just looking at your pics makes me tired!..moving dirt and stacking stones is exhausting..my husband calls it "prison work"..but it's going to be worth it!!..it looks nice now but I can't wait to see pics later when the hostas have grown..

I hate to rain on your parade, but, I see a potential water problem in your future due to grading/the dam you’ve created next to your house in the last picture. JSYK, I’m sitting outside on a covered porch watching the rain from the remnants of Alberto, so rain is on my mind. ;)

I think it looks awesome!

Well done! Who needs lawn? :-)

Hey Sammy, I sure hope you're wrong. The slope is fairly flat and I put a bunch of drainage rock behind "the dam". The down spout drains all the way to the street and the roof isn't pitched onto that bed. We do have a French drain around the perimeter of our home, but that's certainly something to watch.

I'm more concerned about the first area and the hillside sliding down and over the brick wall.

Wow, I know what an undertaking it is to dig up all that sod! Lots of hard work. It looks fantastic! Both beds are beautiful, and once they fill in, will be very eye-catching. I think I see some Ligularia in there as well, which is a plant I really love.

No Ligularia - they take up too much room. Just Hostas, Heucheras, Peonies and Japanese Maples (and a stray daylily). The Coleus, Elephant Ears and Begonias are just temporary for this year.

Ah, okay, I guess I was seeing elephant ears. Nothing really gets out of control in my yard, but I have certainly seem some massive Ligularia!

"And I've got my eye on some more lawn whose days are numbered (but is probably safe this year)." No time like the present, sale season will be here before you know it lol

Beautiful new beds but I am confused by your remark about ligularias. They take up no more room than a peony. I have Britt Marie Crawford. It is a beautiful contrast to my green and yellow hostas.

Thanks Deb, I'm still new to gardening in this zone and not entirely familiar with Ligularias. The ones I've seen for sale were already big and seemed like they would get larger. I can't say I'm not tempted by their beautiful leaves, but had not really heard of them until I moved here. While I always wanted to grow Peonies but lived in zone 9. I will certainly look into Ligularia more and try to find some space for it. Thanks for the encouragement.

This was bone hard work!!! It’s looks awesome already. I like the retaining wall stone you guys picked out! It looks so good with the brick of your home.

about the Ligularia... I had 2 - 1 is left I don’t know what to think about this plant. I have it in dappled shade - covered by a large oak tree and it’s so finicky. Even worse than hydrangeas.

I like lingularia ;)

Saija

I have those too. Rocket! Mine have stayed smaller, two foot diameter, mostly because they are planted in a drier location and get at least 1/2 day of sun.

Steve, please post another pic of these beautiful beds later this season!

Looking good!!! Please keep us updated,love seeing new projects mature!

Sherry