Beginner Gardening: Help getting my front yard finished..., 4 by warriorswisdomkathy

warriorswisdomkathy wrote:
Be careful of those Junipers, I have some in the front of the house, already established, each is approx. 4 1/2 ft high X 5-6ft wide. Make sure all shrubs are out far enough from the foundation, ie say the mature dimesions of a shrub are 5ft x 5ft, the shrub need to be out from the foundation atleast half the width of the shrub and add a few more inches. Some shrubs get bigger than tags state. Any or all of the shrubs look as tho they are still small enough to be moved fairly easily. If you do move any do it soon as it will be easier on the plant before the summer heat sets in, also water in REAL good and add extra water for a few weeks to help it if there is any transplant shock from severed roots.
You don't say how wide the bed is, it in fact looks rather narrow. If you're still wanting to add flowers their are so many that could be used. Look around the neighborhood, pick up some books from the library, go on garden tours and look for some of the publications specifically on landscaping and or flower gardens. Better Homes and Garden always has some seasonal publications to get some great ideas. Begin with making the bed wider to give room for growth, find some plants you might like to add. With a white house, you might want to add some things that are not white, that way they won't get lost next to the house. And get brave, add some flowers that attain some height. There are so amny easy flowers to grow, get awy from the petunias and low growers. Mant perennials can bloom all summer, let me know and I will give some great suggestions if interested.
There are many shrub roses on the market that need little care and will bloom all summer. Personally I love Peonies, and have used them as a shrub, (it does disappear through the winter but I was ok with that). What I did love was the spring blooms and again the fall colors, many turn red or orange, (especially the red and pink flowered ones)
Actually the lilac on the corner of the house is not such a bad idea, for one it helps to soften the sharp corners of the house and anchors it to the ground..Just make sure it's planted far enough from the house. It should be atleast 10-12ft from the house, remember, they get huge!!! Always remember to look at the mature height before planting, and then plant far enough away from the foundation. Fill in with some perennials if you would like til the lilac gets bigger, that way the area won't look soo bare. If your not wanting to do some perenns., there are many great shrubs that would be lovely. Some Spiareas bloom all summer at about 3ft x 3ft.. Caryopteris ( Blue Mist Spiarea, tho not a Spiarea, lol.) blooms mid summer til frost or close to it. You could add several layers of shrubs to soften the front of the house. Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart all have 1 gallon shrubs for less than $10, some as low as $6. Just a few ideas.
Another often overlooked source of info is your local Extention Office listed in the county or state section of your phone book. They have handouts that are usually free and will give suggestion for your local. Also the Extension Agents, will be able to answer many questions.
Come back and let us know more about your project and we will help if we can. If ya wana grow some flowers just ask for ideas, don't be shy, lol. Gotta learn somehow. Kathy.
P.S. Remember to have some fun and enjoy it. Do you have any childhood memories of plants, smells or such? And some nurseries, (not a box store), might have someone who is Actually knowledgeable and might be able to give some ideas.
Pix 3: Salvia nemerosa blooms all summer when old blooms are cut off, 28", Pink, blue or white.
Pix4: Daisy, blooms all summer if deadheaded, this varitety is 48", but many varieties bloom at lower heights.