That wonderful deciduous holly that bears those scarlet berries.It grows wild in wet areas usually in places wild blue berries thrive.It holds up GREAT in window boxes with evergreens .Use the floral foam to anchor everyone in (fit the foam good and snug)in the boxes.Don't forget to Wilt -pruf your evergreens.Wilt -pruf is an anti-dessicant that keeps evergreens and other dormant shrubs from drying out from the effects of wind and frozen soil in the winter.Spray them let them dry and place in the boxes.Spanish moss makes a great top dressing to disguise the floral foam.You may spray the berries as well.The berries of mountain ash will work also though not as upright in habit.Good luck!-D

It's hard to tell from the photo, but from the description, it sounds like dog vomit fungus, which is not caused by dogs or by vomit, it just looks like it. Search the forums for the many posts about it. It probably came with your mulch, and is harmless.

Well, I've exhausted EVERYTHING so I give up. I've contacted companies, but they only install on commercial or multifamily properties, townhomes, condos, etc. They will not do single family residences. I guess the job is too small. I contacted both James Hardie and CertainTeed. James Harding had one contractor contact me, via email, and when I told him what I needed, I never heard from him again. CertainTeed did not have a list of contractors but sent me to a dealer who carries the material. Contacted the dealer. They don't have anyone to install it. Asked if they can tell me who buys their materials, contacted that contractor and...you guessed it...nobody installs on single family residences in this area. I called a contractor from the phone book...same story. I give up. I will just remove each of these wood panels, one at a time and replace them with wood panels one at a time, until I get them all replaced. I'm a little upset with the greed of these contractors, right now. I have no one to help me, so I have to do it alone. My house is small...only 1187 sq'. It is half wood siding and half stucco, so as you can see, it is a small job and no one wants it. Thanks for your suggestions and info. Does anybody know the best siding nailer to get. I don't want to spend too much money on it as I only have this small onetime job. Thanks again.

What makes it ugly is how the gravel looks blemished --- patches of this and that, grass, weeds, dead stuff, leaves, different levels. But paving/decking might be tricky if there is solid rock just below. One would really need to know its extent in order to know what is possible. This does not really look like an area for lawn grass. If you'd clean up the gravel so it is all one thing it would be better looking. If what grass we see in picture is all there is, it would probably be better to get rid of it and plant groundcover instead. In landscaping, there is no such thing as no maintenance. Everything (except solid concrete everywhere) needs some kind of maintenance. Plants need care especially while they are establishing.