Does anyone have any suggestions on what to plant on a terraced hillside located in Northern California? I am going to attempt to landscape it myself including mixing fertilizer with the existing sandy soil & all plantings. The plants, trees or flowers should be easy to manage and not attract too many pests (bees, gophers, etc) & not grow out of control too quickly like ivy. When is the best time to start this project? Should I attempt to install a drip system? If someone can also suggest a good landscaping book as well that would be great.
2007-02-10 14:35:50 · 5 answers · asked by C V 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
You should start when the ground is no longer in danger of frost bite, above 50 degrees. I know that Hibiscus flowers are beautiful. This is a shrub that can get big but you can prune it back as needed. Also Azalias are shrubs and put out a beautiful flower. Hydrangea Trees are pretty, Mimosa Tree a very rapid growing tree that develops a low spreading head. The leaves are very delicate, fernlike, that close at night. In early June, it blooms profusely with powder puffs of pink silken flowers that lay across the top of the branches. Rose trees are a nice addition too. It really depends on what you want. Most of your trees and shrubs dont need a lot of care but are very nice. Depending on where you are located and how much it rains depends on if you need a drip system. I dont know about a book but look around at your option and all the different types of plants and have fun!!!
2007-02-10 14:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by sweetstothesweets31 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had a similar need next to my front entrance and went with Phlox, pronounced "Flocks". (It is also known as Creeping Phlox or Moss Phlox) Using Phlox will be the easiest, quickest and cheapest landscape project you will ever take on!
Phlox is a low lying ground cover that has pink, white or purple flowers in the spring.
After it flowers, it is very lush green and looks like grass from the street. It is literally maintenance free, drought resistance and should rarely need watered, rain water will be fine.
P.S. There are many varieties, make sure you buy the ground cover phlox.
Check out these websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phlox
Images:
http://tnolan.tripod.com/Plant_List/Phlox2001.jpg
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/county/cass/horticulture/gndcover/gndcover/phlox.cre2.jpg
http://hflp.sdstate.edu/ho311/outdoor_images/Phlox%20stolonifera%20lavender.jpg
Image after blooming slows:
http://www.tarleton.edu/~range/Woodlands%20and%20Forest/Longleaf%20Pine/Photo%20Slides_2/02201%20alpine%20phlox.jpg
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Woodys/CUGroundCoverSite/images/Phlox%20subulata_Thumb2Auburn.jpg
2007-02-11 23:57:15 · answer #2 · answered by Legomanyacts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mediterranean gardens for northern Ca are very good choices. You can plant lavender, sage, olive trees, and citrus for choices that do not requite a lot of water. Figs are also nice.
Spring is approaching and your nurseries will be full of these choices now. Go and take a little peek around.
2007-02-10 15:05:50 · answer #3 · answered by hopflower 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lengthy time period back I borrowed a e book from the library on not uncomplicated floor gardens. ignore what it became observed as, genuinely they equipped the backyard beds on good of not uncomplicated surfaces (pavers, rock, concrete) and planted into that. they'd an outstanding searching bonsai panorama that became on a table good. very corresponding to lasagna (no dig) gardening. the purely situation i visit foresee is this may stain the pavers, once you flow and characteristic to get rid of it. extra effective stick with large pots.
2016-11-26 23:45:33 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use your spacious backyard as an artificial wood with fencing around it or just use it as a playground .
2007-02-10 14:41:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋