I prefer seeing Mondo grass and not Liriope it's easier to remove when it takes over. I beleive there is enough sun for dwarf crapes. Your hanging baskets look lonely. Caladiums would brighten things up in the dark corner.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

Personally, I would not use the black polished stones in such a manner. The semicircles seem busy and quite small in proportion to the rest of the space, and would be difficult to maintain. Filling in the area between the concrete strips would have a much higher impact, have greater definition, and would be seem more appropriately sized for the space. (Just a suggestion).

I think similarly of the optional stone walls; they seem quite small for the space and do not seem quite necessary. If you are incorporating boulders into the rest of the space, the change in ground levels could be mediated by a boulder instead of the existing retaining walls.

In a space like this, consider looking at Japanese courtyard gardens for example of ways of composing the space. Simplicity can go a long way in a small area.

- Audric

Audric: I truly appreciate your feedback. It's funny but you zoned in on the two things that I was not sure of. I agree with you about the semicircles (My mantra is "Make it Simple) I put them in to provide a hard area for someone stepping out of a car but mulch will probably work just as well. Again, the stone walls were an afterthought - they are too small and not really necessary. So I will eliminate both those features. Regarding the center of the strips are you saying fill the space with stones or with plant material?

bullthistle: (I love your web site!) Are you sure about crape myrtle? Everything I see about crape myrtles says full sun. The picture you are seeing was taken in "winter" (Florida winter) and that side does get some sun. But it gets nothing in the summer - basically it's under the oak tree. I was planning to plant some random mondos between the stepping stones. I didn't know liriope spread. I have giant liriope in the front yard and they have been very polite so far.

Hello Jerzeegirl,

I did mean filling in the centre space with the stones; the containment offered by the surrounding concrete would translate into a great deal of effort saved in keeping it looking neat.

- Audric

Thank you, Audric, for your reply. I was trying to keep my stone usage to a minimum. Not that I don't love stone, but since I am under trees, I worry if the stones will require too much maintenance because of leaf fall.

Which brings me to another question. When considering mulch color are there any unwritten "rules" that the mulch should be the color of the leaves that fall on it? I plan to let the oak leaves remain on the ground to enrich the soil and wonder how good they would look on very dark mulch (which is what I favor).

Mary