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Larry Sagers Horticultural Specialist Utah State University Extension Service Thanksgiving Point Office © All Rights Reserved Like many accomplishments in life, the hardest part of landscaping the home is knowing where to get started. Inspiration to find a starting point is often difficult. There are many sources of inspiration to help you decide on how to design and personalize your landscape.
Collect a scrapbook of ideas for landscape designs. Inspiration comes as you travel and take pictures of desirable landscapes. Clip pictures or articles from magazines, newspapers, or other sources. Collect and sort those according to various styles and determine what looks and feels right to you. This collection is a dynamic process and continue long after you have designed your landscape as you consider remodeling your plantings.
Another good sources of inspiration is artwork. Sculpture, photographic art, paintings, and other kinds of artwork provide good design characteristics and wonderful blending of colors. Look at advertisements that feature plant materials. Advertisers go to a great deal of trouble to find beautiful backdrops for their subjects. These are often private or public gardens.
Many public gardens are good sources of landscape design. Although your garden will not be as large as these formal and attractive gardens, small segments or areas contain ideas to incorporate into your garden. Parks, urban plazas, office buildings, shopping malls, and other kinds of professionally maintained landscapes also give ideas. Individual homes also offer excellent ideas. Snapping a quick picture gives you something to analyze and incorporate in your later designs.
Landscaping adds useable living area, increases property values and beautifies the home. A well designed landscape creates an aesthetic environment that is well worth the time, money and effort invested.
Landscape design is not just planting plants. Pleasing landscapes follow the same principles used in designing the interior of your home. Plants are great problem solvers to blend architectural features and natural features. Personal landscapes make creative statements that reflects your likes and dislikes. No two individuals are alike, and no two landscapes should be exactly alike. Add living beauty to your home through plants and related accessories.
Landscaping is a great investment. Good landscaping enhances the property value of your home if you decide to sell it. Beautiful landscapes give a positive first impression to give a faster sell. Surveys show that a well designed landscape will raise the property value between 10-30 percent. Well designed landscapes appreciate in value over the lifetime of the landscape and add significantly to the beauty, comfort, and financial return of the property.
For more information on Landscape design classes and other classes I am teaching log onto www.thanksgivingpoint.com and click on education or call Gretchen at 801 768 7443. Basic Landscape Design with Larry Sagers and Paul Quist. Join us for this fun and informative course, designed for homeowners either landscaping for the first time or remodeling an existing landscape. Learn the steps for creating a plan that you will enjoy. Master Gardeners from Utah State University Extension Service will help review your landscape plan. Fee: $40.00.
If you register for Basic Landscape Design and Selecting Plants for Utah Landscapes, the combined cost is only $60-a savings of $10! Class includes Designing Your Home Landscape booklet and a CD Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
Photography of Gardens and Plants with Larry Sagers You've probably seen Larry's award-winning photos in the Deseret News Sunday Home and Garden section. Now come learn the "how to's" of plant photography with this master of the art. You will also get a chance to show off your best photos. Fee: $30.00. Garden Season Pass Holders and Adventure Passport Holders class discounted to $25.00 Please bring a camera and slide film. Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
