My garden dreams

I have a ton of wants but also realize I have needs that have to be met as well.

First off, I have 7 kids, 6 of them are still living at home and 5 of those are very active outdoor types. I need a garden that will work with the family without being in the way.

I also homeschool so parts of the garden will be used in a hands on learning aspect. Because I am slightly busy, it also needs to be as non demanding as I can make it once it is established.

I want to use as many native plants as I can and any help with cutting down on weeding is a plus. Whimsical touches are a must. As well as a 'secret' or adult only place where I can hide away when I want.

I have the basic idea in my head but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm moving from a zone 7 to a 9, or at least the guy at the nursery in Covington told me it was a 9. I know that my air potato plants are invasive so they won't be coming with me but are there any others I shouldn't plant?

Question for the folks who do water features. Is there a good place to go look at ideas? I'm thinking an above ground feature with no fish, just plants.

I was told that bougainvillea should be treated as an annual. Is there a place I shouldn't plant it? Wisteria here is a weed that can do serious damage to roofs and siding and I know that bougainvillea climbs as well. Don't want to hurt my house Smile

Thanks for any suggestions. I'll add a layout pic and some sketches as soon as I scan them.

pondlady wrote:

You can have all the ginger you want, but usually in Covington it will die back in the winter and come back in the spring.
Don't rely much on the nursery owner. Covington is zone 8b. NO only makes zone 9 because it is south of the lake.
Grass is great for sports, but very high maintenance. I used to put it in landscapes where there were kids/sports.
Longue Vue gardens has a Saturday 'dig, do discover' for kids. You can steal lots of ideas from them.
Bougainvilla likes to be dry and confined. And it is a bear to take care of because it bites. I would probably not put it where kids can get bitten.
Ginger Fortson is the Ag Center extension center agent. I would use her expertise as much as possible. Dan Gill, a good friend of mine, has a couple of great book about LA plants and landscaping.
If you are looking for a landscape architect, I can refer you. I also know some great landscape contractors. email me and I will give you my phone number.

Thanks for the info.

I'm in Mandeville, is the zone different there? He was the only guy that I could find close to my area at the time.

I def want to buy for the right area. That would suck to get things that are more work when I could go a different route.