The shed appearance can be and will be what you make it. Do you want an "old" shed mind set in place or do you want an old shed made to look old and then hidden by "stuff"? To keep that old shed in place you need to make sure the "bones" of the shed will hold up the worn out exterior. Would hate to see or read about a young garden enthusiast being crushed by old shed that fell on him. Tall grasses around (not too many) would definitely add to the minds eye that the shed has been there untouched for several years, especially if you use a tall Miscanthus grass (4' -6' or other like heights of Panicum, Pennisetums etc). Adding a striking color, rather it be a door painted such or a window trimmed out in color, will make your shed an eye grabber during the growing season and during the winter or off-season. Winter or off-season I think of white stuff draped on and around the old shed. I need to get better acquainted with the zones 'cuz the winter season means snow and cold in my "hood" while others like you might be cold when the tempt hits 35 degrees outside. With sunshine 25 degrees is a walk in the park. Hollyhocks and other old fashion plant material will add stately age to your shed and as others mentioned a bench get outside the "door" area will invite one to sit and ponder what was and maybe think about what can be. There is more but I think with the other positive responses and my thoughts you now have a large palette to draw from. Jake

Clematis? That would be my choice. Something that wouldn't overwhelm the shed or give you headaches. Or a few Honeysuckles that would attract hummingbirds. Or both!

The toughest thing I have to part with in my upcoming move is the gorgeous shed I just spent the summer building. I have lots of good stuff to barter or give away or sell cheap but I'm afraid this one is not cheap. So apologies for posting sale-oriented material but I want to find it a good new home this weekend or I will be moving it out to L.I. to store at my parents' house until I either have a a buyer there or I move to a place with a bigger garden again. see http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/for/291120171.html thanks and happy spring! chris Here is a link that might be useful: shed for sale

Your soil looks like mud, not a potting mix that allows water to drain freely and air pockets to form that allow roots to breathe. That means the roots are being suffocated, which is causing the leaves to fall off. In the wild, commercially sold plants tend to live in forests, where their roots loosely weave through rotting tree leaves and bark. In a pot, we create similar conditions by mixing potting soil, bark, and perlite and watering only when the plant needs it.