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I've been saying for years that I want/need new landscaping but there's always been some other house project that's been higher on the priority list. Finally bit the bullet and hired a local guy/firm to do it this season. Since I know absolutely nothing about plants and gardening is not my thing, the only instructions I gave were to:
- remove the existing shrubbery.
- design something very low maintenance.
- select drought tolerant plants if possible, because I will ignore them even though I shouldn't.
- no planting of any lawn. Only ground cover, as I don't want to deal with having to mow anything.
- Pick a nice selection of color
- Keep the existing rose bushes on the side, just prune them as needed.
- Put in a small walkway leading from the backyard sidewalk to the nearby shed.
- Landscaper will come over weekly to water each plant as needed for 6 weeks, to make sure everything gets a good foothold
Here's the plant list my landscaper selected (I think it will work out well):
Gold Moneywort
Bigleaf Hydrangea
Hosta
Variegated Privet
Red Knockout Roses
Variegated Yucca
Daruma Loropetalum
Little Richard Abelia
Nandina
Prague Viburnum
Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum
Walkers Low Catmint
Adagio Maiden Grass
Frostproof Gardenia
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Encore Azalea
Plants are being picked up from the nursery for planting today.
Cleanup of existing land; looks so bare at the moment
That's quite a project! You should be very happy with the results. You don't say specifically where you are located but my only concern is if you are in a part of the country where the temps are nearing 100, the new plantings will need water before the landscaper comes back in a week to do it. Even drought tolerant plants need to become established before they're actually drought tolerant.
I'm in North Carolina. (zone 7B). Yes it's very, very hot. I also happen to be on a fairly shady lot so it's not quite as bad. I will supplement what the landscaper does by helping to water while the temps are really high. My back yard is very shaded though with lots of big tall trees.
I'll share pictures when everything is done. They'll be working all today and maybe again tomorrow, depending.
Here is a picture my landscaper sent me of their work in progress today:
Last edited by lottamoxie; 06-16-2015 at 01:28 PM..
Here are some 'after' photos. Keep in mind these are baby plants. Especially all the ground coverings will take a year or 2 to spread out. 30 more Creeping Jennys will be planted on the right side of the driveway tomorrow.
Click on thumbnails to see full size
Last edited by lottamoxie; 06-16-2015 at 07:29 PM..
Looking good! Remember the old saying about perennials - First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap. But in your climate, that will probably speed up! Any feedback from the neighbors? I'm seeing a lot of green lawn in the distance. You may start a new trend in your neighborhood.
Thanks for the photos!
OP are you in Cary? Maybe not since your house isn't beige. (inside joke)
Did you have a HOA to deal with? Do you have deer to deal with and did your landscaper talk to you about deer or rabbits? The hosta won't last long if you have deer.
It is a beautiful plan and it looks beautiful. You will not believe how your curb appeal will be enhanced. Congrats.
I hope you have a detailed plan with the names of all the plants. This will help you when it is time to care for them or even if you have to replace them. When I was a landscape designer I left a small plant ID label in the ground (1 for multiple repeats) cause I found my clients never knew where the plan was but could easily pick up the label to do some research and then put it back.
This heat is terrible but our downpour last night should be perfect for your new project. Here in Chapel Hill we had 3.7 inches. We certainly did need it.
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