Weeping Cherry Companion Plants

QuestionI have semi-circular stand of bamboo in my backyard in on a slope in full, blazing sun, Zone 7. Even though the climate is closer to Southern Mediterranean, Ive tried to create a Japanese feel to the space.

Planting area

QuestionI am starting to design a new planting area in front of my home. My front yard is 250 wide x 150 (depth) from the road to my house. I am building an Allan block retaining wall along the road, whi

Special Planting Instructions

QuestionYears ago someone published info on how to do a planting (in layers; bulbs included) that would produce continuous blooms. They knew enough to anticipate when each plant/bulb would come into bloom. Im so sor

GRASS SEEDING

QuestionHELLO WE PURCHASED OUR HOME ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE DESIGNERS TOOK OUT A HILL BEHIND OUR HOUSE AND LEFT A GOOD SIZE HILL SIDE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO GROW GRASS ON WE HAVE USED GRASS SEED PATCH, AND REGULAR GRAS

Planting near property line

QuestionMy husband has a small house in southeastern Ohio. The house sits in the center of a double lot and has no fence. We would like to plant an informal hedge along his property line for some privacy. &nbs

what to plant?

Questioncan i send u a photo of my house so u can give me an idea of what to plant? AnswerThough I am a graphics kind of guy, I would prefer not to accept attachments. However, I think we could discuss genera

I want to put in stone in...

QuestionI want to put in stone in a unused area on the side of the house, where there is now grass. Do I need to remove the grass first? AnswerIve seen it done both ways - my prefence is to remove the grass.  

Vegetation killer

QuestionWe have a house that the backyard is a very steep hill upward. We have cut down trees to allow light to the house but the vegetation went wild. We have cleared a lot and used a vegetation killer. Next year w

Problem Hillside

QuestionWe have a house that the backyard is a very steep hill upward. We have cut down trees to allow light to the house but the vegetation went wild. We have cleared a lot and used a vegetation killer. Next year w

Problem Backyard

QuestionWe have a house that the backyard is a very steep hill upward. We have cut down trees to allow light to the house but the vegetation went wild. We have cleared a lot and used a vegetation killer. Next year w

moisture

QuestionI want to put up a paver wall and backfill with dirt next to my brick house. The dirt will come above the base of the brick by about 2 feet. What can I do to prevent a moisture problem with the m

Privit Hedge

QuestionI will be cutting the height of our hedge (100 yards) from 5 feet to 4 feet. Can I use a chainsaw and is there a time of year not to do this (in Ohio)? AnswerMike, You could use a chain saw, but watc

japanese influenced garden design

QuestionI am very interested in completely revamping my front yard of home which has a very mature bloodgood japanese maple more or less centered in the lawn. I would like to radically minimize lawn area, if n

Hard to be designer

QuestionI want to pursue my dream, so I start my own design service, I enjoy doing design work, but connect with right clients is very hard. Most of people do not respect my design work, no matter what I say,

hillside foliage

QuestionI live in the northeast and I need some recommendations on what to plant (hopefully seed) on a rather severe hillside slope that is subject to erosion. The soil is a redish clay and very rocky and it i

Front Entrance

QuestionMy front entrance is underneath my deck that overlooks a lake. The driveway and under the deck area is all paved. Is there a way to make the entrance more appealing. Our side entrance has a path

shade trees/landscape design

QuestionHi Gary, I was wondering what advice you could give me regarding my wooded lot. I have a small house on a 200 by 250 ft. lot. Im situated toward the back left of the lot so that I wouldnt interfere wit

Herbicides

QuestionOur backyard is in major need of work, it needs to have all the weeds (chickweed, morning glory, dandelion) removed and then the ground filled (currently there is a big dip in the back yard). The garde

rock garden

QuestionHow will I design a rock garden with a small pond in a 10mx10m irregular space? Please suggest a website with lots of pictures of rock gardens. AnswerIn order to give you a better answer, I need to know a

redwood trees planted on a hillside

QuestionWe live in northern california in the SF bay area. We have a hillside in our backyard, that slopes down towards our house. Id like to plant a redwood tree (or 2 or 3 )in our backyard, and am wond