It looked sweet when we finished it last year, especially if you ignored the fact that we had lots of landscaping stuff to attend to behind it. But these days it’s looking more like this:
That’s a whole lotta ugly going on.
The patio itself still looks great (and is weed free thanks to this step, while our un-polymeric-sanded cobblestone driveway is covered with them), but the “garden” area behind the patio has never looked worse.
We even learned from the Katherine (the certified landscape designer who recently came over) that some of the trees were diseased and dying (which we actually heard from the previous owners as well but didn’t want to believe) along with a big rhododendron bush that was completely dead. Bummers.
So she told us what to prune back, what to keep, and what dead or diseased things we should remove to give the living things a better shot at survival – and make the whole area look a lot less… well, ugly.
So first we removed the two diseased trees that were on their last leg (sniffle) and the completely dead rhododendron. Then we raked up all the leaves so we could actually see the ground again.
It was definitely a huge immediate upgrade. In person the open-ness is really nice. Things were sort of encroaching on the patio a lot when it was all overgrown back there, so now when you walk onto the patio you feel less crowded and worried you’ll get a stick in the eye.
But we still had some liriope to remove and a whole lot of bare spots that needed some planting (I’ve been meaning to paint our rain barrel to blend him in a bit more, but who knows how long it’ll take me to get on that…).
The next step was digging out all the random clumps of liriope to make way for some more intentional looking plantings.
So here’s the area behind the tree that we cleared to make way for some free bushes.
How does one get free bushes? Well, by transplanting them of course. Yup, it was another suggestion from Katherine The Landscape Gal. She pointed out these were much too big and on top of each other over here…
… so we dug them up…
… and planted the three nandina bushes in a group with the one that was already there next to our giant hydrangeas in the corner. Since one happy little nandina bush was already on this side of the garden, we knew they’d do well over here. And a clump of the same type of plant always looks nicer than just one of ten different things hanging out all willy nilly together. Ideally we would have transplanted four of them to end up with a grouping of five since odd numbers seem to work well in gardening, but we were working with what we have. Thankfully they look nice in their little pack and will continue to fill in a bit more.
Then we grabbed three new hydrangea bushes from a local nursery (after some price checking, a place called Great Big Greenhouse had the best deal and also offered a year warranty on them). They’re the exact same variety as the ones we already have in the corner – which are doing gangbusters, so we hope these guys will grow nice and big and bloom just as well.
Of course only time will tell, but we’ll keep you posted. Here’s everything all dug in before we mulched the whole bed (which looks awesome by the way- just forgot to snap photos so we’ll have to share those in our next landscaping update).
Between all the rain we’re getting (and the rain barrel that’s nice and full from previous storms which comes in handy for stretches of dryness), we’re making sure these guys don’t give up on us. Oh and in Clara news, she especially loves talking about worms since digging our new plants in prompted us to discover a few (she even said she had a dream about worms the next night).
Sure we still have the corner by the rain barrel to attend to, but we have plans for that. So we’ll get there, someday! It’s definitely a nice discernible difference from the mess we were working with a week ago. There’s something really rewarding about landscaping work, although it’s bound to get you dirty and sweaty, just due to the fact that it’s such an obvious before and after. Something pretty and green can be found where there were only leaves and weeds the day before.
And the whole area is looking especially cheerful with the trees in bloom too.
Here are things from the other side (yup, Clara really did make it her job to be in every pic). This shows a few places we still have to work on (the bed near the house could use some smaller-scale greenery and of course we have the whole corner with the rain barrel to tackle)…
… but it’s definitely a lot easier on the eyes than this debacle.
It’s so crazy to me that the shot above was only taken about a week before the after pic on top of it (see all the buds on the trees that were about to bloom?).
Now they’re doing their thing. So pretty.
Here’s another before…
… and after.
And another. I can’t help it.
Ahh, much better.
I really wish I had snapped mulch pictures because it’s even better looking. Oh well, at least the mulch is holding it down and keeping weeds out and moisture in. Yay mulch. Update: Couldn’t resist sharing a Mulched & Fabulous pic, so I ran out and got this for ya:
It’s definitely a far cry from the view before:
This next picture is my favorite of the entire lot because I said “Clara, you’re in mommy’s picture!” and she squatted and closed her eyes and said “Where’s Clara” as if she were invisible.
Which must run in the family, because it’s exactly what her daddy did here.
What can I say? The girl has good hiding genes.
What are you guys planting? Do you have any favorites? I never thought I’d be buying hydrangeas since they always seemed to be out of my skill level (how can something that pretty not be super high maintenance?) but after 15 months of not killing the existing hydrangeas (which get bigger and more gorgeous each spring) we decided to go for it. And nandina is always a really easy one for us (we had that at our last house and it always did well), so here’s hoping I didn’t just jinx myself. Anyway, I’d love to hear what action is going on outside in the garden or on the porch or wherever else you get your plant on.
Debra says
I feel your pain!! We had a blizzard here last winter and then this past summer 115 degrees for most of the summer. It really stressed out so many trees. We already have noticed our beautiful Japanese Maple is 75% dead. Sniff! And a monster tree that shades our back yard probably needs to be cut down because bores have attacked it – but daily I look at it and say a healing prayer for it!!!
Still love your patio – it will become truly wonderful. Mother Nature is our friend!!
Susan says
Our latest project came about thanks to over-zealous home association “police”. Seems our ‘vintage’ birdbath is a no-no in front gardens. After initial whining and stomping of foot, I gave into my mature self and went the flow. We now have the beginnings of an herb garden in the BACK yard with banished birdbath as centerpiece–we’re having a great time nurturing seedlings and somehow feeling smug as in “take that HOA–your dastardly efforts to rob us of garden-happiness FAILED…”
Karina says
The patio is looking great!! I enjoyed Clara’s cameos the best. I live in an apartment and the only thing I miss about a house is the Planting in the Spring, so reading you two gardending post was like sweet candy. I look forward seeing the progress…
Amie says
I keep reading, and re-reading the title of this post for a hidden pun, joke, reference. Is there one?
Patio Problems, are they Part o-yo Problems?
I got nothing.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s just good old fashioned alliteration (P,P) so it sounded good to me. Haha. I must admit I was also thinking about Meatball Problems on Jersey Shore, which someone actually picked up on (hilarious).
xo,
s
Wendy says
Your patio looks great! It’s still one of my most favorite projects you’ve done. I love the transplanted nandina ther and the new hydrangeas too. I noticed how close together your new hydrangeas were. Judging by how big your existing hydrangea is those 3 will get at least that big and it won’t take long either. I noticed in some earlier comments readers with hydrangeas mention having to cut them back. One mentions how her hydrangeas are over taking her porch. A common mistake many homeowners and builders make is planting for the now instead of for the long run. They choose plants, like crepe myrtles (the white flowered Natchez grows 30 ft tall or more and has a huge canopy) and other ornamental trees/shrubs, based on how they look now and plant them the same way. These are often planted too near a house or to near other plants and eventually out grow their spot. This makes for extra chores in the yard down the roa and many homeowners end up displeased with their landscaping. The reader’s hydrangeas around the porch sound like they need a new spot, much like your 3 new additions by the patio will be needing more “elbow room” before you know it. Last Summer, May or June 2011, Southern Living had a feature on a garden with a mature lush hydrangeas. They are beautiful and so worth the wait for their full grown gloriousness! With your mature one, you can take cuttings and start new plants using a rooting hormone like Rutone. I would just bend down the lowest branch and bury the middle under soil just an inch or 2, then put a brick on top to hold it down. New roots will sprout soon and you can then cut and transplant a new FREE plant. Happy spring!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, they look close in the pics for some reason, but they’re the same distance apart as our huge ones on the other side and we followed the spacing instructions on the tag so hopefully all will be good! Love the cutting idea too! Here’s hoping it works!
xo,
s
Kim says
You’ll be oh so pleased to know that Scott’s mulch went on sale today for 3 for 12 /sarcasm
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, good luck Kim!
xo,
s
kirsten Brown says
The patio looks fantastic! My husband and i just finished ours, but like you, still have a ways to go in the plant department. Last year i planted asparagus ferns along our walkway and i’m pretty sure i’ve only watered them a handful of times and they look beautiful! They are super unique and give lots of texture. If i can keep them alive, anyone can!
Leanne says
The mulching makes a big difference in the pictures! I wish I could make things pretty with plants but alas, I live in a craptastic town house where the landlord does all of that. But I did plant some herbs in small terracotta pots a few days ago!!
Lynn @thevintagenest says
Was looking for a tutorial on painting upholstered fabric chairs and ran across your blog. Love your blog and your fixing up the house adventures. So nice to meet a fellow Richmonder. ~ Lynn @thevintagenest
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lynn!
xo,
s
Amanda says
I would love to have an update from your herbs (https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/gone-to-pot/) garden. And how they’re doing. I live in an apartment so I unfortunately have no yard to add greenery to. :( Though I DO have a balcony that I could use some greenery & I was thinking of starting with fresh herbs :)
YoungHouseLove says
They’re mostly annuals so it’s looking very sad and brown. Haha. We have to replant a bunch of things and hopefully we’ll get to enjoy them all spring, summer, and fall like last year!
xo,
s
Jen E. says
Oh, I really have to thank you guys!! We bought a new house last summer, with a VERY landscaped yard, and my husband insists we can do the yardwork ourselves. Well, I agree in principle, but I’ve never done any gardening before and it has been SO frustrating because I don’t have the first clue what any of these new plants are or how to take care of them.
It didn’t occur to me that I could get just a “consultation” from a landscaper. Your post motivated me! I dug around the Web sites of local landscapers until I found a reputable one that offers a “housewarming orientation.” For $125, they will give advice and leave me with a plant care portfolio/maintenance guide customized for my property.
Hallelujah!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome Jen! It will totally come in handy and hopefully help keep your whole yard looking great! It can be really expensive to replace things that die so I bet it’ll be worth its weight in gold!
xo,
s
Morgan says
We have a teeny, tiny patch of dirt in front of our house. A few weeks ago, I dug out all the dead plants and put in new pretty ones, including a jasmine bush that will eventually take over the trellis I put in.
I love reading the blog. You guys are always inspiring.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Morgan! You’re sweet. And your trellis sounds so pretty!
xo,
s
Kristina Gulino says
Ah, so cute! I just re-varnished our patio furniture while my husband was away, and it took FOREVER, since I did it by hand. I’m so glad it’s done, but I really wish I would have used oil-based varnish instead of water, which is so thin and starting to pick-off in on area (oh well). Seeing this reminds me that keeping your home beautiful is no longer the 50’s housewife image of sweeping and picking up after the kids. It now inclues some serious DIY’s!
Keep up the good work you guys!
Kristina
Nook & Sea
Lisa in Seattle says
We planted a bunch of dull Oregon grape this week! My native wildlife garden consultant came over yesterday, and now I have a hillion jillion things on the to-do list! We’re going to go full-on dry shade woodland. Right now our backyard goes from moss “lawn” to 150′ deciduous and conifer trees with no transition. We will create a complete understory over the next year or so. In the next month I’ll plant a bunch of evergreen huckleberry, red huckleberry, red flowering currant, mock orange, pacific ninebark, and blueberries to support birds and insects. We will also create a pollinator bed to support native bees. We’re going to try a small moist shade woodland garden in one spot after we sheet mulch for a year to prep the area. The clock is ticking to get everything done – but it was snowing at my house this morning.
Kylie McCoy says
We are currently working our backyard, although it is quite a bit bigger. I’m trying to incorporate bright colors and fun planters to break it up a bit.
Love the new look!
Laura says
I have a total black thumb too! My upstairs neighbor even confiscated a few plants to save them from me! She did give me some supposedly easy plants that will be Laura proof. Here’s a link to my progress (with pictures of baby ducks)! http://theloathhousewife.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/patio-progress/
YoungHouseLove says
Fun! Love the baby ducks!
xo,
s
DM says
Watch out for the hydrangeas – I’m a fellow Richmonder, and they thrive here. Cut mine back to 1′ tall and they’re 4 ‘ tall now. You may find that sooner rather than later you’ll have to dig them up and space them out about 6’ apart. But they’re beautiful.
Erin says
You guys probably already answered this, but did Katherine tell you what kind of soil you guys have? I have sandy loam, and sometimes it’s hard to get stuff to “take” in such sandy, loose soil. It’s good to know that a landscaping expert can be so helpful, I might see who is available in my area now!
The patio looks awesome, btw! :)
YoungHouseLove says
She told us we could call our extension office to test it but she could tell what things would do well based on what plants were already thriving in certain areas, so that was helpful!
xo,
s
Heidi P. says
Oh ps! A few of my FAVorites: Heuchera (Coral Bells)- the foliage comes in a ton of cool colors/varieties like deep purple or variegated or bright lime green or orange!, Miss Kim Lilac b/c I love how lilac’s smell and Miss Kims are a little smaller and supposedly don’t send up as many new shoots, Candytuft (white flowers), Hyacinth – smells beautiful, variegated iris – smells beautiful, Vicary Golden Privet, Fine Line Buckthorn, Forsythia, Honeysuckle… and I’ll stop there. :)
YoungHouseLove says
They sound so pretty!
xo,
s
Jasanna says
Love the transformation! I couldn’t have figured out what to do with a yard just by looking at it. Who knew you could transplant big bushes? Good job. It looks fantastic!
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
Meredith says
Looking good guys!! I have a question about the mulch. The cheapest (that looks nice) I can find is $3.33 per bag from Home Depot, and I’m wondering if it would end up being more economical to have a truckload delivered. Did you guys look into this in your area? I’m thinking of measuring all the beds in our yard that need mulch to figure out which is the best value. Did you do that first, or do you think bagged mulch is the best deal? Finally, how many bags did it take for you to finish off this bed?
Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we hear it’s much more economical to get it with a truck. We don’t have a truck so we’re not sure if a delivery or bags are cheaper (if you need a ton of mulch I’m sure a delivery would end up being cheaper than getting a million bags though). We’re just so nervous about being those terrible neighbors with a mound of mulch sitting for weeks in our driveway, so we opted for bags this time just because we don’t know how much we need. We’re trying to keep track of how many bags it takes for a few of the garden beds we’re tackling and then maybe next time we’ll know how much to get delivered. I think this side bed took us five bags of mulch and HD was having a 5 for the price of 4 sale. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Caitlin says
Your whole lot of ugly was certainly by a whole lot of cute with little Clara the garden gnome! Great job, it’s lookin’ fab!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Caitlin!
xo,
s
RETROSMITH. says
Ah gardening… we’re not quite at that stage yet, but boy I’m going to cry when we are. We’ve done some garden demolition which is fantastic fun! I just don’t know if I’m capable of actually growing things…
You’ll definitely have to keep the garden how-to’s up cos I’m going to need them!
Brian First says
Completely off topic question. What camera do you use to take your photos? Your pictures are always perfect no matter what the subject is.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s very kind of you, Brian – we still feel like we’re getting the hang of photography! We use a Nikon D3000.
-John
Leanne says
Hi S,J and C!
I was just doing a bit f pinterest browsing and noticed this link to a really clever trick for making your hydrangeas bluer. I saw that some others had commented with various ways to change the colours on another post but I thought this was a cute project and maybe a way to involve Clara when she is a bit older?
http://bethevansramos.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/penny-bowling-ball/
Thought is was kinda cool :)
And thanks for an awesome blog, I really enjoy reading it and dreaming of my ‘one day’ house! I love that you guys keep it real! xx
YoungHouseLove says
So cool! Love the tip Leanne!
xo,
s
Abby K. says
You may have mentioned it, I have looked and can’t find any info about it, so if you have, please forgive me! But, where did you guys get your adorable birdhouse?? It is TOO cute!! I’d love to know where I could find something similar. Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Home Goods for $9! Love it!
xo,
s