I live in a rental and we had an option of getting new carpets or having the landscaping finished when we moved in. We chose new carpets because we had a 6 month old. Now we're stuck with a big eye sore in front of our rental. It's multched but that's it. Weeds are starting to grow out of it and it's driving me crazy. It's just a rental so I want to keep my cost as low as possible. What you yall suggest?
We live in kansas and the area gets direct sunlight all day long.
Salvia and daylilies are two easy to grow perennials that will look good in there. If you want some quick color for the season then zinnas would be a good choice. They are very low maintenance and very pretty when blooming which is from June(ish) until frost.
Salvias will bloom repeatedly during the season with some deadheading and daylilies bloom once during the summer then it's just the leaves for the rest of the season.
Here are some examples of the plants I mentioned. All can easily be found at the nearest box store or nursery.
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/perennials/Salvia.html
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/perennials/Hemerocallis.html
http://www.burpee.com/flowers/zinnias/all-about-zinnias-article10019.html
Check out hostas and succulents. Both are pretty and come in tons of varieties, shapes and colors. Fabulous color and texture and very low maintenance.
They spread and both are really cheap in big box stores garden areas. I pick up tons of succulents for $3.00 each that are decent size and usually several in 1 plastic pot. I space them out when I plant them and let them spread.
These do fine with sunlight but not extreme heat (which I found out living in AZ in 110 degrees plus!). Next Spring I'm going to have to replace mine and find a "shadier" spot!
Hostas are not for full sun.
Some succulents are OK, but slow growing, and can be expensive for even a small plant. If you don't mind waiting for them to grow, they can be quite interesting, different from most other gardens.
I like the idea of Day Lilies, Salvia, Lavender, Penstemon, and similar full sun perennials.
To keep the weeds under control, and help the plants, keep the mulch in good condition by getting more periodically and topping it off so the soil does not show. This will slow down the growth of the weeds, and make it easy to pull out whatever weeds grow.
Another way to make it easier to handle this area is to run some irrigation that connects to the hose bibb with a timer. The timer will automatically turn on the sprinklers at set times.
At first, new plants might need it every day. Then, as they get their roots going, every other day, then less and less frequently.
That's a list of beautiful suggestions and good ideas. Here's the last of mine based on what I, my mother and my aunt had around our homes in Ohio.
Don't necessarily know all the proper names so I'll use the common ones. Maybe some of them will work or at least give you a jumping off point.
All of these are pretty much zones 4-9 and stay within 6"-36"; dwarf trees at 4'.
For pretty shades of wine//burgundy/purple/violet pink/cream/brown:
Streibs Findling Cotoneaster, pink geraniums, Tib Heather, Barberry, purple or red Fountain grass ( 30-36" tall), Echinacea (colors range from cream to purplish)
For shades of green and green "woodsy" and "rustic" looks: Dwarf pines and conifers like Hinoki Cyrpess and Dwarf Himalayan Pine or topiaries that WILL NOT get over 4 feet; Hypericum, Heuchera, Juniper, Pansy, Cichondra, Coleus, Moss, Hakonechloa and Pansies, Violets and Lily of the Valley.
Things with fun texture: Euphorbia, Thyme, Juniper, Sedum, Hens and Chicks (with proper tending), Coleus, Oregano and lots of other herbs depending on care instructions, Berseba Begonia, Euonymus, Spikemoss and other mosses.
You should also think about whether or not you want to install a drip system to water or since it is a small area and the plants are on the smaller side (none of these get over 3-4 feet maximum and most at 2.) is it easier and more economical to hand water?
That's about all I can offer up. The others probably know more in your area. It's been awhile since I lived some place with 4 seasons. I have 2: hot and hotter. The nice thing though is you have a blank slate to create whatever you like and so many choices to do it with.
Have fun!!! I envy you!
Keep us up to date on your selections and placement.
Check out the sun/shade requirements of any plants you consider. With a south or west facing wall that reflects the heat, make sure your choices are for full sun. Make sure they are compatible with their water needs, too.
Since it's a rental....maybe do pots with annuals. If you are planning on being there for several years then go with perennials.
Perennials that grow and produce flowers pretty nicely the first year, and go on for several years are the same amount of work to plant as annuals, will benefit from an irrigation system (same cost to set up no matter what you plant) and usually just a little more expensive to initially purchase the plant.
Alternate idea: Grow some vegetables out there!
Things like tomatoes, squash, and melons thrive in the heat, grow fast, and some make quite nice looking plants (Eggplant stands out with color and leaf shape)
In the cooler but not freezing seasons things like peas, lettuce, and many root crops can grow.
At this time of the year, I would indulge in larger plants.
Hi Brandigizzle. Overwhelmed yet? As an artist who paints that's the problem I have a lot of times with a blank canvas. Where to start!
Just curious to see if you have come up with something...or gave up and moved (LOL)
Whatever it is: A.) Make sure you love it
B.) Make sure it fits your "needs"/does what you want it to do where you
want it to do it (zone, temp, space, water, time, etc.)
C.) Decide if you can love it or leave it. If you move are you willing to leave
it behind since you rent OR can you dig it up and take it/some of it with
you to your next home?
So....what do YOU have in mind? Got ideas or pictures. Would love to hear from you. If you don't know the name of something post the picture. There's plenty of landscape ideas here and also check your supermarket/drug store magazine rack. Lots of them carry garden and landscaping magazines and catalogs. You may just get hit by the lightening bolt of inspiration!
