Landscaping ideas anyone?
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Douglas Hunt on May 30, 2013Karen, burying your tree's roots in topsoil wouldn't be good for your tree or your bank account. I don't know where in Florida you are so it's hard to make plant recommendations, but I would underplant the tree with perennials or small shrubs that can be purchased in small pots, which are both more economical and easier to tuck in around your tree's roots, and ground covers (Asian jasmine, Trachelospermum asiaticum, would probably work wherever in the state you are).Helpful Reply
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Karen Hand on May 30, 2013Douglas, I live in Jacksonville. Thank you for your suggestions, if you have any other suggestions, I would appreciate it, as we have a very difficult time in keeping any grass in the back yard. I think it is because there is so much shade, or it could be something in the soil itself, which is predominately sand! Would either of your aforementioned recommendations do well in sandy soil? Thank you again.Helpful Reply
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Catherine Smith on May 31, 2013Karen, check with your local extension agent for suggestions on what would work best in your soil and around your tree. You can find that listed under government in the phone book. :)Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on May 31, 2013Karen, we've definitely got sand in New Smyrna and Asian jasmine does fine here. Take a drive to Phillips Garden Center on Herschel Street. It's an excellent local garden center (I've driven there from here to buy plants) and I'm sure they would have some more recommendations for you.Helpful Reply
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Karen Hand on May 31, 2013Thank you Douglas, I really appreciate that. I'll be sure to pop over to Phillips Garden Center.Helpful Reply
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Karen Hand on Jun 01, 2013Thank you for your reply, Catherine.Helpful Reply
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Karen Hand on Jun 07, 2013Douglas, I took your advice and went to Phillips Garden Center yesterday for some Asian jasmine. Got some beautiful plants, but couldn't plant them yet as it rained all day yesterday. My question to you is... the gal I spoke with said to put about 3 inches of soil on top of the tree roots so that the jasmine would have something to grab on to. You said, if I remember correctly, not to bury the tree roots in soil. I am hesitant to spend the money for top soil for such a large area, if I don't need to. Can I plant the jasmine between the roots of the tree in the sand? Thanks.Helpful Reply
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Barbara Sawyer on Jun 07, 2013Another solution is to place under the tree some containers of plants. I have a tree with so many surface roots that it was impossible to plant much there so I used large old metal bowls from yard sales and punctured holes in the bottom for drainage and placed at random on top of the roots.Helpful Reply
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Karen Hand on Jun 07, 2013Thanks for your suggestions, Barbara.Helpful Reply
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