[notes from an urban wild]

I'm obsessed with urban wilds, and have been for as long as I can remember. I visited one today--the first I ever knew and that which continues to be my favorite--my grandparents' front yard in the heart of Denver. Even on this 100-degree scorcher, we stayed cool.
When we were little, my sister and I would pull Chokecherry and Serviceberry branches aside to discover tree forts within these woods, playing for hours. Only occasionally would the adults be invited into our imaginary world for tea parties. 
A few years ago a lovely Persian driver picked me up from the house, and as I came down the walk I saw him entranced, gazing into the canopy of Black Oak, Red Maple, and Ohio Buckeye trees. It took him a few seconds to regain his wits, clearly lost in memories of the gardens of his past. In the car he told me, as if breathing for the first time, that this was the most beautiful garden he had seen in all of Denver.

[design tips]

There are important yet subtle differences between a welcoming urban wild and one that's uninviting, or unkempt. This garden is successful for several reasons including its: 

1. Edge condition: densely planted with a range of vertical sizes; ground cover and mid-size shrubs to large trees which provide privacy and screening from the street.

2. Interior condition: more porous/airy with only a few trees, giving a sense of space and lightness from within. Shade-tolerant evergreen ground cover gives a well-kempt look.

3. Path: a critical component to any urban wild; this one winds and is of rough-cut stone.

4. Interior fence: 8' away from the house, this provides another layer of screening from the road, separates house from forest, and introduces the house with the same material.

5. Lighting: simple, discreet lights line the path for a greater sense of security at night.

[good for the environment]

1. Habitat: mixed-layer vegetation (ground cover, shrubs, and trees) for animals and birds.

2. Clean air: trees serve a vital role in purifying the polluted air of urban environments.

3. Temperature: trees are critical to cooling our cities and reducing our houses' cooling bills. In cold winter climates, use deciduous trees that allow winter sunlight.

4. Storm water management: plants and non-compacted soil absorb rainwater, reducing the volume in street drains and rivers that increase flooding and water pollution.

5. Nice places to live: Studies consistently show that people are happier and healthier with more trees around their homes. Plus they're good for property values.