One of the fastest growing hobbies over the past several years is gardening. With our long Canadian winters, we seek to spend as much time as possible outdoors in order to enjoy the long summer days.

Gardening is an excellent pursuit for reducing stress and making a difference in helping to create a more beautiful world. I chatted with Ray Hipworth who is a professional Landscape Designer to find out a bit more about gardening.

Paul: Why are so many people taking up gardening as a leisure activity?
Ray: The trend of gardening has resulted from 3 areas:

1. increased exposure in the media
   
2. increased focus on our homes - people view something in a magazine or at a friend's home that they like, and they want the same thing in their home
   
3. increased affluence - outdoor living is now an extension of interior design - people have more disposable income to put into gardening

Paul: When you visit a garden, what do you like to see?
Ray: A garden for all seasons. In winter, there should be nice branch work, different coloured branches and bark. In fall, there should be a display of different colours. A garden should have seasonal blooms from trees and shrubs from early spring (with bulbs), through summer (with annuals), and into fall (with fall berries). Also, walkways should be made of natural stone and should go with the style of the house and topography.

Paul: What is a common mistake that people make in their gardens?
Ray: People sometimes don't know the rules. They certainly know what they like, but may not know the environment or space in the garden to make a plant thrive. Everything grows and constantly changes with time, even the wind. A tree can overtake an entire garden and its systems. Selecting the right tree for the right site and determining what function the tree should take is critical.

Paul: What do you like to design for perimeter fencing?
Ray: Most fences are too detailed and draw a lot of attention. Avoid lattice details - keep it simple. Visual lines are very important to reduce the attention paid by the eye. Avoid monotony - randomly use 6" and 8" boards. California Redwood is an excellent material with softened lines. Plants, trees and vines can create lateral lines and smooth lines.

Paul: Can you explain some of the process involved in analyzing the design that a garden should take?
Ray: There are three levels in a garden: background, midground and foreground. They should be adequately balanced in terms of colour, texture, and feeling. Foliage is critical and the most potent factor. Foliage is the biggest part of any plant, but not necessarily the most important! Flowers are simply an added bonus. Keeping the balance in the garden flowing is the most important factor.

When I look at creating a garden design, I incorporate:

1. the view and orientation
2. drainage
3. flow
4. balance
5. maintenance
6. desires and likes of the property owner.

My goal is to create spaces in a garden and from each space, multiple views.

Paul: In the city many people have small urban spaces. What can they do to maximize the space?
Ray: In a small garden, one needs to start with smaller trees and fewer plants. If the lawn is too small, you don't need it. Patios and stonework add interest. Japanese Maples, Magnolias, container planting, Paperbark Maples, flowering Crab trees, and a small 2 square foot pond can enhance an urban space. Water features work well in a small garden. Natural ornamentation is also complimentary to a small space.

Paul: What are the latest trends in gardening?
Ray: People are trying more and more varieties of plants from around the globe. Plants that originate in similar hardiness zones. However, some plants take and some don't. Some defy the ecosystem and withstand.

Paul: Is there anything negative about mature trees in the city?
Ray: Often times, old trees in the city are in a state of decline. They may take more out of the ecosystem then they give back. Norway Maples are particularly a problem.

Paul: What is a good tip to camouflage an unpleasant view?
Ray: Poplars are too short lived. Chinese Elm is terrific to block views. They grow up to 30 feet. They are coarse, hearty and fast growing. Of course, you have to first determine the height that you want that you for the tree, in order to suit the purpose.

Paul: If someone purchased a brand new home without any landscaping, where should they start?
Ray: They should start by hiring a landscape designer. The landscape designer can bring landscape and house together so that it flows. "Less is more." It's best to spend the extra money and landscape the entire property at once (if the homeowner can afford it), especially if topsoil is being brought in. Landscaping can be very costly, particularly once driveways, walkways, patios, decks, fences, and plantings are brought into the equation.

Ray Hipworth, Landscape Designer
  may be contacted at (905) 318-0053

* not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale