Beginner Gardening: Up date Florida Yard, 2 by NancyGroutsis

NancyGroutsis wrote:
birder17, that’s an attractive ranch home! I have some ideas that might be able to help you, and I’ve attached before and after images to show what I’m referring to. First, I don’t like the brick line because it doesn’t match with the gray stone of the lamp border so I would remove that. I recommend creating a celosia border there and separating it from the grass with edging.

What zone in Florida is the ranch? I’m recommending plants that thrive in zone 10 since Florida’s range is 8-11. Clematis armandii Snowdrift is one of the few clematis that do well in hot climates so I would recommend planting one in the circle surrounding the lamp post. On the right of the lamp I think the area would look nice if it was filled with purble Persian shield and with a crape myrtle tree planted in the center.

The area next to the door is shaded from the roof so although you said you didn’t want a tropical look perhaps you might consider lining that walkway with Sansiveria Moonshine which does will in the shade. Under the first window next to the door I recommend Blue Storm agapanthus flowers. All the plants I’m recommending I read should be evergreen in zone 10. Under the next window a striking pink Muhlenbergia capillaries would look nice for contrast with the dark green shrubs.

I also recommend planting the narrow grass area next to the road. Owners are responsible for caring for the area next to their homes even though they technically don’t own it and it is right of way:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/publicrow.htm#sidewalk...

For the sidewalk garden (across from the celosia) I recommend either Blue Chip Dwarf Butterfly Bush for color or Juniperus Good Vibrations for an eye-catching evergreen look. The juniper can tolerate drought or plenty of rain as you have in Florida. You have an attractive flat plot that should be easy to work with. With plenty of sunshine and rain, you probably don’t need much irrigation but I think it’s always a good idea to keep an outdoor hose at all times for general gardening and during rare droughts, but if it’s in the front it should be hidden from view.

DoGooder