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Mike Banks wasn't thrown off bY hishome's wedge-shaPe lot. With goodplanning, he infused the garden withcharm and privacy while making itmore useful as well,

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EX******r*":'i*sidewalks on two sides, his wedge-shape corner lotwas far from the secluded space Mike desired, andhe discovered that transforming the space woulddemand a plan for the long haul. "When I boughtthe house 15 years ago, I knew the things I wanted;a sitting area, a private space, and definition of thefront and back," Mike says. "l mapped out addi-tional hardscape segments over time."

The 7OO-square-foot garden came to life step-by-step, as finances permitted and Mike's under-standing of the space grew. The garden's first build-ing block was a black aluminum fence to thwartpedestrians who walked through the yard. Thefence defined the garden space, which Mike oeganto cultivate.

"l spent a lot of time reading garden books andmagazines, gleaning an understanding of how towork with space," he says. "l understood that a big

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OPPOSITE: Lush plantingsand tall evergreensembrace the pond andpergola with an air ofprivacy. The water andgardens have lured acricket chorus to take upresidence. ABOVE: Mikeoften savors morningcoffee while surveying hiswork in the garden.

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80 Garden ldeas & Outdoor Living . SpRtNG 2009

triangle is nothing but a big triangle untilyou divide itinto smaller spaces." The divisions evolved naturallyas Mike lived in the space. For instance, the brickpath developed after he noticed his routes throughthe yard. "l used mulch to define the path for a fewyears and then bought recycled bricks from a localdump for 10 cents apiece," he says. "l laid the her-ringbone path, tucking the edges under a stackedslate bed edging."

A garden bench beside a pond soon required abrick pad, which then called for a pergola. "When itwas a bench, I wanted space for others to join me inthe garden, so I built a brick pad for furniture," Mikesays. "Then I realized it was hot out there in theafternoon, so I added a pergola for shade." Sweetautumn clematis will eventually scramble across thetop of the pergola to deepen the shade.

Like the entire garden, the pergola is readily vis-ible from the sidewalk. Accordingly, Mike sited it soit would look good from every direction. A combi-nation of lattice, ornamental grasses, and vines setthe stage for a secluded retreat, made more pleas-ant by a pond and trickling waterfall that drown outurban noise. "l can get lost in that space, watching

82 carden ldeas & Outdoor Living . SPRING 2OO9

the goldfish and listening to the water," Mike says."The sense of seclusion is only broken if someonepassing by speaks to me."

Gardening next to public spaces presents chal-

lenges. "l learned quickly that I had to be care-

ful about putting plants that are way too inviting

too close to where people pass," Mike says. The

Victorian-style Ience not only dissuades flower pick-

ers but also complements the many old-fashionedplants, such as hydrangea and rose of Sharon lHi-biscus sgriocus). Evergreens absorb city sounds

while enchancing the garden's feeling of peaceful

shelter. There are also hostas for texture, daylilies

for blooms, and coleus for a pop of annual color.

With vibrant bulbs in spring, perennials in sum-

mer, and evergreens year-round, Mike's garden

provides an ever-changing tableau. "ln the begin-

ning, I had what I thought was a master plan, but

that's not what the garden morphed into," he says."My tastes matured based on observations of othergardens around the world. I learned by talking withpeople on the local garden walk, and the garden

evolved." The result is an urban iunqle that offers

an everyday escape. E

OPPOSITE: A topiary juniper adds balance to thefront of the house. RIGHT Two specimens of roseof Sharon form a living arboi creating a naturalfeeling of enclosure.

the shrubs to maintain a treelike

appearance, and nourishes themwith compost-enriched soil.

r Add hardscape slowly. Lethardscape grow over time, asyour budget allows and your

tastes mature. Choose materialsthat complement one another,

and avoid including too manyhardscaoe elements.

r Count on foliage. Include plants

with variegated and colorful foliageto sound steady noies of color inyour plantings. A burgundy{intedleaf doesn't fade like a flowerblossom; it lingers all season long.

GREAT GARDEN DESIGNGrooming a tiny yard into a gardenescape requires focus from start tofinish. Follow Mike Banks'tios todesign a gorgeous garden.

r Know your space. The biggestobstacle is understanding yourspace. Learn where the sunlightfalls, where the shade pocketsgaiher, or where there's a heatisland effect. Pay attention to thespace and lei it guide your actions.

r Select shrubs with care. Mikechose rose of Sharon shrubs withmultiple trunks to form a livingarbor. Their small stature fitshis space perfectly. He prunes

SPRING 2009 . Garden ldeas & Outdoor Livinq 85