I need landscaping suggestions! I just bought a new house, but the only tree's i have are 2-3 big HUGE oak trees. I wanted something I can plant around the house and create a garden. I looked around my neighborhood for ideas, but it doesnt seem anyone has anything creative or eye catching besides the same stuff I have; Dirt. Any ideas? I don't know much, but I can follow directions. I live in a place where we get all 4 seasons; Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall.
2006-08-23 09:16:28 · 7 answers · asked by funnysmartcutegirl 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
If you are gardening under the shade of the big oak trees, select plants for shade or partial shade if that is the case, the plants at garden centres have very informative labels, look for info like annual/perennial, your geographical growing zone #, plant height/width, planting spacing, and light conditions (ie,shade).
Shrubs/bushes are your foundation plantings so that there is something to look at in the winter when all the flowers are gone.Perennials are way more expensive than annuals, but they come back every year and in a few years you can divide them and make more plants , so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Annuals are good fillers and they bloom all season until first frost, so they are great for instant long-lasting blooms and colour.
What's hot right now are ornamental grasses, hundreds of varieties, mostly requiring full sun, so choose wisely. They are great for winter interest because the grass can stay all through the winter, then in the spring you chop it back to a couple of inches, and watch it grow again !!
For a few days, watch the pattern of the sun on all the areas of your garden, to see what kind of light conditions you have..VERY IMPORTANT because plants that need full sun will not grow well in shade & vice versa.
Unless you install an underground sprinkler system, you'll probably be better off with 'drought tolerant ' plants, as they do not require constant TLC and watering, plants that are considered 'native' to your area are good for that.
Until your garden is planted, buy a couple of nice urns/planters to place on either side of your front door , they can be changed every season to reflect whatever season you're in, great way to add colour & pizzazz.
Good luck and happy planting!!
2006-08-23 21:15:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You probably want a mix of evergreens and deciduous trees. Evergreens include boxwoods -slow, but neat growing, easy to trip; Holly-some varieties are very spiney, but others are ok; dwarf spruce or pines. Do a lot of research before you buy. Map out your yard and decide where you want plants, and then buy plants that fit that area.
Trees get large. If it matures to 40 feet, you need to picture how that would fit in your yard--not only in height but the ground area it will cover.
Some good accent plants along your house include perennial salvia, dwarf crepe myrtle (if your growing zone is agreeable) and ground-cover evergreens like spruces or dwarf pines.
The biggest problem homeowners often find is they have too many plants, or they bought plants that don't fit the area where they are planted in, once they grow up. That cute 4' spruce looks great next to the house for a while; when it jumps up to 50' and hides the house you have to cut it down and start all over.
Plan, Plan, Plan if you are going to be there for a number of years. Hit the web and write for all of the plant and nursery catelogs, and use that info to help out. Then if you have a question on particular plants, come back to Answers-someone will know.
2006-08-23 17:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some azaleas would be nice if they can grow in your area. They have green foliage all year round and flowers in the spring. They also do well in shade which there will be plenty of under your oak trees. Laurels do well in sunny spots next to the house as foundation plants. They also have green foliage through the winter and white flowers in the spring.
2006-08-23 19:40:46 · answer #3 · answered by bobsay0531 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to Lowe's or home depot and get a book about trees and you will find what you are looking for. I did this and selected Japanese zelcoba for their shape and not having large seed pods to clean up
2006-08-23 16:30:47 · answer #4 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hosta's are great - there is different varieties and will come back year after year, thicker & thicker & they are hard to kill - besides after a year you can pull from it & replant those as well.
Good Luck!
2006-08-23 16:22:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check on evergreens. Also, go to a garden center and talk to an expert. THey can help...have fun with it!!!!
2006-08-23 16:24:26 · answer #6 · answered by MJ R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pine trees are always green year round
2006-08-23 16:25:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋