Advice on landscape/garden design please
Amy (7b/8a) NC
5 years ago
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speckhen
5 years agoJ Williams
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Landscape design/garden design
Comments (34)karni - I have spoken to the neighbors, kind of a long story, we'll see if something happens. They are very very nice people but have a very very busy lifestyle. They shouldn't have such an elaborate perennial garden on such a small lot if they aren't in a position to maintain it closely. I didn't get the impression that they were willing to "give up" anything. They seemed like people who "want it all" even if they can't "take care of it all". Think I will add something else: DON'T set up an elaborate abundant garden unless you have time to maintain it or pay to have someone maintain it for you regularly (biweekly). You don't have to fill every nook and cranny of your yard. Remember landscaping the "emptiness" is important too. Need the diversity of plants AND "space" for a really beautiful garden IMO....See MoreNeed advice on Landscaping Design
Comments (25)I really am going to have to get a little inexpensive digital camera. I would love to 'document' the growth of my garden, since I have been putting more effort into it this year than I ever have. I also would like to take more pictures of my little six month old chihuahua puppy. I am flattered that people want to see pics of my yard! Of course gardens are never 'finished', but I feel my front yard is at least 2/3 done--the major bones of the garden are there. I had to do major renovations to alot of my beds this year. When I bought my house about 6 years ago, there was woods next door. A couple of years ago they built a new house next to mine and they really built it high on a mound of sand. Now all the water from their yard drains into the side of mine right into my bed that juts out so far into the yard. I had to install a french drain system and rip out most of the plants in the bed. I had a loquat and sago palm that had to be thrown out because they had been so stunted from constantly sitting in water. I am happy to report my new drain works like a dream. I incorporated tons of composted horse manure into my bed and the dirt is now fluffy and black--it smells like the damp forest floor. I have two Red abyssinian bananas there now, underplanted with yellow shrimp, pink abutilon, black n blue salvia and salvia coccinea, a Charles Grimaldi brug that seems to grow a foot a day, dragon wing begonias, a Surinam calliandra, and pink red and white polka dot plants. I have two white oleanders toward the back to form a screen with the neighbors and provide a backdrop for the smaller plantings. I have drifts of calla and daylilies throughout the bed. However, my backyard is still pretty much a blank canvas. The dirt here where I live just north of N. Orleans is loam with big pockets of slippery gray clay. It can make an excellent heavy soil, but only with tons of work. Since I have found some stables nearby that offer a whole truckload of manure for only $15, I now have a great source of organic material. I just don't feel like digging down through all those tree roots and all that clay to make new beds. I thought about trying the lasagna method and layer cardboard and newspaper and overlaying with the manure and whatever other organics I can get. Next to my patio, the grass never seems to grow, so I'd like to extend the patio with those concrete pavers all the box stores carry, I'm just afraid I wouldn't be able to get the ground level enough to make it look professional. Unfortunately this area and my whole side yard gets sopping wet when it rains. The side yard is also bare and is screaming for a path down the middle with plantings on either side! I will try to get a camera ASAP to get ya'll ideas!...See MoreAdvice for front garden design please
Comments (3)The suggestions are theoretical and waiting for you to determine what plants they should be for your area. I only know that there are annuals (pink in in the picture but any color for you in real life), perennials 12" to 18" tall (purple in the picture), shrubs 2' ht. x 5' spread (med. green), 8" to 12" ht. groundcover (dark green) and a tree about 15' ht. You could see what grows in your area, performs well and would achieve these sizes....See MoreCan someone please give me exterior design/landscaping advice?
Comments (17)Pink Mountain, lol about my house being a prime example of needing foundation plantings! It's what we've been saying for months. We've only been here a year, got a lot of inside work done and now want to start on front. Little by little as budget allows. I'll definitely use these ideas....See MoreAmy (7b/8a) NC
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5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
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5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agolittlebug zone 5 Missouri
5 years agoLalala (zone 6b)
5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
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5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agoJD
5 years agoDig Doug's Designs
5 years agoYardvaark
5 years agoJ Williams
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5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agoDig Doug's Designs
5 years agoYardvaark
5 years agoAmy (7b/8a) NC
5 years agoJ Williams
5 years agoDig Doug's Designs
5 years ago
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