We are clearing out the area except for big trees at the back as those provide a kind of fence for the property line. This area gets quite a bit of morning and afternoon sun. But the ground has lots of rocks which I need to remove if I plant anything. I am looking for landscaping ideas. Please help. ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) View from the balcony ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden )
I think maybe a a stone wall that doubles as a planter would look lovely! Perhaps something like this: ( photo / image / picture from AvaRose82's Garden ) [/img]
are you looking to go really economical or do you have a budget to work with? do you have to buy everything or do you have somethings/nothing to work with? Are you leaning towards a "fence", a rock garden a waterfall feature or just some plants to keep the slope from eroding? Give it some thought before you start spending any money so you aren't wasting your $$ just throwing money at it wily nilly. Personally it is a splended spot for a waterfall/garden feature, but that is also a "risk" factor that children are drawn to, but that is also another thought you must address. There is also "winter work" to maintain/pull the pump prepare the "pond" of water if you do this idea. I don't think it is an unrealistic amount, but it must be done if you have freezing weather. My neighbor has a koi pond which she frets and worries over all winter long. (we had a really cold long winter and this year she got, by chance, a heater for it...not realizing how necessary it would be to keep it from being frozen all winter long.
I first imagined a huge Hosta bed there. BUT since the area gets quite a bit of sun, how about a giant swath of color ... flowering shrubs (Lilac, Mock Orange, Potentilla, Spiraea, Wiegela) perennials (phlox, bee balm, veronica, rudbeckia, peony, penstemon, iris, lily ) and some annual flowers to fill in the gaps. If the rocks are larger ones, you could line the front of the garden with them. It will most likely be a LOT of work to improve the soil, de-root and plant up, but I think it would look gorgeous when done! Or you could pick a theme ... a friendship garden, hummingbird garden, old fashioned garden, butterfly garden ... you get the idea.
Thanks for the responses. Carolyn / Netty : I don't want to spend a lot of money right now. And water feature is a lot of work for us. I want this area to be filled with perennial flowers with some annuals to fill in the spaces. THe concern with that is the condition of the soil - the roots and rocks are all over. I did clear up some and added a few perennials - 1 spiraea, a couple of roses, a few phlox, bee balm, iris, lilies (star gazer) and some gladioli. I planted a few day lilies in the slope. I will put in some annuals too. I am not sure if the perennials will bloom this year, but we will see. I really like this area of our yard. We can overlook the yard from our family room and kitchen and want to make sure that it provides a great view. I will of course keep posting pictures as we make progress. The shade loving plants - hostas and azaleas will go in the shade garden that I am working on in the front yard. So excited to see how everything comes together in our new house.
I think it looks like a nice place for a sitting area with that backdrop. Maybe some raised planters at the treeline, a cover ( mulch, gravel or other) of some sort for the soil and a small table and 2 chairs. Japanese maple planted would give an umbrella effect. Color in the planters. Table & Chairs could be garage sale, thrift store ect. Kind of shabby chic effect with found art/objects.
