Table of Contents: Landscaping 101

Do you hear the crack of a starting pistol? The season of landscaping projects is officially underway. What’s on your wish list?

We’re devoting this week to Landscaping 101, with ways to add a quick burst of color to a flower bed, budget-friendly backyard updates, and garden ideas to steal from Wolf Hall (Medieval knot garden, anyone?). Join us:

Above: Precocious landscape designer Luciano Guibbilei recently took a crash course in old-fashioned English cottage gardens. See more of Great Dixter’s garden in I Spent the Night in Christopher Lloyd’s Bed.

Monday

• In this week’s Landscape Architect Visit, we dissect a pared-down landscaping project where a minimal plant palette made it possible to paint with large swaths of color.
• Some of Europe’s most innovative garden designers will unveil their newest ideas when the Chelsea Flower Show opens to the public tomorrow–so let’s get in ahead of the crowds. Kendra spent last week behind the scenes to give us an insider’s sneak peek today. Meanwhile, catch up on our previous Chelsea Flower Show coverage and our roundup of 11 Garden Ideas to Steal from London.

Tuesday

• Is there anything that transforms a garden into a magical destination faster than a string or three of outdoor lights? We round up the best of 2015 in this week’s 10 Easy Pieces.
• Sun dial, check. Knot garden, check. Backyard maze, check. Inspired by Wolf Hall, Kendra deconstructs the 12 best Garden Ideas to Steal from Medieval England.

Wednesday

• In this week’s Garden Design post, we round up our favorite 10 ways to add a jolt of color to a flagging flower garden. Hint: peonies, verbena, and a color burst of annuals are involved. (No, we didn’t forget about roses!)

Thursday

• Poison ivy is Public Enemy No. 1 in the garden. Michelle puts on a pair of gloves and figures out how to get rid of it for once and for all in this week’s Gardening 101 post.

Friday

• We visit an eco-sustainable garden (and house) in Paris in this week’s Architect Visit.

Planning a garden design project? If you’re landscaping, get more inspiration:

• 7 New Ideas for Front Yard Landscaping.
• 11 Landscape Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2015.
• Hedge Your Bets: 9 Ways to Add Curb Appeal with Boxwood.