Question about garden layout - pics

17 years ago

Hello,

Thank you for your suggestions to my previous post about removing some or all of the shrubs in our patio garden. Three junipers and one privet were moved which opened up quite a bit of space for more "pretty" plantings.

I'm going to create a flagstone walkway straight across the entire bed, with a side path (right) into the yard. The two remaining privets are directly in both pathways so they will need to moved either elsewhere in bed or around the house. What do you think - keep them in the bed or lose them? What about the boxwood? I don't want to outline the bed in shrubs, but they do add some structure. There is also a weigela that I can work around because it's too beautiful to move!

I've replanted the Karl Foerster feather reed grass in front of the window, along with a few hostas that I couldn't pass up over the weekend (Paul's Glory, Guacamole, Sagae, August Moon). My hope is that the grass and hostas block the unsightly view of the window well and foundation. Waiting to be planted are Lady's Mantle, Jacob's Ladder, Moonbeam Coreopsis and my favorite, Jack Frost Brunnera.

I appreciate any thoughts you may have - I love these plants but planning where to put them is not my talent. I'm also taking suggestions for tough perennials as I have a 2yr. old son who is lovingly referred to as "The Destroyer." Thank you!

Here are a few pics:

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BEFORE:

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Comments (3)

WendyB 5A/MA
17 years ago
the trouble with these choices are that there are many right answers! You have to develop an "eye" to what looks good to you. Fortunately plants are pretty portable. You can try things and move them if you think they don't work.

I think the 3 grasses will be great for the height and the window well coverage. But I'm not sure if there is enough sun for them. Your other choices indicate a lot of shade.

If the grasses don't work out, you can try Northern Sea Oats for a grassy tall plant that doesn't need as much sun.

One thing that my eye wanted to see was a graduated layering of heights between the burning bush and the hosta. But it could just be cause they are still so small. when the hosta get bigger, it will be better.

I would have planted at least 3 hosta together and I would have picked contrasting, but complementary, foliages. It looks like the two next to each other are similar foliage.

If you want shrubs, I would plant a cluster (5?) of the same shrub around the base of the tree. Maybe azaleas or dwarf pieris or russian cypress or ...? What kind of tree is it? Maples don't usually provide a good planting area for companions.

Some daylilies somehwere in front would be nice to echo the grassy foliage effect in the back.

You may want to come up with something that spills over the top of the wall a bit to soften the look.

Good Luck! Looks like a fun project
ladychroe
17 years ago
This will be really nice when you finish with it. The only question I have concerns the amount of light this bed gets. Don't most grasses need full sun and most hostas need more shade?

Try to group the plants by size and put the tall ones in the back and the short ones in the front. Those hostas look a bit short to be in the middle of the bed... although I know some hostas can get huge so a big one would be ok.

I also think that it would be lovely to have some plants spilling out of the bed onto the patio to soften that edge.
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diginthedirt17
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions - it's a good thing that plants can be moved because I'm very indecisive, as you can see. I think this project is troubling me for a couple of reasons -

1) It's a large, blank canvas, which is daunting to a newbie! 2) Part shade, Part sun so close together 3) Creating a serene area that is also kid friendly.

I enjoy seeing photos of everyone's garden - it's inspirational and also very educational! Thanks again - any other tip, keep them coming!

Question about garden layout - pics

Comments (3)

WendyB 5A/MA

ladychroe

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Question about garden layout - pics

Comments (3)

WendyB 5A/MA

ladychroe

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