Sidewalk dilemna

Hi DGers,
I have a plain, ordinary side walk with two curves. I recently relieved my new yard of 3 bradford pears and now it is so noticeable and blah. I am looking for something to line each side with. As I get so confused on border, paver, edgers, I could use some suggestions. It can be a neat row or untamed looking. It can be foliage only or flowering. The sidewalk gets full sun all day. I am in Zone 7, Birmingham, AL. I am not picky. Oh, just as I typed that I realized, no monkey grass please. Nothing against it, but the back yard is shaded and I have a monkey grass and ivy problem (another question for another day). Anyway, I just want interest. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Traci

Hello Traci!
I just typed this whole great big story about how I'm a Daylily freak, and how I think you'd like them, and lost the whole thing! Geez.......

Anyway, they may or may not be what you are looking for but they come in all colors, shapes and sizes. The possibilities are endless. Maybe planted a couple feet away from the sidewalk, maybe mixed with something like daisies and salvias and mulched, might be pretty. That might be a cottage type looking option for you.
It could get quite tall though. But then Daylilies also come in dwarfs! LOL

Here's a look at some of the choices, Daylily bloom times can be limited, that's why I suggested mixed planting for more bloom interest thru the season.



They have early, middle and late bloomers, you can have bloom for a couple months.

http://gardenperennials.net/daylily-gallery1.htm

Would you be looking for something that is evergreen ?
I suppose you would as your purpose is for it to look not so barren if I understood well. Daylilies are very nice but go dormant in winter and then you're left again with the same barren look. They could be partially combined though with ever greens. It all depends on how much space you have on these sides of your yard for the choice of plants.
I would go for a mixed plantation that can give interest the whole year round. But as I mentioned all depends on the space available.

If you could get a pic it might help us viualize better.
My suggestion would echo above. A mix of flowers and evergreens. Junipers are nice and there are some dwarf ones out there. I have mini daffy's "tete-de-tete" lining my walkway. They flower very early, late Feb. and early March.

Kwanjin

Ok, I am about to try this pic thing. I was actually outside taking photos just for this reason. I guess there was an instinct you experienced gardeners would like to visualize. I am starting to get it, veeerrrryyy slllowwlllyy. Give me bit to get it posted.

Thanks,
Delighted

Ok, I am going to post several pics. My yard is your blank canvas. All suggestions welcome. The problem is I don't know good plants, shrubs, weeds for bad ones. The yard got overgrown before we moved in. Also keep in mind we are under STRICT water restrictions. You will notice various buckets laying around. Unfortunately they are still dry.

The walkway, blah....

Right side of front yard

Tree on the right side. I have NO idea what it is. Anyone?

Left side of house. I am chocking in ivy. Want it gone.

My climate's nothing like yours so I don't know what plants will grow well for you, but here are a couple general pieces of advice.

First of all, I wouldn't plant anything now, you should wait until fall when the weather gets a little cooler. Hot weather is a very stressful time to plant things, and when you add in the water restrictions you're likely to lose most of your new plants if you put them in now.

And as a general design consideration--make sure the things you plant right next to the path aren't going to get really bushy and grow out into the sidewalk. Some low growing annuals or perennials right in the front are probably best, then you can do some larger shrubs behind that if you want, but make sure to check what their full grown width will be so that you have them planted far enough back from the walk (unless you love constant pruning!)

Two quick ones of the back. Lots of shade. Still the hostas and ferns couldn't take the head. :(

Last one. The funny thing is I took over 200 pics. I have got to identify some of these plants. Just for some peace of mind. BTW, I love my back yard. I never dreamed I would have something like this. Forget the house, I want to live back there! It even has a creek, a very dried up creek because of drought.

Crud, one more. What is this tall grass. My hubby hates it, but I love it. He doesn't do anything in the yard, so he is just going to have to live with it!

Miniature roses would be nice there. There are lots of colors to choose from and they stay fairly small, 18 in. or so. How much sun does the walkway get?

Pic #2 looks like there is a "Blue Rug" juniper under the tree. I would move that and put it somewhere else.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=miniature+roses&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=with&Search=Search&searcher[common]=Miniature%20Rose

Ecrane, with yard, I have enough pruning to last a life time. No thanks. I thought about a low grower, but don't really know enough about plants to pick one that won't just spread over my sidewalk. I am definitely not planting right now. The ground would break the spade.

Bonitin, I definitely want something evergreen, but don't mind mixing it up. This yard is wild and I want to keep with the idea, but in a structured way. I don't even think that makes sense. lol.

Crash, one of the FEW plants I tried in the front was a day lily. Abolutely beautiful and out lasted most of the other plants before the heat took it.

I am so sorry I forgot to number pics. Chalk it up to rookie mistake. Kwanjin, I actually have two mini's growing in the back and the are cute as can be. The only thing is I have a 2 1/2 month old and she cannot keep her hands out of flowers. I have never noticed that shurb there. How sad. I will check it out and see. Is one of the good or bad ones?

Ugh!

OH, full sun, all day, every day, every single day for the last 2 months.

The tall grass looks like pampas grass. It comes in a variety with pink plumes, too. There are so many plants, grasses, bushes, and trees, you can grow in your area.

I would suggest you get a copy of The Southern Living Garden Book, which is a huge book, over 700 pages of gardening info just for the south, 1200 colored illustrations, 1300 color photos and over 7000 plant entries. It has sections on drought tolerant plants, rock garden plants, and shade plants, etc. It lists the heat zone tolerance for plants as well as the cold hardiness zone. I got mine on eBay for about $10.00 plus shipping. Definitely worth the money.

Karen

That's a great idea , Karen.

A good book like that (or several) are priceless. I don't know what I would have done without mine! LOL And the pampas might be invasive in your area. I would check it out. I'm very envious of you and look forward ot seeing what you decide on.

Kwanjin

P.S. The juniper isn't bad, it's just a bad spot for it. Not really good under the tree. I didn't mean to scare you! LOL

Good luck

Thanks Glendale Kid. I have been asking around about good books, but no one has replied. That sound like it will be perfect. BTW, talk about crazy weather. I am a property adjuster and handle your area. Last time I was down as mini tornado? came through. On one street, whole trees were uprooted, while we didn't get a drop in Hoover. It always seems to hit you the worst.

I thought about adding some other grass in there, but I will think on that for a while. I have plenty to do before going there.

Kwanjin, the problem I have with not knowing is getting rid of the wrong thing. I was looking to remove some shurbs on other side of house, but was highly advised it would be a stupid mistake by the Trugreen man (a lot of good he has done for our dormant yard. Not his fault, the rain gods aren't replying to my dances.

Oh, Kwanjin, you are more then welcome to drive to AL and have "fun" pulling ivy and digging monkey grass anytime. I think that will take me three years alone. I spent four hours pulling ivy the other day to have DH come home and tell me it was poison ivy. Now don't I sound like an expert gardener. This was before the yellow jacket attack. Sometimes it feels like war out there, battling the sun, heat, mosquitos, yellow jackets, water rations. Does gardening sound fun or what? Just thinking about all that makes me think I am crazy for falling in love with it. Well your head can't tell your heart to stop.

The one thing I have definitely learned from ya'll is the patience necessary to garden. I know it won't be done in a season, as much as I would love it, but I have seen some disasters out there because of willful gardening. I almost did it myself. Luckily I had to put everything in pots to move to the shade.

I will take any more ideas or advise you have. I am a sponge.

Finally, there is a little raised bed which HAD herbs in it (rosemary is huge, rest is dead). It is in the back, but gets good afternoon sun. Good place for a cutting garden?

I'm in the truck and on my way! LOL
Anything that YOU like is what you should keep, not what the Trugreen man likes. Foundation plants are important but if you don't like them...

Goo luck! Kwanjin

Just make sure it is full of mulch Kwanjin. That's a lot of yard to cover and I haven't been able to find a wholeseller. I heard about calling the utility dept and plan on doing so next week. I could kick myself for not thinking about this as the shreaded the Bradfords and other shrubs. Rookie mistake #2 on this post.

I am interested to find out what the shrub is. It has a several dead blooms on it. It is a pretty shape and color, but you are absolutely right. I may decided to do an entirely 70's flower garden with tie dyes and neons. I could go goth and get all black. That is the amazing thing I didn't really know, all the options. Right now I am on a Coleus kick, but that is because it is sooo easy. How about a giant chess board motif made up of black flower punk rockers against tie dyed hippie flowers. The neighbors already think I am off because I have had them catch me talking to my plants like they were humans. Just keeping them on their toes! Here's the shrub if anyone knows. It could be just a weed that grew REALLY well.

And the dead flowers. They either died before we moved, I have been so busy I didn't see them.

Have fun with whatever you do. I have. My neighbors are always looking over the fence to see what I've done next. Last summer we had a parade of them just to see the back! I like to do different things in the front every year. Maybe next year I'll go with the goth theme!!! LOL

I don't know what your plant is. I'll be watching this thread to find out, though.

!!! Kwanjin

We had some dandy weather last night. Heavy rain and thunder and lightning. Those little tornadoes are a bit strange. Neighbor up the road lost her shed to one a couple of years ago, and that was the only thing in the whole area that it hit.

Your shrub with the dead flowers sure looks like a camellia to me. Don't prune it until after it blooms again early next year. The new blooms come on the very ends of the branches.

The pampas grass is not invasive in this area. The clump will just get bigger every year. You can divide it or leave it alone. Personally, I like pampas grass and I'm not a big fan of ornamental grasses.

The monkey grass will pull out easily, but the ivy will be difficult to get rid of. I hate ivy and monkey grass. What you might do is cut all the tops of the ivy off that you can, then spray RoundUp on what is left. See if that will work so you don't have to pull it all up by hand. If you want something organic, I saw a posting that listed a homemade RoundUp substitute: one gallon of cider vinegar, two ounces of orange oil, and a couple of teaspoons of dish soap. I haven't tried it yet, but the person who gave the recipe swore by it. At the very least, it wouldn't do any harm.

I would probably plant lantanas in that area where the ivy is. They bloom for months. My lantanas never flinched over the 100+ heat and drought we've been having, and they were only planted this spring. I saw a red/orange one growing out of a crack in the bare rock of Kilauea in Hawaii.

Do get a copy of the Southern Living Garden Book. You will be amazed at the possibilities for this area. Then you can start ordering plants by mail like the rest of us because the local nurseries won't have what you want. LOL.

Karen

Traci
Yes, that shrub is definenately a Camellia. I have several suggestions. Working from the picture you posted at 8:02, I would utilize that vine covered area by removing those and replacing them with any number of flowering vines. Clemantis ought to do great cascading down that area.
Yes several plantings of Coleus would definately give you a constant color. They come in such jewel tones. Another favorite of mine is ground cover Gardenias. They are slow growers, and are easy to tame. Bonus are scented flowers for little hands to pick for Mommy.
Lantana is very hardy but with a small one the resulting berries are poison and tempting. Like tiny blueberries.
;)

I did not think it likely that a little one would be unsupervised in an area that close to the street and driveway.

However, here are the results of a search for groundcover, zone 7b, drought-tolerant:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/advanced.php?nn%5B16%5D=7&nn%5B1%5D=2&nn%5B2%5D=0&nn%5B3%5D=13&nn%5B4%5D=1&nn%5B5%5D=0&nn%5B6%5D=0&nn%5B7%5D=0&nn%5B8%5D=0&nn%5B9%5D=5&nn%5B23%5D=0&nn%5B10%5D=0&nn%5B12%5D=0&sname=Plants&Search.x=27&Search.y=8

Maybe this will help.

Karen

Your dead looking plant is definitely a beautiful Camilia, if you get time, I would pick off the dead flowers, this should be definite keeper as they flower spring and give wonderful coloured flowers, as for the pathway, considering the heat you are talking about, I would plant either side, Lavender or Catmint so that as you walk past and brush against it, the perfume is enchanting, it also helps to repel flies etc, these will only flower in summer, but boy, do they reward you when they do, once you get that established, you can then widen the border and add more plants you take a liking to, but it would take the bare look away and add a bit of structure to the curve of the walkway, you can add some early spring flowering bulbs like Daf's and tulips to give you colour early on and you leave these in the ground all year, also tiny Crocus, snowdrops etc will look good underplanted, if you have camilias growing, it is a sign that you have a slightly acidic soil, so you should do a soil test before you spend a lot of cash on plants that may not do too well in your soil. you are so right about patience in a garden, there is no instant gardening that I know of
and as you are a beginner, it is so easy to get carried away buying plants only to watch them die on you, also good to hear you are prepared to wait till the right planting season, hot dry weather sure ain't the time to do this, however, it is a good time to make plans on paper for what shapes of beds or borders you wish to fill then start preparing the soil well in advance for the excitement of buying and planting, best thing to do is lay your garden hose along the garden into the shape/curve etc you want and gives you time to go inside and look out at the garden to make sure it looks good from inside as well as outside, it saves you time, money sweat and tears in the long run, these pictures you have can be blown up to a larger size and lay some tracing paper over it so you can play about with pencil to draw shrub/tree shapes and borders to give you some idea of what you are trying to achieve, it is a very exciting time for you to create a new garden so take your time and do one area at a time so you get used to your soil, caring for the plants and the look of it before moving onto the next area. As for books, go along to your library and look at all the garden books they have, especially for garden design/landscaping etc. they will have lots of pictures of plants and what soil they like and how to care for them, this will be better than buying expensive books that are not needed for your new hobby as some are rather technical and so many new gardeners get put of by that, hope this will help you a bit. good luck, hope you are going to enjoy your new hobby and you will join the many gardeners from all over the world who create their own space and grow all the plant that your climate can withstand, your off to a good start just by asking for help and advice. WeeNel.

Karen whatever gave you the idea that anyone was suggesting a little one be left alone unsupervised?
I encourage children to pick flowers, don't you?
;)

Wow ya'll, thank you for all the fantastic ideas. The funny thing is I have thought about alot of the plants mentioned, but didn't know if I was on the right track.

Kwanjin, with some of the black, deep purple and blood reds I've seen, It would make for an interesting Goth theme. LOL. Throw in some of the silvery plants I have seen for the effect of metal. I think...wormwood?...is one of the little plants the previous neighbors put in and has a good silver tone. I am picturing way too much in my mind with layouts of black sculls with glowing purple eyes and blood red mouths. Must stop!! Nightmares. To bad we can't change the theme of our yards every day to fit our moods. I would put in anything with spikes and twists for the long day of working, the spikes for my headache and the twists for the way I feel pulled around. To top it off, ALTOUGH VERY THANKFUL FOR THE RAIN TODAY AND YESTERDAY (in case He is listening), all I could think about was tearing into some ivy. That is another thing I have discovered. The stress relief. I always thought of gardening as gentile, but I have found that pulling out the "enemies", i.e. monkey grass and ivy, I get rid of alot of frustration. Maybe I'll keep a small area of Ivy around for these occasions. LOL.

Karen, I love, love, love lantanas. I had never heard of them (surprise, surprise) until I got on her and then saw them at a nursery. Are they annuals or perennials? I have been told by some they can be perenial here, but differently by others. Either way, they will be worked into my beds, one way or another. We got the storms last night too. I just sat with back doors open and watched the display. I used to be terrified of storms, with our tornados and all, but now I love it. I guess because I watched everything suffer so with our drought and having a basement now makes me feel safe. lol. As I property adjuster, I cringe when weather is coming through T'town because I know I will have some claims. BTW, football? War Eagle!!

Sugarweed, I laughed when I read the post about lantana, because that is the first thing I always ask about at the nursery. I am a first time mom, came in the game a little later on, and I just want to put her in a bubble. She tried to eat berries of a holly bush once. But she is going to be 3 in Nov and knows not to mess with what Mommy says. She found this out when she told me she was going to put rocks in her nose and I told her it would hurt and she better not. Two days later she tested the theory. 6 hours, two doctors and a ENT specialist later, she found out it I was right. I still always check (have read several are irritants to the skin and of course allergies) so I know what to tell her about them. I still catch myself watching every plant she touches. While out back with Daddy, she, Daddy and I found out the pampas grass was sharp when she went to grab it. Can you tell she is my other passion.

I checked out the Clemantis and love it. What georgous flowers. I just don't know if it would be perennial here. Some on-line nurseries said it is and some said it is "tender perennial". With heat like we had this summer and the uber mild winter, she just might make it. Same for the gardenia, one of the few plants I know. I could bury my face in one of the gardenia flowers for days. They are another area I have looked in to and will have them somewhere in garden. Ugh...really want the clemantis there. I may just have to give it a try.

WeeNel, I just ordered two lavender plants for this very reason. I was going to try them out and see what the looked like. If it didn't work, I would find them a home somewhere else in the yard. I think they are beautiful and the smell, ahhh, lavender and gardenia, I may never leave my yard. This relieves me to know I might have done a fairly good job on my research before purchasing them. I also just ordered crocuses and....in the snow something (small blue flowers)...my mind is tired, along with Daf's for the little one (I grew up with a yard full) and tulips for my Mom (they are her favorite flower). I did not even think about lining the walkway with them. That is a great idea. You may have solved the sidewalk. You would think I would have know to draw a layout, but nope, hadn't even crossed my mind. I love this idea too. I am going to be doodling for days and this will help with the frustration of not being able to plant right now. I already am imagining getting out mags and cutting the little pics of flowers out to take around with me, so when I have free time, I can pull them out of my purse and plan, plan, plan.

You all have been so helpful. You have now idea how a much a little bit of advice and encouragement can make me feel less...timid... about what I do. I really do appreciate it. Oh, and don't forget I have a very large back yard too!!! nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Please keep the good Ideas rolling. I need a couple of lovely, smaller trees for the front yard where I "relieved my stress" on the bradford pears. * :) (put a flower in my hair)

Sincerely,
Excited and Grateful

Actually clemantis love your zone. They aren't anywhere as tender as coleus.
They are slow to settle in and put down roots. It takes 3 years for vines. The first year they sleep. The second year they creep and the third they leap. I found that was true wheather I got a tiny plant or a big one. How ever I am warmer and sandier than you.
Sidney

Sugarweed, I just left the Coleus and said I have to work. But alas, I am still here. Clemantis it is!! Now to get rid of the ivy and find the perfect one!

Pupil, I just had a thought. Since your girl is almost three, you could introduce HER to your new obsession! Make a place for her to grow her own things. Beans are good and so are sunflowers. They're easy and grow BIG BIG BIG for children to have fun with. Kinda late this year but next year you could start early. Have her do it all. You two could learn together! LOL My daughter and I never had the chance to do that when she was small but we do now. We trade stuff back and forth and have a good time. And you're right about the stress relief...My friends think I'm strange because I LIKE to weed.

Good luck with everything.

Kwanjin

Kwanjin, don't know if this is against policy, but...see the pic.

Of course that was before we realized you need long pants and sleeves. lol. At least I had the sense to put bug spray on HER. Oh, she is the blond. And at the end of the day....well, you see. ;) She's my girl! I have constant flowers (grass, weeds, sometimes flowers) in a tiny vase which she picks for me. She got the bug too!! She has grown a sunflower, lemon tree and potato plant with her Pappy and Grandi. She is on her way. I love your idea. Make it her own little area.

Thanks,
Traci

So precious!
;)

She's the sweetest little flower in your garden! There are some smaller bushy type dahlias you could throw into a border.

She's so adorable!!! I don't think that's against the rules. I read one thread where everyone was sending pics of themselves. It's nice to be able to put a face to people you're talking to.

Here's DH and me on our last trip to Oregon.

Thanks for the suggestions on my new "Goth Garden". I'm gonna do it. Been looking at catalogues to choose the plantings for next spring.

Kwanjin

Now that looks like a great time. May I sugest the silver "Dusty Miller as a staple for"goth gardens".............Somehow still sounds like an oximoron to me.
LOL
;)

Artemisia IS on my list. Dusty Miller and "Powis Castle" along side some black tulips "Queen of the Night" and chocolate cosmos.


Kwanjin