Green Retreat: An energetic gardener has transformed her Roanoke
lot into a verdant retreat, demonstrating that beautiful things
come in small packages.
by the pond in Betty Keyser’s Roanoke backyard,
you’d never guess that just a few blocks away
heavy traffic plied busy - Southwest Trafficway, or
that you were in the middle of an urban neighborhood
located within sight of the downtown skyline. No, you’d
think that you had hiked miles to a remote forest clearing,
just large enough to let the sun in to highlight the
many fish beneath the pond’s sparkling surface.
This is a shady place where you can be alone in nature.
The sounds of water splashing upon rocks from a small
waterfall compete only with the singing of birds and
the breeze blowing through the pines. Of course, that
was Betty’s intention all along; and she achieved
her goal. But it didn’t happen in just one gardening
season. This garden oasis took years to realize. And,
as most gardeners will attest, there never really is
a finishing point – there are always places opening
up for new actors on the garden stage, as some specimens
become too large and must be removed. ”It takes
a while to develop,” Betty notes. ”Some
things work and some things don’t work.”
It’s an exercise in trial and error. She dug the
pond herself in 1991, expanding the depression left
by an old swimming pool that she had removed. ”I
like a very natural, restful garden,” Betty explains
as she shows off her efforts. The backyard ”is
very shady and cool; a great spot to sit. I come out
here to read and end up looking at all the plants instead
in this woodsy natural environment.” And looking
at all the plants can take up an entire after- noon
if you let it, because so many different specimens have
been incorporated into this naturalized setting. Large
yews have been allowed to grow untrimmed around the
perimeter, where they compete with the serviceberry
trees, that serve as harbingers of spring in this area.
strains of deciduous magnolias add to the southern forest
setting, along with 1oblolly pines from Betty’s
native Maryland. The understory is a tangle of azaleas,
hostas, and ferns, especially Japanese painted ferns
– which have taken a special liking to this peaceful
environment, not to mention the soft green moss that
has volunteered between all the bricks on the surface
of the walkways. In the spring a riot of tulips will
steal the show for a while. Birds, of course, flock
to the place. ”I have cardinals that come to the
back door and beg. They do it every year, so the mother
is obviously teaching her young where to go for food,”
Betty says with a smile. ”I like to do at least
one major planting each year, so last spring I put in
the water oak.” It’s another paean to her
southern heritage; a number of southern plants thrive
in the secret, sheltered space. A chinquapin oak on
the back prop- erty line dictates that this is a shade
garden, so the emphasis is on attractive foliage rather
than floral display. Fall adds another colorful dimension
as the deciduous trees and vines turn brilliant colors
– especially the sourwood trees, whose red leaves
glow in the October sun. Flowers and tropical plants
are displayed in pots that flank wooden steps leading
to a glass-enclosed back sitting room that was added
to the house several years ago for enhanced garden viewing.
wasn't always like this. Betty, her late husband, and
two children moved to the house 23 years ago. The tiny
backyard got a lot more sun early on, so they grew vegetables.
But after the kids were grown and pursuing careers and
their own lives, Betty got the urge to gar- den in grand
style. Perhaps it was the influence of next-door neighbor
Brian Kissinger, a professional landscaper, who shared
his ideas and plant stock with her. Whatever it was,
her garden certainly stands up to and blends in with
the garden of the professional next door. What’s
surprising is the number of micro-environments you encounter
in this tiny urban yard. Plants are placed strategically
to force your gaze in intended directions. Focal points
capture the eye everywhere: turn a corner. and there’s
another bench; cross the brick patio, and here’s
a couple of Adirondack chairs where you can converse
with a friend. Let your eye wander, and there’s
a large urn that brings your gaze back to the front
of the property. ”I do everything in the garden
myself,” Betty says with obvious pride. ”My
challenge was to demonstrate how much vou can do with
a small plot.” Every inch of’ the midtown
lot is planted with trees, shrubs, and perennials. The
front yard, with its large trees, magnolias, azaleas,
and hollies, blends effortlessly with the two narrow
side strips, which are densely planted with rhododendron
and other ”woodsy natural stuff.” The south
side features a brick walkway that runs from the focal
point urn to a pergola constructed from stone pillars
found at an antique shop at 45th and State Line. From
the backyard, the urn in the distance is perfectly framed
by the pergola. Very natural in look, but very much
designed to effect that way. And that’s the quintessence
of fine garden design.
changes take imagination and determination and often,
an expert’s suggestions will help. Whether you
intend to work with a professional or do the job yourself,
consider this advice from landscape designer, Brian
A well-thought-out plan is the most important part
of any landscape design, Use your home’s plot
plan to make a map (double-check all the measurements).
Copy the plan (enlarge it a little, too) and draw
your present landscape on it. Use extra copies to
sketch out ideas.
– Every landscape has strengths and weaknesses,
Decide what to keep and what to take out. You may
have to be ruthless. Removing overgrown trees and
shrubs can be traumatic, but having sketched the look
of your new landscape may give you the courage to
make the cuts.
Observe traffic patterns in your yard and work with
them, It will be difl’icult or impossible to
grow grass where dogs run, under trees, or under the
children’s play equipment. Be realistic.
Make sure your proposed planting sites drain ivell,
Dig several test holes and fill them ivith water;
if water stands in the holes 10 to 12 hours, the grade
of the yard may need to be changed. This is a job
Take the time and trouble to improve the soil before
you plant anything. Organic material such as compost
improves the soil’s structure and adds nutrients.
Send soil samples to your local Extension Office and
follow Extension agents’ advice.
Resist the temptation to plan a landscaping project
as you wander around a nursery or garden center. Keep
your plan in mind, or better yet, in hand.
When you buy plants, ask for advice on their care
at the nursery or garden center. Make your own decisions,
but follow planting and care direc- tions. A professional
landscape architect nr garden designer should provide
writ- ten maintenance instructions.
Many gardeners want more color in their landscape,
but remem- ber that green is a color, too. Gray green,
olive green, blue green, and deep, for- est green
look dramatic together, and form sophisticated combinations
with fis- sured or smooth trunks of trees, red holly
herries, diEerent shapes and textures of leaves, and
the bony branches of deciduous trees in winter.
When designing paths and borders, consider the style
of your house. Straight lines are very formal. Symmetry
is formal. Curves are almost always more re.laxed.
If you have a large yard and want to landscape it
yourself, phase in the work, Assign priorities and
work on one phase at a time.