A Landscape Renovation Part 2: Progress Made

It's been two years since I brought you along for A Landscape Renovation, From the Beginning, an explanation of the changes we made to my MIL's yard. After she purchased the house she had been renting, she wanted to address her yard which could honestly be described as boring (or at best as ho-hum) with nothing but strips of overgrown builder-grade evergreen shrubs and a rundown entrance bed. So we began a multi-phase project, with the first three phases described in the post referenced above. We have since completed phase IV, which comprised additional perennials, and phase V which primarily involved replacing perennials that had not thrived/survived and installing a tree and several shrubs.

 

Let's see the progress made thus far —for a garden is never truly finished! 

 

   

My MIL wanted colorful plantings on all sides of her house — that didn't require much maintenance! I felt the best way to achieve both objectives was to select plants with colorful flowers or leaves that were a mix of evergreen and deciduous types. Long-lived perennials and shrubs were chosen that also had a variety of mature shapes and sizes, with an assortment of leaf types. I thought it important for there to be interest in the garden during all four seasons.

 

These photos were taken between April and July, under different light conditions and at various times of day. Winter and early spring bloomers aren't represented here.

 

Side Yard, East 

 

This side has the most diversity of plantings due to the varying light conditions throughout the day. It receives morning sun until about 1 pm, when the shade from the house begins to encroach and eventually fully covers the mulched bed. Centering the wide, curved bed is a dogwood, Cornus 'Scarlet Fire', underplanted with hostas, heucheras and astilbes.

 

     

Flanking the dogwood on either side are pairs of Buxus microphylla (boxwoods) and Aucuba japonica along with flowering Pieris japonica and Hydrangea macrophylla.

 

Where the side yard meets the street are low-growing cypress and junipers.

 

     

Front Yard and Entrance, North

 

This part of the yard has changed since my earlier post. When a large oak tree that had shaded most of the front yard was removed, the shade-loving perennials we had planted suffered and eventually succumbed to the increased heat and light. The crape myrtle, bearded irises and orange Gaillardia are enjoying the extended sunshine.

 

     

The three gardenias, weeping Japanese maple and azaleas seem to enjoy the extra sunlight as well. The daylilies are thriving and we have divided them once already. I've got my fingers crossed for the Solomon's seals (Polygonatum spp.) between the gardenia and azalea, for they prefer filtered shade.

 

I am surprised the two hostas and another on the other side of the walkway are holding their own; perhaps they receive enough shade from the porch's overhang.

 

      

We had originally planted a large hosta and two Aspidistra elatior, commonly known as the cast-iron plant, under the windows. With the tree gone we moved them to the eastern side yard. We then replaced them with two peonies which seem to be thriving. Eventually the weeping Japanese maple will reach 4 ft.

 

A friend of my MIL's gave her this lovely planter and she or another friend gave her this Japanese maple as well. Unlike the previous photo, this maple is a pretty shade of yellow-green and is vertical in stature. We plan to transplant it in the fall into the white planter because Japanese maples do very well in planters.

 

     

Side Yard, West

 

This side yard receives full sun most of the day, at least in terms of the mulched beds. There is grass on this side as well which is partially shaded by the house next door. A limelight hydrangea anchors the corner next to the driveway; there are daylilies in front of it.

 

     

This side has only a narrow planting bed, about 24 inches. Here are a variety of sun-loving perennials: Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum 'Becky'), two colors of canna lilies, 

 

Sedum 'Autumn Fire',

 

      

and these magnificent false sunflowers, Heliopsis helianthoides, which are currently nearly 40 inches and still growing. 

 

      

At the end of the bed is a lovely camellia and another Japanese maple which has doubled in height since we planted it. As you've probably surmised, I love Japanese maples! They tolerate a range of light levels, come in such a variety of colors, heights, and widths, and can have surprisingly different leaf shapes. And of course they are perfectly sized for smaller gardens and yards!

 

Back Yard, South

 

The back yard is in full sun throughout the entire day. Daylilies, Shasta daisies and bearded irises dominate this area from the patio to the the side yard on the East side. With a 'lime punch' hydrangea thrown in the mix.

 

    

 Vibrant annuals hold sway on the patio.

 

This corner is home to a beautiful red Japanese maple that won't get quite as tall as the one at the opposite corner. It is filling out nicely. 

 

     

The newest addition to the yard is this October Glory maple with its pretty red-tinged leaves. It was chosen to combat a water drainage issue caused by neighboring yards sloping towards hers and run-off from the neighborhood clubhouse bordered by its 8 ft incline. The result is an ever soggy grassy area between the patio and the slope. An added plus is that eventually it may provide some shade for the patio.

 

Thanks for taking the tour of my MIL's garden with me! I hope this convinces you to consider adding some excitement to your garden.

 

For more inspiration you may want to take a look at how I've transformed my own garden in Spring's Stunning Colors Transform My Garden and The Backyard Landscape.          

   

    

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