Home & Garden
Friday, February 22, 2002
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Soulful sanctuary A self-professed black thumb and a workaholic, hospital administrator K.K. Muranaka had no complaints that the garden at her rental townhouse was nothing more than concrete and gravel. It suited her fine -- one less thing to worry about and more time for work.
Well-selected plants, rocks and
fountain create a carefree retreatBut work isn't the only important thing in life, she realized. Persistent health problems led to a re-evaluation of her hectic schedule, and she decided she needed to stop and smell the flowers. It meant early retirement and a garden of her own.
"I think a garden is really important in the healing process. Nature can do wonders for the soul and mind," said Muranaka, who must monitor her diabetes and other health problems.
Coincidentally, a nearby waterfront townhouse came on the market last year, and Muranaka bought it to begin building a life of leisure. She was not deterred by the fact that the existing garden -- or the space allotted for it -- was one solid block of concrete.
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"I knew something could be done in that space. It's very small, but small can be nice, too. I think people don't even think about the possibilities when the space is that small," Muranaka said.She enlisted Terri and Greg Lee of Tropical Images Inc. to help her transform the 8-by-40-foot side yard into her dream garden. Her wish list included Hawaiian plants, a water feature (a gift from a friend) and flowers. And fearing she's still a black thumb, Muranaka asked that the upkeep be simple and minimal.
"I am afraid I will kill everything in the garden. Everybody in my family has a green thumb except for me. I really want a garden, but not a dead garden," Muranaka said.
So far, the 3-month-old garden has had no casualties, thanks to a sprinkler system and selection of hardy and suitable tropical plants. It is a thriving patch of contrasting greens accented with stepping stones, lighting and a gurgling water fountain.
Muranaka's only chores have been sprinklings of fertilizer granules, although she will have to do some occasional pruning after the garden matures. In the meantime, she is enjoying her first gardenia blossom. Soon the special red gingers planted along the fence for privacy also will send out huge pompomlike flowers to give her a steady supply of cut flowers.
"The client wanted to bring the outside in and to have the garden as an extension of her indoor space," said Greg Lee, who drew up the landscape design.
"We have to take into consideration the view of the garden from the inside. It's important for her to look out and see the garden and enjoy it even when she's not out in the garden," he said.
The water fountain, which is a fabricated rocklike cylinder in a kidney-shape black plastic tube, provides constant soft, soothing noise that also can be heard from inside the townhouse.
Large fiberglass stepping stones that resemble lava rock create a path from the living-room door to the back of the garden bordering on the water's edge. The original plan called for the stepping stones to scatter through the entire length of the garden, but a small patch was left in grass to provide a soft playground for Muranaka's miniature dachshund, Lani.
The two ends of the garden are not landscaped for practical purposes. In the front, a concrete patch houses outdoor plastic cabinets. In the back, a barbecue provides a focal point for outdoor gatherings.
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For easy upkeep and to deter termites, the space bordering the townhouse is covered with concrete in the front for a walkway and gravel in the back for potted plants. An automatic timer system regulates the lighting and sprinkler system, and the fountain keeps the maintenance to a minimum."At night, when the lights come on and the fountain is running, I can look out and feel like I am home in my own space. It just makes me feel wonderful," Muranaka said.
Her garden fulfills her wish for a Hawaii-theme garden of ti, ginger, fern and other tropical plants. A California pepper tree is an exception, but the lone tree in the small garden has lacy leaves, and its willowy presence blends well with the other plants. It will mature to about 15 feet high in the limited space and provide added privacy between her and the neighbors.
"When I began the garden, I said I wanted to be able to come home, open the gate, look at the garden and say, 'Aaahhh,'" Muranaka said.
The garden is the first sight that greets her after she parks her car in the carport, and she has been letting out happy sighs every time she sees it.
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Small gardens present challenges
Designing a small garden presents more challenges than designing a big one, according to Greg and Terri Lee of Tropical Images Inc. Serious discipline in selection and placements of plants is necessary to prevent the garden from becoming a messy conglomeration.K.K. Muranaka's garden totals only about 600 square feet, about the size of a large bedroom, but its elongated shape required careful planning. Color, height, line and size of plantings are all important in a small space, the Lees said.
To make their job easier, the Lees, who began their landscape business in 1991, use a computer to show what their designs will look like.
"When people see what you are talking about, it helps them understand better," said Greg Lee, who takes on design duties while his wife is responsible for implementation duties.
When visualizing a garden, you may benefit from the Lees' advice:
>> Come up with a theme -- Hawaiian, tropical, Asian, contemporary or otherwise. It gives the garden focus.
>> Decide on focal points. The obvious focal points are showy plants or water features. But remember, your eyes will travel beyond the garden, and background views such as a mountain or fence become points of interest.
>> Choose the right plants for the location and growing conditions. For example, big plants in a small space won't work. Plants that love heat and drought won't do well in cool and misty areas. Suitable plants also will cut down on the maintenance chores.
>> Keep it simple. Simple doesn't mean boring. Add variety but be choosy. One plant can throw the whole design off.
>> Consider different perspectives. A beautiful garden needs to look good from all angles. Look at the space from various rooms in the house, and consider those views when drawing up the plans.
>> Sound and smell also are important elements. The sound of water, birds, rustling leaves all contribute to a garden's charms. Include flowers not only for their blossoms, but also for fragrances.
>> Install a sprinkler system. It makes the garden easy to maintain.
tropical images inc.
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Suzanne Tswei's gardening column runs Fridays in Today.
You can write her at the Star-Bulletin,
500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI, 96813
or email stswei@starbulletin.com
