This summer, I'm planning to do some major landscaping. My house came with none and we've spent the last 18 months concentrating on the grass. Now that the grass finally looks decent, I'm ready to get started on the front yard.
I really know nothing about landscaping or horticulture, and I know the friendly guys down at the Home Depot will help. I know from the pictures, though, that many of you are master gardners. I wanted to come to you for advice first.
I'll begin my request by just being completely honest. I don't like yard work. I have allergies, so I try not to even be outside very much. So, I'm looking for something as maintenance-free as possible. Can you help me with the following areas:
•I want a good, strong tree for the front yard. (We're not going to plant trees in the back yard because we're afraid of roots growing into the septic system.) I'm thinking about a maple. My whole neighborhood is filled with bradford pears, but I would like a good strong shade tree. I know it's going to take a maple a little while to grow.
*Stones vs. mulch? I have two areas in the front yard where I hope to have a combination of plants (perhaps a few bushes) and a flowers. About half of my neighbors have done this with a mulch base. The other half have used stone, like river rock. What's the difference?
•One of the areas I've mentioned above is very steep. It's a patch about 2 ft wide and 10 ft long located between my sidewalk and the house. What does well in such a steep area? Should I plan on having a "step system," where I break up the long, steep section into flat step-like mini-gardens? Perhaps I'm overanalyzing. Will the steepness of this area have any effect on my plants? I'm assuming any effect would be negative.
Any advice would be appreciated. My climate here has four very distinct seasons. I'd like to have something that will bloom two or three of those seasons. Thanks!
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2) We use mulch, it keeps the soil moist and weeds down. I like it better because it's more natural looking than stone.
3) Ground cover such as myrtle or creeping phlox- and they even flower in the spring, which makes it look even prettier. Hens and chicks are great for small areas, and would be a great filler for corners in a step system.
And then there is hosta, which is hardy and can grow anywhere. There are a vast variety of different hostas to choose from.
I will come back later and read and comment on your article. I am just too exhausted tonight. It is has been a rough couple days and tomorrow will be worse. I do hope you are doing well though. I will be back when I can. Sorry
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I thought all you may be interested in this article.
Kitty S posted an article on a free CD download.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977027737
I think it's nice to have something blooming every season. The easiest way to do this is with bushes that change from season to season (something that has pretty colored branches as well as leaves). I would also use plants on your sloping area, I love ferns for shady areas and hostas for sunnier places (there are so many different kinds of hostas out there that anyone can find something good looking. I love the chicken-and-hens suggestion; they are hardy succulents and look great, as does colored kale.
I don't think your idea of grading the area into terraces is too bad either. As for minimal work effort, there are some really nice grasses that give a nice effect without having to do any work. Many flowers don't require that much weeding and watering. You could plant some bulbed flowers for spring (plant in the fall...it's a hassle the day you plant them, but once you do, there's not much to do but sit and wait till spring); something hardy like impatiens, petunias, pansies, day lilies (thousands of colors and they really last through the years), geraniums, or the dreaded marigolds (sturdy and keep the bugs away, but I grew up with them and have an aversion to them); and then something for fall, like mums, which require no effort at all.
I guess the idea is to do this in stages and not all at once so it's overwhelming. Also I would start with the tree, bushes, and ornamental grass. Then plant your spring bulbs one day of the fall. Next year worry about ground cover plants and more flowers. Keep adding flowers as you go. Experimenting will tell you what works best with your soil and climate. Also a good way to get ideas is to go on a garden walk in your area if they have any (this is where people open up their homes, usually for charity, and you get to poke around their gardens). Just like advertising, there's nothing better than taking someone else's idea and improving on it.
Lots of gardening is just common sense, and watering your plants and flowers is just a good excuse to go outside and enjoy your yard. Good luck. This would make a great article by the way...how Amanda landscaped her lawn.
We have a large Maple tree in our front yard. It is great for shade and look beautiful in the fall with the colors. You will have to rake leaves in fall though. There are so many wonderful ground covers available today that are great to put on banks so you dont have to mow. Some are evergreen while others are not. I suggest going to home depot or lowes with notebook and pen in hand. Look at them to see what you like... write them down........then go back and see what kind of light they require..........write that down..............then check for heights. You dont want to plant something that is going to get tall, under a power line...
Go from there.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977029618
I am going to bed early tonight so I will check in with you again tomorrow. You have a wonderful night
I found something I think will be helpful. Proven Winners is a plant company (their plants can be pricier than other plants generally, but they usually are more full and nicer, too). Anyway, they have a custom search on their site, where you put in plant characteristics that you want (seasons, water needs, maintenance, and so on) and they make suggestions. I think this could be a good tool for your landscape planning.
http://www.provenwinners.com/plants/
If this link, doesn't take you there directly, look for the "custom search" button on the left hand side of the page under Home Gardeners.
Good luck.
These comments and ratings on your older articles are my Christmas gift to you Amanda. Steve The Legend posted an article making this suggestion and I decided to participate with some of my connections. You are the first gift recipient. So Merry Merry and Happy Holidays to you!
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