Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’ is a cultivar discovered by Mike Tristram of the United Kingdom. It’s by far one of our favorites as well as a top seller. Its dark foliage almost appears black. It would go great in any dark themed garden, or as a contrast against something more yellow or chartreuse. ‘Black Scallop’ does great in containers and looks exceptional coupled with light or silver foliage plants. In addition, its spikes of blue flowers stand out against the dark foliage.
As with many ajugas, this plant spreads by above ground runners. After it flowers in spring, it sends out runners in all directions. If the runners are rooted, they are easily dug up before they are too well established. Ajuga can take full sun or partial shade. he more sun this cultivar receives, the darker the foliage will be.
The placement of your space is an important consideration. Ideally you want it to be close to the house. Be sure to allow plenty of space outside your doorway. It should be easy to get in and out of your home, say, to safely carry food and drinks.
As of late, more and more people are entertaining at home. This being said, people are striving to find ways to more effectively utilize the space they already have. The back yard is one such space. It’s not just for children and overgrown grass any more. It’s become an extension of the interior of the home. There is a growing trend of moving the indoors outside and creating living spaces such as family rooms and dining rooms in the backyard. The following are some ideas on how to do so.
Of course having a roof over everything would be nice. Covered patios are one option. We’ve created many from cedar, which is weather-proof and beautiful to look at. Don’t have the money for a project so big? A pop-up tent awning may suffice. Or, bridge the gap between fancy and convenient with a decorative wrought iron framed canopy. Just want some shelter from the shade? A simple sun umbrella will do the trick just fine.
Our motto at Falling Water Designs is “Balance in your life, through beauty in your garden”. Our goal is to provide our customers a space to recharge and re-energize, or to relax and reflect. Getting back to nature doesn’t require a trip to the mountains or the beach, it can happen in your own garden. We don’t want you to just have a beautiful garden that you enjoy from the kitchen window, but an outdoor space that calls you out into it to spend time there. One way to get you to spend time in your garden is to ensure that you purchase comfortable outdoor furniture. When you choose bargain furniture like those pre-formed plastic stacking chairs or other uncomfortable furniture you’re likely to sit in it for only a few minutes until you decide you’d be more comfortable on the sofa inside the house. So choose furniture that is both comfortable and made for the outdoor environment. Some outdoor furniture is made to be under-cover in a protected space. Other furniture can stay out in the rain and still be fine. Choose first on comfort, then style. You should sit in the furniture before you buy it and really see if it is as comfortable as it looks. Sometimes the backs of the chairs are too reclined or the seat of the sofa is too deep to be comfortable, so try them out before you purchase.