I'm thinking about planting something all the way across the wood that you see below in picture. When people drive by that is what they see. Any suggestions on good plants for that specific area? Should I plant different ones or all one type? Thanks!!
Hi Jyn23. I'm fairly new to landscaping myself. If the area is shady enough, I would plant a row of mixed color impatiens all along the wooden timbers. It will soften the edge and give you some color. I'm curious to see what others that are more experienced than myself will offer. Good luck!
Michelle
I don't know, fully grown silver maples are real moisture hogs. Have you tried to work any of it up. The one I tried to grow grass around had a 6" mat of fibrous roots by it.
That tree makes it very hard for something new to thrive. You might be happier not fighting it. could you mulch around the tree itself, and tie that in with a bed along the front towards the stump. I like the idea of daylily foliage curling over the wood.
daylilies and iris! :)
Of course you said daylilies, lol!!
Alyssum is a garden favorite, it has a sweet fragrance and will drape nicely over the wood. Hosta is a hard worker in the garden, it comes up every year. Whatever you decide, don't plant in a straight row, put 3 together..in a triangular shape. Gives it more eye appeal.
All of the above will work. The hosta is good for year-rounf foilage and it also has flowers on it at certain times of the year.
Pepper - are you in politics now or creating your own fun quiz ;)~
If planting doesn't work out then maybe planters along there might be the answer.
LOL. Sometimes I am too tired to give a good answer so I just make it short and sweet.
My suggestion is to have a pro provide you with a landscape design. Then, if you don't want to pay them to plant it, you can always do it yourself as you can afford it. The nicest thing about having them plant? A pro will usually guarantee what he plants for at least one growing season.
I am growing zinnias/pinwheel series (profusion mix) to use as a border this year. They mound nicely are about 12 inches tall spread about 18 inches. They flower profusely and you can choose from white, red, orange, or a mix of all of them.
My opinion is to fill the area with one main thing, as most things look better in a mass planting, and then add a few different types of plants with the same requirements. Of course hostas and ferns come to mind, but there are many other combinations. Keep us posted and send pictures.
Thank you EVERYONE for all your responses. I will definetly keep you posted with what we decide to do! We are waiting to get our roof re-roofed before I start the landscaping!
Looks like your tree will give you a fair amount of shade in the summer. See if you can try some little nandinas which are evergreen. Sometimes with some sun exposure the leaves will turn red. A good resource is Home Depot's Landscape 1-2-3 book. Monkey Grass is a great groundcover for shady spots as well. Good luck!
One place I like to go look for ideas is Better Homes and Gardens website (bhg.com). They have a whole bunch of free garden plans of all sizes and uses. You have to sign up for a membership to their site (which is free) to look at the detailed planting guides, but if you can ignore all the really annoying ads and tons of pop ups (some of which talk to you, you may want to put your PC on mute) their garden plans are gorgeous (and did I mention they're FREE!!). Even if you don't use their cookie cutter setups, they give you great ideas.
I would put a grouping of planters under the tree, if that is a maple they have tons of roots near the surface that make it very VERY hard to dig for planting and they do tend to hog up any water. If you don't MIND some digging one great idea I heard is to bury some planters up to within an inch or so of their rims. That way your flower beds look like they are planted in the ground, but the tree can't suck up their water. I LOVE Hosta for shade gardens, contrast their cool tones with the bright warm ones of some impatiens. You could place another large planter tub on that stump over by your driveway and then wrap a flowerbed around it, tying it in with the under the tree flowerbed.
