Looks like a great plan to me. I like the division of the two beds. That will give you more access to working with the plants. What kind of maples are you dealing with? The 4 hours of afternoon sun is workable in a Northerly latitude. I'm at 41* N and it works for me. However, some plants will take a year to get used to that much sun. In the nursery they have been under 60% shade cloth all day. I've been able to teach my dogs to stay out of the beds. It's doable, but you have to give them alternative spaces, to lie or run and play.

Steve

The maples don't know pictures of the leaves Norway? and no idea {{gwi:1034690}}
I think I will have to give up on the one bed as the dogs have more or less claimed it as their digging spot soft cool dirt perfect for lying in. I will just have to accept that my hostas will always have a few tattered leaves and a few lost pips each spring, its a trade off they keep out the bunnies and squirrels.
Now all I need is some ambition to get moving today has been a great loafing around enjoying the weather kind a day. (celebrated with dad yesterday)

While they are available find yourself a nice child's wading pool and keep some water in it for the dogs. I notice the black lab and for sure they love to take a dip. It might help wean them off your hosta bed. Just set it up in a nice shady spot, no sunshine on it at any time. I also had one for dunking flower pots to get a drink quickly from the bottom, and discovered the golden retriever of our neighbor and a German shepherd cooling off in it, which is how I know it works for large dogs.

Also for a while, they sell green garden wire (24" tall mighWt work) and the pound-in-the-ground stakes easily moved. I got mine at Home Depot or Lowes. I used it as a temporary exercise pen for my small dogs....however, it can serve to fence off your hosta until they get bigger.

You really have done a lot of work, and it looks much better. When will you take out that tree? After the hosta go dormant?after the tree loses its leaves? it is always a surprise when a tree is gone.

Hi, Im not sure when this tree will come out there is a chainsaw but it needs a part- I may have to look into renting one. I would like to do this soon as this tree is such an eyesore. Im guessing it will come out in pieces to try to avoid hitting the plants or the fence. I already cut a number of dead branches off with the sawsall, but it gets tricky on the ladder by yourself.
Im not sure if you can see but in one of the pics you can see a bit of the garden down the side of my property, there is a chain link fence between the properties this is the bed that gets hit the hardest, this year I have actually resorted to the plastic fencing you refereed to and it has helped some. It is about 2 1/2 to 3 feet and they can clear it when the notion strikes. But I can't usually catch the back leg getting over it to weed the bed. (Very clumsy) The back bed is deeper with more space between plants the lattice is temporarily helping to direct them :) around the plants.
have thought about the kiddie pool for the lab, could be a lot of fun or a horrible mess, gotta love um.
Still wondering about a Japanese maple or if there is another suggestion for smallish tree that would be better suited more interesting for this space.
I

Big project and I see good progress so far. I saw a Pansy Redbud on a garden tour. It was fabulous. If I lived in zone 5 or 6, I would have one. Your maples could be Sugar Maple (if it has yellow fall color) and Red Maple (smaller leaf). The Sugar Maple is a decent tree, the Red Maple is a thug. I'm not sure why the red maple would have lighter colored leaves like that so I am unsure of the identification. Really, if you are able to get rid of the maples, smaller rounded trees will give you more privacy and many are garden friendly.

Beverly

Here is a link that might be useful: Maple Identification Info

Forest Pansy Redbud can be difficult to grow. My sister in Zone 6b has a 25' one. I can't get mine to get past the winter without significant setback in 5b. A great small tree that few people grow is Seven Sons Flower Tree; Heptacodium miconoides. Exfoliating bark, white flowers late in the season followed by red berries, it's vigorous in growth to about 25 feet. Mine is two years old and put on 3 feet of growth this year.

Steve

Oh, I like Beverly's suggestion. I have a Burgundy Hearts Redbud which is a variant on the Forest Pansy. It is a fast grower in my zone 7a, clay/acid soil yard getting afternoon sun. Here's a picture of one leaf.

I believe if it was my project that I would retain only the middle tree. It seems like it wants to dominate the space. The half dead tree is curving away slightly and the tree on the left is looking a tad squished. And I'm puzzled by the yellowish leaves. Then I would plant an ornamental tree that does well in your area (dogwood, redbud, Japanese maple, ornamental cherry) about 8 feet to the left of the front corner of the shed - not directly in front of the fence and not in line with the existing trees. Over time, this will provide privacy and also give depth and interest to the hosta beds in the back, and you could even consider in the future extending the hosta beds in a curving line underneath the ornamental tree. Or, if that back corner is where your dogs like to dig, it could help shade and camouflage that area. My two cents worth. Good luck with your project.

Chris

Frogged, if you are not sure about a Japanese maple fitting in that spot, there is a great list about good trees for hosta gardens. It is briefly discussed in Mark Zilis' latest book, FIELD GUIDE TO HOSTAS. However, I found a lot of info about tree selection for shade gardens I think it was in a Diane Grenfell book. Extensive plant list with specifics about what conditions the trees and tall shrubs liked. I think I checked it out of the library. Do not recall the title now.

I had not considered flowering trees for this spot, I like the look of the redbud, and the staying power of the seven son's . I can see how they would work here. I can't make the beds any bigger I have to keep some lawn. As I type that I can here folks scoffing. Moccasinlanding thanks for the book suggestions Im going to do some more reading to see if these will work. And you have me thinking about taking out the other trees, I don't like the middle tree but it provides the majority of the shade and privacy.The little yellow tree it is poorly located too close to the shed. It will have to come down eventually because of this, I actually like the colour of the leaf which is why its still there that and I hate getting rid of healthy plants/trees. I took me seven years to decide to rip out the juniper. Not sure why the last owners planted these trees like they did. thanks all