To hack or not?

I don't know how well you can see it from the picture I'm providing, but I have a couple large trees near the back of my property. Around them is a lot of undergrowth, and it blocks the way into a small area at the very back of my property. With some work, that area could be a little "secret garden," with plants, a bench, some paving stones, a small flowering shrub or two.

My question is, is this growth proper shrubs that I should prune and care for? Or are these suckers and undergrowth and other stuff that I don't want or need in my garden/yard? I have so few things growing in my back yard that I'm reticent to cut down anything that's healthy and growing.

But they are in the way. It's like my yard is truncated, and I can't use the rest.

(Also, before I moved in, someone apparently used that area back there as a debris/refuse dumping ground. I'm a little scared of what might jump out at me if I go poking around back there.)

Another picture.

And a question. If you had a little secluded area like that, what would you do with it?

I would say if you want to use that part of the yard for something else, then hack away! It's hard to tell from the picture where the branches are coming from, I'm sure a bit of pruning wouldn't hurt the plants even if you decide you want to keep them. Although if you're afraid to poke around in the junk that got left back there, then you'd be better off leaving everything overgrown, otherwise you'll have to look at the junk! I think that could be a cute little secret garden type area (as long as it's not a noisy road or something on the other side of the fence?). I wouldn't recommend paving because of the trees, but you could put down a layer of mulch or gravel and set a bench back there or something.

This is a little like making dinner.

See what's in the fridge, especially forgotten way in the back. Throw out rotten stuff as discovered (green, fuzzy, moving...)

Determine what species you've got there, and see which are useful and contributing versus invasive pests contaminating your property and others.

Mix:

one cup ___________
two ounces ________
three teaspoons ____

Chop ________
Mince ________
Shred ________

Limb up remaining quality plants for your access way (after deleting the junk). Leave the rest of the good plants (and what you haven't ID'd) to provide the privacy you desire.

Season.

Add plants and amenities, to taste.

Bake for a summer at 95º-110º and baste when browned.

That's a gourmet's garden.

If I were making a "secret garden"/potting shed back there I'd trim out 4' wide and anything that comes from the sides to the base of the main stems. I'd definitely leave anything that is over 6' to keep the "secret garden" feel. That tree needs a climbing Hydrangea on it. I've often used "crusher dust" or sharp small gravel over groundcloth as it is easy to place and makes a nice flat surface with good drainage. Use the paver stones for the back. I can see the potential.

They have climbing Hydrangea?

I was thinking clematis, climbing roses, or moonflower on the back fence.

On both sides are neighbors, btw.

Or maybe sunflowers. Very cheery, and *very private*.

I didn't take time for the photo to load fully via my connection, but it looks like one of those awful Asian Lonicera! Do you have those out there? They are one of our worst weeds.

I think the area calls for a rather unique combination of Tradescantia, Cleome, Aristida, Gynandropus, and Boerheavia, perhaps with some Brassia for accent . . .
;-)

Guy S.

W_H, isn't it a little shady back there because of the trees? I wouldn't think there would be enough sun for roses, sunflowers, etc that you're suggesting.

Hmm. You're right. I'd have to look for shade or part shade plants and climbers.

Starhill, are you telling me I should populate my secret garden with various dinosaurs? That's what it sounds like. I don't think there's room. ;-)

Here's the climbing Hydrangea: http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/147/index.html and it says to zone 4a and will climb that trunk nicely if trained a bit. If you say it's shady I'd go with Hosta with a soil amendment, some Cranesbill Geraniums http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38287/index.html this showing a pic under a tree and a few native evergreen shrubs.

Well, not exactly. They're all great plants, and they can hide in secluded places. Look up the common names . . .
;-)

I have to agree with Guy, looks as if you have some really nice Japanese Honeysuckle there. Oh Lucky you. Have fun beating that back. I'll feel your pain as I'll be whacking more back here this fall.

Now just ignore his suggestions about what to plant (Tradescantia, Cleome, Aristida, Gynandropus, and Boerheavia, perhaps with some Brassia for accent). Why Guy, you know she's arachnophobic you bad boy you.

Hee-hee-hee!!!

Bad Boy
Bad Boy
Whacha gonna do when they come for you
Bad Boy
Bad Boy

I didn't recognize the names, but I KNEW they didn't sound like plants.

Maybe I should send you in for that root canal instead of me. And just when the drill is hitting a fever pitch, I'll turn out the lights and put a nice friendly boa in your lap.

No, not a feather boa.... :-)

No, wait! They ARE plants!

Spiderwort
Spiderflower
Spider Grass
Spiderherb
Spiderling
Spider Orchid
and I forgot to add Spider Lily!

And you can't give me a root canal unless you can catch me, sitting safely here 1000 miles away!!! (Good thing, because you sound like someone not to mess around with!)

;-)

Um, they actually are plants:
Tradescantia- Spiderwort
Cleome- Spider Flower
Aristida ternipes- Spider Grass
Gynandropus- ? Some sort of a spider eating beetle?
Boerheavia (he misspelled it)/ Boerhavia erecta- Erect Spiderling
Brassia- spider orchids

They still sound like dinosaurs. ;-)