Need a password to see the photos.

Sorry about that- I just made it a public view- should work now.

I don't think planting lily-of-the-valley would be a good idea. There are other ways of stabilizing a slope that don't involve introducing a potentially-invasive plant into the stream system. If you google "streambank stabilization," you'll find tons of information on the different techniques out there. However, it would seem that it shouldn't be something that you tackle on your own, as the repercussions may and can be great.

- Audric

I completely agree with Audric about the slope stabilization.

I think you have a property that has a lot of potential, and some beautiful established plantings. With careful and thoughtful planning, you can retain a lot of the shrubs and further enhance the property. I would recommend seeing if you can get some books on woodland gardening/landscaping; I like woodland garden by robert gilmore and the natural shade garden by ken druse.

It is surprising how a good pruning job will revitalize shrubs. Also dont toss the hostas, divide them up and use them all over the woods and driveway. That would be my gradual solution to getting rid of the grass if it was my place!

You've asked a lot of questions, and since it is a bit overwhelming it might be helpful to just focus on one area to start. While I address multiple problems when my clients are paying, at my own overgrown out of control property (where we have lived 3 years) I just tackle one or two areas a year.

Thanks for the replies so far! I will research the slope stabilization. I don't want to randomly shove plants in the ground back there without a solid plan since they will be more difficult to remove compared to putting bulbs in the ground out front. I will be researching that and probably hiring an expert to advise me on the erosion issues.

Drtygrl-

I was actually thinking about the hostas last night. I definitely do not want to toss them. I think I'm going to put them in on the north side of the house. They should be happy there in the shade and there's plenty of bare space for them to expand. I do want to find a green filler ground cover for that slope by the driveway, but probably not a big plant like the hostas.

I know I posted a ton at once, sorry! I look at the yard and it is overwhelming. I don't want to tackle all of it this year (that would be nearly impossible), but I would like to come up with a 3 year plan for the yard. If I don't have a plan, I fear that I will continue with my impulse to shove colorful plants randomly in the ground w/o a plan & have an even bigger mess on my hands!

One more question: how far back can I cut the azaleas? Can I severly trim them without damaging them? I would like to reign in the ones in front of the house after they bloom as they are taking up most of that potential flower bed, and I think at least one needs a big time haircut.

I really need to go dig out my horticulture textbook from college to go with the shade books I'm checking out from the library. I wish I had taken more classes like that instead of making it my last class before graduation!

Thanks again!

Thank you Nandina!

Do you have any photo references as to pegging logs in place over the side? I'm not entirely sure what you mean by it. There are a number of limbs/dead trees, etc, that have been heaved over the side already. So the mesh snow fence would be down on the bank and any new debris would be placed on top of it? Or would it be up closer to the yard to stop things from going over the side like how they are on the side of a ski slope?

Ah, so that IS a skunk cabbage! It looks really neat. (do they really stink? lol) There are a number of them down by the stream coming up.

I absolutely love where we live. It's close to everything, but is also really private and I can listen to the stream from our deck. Its super relaxing. I love the trees here too. We had an arborist come out last summer and all of the big trees are in great shape.

I'll admit it, I have an overall feeling of frustration with our property. I love it, but think of it as a diamond in the rough right now. Because the property was neglected for years and I feel like I have a lot on my plate trying to clean up the previous owner's neglect before moving forward. I'm sure the frustration stems from the fact that they neglected the inside of the house as well.... and it doesn't help that I'm a planner by nature, so to not have a plan for the yard drives me crazy. Your three year plan is very helpful. Thank you.

I do love gardening and think of this yard as one big adventure that is going to keep me occupied until I'm old and gray. :)

I agree with nandina's 'I have a feeling that you do not appreciate what you have purchased' comment. You have my fantasy property! :-) The only comment I'd add is learn to appreciate green and white. My backyard (MUCH smaller property - in suburbia - than yours) is almost entirely in shade under white pines, green ash and red oak and is gardened to be a serene woodland garden. Green and white are the dominant colors with pink, blue and a splash of red from Indian Pinks as secondary notes. The overall impression is cool and serene and I much prefer it to my more colorful, sunny front garden. It's a much pleasanter space in the heat of the summer (except for the mosquitoes! Woodlands have unwelcome inhabitants at times :-)

It doesn't look like a landscaping mess, but woods. That's what woods look like :-) It's what they are supposed to look like. If you go out and try to 'clean things up', there is the distinct possibility of making a real mess. Particularly if you go poking around the slope. There are plants there stabilizing it. The trees and the shrubs are doing just that.

There are a lot of large and small wild areas around you where you can see what you should be trying to do. It's not going to be a 'colorful garden' without a lot of clear cutting. That's not what this is.

Or, one reason to wait until after azaleas bloom is just to see what you've got, color-wise, if you don't know already--in case you've got serious color clashes you can't live with and would tag some for removal or relocation. But,as nandina said, if you do it sooner, they will have more time and energy for rebounding, and then next year you can take a look at how they're doing and what you like where. Plus, it's an easy way to give yourself a more immediate feeling of exerting some control on the overgrown stuff, getting things a little tidier, and so feel a little less overwhelmed--since that's part of what you're going through now.

Over the years I have worked with similar properties. The first step to this design is to decide how much area around the house will be kept raked, perhaps with a bit of lawn or mossy areas exposed. This landscaping then trails off into the natural woodland. A few words about beech trees. Their health is very dependent on a type of mycorrhizal fungus which develops from the cold composting of their leaf litter dropped every fall on the forest floor. This is a technical point, but important. You want to leave as much leaf litter as possible under the beech trees.

Re: pegging logs on the slope. The logs are layed across the slope and held in place with cut pieces of treated 2'x'2's pounded into the ground on the downside of the logs so they cannot roll. This is an effective method to use in spots where there is water run-off. If you can maneuver logs already lying on the slope into this configuration it will help the erosion situation.

Guess I did not do a very good job explaining the fence. It should be placed upright near the bottom of the slope. Then leaves/light brush should be tossed down toward the fence over the years. In time the slope, using both logs and the fence, will be stabilized and natural growth will appear.

Yes, skunk cabbage stinks if the leaves are disturbed. For some reason deer seem to enjoy wallowing around in it. You might just have some marsh marigolds pop up along the stream shortly. They love that type of environment and seem to have a natural releationship with the skunk cabbage.

Thanks for the replies.

A quick update:

Randomly, our tree guy called today. He gave me the name of a landscape person he's known for years. I know where the guy did his schooling, and he managed an estate nearby as well. He has his own business now. Anyway, I called him and he's coming over tonight IN THE RAIN to see how the water flows through the yard. (YAY for rain!!!)

He's also going to create a plan for us to address the erosion.

The 1st consultation tonight is free. Then it's $35/hr after that. It didn't sound too expensive to me. I don't mind paying for a few hours of work if it means I will have a plan on paper that we can follow to help with everything.

$35/hour is a bargain. My rule with new homeowners (I work at a garden center in NC)--wait at least a full calendar year (with an established property) before you do anything major. One has no idea what ephemerals/bulbs/perennials are lurking until one has lived with a property for four full seasons.

THEN you can start digging. In the meantime...satisfy your gardening urges with shallowly planted annuals and elaborately planted large pots.

Are deer an issue in your area? You don't mention them...