Help for a newbie?

[txgirl]

I am a regular on the budget-board and since I have found such awesome advice there I thought you guys could guide me in the department of landscape design!

This are pic's of our home and it was new two years ago with the typical three bushes across the front for landscaping.

This weekend we worked our tails off making this new bed. I am really not experienced but I know what I like and how I want it to look. I planted the lariope and the hostas hoping the uniformity and color would go with the annuals (color) that I want to add.

Here's my problem.... I DON'T LIKE IT! I'm not sure what it is. The hostas were transplants and they look weak. I need more mulch and I need to edge out the border but it's the hostas that don't look right. Can you guys either give me advice or encourage me in a certain direction? Am I missing something? Are they too close together?

Your advice is sooooo appreciated.

 

[rockyroad]

I think it's just that the hostas have just been planted.

It will take them a bit to fill out.

I would just fill in with colorful annuals and not worry about the hostas until next year. If they don't fill out and you still don't like it, then move them.

I would have to grow a vine up those railings, but I am a viney-over-filled garden sort of girl.

 

[PrincessMommyof2]

I love it! The hostas are going to look wonderful once they fill in! I like how you alternated with the varieties. Maybe you're just getting used to the new look.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I agree that the hostas will need a year to fill in. I also think it may be a little formal looking, with the alternating pattern and the soldier-like line of hostas. I'm a Gertrude Jekyll-kind-of-gardener, preferring big informal drifts of color melding together. Also, it will be a little out of proportion for your beautifully tall house...you might want to consider some things of height to break up the pattern, possibly putting them between the right corner of the house and the street.

We all have our own ideas of what looks good, though, and the formal look may be more your style. My suggestion? Look around the neighborhood at houses that look like yours, and landscaping that appeals to you, and try to mimic that with proportion and repetition with your own plants.

 

[txgirl]

Thanks so much for your replies! I totally agree with you UrsulasShadow

I love the more *natural* approach but I have two problems:

1) husband is very "orderly" and likes the neat rows (think-tape measure )

2) I feel so inexperienced I wanted to go with something safe and neat for my first attempt.

Tell me this, what should I plant for height and where? I was given the hostas and didn't want them to die so I got them in the ground. I can move them around and I have a pretty big yard. We are originally from Texas (we now live in VA) Perennials were unheard of in TX so I am also a bit dumb as to what to plant that will come back and fit in to that size of bed.

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas. Keep'em coming!

 

[LAinSEA]

I like what you have started (and I am jealous of your shade - I can't grow hostas in my too sunny yard.) What I do think you need to balance out the bed and your home is a really nice tree about 20-25 feet off the corner of your home on porch side (right side of the picture). I would then expand the bed to wrap around the base of the tree and plant more of what you've put in.

If you decide to do this, choose a tree that won't get too large - a Japanese snowbell, little gem magnolia or other small patio/garden size tree might be really nice.

Give your newly put in plants some extra care with water and mulch. When things begin to grow and fill out, I believe you'll be much happier.

-Laurie

 

[Nancyg56]

What I do think you need to balance out the bed and your home is a really nice tree about 20-25 feet off the corner of your home on porch side (right side of the picture). I would then expand the bed to wrap around the base of the tree and plant more of what you've put in.

-Laurie

This is exactly what the landscape architect planned for my home. We had a tree that my DH would not part with, so he suggested the planting bed come around the house, and circle back around the tree. We made changes to his design, but your is basicly the same.

OP: I think it looks lovely. Once teh hosta fill in, and you get some anual color it will be pretty. I might add something in the corner behind the hosta that would give some height, but that is all. Great job!