What Could I Do To Make My Frontyard Garden Pop?!
by
Pamela F
+17
I've planted anemones, ranunculus, daylilies, alliums, Iris hollandicas autumn princess, freesias single yellow and gladioli bulbs to no avail. Since I didn't have success with those though some daylilies seem to sprout but shabby looking, I added vincas, chocolate mint, cannas, couple of roses, rudbeckias and mums. Despite my efforts, this area isn't as full and pretty as my other garden beds. Do you have some suggestions or should I wait til next year to do an assessment?
Front yard which needs help
Another front yard view
An area of my backyard garden
Another photo of one of my backyard gardens
Corner garden in by backyard
Backyard garden
Backyard garden
See the bee on my Little Gem Magnolia tree's bloom?
My crinum lily decided to bloom:-)
20 answers
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How long ago did you plant your front garden, Pamela? Sometimes it takes a year or two for plants to fill in for that "full" look. Planting annuals like wave petunias , nasturtiums, etc. can help bring a more finished look. Also, add compost to the top of your soil and work it in a bit to feed and nurture your plants if the soil has not been amended and keep it watered when the weather is hot and dry.
Barb Rosen
on Jul 17, 2013
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@Pamela F I think one thing you can do to define the front garden is to edge around it.You have some lovely plants in the front garden, but aside from the rocks there is no definition between the grass and the garden. It is an easy fix, just need an edger. You could also add more colour by using bottle trees - there are a number of examples on HT - here is the link to the search I did http://www.hometalk.com/search?filter=bottle+tree I also agree with @Barb Rosen weaving in some annuals could also make it pop. There are also some perrenial sedums available that add softness and also flower. Let us know what you do, I would love to see update pics.
Gail Salminen
on Jul 17, 2013
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@Barb Rosen, I just started this area in April of this year. @Gail Salminen, that definitely seems like something easy I could do. Thank you ladies, I will get to it when the weather cool down it bit. It is so hot here in Southeast Georgia.
Pamela F
on Jul 17, 2013
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Likewise here, Pamela! I garden from 7 to 10 am and then hide inside on these mid-90's days! Keep us posted!
Barb Rosen
on Jul 17, 2013
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I have found the color "white" has really made my garden pop this year. I usually like "everything bright" , but I decided to try white daisies, white hydrangeas etc. and I love the look.
Cyndi Moore Tippett
on Jul 17, 2013
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That sounds good Mrs. Cyndi. Can't wait to visit the garden center.
Pamela F
on Jul 17, 2013
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@Pamela F mixing white in as suggested by @Cyndi Moore Tippett is a good idea. Echinacea or cone flower is great as well, comes in a number of colours and not too invasive and easy to control.
Gail Salminen
on Jul 17, 2013
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Maybe spray paint your birdbath a bright color?
Lori J
on Jul 17, 2013
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I think you definitely need to give your plants more time, Pamela. But also remember that impact can come through repetition, so see what does well and then buy more of it. It's hard to make a cohesive garden of "onesies."
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 18, 2013
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I plant nothing but plants that come back every year & it finally paid off, that now I am over loaded & will have to start thinning out..just give it time, you will be surprised on how well & healthy your plants will look but don't forget to water!!
Donna Dyson
on Jul 18, 2013
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In your backyard garden, have you ever thought about some ferns & banana trees?? Both of them spread like crazy....& would be pretty in the back part...
Donna Dyson
on Jul 18, 2013
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Yes Donna, I've had lots of banana trees and sold them all because they were taking over my front garden, lol!. But, I did save one which is growing among my cannas in the backyard:-)
Pamela F
on Jul 18, 2013
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I love the idea of spray painting the bird bath Mrs. Lori...never thought about that. Douglas, I try to buy things in twos or threes. Maybe I should buy more. I've added 3 purple haze agastaches and more vincas yesterday. I accidentally dug up a bulb that looked perfect, looks the same as I first planted it in April...I guess I do have to give them more time.
Pamela F
on Jul 18, 2013
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Hi @Pamela F I am thinking you need a focal point for your front garden. The bird bath is the same height as the bigger bush in the front.(so it doesn't give the focal interest) I think a small tree to add some interest and height would be just the ticket to pulling together an awesome garden area in the front. I second @Douglas Hunt on being patient and allowing your garden to mature. It will ALWAYS be a work in progress. Also someone mentioned the bed curbing, and I agree with that as well. It will also pull the bed together and give it some continuity. Weed Weed Weed then mulch mulch mulch for a BEAUTIFUL garden bed.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Jul 18, 2013
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Thanks Donna.
Pamela F
on Jul 18, 2013
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Pam, it sure looks pretty the way it is! Remember the mint is highly invasive and will crowd out everything! Hang a couple hummer feeders in there, in shady spot if u have one, with temps in mid 90's I have to bring nectar in every nite and stick in fridge till next morning. A big, odd shaped rock could be placed somewhere, all n all u have done a very nice gardening job :<}
Mssmatch
on Jul 18, 2013
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contrast, height and focal points. I agree with everyone's comments. And that your yard looks nice! Also the compost or some form of mulch. I use mushroom mulch every year. Some years it gets more than others. This year it went down about 6inches thick. Turns clay soil into the most gorgeous dirt. I've done it for about 15 years now and it went from orange clay to workable soil about 2foot deep that the plants love! Here's a video of the main garden from June. Now a month later it looks like a jungle! In my bare sunny spots I put in wave petunias. Great fill with lots of show! I'm not an annual user either, but the waves are really worth it for hole fillers! http://youtu.be/XmtEFRa3PVY
Anne Tighe
on Jul 18, 2013
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@Anne Tighe - WOW! That's my dream yard!
Pamela F
on Jul 18, 2013
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate your comments. I will definitely use your advice.
Pamela F
on Jul 19, 2013
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Think about height in your garden. Keep your taller plants behind the shorter ones so you can see them. Something I figured this year, I put plants of the same color together instead of spreading them out to give more impact. As you add more plants try raising up the center of your garden to give it some dimension and move the tall bush on the right front to center back. Now it blocks your view. You certainly have chosen beautiful plants, you should be very proud.
Judy
on Feb 05, 2015
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