You may remember I posted a couple of weeks ago about our backyard. Unfortunately, we were called out of town unexpectantly. Crisis averted and we're back.
We're getting ready to redo our backyard and we're looking for some suggestions. Mock ups would be great, but that sounds like a lot of work.
Anyway we're in Southern California, zip code 92583, zone 9. The only thing that has to remain is the house, of course, the patio, the trailer and slab it's parked on.
I've got some pics to post. If you need more pics or have any questions, don't hesitate to let me know.
beader?... what changes are you hoping for?... it looks to me like the plantings are pretty good ones... well mulched, outlined beds.... and roses in a good spots, well separated, too!.... it's not like you're going to 'hide' the rv!... so using it as a backdrop for the roses is actually a good move!!... you need the grass, right?....
what's with the silver stuff on the left?...
nice fence backdrop, too...
I don't understand ... do you just want to change it to be YOURS?... is this a new place for you?.... tell me more and maybe I'll understand better!!!... it's the heat I think.. brain death going on...... LOL!!!!
We've been in the house for a little over 5 years. Some, I think DH said crab grass, was trying to take over one end of the yard. Because of this, he covered the entire area with black plastic.
It's now time to remove the plastic and start over. Previously, the grass ran pretty much from a coupla feet from the left to the flower bed on the right. Just a long narrow rectangular sea of green. LOL Neither of us are happy with our squared off back yard. We'd really like to have some curves. Probably less lawn area. I even tried to talk him into a putting green (he used to golf, but not me), but he's not real keen on that idea. I think he'd go for something sized and shaped like a putting green but with tall fescue! LOL
Anyway, I'm just looking for other's ideas of what they would do with our mess.
I would put in big sweeping curves along ALL the rectagular edges... and plant lavender in the curves in front of the roses...
along the sides I'd add things that can tolerate our heat and drought conditions... like tree mallow (tall), lavender, Cleveland Sage (medium height fragrant hummers love it), Autumn Sage (medium height hummer magnet), butterfly bush (more hummers), paraguay nightshade (tall) and consider adding some grasses for movement... like Purple fountain grass, pink muhly, and mexican feather grass, etc... one thing I think you're missing is some height... you have it squared off and then the plantings are all about mid-height and solids, no color... which repeats the "square" effect...you eye moves down the line of plants that are all the same height...
for low plantings I'd mass plant gazania... it comes in red, white, orange and yellow...
everything I've mentioned is very drought tolerant once established (after the first year) and best time to plant them is in fall (early Oct for us)
if I was closer I'd come help!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bikerchick,
The key to a nice-looking lawn is a good mower. I recommend one who is muscular and shirtless.
Posts: 13321 | Location: San Diego zone 10a | Registered: May 20, 2003
Bender..I bumped up your old post so we could get some pics from it..the angle is awkward but I tried to give you an idea..I think mainly you are just needing to add more color for interest..so that alot of that gravel isn't what really stands out..I am also assuming the largest expanse open is between your back porch and the trailer?..I was thinking of centering a fountain in the center as a focal point for you and yours to sit out and enjoy..encompassed in a flowerbed and adding flowers inbetween your roses...Don't daylilies do great in your area?..I love mixing them in and around my roses..hang from Ferns from the porch..I am sure you probably have some great patio furniture..put some plants in those pots..grow up some vine of your choice up those posts!!...Jeanne
B-Chick--Thx for your suggestions. We did have some taller plants, not much in the way of shorter ones though. The uncharacteristic heavy freeze in January took care of some of our plants while we were out of town. Most of the plants you mentioned I'm not familiar with, so I'll have to look them up! LOL Thx again!
Jeanne--You're amazing! Still not sure what we'll do, but you've certainly given us a visual handle! I was already thinking about the possibility of clematis on the patio posts. There are 5 posts across the patio--10 to 11 feet apart. Would 5 clematis be too much? Should they be the same or different varieties? Have any thoughts of some other plants for the posts? I'm just intrigued with clematis and determined to have at least one! Anyway, thx again.
NOTE: The planters by the posts were just something I picked up to plant the bulbs in that I'd planned to plant in the area DH decided to cover with black plastic. They were really too shallow, and the bulbs didn't do well at all! I may plant cyclamen (another plant I just love!) for the winter and fill with colorful annuals when the cyclamen demand to be cut to the ground. Of course, that's assuming the cyclamen will grow in the narrow shallow planters.
There are 5 posts across the patio--10 to 11 feet apart. Would 5 clematis be too much? Should they be the same or different varieties?
Of course you know that "I" would most definitely have clematis flanking those posts..just wrap the posts with something for them to climb up ..I would have all different varieties to enjoy..pruning group 3's are the easiest for beginners...
quote:
They were really too shallow, and the bulbs didn't do well at all!
Might I suggest Growing impatiens in those pots for the summer time..they love the shade and to be moist..and are sweet in pots..cyclamens would be nice for winter there?...Jeanne
