Landscape Help Please

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

This area is currently in dispute with my wife! She would like to turn it in to a big flower bed. I would like to cover in concrete, brick, rock, etc and put some planters. Reason being it there is a drainage issue(fixable) and I would have to maintain the bed(not fixable). I would appricate any advise on what to do with the area. The area is 25X5. Thanks!

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Yardvaark

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

"... cover in concrete, brick, rock, etc and put some planters." This could mean something almost tolerable ... or it could be the worst. It's not specific enough to evoke a meaningful image. But 25' of "a big flower bed" for not particularly the gardening types doesn't seem like the ticket either. Is there not the possibility of avoiding extremes and compromise with something like normal landscaping? It seems like a shrub or two, some groundcover and then a 4' x 5' patch of flowers by the door would be generally pleasing, colorful and not difficult to maintain. BTW, it seems to me that without auto. drip irrigation, planters are much more difficult to maintain than are plants growing in the ground

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Comments (11)

PRO
User
6 years ago
I would choose planters in containers on gravel (free-draining) or pavers without mortar (also free-draining). In general, trees and shrubs near houses reduce airflow and you get mold/paint problems (obviously not as much a problem for brick houses). Do you have any way to get some drip irrigation to the pots? That would save both time and money (if over-watering). Also, that might be a nice place for a bench to sit on, flanked by floriferous containers.
gigirambles
6 years ago
My first inclination would be to side with your wife...but I just spent over an hour out in the yard weeding...so currently, I'm leaning to your side of the equation. What if you put an ornamental tree surrounded by rock and some planters?
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littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
Not enough room for a tree.

Personally, I'd never pave it nor use gravel nor any hardscape of any kind. But that's just me. If you don't want to plant anything there, just mulch it. Is that your front door?

What side of the house is this on? If it's in the shade most of the day, it would be a great place for hosta. A very low care perennial.
C K
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone. This is the back yard. I do have this piped for irrigation for what ever route we choose. Keep the ideas coming.
emmarene9
6 years ago
Any time I'm given a choice of plants vs concrete, I choose plants. I do my own garden work and do not consider it a chore. If your wife is not going to maintain the bed then it is reasonable that your should use hardscape instead.
Rxonmymind Rxonmymind
6 years ago
There seems to be enough "rock" I'm thinking she's looking to soften the contrast between the brick and concrete? Now you want fill it with more brick or concrete? It'll look like an old school prison.

Find a compromise do a rock/plant garden with nice drip irrigation. No reason both can't have what you want. :)
l pinkmountain
6 years ago
I agree, more hardscaping will look "hardened" for lack of a better term. There are easy care ground covers, small shrubs, etc. that can grow there and provide some color and living interest without being super difficult to maintain.
PRO
Southwest Boulder & Stone
6 years ago
You might choose a few of your favorite plants and then consider using something like Mexican Beach Pebble instead of mulch. Still drains well, means you don't have to plant/maintain the whole area, and the round pebbles will help offset the lines of the brick and concrete path.
PRO
Go Pavers
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
To soften the linear lines -- adding hardscape for you but curves and plants for your wife -- you could try a curving planter wall (not quite seating wall height show here):

Curved Planters and Pool Deck Redo - View 4 · More Info

Then, below the lower wall, plant ground-cover, instead of a paver border.

Just a thought.
PRO
Verona Home Design
6 years ago
I would go with a big flower bed, it would look very nice there.

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gigirambles

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Landscape Help Please

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