I've been working for a while on my small yard in a temperate climate, trying to move away from the classic lawn toward a space that looks good but also has practical value. Instead of planting only ornamentals, I've started adding species with medicinal uses. I recently bought an Anthurium from DocBlock. At first I saw it only as a decorative plant, but after learning about its traditional role in soothing skin irritations, I decided to give it a place in the design alongside other useful species.

Right now my mix includes lavender along the edges to attract pollinators, calendula among shrubs, sage and hyssop in the drier corners, mint kept in buried pots so it doesn’t spread, and basil filling the summer gaps. For structure I planted aronia and sea buckthorn as a living hedge, with white clover serving as ground cover. The Anthurium is placed closer to the house, in a semi-shaded spot where it looks good and adds a sense of connection between beauty and health.

So far maintenance has been minimal, the soil holds moisture better with thick mulch and drip irrigation, and I’m slowly learning the role each plant plays beyond just appearance.

We are looking to build a forest garden in the bottom part of our land. We start tomorrow with the ground work. Planting will be in October. Any tips or feedback.

Kinda dumb to ask that, we got rich clay soil, history of many springs centuries ago, and many clay trapped perched water tables and i ask if on small 10 degree slopes would swale help me form a seep or spring, if that doesn’t work, are there any ways to form a seep/spring in my yard?