Landscaping

Question

We are moving from Alaska July 25th to this beautiful home in South Carolina, I need some suggestions for landscaping, I was thinking of roses on both sides of the driveway and vines climbing the walls. Any suggestions? I look forward to ya'lls feedback.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

vines on walls can lead to complications from harboring moisture and actually physical damage.

I'd keep the planting out from the house a bit. Roses along the drive sounds great. Alaska to SC is a big change...got tired of the snow and winter eh?

Brenda Harrington · Answer

That's an understatement lol I have lived in Alaska for over 40 yrs and I'm sick of the weather and the people, we are just stagnating here so when my husband got a job offer for down there we jumped on it. Thanks for the advice on the vines, I didn't think it would cause damage, would it work if I attached a trellis about 1 to 2 inches away from the wall?

Kimberly Barney · Answer

I am glad that KMS has shared with you the damage that vines can do if allowed to attach to the walls of your home. Yes, the placement of trellis and a watchful eye will be good. Some vines (ivy) can be evasive so you would want to avoid them. I would suggest planting shrub roses or knock out roses if you are considering planting them down both sides of the driveway. Looks like the front of the house is shaded so I would suggest azalea bushes, hucherra, hosta and brunerra to name a few shade plants that I feel would work well in the space.

Brenda Harrington · Answer

Thank You so much, I don't know about azalea I can't seem to keep them alive but I do have Hosta's here in Alaska and they did great, as far as vines goes I was thinking of something that flowers but with the shade that probably won't work. I do appreciate all comments.

Cyndi Moore Tippett · Answer

I have always lived where by yard was very sunny and I loved planting knockout roses, day lilies and gerber daisies. Now that I live with many pine trees and alot of shade, I have found that I love the hydrangeas, hostas, azaleas, and gardenia bushes. A secret for azaleas is not to plant them to deep. They are shallow rooted plants and they dry out faster than most deep rooted plants. Also, I give all my plants a little dusting of Epsom salts around their base and water it in. It gives them a boost. You will find SC to be a good choice to live.... good luck...so much fun to start from scratch... also you might talk to the 'neighborhood gardener' she/he might even pass on some give aways...

Lou B · Answer

Check out Thunbergia 'Sky flower vine', I have one in part shade,prolific bloomer, beautiful blue flowers, dies out in winter and comes back strong in spring..blooms all summer. Provide a strong trellis for it. I'm in Fla., don't know how it would do in SC.

Brenda Harrington · Answer

I just recently signed up for this site and I would like to say Thank You, what a wonderful group of folks Ya'll are, it's nice to be on a site where the advice comes out of the wood work, I am on other sites but so far this one is the best. NO DRAMA, lol

Lori J · Answer

The placement of your trellis will depend on factors like light requirement and the nature of the vine. Vines don't always stay where you put them, and many of those traditional ivy covered cottages end up with masonry damage. They can be a highway for ants...right in through any openings. Watch out for trumpet vines--they are so lovely and so darned much trouble for structures. A climbing rose or a clematis would probably be just fine closer the building, but you may want to consider other options since an established trellis can make other tasks (painting, cleaning bricks, etc.) daunting.

Brenda Harrington · Answer

Good point Lori, I'm weighing all my options as we are only renting this home, hopefully later down the road with the option to buy. I appreciate your input.

Kathy · Answer

You may also want to plant things that can live with a little less water. My daughter who lives in NC goes though times of water restriction.

Lisa · Answer

i live in SC we moved here a little over a year ago, go with perennials  , knock out roses work well here,also Succulents are great!  i agree that vines on the house is not good, especially for the house, bugs are a big thing down here.  Welcome to the state, you will love the winters hahahaha.. or lack of really in comparison to Alaska..

Brenda Harrington · Answer

Thanks Lisa, lol, I am looking forward to no snow, I have lived here 40 years and it is time for a change, I noticed Kathy mentioned something about water restrictions, do you have them? I was looking at some knockout roses that were really pretty, We are moving to Summerville SC so I am very excited to see the beaches and the history of Charleston. I am however a bit nervous about this move . I know in my heart it's the right move but my head is going through a rollercoaster of emotions. Thanks for the advice.

Debbie · Answer

Brenda, can't give a lot of advice on landscaping......but I think you will love the south! Welcome to SC! We'll take real good care of you. Be prepared for a huge change in the weather!!

Randy · Answer

You mention that this is a rental property Brenda. If that's the case, you prob won't want to get TOO carried away from a cost perspective. I notice that you have a nice little area framed by the walkway and the porch that could be a great bed of annuals or perennials. The low front porch gives you room for some planters also to add some color. The porch looks shaded so you need some light/bright colors to stand out there I think. I would suggest taking some photos to a reputable local nursery and asking for input. There should be plenty of low cost plants that you can use in that front area to bring some color in and change the look. If it was your home to purchase, I would suggest spending the time for a landscape architect consult (with clearly defined limits and goals of course). Particularly since you are new to the area/region. But for a rental, that seems to be overboard. Local garden centers, local cooperative extension (Master Gardener Volunteer programs), and even local farmer's markets where small plantsmen tend to be set up should do the trick. Best of luck and keep us all updated on your progress. Welcome to the south!!

Brenda Harrington · Answer

Thank You Randy and Debbie, Randy that is one thing my family does say about me when it comes to my gardening, I can go a bit overboard lol, I am hoping maybe we will eventually be able to rent to own this home, I fell in love with it when I saw it and of course the ideas started swimming around in my head, But I will take your advice, low cost plantings is a great idea until we see where this goes. I do appreciate all input as I have never lived in the south, Another friend of mine said to keep a hoe on hand for the snakes, that's a bit unsettling but I guess I'll adjust. I just need to talk with the landlord to see what he will allow me to do. Are we allowed to have a fire pit in our yards?

Brenda Harrington · Answer

This was my yard in Anchorage.

Randy · Answer

I suspect that unless you are in an area that regulates firepits via HOA, you should be fine to have one. Snakes - don't get too worked up about that. You may see a snake here and there but usually they are doing GOOD things instead of bad things. I grew up in the upstate area of SC so I can't really comment to authoritatively on the area that you are moving to, but being so close to the Charleston area should give you good access to local resources. Going from a zone 4b to 8b is going to be a big change in how you think about growing things.

By the way - I am guessing that the humidity is going to be a MAJOR change for you as well! Are you relocating based on military move by chance? I'm wondering what brings someone from AK to SC. I've been to Anchorage a few times on business and love it there. Beautiful place.

Brenda Harrington · Answer

We are not military, My Fiancee was offered a better job about a month ago and we thought this would be the time for a change, things are getting pretty bad here, it is not the same state I grew up in, we have a lot of troublemakers coming up from the lower 48 so the crime rate is really bad at this point, gang violence etc., And we are in our 50s so It's time for warmer weather. Your right about one thing the humidity is going to take some getting used to, but I think I'm going to love the south. A fire pit is a big thing for us, that's our way to relax after work or on the weekends with a good stiff drink, lol, I am so glad to be able to chat with someone from that area, the more informed I am before we get there the better. I will miss AK to a point but the summer is too short and the winter's too long. Are there watering restrictions there?

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