From coast to coast, you’ll find large swaths of postage-stamp properties, lovingly referred to as cookie-cutter homes, popularized during the 1950s postwar-era housing boom. Located just outside of city centers, these houses have a lot to offer—manageably sized lots within walking distance to urban amenities, just to name a couple. What often irks these property owners, however, is the lack of outdoor living spaces and the missing “wow-factor.” That’s where garden designers like Stacie Crooks come into play. In this feature article from Fine Gardening Issue 220, Stacie explains the process she used to transform a Seattle cookie-cutter property into an outdoor oasis (read more about this garden here). A good deal of credit goes to the alluring and diverse plant palette she used. The following are many of the plants that you’ll see in this eye-catching landscape.

1. ‘Spring Bouquet’ laurel viburnum (Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’, Zones 7–9) *in container
2. ‘Kaleidoscope’ abelia (Abelia × grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’, Zones 6–9)
3. ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9)
4. Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Zones 5–9)
5. Bear’s beeches (Acanthus mollis, Zones 7–10)
6. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9)
7. Golden Spirit ™ smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Ancot’, Zones 5–8b)
8. Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Gerwat’, Zones 5–8)
9. Japanese maple
10. ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum atropurpureum ‘Bloodgood’, Zones 5–8)
11. Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’, Zones 3–9)
12. Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum tomentosum ‘Mariesii’, Zones 5–8)
13. ‘Cappuccino’ New Zealand hair sedge (Carex tenuiculmis ‘Cappuccino’, Zones 7–9)
14. ‘Spring Bouquet’ laurel viburnum
15. Vine maple (Acer circinatum, Zones 5–9)

1. ‘Helen von Stein’ lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Helen von Stein’, Zones 4–8)
2. ‘Cappuccino’ New Zealand hair sedge
3. Rozanne geranium
4. ‘Firefly’ heather (Calluna vulgaris ‘Firefly’, Zones 4–9)
5. ‘Valley Cushion’ mugo pine (Pinus mugo ‘Valley Cushion’, Zones 2–7)
6. ‘Hidcote’ English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, Zones 5–11)
7. David viburnum (Viburnum davidii, Zones 7–9)
8. Rozanne geranium
9. ‘Katsura’ andromeda (Pieris japonica ‘Katsura’, Zones 5–8) *in container
10. Upright Irish yew (Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’, Zones 6–9)
11. ‘Color Guard’ yucca (Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’, Zones 4–10)
12. ‘Lucifer’ crocosmia (Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Zones 5–9)
13. Weeping Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus ‘Pendula’, Zones 3–8)

1. ‘Helen von Stein’ lamb’s ears
2. ‘Spring Bouquet’ laurel viburnum
3. Rozanne geranium
4. Vine maple
5. ‘Orange Rocket’ barberry (Berberis thunbergii* ‘Orange Rocket’, Zones 4–9)
6. ‘Firefly’ heather
7. ‘Hidcote’ English lavender
8. David viburnum
9. Japanese maple
10. ‘Moon Bay’ heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica* ‘Moon Bay’, Zones 6–9)
11. ‘Cappuccino’ New Zealand hair sedge
12. ‘Firefly’ heather
13. Japanese maple
14. Golden Spirit ™ smoke tree

*This plant can be considered invasive in certain areas of the country.

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Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

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Gardener's Log Book from NYBG

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This weatherproof five-year log book includes the following features: · Sturdy waterproof cover to protect pages from rain and muddy soil · Lined pages and gridded paper for plotting beds · Five years of 12-month bloom and harvest grids for recording what you planted and when · Authoritative appendices on composting, pruning, pest and disease control, and container gardening · Useful reminders by season on fertilizing, mulching, and transplanting · Space for listing your favorite sources and suppliers.

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Alpine Corporation 28" Tall Outdoor Birdbath with Scrollwork Decoration Yard Statue

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STUNNING BIRDBATH: Quality birdbath is sure to attract feathered friends and create a charismatic ambiance for your garden, patio, deck, yard, or other outdoor space. SHALLOW SHAPE: Shallow and wide bowl assures that multiple small birds can drink and bathe safely at the same time BEAUTIFUL DESIGN: Luxurious and antique styling adds a touch of elegance to your garden or yard. DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Polypropylene material resists rust and damage from the elements while the sturdy base prevents the birdbath from tipping over. IDEAL SIZE: Birdbath measures 20" L x 20"W x 28"H, the perfect size for your yard, and includes a one-year manufacturer's warranty from date of purchase.

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