Episode 172: Focal Points with Susan Morrison

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Susan Morrison , owner and chief designer atCreative Exteriors Landscape Design ,   has create C of gardens in California ’s East Bay area . Her designs contain well-heeled out-of-door rooms into landscape of all sizing , from hillside estates to postage - stamp front yards .

Susan’shome gardenfeatures thoughtfully arranged space for relaxing and toy with enfolded in an artful , water - wise plant palette . Focal point plants in primal locations pass the center through the landscape painting , inviting visitors to explore . In this episode , Susan report her thought process for siting focal stop plants , and shares some of the eye - catching cultivars she uses most often .

Susan ’s favorite focal point plant include :

‘ Sango Kaku ’ coral barque maple   ( Acerpalmatum‘Sango Kaku ’ , Zones 5–9 )

Zebra grass ( Miscanthussinensis‘Zebrinus ’ , Zones 7–8 )

‘ Bright Star ’ yucca ( Yuccagloriosa‘Bright Star ’ , Zones 7–11 )

Whale ’s knife agave ( Agave‘Ovatifolia ’ , Zones 7–9 )

photo from Susan ’s home garden :

An expandable out-of-door mesa is an invite spot for entertaining .

localise a pot fountain near a seating area provides relaxing ambient phone as well as ocular stake .

A colorful backcloth draw the watcher ’s heart deeply into the garden .

preparation patio , paths , and circulation areas on paper will help you work out the honest solutions for your space .

see a spot for her favorite lounge chairs was a top priority for Susan .

Whale ’s tongue agave is plant almost to a path , so its beautiful coloring and grain can be fully apprise .

Birds enjoying a meal at the feeder are another fun focal percentage point in Susan ’s garden .

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