Before (May '07)

End of day one ( who would have thought 3 tons of rock would not have been enough, notice the unfinished black paint line in front)

Rain postponed my next effort but that gave me time to rest my aching back. I ordered 2 more tons of rock (this time 8-12" vs. the 12-18" that I ordered the first time) and this is was what it looked like at the end of day two.

Finally here are some pictures from yesterday. Should look better next Spring.

Well gotta go to bed, long day tomorrow, hope you like the pics. Have a great week! Dan

Great job!!!

June

I'm in the process of filling a front bed, that I've sort of had a similar idea, but had to use the larger landscape blocks instead of the rocks, (I definitely prefer the look of rocks) but I am no longer able to do the lifting to move and place them. We hired out that task, and was assured, because of having our yard drop off toward the end of the house, that the blocks would be a more secure application, in our situation!

I will save your pics. (if it's okay) for *inspiration* as I try to come up with a look I like--cause I definitely like yours!! How much sun does your bed get?

I had thought to do an upper level, at the back of our curved bed, and now I'm definitely going to do that, because of your shared photos!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your *work in progress* and the wonderful results!

June, too bad you're not closer, I'm running out of room in my yard, if you were my neighbor I could move on to yours :) Thanks

Janice, glad you liked the photos, save away. The bed actually gets more sun than I would have expected. It's on the North side of my house but gets early morning sun and late afternoon/early evening sun. The things in the center lower portion of the bed get even more sun. The Heucherella 'Stoplight' got a little fried because of it. I'm going to give it another year to get established though, hoping it will take it, because I think it will make a knockout combo with the Acer palmatum 'Shaina' (the dwarf red Japanese maple in the center of the bed). Good luck with your knew plantings, I'll look forward to seeing pictures.

mctavish6, all the perennials were purchased as #1 plants this year, with exception of the 'Patriot' hosta which came from a neighbor and the Hakonechloa 'Aureola' which was a #3. I can't believe how big the Hakonechloa 'All Gold' has gotten already. I went to at least a dozen nurseries this Spring finding everything, and got really lucky finding what I wanted in really nice sized one gallon plants. The smaller trees all came from mailorder sourches with the exception of the Tsuga candadensis 'Pendula' (weeping hemlock) in the center.
P.S. I'm soooo jealous of your beautiful view!

Linda C, it's a Northern exposure but still gets decent sun early A.M. and late P.M. "What's next?" I have a vacation in September and I'll be reworking a pondless waterfall I did a few years ago that currently has a major leak. Thanks for your compliments and I'll think about the "feature". Here's a picture of the waterfall from when it was working.

Papou

Bunnycat, thanks. I've designed pretty much everything in my yard, some areas turn out better than others. I'm glad you like this design. I'm basicly a frustrated small yard owner. What I wouldn't give for two acres or more instead of my 90'x130'lot. I find it hard to design in smaller areas because I like plants so much. I always want to add more.

Papou, thanks for the comments and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the wonderful pictures of hostas you've posted. You are very generous in sharing pictures of your garden and it really helps hosta novices like myself out. I know it takes a lot of time and I really appreciate it.
Thanks again, Dan

Great Job, I wish I was that talented in plant placemants!

I love your waterfall feature too! You must tell us how you did it--or rather--would you??? :O)

Rocks--rock!!!!

Janice, I guess it's "instinctive". I start out with a plan that I dream up over the long winter, usually encorporating my most recent plant infatuations into the equation and then I kind of accessorize with cool things I find at local nurseries during the "nursery season" (some guys have golf season, I have nursery season). No I don't have any training, but when my girls get older I hope to take some classes for fun.
As far as the waterfall goes, I made it 3 years ago when the triplets were almost 1. My wife said "You've got a day." The next day, I had 17,000 lbs. of stuff delivered on my driveway and in the parkway. I moved all the rock, with a 600lb. capacity dolly, a wheelbarrow, and a lot of will power. I swear it was the best day of my life, because I didn't have to worry about anything else but getting something done that I was passionate about(what can I say, that first year was rough). I got the waterfall built, (the heaviest rocks were 450lbs.+) and flagstone patio laid, but all of the top soil was still on the driveway at the end of day one. I called my mother to help with the girls, and finished up the topsoil burms and mulching on day two. It has functioned well for a few years and is my favorite place to sit in the garden after the girls are asleep, but it leaks, so it's time to go bigger and better. I have a week this time, instead of a day, and even though it's going to be a major pain in the butt, I'm really looking forward to it. The new waterfall will have multiple tiers, a longer stream, and 2 1/2 times the waterflow. I can't wait to get started. Sorry for the long winded answer, but you asked :)
I always appreciate your positive attitude and good spirit, thanks, Dan

I love your long-winded answer! So much good information in there! Sadly, I realize I'll never have the 450+ lb. rocks
you have, that I love, but, I'm happy already with the ones I can talk my hubby into stopping the car, for me to pick up
on construction sites, where they've shoved the dirt to the side!!!

How about some *progress* pics. as you go on this next project? I love those!!!

Dan, I think you would be Amazed what can be hauled home in the trunk of a jetta my husband is! Whats worse is my husband works for a stone yard but we can't afford to buy the rocks or pay to have them delivered, hubby used to drive the deliverly truck before he hrt his back and got stuck inside so he would drop a load off of sand sometimes if it was on his way. I dream of rocks as wonderful as yours!!!

Where do you get your plants? At Sid's or some place like that? Take pictures of the new waterfall project. Take before, during , and after shots so we know what's going on every step of the way. Keep sharing your photos of your amazing yard.

He definitely was the strong arm in our yard, implementing my ideas, structurally until his back problem. Now, I do all the heavy work, including the work on our new deck! I did all the unloading of the 42 lb. concrete post supports, the digging out for them and the eventual placement of them in the holes, as level as possible, so that meant taking them in and out of the holes. Also, all the deck boards were screwed on by me, as well as the verticle rails on the railings! He did all the frame work though. He says--it doesn't hurt him nearly as much to bend over as to stand upright. I also hauled all the 2x6x12 ft. boards off the trailer, onto the driveway, then off the driveway to his saw table and from there to the place where they would be used!

And, none of that hurt my *bumb shoulder* at all! Now, that's just amazing to me!!! I've still got the *problem*, but I've learned to work around it, quite well!

All that to say, naw, I'd never slap him (I know you were only joking BTW) cause he's been just the best kinda husband to have!! We've worked as a team through all these years, inside and out to make this place what we really love! I'm happy to never move from this spot, Lord willing!!!

I just moved from Chicago 'burbs to Michigan this past spring. We went from a standard suburban lot to over a half acre, and so we're going to have lots of room to dig. I love your design! You have such a great mix of plants. Those grasses and conifers are beautiful with the hostas and heucheras. Would you mind sharing a list of what you planted?

Mary

Anitamo, most of my hostas came from Green Glen nursery in New Lenox, and Contrary Mary's Plants in Mokena. I just went to Sunrise Nursery in Grant Park today, Wow!, what a selection. Where are you at? I'll definately take pictures of the new waterfall project and share them with the group.

Molly and Phyl, thanks for the very nice comments. Phyl, are you anywhere close to me? I'm in Tinley Park.

Finally Mary, it took me a while to come up with your answer. Here is the list of things planted in the bed. Some are visible in the pictures I've posted and some are not.

DISCLAIMER: I am a rogue gardener, who plants things too close together, to allow their maximum size at maturity. My only mission is to have the fun and relaxation that comes to me by planting cool plants. By stating this list I am by no means endorsing the use of this many plants in a limited space, I am only answering a question that was posed to me. LOL
With that out of the way, here's the list:

Abies (True Fir)

A.x arnoldiana 'Poulsen'
A. balsamea 'Eugene Gold'
A. koreana 'Silberlocke'
A. procera 'Blaue Hexe'
A. veitchii 'Heddergott'

Acer japonicum 'Kujaka nishiki'

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

A.p. 'Abigail Rose'
A.p. 'Baby Lace'
A.p. 'Beni Fushigi'
A.p. 'Kamagata'
A.p. 'Koto no ito'
A.p. 'Mikawa Yatsabusa'
A.p. 'Scolopendrifolium'
A.p. 'Shaina'
A.p. 'Shadiva Gold'
A.p. 'Shishigashira'
A.p. Toyama nishiki'

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese Painted Fern)

Cornus (Dogwood)

C. alternifolium 'Bachone' trade name Gold Bullion TM.
C. alternifolium 'W. Stackman' trade name Golden Shadows TM

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern) 'Brilliance'

Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass)
'All Gold'
'Aureola'

Heuchera (Coralbells)

'Midnight Rose'
'Obsidian'
'Plum Pudding'
'Silver Scrolls'

Heucherella (Foamybells)
'Stoplight'

Hosta

'August Moon'
'Blue Mouse Ears'
'Cracker Crumbs'
'Elegans'
'Fragrant Blue'
'Golden Meadows'
'Golden Waffles'
'Great Arrival'
'Great Expectations'
'Ice Age Trail'
'Krossa Regal'
'Orange Marmalade'
'Pandora's Box'
'Patriot'
'Pilgrim'
'Popcorn'
'Queen Josephine'
'Risky Business'
'Stained Glass'
'Sriptease'
'Whirlwind'
'Wolverine'

Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)
'Gold Rush'

Tsuga canadensis (Canadian hemlock)
'Moon Frost'
'Pendula'
'Summer Snow'
Man , I'm a bad typer and that took me forever. Dan

Thanks for typing that list. It's very impressive.

Thanks again!
Mary

absolutely....MAGNIFICENT....

jill

i decided to *bump* this up in case anyone else might be looking for something awesome to think about for next summer!

hey, i live in libertyville, can i hire you & your imagination to do some drawing for me???? i will watch the twins!

we are originally from green bay area, so we are nervously awaiting the start of the packer game ... phyl

PIM

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread, I'm just a football fan. I have to say, I love what you've done with your property. I'd love to see some of what you've done as it sleeps during the winter. The weeping hemlock covered with snow must be a beautiful thing.

Spring is only 8 weeks away from today (March 20th). We'd better start planning, LOL.

PIM

Do you have any cool gardening projects planned for Spring?
I'm still searching for inspiration for this years projects. I'm running out of room, so my current plans include some container gardens with Japanese maples and hostas. Have a great weekend! Dan

I love your Heuchera! I hope to see them all next spring, looking at your pictures I fell in love all over again!

Very nice snow picture, you make winter look good :)

Glad you didn't think me to be horning in on your thread. And thanks for posting the winter pic, that is awesome. What a contrast to the one you posted earlier. Your sleeping waterfall looks serene and peacful, and very natural, not contrived at all. I love seeing gardens in all seasons. I haven't thought of taking a pic in awhile, I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark (although daylight is increasing daily!). One of the things I'm going to do in the next month is look at the garden and see what I can do to increase winter interest. Most of my plantings are perennials so when my garden sleeps any remaining plants are nondescript (mostly blueberry bushes & raspberries-to feed the birds).

As for garden projects, I have two areas in the yard that have gotten away from me. They're overgrown with English ivy, trumpet vine, wild roses and both have some awful poison ivy intermixed. Its a matter of ripping it all out (I'm too old for this!!). But once I've tamed the untamed I want low maintenance and may make the one grass for now, this way I can keep it under wraps with a mower until I figure out what to do with it. The other will be kind of a Japanese area, with andromeda, red Japanese maples, pachysandra, ferns and hostas of course. I hope its a cool Spring, I hate working in the heat.

PIM

Dan

This is one reason I like the different seasons, after seeing the snow in your pictures, it makes the Spring picture that much better.

cowboy

I'm so glad I got to see the winter and spring 'looks' you posted.

Connie

I'm working on getting some good shots of the new shade areas with my hostas. I'm going hosta shopping tomorrow. I think I can find a few more spots for a few more : )

Dan

And is that an Aureum Japanese Maple in your last two photos? I added one to my garden last year, it is the brightest spot and I really enjoy the vibrancy it adds to the landscape.

PIM

How long have you been gardening? Are you sure you aren't a professional? LOL LOL Do you do all the work or does your wife lind a hand?

Some day I'll have to grab some hosta friends and we'll make a trip to see the beauty you have created, with your permission ofcource. LOL

Connie

Connie, you're welcome any time, assuming you're willing to overlook the not-so-great areas of my garden. It's always easier to take photos of things that you like in their prime, than show everything. Unfortunately no, my wife has absolutely no interest in gardening, but she tolerates it, so I can't complain. My four daughters like to help me on occasion though. My 4 1/2 year old triplets are always eager to help. Lastly, no I'm not a pro, but if I had it to do over again, I would be. I LOVE it! : ) Thanks, Dan

P.S. PIM another A.s. 'Aureum' pic

I'm starting to get the 'bug' for the Japanese Maples, myself! This year we purchased 3 of them, to add to our collection of 'one" we purchased two summers ago!
This could get dangerous, and very expensive!!! Gulp!!!!

I have yet to find a *couple* where both share the same passion for the garden! That is so strange to me, and yet, maybe it's the balance we need, not to go bankrupt
in the process! Yikes!!

My hubby 'tolerates' my gardening pretty well but I have to say, it saddens me, a little, not to have him enjoy the process and the results as I do.
You know how it is---you get so excited about a new plant, a newly 'put together' grouping and you can't wait to show it to someone--like your
spouse, and they say "that's nice, honey!" but they lack the excitement you feel over the whole process and the potential of what you've done!!
Then the 'kicker' for me is in when he ALWAYS says--"I thought you were going to be DONE--20 years ago! When DOES it end?" I always think,
"hopefully, only when I'm planted in this garden!"LOL

It HAS helped for us to get together with 'Davemidohio' and his wife, (who has the same lack of passion for the garden as my hubby)!
Dave has a very infectious and fun personality--and he and my husband have hit it off greatly, despite the gardening differences. And,
they share other passions, such as golf and cameras--and humor! Now, my hubby can see that 'real men' (his thinking) CAN, also, love
a plant and gardening(I know 'Dave' will love reading this)! Big Grin!!!

Oh well--that's why I'm here! I love to share in the excitement of others who have a like passion for the garden! I love to stroll through
your gardens by way of your photos and it is so easy to detect your passion in those photos and in the conversation over what you've done
and will do, Lord willing and you have the 'back' for it!

Again, thank you, Dan, for sharing your passion and photos with the rest of us! We are enriched and encouraged, and inspired by your abilities
and your zeal, in this realm! :o) Keep up the excellent work!!! I hope and pray your children will evidence those traits in their own lives, one day.

I'm jealous of you, Dan, and Janice. Zones 5 and 6 are able to grown Japineese Maples. Having that bit of 4 in front of my usual 5 makes a HUGE difference. I use to work at a nursery and we sold the odd maple but warned the people it had to be in exactly the right spot in order to surive. If we got a very bad winter it would be gone. I love that golden one in your picture. If I remember right some of the golden ones are slightly more hardy than the reds. I may try one as I expand into the wooded area over the next few years.

Wishing you sunsine like we are finally having. McT

Thank you, Dan, for sharing your story!

What a wonderful person and Dad you are! Such a heart-warming story! It's so good to read a nice story when there is so much awful stuff on the news every day.

I love your Japanese Maples and small conifers. We have one Japanese Maple, and would love to add more. I really need to fix up one area of the front yard....beyond the deer net. However, I just read that deer destroy Japanese Maples. Do you know if that is true? Another reason we have been holding back is that they are quite expensive, and we are on a tighter budget right now. Can't see making the investment if they are going to end up as deer snack.

I am writing down the names of your choices, so when we go looking next spring we will have some ideas. I misplaced my old Fine Gardening issue which discussed the merits of various cultivars. I've only noticed 2 clearly different cultivars in our neighborhood. Nobody has beauties like yours.

(PS-Happy Father's Day, in advance, to a super Dad!)

~Bunnycat

And thank you for posting another pic of your Aureum maple. I have mine on the south side of the property in the sunniest spot of this shady area. It almost glows. I'm hoping it will like it's location and "take off" even though its a slow grower. I'm not a collector like you, but I saw a 25' specimen in a garden I visited and it was love at first sight.

Bunnycat the deer love eating the Japanese maples. I have mine behind a tall fence with my gardens. They nibble my DBF's to the nub. I get so frustrated that it doesn't seem to bother him enough to do anything about it. So, I wouldn't plant a tree without some type of protection.

PIM

What is a DBF? (so I don't buy any!) I have enough deer food here already.

~Bunnycat

I was watering my hostas again today, by the way that's one of the coolest things about them is that it's tough to overwater them, when a few other things in the garden caught my eye and I thought I'd post a few pictures so you didn't think I was an all-folige guy.

Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'

Iris germanic 'Rare Treat'

Okay that's enough flowers : ). Here are a couple more pics.

Abies koreana 'Silberlocke' cones

Pinus contorta 'Taylor's Sunburst'

Thanks for all of the extremely nice responses! Dan

I think it may be because I don't trim it back severely each year! But--boy--once established I have to wrestle it off our roof every year!

I hope you and your wonderful wife sit on your porch area, often, sipping coffee or tea, early and late in the day!
You have to absolutely relax when you do---or, if you are like me, you find yourself dreaming of other 'projects'
to enlarge what you already have. Just about the time I do imagine I am done--another idea springs forth--amazing
that it doesn't occur until I'm 'done' with the current projects!! ;o)

And you don't worry about this thread dying off--just keep posting those wonderful pics.
and we'll be here to feast on them and let you know what a good job you ARE doing!!!
Love the photos and your progress and the opportunity to get to know you and your family better!!!

Dan wonderful pics, and I love the wisteria! I've never come across that variety before. Those Silberlocke cones are soooo interesting.

Janice if you root prune your wisteria you'll get blooms next Spring. You take a flat headed shovel and cut a circle around the trunk about a foot away. You're simply sticking the shovel into the ground, no digging. Am I confusing you?

PIM

Thank you for the advice--I had just learned about that a few weeks ago, but it's well worth repeating for any who can do what you have suggested!!!

Papou

In answer to your question, no I'm not a professional(at least not a landscape pro). I garden as a hobby and as a creative outlet. I don't think I've ever admitted what I do for a living on GW, but I'm a dentist. Between all of my responsibilities at my office and taking care of my four daughters, I don't get a lot of time to spend in the garden, but the time I do get I relish and try to get as much done as possible.
Thanks again.

Jel48, I've posted a link to my favorite mail-order nursery for conifers (Coenosium Gardens). They do have P.c. 'Taylor's Sunburst' in their catalog. It's also a fun and informative site with lots of pictures as well. Also if you don't mind a drive, you may want to check out Gee Farms in Stockbridge Michigan. It would probably be quite a drive, but if you do end up getting the conifer bug, I think you'd enjoy it. One final suggestion is to try to find a local nursery that sells conifers from Iseli Nursery (iselinursery.com). They're a wholesale nursery that supply many nurseries and all of the 'Taylor's Sunburst's' that I've seen locally have come from there. Happy hunting! Dan

Dan

The list of plants you used is very helpful too. I thought I was doing great with TWO Japanese maple in myy small garden, but I see more is possible.

One question: is everything always so perfect in your space? How much time do you spend each week working just outdoors, not at the hybridizing?

Truly what you've done is a work of art. I think Olmstead would have complimented you on a job well done.

Dan