In The Garden
Saturday, April 7, 2001
DENNIS ODA / STAR-BULLETIN
Ron Espiritu created additional parking for his home
by using grass grids in the front yard.
Just as none of the homes in the story above ("That personal touch") looked the same on the inside, each of the three families we visited also took a different approach to the outside appearance. But they all agree on one thing: a yard requiring minimal care. They all installed sprinkler systems and limited their plantings to cut down on yard work. From rock garden
to gurgling waterfall, a
tiny yard dons many guisesFor all the families, the focal point in the yard is a 5-by-5-foot space near the front entrance. The Espiritus installed a Japanese garden with a concrete pagoda and rock garden. The Matthews have a gurgling waterfall and a giant ceramic St. Bernard nearby. The Marianos maintain an Asian theme both inside and out. They plan to add a water feature to the current rock garden, which is accented by a trio of concrete yard ornaments (pagoda, frog and turtle.)
For the Espiritus who live with their three grown children, creating additional parking in the yard space was a primary concern. They installed concrete pavers, or grass grids, in the front yard, which provide a firm ground for parking and at the same time allows them to grow a nice lawn. (The grass grows within each concrete block.)
In the back yard, the Espiritus built an arbor to give them outdoor entertainment space. They also put down a row of colorful flowering plants outside the back wall, which has earned them many compliments from passersby.Along the two sides of their property, the Espiritus maintain an assortment of small plantings, including a miniature avocado tree. But there is no lawn on the sides, only gravel and flag stones for easier walking.
The Marianos grow ferns and various ti leaves along the sides in observance of a Hawaiian tradition. They recently installed a new lawn but plan to take away some back yard space by extending the family room.
The Matthews, describing themselves as non-gardeners, have palm trees and a variety of ground covers and small plants in the yard. The waterfall in the front yard requires periodic but simple maintenance, such as draining and use of chlorine tablets.
The back-yard lanai is where the Matthews' St. Bernards spend most of their time, and the dogs' huge size eliminate the possibility of using the lanai as outdoor entertainment space.
Gardening Calendar
Suzanne Tswei's gardening column runs Saturdays in Today.
You can write her at the Star-Bulletin,
500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI, 96813
or email stswei@starbulletin.com
