Gardening in Process
Monday, June 4, 2012 at 6:28AM Saturday we spent the best part of the day in my front garden. I thought I would share the progression even though I have yet to have an amazing 'after' shot. That won't happen till it all fills in and becomes full, but that takes time. This is not exactly a before shot, but it slipped my mind to get a true one. There were a few gardenias that were poorly planted by the builder years ago. They were not doing so well and were in a silly spot to begin with so out they went...
Then the Mr. and I amended the soil till our backs ached. I added perennials and transplanted my lambs ear that will also look good and add color all year round. I stuck to simple color story of blue's, purples, and varying shades of green. I do have two roses though that add a dash of peach.
Next we plan on taking out the cypress, which was also recommended by our landscape designer, in order to open up the front of the house.
I can't wait for the day that I go outside and it looks lush like the image in my last post. Really hoping that's sooner than later. ha.
Still on the agenda...
- Trim the cypress to the left of the house.
- Once the boxwoods are large enough they will be shaped into a hedge.
- Add a jasmine to the current vine to get some more evergreen color along the porch. The one currently there dies back in winter.
- I eventually want to do away with the ring around the oak. May do a ground cover or just get some sod to fill it in.
- Possibly add a porch swing.
- I have also considered painting the front door, simply because it is so dark back there. I will wait though to see how much of a difference the light will make once I remove that tree.
- Add a new mailbox. This one has about had it.
Reader Comments (7)
I wish I had a green thumb and also the climate that you are lucky enough to have down there, all of that will be growing and full in no time! Can't wait to see the progress. xx
Can't wait to see pictures as everything starts to fill in!
Looks like it will be really nice! I like the idea of painting the front door. What about painting the column white to brighten up that space too?
The first thing I do is buy a new mailbox...They have always been just awful, but I think yours can be saved with a little paint. It's kind of charming. I love that you have brick and shingles on your house...ever think about painting the brick? I have this thing about painted brick...I just can't help myself, but some people would NEVER paint brick.
Jasmine and gardenias were the first thing I put in the ground at our bungalow. Unfortunately, the yard was never cared for, and so we had a 90 year old house with no mature bushes/shurbs/annuals. But I suppose starting with a clean slate is something!
Porch swing is on our list, too!
The (exterior) house looks lovely! Can't wait to see how your garden grows...
Looking great, Paula! Always so nice to pull in the driveway to a beautiful yard.
That front area is going to look great when it fills in...I hate to see the tree go, but it seems like a good move to open things up. Good luck.