Tree Peony in nearby rental yard, going to pot
Comments (11)
- 9 years ago
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low maintenance front yard in rental property
Comments (22)Just to answer a few questions, yes there is a HOA with the original house I posted about, and they have already okay-ed the idea of putting in the gravel - it's not a straight gravel operation by the way, but more along the lines of a Japanese rock garden, with a few plants here and there as highlights. I figured if I lay black plastic underneath, with a bed of gravel above a couple of inches thick, nothing is going to grow through it! A neighbor suggested using Asiatic dwarf jasmine as ground cover instead of the gravel option, while another did suggest perennial peanut. The dwarf Mondo makes me a little leery, as I half imagine the HOA screaming at us that it looks like unkempt grass in need of a mowing! As for the point about using a lawn service and writing it into the lease when we renew it, that is something we've definitely considered for our old home (the one with the pictures above of the rampant lawn) because the problem is that the area is so large that I think it puts the tenants off from keeping it well looked after. As I said, we bought a mower for the property that we wrote into the lease - they just didn't want to use it. The other house that I originally posted about though is a different situation, given that the front yard is relatively small (30' x 35'). The other issue I should have mentioned is that it isn't just case of taking care of the lawn - the present area is really in bad shape, with crab grass, bare patches everywhere, weeds, etc, and really should be replaced. That was our original intention and we had already lined up the replacement sod. But when we realized that the tenants weren't going to look after it, my wife and I looked at each other and wondered what would be the point of throwing all that money down for new sod, only to watch it either go wild through lack of attention, or die because the tenants wouldn't bother giving it the abundant twice-a-day watering needed in the first month - that or we'd have to drive over twice a day to take care of it ourselves. Then I also discovered that the sprinkler system was shot, because what I thought were mere missing sprinkler heads turned out to be crushed pipes from former tenants parking off the concrete constantly and on the lawn (a fact confirmed by neighbors) or what was left of it. So it would all have to be dug up and replaced. Throw all that into the pot, and that's why we started thinking about alternatives that would circumvent these issues, such as a Japanese rock garden with drought resistant plantings and little care required by tenants, or ground cover like dwarf jasmine that needs no watering once established - or so we're told. A last point. Yes, we've had plenty of grounds with both properties to issue evictions, but you know, who wants to do that unless really forced to? Last year the family that rented out our old home went into a divorce, the husband moved out, and the family thus lost their chief source of income because the mother was a stay-at-home parent home schooling her children - AND she had her crippled old mother living with her. Sounds like some kind of cliche, right? They ended up getting three months behind on rent, we even put their security deposit towards the payments (with the tenant's permission) to try and keep them afloat, yet reached a point eventually where we simply couldn't afford to keep making two mortgage payments and were virtually begging this woman to find a job to save us having to evict her. My wife and I just sat there totally stressed and virtually in tears, asking ourselves how we'd ever reached a point where we were going to be forced to toss a financially destitute woman, with her two young children and an elderly grandmother, on the street. To say it was a horrible feeling doesn't even come close, but thankfully her church eventually came to the rescue and she eventually dug her way out of the her precarious financial state. The fact she's letting the house virtually fall apart outside, and all the disingenuous excuses she uses to cover it, have worn down our last reserves of kindness, and we have already told her that three years is more than enough and that she needs to find another place to live in when the current lease runs out. Thanks again for all the response. It's been really enjoyable seeing what everyone has to say on the matter....See MoreWhat tree/s to put in my yard in St.Louis MO?
Comments (32)J0nd03- that ft.mcnair is a beautiful tree. Ill have to see what the specs are on it as far as tolerances/preferences. Tornado- no offense taken at all, I'm quite long winded myself (I am a car salesman!) and I love taking politics but unfortunately from what I have learned (perhaps its the area we live in?) most discussions about politics/govt matters turn into a pissing contest/yelling match because when someone has a differeing view than I yet cannot support their claims/reasons for their beliefs they get defensive and resort to un civilized behavior. I think it's hilarious but sure you have experenced it as well! ;) I really appreciate the info your giving me. From what I have read/picked up from folks (a good friend of mine is a horticulture major/landscape business owner) these beech trees will maintain their vibrant foliage as long as they are kept hydrated. I'm site the tree in your pics gets pruned/pest control done professionally and regularly but I'm not sure about the watering part too much?...See MoreI have graduated to Peony is going to Flower level!
Comments (13)Great news GGG, does the heart good when things like this happen, the few I have are in bud but that darn Sam Donaldson is budless once again. I've had it for years soooo, the plan is to dig it, throw it on top of one of the compost heaps, lots of stress, stress, stress. Maybe that will shake a flower loose or it'll croak and I won't be grumbling over that one anymore. I've thrown out primula seed when they wouldn't germinate, they grew and bloomed on top of the compost box, I threatened a wisteria with an axe and a few choice words after 9 years of no blooms, the next year I had one bloom, it was gangbusters after that. Looking forward to a pic when your peony in bloom, they are such gorgeous flowers and very cottagey. Annette...See MoreTree Peony Planting Shock
Comments (3)Well, I can't help, because I am also in Zone 5, near Chicago, and having a very similiar crispy brown edge problem. I bought a Yagumo in June, also in a 1 gallon pot. I had it in the back yard in the pot, thinking I would plant in in partial shade, which is what the tag on it says to do. The nurseryman advised to put it in full sun to get the best blooms. So I put it in the front yard and amended the soil with lots of compost. I watered diligently, knowing that the root system would be essential. Well, it has been hot, but the other plants around it, the sunlovers - salvia and coneflowers, are doing great. So, are we to think that perhaps it should have a little less sun? The only thing the nurseryman told me when I called him about the brown edges, is that I should add some mulch (2 -3 inches) to keep the moisture in. He also recommended to only water it at the bottom, not to let the sprinkler or the hose get the leaves wet. So I know I am not much help, but what do you think? Anyone with any recommendations?...See More- 9 years ago
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoI bought a tree peony division with very little roots in 2013. If you look at the picture, you will see there is about 1 woody root and the branch was sawed off the main branch. You can also see the lower portion (7 inches) is under soil because of its bark coloring. I cut this division where the branches form the V into two smaller divisions and planted them, one in pot and one in the ground. They are both doing fine despite having little roots. The one in the pot form massive feeder roots when I took it out in the fall of last year to plant it in the ground.
This is what it looks like now, the one that I planted in the ground in 2013.
It would be good if you can prepare a planting hole for it now with soil amendments. When you have a division dug, you can just plant the division into it. Good luck!
dcarearuthie2 thanked KarenPA_6b
9 years agodcarearuthie2
it depends on the type of tree peony. they will basically fall into 2 groups: those with one primary tap root; and those with the roots that branch out in divisions and without dirt look kind of like a bird's nest. The one's with one primary tap root are almost impossible to transplant or move after they are planted. The other with roots that branch out are easy to transplant. Like the others have said, dig the plant up along the outer edge of where the leafs grow. The root mass may be huge (see attached picture);
This is a transplanted tree peony that was at least 30 years old. The root mass was about 4 feet by 6 feet and took up my entire trunk of my car. Luckily, it was the kind with multiple root systems that branch out. Take the plant out of the ground and rinse off the roots with a water hose. Any parts that break away that have a root are viable. I actually ended up getting four plants off of this one. Anyway, the plant will have the best chance at survival if you move it after Labor Day when it is dormant (or when the leaves die and fall off). Been there and done that. Good luck.
What type of tree peony is it? Color and characteristics? Maybe offer to take the plant and transplant something else nice in its place?
dcarearuthie2 thanked graycrna4u- 9 years ago
- 9 years ago
Here is a picture of the tree peony with the bird's nest root system. This is what it looks like after you hose off all of the dirt from the root. There will be natural places you can divide this type or parts may just fall away from the root mass. As long as it has a root attached, it should be planted. I am having a harder time finding a picture of primarily single tap root tree peony and I can't remember where I read it/saw it. It isn't that they are not transplantable, but they do not like to be moved once established because the tap root breaks more easily. I will continue to look for the source though. Good luck.
dcarearuthie2 thanked graycrna4u - 9 years ago
- 9 years ago
KarenPA_6b