backyard landscaping advice
4 years ago
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- 4 years ago
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Need Backyard Landscaping Advice - Newbie - Zone 8B
Comments (34)"I don't know what to mix in this case - any thoughts?" Sorry, but I can't suggest appropriate plants as I've spent little time in your part of the world, and none in northern LA. I've spent several weeks based in NOLA for work, that's it. I just wanted you to be aware that you won't get an even dense hedge of one species with the variability of light levels. I have a more casual style (I live on an old farm) than what appeals to you, so instead of hedges of one species, for the most part I have mixed shrubs, with multiples of each species, mixed along the length of the shrub border. Only in one spot do I have a row of all the same species, and that is in full sun from all sides so that the plants grow at a fairly similar rate. My usual suggestion in this type of situation is that you visit neighborhoods where the gardening appeals to you to get ideas, or if there are garden centers or nurseries with demonstration gardens or if there is an arboretum or public park or botanic garden where you can look at the various types of plantings that they have. To get an ID on a particular plant (if it's not in a situation where it is labeled) take photos of leaves, blooms or fruit, branches and the whole plant, and post on the Name that Plant forum. Or visit the public library and look for books that have landscaping photos for your general area or look at photos here on Houzz that are from your part of the US and see what inspires you. You want to keep in mind that you don't want a huge amount of pruning (so check growth rates once you know names) and that you don't want excessive amounts of shedding of blooms, leaves, seeds, and branches, so something that blooms all summer might be messier than you want to groom. Here's a photo from Derviss Design/Michelle Derviss - she sometimes participates in these forums. Though her area is different (CA coast) it shows a similarly shaped yard with varying light levels around the perimeter and so a mix of plants. She hasn't tried to totally cover up the fence, but there is a mix of different textures and foliage color and varied plant heights. If you look at the closer photos of the pots (go to link below) they also rely largely on foliage rather than flowers. I am not suggesting that you try to emulate this, just that this is one way to approach your problem. http://www.houzz.com/projects/312471/napa-valley-outdoor-living...See MoreBackyard landscaping advice please
Comments (2)We had a flagstone patio. We found it to be a trip hazard. We used pavers and like them....See MoreAdvice on landscaping backyard of 50s ranch house
Comments (2)It seems to me that the umbrella lounge area is a bit far. If the round thing with something red in it is a water feature, I'd link it better to the umbrella area. I don't think I'd push the pair of chairs so far to the corner and then barricade them with a boulder that happens to dominate the center of that space. Better to move the boulder to nearer one side. Why the white stone circle around it? would be better coming straight out of the DG....See MoreFirst time landscaping my own backyard...any advice?
Comments (24)You have a lot of fencing in quite a narrow lot, so it seems like an ideal location for some vertical gardening. You could go with hardy perennials, including some of the natives you'd mentioned, or grow annuals for color or scent... even herbs or vegetables in wall pockets. That would be a great way to indulge your love of plant abundance without having your garden look busy or messy, and a nicely set-up vertical garden can actually help your space to feel a bit more expansive. As an added bonus, it would bring plantings up to eye level so you can enjoy them from your deck and create a feeling of being immersed in the garden rather than sitting above. Here's an example with perennials (not necessarily appropriate to your zone): And here are a couple of herb gardens: Have you eliminated the stepping stone pathway? If not, I'd recommend you move your stepping stones much closer together. A 3-4" gap between will make for a much more walkable pathway. You had mentioned an interest in NY native plants. I'll bet the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens would be a good resource, as would your local Extension office. As an alternative, this website seems to be pretty comprehensive: New York Native Plants. Finally, I don't know if this is true in New York, but in many parts of the country Butterfly Bush is considered an invasive species. Even where it's not, it can be a pesky plant that will want to take over your garden. You may want to investigate. Possible alternatives would be some sort of viburnum, clethra, ceanothus, or rose of sharon. You could also go with one of smaller peegee hydrangeas....See More- 4 years ago
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