That whole last fifteen feet or so should be mulch. I think the grass looks silly now because it was just planted, I assume it fills out into a dense clump with time?

I don't like to see any grasses grown as free-standing specimens (although a generously filled pot is a different question)...and I have always failed to understand the love for calamagrostis as single upright accents, tbh (although I realise I am in the minority here). I think the tiny beds are fiddly...would surely be better to have a longer, continuous bed with grasses growing amongst appropriate perennials (such as rudbeckias, scabious, knautia, sanguisorba, verbenas, echinaceas, eryngiums...the choices are many and varied). Grasses are all about movement and texture...I don't think they ever really express their singular charms when grown as lonely sentinels, even growing as a filled out clumps.

Apols. for personal opinions - I do have a deep love of grasses and their versatility within the wider landscape.

IMO the whole plan is too formal and plants needd time to grow but I do not thick birch trees and grass work together . and you do know those evergreens are going to be huge I like grasses but one to a space since they get huge and maybe trying to get an instant garden is the issue.

Hi Flora_uk - thanks for the input. Are you thinking the entire line along the fence should be mulched? Its a about 100 feet long. The laurels go every 8 feet along that fence. But is something to consider and might look quite nice. Also like the idea of incorporating more shrubs. Mowing - My HOA takes care of mowing everything. I appreciate the input!

Hallett - Yes, the grass does fill out. They grow to be about 2-3 feet wide, and around 4-5 feet tall each year. They are spaced exactly 36 inches apart to allow for that.

HU-618169007 - Thanks for the input. I like the use of the word "lonely". They do look lonely! And I love that you mentioned rudbeckias, because I was thinking of adding some of them!

Ken, I get the advice you’ve already been given. Looks like you have a good basis for a lovely planting bed filled with color & interest to view from your lovely new paver patio. I think it’s good advice to repeat the look of a no grass planting bed for the Arbs/ Emerald Greens next to patio along the fence where the skip laurels are. I don’t know how else you’d easily maintain that area. Can’t see the entire area but I’d take out the grass in a shape to create an easy to mow area. The grasses would look great added at key points for accent in groups as you have them. They would also be good to hide your AC unit from view but they might also draw attention to the unit - can’t see where it is so not sure. The river birch likes wet & gets large doesn’t it? Factor that in to your planning. Black eyed Susan would be a great thing for color to mix into that bed. Draw out the space.

Patricia Colowell - Thanks for the input. I actually tend to lean more towards a formal appearance. The front yard is very manicured type. Its just me I guess! LOL. Yes, I understand that the evergreens are going to get quite large. I need that. I them to reach about 10-12 feet in height. I have a garden person that says they can help maintain them so they do not get too out of control. But they are planted specifically for privacy purposes there.

here are some more photos to help understand they layout of the yard.

KW PNW - thank you! I like the idea of using the grasses added at just key points. Right now they feel like they are to much of the center of attention there. So a here and there effect might allow them to just blend instead of stand out. I'm going to look at the AC area again. There is also a side window (laundry room) by the AC unit that maybe I could put around that area. Its just the side of the house that looks at the neighbors house, but you can see the AC unit from the street as you walk by.

Grass can look good in a manicured garden, yours just has to grow in. That said, if you want to move it, you can, just wait until the fall. If you turn those spots into mini gardens, I'd think about all season color. Black-eyed Susans look great now, but in the spring, they'll be just leaves.

I like your idea of moving the grasses to the side of the house. Just one thought about the aborvitae (?) next to the patio. They grow out as well as up. I would have your "garden person" move them out at least several feet away from the deck-you will still get privacy and you won't have a dark, sunless deck with the trees closing in on you.

Just to add, 'Karl Foerster' grass is a wispy grass. The base is dense but the flowering, which is where the height is, is wispy. I like them and use them, but if you want a dense grass, look at the Panicums or Andropogons--tall and dense. And natives.

Hi lacevail i do kove them they just look odd to me the way they are like something is missing thinking i am going to add something with color to that area

I'm probably the last person to give landscaping advice to since I don't think I do well in that area lol, but after reading this thread a few times, Ken I'm wondering if you just need to give it some time to grow in and see how it does? I understand the idea of moving things now while they are smaller and newly planted, but I think you put a lot of thought into this plan and maybe you need to see how it works out?

Two things I will add - one, I'm sure you did this, because I remember reading your posts, but I'm assuming everything is planted with mature sizes in mind, correct? Because from the pictures it does seem to be a bit crowded, but again, that could just be the pictures. For instance when I saw your plans and saw the grasses I thought they would be farther apart but now seeing the photos they look quite close. But again, I know you did a lot of planning so you are probably right on the mark - but if you add *more*, will it then be crowded down the road?

Also, before you go adding things, what will the sun conditions be like when things fill in? Will anything added here be in shade and then perhaps struggle (like BES)? Perhaps you can put pots of annuals in amongst the plantings for seasonal color until things start filling in more.

My personal preference would be that as things grow in, the grass in between everything would get removed and it would become over time one big bed. This could be done gradually over a couple of years but IMO the end result would look more unified as one large bed.

Your yard is quite lovely. I prefer a more cottagey look in my own garden, but I can certainly appreciate the lines and form of a more formal area, and yours is very nice. Looks like a lovely spot to relax on that patio in a comfy chair with a cold drink!

:)

Dee

Although you say the HOA does the mowing the person doing it will curse you for having to go round all those little beds. Do they also do the edging? That'll take a huge amount of work and if neglected the grass will grow into the beds and you won't have those neat little beds for long. I really think that visually and practically a unified bed is a much better bet.

Btw how does that work the HOA mowing on private property? And how do they deal with the differences in effort required for different properties' layouts?

Hi Diggerdee.. Thanks for the note. Great suggestions! I do like the idea of maybe doing some pots with annual colors to add a boost to the ornamental grass areas. Going to think that one through. Yes, everything was planted with the mature sizes in mind. The skip laurels along the back fence are there more for a purpose to block a road behind that fence. We will keep them probably about 10-12 high, which is why I had them plant the almost 6' plants to start.

I have tried to make things before more wildflower like, but for some reason I juts cant do it. Maybe its an OCD thing? LOL. When everything is neat and tidy, that makes me more happy. Guess I just lean more towards formal, but we all have to be something :) .

Thanks again.

Hi florakUK. Yes, they mow all of the lawns in my small neighborhood. I noticed that they did the back area with a weed wacker, which worked good. I am leaning towards perhaps having that entire back area muclhed and made into one long bed along the back of the lawn. I think for me it will look visually more pleasing as well as be easier care for everyone overall.

The company walks each yard before doing their contract. So they have a general idea of what each yard will entail. Their service includes cutting everyones grass, edging along the walkways and sidewalks, and blowing off all walkways and sidewalks. Their mowers have boxes that bag the grass as they cut. They also do fertilizer treatments a few times a year, and shut down and turn off our underground irrigation systems for each season. Its a great deal I think. Am happy for someone else to cut grass! :)

One of the things I always try to think about when choosing plants, is “texture.” It usually looks nicest if you don’t plant too many small-leafed varieties of plants together. Alternate large leafed items with small and medium-leafed plants to add textural interest. Your plants all look healthy and lovely, but mostly fine-leafed in terms of texture. Perhaps that is what seems off to you. Not sure what to suggest for your area if you plant something else in place of the grasses, but consider leaf size when you do.

Hi beerpocketbook. Not sure what has large type leaves, but will investigate and learn to see. Great suggestion. Thank you!

Hi Ken. The setup you have is not optimally aesthetic for a couple of reasons.

First, the rows should be staggered. As is, it looks like the birches/grasses are planted directly in front of the laurels.

Second, the birches/grasses are not really the ”right” choices there. the birches will grow much larger than the laurels in back, and will not improve the current awkward appearance.

You may want to consider removing that second row entirely, and planting something like aucuba staggered with the laurels that will all grow in nicely and give a pop of color. They can also be planted closer to the existing laurels. Lastly, you may also consider mulching the entire berm instead of esch individual plant. This would appear more cohesive and less ”busy” (easier to mow the lawn as well). Consider a nice edging border in front, too.

.

Hi, Ken-Not sure about what grows well where you are, but some large-leafed items might be hydrangea & hosta. I’m sure there are others but those come to mind and, if suitable, would look very pretty in your landscape as they fill out and mature. Best thing is to walk your local nurseries and see what appeals to you, keeping the varying texture concept in mind! Good luck & send pictures as you go!

Nice job with the patio and privacy shrubs. I get your formal vibe and think that you should replant the grasses on the side of the house and replace with oak leaf hydrangea would work well. (See pics below.) . They have a beautiful mounding effect to the shape. Their broad leaves will look good in contrast to the narrow skip leaves, and the white flowers will look good with your formal aesthetic. I agree, wildflowers are not for you.

Are we looking at this from the wrong angle or did someone really plant this so that the grass pits and birch pits are directly in front of the skip laurels instead of staggered? It looks like a farmer planted rows of corn. Can you draw a very simple layout of this and post it so we know exactly what we are looking at. I think you can abandon the grass pits and do some clever spacing to remedy the situation so you can keep the birch trees where they are.

North Arlington Residence · More Info

Bluestone side entrance with Oakleaf Hydrangeas · More Info

Summer's Garden · More Info

Hi Kendrah thanks for the siggestions those hydrangeas are beautiful hydrangeas scare me a little are they hard to take care of? i had a small one ealier in the summer that got fried from the excessive heat and too much sun here i guess there is a full sun type?

the duraheat river birch are in front of the laurels with the thought that the white bark will pop with the dark green laurel in the background i can have him stagger some when the grasses are moved

today's thiught is i am going to have him come and mulch the entire planted area with a wavy type edge going along the front and maybe also have each end curve out a bit on the ends

Good news on the mulching plan. But, personally, and especially since you like formality, I would not have a wavy edge. Unless there is a good reason for curves, such as going round an obstacle, wavy edges are informal in style. And they need to be generous curves, not just the pointless wiggles for the sake of wiggles which one often sees.

Also, depending on the type of grass you have, mulching might not kill the underlying grass. Some types will just grow through the mulch. I would not rush into anything. It could prove expensive and disappointing Take longer to plan and prepare. It's tempting to want instant results but that doesn't always lead to the best gardens. You're developing a dynamic, growing environment, not furnishing a room.

Thanks, floral_uk. They only reason I was thinking of a wavy edge, is because I thought that is they way they are supposed to be. Good to know that I can do other options like a straight line, etc.

My grass is sod. Newer home. I noticed when they were doing some underground irrigation work, that they basically pulled the sod up like a piece of carpet. Its a fescue sod. Will ask my landscape guy about this to make sure if I do remove it, that it will not grow back or weeds. Maybe a weed fabric?

No to weed fabric.

Yep, the turf will lift fairly easily, especially if a specialist turf-cutter is available. I would second the suggestion to take some time, get a feel for the pace of growth, type of styling you like. While nothing is ever irreversible, it is so much better to look at other gardens, take what ideas you like from established plantings, talk with your workers, look about the locale to see what is growing well and do the work in incremental steps which follow on from each other. Solutions will often present themselves if you allow time and space for gardens to develop. Also, I feel it is important to know there is never a time when it will be 'done'. The garden will be in constant change, plants mature and die, fashions change, ideas are rarely fixed forever, a garden is a process, not a singular event.

Mostly though, try not to fret and worry - try things out - at worst, you will be a bit out of pocket and at best, you will have some lovely surprises along the way. There is no right or wrong way to go about doing this and no-one's advice is more valid than the interaction between your own self and the space you are tending. Have fun, grow stuff (and don't get upset when you inevitably kill stuff). A garden is so much more than an attractive green space.

And no - don't be tempted by landscape fabric. It is a long-term nightmare which does not do any sort of job preventing weeds. The only time I might be tempted to use it is for laying under permanent paths...and even then, soil will accumulate and surface weeds will appear. It can give you a breathing space when used between shrubs, for example, to allow the small shrubs or hedge to establish without too much weed competition but will ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.

HU - Thanks for the advice. Will try and take my time. I am a bit impatient, but will try. LOL.

Will pass on the landscape fabric as you and floral both recommend.

There appears to be a drainage swale near the fence. Here are some suggestions using Rainbow Leucothoe & Ogon Acorus:

Hi again!

Just wanted to add two things - one, I'm not a huge fan of those big floppy white mophead type hydrangeas, especially when they are used in big numbers - seems IMHO to be an overused thing around my area. However, I think with the formal vibe of your yard, having a few (maybe smaller, neater/more compact varieties) in that border may look quite nice, although there is always the winter view to think about. You say there is too much sun, but perhaps if you wait a few seasons till the birches fill out, you can have a shadier spot for them.

Secondly, several folks have mentioned the placement of the birches in front of the laurels. But I believe you are planning for the laurels to grow into each other as kind of a wall of privacy, are you not? If that is the case then I would think it wouldn't matter if the birches are in front of laurels now, as it will all grow in.

I'm glad you are thinking about making that area all one big bed. I think it will look more cohesive and the mowers will thank you lol. I think your yard is lovely!

:)

Dee

Hi Diggerdee.

I do think that hydrangeas are pretty, but am not a fan of the big floppy ones either. I like things more tidy and neat. I also think that some of them I see feel too big for the areas that people plant them in. So maybe I will look again at them and see a smaller version to fit in.

The laurels are planted 8 feet apart. The will grow around 5-7 feet wide. This will allow for some of the white to still pop through. So thats one of the reasons the birch was placed in front of one. There are three birch tree clumps. The middle clump is in the direct middle of the back yard, and the others are spaced about 20-25 feet away from the center one.

I am liking the idea more and more of mulching that area. Will probably be a lot of mulch and $$, but I think in the end it will give it more of a finished look and a look of a garden.

"... I think in the end it will give it more of a finished look and a look of a garden ..."

Yes, I agree completely! And I also think if you do go the route of adding potted seasonal flowers, having that whole area mulched will also then look more cohesive with the pots interspersed.

While I think this may go against your tastes (and that's in NO way a judgement, just an observation!) there are cheaper ways to mulch than with store-bought mulch. Because I have many oaks on my property, I use shredded leaves. Not at all formal (even *I* would prefer a more formal mulch but I use them because I have so many trees it would be silly - and expensive - NOT to!). I also like that the leaves, sometimes mixed with grass clippings, help the soil as well. Other options include pine needles (nice if you have access to them), straw, hay, etc. Again, I don't think these would work in your setting but just giving you some ideas in case you are not already aware of them.

A bit more formal look would be wood chips. I, and many others I've seen who post here, have often called tree service companies who are often willing to dump a load of wood chips in your driveway for free. This saves them tipping fees so it's a win-win for you and for them. Not quite as elegant as shredded mulch, but a bit better than some other options (like the above-mentioned ones). I've gotten a few loads that were actually quite small chips and looked pretty nice.

If you want to go with the store-bought shredded mulch, one way to get a bit more mileage out of it is to lay down wet newspaper or cardboard first, then mulch on top of it (I do this with my leaves as well). It acts as a stronger weed barrier than the mulch alone. It will save you some time weeding, and I've found it helps get a bit more time out of the shredded mulch. And you can always go with a garden cultivator - one of those three-pronged claw things - and freshen up mulch. Sometimes a going over with one of those makes the mulch look brand new and you can get a bit more time out of it.

I've been trying to think of other shrubs beside hydrangeas that could work for you. Of course there ARE compact hydranges which would work very nicely with your more formal structured setting. Perhaps compact clethra (although no, maybe too informal a habit), or hibiscus, or dwarf mockorange, or viburnum ( you will have to check on availability of those - not sure how small they actually come lol). For some reason I keep picturing white blooms in your garden lol...

Good luck and please keep us posted with photos as things grow in. It's always fun to watch a project progress and see the finished result!

:)

Dee

Thanks for the info Dee! Being in an HOA, the rules require me to do black or brown standard mulch. So looks like thats my choice LOL. But I do like the polished, finished look of the black mulch. I will ask the landscape guy who has been helping, as he probably just brings it in on the truck like he did with the other areas. Making that area into one long garden type area really is making me breathe better LOL. Feels like that is the natural route to take for that area.

Am thinking of removing the front ornamental grass from each clump (I have 4 clumps total). And then, am going to put in serendipity allium. They get up to 20 inches, which will keep them below the back two grasses that get 4-5 feet. Then in front of the serendipity allium, was thinking of something a little shorter than the alliums that would do earlier summer color (yellow or white), since the serendipity dont bloom until around august time frame. Also thought about Sedum stonecrop behind the alliums for when there are no blooms on the allium. I really like the look of the serendipity allium though, they seem very pretty to me.

They are indeed very pretty, when in flower and in full leaf. But they are bulbs. They are ephemeral by nature. The flowering period will be brief and the foliage will take time to emerge and will not look good while dying back into the earth. Bulbs are best used where their development and death are hidden amongst other plants, not as feature plants. For that you need something with a permanent presence which looks good all year.

There are numerous Sedums many of which are very low to the ground and would be hidden behind the Alliums. There is a medium height Sedum in your picture to the right.

Hi. Update.

Today we planted Serendipity allium and rock n round pure joy sedums.

The sedum reaches a height of 12 inches

The allium reaches a height of 15-20 inches which is behind the sedum.

I realize that they are late summer/fall colors. Once the rest of the garden is done, I will add some spring/early summer colors. Maybe a lower ground type around them. Will look and see what is out there.

Was thinking today that maybe it would look nice to have two trellis' in the garden, balanced. With something colorful climbing up them to make a pop in the garden. Thoughts? A new though, so still just starting to think about this for maybe in the spring.

I had them remove the front grass and just left two in the back for accent pieces. The front grasses were moved to the side of the house. Right now they are just planted at side of house, but might add something to them. But basically when walking down the sidewalk, you will see the grasses and they will hide the ac unit, etc.

Pay no attention to the triangle type cut out. That is going away! My landscaper is starting next week after our big rain that is coming. He will be removing all of the grass along the back and mulching everything to make it one big pretty garden. I think that I will breathe much better when that is done and looks more finished to me.

Will keep everyone posted. Thanks again for so much great advice. This is a great site to bounce ideas on!

Your changes/additions look great. I was wondering - what is planted in the planters on your patio? And what are the planters themselves made of and how big are they? Do you change the plants by season? The planters look substantial. What is the edging around the patio - is it metal or plastic? It all looks lovely.

Hi mariagrazia

thanks for the nice words its all a work i progress as they say lol

In the patio planters are three rose of sharon small trees. The planters are actually made of some type of plastic but seem very sturdy. they are a latge size but i dont remember exact sizing, but they come ip about mid leg below the knee. lol The two medium sized ones have small boxwoods in them. the patio has anout a 15 inch drop off there with ghe retaining wall because of the yard slope, so wanted something there so someone doesnt accidentaly walk or fall off that edge. but I love the look of how it turned out! They are all new this month, so am not sure how well they will hold up. fingers crossed!

The edging ariund the patio garden is a metal edging that my landscaper installed. Needed something to help keep mulch in because of the slope. They were like these metal bands that snap together and he was able to bend or curve them to a design They are made for landscape edging and are pretty thick/solid. I like the manicured look it gives!