We had this cellar and shed built into our hillside in the back yard. Big plans for shade garden on one side, and full sun on the other. What to plant? I'm overwhelmed.
Maybe some flame azaleas. Prettiest I ever saw were in VA. Lantana with it on the sunny side. Definitely use the rocks for moss garden with walking iris on the shady side... Endless possiblities. :)
Great with a rock garden...Prickly Pear Succulent ( Opuntiaficus) Butter Cups (Ranunculus) Hens & chicks (aspelium bulbferum) Sunny side Moonbeam ( coreopsis).
Something else to consider. This pot that I planted by my pool does well in direct Southern sun....may work for you as well .Junipers are hardy plants and spread and thicken in rocky, sandy soil.
What kind of soil is under those wood chips? If you have good firm soil I would definitely think about some bushes or even ornamental trees. I would probably plant dogwood, or even hawthorne then under plant with flowering shrubs to create a woodland feeling. You might need to put up some kind of terrace to keep the hill from shifting if that is a concern. Beyond that perennials so you can have little maintenance.
I agree with the grasses and succulents...! if you can I think a little zigzagging path down the hill, through the plantings, (oh and those great weeping trees such as cherry and the hemlocks) with bits of art like urns and metal sculptures to "discover" along the way. Remember that it all takes time, years to come together, with adjustments along the way...but that is half the fun! Enjoy!
Actually, I might suggest holding that hill from eroding with some nice shrubs. If it is full sun, you might intersperce with sunloving perrenials. I would die for full sun, as I live in a very shady town.
That building is charming! I don't know what access you have out that window but a window box with bright reds, golds and orange flowers and trailing vines would be a stunning accent.
Curved terraces flanked with stone...Then some shade loving shrubs and perennials..cotoneaster works wonders on hillsides and can withstand some sun or part shade. What's the exposure there..does it face NSEorW?
If the soil and sun exposure will allow, I would plant pachysandra with a mix of low creeping phlox. Pachysanda takes a while. The phlox grows and spreads faster.
Start out with a few trees first....smaller -- 20-25 foot trees (at maturity). Take your time, pick the trees based on interesting features...then, start looking at shrubs....underplant around the trees...think of mixing lime foliage with burgundy with deep green....Later you can think about perennials....groundcovers....so it's all layered, the taller plants offering dappled shade to the underlayers....
Also, the pachysandra and phlox will prevent erosion. (I have a huge garden and have planted practically every perennial you can think of). You can intersperse hydrangeas or other flowering shrubs throughout. I know you have wood chips down already, so I would recommend feeding plants with a dilution of fish emulsion.
The building is lovely. I like the second pic because it gives a better idea of how much space you have. The rocks near the bottom of the hill are perfect. I would definitely look into creating more of a retaining wall along the bottom of the hill where the hill meets the road. i would be concerned about erosion of the hill. You might consider doing a small terrace with your stones to prevent any kind of erosion. Here is a little video that shows putting in a terrace. You would be able to
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do this with your rocks rather than the compost socks that they use in the video. How exciting. I would certainly like a hill but my yard is flat, flat, flat.
go on the computer and look up pictures of homes in countries in Europe . Play on the them with the shed . Especially the countries in Europe that have mountains like Austria , Germany , Switzerland . Find decorative items like a carriage wheel , or have someone build a wheel that you might see on a building in Austria that was used to move water in order to grind grain . You could have them make individual boxes on the inside of the wheel and plant flowers that spread and keep it triimmed
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to represent water flowing thru the wheel . If you are good at painting or know of somene who is they could paint the shed to look like a chalet in the Austrian mountains . on the sides of building where you do not have anything planted put in some decorative bolders and then plant perennials to make it look like the area is right out of the mountains in this area of Europe . Just some suggestions I hope you can find an idea to make it all your own . Look forward to seeing the results .
Tri Color Beech (Fagus sylvatica Roseo-Marginata ( shade tree) Full sun 40-ft tall 25ft wide. Purple foliage with rose and pinkish- white margin. Have one in my yard is... spitacular!
I can see an array of different colored Azala and maybe three large rocks. what does this are face.There was a property in Ardmore, Pa that had an entire bank of Azalas and every Spring we looked foward to driving by finding it all in full bloom. You have a painting to paint here.....
FULL SUN
Threadleaf Blue Star, Russian Sage, Walkers Low Catmint,
Luscious Reblooming Lilac.
SHADE ...»
Purple-leaf Rose- Size 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide, it is a very colorful shrub and can be maintained,
Hydrangea, hellebore, Hostas.
Big Rocks here and there for a focal point and too take up space.
So many plant's to have fun with. Happy Gardening!
the great expanse of wood chips!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YL2lHzWm7M&feature=related