Thank you, D M PNW. It does look unfinished. I laid the stones many years ago to keep the walking path clear and to contain mulch better. My vision was to have perennials and ground cover to camouflage the edges of all the stones, because like you pointed out, it's not pretty as is. I haven't been very good at keeping enough soil in the bed to ensure that top row looks useful LOL. The stones look particularly bad after the tree service with all their heavy equipment came in to remove the tree.

What I discovered was that so many plants I have tried in that bed weren't thriving, because they were struggling to compete with all the trees for water (and I tend to get lax at watering as the summer drags on). At one time, we had at least three more trees in that bed including the large one we just lost. The center area is particularly hard to grow even hostas for some reason.

Your suggestion to curve the stones into the bed makes sense. They seem to be designed for a more circular shape. I would have much rather had natural stones, but it was out of budget for such a large area at the time. Should I rethink the entire shape of the bed?

It isn't as noticeable if the bed is full of dirt or a ground cover covers the edge. Adding that much dirt on top of the tree roots is not a good idea. That is why I suggested just removing the extra height.

You make a great point about too much dirt over the roots (and at the base of the trees). The section along the path is on a slight downslope, so the dirt is at the proper height. The dirt and mulch tend to shift toward the path.

I will take your advice and remove the stones along the lawn side. I’ll also amend the soil and test a couple of drought tolerant plants. I usually put a few potted annuals in here to add color.

Forgot to respond about the hole in the tree stump. The stump is four feet in diameter. At most, the hole might be two feet wide by one foot deep. It’s not completely hollowed out, though…but, I guess it could be!

If you decide to plant in the stump, you should drill some holes to allow excess water to drain since the hole doesn't have an exit to dirt. Using it as a pot is easier and cheaper than trying to remove or hide it some other way.

@bluemarble 👋In case you are still working on that flower bed, I found this article that addresses screen plantings and structures: Why You Should Consider a Landscape Screen for Your Yard.

And this one, now that January is over, 😂 12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions.

PS: A couple of pics

Creative Ideas · More Info

Lush Suburban Retreat · More Info

Thank you so much, lobo. Great articles and photos. I still need to rework that bed. I waited until fall to test my roator cuff, and went full steam ahead on flower beds on the back and east sides of the house. I overused my rotator cuff big time, but it was worth it.

My plan for spring is to improve the front bed and discuss a joint project with my neighbor on disguising the electrical boxes in that back bed. I like the ideas to install a screen of some kind (I have a mock-up somewhere), a compost bin and an evergreen tree.

Thanks again for your input. It means a lot!

lobo, you actually know a lot and have asked great questions. I went back to look at your previous post...I like the gathering space in the second photo more than I originally thought. Maybe we could somehow incorporate the bed into a mini park-like setting that uses a bit more of the yard. An arbor with natural screening, native plants and gravel seems achievable. Love that fire bowl.

As to your last post, I very much like the idea of using hydrangeas to screen the electrical box. Maybe at the base of an arbor? I believe utility workers require a 3' perimeter around the sides of the box, and 10' at the front. The neighbor's shed and the electrical box can be seen from our screened porch, so adding something along the right front side of the box would be great. I'll work up another diagram as you suggested.

Another idea for screening the utility boxes: a well-ventilated bench-like structure https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/award-gates-screens-and-fences-contemporary-brisbane-phvw-vp~1135169?share=clipboard

Award Gates Screens and Fences · More Info

That's an interesting idea. I've never seen anything like it.

I was just working on a comment with visuals, so I'll be right back...

Ok, so I made a new visual of the "dilemma." The shape and size of the bed around the electric box can change. I included the property line, because until recently, I thought it was on the other side of the electric box.

Here is the view from our bedroom which isn't great, but the view from the screened porch is what inspired me to want to change it up now that it's even worse with the tree gone. We got a little bit of snow!

This was the mock-up I made with trellis fencing and plants in the tree stump. It might be complicated to install this type of structure around the electric and cable boxes, and would likely end up at an odd angle because of the tree stump. Not sure we want the upkeep of all that latticework. Very pretty, though. Again, the bed was left a little weary after the tree removal company left. Those guys were awesome. Maybe I should remove the stones altogether? I wanted them on the path side of the bed, because the mulch kept sliding onto the path, but they aren't a must-have on the yard side.

Do you know the rules regarding fences and property lines in your town/city? Does fence have to be offset a few feet or can it be directly on the line?

I would think a simple flat-panel trellis (or 2-3) with climbing annuals would do the trick. Or use a lovely iron obelisk or tuteur with low growing perennials to cover the utility boxes; you can grow vines on the tuteur. I would consider using the potting shed as a foil for something structural in the bed, thus the suggestion of an obelisk.

I was looking for a "favorited" garden design blog I had but can't locate it right now, so here's a google link to a search term: small garden design obelisk

Welcome, Anna. Thanks for your recommendations and the link. An obelisk would be beautiful. What size do you suggest? I see your point of sort of embracing the shed as a backdrop. My neighbor planted ornamental grasses next to it which helped some. I’ll look into the rules about fencing, but nothing seems to be enforced in my neighborhood.

To determine the size, I would get some wooden stakes (easily available in garden centers) or use tall scrap pieces of wood, set the wood in the spots you're considering, go back to the room that has the "view" and look out... adjust as necessary until you find the right height.

Found it! https://harmonyinthegarden.com/four-season-structure-with-trellises-tuteurs-and-obelisks/

Thank you for sharing that article, Anna! I really love how all of those different structures look including the fireplace tools and the birdhouse in the pollinator garden. What a missed opportunity when we lost our tree to use some of the branches to build an obelisk. I really like the large iron ones,

I’ll play around with some ideas and post a couple mock-ups.

@bluemarble 👋 After looking at your new drawing, I realized

1- I had misunderstood the flower bed placement completely, I thought the long side was the boundary with your neighbor 🤦 2- Do you want/need a fence line to the neighbor and/or to the walkway sides? It's never a simple question, right? From my point of view, I think I would try:

a) Finding a new focal point, that you enjoy, aka "as look the other way"; i.e. your new pollinator garden?

b) Covering up just that corner where the neighbors' shed is with another feature of yours; i.e. your composting? This "compost bin" looks like a bench, and you can plant some scented flowers on the side for good measure ;) And you can add a path, like this one:

Chalk Farm - West London · More Info

or add "strategic privacy planting", like this one:

Formal in Noe Valley · More Info

Too much? This one below might not suit your style, but might help clarify the concept of "strategic privacy" fence/ planting ;)

Contemporary Color · More Info

Lots of wonderful ideas have been offered to you!

Just a couple of comments about screening plant material choices. Be aware that spruces do eventually get very old and unsightly, and sometimes, with their shallow roots, can be brought down by storms. My neighbors had a row of them on the property line between our houses, and two of them fell onto my garage in storms over the years. They can also make an area quite dark, if there's other shade as well. Maybe for a while a spruce would suit you well, however. They certainly can be beautiful in the right location.

Do you have problems with deer at all? Deer ADORE decimating hostas. And in winter they will eat everything they can reach of arborvitaes and yews. I know this because my dog died last fall, and after 30 years of complete security against deer, they've now wrecked every evergreen in my yard. If deer are a problem in your neighborhood you might want to take them into account when choosing what to plant.

Joan

lobo, you find some pretty amazing photos that help me envision a larger, more beautiful setting. The Noe Valley garden would be an intimidating project, but that's more along the lines of what I'd love to do...sort of create a cocoon around the yard haha.

When our kids were young, they and their neighbor friends had four yards to just run and play, so no fences were needed. Now that our views are a shed on one side and a trampoline with ten foot high netting on the other and no kids to watch romp around, I feel the need for cocooning haha. We don't mind being on the path as long as people aren't cutting through our yard to get to it! Many people have fences along the path, but those of us in our section use landscaping to create a boundary. And a shed lol.

I also like the stone path in the Chalk Farm photo. Wish I could repurpose mine in that way, but they are designed for building walls. Love the concept of the modern landscape with fun colored walls. I will think about an all-encompassing project instead of just trying to hide the electric boxes. Thank you so much!

Just love creative people. Check this out...

Joan, thank you so much for your comments. The last thing we need is for another tree to fall LOL. I will take that into consideration when narrowing down a final plan. We do not have deer in our neighborhood. I would normally say "unfortunately", but I wouldn't be pleased if they were eating everything I plant! I just planted three adorable Anna's Magic Ball arborvitae shrubs and an Oakleaf Hydrangea- that I believe the squirrels got after. I can't prove it, but someone or something "stole" all but one of the branches! It's a new plant, so maybe only had five branches. But, now it only has one. :(

The deer ate my Oakleaf hydrangea two years ago over winter. Walked right over the other plants and ate most of the two shrubs I had; I was livid. We built an enclosure using stakes and burlap to keep them away over the winter and that's worked nicely. Once the shrubs are actually leafing out and flowering, there is other stuff for the deer to nosh on.

Good thinking, Anna. From what I understand, Oakleafs are a thriving plant, so hopefully you aren’t set back too much. I wanted mine to grow quickly to help shield the view of the neighbor’s trampoline. Might take longer than i thought, because fighting squirrels is a tough battle lol.

Squirrels are the reason I stopped filling bird feeders, and decided to just make sure there are plenty of natural food sources for the birds. We had a squirrel proof feeder, but they spent all day trying to get into it which kept the birds from getting anywhere near it!

I saw the funniest video once of a guy who tried to build an elaborate maze to see if the squirrels could fugure out how to get into his bird feeder. I’ll see if I can find it, in case anyone is interested.

I've seen that video, he used to work for NASA I think. It was pretty awesome.

He might have! Sounds like he has used his skills in other very useful ways. Catching criminals? Here it is in case anyone else wants to fill 20 minutes of their time. I have the feeder he uses in the video that slides closed with the weight of the squirrel. That’s the one they would hang on all day long trying to figure out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg

Yup, that’s him! He also built the glitter bombs, that’s how I first heard of him.

@bluemarble If I read you correctly, you want separation from neighbors and public path. I would maintain a sense of openness for your garden since that is what you are used to, by using some kind of metal slats (also low maintenance) and by having a gate to the park walkway ;) Just daydreaming here: these are 2 ideas for that long side, depending on your desire for privacy. 1- high privacy fence with door, like this, or 2- low, overlooking the path, then something like this?

PS: I am re-reading that you want a "cocooning" feel ... maybe creating backyard zones of interest?

lobo, I really like the wood or metal slats ideas. Very cool. I've considered ways to include hardscapes, but the relationship of some of the elements make it a challenge. I started thinking more about cocooning as a way of embracing the smaller size of our yard (not very deep). Adding shrubs or trees between the house and electric box would shrink it further, but maybe that's ok to add interest, as you say. Something that might need mentioning is that within the row of burning bushes are about four tall skinny trees (one seems to be dying) and a hemlock tree. All of this is directly on the path, so fencing would not fit across the total expanse of the yard unless we decide to remove all of that - which probably won't happen. I love that photo of the privacy fence with opening, though. Just beautiful. I wouldn't mind having a slatted fence on the other side of the yard to block the view of the trampoline!

I said I'd work on a mock-up or two, so I should probably do that since you are working hard at helping me brainstorm. Thanks again.

I saw these two ideas on Etsy.com.

Thanks, shwshw! I especially love the ones by Rustica Ornamentals. I could totally see something like that working. Hard to pick a favorite, but I'll try to incorporate a few panels in a mock-up.

Hi @bluemarble, here is another idea to "break" that flowerbed in between your trees, by using a fun/functional element that would distract from the shed: https://www.houzz.com/photos/pleasanton-pool-spa-cook-center-pond-and-patios-traditional-patio-san-francisco-phvw-vp~83679203

Pleasanton Pool,spa, cook center pond & patios · More Info

Hi lobo! Thanks for keeping my yard in your thoughts. A swing out there would be fun, but I really like the rock garden in the photo, and think that would be a great use of this space considering plants struggle to compete with all the tree roots. I read it's best to try "baby" plants, so that they can adapt around the tree roots as they grow. Large rocks would be kinda cool, though.

I finally tried a mock-up. I removed the stone border and added shrubs and shwshw's panel in front of the transformer/cable boxes. I scattered more large landscape rocks in the bed, and enlarged the burning bush by the tree stump because that will grow as big as needed. I also added my neighbor's Maiden Grass (?) next to her shed. Can I get away with something like a false cypress in place of our sad hemlock. Not confident about what to put there.

I need to hear about why your son called the garden the field of punishment.

Ha! Welcome, ShadywillowFarm. When my son was in middle school, he was a fan of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson book series that was based on Greek mythology. In the books, people who had committed horrible deeds were tortured eternally in the Fields of Punishment located in the Underworld. As I was lamenting the fact that nothing seemed to be able to grow in this sad looking barren space year after year, my son glanced over the area, cracked up and said "it's just like the Fields of Punishment." Maybe this year I will redeem myself. haha

Thanks! Sons come up with the best things, don’t they. 😊

By the utility box 45 feet out in the yard planta tall Bush to help lock the box for you from the street

Thanks happyleg! I think you meant 4-5 feet. I’ve read you are supposed to leave 10 feet in front, but wonder if I could get away with five. 🤫

If something is planted too far out, it would look odd. I’m trying to figure out how to angle something(s) that will look ok from both of our yards and from the street out front.

Hey @bluemarble シ

Ref. the "Pleasanton" garden above, what I like is that though it has a background fence, it looks open. It might be the visual equivalent of floating the furniture in the room, and not against the wall. That is, all the elements there (swing, path, rock garden, fire pit) are not linear, or against the fence, but curved and floating. I thought you would like this feeling because you are used to "no fences" with your neighbors.

Ref. "Gardening in shade", you said: "Not confident about what to put there". You might want to check for native plants (low-maintenance & wildlife friendly) and narrow your search for "shade". These websites will help you find native plants to your area: Audubon.ORG and Wildflower.ORG

Ref. the "fields of punishment" title: I enjoyed reading your story. It brought back memories from my son's childhood, reading the Percy Jackson series and getting the treasured poster in his BR!

If you were told 10ft don't go by my 5 ft then do the 10 maybe that's in case it spreads with new branches

lobo, I so much appreciate your input and that you are so good at clarifying things. Your vision is spot on, and I'm glad you aren't letting me off easy haha. I need to keep thinking bigger in terms of the cozy - not just keep the shape as it is now. This might expand even more as we evolve. Thank you, thank you.

Here, I expanded the left side a bit and added a gazebo type structure (the graphics are limited) and paver stone path to break up the defined line of the bed. I could ask my neighbor if she'd like to continue the bed up to her shed (dotted line). I still need to peruse the Audubon and Wildflower links you posted for plant material to fill in around the structure.

Too funny about the Percy Jackson poster. My daughter was in love with Logan Lerman, so she's the one who had the poster!

I love gazebos that would be good there and some bushes

Me too, happy!

Forgot to say the brown circles in the graphic represent other trees. Tall and skinny. I also added lines for the flower beds against the back of the house, so you can see how the open area closes in as we expand the large bed.

HI @bluemarble, I am glad my comments helped you out some in getting your garden ready for Spring ;) Disclosure: I must admit that I don't have a plan for my own plain suburban lawn... I enjoy the "get ideas" section of this forum; now if I could just "get it done", then it would be great 😂. Keep us posted and good luck.

PS: Reading my post above, I meant I must get my garden done, no pressure for you... Checking on Houzz is my guilty pleasure. Cheers!

lobo, I didn't take your comment in any way other than the truth that we are dreaming and planning and doing our best with the help of each other. Were you hoping for landscaping ideas on your thread or are you planning to get the front door situation in place first? I really liked the inspiration photos you posted for the expanded front patio. Also, your large property could handle some large evergreen trees.

yay bluemarble thanks for your kind comments ;0. Have you selected any plants? I noticed "gardening in shade" does not get many comments; so you might want to add another topic instead. Good luck.

Some things I like...

Hakonechloa grass, ginger, hostas, ferns, heuchura

Degroot Spire Arborvitae

Dusky Cranesbill Geranium

Hydrangea...I like the lime ones. I have a pink one and a white one in other areas.

Dwarf Goatsbeard

Lemony Lace Elderberry

Golden Spirit Smokebush

Deutzia (pink or white)

Hellebore

Toad Lily

Gorgeous plants!

Thank you, shwshw! I'll know better in the next couple of months the shape and size of the bed. That should make it easier to choose plants.

Hi @bluemarble, how is it going for you? I just found a new thread that reminded me of your dilemma. You might want to check out the visual provided by @simplynatural ;)

Really nice! :)