I need help designing a garden

Shelley
by Shelley
This tree is coming down in the fall. I'm tired of cleaning up the helicopters. There are large roots all through the yard so it's been hard to get anything to grow. The walkway and hostas can be moved. Not sure I can move the 3 hydrangea trees, though. HELP!
Need design after tree comes down.
  10 answers
  • BusyBeeEmily BusyBeeEmily on Aug 09, 2014
    First off, Hydrangeas can be moved, but only for a very short time period (not sure what zone you are in as you didn't say), and you have to make sure that the ground you are moving to is well-prepared for them so the shock is reduced. I'm having a hard time seeing where the other 2 are? Anyway, do some google research on transplanting established plants, and you'll find loads of info to help you. Are you planning for any grass, or is this simply a garden space? If you're having a hard time getting things to grow, it may be for other reasons than just the tree that's in the way. You likely will need to amend your soil...same thing, do some research on it and get your soil tested if possible. And get some really good mulch on the ground in the fall so it can overwinter and improve your soil...I see you are in an area with a long winter so that's good to help! By the way, instead of trying to get that tree stump to disappear (which is VERY difficult and often very expensive, I have a suggestion for you. It looks like your porch is on the small side, so to increase your entertaining space, have that tree stump cut to table-top height, add a surface to it FOR a table top, and then add some chairs! You will still have to treat the stump so that it doesn't re-grow, but it's in a great spot right out your door so it would really add to your curb appeal. If you decide to go that route, you can create a patio zone around the "table" and then build your garden OUT from around that. Adding some taller plants and bushes to the side of it will give you a screen of sorts, though it would be helpfu for mel to know the orientation your yard sits in and where your shade might fall if you wanted to have shade producing plants since you're removing a tree. Also, that cute bird bath would be better up in the front corner with cottage garden type flowers to surround it and create it's only little "zone" rather than just sitting there all lonely like it is now. Birds and butterflies are more likely to flock to it when plants are surrounding it. I'd be happy to give you more ideas...just message me.
    • Shelley Shelley on Aug 09, 2014
      @BusyBeeEmily I'm in zone 4. It will just be garden. I got rid of the grass last year since it was mostly dirt anyway. The problem with growing anything is because the large tree roots are EVERYWHERE in that space. Even with the tree gone the roots will still be a problem. This backyard gets morning shade and afternoon sun. If you have more suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks for your comments.
  • Aggie Aggie on Aug 09, 2014
    You have a great space for a nice garden. Once you take the tree down your garden space will no longer be a shade garden. Hostas generally do better in shade, but there are a few varieties that do well in sun. The tree roots will definitely be a problem, but perhaps you can dig them out down to a couple of feet and put some good fill dirt in the space. Assuming you will have some shade close to the house sometime during the day, you could plant a Limelight Hydrangea in the corner next to the deck, but make sure not to plant too close to the corner as they can get fairly large if not kept trimmed. Liriope would look great planted the whole length of your walkway. It is very easy to grow, and can be divided after a couple of years and make more plants. The idea you have of a path along the fence line is good, but I would make them all the same kind instead of random sizes and shapes. Where the tree was could be planted with Coneflowers, Becky Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Garden Phlox, Monarda, etc. for a nice starter cottage perennial garden. You could also add in some nice summer annuals such as Zinnia, Marigolds, Cleome, Cosmos, etc. for some added color throughout the summer. I would plant some kind of flowering vine such as Clematis that would come back each year, and let it climb up your deck, or some Heavenly Blue Morning Glories as an annual vine. Knockout Roses would look great along your fence line, but don't plant them too close together as they can get rather large if not kept trimmed. If you would like to replace the tree with a different one, a Japanese Maple would look great in the middle of the area with flowers planted around it. You could move your Hostas and plant them around the foundation of the house to hide the foundation. A lot of what you plant depends on how much sun or shade the area will get after the tree comes down. Do a little research to find out which plants are for shade or sun. These are just a few ideas for you to think about. I'm sure you will get more great ideas to help you decide what to do. Good luck, and have fun designing your new garden!
  • Shelley Shelley on Aug 09, 2014
    Thanks for the comments. Most of my neighbors seem to have better luck with hostas in the sun.
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    • Shelley Shelley on Aug 10, 2014
      @Aggie I like the planter idea since we already have a deck and a patio (that's the concrete you see in the front). Thanks.
  • Kelly Kelly on Aug 09, 2014
    A fountain would look great!
  • Irish53 Irish53 on Aug 09, 2014
    I would do a total clean up. After the stump and larger roots are removed test the soil. The tree probably emptied all the nutrients in the soil. If the hydrangeas are doing well where they are I would leave them and just add around them. I would build a sideways (so it doesn't block the windows) frame for the lattice and place it near the house for a climbing flower or veg like peas. Move the hostas in a group closer to the house for a bit more shade and add more plants.They should grow fine with the tree gone. Just give the pathway a bit more of a curve through the garden. I would add mums in fall colors for the holiday season. Brightly colored annuals around the edge next year. There is plenty of time to decide and plant what you like and if you want to add mulch. Most bushes aren't planted until it is a bit cooler. Can still plant some veggies like lettuce and carrots. I just set potatoes for picking come thanksgiving, Maybe move the bird feeder this winter closer to a bush for shelter from the weather during the winter.
  • Shelley Shelley on Aug 09, 2014
    Thanks! I like your ideas.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Aug 10, 2014
    See you like curves the way you placed the stepping stones on the left of the pic.. Since roots will still be a problem, I might think of extending the deck off your bottom deck step to cover the missing tree area. Then curve your bed like your present stepping stones. Think every yard needs a tree. I'd get a pyramidal cedar to hide your unit and downspout and add some height, and a couple of foundation plants like junipers for either side. Then I'd work from there with other flowering plants.
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    • Shelley Shelley on Dec 10, 2014
      @Marion Nesbitt I think I finally figured this out with help from everyone. Thanks. I'm gong to use only native Minnesota plants here. Easiest to use and once established, not much watering. The tree was cut down to the point where I can fit a solar fountain. He made it nice and flat on top. I dug a ditch from the drain spout behind the tree stump to the front of the deck to make a dry bed (when it's not raining). Should add some interest at least. It will be a work in progress this Spring.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 10, 2014
    If the tree roots are an issue after it comes down, raised beds may be the way to go. You can create mulched paths around them. You will have to see how removal of the tree affects the exposure in your yard. I suspect you'll have a lot more sun and that that may make it easier to grow things.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Aug 10, 2014
    I am not a veggie grower...wish I were...but have never had a good space for it. Were I you, I would put the flowers near the concrete driveway and then put the walkway behind them, branching it off through garden beds and to access to the water faucet/hose. You can always add more flowers later or make a very nice patio later.
  • Shelley Shelley on Aug 10, 2014
    Thanks. The concrete you see is a patio not a driveway. There is no faucet in back. It's on the right side of the house by the chain link fence..