Anyone have ideas on how to redo my flower garden in the backyard?

I used to have a beautiful tree that shaded my entire backyard. My hubby cut it down this past fall and put in a fire pit. Well, my shade garden along the back of the garage and the back of my house is now going to be in full sun. Any ideas on what to plant that can take the heat? My poor shade garden... it was beautiful...
This whole back area was a shade garden along the back of the garage, as well as, around the big tree that is now a fire pit. I could use some ideas on what to plant that can deal with the hot and humid summer temps!
  34 answers
  • The Fairy Garden The Fairy Garden on Jan 21, 2014
    Here's my low budget idea. If you still have some of the brush from the tree massacre I would start building some trellises and arches to diffuse the light over your planted area. It would also break up the large bare wall . A tall one over the window area and some lower more dense ones on either side. Plant some morning glory seeds around them. Maybe some giant sun flowers on either side of the tall arch and'or at the corners to produce a bit of shading. I don't want to tell you my suggestion for the hubby!
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Jan 21, 2014
    Research what plants are hardy in your area if you want perennials. Choose plants that flower at different times of the year as well as some evergreens.
  • Cp C Cp C on Jan 21, 2014
    You'll have great choices when it comes to SUN Loving plants... I'd sure get some fast growing fruit (?) and/ or flowering trees going, too, perhaps in a triangle on edges of property out from the garage? Dogwood, flowering quince? An "espalier" on that blank wall would be good... You can do fruit trees or decorative plants. (Grown flat against the wall with training)
  • Mindy C Mindy C on Jan 21, 2014
    sunflowers!
  • Katie Katie on Jan 21, 2014
    You could make the garage wall a support for a wire (cheap) trellis and plant clematis or English Ivy or Virginia Creeper (which will turn gloriously red in the fall). Depending on how close you plant your vines and make your trellis, you can have either a full back-dropfor you other plants or a delicate lacy effect. That might be a good start.
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    • Felicity Woodruffe Felicity Woodruffe on Jan 26, 2014
      its been a strange winter here plus 7 or 8 degrees and no snow so far
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jan 22, 2014
    Look at some various low growing grasses...they come in a big variety of colors and are drought and heat tolerant. Plant in curving design, leaving some spaces for annuals for color. You can actually use pots in your garden to make watering easier. There are also miniature ever greens that look nice too.
    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Feb 04, 2014
      @Jeanette S I think I am going to add some pretty pots with sun loving, heat tolerant plants. The pots will add some needed color to the yard!
  • Connie Mar Connie Mar on Jan 22, 2014
    I'd make sure to plant some vegetables now that you have all that sun! Fresh green beans on a trellis or up the sunflowers, some squash or cucumbers to grow up a trellis, or spread out on the ground. Lettuce, spinach, kale in the shade of the taller plants ... make sure to rotate your plantings. Can you move the shade loving plants to another part of the yard?
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    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Feb 04, 2014
      @Connie Mar I do have a few small spots of shade around the yard. I'm hoping those areas will be enough space to save the plants that prefer shade only. I love the idea of green beans on a trellis. I have a raised veggie garden on the side of my home, but I've never planted green beans before. Thank you for your input!
  • Where the stumps are and the chairs, is that where the tree was? From what I can see from the pic, you still will have shade (from the shadows I see in the pics) and this could be enough shade for the plants in other areas and maybe even on the left side of the garage. along the garage I would think about some evergreens/ conifers for all year interest and then start with some deciduous bushes and some perennials to add some color and attraction for the birds and butterflies. Butterfly bushes do well in your area and so will black eyed susans, shasta daisies, coneflowers, salvia, coreopsis, daylillies, and sedum ( I am originally from the QC). Did you move your shade garden? Some of those plants could be planted elsewhere and some will also tolerate part sun (morning sun). I think you still have shade back there and could extend a planting bed on the left of the pic where I see a shade from a tree? You could also mix in a garden along with your perennials. Is that your wood pile? I would disguise the pile with a screen of wire and clematis mixed in with some jasmine, Hall's Honeysuckle or other blooming vine. this will also attract hummingbirds and butterflies galore! Do you have good black soil where you are at? That is about the only thing I miss about the midwest~black, rich soil. LOL definitely not the cold.
    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Jan 23, 2014
      @The Garden Frog with C Renee I do have a bit of shade on the left side of the garage, therefore, I may be able to move some plants on that side. I have a beautiful butterfly garden. I also have coneflowers, slavia, coreopsis, daylillies and sedum. (Yes, the soil is black and rich!) I have a a vegetable garden in the backyard as well (it's just not in the photo). Also, I see you love the wood pile as much as I DO!!!!Thank you for the screen idea. A big part of the problem is the sun is so hot during the summer days and at night the fire pit is so hot that my flowers just wilt. So, I'm going to need something pretty tolerant to the heat, as well as, the frigid temps in the winter. I am going to look into some evergreens/conifers - I haven't even thought about something like that.Thanks so much for your thoughts my QC friend!
  • Cyndi Moore Tippett Cyndi Moore Tippett on Jan 23, 2014
    packets of zinnias...they are fun colors and you get a lot for the money. You can cut them to bring in the house. Love them.
  • Jeanie Jeanie on Jan 23, 2014
    I would put some gutters on the wall of the garage and plant in them, I have seen some wonderful plantings on the web doing this. Maybe on the right side, as it looks like it gets more sun. Then on the left, you are still getting shade so whatever you have already planted should be alright. Lucky girl, sun and shade! Maybe a living succulent wreath on the left side.
  • Rhonda Rhonda on Jan 23, 2014
    Pergola would be great over the seating area to give shade with the fire pit on the outskirts? Ivy is fast growing and wraps around areas also grape vines. I would leave the tree stumps in the mix covered by the Pergola and make them planters. You have a blank canvas enjoy! Please post pictures of the finished area.
    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Jan 23, 2014
      @Rhonda I really want a pergola! Should I get my wish, I will post away! However, I may have to become handy and figure out how to build one myself.
  • Shutters and a window box on the garage window for starters. A spouting rock or small pondless water feature would also help define the fire pit area.
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on Jan 23, 2014
    Well, for starters, clear all that sitting area out! Use the wall of that garage for some creative ideas! Get a couple of salvage doors and windows and make a trellis / door / window arbor against the wall with fasteners. THEN coming OFF of that trellis hook on some wooden planters and put some color perennials in those for return foliage and color every year. THEN no to the grasses! Sloppy and you have to cut them back EVERY YEAR, ugh. Plus you have to pick up all that grass and that gets old fast! Trust me! You WILL want to clear those out after a year! You'd be better off with a multi-seasonal garden plot of short and tall shrubs and succulents scattered in a creatively placed slightly raised rock garden. I got this idea from my best friend's husband who loves his raised bed veggie garden boxes. He also uses trellises. Then when you figure all that out, create an ambling walkway with Thyme planted amongst the pavers that you don't have to worry about! Also get some herbals and mosses to plant in the "creative areas" and voila! Cute and original!
  • Colleen Colleen on Jan 23, 2014
    Looks like you could put multiple areas of plants. The back of the garage a backdrop for a trellis of veggies (beans, squash) or fruit (raspberries). To the left and right of the garage, put in raised gardens of perinneals and annuals. Adding different heights can bring interest to your garden. If you keep the fire pit, then create a path (with a boarder) from the house to the seating area. So many possibilities!!!!
  • Libby Yuewhoo Libby Yuewhoo on Jan 23, 2014
    The back of your garage in a lovely canvas. Put up a sturdy frame and plant a wisteria or two on the backside of the building. It will provide a lovely backdrop for other plants, beautiful color during flowering and shade if your framework extends out and you create an arbour.
  • Becky H Becky H on Jan 24, 2014
    When I want some shade in a limited area, I find it works well to buy a shrub w/a limited mature height, and train/prune the shrub into a tree. Where I live, the Golden Dew Drop works well for this; it's mature height is 12'. If you go to a nursery, they can work with you in determining which shrub will do well in your area. From there, depending on size and preference, you can plant several in a staggered pattern (grouping) and they can provide the shade your shade loving plants crave.
  • Irish53 Irish53 on Jan 25, 2014
    How about a large metal moon or sun to hang on or by the back of garage to break up all the white color?
  • Dee Dee on Jan 26, 2014
    Where was you when he cut it down. did it need cutting? Is he still breathing?LOL Well looks like you will have fun picking out things to plant there.But im sorry I have a little shade garden on the side of my garage. Wish i had more, But just build a new house and no big trees yet .Just one in front that i insisted stay. Had to fight hubby on that but i won.
    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Jan 26, 2014
      @Dee you made me laugh! It needed "trimmed"but not cut down. I should have known better than leave him alone for an afternoon! I might as well throw some empty beer cans on the ground and call it urban art. I'm mostly sad about the shade plants I bought from a family nursery that has been located here for years and just went out of business this past summer. I have a VERY small area for some shade plants, but it wont fit the glorious gardens along the garage and around the tree. BUT... I guess I do have a blank palette to start over with something new. Perhaps I shall make a little pond around his fire pit and build a moat for him to have to walk over to start the fires. :)
  • Dee Dee on Feb 02, 2014
    Ponds are great. But if you go that way make it bigger then you think you want or you will wish you had. I just put a pond at my new house 16 feet long and 10 feet wide loving it. Had a small one at my old house. But the fun you can have with pond plants. Jacqueline Please send pics when your done.But with the weather we are having spring seems so far away.There is a nice greenhouse in Des Moine behind the Brass Amadello if you know where that is right off the hiwy. Good luck to hubby he would be out there digging up plants if he was mine LOL
  • Dee's comment is spot on! Make your pond or pondless water feature bigger than you want now, you will want a bigger one later! I know I did!
  • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Feb 04, 2014
    @Dee I think a little pond or some type of water feature would be great to incorporate into the new landscaping plan. Thank you for the suggestion. I just keep looking out into the backyard and I know that I have a BIG summer job ahead of me! I just finished planting a huge array of flowers in my front yard last year, as well as, planting a raised butterfly garden on the side of my house. I will probably need to do a lot rearranging when spring arrives. I'm just not sure where to even start! I think I'm going to get a pencil and paper and map out my ideas so I can stay focused.
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    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Feb 04, 2014
      @Dee thanks for your encouragement! I was wondering how far away Independence was from Davenport. The past few years is the first time I have ever had a chance to do any vegi or flower gardening. So, I'm learning as I go along. It certainly would be nice to have a gardening buddy to share/swap seeds, bulbs, and ideas with. Sounds like you have had your share of hard work with your new home. I would love to see pics! I can't wait until spring!
  • Dee Dee on Feb 05, 2014
    Jacqueline Thanks for your note. i would love to help you with any questions you have that i can answer. Share flowers need to split flowers with you. Lets stay in touch and maybe we can get togather this spring i,m sure i will be that way ,I have friends i visit.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 05, 2014
    Jacqueline your about 2 and a half from Des Moine thought you was closer. I will have to see what greenhouses are in your area. i just get into trouble when i go into any greenhouse. lol
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    • Dee Dee on Feb 09, 2014
      @Jacqueline Elaine I added pics of my yard .Check them out.
  • Joyce Joyce on Feb 05, 2014
    Don't give up on the fire pit and the sitting area. You can plant baskets and set them on the tree stumps. Will dress up the area. I like the water feature idea, but then we built a pond a few years back, so I'm prejudice! I found in starting new flower beds, that ordering a bulk pkg of bulbs from catalog the 1st year is a cheaper way to start. Then add to it as you can afford. If it were me, I would extend the flower bed to incorporate the sitting area/tree stumps etc., but then I'm a fanatic about lots of flower beds. Go to my photos on my timeline and you'll see several I have done - maybe give you some ideas. Our pond is posted also.
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    • Dee Dee on Feb 09, 2014
      @ Joyce love your iris.Really like the pinkish and white one.Never seen one that color.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 05, 2014
    jacqueline just followed you now i can private message you. I would love to help you. Just get a list of plants you have or i can look at the leaf and tell you.I am so sorry your hubby cut your tree down he may regret it this summer.I will need help from my hubby with getting pics to you but i will get it done. Want to help you or talk to you but didnt want it all over the web.Like i said followed you now no problem.Have a great night talk later.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 09, 2014
    Jacqueline here is picture of my pond. im new to sending pics so hope you get it .please let me know
  • Dee Dee on Feb 09, 2014
    More pictures. Looks like im going to be a pain now that i got it.LOL
    • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Feb 10, 2014
      @Dee I love your container gardens. Your yard is a lovely sanctuary. I have my work cut out for me to even come close to something so lovely!
  • Judy Parkey Judy Parkey on Feb 10, 2014
    Think about Elaeagnus.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 11, 2014
    I can help you i Plan on coming that way to go to a greenhouse. Would be more than happy to stop and help in any way i can.
  • Dee Dee on Feb 11, 2014
    Well Thank you Jacqueline its getting there this yard is 2 years old and i still have a ways to go .
  • Cp C Cp C on Feb 11, 2014
    Yes @Judy Parkey . ... Eleagnus would give her some qUICK Privacy around the edges for sure!! And the leaves are so interesting!!
  • Judy Parkey Judy Parkey on Feb 13, 2014
    Here is a link on Elaeagnus. On the right side of the page look for "Facts". It mentions the nitrogen fixing ability of the plant. It suggests planting it near fruit or nut trees. Mine will be planted next to a pecan tree! It then lists the antioxidant benefit of the berries.
  • Joyce Joyce on Aug 19, 2014
    Hi - do you still want Iris? I have them ready to mail, but lost your address.
  • Jacqueline Elaine Jacqueline Elaine on Sep 04, 2014
    Yes, Please! I'm so excited to get some planted!