Sorry about the utility pole tree but otherwise the trees are gorgeous and the underplanting is hiding more of them than I’d like to see. Go through and ID the plants present and figure out if they can be reduced in height or they’ve outgrown their usefulness and need to be removed. Be sure to evaluate need for privacy from street or to block an ugly view. Remove the shrubs up against the house, what are you hiding???
I also spy failing lawn? If so remove it and enlarge the planting bed. Run a hose along the edge where grass looks particularly awful and throw out some boxes as faux plants to see if the shape is better with a wider base.
I’d take this change in landscape to go no lawn and if the trees are well adapted to your climate and can survive without irrigation would go with native plants. I’d establish a sitting area on a little patio and wind strolling paths as needed. Figure out exactly where you need privacy or to block an ugly view and plant an informal 3-5′ tall shrubbery/hedge but otherwise use 1-3′ tall grasses, perennials, spreading shrubs, ferns, sedges in as much leaf variety as you can find so tree trunks are on display.
tubbynuggetsmeow
You don’t really have much for height between the yall trees and the shrubs other than that scrubby looking tree. I’d get rid of that and throw a couple taller, flowering shrubs in the middle.
A dark green Liriope border would probably help it feel a little less drab and would make the variegated stuff pop and feel more purposeful.
I’d also make the shrubs on either side the same height or obviously different heights. It’s all blending together and feeling messy.
Also get rid of any volunteers growing through the shrubs. I’d include the low palm in the removal too as well as do a clean up of the Spanish moss.
Finally, throw down a dark mulch or some pine straw. A uniform ground layer makes everything look better.
You don’t have to do everything, but each of these would help get you closer I think
2 Comments
Sorry about the utility pole tree but otherwise the trees are gorgeous and the underplanting is hiding more of them than I’d like to see. Go through and ID the plants present and figure out if they can be reduced in height or they’ve outgrown their usefulness and need to be removed. Be sure to evaluate need for privacy from street or to block an ugly view. Remove the shrubs up against the house, what are you hiding???
I also spy failing lawn? If so remove it and enlarge the planting bed. Run a hose along the edge where grass looks particularly awful and throw out some boxes as faux plants to see if the shape is better with a wider base.
I’d take this change in landscape to go no lawn and if the trees are well adapted to your climate and can survive without irrigation would go with native plants. I’d establish a sitting area on a little patio and wind strolling paths as needed. Figure out exactly where you need privacy or to block an ugly view and plant an informal 3-5′ tall shrubbery/hedge but otherwise use 1-3′ tall grasses, perennials, spreading shrubs, ferns, sedges in as much leaf variety as you can find so tree trunks are on display.
You don’t really have much for height between the yall trees and the shrubs other than that scrubby looking tree. I’d get rid of that and throw a couple taller, flowering shrubs in the middle.
A dark green Liriope border would probably help it feel a little less drab and would make the variegated stuff pop and feel more purposeful.
I’d also make the shrubs on either side the same height or obviously different heights. It’s all blending together and feeling messy.
Also get rid of any volunteers growing through the shrubs. I’d include the low palm in the removal too as well as do a clean up of the Spanish moss.
Finally, throw down a dark mulch or some pine straw. A uniform ground layer makes everything look better.
You don’t have to do everything, but each of these would help get you closer I think