Mark wrote:

I know, kind of a stupid question but I'm going to ask anyway. I'm located
in Charlotte, NC, zone 7.

We're in new construction. Our lot is a rectangle. Small, about 60' wide by
about 130' deep. House take up most of it and in the backyard we have an
inground pool with a wood deck around it. We put in a fence and it's an
aluminum black wrought iron looking thing, 4 feet tall. Unfortunately the
fence was decided upon and put in before the pool was put in.

With such small lots our neighbors are really close and there's minimal
privacy.

I have a mulch bed around the pool now but I'm concerned that if I plant big
stuff there that it's going to cut off the rest of the yard from the deck.
So I want to plant at the outside edges of the yard.

These two photos show the deck, yard and the fence somewhat.
http://portfolio.carolinadeckpros.co...&g2_itemId=482
and
http://portfolio.carolinadeckpros.co...&g2_itemId=479

Our yard drops off in the back and then flattens out for about 10 feet.

I'm thinking of putting a 3 to 4' border near the fence and planting taller
perennials and some bushes but I need to be able to maintain control of
whatever I plant so it doesn't grow through the fence and doesn't expand too
much into the yard. I've tossed 4 or 5 ideas around and not sure which is
the best approach so just kinda looking for opinions.

My latest thought is a nice perennial garden all the way around the yard
with some larger bushes or magnolias as 'base' plants then some nice
shastas, cannas, maybe some vining stuff climbing up the fence in between.
Eventually enough stuff so that it pretty much blocks the view through the
fence. I was considering stone with fabric for a mulch with a pt 4x6 for a
edge board. The yard gets full sun all day until around 5pm in the summer.

Problem is, I'm unsure of everything from the plant choice all the way down
to the soil.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark



You're probably going to want to consider plants with minimal 'litter'
production too. Otherwise pool cleaning could be increased. And you
might investigate 'drip irrigation' too.

Find some books as Joe suggested, approach some neighbors and/or visit
some houses in more established developments (sometimes garage sales
will afford an opportunity to discuss plants and swimming pools with
'strangers'.)

There may be a forum for your area at www.davesgarden.com . you may even
find a neighbor there!

Carl


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