We have an area in the front that is now contained since we added a concrete walkway to the sidewalk. We were considering a hardscape or water feature since there’s a slight slope. We’re also thinking about moss, mint, full flowers, and other options. Our tree guy thinks the tree isn’t that healthy, so that can/will be removed. We can also landscape the devils strip at the bottom. Same width as the top part around the tree. Location of central Indiana.
Also we have no HOA so we can get weird with it. Thanks!
by Rylock32
21 Comments
Moss and water feature and rocks , never mint
Moss is the lowest maintenance. It thrives in soil that is wet, acidic, compacted, shaded, and with low fertility. If you had all 5 it would be perfect for moss but even with 3 plus some shade you can still get it to grow.
As nature hates a monoculture, id mix clover and minit in.
Fellow Hoosier here. Is none of the above an option? Moss is an invasive nightmare, clover is a non-native plant with minimal benefits, rock lawns aren’t great for your tree and are hot. A water feature isn’t a terrible idea, but it requires infrastructure to do it right. Moss will get fried in our summers. It really prefers cooler, moister conditions.
How about some perennials and shrubs, especially native ones?
No mint. Mint is a nightmare.
I agree with native shrubs and pollinators
I can almost guarantee you’d end up regretting mint, moss would be cool but it may be too sunny. I’d sheet mulch a section and do grasses and flowers, (bonus for natives!) add to it a bit every year so you don’t get in over your head.
Native low growing shrubs instead of those choices. Water feature would be nice, like a pond? Tree looks fine from here. What’s wrong with it?
I’ve learned from r/arborists – I’d remove the wood beams surrounding the tree & shift that mulch so the root flare is exposed. Check that sub for “volcano mulch” & it’ll explain it better than me.
The tree needs open exposed root flare at the base, and 3-4” mulch max around that, like a low donut around the tree as opposed to “volcano” shape pile of mulch at the base of the tree.
If you go for mint: please, please, *please*, plant a mint native to your region and not something that will become invasive
Too sunny for moss, mint is invasive and best kept in pots, hardscape creates a desert that won’t benefit the wildlife in your area. A water feature could be cool and beneficial for wildlife but can be very expensive and time consuming to build and maintain. Flowers are your best option if benefiting wildlife is a goal; native flowers will be most beneficial and easiest to maintain. Clover is probably the easiest option from your list to set up and maintain and will have some benefit for wildlife especially if you let it get tall and flower. I always recommend going native. Nothing will thrive in your yard and benefit wildlife like plants that are meant to be there anyway. For bonus points plant very diverse and very dense and let the plants compete to quickly get a wild, wacky and ecologically sound landscape.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I feel like native flowers might be the way to go. I do want to help out the wildlife around the area, so just letting some growth happen might be best. Thanks!
Does your tree guy get paid more if they remove the tree
Love the idea of a water feature weaving through this area with low maintenance perennials all around its. If you cut the tree maybe add a small specimen tree or two into the planting plan for vertical interest.
Was the mention of mint intended as clickbait because it worked really well 😂😅
I don’t think any of these will thrive in this sunny exposed area, and I bet it’s annoying having to water it. Moss certainly not. Maybe look at some native grasses or something drought tolerant. I’ve had success with various oreganos and thyme varieties in a similar dry exposed position.
Contact your local master gardener group likely through the state university agriculture program and explain you want to redo your front yard. They will do a design consultation as part of group exercises for new master gardeners.
Suggest natives & food for pollinators.
Also get rid of the mulch & stones around your tree. Read up on healthy root maintenance. What you have now leads to poor health.
Expand the footing that’s at the base of the tree… take out the grass up to the sidewalks, add a combination of rocks and flowers, like chrysanthemums or small evergreens… definitely not mint! You need a bit more structure, not herbal additions.
Your house does have sort of an oriental flair , and you mentioned the entire grassy strip… I would remove all the grass and make that rectangle a raised Japanese evergreen area… lots of Japanese maples and arborvitae… azaleas, make a nice colorful flower, bush.
Native plants for sure
Yall keep saying you will regret mint, I didn’t. I have some growing in my yard and I use it all the time since I’m addicted to mint.
Do you want your entire neighborhood to have mint? If so, mint.
Water evaporates from water features, so you need to keep adding water to it. Add that to the normal maintenance costs and a water feature can get pretty expensive quickly. A much better option with the same look would be a [dry creek bed](https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/how-to-create-a-dry-creek/). They’re made from rounded river rock that’s arranged to look like a meandering, flowing creek. Like a real creek, they start at the top of the incline. [The best ones ](https://www.finegardening.com/article/5-inspiring-naturalistic-dry-creek-bed-designs?srsltid=AfmBOoo5NuKJELqyvaa1O98S5itCKUFBI1eGUX3q7mduoHH3pBzXW2rP)have a “source” for the creek that’s hidden behind a big rock, dense bush, or a curve of the creek. The best part is that you never have to water or feed rocks, and they don’t become invasive. They’re also drought tolerant.
https://preview.redd.it/6icos8mapq9f1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1ee9f1a03483bbf553d5dd12a143958056c13bab
Would you consider yarrow? It grows well in Indiana and it’s so soft and pretty!