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Landscape suggestions (colonial w/ lots of potential)
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Posted by allensd23 Richmond, VA (My Page) on Sat, Mar 3, 07 at 22:17
| Need help/suggestions as to how I should landscape around my home. I own a 1930's brick/slate colonial with a lot of potential.
Picture.
Since I moved in during the spring of '05 I have removed many over grown shrubs, miles of english ivy (which had grown up the sides of the home and into the windows)and removed 16 (large over 30" in diameter) trees and brought in 19 tandem loads of fill dirt and top soil. Now I am ready to landscape the front of my home. I have put in 4 English boxwoods and several rhododedrons. The boxwoods are between 28 and 34" though you can't tell as my windows are almost 5' from the ground. These purchases were simply to have "something" in front of my house until I could dedicate the time and money to landscape. That time is now and I would very much like to hear your opinions, suggestions, etc. Pictures speak volumes, so if have some that might inspire please share.
Note: I favor traditional southern plantings and I will do all the work myself - no job is too big.
Thanks in advance!
Scott
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Landscape suggestions (colonial w/ lots of potential)
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I would very strongly advise you to take a long lok at a book by Desmond Muirhead entitled Green Days in Garden and Landscape. This publication is quite unique inasmuch as it doesn't tell you to do this or do that. Rather it will give you an idea-or many ideas-relating to the better aspects of residential landscaping. It possibly will give you an entirely new outlook on landscaping.
Best of Luck!!! |
RE: Landscape suggestions (colonial w/ lots of potential)
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The Winter Sowing forum has some great info and pics on the "Instant Beds" post...
also, have you considered native plants, birds and butterflies? How wonderful to have a blank slate to start with (after all that work of course, lol).
A bookstore or library near you may have a book called
Great Garden Shortcuts, worth a look.
Your flower bud |
RE: Landscape suggestions (colonial w/ lots of potential)
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- Posted by tbt3 z7VA (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 10, 07 at 16:43
| I just redid my front beds last fall. I now have a row in the back of Otto Luyken Cherry Laurels and interspersed in front with cold-hardy gardenias. I picked these for their four-season evergreen appeal and because I wanted something that wouldn't grow up in front of the windows. I think I will be very pleased with the Gardenias and consider them a "southern garden item". Other traditional southern items would have to include a magnolia although they take some space and I ahve no experience with them. Two items that I really like and think are underused are rabbiteye blueberries and serviceberries. Both have edible berries and are medium-sized so they can be worked in. Both are low care and have white spring blooms, summer berries, and beautiful fall color. Look into these and good luck. TBT |
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