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juudyshouse2012

What to plant around new patio border??

17 years ago

I'm hoping to get some help designing this border to make it a cozy, private area where my DH and I sit, entertain, and enjoy the view. As you can see from the pictures I've included, this patio is situated off the street side of our house. Even though it's not an extremely busy street, cars and people frequently go by and look up at us and we feel we're right out there on display.

Click on the link below and look at the album called "Patio Extension"

As you can see from the picture with the markings on it, we are going to remove the strip of grass, and put flagstone pavers in extending our current cement patio, the circle represents a 3-tier fountain for the noise effect and we are going to leave a 3 foot border around the outside perimeter for plantings. We don't want whatever we plant to grow too tall to block the mountain view, but tall enough that when we're sitting out there, we have privacy from the street below.

Here are the conditions of the site, full sun and has irrigation. I live in the pacific northwest, zone 7. The root systems of the plants, shrubs, etc. cannot be too extensive, because it will be close to the retaining wall structure. The shrubs that you see there now have been removed, they were Escallonias and they flowered all summer, but attracted a huge number of bees that swarmed around the area. Not good for a patio border!

So, what I'm looking for is a layering effect. Shrubs along the back consisting of a mix of evergreen and decidious, layered in front with some perinnials. I want there to be a nice effect of foilage color and texture contrast. Some flowering plants that will not attract many bees. And interest through the spring, summer and fall months.

I know that's a big order! I'm open for suggestions, please!!

Judy

Here is a link that might be useful: Patio Extension Photos

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