TIPS ON LANDSCAPING AN ESPLANADE
By Dee Melancon Heights Garden Club (www.HeightsGardenClub.com)
When asked about the planting of beds in esplanades or neighborhood entrances, Terry Gordon Smith, a landscaper and horticulturist advised:
* Consider your “audience.” Most will see this garden from cars at 30 miles per hour, maybe up to 100 feet away.
* Select plants with some size and nice visual from a distance. Monochromatic themes present a larger combined visual from a distance. Yellow and red work well as themed colors.
* Plan and execute a “team” approach. One or two individuals can spearhead, but ongoing maintenance, (weeding, watering) should be a team effort, scheduled and executed
* Prepare beds to specifications of plants and bulbs that are to be used.
* An irrigation system is a must. Put on a timer. Individuals can adjust watering times based on the weather. Hand watering a large area is time consuming and less reliable.
“Currently, you can stroll Heights Boulevard and enjoy the “True North” exhibit, a temporary, outdoor art installation,” said Chris Silkwood. “The goal of the “True North” sculpture project is an exhibition that represents of local works of contemporary art by highly recognized Texas artists along the Heights Blvd. esplanade for the enjoyment of our community and visitors. The first True North sculpture project will remain for a period of nine months, and participating artists include Carter Ernst, Dan Havel, Paul Kittelson, Lee Littlefield, Patrick Medrano, Steve Murphy, Dean Ruck, and Ed Wilson.” – http://houstonheights.org/html/fun_run.html
