What makes broadleaved evergreen trees essential to garden design?
It’s much easier to have a living room when you have walls. An evergreen-tree background can really bring life to the details in front. Or, a bold evergreen tree in focus, like one of the new Chinese magnolias with copper fur on stems and buds, and rows of fragrant white flowers for months in early spring is enough to make everyone happy. Q: You are noted for the edgiest of new plant introductions. What’s next in “zonal denial”? A: That’s a phrase we came up with a dozen years ago. Now we’re working with “crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle.” For example, we have our courtyards where we really water and nurture bold texture like hardy palms, ferns and gunnera. On the periphery, we’re placing large forms of native manzanitas, Pacific Coast iris and low-water, low-chemical-input exotics like Yucca rostrata. Q: How does plant love inform good design? A: We need to remind ourselves there’s a limitless palette. Don’t assume that because the climate’s very hot or very cold, you can
