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Exterior garden Landscape Design

Help with Outside. Does anyone have any ideas?

5 years ago

We recently did an addition onto our house. We were lucky enough to be able to dig out enough of the rock for me to have a little artist studio. I have to access it from the outside. So far my ideas are to try to cover the septic pump housing with decking material, or something like it, and I’d like to have a couple of pots with some climbing clematis Montana to go up the posts and soften the look. I want NO work, so even cement ideas are welcome. The only work I’m willing to do is trim whatever climbing things I can plant to go up the posts. Any help would be lovely!

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Comments (7)

Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
5 years ago
I also forgot to mention, I’m on solid rock. Not a ton of soil to work with!
PRO
Yardvaark
5 years ago
The patio tile area ought to include/surround the deck posts so they are not sitting in the dirt.

You want to build something ("decking material") over the septic cover? It will likely transform into an eyesore. Would be better to paint the cover grey like the gravel and make it semi-camouflaged.

It will take a very large pot to contain a vine that would grow up the deck post. It would be better for the house if you attach a rope or chain to deck and let it grow up that.
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Hi everyone, does anyone have any idea what kinda of plant this is?
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Oops, there goes another rubber...oops there goes...another rubber tree plant! In addition to the identification, let's try to get you some help, which has been short in supply from the above posters--no real fault of theirs, it's an ID thread. Yeah, it looks like a bit more light might be helpful. Not too much, rubber trees are really capable of tolerating low light, and you don't want to suddenly shock it, but bring it up to some brighter light, then brighter again. It should improve. They do like bright light, but not direct sun. My mother kept one alive in deep shade and barely indirect light, but...well, that plant wasn't what I'd call happy. Most of them are a bit more hoggy for soil space than a cup, so that cup won't do for long, and I don't think that has a bottom drain in it either? You'll want a nice, light well-draining mix of soil with a drain at the bottom. They hate sitting in water, so a drainless cup is a bad idea. Here's two great articles for you to start with that'll help you out: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/rubber-plant-our-best-tips-for-growing-and-care-237390 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/how-to-care-for-a-rubber-tree-plant.htm The second is more basic, but I like the first. :-) Although they can get fifty feet tall, you may certainly prune the thing regularly to limit height. My mother's? It never needed that as it never lived long enough. :-) I hope that helps past just the simple ID.
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Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
5 years ago
Ok, I gotcha! I like both those ideas!!
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
5 years ago
Having said that, I just reread. I want to get rid of the gravel for sure. Lawn, patio stones or deck or something to pretty it up. I like the idea of the posts, I think I’ll get rid of the square tiles and put something else in that looks nicer, maybe? Take it right to those little trees there and include the posts for sure. It looks so ugly right now, it’s hard to figure out how to make it look nice without having too much maintenance.
PRO
Yardvaark
5 years ago
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.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
I agree pretty much with everything Yardvaark has stated. Not a good situation for a lawn and everything growing will need ongoing maintenance and even more so if you grow it in a container!

Whether you choose gravel or pavers is your choice but gravel is an easier and cheaper option with a great deal more flexibility. As it appears you are dealing with some slope, it might make the most sense.

Where are you located? The "little trees" look suspiciously like Leyland cypress, in which case they will not remain "little" for long. Even if some other type of conifer, they will likely outgrow that very restricted location rather rapidly.
Lauren Bomhof
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the info. We are on Vancouver Island. it used to be grass there on quite a slope, but we put an addition on so it's pretty churned up. I'm thinking if we do the pavers (or something like it) then maybe that fake grass you can get? that's pretty low maintenance! Just expensive! Then I don't mind to do a bit of work with something that will climb up to frame the door to the studio or frame the area under the deck. We are on the water and new here, so I wonder if there's a good climber that will work? I have this image of the doors open, looking out onto the water in the summer and painting in the studio with something nice growing up.

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