Landscaping: Patio landscapeing ideas

Replies: 26 Views: 285

Author	Comment
robotec Plainfield, IL July 30, 2009 06:13 PM	I just had my concrete patio extended 5 feet all around. The concrete contractors back filled it with black dirt. I am looking to maybe plant some flowers and bushes around it to spruce it up. Any one have any ideas? I've attached a picture. Thanks in advance! View Larger
JulieQ Cullman, AL (Zone 7b) July 30, 2009 09:47 PM	Very nice! One thing I would NOT do is to completely encircle the patio. You will probably want to be able to pass through to the rest of the yard in at least one or two directions. You may not want to plant anything too near your grill or fireplace either.(?)
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) July 30, 2009 11:18 PM	very nice robotec! I agree with JulieQ....I'd go for privacy/windbreak/shade on one side, and access/sun on the other three....you don't want people tromping on your flowers all around, having no way to get to the yard. There's so much you can do, patio pots, a trellis, with vines, one wall of arborvitae, a little flagstone path leading into the yard, an arbor to mark the entrance .....just suggestions.....it's really nice and you have endless possibilities.
cue_chik Palm Coast, FL (Zone 9a) July 30, 2009 11:34 PM	a trellis with a colorful flowering vine on either side of the back door might be nice... could even make a narrow pergola. as mentined before, i wouldnt encircle the entire area. maybe a nice medium shrub at the corners and lower growing flowers around the rest, leaving a pathway on either side to access the rest of the yard.
robotec Plainfield, IL August 6, 2009 03:20 PM	Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback to my posting. I took a lot of your advice and this is what I've done so far. I transplanted 3 of my dwarf spruces to give privacy. And planted a brandywine flowering crabapple in the front for shade (eventually). What do you guys think? I'll be adding ground cover and complimentary shrubs and flowers as well. Thanks again! View Larger
robotec Plainfield, IL August 6, 2009 03:43 PM	Here's a better image. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 6, 2009 07:47 PM	oh robotec that looks nice! keep posting pictures as you go along, we love to see things as they progress. what color flowers are you thinking of?
robotec Plainfield, IL August 12, 2009 06:01 AM	This is what I've done so far. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 12, 2009 11:14 AM	I love that gazing ball, that blue is a pretty color, and the pavers...what flowers did you plant? Are you zone 5? It's hard to plant in August.
robotec Plainfield, IL August 12, 2009 10:25 PM	I live in Zone 5. Illinois. Still making final adjustments with the flagstones. All I need to do now is just add mulch and I'll be pretty much done. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 13, 2009 11:48 AM	it's nice, and you'll have a nice September to enjoy it (that's what I keep telling myself after the rainy summer lol) I see what you mean with the flagstone, maybe try the big one in the middle?
joycerogers0713 Poplarville, MS (Zone 8b) August 14, 2009 07:49 AM	robotec Have you considered using daylilies? Low matinance and lots if blooms. If you spend much time sitting out there then I would also suggest checking into the fragrant plant options. An arbor over the flagstones with climbing roses and clematis on each side would be lovely! Just my thoughts. So much fun isn't it!
robotec Plainfield, IL August 14, 2009 04:50 PM	Yea, I just moved some daylillies into a garden bed by my fence along with a Magnolia I had planted in the back that wasn't doing well. An arbor with vines sounds real good. Maybe next year. View Larger
robotec Plainfield, IL August 14, 2009 04:52 PM	Daylillies and Magnolia tree. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 15, 2009 02:20 AM	nice! I like daylillies too.
robotec Plainfield, IL August 15, 2009 02:43 AM	The leaves on my Magnolia are starting to droop badly. I've made sure it got plenty of water after the transplant. Any suggestions?
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 15, 2009 03:11 AM	it's a tough time to transplant anything, it may not look good till the spring, it has to re-establish roots now so it will let the leaves go. just keep watering and it should be ok. normally these trees are transplanted while dormant, so it's a little transplant shock.
joycerogers0713 Poplarville, MS (Zone 8b) August 15, 2009 05:52 AM	Hi robotec, I agree with Lynnie - transplant shock. Just keep deep water soaking. How wide will the species of magnolia get? Here in MS we've got HUGE and WIDE magnolias. Remember to take mature size into consideration when planting. Hope it isn't to close to the fence. The daylilies look so healthy! Just love kidney shaped beds. Keep posting pics as progress continues. We can't plant here right now due to extreme heat. (100+) What are your day and nite temps like now? Joyce This message was edited Aug 15, 2009 12:00 AM
robotec Plainfield, IL August 15, 2009 05:29 PM	Not sure of the species. Its not supposed to get too big as I recall. It's about 5 feet from the fence. I hope that's enough if it survives.
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 16, 2009 12:57 AM	That should be plenty of room, i've never seen huge magnolias in zone 5, even the very old ones.
robotec Plainfield, IL August 16, 2009 01:32 PM	I read somewhere that I should cut back some of the branches and a little off the top so that it doesn't have to work as much to rebound from the transplant.
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 16, 2009 09:22 PM	I have no idea, I try not to mess with my plantings too much because I'm really a beginner lol at least I think I am. Maybe if you post that question on a new thread, someone with more knowledge can answer it. I think it will just drop the leaves on it's own.
joycerogers0713 Poplarville, MS (Zone 8b) August 16, 2009 11:42 PM	If the magnolia is not supposed to get to big it could be 'Little Gem' which is a dwarf form of the type I mentioned in the thread above. Do not cut it back! Especially the top. This would cause two main crowns to grow up there and ruin the form of the tree. It will not hurt the tree if you remove a few of the lower branches tho but I don't recomend it at this young stage. Wait and see what it looks like in a few years. Then decide. Good luck - Joyce
robotec Plainfield, IL August 19, 2009 05:06 AM	Almost there. Still figuring out what type of ornamental grass and ground cover to choose. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 19, 2009 09:49 AM	wow you're moving right along...I love ornamental grasses! What fun!
robotec Plainfield, IL August 19, 2009 08:26 PM	Found this Golden Moneywort at Home Depot. It's supposed to be very hardy and will be able to withstand my grill. View Larger
Lynnie6868 (Zone 5b) August 19, 2009 11:03 PM	I have that! It is hardy, I step on it a lot. It spreads too, but is easy to keep where you want...if mine spreads the wrong way, I pull up the bit that's trailing in the wrong direction & direct it the other way.