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What a mess!
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Posted by ramazz 7b VA (My Page) on Sun, May 31, 09 at 21:41
| I would not post this if my daughter and son-in-law were members of GW. They recently purchased a house in northern VA and I went up this weekend to help plant some of my extras from wintersowing. They had no flowers anywhere, and in the backyard, they have a muddy mess. Part of it is wooded and most of the rest is shaded from trees on the adjacent lot. Lots of tree roots, areas where the soil is a combination of clay and rocks, and very little sun anywhere. The previous owner had not planted anything. We put some plants in the front that hopefully will survive, but other than the astilbe, columbines and daffodils that I brought, I did not feel good about anything we put in the back. I was desperately looking for any tiny patch of sun, and because everything I brought was looking for a home, we put in some echinaceas, iris, rudbeckias and gaillardias in the best areas. They don't want ivy (no problem there) but it would be nice to see some kind of ground cover. Is there a grass that will tolerate these conditions, or some kind of ground cover that will grow and also tolerate two dogs romping about? All suggestions welcome as long as they don't require major $$$.
Becky |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: What a mess!
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| Grass does not do well in shade. As a substitute, consider dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus. You can buy it in 4 inch pots at Home Depot in the groundcover section. Buy the fullest pots you can find and the divide the plant when you take it out of the pot. I planted it at my other house and I probably got 4 divisions out of every pot. Based on an article in Southern Living, I planted it in straight lines (like a grid) with plants alternating every other row. It filled in and looked very nice. |
RE: What a mess!
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- Posted by von1 z4 NY (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 8, 09 at 6:16
RE: What a mess!
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| We are in Northern VA, too, with clay and rocks in the backyard. I have put in hostas, ferns, astilbe. We have a hill that needs planting because it is eroding since I got rid of the bamboo that was here when we moved in 12 years ago. For inspiration, you, your daughter and son-in-law should go to the National Arboretum. They have some fabulous shady areas and the Asian Valley is wonderful. Lots of great ideas. Have fun! |
RE: What a mess!
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| I don't think they have done anything since I was there, LOL, other than move some of the plants that were unhappy. I did suggest the mondo grass and they do have some hostas. She said they will probably buy some liriope. I will probably make another trip up in the early fall, with some more stuff from my yard. I will definitely suggest they take a field trip to the National Arboretum. Since I live 150 miles away, I haven't gotten back up there yet. Becky |
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