In the midst of a move from California to Massachusetts in January 2005 , Tingshu Hu and her husband , Philip Zhao , saw a single crabapple tree circumvent by deep C. P. Snow and grace with red yield that glimmer in the winter sun . Little did they know that this tree would be the spark of inspiration that would lead to the web of exuberant garden way that make up their pace today . enthrall , they know they needed a variety , like ‘ Prairiefire ’ crabmeat - apple ( Malus‘Prairiefire ’ Zones 4–8 ) , of their own . “ We were so impressed and decided to institute one in the center of our new backyard , ” Tingshu says . “ This is the first Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree we plant , and all the other plant and garden features were built around it . ”
Garden at a Glance:
placement : Dunstable , MassachusettsSize:1 acreZone:6
Conditions : Full sun to fond tint ; loamy soilAge:20 long time
As they puzzle out around this come out focal point , they pulled from the best factor of English and Taiwanese garden design to make a cohesive infinite that do to look far more tropical than a New England clime should take into account . “ The overall landscape figure was inspire by the four element of Chinese garden : plants , weewee , rocks , and structures , ” the duo say . Tingshu handles the plant , creating heyday beds of “ organized chaos ” characteristic of English cottage gardens , while Philip builds the structures and captures the landscape beautifully in his picture taking .
As you might imagine , flowering trees and shrubs are essential plants in their pattern . Since the first crabapple investing , they have total 23 more flowering woodies to the property . Some other favorite admit their tears ‘ Louisa ’ crab apple ( Malus‘Louisa ’ , Zones 4–8 ) , eastern redbud ( Cerciscanadensis , Zones 4–9 ) , Stellar Pink ® dogwood tree ( Cornus‘Rutgan ’ , zone 5–8 ) , and ‘ Crimson Cascade ’ tears sweetheart ( Prunuspersica‘Crimson Cascade ’ , Zones 5–9 ) . However , their garden is plenteous with virtually every classification of plant . Tree and shrubs do not involve to bloom to be worthy of a blank space ; conifers , Japanese maples ( Acerpalmatumand curriculum vitae . , Zones 5–9 ) , and redtwig dogwoods ( Cornus sericeaand cvs . , Zones 2–7 ) add incredible leaf and barque interest . An abundance of bulb make an show in spring , and various perennials like catnip ( Nepetaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) , lady ’s mantle ( Alchemillamollis , Zones 4–7 ) , meadow rue ( Thalictrumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , and Nipponese sea anemone ( windflower hupehensis , Zones 4–8 ) provide a range of colors and texture from March to October . cosmetic grasses mince edges while ground covers like ‘ Magic Carpet ’ creeping thyme ( Thymusserpyllum‘Magic Carpet ’ , Zones 4–9 ) and ‘ Baby Tears ’ sedum ( Sedumalbumvar.chloroticum‘Baby tear ’ , Zones 4–9 ) fill up up the gap .
The element of water was added in the form of two gorgeous pond , and voluminous rock found on the property meant free material for creating retaining walls . Philip has been intemperate at piece of work in the years since moving to his unexampled home building pergolas , pergola , fences , patios , paths , bridges , a glasshouse , and even an aquaponics system . From designing to construction , the duo make everything themselves .
Of course , nothing this rewarding is without its challenges , and Tingshu and Phillip have dealt with two small but persistent pests : hare and voles . cony - proof fencing covers three - quarters of their lot , offering protection to many of their esteem plant , but vole call for a bit more creativeness . Planting the most tempting specimens within metal mesh baskets has help , though it greatly increase maintenance penury . Peppermint ( Mentha×piperita , Zones 5–8 ) prove to be somewhat in effect in deterring their vole , but its strong-growing spreading is not easily check . The best method acting so far has been supporting a maturate population of garden snakes . “ We ’re in reality very happy to see the ophidian , which some might find odd , ” Tingshu says .
As the garden proceed to produce and evolve around that original crabapple that started it all , the assortment and composition of plant , water , rocks , and various structures continue to elevate the design . With each passing year , more garden room emerge for Tingshu , Phillip , and their two dogs , Luke and Deedee , to enjoy .
Photos : courtesy of Philip Zhao
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One tree started it all.After seeing a crabapple in full bloom nearby, the owners of this garden knew they needed a similar specimen in their new landscape. After debating which variety was the most showy, they settled on the cultivar ‘Prairiefire’. The rest of the beds and borders were then built and planted to complement that focal point woody.
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A move from the West to the East turned them into avid gardeners.Tingshu and Philip never dreamed that relocating from California to New England would spark a new passion for plants.
Dense plantings reduce maintenance and increase interest.Each of the garden areas in this compact lot are packed tightly with plants. Sturdy perennials like ‘Hummelo’ betony (Stachysofficinalis‘Hummelo’, Zones 4–8) and ‘Zagreb’ threadleaf tickseed (Coreopsisverticillata‘Zagreb’, Zones 3–9) are interplanted with mat-forming ground covers including various sedums and thymes. The knitted matrix leaves little room for weeds to muscle in.
Although spring is colorful, the vibrancy is at its peak in midsummer.You’ll find an assortment of early-blooming, small trees in the backyard, but when summer arrives, it’s the perennials’ and annuals’ time to shine. Surrounding the patio and seating areas with an array of hues ensures that the scene is always eye-catching during the season that the couple (and their visitors) are outside the most.
Water is an essential element to the design.As one of the central tenets of Chinese gardens, water plays an important role in this space. Two ponds bring a serene quality to the property and allow the gardeners to grow moisture-loving plants like lotus (Nelumbo nucifera, Zones 4–9).
Various plant types mingle in perfect harmony.Although colorful annuals like zinnias (Zinniaspp and cvs.) and salvias (Salviaspp. and cvs.) stand out the most, a supporting cast of tough perennials and soft-textured ornamental grasses serve as a backbone to the main garden.
The front garden is just as showy as the back.When you pull up in front of this Massachusetts house, you instantly know that a pair of talented gardeners lives here.
