Shrubbery!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I am soooo excited! I am finally going to get my yard back. While I was traveling in my job, my daughter's ex-butthead was living here with the stipulation he would keep the house and yard up while I was gone. And of course he didn't. Have you ever watched the history series "Life without People"? Well that's what my back yard looks like---nature has completely overrun it (well maybe not quite as bad as on the show, but close enough dammit).



I've been fighting it for over a year, and finally threw in the towel and hired a landscaper. I was expecting a huge bill, but it's surprisingly cheap considering all the work that needs to be done. He'll be starting soon, and we've discussed what I want done with the lower portion of the yard (where it was all but neglected for 4 years). After spraying and clearing and preparing the yard, he's going to help me start a 'cottage garden' of sorts. I understand a true cottage garden is kinda wild, and that's not quite what I want (I don't want it to look like it does now only with flowers lol). I'd like to have some winding paths around the beds; not really looking to plant any grass down there. (the yard is tiered, the upper half will be sprayed and replanted with grass).

I admit I am completely clueless when it comes to gardening and plants. He mentioned planting shrubbery, and my immediate thought was "EW!!!" as I thought that meant ugly green bushy things.

Until I googled 'decorative shrubs". OMG. These are gorgeous! I can't wait to get going on this. Any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated (photos would be a bonus). I want lots of color and (because I do NOT have a green thumb) plants that are easy to care for and hardy.

Just look at how beautiful these are!

http://springhillnursery.com/shrubs/c/10/

http://springhillnursery.com/ground-covers/c/2/

I guess my next question is... does there have to be a 'plan'? Or do I just start throwing stuff in there? Clueless, I'm tellin' ya...

[roger teekell]

You knew this was coming...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2qYrW79UZI

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

Can't help myself...

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

You knew this was coming...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2qYrW79UZI
Of course :lol:

[Cav Scout]

I am soooo excited! I am finally going to get my yard back. While I was traveling in my job, my daughter's ex-butthead was living here with the stipulation he would keep the house and yard up while I was gone. And of course he didn't. Have you ever watched the history series "Life without People"? Well that's what my back yard looks like---nature has completely overrun it (well maybe not quite as bad as on the show, but close enough dammit).



I've been fighting it for over a year, and finally threw in the towel and hired a landscaper. I was expecting a huge bill, but it's surprisingly cheap considering all the work that needs to be done. He'll be starting soon, and we've discussed what I want done with the lower portion of the yard (where it was all but neglected for 4 years). After spraying and clearing and preparing the yard, he's going to help me start a 'cottage garden' of sorts. I understand a true cottage garden is kinda wild, and that's not quite what I want (I don't want it to look like it does now only with flowers lol). I'd like to have some winding paths around the beds; not really looking to plant any grass down there. (the yard is tiered, the upper half will be sprayed and replanted with grass).

I admit I am completely clueless when it comes to gardening and plants. He mentioned planting shrubbery, and my immediate thought was "EW!!!" as I thought that meant ugly green bushy things.

Until I googled 'decorative shrubs". OMG. These are gorgeous! I can't wait to get going on this. Any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated (photos would be a bonus). I want lots of color and (because I do NOT have a green thumb) plants that are easy to care for and hardy.

Just look at how beautiful these are!

http://springhillnursery.com/shrubs/c/10/

http://springhillnursery.com/ground-covers/c/2/

I guess my next question is... does there have to be a 'plan'? Or do I just start throwing stuff in there? Clueless, I'm tellin' ya...

A plan? Nah, just read up on how far apart your particular plants like to be to thrive, sun and what not, then go out walk around and put em where you please. I suppose there are some who would sit down with a comp and plan them out to the inch and have a nice scaled layout for every plant, rock and stick but that seems a lot of overkill to me. Have fun with it.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Maybe someone can help me with this too...

While googling about cottage gardens and shrubbery and the like, I found a photo of a garden path designed with flat stones over a very thick, green carpet-like plant (I don't think it was a grass). I can't seem to find it again, but the description said that whatever this was, it doesn't grow wild and will stay put (so to speak), and is so thick it won't allow weeds to come up through it. Any idea what it could be?

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

A plan? Nah, just read up on how far apart your particular plants like to be to thrive, sun and what not, then go out walk around and put em where you please. I suppose there are some who would sit down with a comp and plan them out to the inch and have a nice scaled layout for every plant, rock and stick but that seems a lot of overkill to me. Have fun with it.
That's what I was hoping for; some of the articles stress a lot of planning and research. Others tell you just to do it. The only thing it would seem I need to worry about (again, being clueless here) would be sun exposure (one side is light shade, the other is full sun).

[GA_LP]

You knew this was coming...lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2qYrW79UZII saw the thread title and I immediately wondered what our resident Marvin the Martian had to do with Monty Python. :))

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

That's what I was hoping for; some of the articles stress a lot of planning and research. Others tell you just to do it. The only thing it would seem I need to worry about (again, being clueless here) would be sun exposure (one side is light shade, the other is full sun).

Go nuts. If something dies, just replace it.

I swear I won't report you to the eco-police.

[sgdp]

Ooo. It's like a firework!

I am looking to replace some dead bushes out front. I like these. :)

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Go nuts. If something dies, just replace it.

I swear I won't report you to the eco-police.

:lol:

Anything would be better than what I have now. I can only go up from here lol.

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

:lol:

Anything would be better than what I have now. I can only go up from here lol.

I'd like to do a water feature in the yard but the majority of my back yard is drain field. I have a small area I could still use, but not much.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I saw the thread title and I immediately wondered what our resident Marvin the Martian had to do with Monty Python. :))

LOL

I suppose I should have picked a better title. I was just so excited to find out azaleas are really shrubs! Who knew? :lol:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I'd like to do a water feature in the yard but the majority of my back yard is drain field. I have a small area I could still use, but not much.
I thought about something like that, but I have a 3 year old here. Somehow I don't think the two would be a good mix :eh:

[Hoobeedoo Bejesus]

I thought about something like that, but I have a 3 year old here. Somehow I don't think the two would be a good mix :eh:

Oh... right.

Hrm.. then again, LM (Little Miss) doesn't go in the back yard much and I wouldn't make anything deeper than what she could stand in.

The roof of our two car garage is a porch with railing all the way around. I've set up a Little Tikes playground, sand/water tables, basketball hoop, easels and washtubs for swimming out there for her. It's like a regular playground right outside the kitchen.

[roger teekell]

Can't help myself...

:)):)):))...Funny

[roger teekell]

LOL

I suppose I should have picked a better title. I was just so excited to find out azaleas are really shrubs! Who knew? :lol:

Raises hand..:razz:

My da once planted some outside of our house in Houston..

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Raises hand..:razz:

My da once planted some outside of our house in Houston..
Told ya I was clueless... I just thought they were pretty bushes :lol:


:confused:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Oh... right.

Hrm.. then again, LM (Little Miss) doesn't go in the back yard much and I wouldn't make anything deeper than what she could stand in.

The roof of our two car garage is a porch with railing all the way around. I've set up a Little Tikes playground, sand/water tables, basketball hoop, easels and washtubs for swimming out there for her. It's like a regular playground right outside the kitchen.

How cool!!!

I want one!! :lol:

[roger teekell]

Told ya I was clueless... I just thought they were pretty bushes :lol:


:confused:

They're beautiful....

Good luck on your project...

Post pictures of the finished product when you're done..

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

They're beautiful....

Good luck on your project...

Post pictures of the finished product when you're done..
I already told the landscaper to take before and after shots. It is sure to get him more business lol.

We had tons of azaleas in Florida. They are gorgeous :)

[Cav Scout]

That's what I was hoping for; some of the articles stress a lot of planning and research. Others tell you just to do it. The only thing it would seem I need to worry about (again, being clueless here) would be sun exposure (one side is light shade, the other is full sun).

Not knowing what pic you were looking at, the bright green carpet like plant was likely either a moss or babies breath. You mention that it is thick and slows or stops weeds so I am thinking it is moss. Moss comes in many varieties and looks really nice however it likes wet and does better in partial shade to full shade although there are a few that can handle sun as long as they get lots of water. As for your shrubs, when you read up on the ones you really like it should state whether or not they like full, partial or shade. As Hoobs stated unless there really spendy, if you kill one or two, its not a big deal. When we started our yard this spring the wife just went to a few of the area Nursery stores got a bunch of stuff she liked and then told me to plant it...:confused: So I went out and set all the pots where I thought they looked ok and then walked aways away and looked again. After moving some stuff around a bit to what I thought looked ok, I went and got her opinion, then I moved everything again...:))

[bella-day]

Azaleas are marvelous shrubs. They stay green year around and put on a show of color that is hard to match in the spring. We have several planted around the back yard.

Another favorite of mine is hydrangea. The south/east corner of our back yard is filled with them. We some that are the deepest purple I've ever seen. They are mixed in with deep blue, pale pink, hot pink, and lavender hydrangeas. Simply gorgeous!

Hydrangeas do best in an area that shields them from the sun during the hottest part of the day. We planted ours around the base of our magnolia tree. It's the perfect place for them. They are thriving like crazy.

You were asking about manageable ground cover. I love star lite jasmine. It has really dark green glossy leaves and gets tiny white flowers shaped like stars throughout the summer months. It's what I plan to plant around the hydrangeas eventually.

And you are in the south Emma so don't forget the dogwood. They do not get huge but they put on a heck of display in the early months of spring.

I wish we lived closer. I love to go plant shopping.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I don't think moss was what I saw in the pic (between and around stones in a path). But I have found some that look like they'd work; I'll keep that in mind.

I also found this:

http://www.plantsafari.com/Catalog/Detail/00395.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050807/news_lz1hs07cover.html

http://z.about.com/d/gardening/1/0/e/K/IsotomaBlueStarCreeper14.jpg

http://www.rd.com/17492/article17492.html

[StoneScratcher]

Maybe someone can help me with this too...

While googling about cottage gardens and shrubbery and the like, I found a photo of a garden path designed with flat stones over a very thick, green carpet-like plant (I don't think it was a grass). I can't seem to find it again, but the description said that whatever this was, it doesn't grow wild and will stay put (so to speak), and is so thick it won't allow weeds to come up through it. Any idea what it could be?

Great for you! I hope you have fun!

About what you're describing above, it sounds like some kind of moss. I can tell you that mosses you buy from a nursery are sometimes very fussy, and need the right environment to grow and, to me, aren't worth it.

This is a good tip:

I know you've "sprayed" your area--if it was sprayed with any type of herbicide, this may affect any plant that has its roots close to the surface (like moss).

If you have any moss in your yard, or know of someone in your area that has that soft, short, tightly growing moss, get about a three-inch square of it (dig a square out, but you don't need all the dirt underneath).

When you get your sample, put in into a blender (yes, this is for real) with PLAIN organic yogurt (one container), and mix it up like a smoothie. (This is not a joke.)

Anything you pour this mixture on will grow moss.

Using native moss will assure this moss is tough enough to live where you live.

I've tried this and this works. Even if you pour this on a rock, the moss will grow.

Edited to include this:

If you did use a herbicide, wait a month for the rain to wash it away, or hose it down thoroughly a few times and wait a couple of weeks, imo.

If you want more moss, increase the batch. But once you have moss growing in your yard, all you need is to use more yogurt and increase your harvest (you can have alot of moss by the end of summer!).

Also, I recommend buying a cheap blender (some people use their in-house blender and wash it out, but I dunno...I just picked up a cheap one and use it for assorted "experiments" like this...lol).

Good luck and have fun!

[StoneScratcher]

I don't think moss was what I saw in the pic (between and around stones in a path). But I have found some that look like they'd work; I'll keep that in mind.

I also found this:

http://www.plantsafari.com/Catalog/Detail/00395.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050807/news_lz1hs07cover.html

http://z.about.com/d/gardening/1/0/e/K/IsotomaBlueStarCreeper14.jpg

http://www.rd.com/17492/article17492.html

If it wasn't moss, it may have been some kind of perennial thyme (the herb).

This is also nice between stones. Some variations will stay low to the ground and spread out nicely. They flower in assorted small flowers, and whenever anyone walks on them, they are tough enough to survive.

And they smell lovely whenever anyone walks buy.

[StoneScratcher]

Azaleas are marvelous shrubs. They stay green year around and put on a show of color that is hard to match in the spring. We have several planted around the back yard.

Another favorite of mine is hydrangea. The south/east corner of our back yard is filled with them. We some that are the deepest purple I've ever seen. They are mixed in with deep blue, pale pink, hot pink, and lavender hydrangeas. Simply gorgeous!

Hydrangeas do best in an area that shields them from the sun during the hottest part of the day. We planted ours around the base of our magnolia tree. It's the perfect place for them. They are thriving like crazy.

You were asking about manageable ground cover. I love star lite jasmine. It has really dark green glossy leaves and gets tiny white flowers shaped like stars throughout the summer months. It's what I plan to plant around the hydrangeas eventually.

And you are in the south Emma so don't forget the dogwood. They do not get huge but they put on a heck of display in the early months of spring.

I wish we lived closer. I love to go plant shopping.

I love hydrangeas! They are one of my favorites. If you change the acidity of the soil, you can change the flowers. My mother used to put coffee grounds on one side of the hydrangea, and eggshells on the other. One side would have pink flowers, the other bright Newport, RI blue!

Here's another tip for those that don't know this:

If you have a hydrangea and you want matching hydrangeas throughout your yard, this is what you do:

You take one of the established bottom branches of the hydrangea (close to the ground), and you scruff up the earth below it, place the branch ON TOP of the soil (do not dig a hole and bury it, it will rot if you do). Gently place a stone about the size of a salad plate on it (not a boulder, a brick will work too). Then, forget about it.

In about two months you will have a rooted hydrangea and you can cut it from the branch and plant it.

I usually wait until the next year to plant it. But you can have multiple hydrangeas rooting from one hydrangea and have a yard full of them to plant!

[bella-day]

I love hydrangeas! They are one of my favorites. If you change the acidity of the soil, you can change the flowers. My mother used to put coffee grounds on one side of the hydrangea, and eggshells on the other. One side would have pink flowers, the other bright Newport, RI blue!

Here's another tip for those that don't know this:

If you have a hydrangea and you want matching hydrangeas throughout your yard, this is what you do:

You take one of the established bottom branches of the hydrangea (close to the ground), and you scruff up the earth below it, place the branch ON TOP of the soil (do not dig a hole and bury it, it will rot if you do). Gently place a stone about the size of a salad plate on it (not a boulder, a brick will work too). Then, forget about it.

In about two months you will have a rooted hydrangea and you can cut it from the branch and plant it.

I usually wait until the next year to plant it. But you can have multiple hydrangeas rooting from one hydrangea and have a yard full of them to plant!

They are some of my very favorite plants for the yard. Few plants will consistently bloom and give the color that a hydrangea will.

I've got 2 planted that I've yet to discover what color they will bloom. I bought them off a table of sickly plants for 50 cents a shot and planted them very late in the season last year. They are now healthy, green little hydrangeas. Ones that I hope will put a show on for us next year.

I think I'll try what you've suggested to get some rooting off the purple one I spoke of earlier. I've never seen a hydrangea quite that color before. It is dazzling!

[StoneScratcher]

They are some of my very favorite plants for the yard. Few plants will consistently bloom and give the color that a hydrangea will.

I've got 2 planted that I've yet to discover what color they will bloom. I bought them off a table of sickly plants for 50 cents a shot and planted them very late in the season last year. They are now healthy, green little hydrangeas. Ones that I hope will put a show on for us next year.

I think I'll try what you've suggested to get some rooting off the purple one I spoke of earlier. I've never seen a hydrangea quite that color before. It is dazzling!

Good for you for saving those toss-aways! I hate it when plants won't see because they aren't flowering anymore. But lucky you! What a great price!

I love hydrangeas too! When you do as I suggested, to get more plants, make sure you leave the stem of the branch out from under the rock. In otherwords, let the green leaves on the tip be exposed, the mid-part of the weighted branch is where it will root. You snip close to the original plant, and then dig up the roots of the new plant and you have a new hydrangea!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

If it wasn't moss, it may have been some kind of perennial thyme (the herb).

This is also nice between stones. Some variations will stay low to the ground and spread out nicely. They flower in assorted small flowers, and whenever anyone walks on them, they are tough enough to survive.

And they smell lovely whenever anyone walks buy.

Thanks for the tips :hug:

I've been looking at the photos of thyme, and I think that is what was in the image (that I can't find) planted between the garden path stones. I do remember it said it had flowers at some point.

I have a blender I can use for the yogart/moss stuff too :D

[F9thRet]

<snickers> I see your dad and I still need to talk, I imagine we can come up with a way to turn ex-butthead into a manageable compost to help with all your gardening needs. ;)

Seriously, glad to hear things are going well with your yard Emma.

Stephen

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I know you've "sprayed" your area--if it was sprayed with any type of herbicide, this may affect any plant that has its roots close to the surface (like moss).

We haven't sprayed yet (rain rain rain rain...). Once he does that, he'll wait a week then clear it all out, till up everything and feed the soil, then lay down a ground cover (fabric of some kind) and mulch. Then the planting begins... so that's going to be a little bit down the road.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

<snickers> I see your dad and I still need to talk, I imagine we can come up with a way to turn ex-butthead into a manageable compost to help with all your gardening needs. ;)

Seriously, glad to hear things are going well with your yard Emma.

Stephen

This is the same butthead that we were going to go on a roadtrip to take care of a few years ago...

He's just the gift that keeps on giving lol.

[StoneScratcher]

Thanks for the tips :hug:

I've been looking at the photos of thyme, and I think that is what was in the image (that I can't find) planted between the garden path stones. I do remember it said it had flowers at some point.

I have a blender I can use for the yogart/moss stuff too :D

No problem! I have two types of thyme growing now...I'd run out and get the names off the tags (I can't remember) but it is pouring outside!

That yogurt tip is something I saw years back on TV. I can't remember who it was.

Have alot of fun, Emma, and don't do what I ALWAYS do! I always plant things too close together and then in a couple of years, I have to move them!

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

No problem! I have two types of thyme growing now...I'd run out and get the names off the tags (I can't remember) but it is pouring outside!

That yogurt tip is something I saw years back on TV. I can't remember who it was.

Have alot of fun, Emma, and don't do what I ALWAYS do! I always plant things too close together and then in a couple of years, I have to move them!

The thyme looks so nice... and I bet it does smell great. As far as fun... oh yeah. I'm just so happy to have this (finally) under control. Well soon to be under control. I should have hired someone a year ago. I thought I could do it myself, but since Dad took away my chain saw, I've been handicapped :(

[StoneScratcher]

The thyme looks so nice... and I bet it does smell great. As far as fun... oh yeah. I'm just so happy to have this (finally) under control. Well soon to be under control. I should have hired someone a year ago. I thought I could do it myself, but since Dad took away my chain saw, I've been handicapped :(

A chainsaw! I'll remember you can use one, next time we're on the WP board! LOL! I can barely use a hedger!

I also wanted to say, if you want to plant easy seeds which will fill in (and are edible), you can plant the pea-sized nasturtium seeds. They grow quickly and come in various varieties, including climbing. They are a good filler-in in spots you want to fill but not have a shrub there. They are annuals, by the way (at least they are here in New England).

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

Maybe someone can help me with this too...

While googling about cottage gardens and shrubbery and the like, I found a photo of a garden path designed with flat stones over a very thick, green carpet-like plant (I don't think it was a grass). I can't seem to find it again, but the description said that whatever this was, it doesn't grow wild and will stay put (so to speak), and is so thick it won't allow weeds to come up through it. Any idea what it could be?

Could be 'dicondra' (which is a three leafed small clover which is used instead of grass in many area's of the nation..grows about the same height as grass...or..could be 'baby tears' which is a looser three leafed clover type ground cover which stays 3/4 to 1/2 inch in height and has small white blooms that come up 8 weeks of the year....or even clumps of 'Irish Moss' which are a high green and are shaped like little ground level toad stools and spread out slowly over time in shady to part sun area's. All are low maintenance...stay green year round..and don't require mowing. :mrgreen:

Shrubs...there are some great one's in the two sites you posted. I didn't see an Nandidia. There are several types of nandidia..dwarf, gulf steam, bambo...on an on. They keep a great color year round; have almost a lacy leaf affect to the foliage and are low maintenance as well. 5 star white jasmine mixed with Vinca is always pretty.

Don't forget many of your favorite tree's also come in 'dwarf' sizes. So a well placed red Japanese maple or dwarf white crepe myrtle is always a nice eye line for a cottage garden. They only get about 4 foot to 4 an 1/2 feet high and can bring color up to eye line.

Remember to have fun! I bet it looks great when your done! Pics please when your done....can't wait to see what it looks like!

~Mysty

[SFC(R)L]

Ask the

"Knights Who Say Ni"

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Could be 'dicondra' (which is a three leafed small clover which is used instead of grass in many area's of the nation..grows about the same height as grass...

http://www.peoriagardens.com/images/premiums/DichondraSilverFalls.jpg

that is gorgeous!

[angelicmadrigal]

I actually am partial to Korean Lilacs.

I usually don't garden, but I am considering either a poisonous plant garden or carvivourous plants.

[CaptPops]

Maybe someone can help me with this too...

While googling about cottage gardens and shrubbery and the like, I found a photo of a garden path designed with flat stones over a very thick, green carpet-like plant (I don't think it was a grass). I can't seem to find it again, but the description said that whatever this was, it doesn't grow wild and will stay put (so to speak), and is so thick it won't allow weeds to come up through it. Any idea what it could be?

It could possibly be Bermuda grass.

[Pauper66]

Maybe someone can help me with this too...

While googling about cottage gardens and shrubbery and the like, I found a photo of a garden path designed with flat stones over a very thick, green carpet-like plant (I don't think it was a grass). I can't seem to find it again, but the description said that whatever this was, it doesn't grow wild and will stay put (so to speak), and is so thick it won't allow weeds to come up through it. Any idea what it could be?

Zoysia grass can grow like that and be thick enough to prevent weeds from coming up.

Mint is another plant that will do this. Mint can be HIGHLY invasive though.

Weed seeds can float in though, and no matter what type of ground cover you plant you can still have weeds. The benefits of the carpet type grasses are that the weed will still germinate on top, but be very easy to pull as long as stay on top of it and don't let them root.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Thanks :D

Now if it will just stop raining long enough for him to get started on this...

[Pauper66]

This is a good tip:

I know you've "sprayed" your area--if it was sprayed with any type of herbicide, this may affect any plant that has its roots close to the surface (like moss).

That would depend on the herbicide used. (more below), Glyphosphate (RoundUp), for example, becomes inert after 24-48 hours. Even veggies for human consumption can be planted at this point.

One note on glyphosphate-it does take up to a week or more to acheive a total kill. It is a systemic herbicide. It translocates through the plant and into the roots. Mix it according to the instructions. Some people like to boost the strength by mixing it stronger. This will kill off the top growth before the chemical can kill the roots, and the vegetation will return. Glyphosphate kills by blocking enzymes that allow the plant to convert food into energy....the plants essentially starve to death.



Edited to include this:

If you did use a herbicide, wait a month for the rain to wash it away, or hose it down thoroughly a few times and wait a couple of weeks, imo.



STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!

Depending on the chemical you use, this could be a VERY BAD thing.

Ortho Ground Clear, for example, contains a chemical called Imazapyr. This is a pre-emergent weed killer. It gets in through the roots and kills plants. It has a half life of 17 months. Can you say barren wasteland?

Imazapyr is also known to "walk". It does not readily break down in the soil, and rain can wash it to other areas. In that case, it WILL kill whatever is in those areas, and it's killing power is usually highly effective for six months or more.

ALWAYS read the labels. And talk to your landscaper. They should be able to answer all your questions.

[Pauper66]

That's what I was hoping for; some of the articles stress a lot of planning and research. Others tell you just to do it. The only thing it would seem I need to worry about (again, being clueless here) would be sun exposure (one side is light shade, the other is full sun).

Planning....yes and no.

It doesn't have to be extensive. As mentioned, sun and shade will be a concern. But so will water needs. Some plants have a heavy water requirement that will inhibit or even kill other plants. Research xeriscaping.

edit-And don't knock the research. Look what it did for your view on shrubs-and probably took all of about ten minutes. reseach can be fun. research=ideas.

[Pauper66]

(and if it isn't obvious by now, I am a landscaper):D:dance:

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

(and if it isn't obvious by now, I am a landscaper):D:dance:

Woohoo!!

I'm having the landscaper spray and clear the lower yard. He mentioned he uses an uber-roundup-type-stuff and something else... a professional mix that will kill everything, but leave the ground ok for planting afterward. He said after about a week, he'd come back and clear everything up, till the soil and ... enrich it? ... something like that (sorry, very late). Then he's going to cover it and mulch it so it can be planted. He offered to make it grass, but I'd rather not have any on the lower tier of the yard.

For the front/side and upper back yard, he's going to spray something that will kill the weeds and leave only grass. He's also going to get rid of the damned english ivy I have covering the bank in front, and cover/mulch that so I can plant some phlox or other ground cover there.

He talked about spraying the weeds out of the lawn... but I kinda like the clover growing along the side. I know that's not supposed to be there I like the way it looks. Ah well.

[Pauper66]

Sounds like you are in good hands.

And some clover is a good thing. It pulls nitrogen from the air and puts it back into the soil. In fact, lots and lots and lots of clover can be an indication of nitrogen poor soil.

I have a few raised bed gardens for veggies. I usually keep one empty for rotation, and I let clover grow in it and the rest of them between plantings.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Sounds like you are in good hands.Thanks. I was impressed. He seemed honest and answered all of my (stupid) questions without laughing at me (at least not to my face).

And some clover is a good thing. It pulls nitrogen from the air and puts it back into the soil. In fact, lots and lots and lots of clover can be an indication of nitrogen poor soil.

I have a few raised bed gardens for veggies. I usually keep one empty for rotation, and I let clover grow in it and the rest of them between plantings.

Back when my youngest was about 6 or so, I looked out the door and found her eating a clover. I panicked and called poison control. The doc they checked with said that clover is high in vitamins and other good stuff... and to let her eat as much of it as she wanted :neutral:

I told them thanks, but no thanks. I wasn't going to send my kid out to graze.