On 8/19/12 6:26 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:
On Aug 18, 5:24 pm, "David E. Ross" wrote:
On 8/18/12 12:37 PM, Kriss wrote:

Ive spent 4 years working on my garden... but I not that keen on it!!

When we moved in it was a piece of wasteland, it was horrendous. So its
taken a couple of years to just get the structure of it. Ive put in
walls, steps, a patio, new fencing, new lawn.

Apart from the entrance, with my star jasmine climbers and strawberry
plants, Im not too keen on it!!

I feel like ripping out most of the shurbs and starting again! Has
anyone got any ideas of plants, trees, shrubs etc I could try? I thought
about builing a seating area in the corner.

I just feel the gardens a bit dull! It needs a bit more interest!

It's not the plants. It's the design. You need either hire a landscape
designer or else to take classes in garden design.

I learned this the hard way. I designed my first garden. It was
beautiful. But maintaining it was labor intensive. Sometimes, I was
gardening by moonlight because there was not enough daylight. Also, it
had no really recognizable theme or concept. My present garden was
designed by a professional. It takes far less effort to maintain, and I
see a design concept. It is also quite beautiful.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

Amigo, listen to David. Design is primary. Even if you can't afford
a professional designer, you can ask your neighborhood nursery for a
less expensive recommendation.

That's how I got the lady who, several years ago, helped turn the back
of my yard into a -- hate that stilted term! -- a viable concept. She
charged less than a licensed landscaper, and was caring and involved.
I won't say that her plant recommendataions were exactly radical;
most were fairly conventional, but then I didn't want to take on the
work of baby-sitting exotica; I just wanted it to look good and not
demand too much care.

To save money, I installed everything myself. Looking back: "OMG How
did I DO that??!!!. The area was choked with roots from existing
trees, etc. so it sometimes took me a half-hour or more to open a
hole. And I had to wait until the worst heat was over before I could
get out there and work. Over time I have modified the original
design considerably, but am glad I did hire someone to advise me.

Between my first garden (designed and planted by myself) and my present
one (professionally designed and planted), there was a second garden.
This was professionally designed, but I planted it myself. (I was then
in my early 30s. With my present garden, it was done in my mid 60s.)

That second garden was designed by an employee of a very good (but not
expensive) nursery. He came to my house to view the site, check the
water pressure, and note the orientation with respect to the sun.
Almost 40 years ago, the plans cost $200. After I spent $50 at the
nursery and presented the receipts and the receipt for the plans, they
gave me a $200 credit against further purchases. Thus, the plans really
cost me $50. Some plants from that second design still exist in my
current design. (I still shop at that nursery.)

Today, I am sure such an arrangement would cost more; but I think the
concept is still available.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary