Training
Winter's
Creeper
Where I live, in the north east region of the United States, some climbing plants are hardy enough to grow woody with age. Commonly, English Ivy and Virginia Creeper can be seen scaling the exteriors of builds. Eventually, maturing into a massive leafy facade. This untamed aggression has a mixed bag of reviews. On one hand it is awesome to plants reach new heights and on the other it is a lot of effort to keep these climbers under control.
In basic, when a plant is given the opportunity to grow on a wall it is an open slate to grow wild and unrestricted. I propose designing a frame work for the plants to grow onto. Wide enough to keep growing tendrils from forming masses and extruded to the point where the plant is confined to the frame. For example, the Winter Creeper to the right will be trained into the trellis, which is shaped like a deciduous tree. Eventually it will grow into a sturdy mature form that will be able to support its own weight without the aid of the steel structure behind it.
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WHERE
PA
WHEN
March 2017
Deciduous Tree
Trellis
WHAT
WHERE
Hatboro, PA
Tree Matrix
WHAT
During the summer of 2016 I was contracted to do a very unique hillside planting. Do not let the boarding trees fool you by their size, the grade of the hill was fairly steep. Do to this slope and storm water runoff the home owners had to contend with erosion on the hill and a saturated lawn by the house. The solution to both issues came in the form of a tree matrix of various specimens that would fill, enhance, and strengthen that portion of the backyard.
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Just as important as the diversity of tree specimens was the arrangement between them. By staggering and angling trees on different horizon lines fewer plants would need to be planted in order to visually fill the space. Largely dense trees like Cryptomeria and Nootkatensis are impressive enough to embody larger areas. To provide texture and color I chose to us Hamamelis, Cornus, Fagus, and Carpinus cultivars. Furthermore, every tree planted provides more security against soil erosion because of their root systems. Yet, the real work is done by the two Taxodiums at the foot of the hill which, soak up much of the water runoff. Moreover, in ten to fifteen from now the homeowners will have a majestic backdrop to their pumpkin patch.
Hillside
Plantings
WHEN
July 2016
