Specialty Gardens

    Specialty gardens, or theme gardens, are gardens that have a specific reason for being. In their special way they provide a context for the design features. A theme provides a focus for the design and assists in determining the scope of what the end result may be. There must be an "essence" to each garden.

    EcoGardens approaches each garden design project from an ecologically sensitive point of view. Ecology, defined as the relationships and interactions between organisms, including humans, and their natural environment, is a part of the garden design from day one. Coupled into this approach are many design considerations. A simple checklist can include the following:

+ Client's vision	+ Size	+ Soil
+ Client's preferences	+ Colors	+ Sun and shade
+ Garden use	+ Texture	+ Water and drainage
+ Location	+ Landscape	+ Children
+ Native species	+ Hardscape	+ Animals and pets
+ Maintenance	+ Buildings	+ Rare species
+ Bloom times	+ Surroundings	+ Unusual species
+ Mature look	...and fit with master plan.

    Each of these major considerations has its own subset of factors to be assessed. For example, you need to consider the right bloom time along with the plants size and color. You may want a particular butterfly host plant that will set the parameters for the color scheme, etc. EcoGardens' job is to make these determinations and provide the information and choices you require to make YOUR decision on YOUR garden.

    Gardens come in many shapes and sizes, from small pocket plots of a few square feet to the rolling hillside tree and shrub landscapes. The following garden types are only a limited listing of the possibilities. Each consultation with a client will bring forth new ideas and considerations.

Rain Gardens + Children's + BayScapes + Ponds + Sculpture
Marsh Flowers + Wildflower Meadows + Rock and Wall + Healing
Sensory + Shoreline + Fern Grotto + Nooks + Patios and Pots
Monochromatic + Berry Patch + Historical + Butterfly
Hummingbird + Fall Color + Fragrance + Fire Pit + Foreign Theme
Gazebo + Contemplative, and many more unique gardens!

    Garden installation will depend very much on the type of garden under development. EcoGardens will work with recognized experts in various related fields to implement the design. Landscaping contractor partners who have proven track records will be used for such things as hardscape patios and large walls, pond installation, gazebo foundations, accent lighting, etc. as and if required. This implementation approach will be transparent to the client. EcoGardens will "manage" the project from start to successful finish. You deal only with EcoGardens.

The Arc MaryLandscapes Sensory Garden

    I first got involved in environmental gardeneing in 1999 as a volunteer with The Arc of Anne Arundel County. I designed, raised needed funds, and executed a project to build a Sensory Garden. The sensory garden concept was brand new with only two efforts underway, one in London, England and another in Chicago, IL. The initial funds came from the State of Maryland MaryLandscapes program for the Celebration of Year 2000. Additional grant funding was received from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) and the TKF Foundation. An additional $75,000 in value was raised through garden sponsorships and contractor labor and material donations.
    The Arc MaryLandscapes Sensory Garden was designed to meet the needs of people with developmental and physical disabilities. In essence, the garden is an urban mini-park that contains thirty-one small theme gardens design to activate one, or a combination of the five senses, from a Berry Patch to a Wetlands Pond. As a MaryLandscapes garden it meets the goal of using Maryland native plant species and gardening techniques to ensure it was "bay friendly," and will not require fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.