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Need help landscaping patio!
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Posted: Aug/15/2008 10:12 AM PST
Hi, I could use some suggestions on how to landscape my patio area. As you can see, it's pretty much a pile of dirt now. I have tried to make a sketch of the area (the cross-hatched area is brick); dimensions are in inches. The only plant that I have planned to put in are two small Japanese maples (about 3 ft x 3 ft at full size) (the circles on the layout with the dimensions). Otherwise, I'm not really sure how to go about designing a garden. I thought it might be nice to put some herbs in, but other plants would be good too. The patio area abuts the house -- the house would be located right against the area at the top of the drawing with dimensions. I'm looking for low-maintenance plants that won't need a lot of fuss. And I live in Virginia. Thanks for the help! Attachments:   |
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Posted: Aug/15/2008 5:38 PM PST
What sort of sun does the area receive during the day? For low maintence, little fuss plants I would suggest using perennials 
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Posted: Aug/16/2008 5:44 AM PST
Sorry, I forgot to mention the sunlight. It gets direct sunlight about half the day. |
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Posted: Aug/16/2008 10:10 AM PST
OK, anything that will take part-sun, and even some full-sun plants will work great! What zone are you in? I'm guessing at least a 7... I live in SE VA, zone 7b/8a and I have super great luck with: Perennials Agastache Blue fortune Garden phlox Joe-pye weed (I can send seeds for that later this fall) (native) daylillies (the ultimate in no-fuss, plant and forget! You can get varieties so that you have blooms all season) Crocasimia Butterfly bush Cardinal flower for a moist spot (native) Clematis (would need a trellis) Brugmansia (tropical, if under zone 7 will need to be brought in for winter- can be grown in a large pot! HUGE fragrant blooms) Butterfly weed (native) Black-eyed Susan (native) Lyre-leaved Sage (native, have seeds) Hyssop-leaved Skullcap (native, have seeds) Columbine Bleeding Heart Easy-to-grow Annuals Sunflower- all types Four O'Clocks (I have tons of seeds) Tithonia (I have seeds) Cleome (I have TONS of seeds for pink) Lots more to choose from than those listed- check out a local nursery- great sales going on now too 
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Posted: Aug/17/2008 6:49 AM PST
Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions! I am still looking them up on the internet, since I haven't heard of a lot of the plants you recommend. Do you know of any resource that would help me figure out how to lay them out in a garden? I can figure out that the big ones should go at the back and the small ones in front, but other than that I don't know where to start.... Thanks!! |
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Posted: Aug/25/2008 7:49 PM PST
Sorry it took me so long to respond- was out of town for a week There's really no right or wrong way, basically the taller stuff toward the back, and keep in mind MATURE size to prevent overcrowding. You can move plants that aren't working to other parts of the bed- I do that often Let me know if you would like some of the seeds that I have- just click on my name to get to my profile, then click on send message
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Posted: Aug/25/2008 11:20 PM PST
Magnolia-your backyard has the bones to become a fantastic garden. I would suggest you read "Backyard Blueprints" by David Stevens. The book is geared toward small gardens and the photography is spectacular. Once you open the cover your mind will begin flowing with ideas. Careful initial planning will reward you later. Combined with perennials, the right trees and shrubs will add seasonal interest and less maintenance~Andrea |
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Posted: Aug/26/2008 4:12 AM PST
There's all kinds of thyme that would love the sun. It looks like it has the potential to be a lovely spot. Keep us posted. |
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