So I managed to make the little strip of dirt for when you walk in look a tad bit better. The result is below. I decided the area wasn't big enough to grow anything and the plants would probably just grow over the sidewalk. I put down some landscaping fabric and covered it with rock asphalt. I plan to take down the screens on the windows and put a windowsill box on each window and put some flowers in there. The house needs a coat of paint and that green thing needs to go but thats for a different forum. I am fairly pleased with the result, so thanks so much for your advice.
I also went to the nursery and actually bought stuff instead of just looking around and leaving. Here's a picture of my stock:
I got 3 rosemary protrate, 1 cat scat, 1 scabiosa, 2 6 pack of linaria, 1 unknown and 1 curly willow tree (yes I got a curly willow tree, why I have no idea). I got recommended rosemary prostrate as it will trail down the rock wall. That seemed like a good idea and then to have flowers mixed into the bed. I like the idea of planting a moderately growing climber behind it and will look into that. I'm not sure that I will plant another shrub. They seem so boring. I have a few questions if youre not to busy to help a total noob, I would appreciate it.
Here's where I am looking to plant:
First, do I just plant the three rosemary's where I marked the red ice cream cones and then plant the flowers around it? How much do I need to separate the flowers?
Two, is there anything I need to do to train the rosemary to trail down the wall?
Three, what type of soil mix would you recommend?
Four, what type of daily/monthly/yearly care do I need to think about?
Finally, What the heck am I going to do with this tree? The planter in the second picture above is that too small to plant it in? How big does the planter need to be? I don't just plant it in the front yard right, I put it in a planter and put it by the pool out back? What type of soil is required and any daily care I need to know about?
Anyway, I really appreciate you guys helping out someone with a million questions who doesn't have an eye for painting with the landscapers brush.
When you say "Dig some of the lawn on the right and line with very contrasting low mounding plants fitting the seasons, like Lobularia, Violas, Alyssum, Brachycombe, Linaria moroccana." Do you mean right next to the sidewalk? Line the sidewalk with these types of plants or are you referring to another area?
I also plan to get taller plants for contrast in the little strip area I did btw because I like that idea, but thats low on the priority list currently.
Rosemary Prostratus will fall down the wall by itself. It needs a fairly poor well drained soil, but it does like some moisture so you could add some grit if the soil is heavy and you will need to water it when it's dry. It will, after a few years spread out to about 3 or 4 feet sideways, so you could plant colourful annuals to fill the gaps each year. Annuals have a very long flowering season so although you have to do it every year it's worth it. Surfinias will also tumble over the wall and are like petunias. You buy annuals in the spring when the flowers are starting so you can see what they look like.
Have you looked at the plants you have bought on Google on the computer? You can learn quite a lot like that.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I´m not sure window boxes would be a nice pick for the front door area. The eyes may be misleading me, but I think there is something casting some shade over it; in this situation, the higher the plants the least daylight they have (but I may be wrong!). Plant something modest (as I said, or perennial phlox, that thrives in half-shade; as well as perennial salvia or perovskia), and it won´t be trouble. I meant the following (please forgive my poor imaging):
Thank you so much. The imagery really helps to see what you are describing. You are not wrong about the light that area gets. I will definitely consider your suggestions.
Lizzie,
Your simple explanation and picture was extremely useful for a beginner like myself. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
You guys have all made some lovely suggestions. I have no idea what would grow in your area larkehater but I would be putting lots of fragrant plants in. Lavender's would do well like Kate has suggested.You are soo lucky as you could grow so many exotic plants that I have seen in books and online where as they wouldnt even come out their seed packets here in Scotland lol. Im enjoying following this thread
I tore out the mexican feather grass and put in three little plants. I didn't look too close at the names so I don't remember them offhand:
I made a container garden underneath the rock wall that you see first once you walk out the front door:
I dug out and planted the rosemary and assorted flowers and plants in the stone planter. I left the bush in for now:
Out back by the pool where I have that narrow strip I put the mexican feather grass in and surrounded it by flowers:
Lets hope I keep them alive to enjoy the results to come. I'll keep the thread updated. I plan to do more every weekend and I'll have more questions for sure. First one: What fertilizer should I use (if any)? And how much and how often and when do I use it? Did I do anything wrong? Thanks again!
Posts
Update:
So I managed to make the little strip of dirt for when you walk in look a tad bit better. The result is below. I decided the area wasn't big enough to grow anything and the plants would probably just grow over the sidewalk. I put down some landscaping fabric and covered it with rock asphalt. I plan to take down the screens on the windows and put a windowsill box on each window and put some flowers in there. The house needs a coat of paint and that green thing needs to go but thats for a different forum. I am fairly pleased with the result, so thanks so much for your advice.
I also went to the nursery and actually bought stuff instead of just looking around and leaving. Here's a picture of my stock:
I got 3 rosemary protrate, 1 cat scat, 1 scabiosa, 2 6 pack of linaria, 1 unknown and 1 curly willow tree (yes I got a curly willow tree, why I have no idea). I got recommended rosemary prostrate as it will trail down the rock wall. That seemed like a good idea and then to have flowers mixed into the bed. I like the idea of planting a moderately growing climber behind it and will look into that. I'm not sure that I will plant another shrub. They seem so boring. I have a few questions if youre not to busy to help a total noob, I would appreciate it.
Here's where I am looking to plant:
First, do I just plant the three rosemary's where I marked the red ice cream cones and then plant the flowers around it? How much do I need to separate the flowers?
Two, is there anything I need to do to train the rosemary to trail down the wall?
Three, what type of soil mix would you recommend?
Four, what type of daily/monthly/yearly care do I need to think about?
Finally, What the heck am I going to do with this tree? The planter in the second picture above is that too small to plant it in? How big does the planter need to be? I don't just plant it in the front yard right, I put it in a planter and put it by the pool out back? What type of soil is required and any daily care I need to know about?
Anyway, I really appreciate you guys helping out someone with a million questions who doesn't have an eye for painting with the landscapers brush.
Rus,
When you say "Dig some of the lawn on the right and line with very contrasting low mounding plants fitting the seasons, like Lobularia, Violas, Alyssum, Brachycombe, Linaria moroccana." Do you mean right next to the sidewalk? Line the sidewalk with these types of plants or are you referring to another area?
I also plan to get taller plants for contrast in the little strip area I did btw because I like that idea, but thats low on the priority list currently.
Rosemary Prostratus will fall down the wall by itself. It needs a fairly poor well drained soil, but it does like some moisture so you could add some grit if the soil is heavy and you will need to water it when it's dry. It will, after a few years spread out to about 3 or 4 feet sideways, so you could plant colourful annuals to fill the gaps each year. Annuals have a very long flowering season so although you have to do it every year it's worth it. Surfinias will also tumble over the wall and are like petunias. You buy annuals in the spring when the flowers are starting so you can see what they look like.
Have you looked at the plants you have bought on Google on the computer? You can learn quite a lot like that.
Petunias and surfinias in my garden. The pink surfinias tumbled down the wall a bit later.
If you do plant flowering annuals between the rosemary they will need fertiliser and regular watering.
I´m not sure window boxes would be a nice pick for the front door area. The eyes may be misleading me, but I think there is something casting some shade over it; in this situation, the higher the plants the least daylight they have (but I may be wrong!). Plant something modest (as I said, or perennial phlox, that thrives in half-shade; as well as perennial salvia or perovskia), and it won´t be trouble. I meant the following (please forgive my poor imaging):
Here are some landscape design ideas that can help you imagine your landscape and select appropriate plants - http://pinterest.com/waqas/landscape-garden-design/
Rus,
Thank you so much. The imagery really helps to see what you are describing. You are not wrong about the light that area gets. I will definitely consider your suggestions.
Lizzie,
Your simple explanation and picture was extremely useful for a beginner like myself. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.
Thank you. Good luck.
You guys have all made some lovely suggestions. I have no idea what would grow in your area larkehater but I would be putting lots of fragrant plants in. Lavender's would do well like Kate has suggested.You are soo lucky as you could grow so many exotic plants that I have seen in books and online where as they wouldnt even come out their seed packets here in Scotland lol. Im enjoying following this thread
I did some planting!
Front door:
I tore out the mexican feather grass and put in three little plants. I didn't look too close at the names so I don't remember them offhand:
I made a container garden underneath the rock wall that you see first once you walk out the front door:
I dug out and planted the rosemary and assorted flowers and plants in the stone planter. I left the bush in for now:
Out back by the pool where I have that narrow strip I put the mexican feather grass in and surrounded it by flowers:
Lets hope I keep them alive to enjoy the results to come. I'll keep the thread updated. I plan to do more every weekend and I'll have more questions for sure. First one: What fertilizer should I use (if any)? And how much and how often and when do I use it? Did I do anything wrong? Thanks again!