Beginner Gardening: First Time Homeowner + Landscaping = Much Help Needed!, 1 by rteets

rteets wrote:
DoGooder
That is actually a caryopteris "Blue Mist" in early summer before it got to its full height of 2 1/2 feet. Below is a picture of it when it blooms in August.

I actually don't have any asters, but looking at yours makes me think I need to find a place for some! Lovely.

Green sand is a good idea. So is digging out the dandelions by hand. If you do that before you get too many it's not such a chore.