoyment but to provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. The birds flitter between the native azaleas, black dragon, beauty berry bush and bear breeches.
The backyard is a certified wildlife habitat. The birds and other wildlife help themselves to figs, blueberries and paw paws when they're in season.
In the center of the backyard are sections of traditional flower beds. She has a full container of lettuce growing, its shape contrasting with nearby plants to provide interest without bold colors.
Ms. Eskola adds additional color for yearlong interest by accenting with artwork and beautiful pots filled with plants.
She also makes use of dead wood in interesting shapes. Birds love to use the dead tree sections as perches.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
IN THE GARDEN
In the Garden is a roundup of gardening events, club meetings and seminars. Send listings to sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com or post on Garden Gnome at blogs.augusta.com.
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