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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 18, 2009 05:23 PM

 I think we should have a forum called "Designer's Challenge!" to assist newbie landscapers. It'd work like the "Landscapers Design" program on HGTV. Newbies would submit photos and related specs of their area to be landscaped. Experienced landscapers would submit specific design ideas for that area and the newbie would select their favorite design. The selected designer would agree to work with that newbie to complete the specific area.

The winning design and designer of the Challenge could be spotlighted with a published pic somewhere on the DG site (created for the winning designer) ^:-)^. Maybe a "Designer's Challenge" page in the newsletter?

How about it, Dave?

Do I need to solicit votes from the newbies on the Beginner Landscaping forum?

Linda

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 18, 2009 06:56 PM

 Gymgirl, neat idea. If you want to ensure Admin sees it, try posting your suggestion on the Dave's Garden Forum.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/dg/all/

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 18, 2009 07:50 PM

 Done! THANKS!

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 05:39 PM

 Ok, Since I'm burning daylight on getting this project started for my niece, I'll launch this Designer's Challenge! #1 with a collage of what we're working with.

From the pics she sent me, looks like a landscaping design was in progress, but abandoned when the house was. The home has sat vacant for 1 year.

I don't know the names of these shrubs and bushes (although I can see some type of boxwoods? intermingled with the purple shrubs and the evergreens? that I believe are intended to grow very tall against the front of the house). If this is the case, I can kinda picture what the original owners were going for with setting these bones in place.

Please pick up this Designer's Challenge! #1, and help a newbie along. Her name is Lolita.

Thanks in advance!

Linda

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themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 05:54 PM

 Hi Linda. looks like maybe a sky pencil holly and can't tell on the purple ones. That Cycad is going to get much bigger and interfere with the walkway....they get huge. Make sure your niece knows to plant at least 4 ft from the foundation.

I personally have trouble with small pictures (dyslexic) so, it might be easier all around to post single pics of each area...and give a reference for scale.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:09 PM

 Thanks, Moon! Will do!

Here's the first individual pic.

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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:10 PM

 #2

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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:10 PM

 #3

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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:11 PM

 #4

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Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 06:11 PM

 plus the zone, what zone is she in? the purple ones might be barberry but I'm famously inept at plant ID *grin* (lazy)

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:18 PM

 Thanks Lynnie6868
Houston, Zone 9A. Trying to pinpoint which direction this front faces. She doesn't know offhand, but is researching for US!

P.S. Moon: When you teach her, you're teaching me, too! Remember, I've only grown veggies so far, so this is my classroom too!

Thanks guys! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited and so is she!

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:24 PM

 oops! Here is #4! It's the view standing at the far right end of the front walkway (where it meets the driveway) looking back up the walkway toward the front door.

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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:33 PM

 Here's #4 to SCALE. (Had to crop it before).

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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:37 PM

 Moon,
You're very right about the Sago. And the first thing I know I CAN do is to at least trim it properly! (Growing and learning all about Sagos is my other hobby!)

This message was edited Nov 19, 2009 12:57 PM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:41 PM

 Hey Lynnie! what say we get the Gypsy gardeners together to help Linda and her niece with the landscaping?

Linda and I are in the same zone...and we can all learn a bit together. It looks like the house next door was the pattern for design and plant material. There are a number of questions your niece must answer. In addition to Lynn's question, how much does she want to do? How much can she afford to do , now? What does she like? Here is the Better Homes and Garden Website for landscaping. Have her take a look at the various ideas offered and see what type of landscape appeals to her and suits her home. We will also need some pictures from the street, again with scale in mind.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 06:53 PM

 Moon! Who are the Gypsy gardeners? Thanks eversomuch for picking up this ball! I'll get all the questions above answered.

I believe she is in ZONE 9A, Missouri City, Texas, 77489.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 07:06 PM

 The Gypsy gardeners are a bunch of gabby DGers that get together from all over the US and now internationally (grin) to natter about this and that in our homes, garden, and lives. We all have gardens of varying sizes and talk about them. Lots of good ideas and great silliness abound there. And, since we are Gypsies, our numbers increase and decrease as we go....so does the sanity of the threads we post....grin

You are a subscriber, so you can go to the General Discussion Forum...The current thread is Hey Gypsy it's a wild world.
Probably any you see there that have the word Gypsy or Basil in the title are gypsy threads.

Here is another link for Lolita and you.

http://text.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/home_gardening/su...

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 07:47 PM

 is her name really Lolita? I LOVE it....I should change my username to that...shoot, off topic ... ahem...
Zone 9 isn't my specialty, but hey that hasn't stopped me before lol. bhg.com is a great site for beginners, too, I used one of their plans for my foundation beds but I tweaked it a little with colors I preferred. I have to tweak it again because I made mistakes, but hey live & learn.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 07:48 PM

 Thanks! Didn't get the 1st link. Please repost.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 07:50 PM

 Yep. Lolita Maria Clare! Thanks for the link Lynnie!

Moon, Bring on those Gypsies!

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 07:51 PM

 http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/

registration is free

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 08:31 PM

 Lynnie is already here...grin Sorry about the link, ya can't get what wasn't sent....duh

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2009 08:59 PM

 ooh, another party? I'll join in, for what it's worth.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 09:03 PM

 Moon can she grow Japanese Maples there? That would look awesome against that house.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 09:03 PM

 Linda, meet Smiley...she is also a Gypsy....

Smiley, we are gonna try to help Gymgirl (Linda) help her niece, Lolita design her landscape....Nee...we can be Shrubbers...grin

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 09:05 PM

 Yes ma'am, Lynn. They grow quite well here....just have to see which direction the house sits as Jap Maples can't handle our zone 9 afternoon sun.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 09:22 PM

 yes shrubberies are my trade
Moon I couldn't help it....


edited to be back on topic...
definitely a red jm in the front, but we need that picture of the whole front from the street.

This message was edited Nov 19, 2009 4:24 PM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 09:32 PM

 Ready to start...oh oh off we go....yea...grin nothing like a Gypsy fire drill...lol "Come back here, coward"....grin

When have we EVER managed to stay on topic...ROTFL

daisylovn
Wilmer, AL
(Zone 8b)

November 19, 2009 09:47 PM

 I think this is a lovely I idea and I may submit my "PLEASE HELP ME" PICS SOON.

In the meantime I thought I would share this...

A very good friend of mine chooses something she wants her hubby to buy her, like a piece of jewelry.. She says Oh, Don't you worry, he WILL get it for me... and if you dare to ask how she knows he is definitely going to buy it for her.. She says, "After I bring Lolita out he will do whatever I tell him too" --- I laugh at her every time bc she means it.. and somehow -wink- she always gets what she wanted......

I love the name Lolita.. It is a very beautiful name.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 10:13 PM

 what Lolita wants, Lolita gets! *grin*

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2009 10:19 PM

 Lolita IS a pretty name. This is not my forte, but I'll try. (I don't think I really *have* a forte)

In picture #4, what is that tall thing? Looks kind of out of place, unless it will grow into it's own.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 10:23 PM

 I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! CAN YA'LL SEE ME JUMPIN' UP AND DOWN DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!????

ooooooooooooooooohhhh, and a JAPANESE MAPLE, WOW!

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 19, 2009 10:23 PM

 Moon thinks it's a sky pencil holly, looks to be leaning but it could be the picture angle. They get tall but stay narrow.

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2009 10:34 PM

 I personally don't like it where it is. But like I said, design I'm not too good at. Man, I would LOVE to be weeding that!

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 10:37 PM

 I think someone guess it might be a sky pencil holly? Supposed to grow tall as the 2nd story against the front. I think I can see what they were aiming for with a height feature.

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2009 10:43 PM

 (talking about #4 photo - to scale) I don't like that tall one where it is. I think it would have looked better maybe closer to that corner farther back?

Something that got a little fuller might look nice.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 19, 2009 10:56 PM

 Hey Smileymom343,
I'm thinking it's still a baby and will possibly get taller? If not, you're absolutely right! That big ole' house (4,000 sq.ft.?) needs some umph in front of it! I love the stonework, too. Makes me think "rustic" .

Would a short (24"-30") stone border work better on that bed than that dinky little green edging, ya'll think?

Also, this whole thing took off because I intend to wintersow seeds in January for the plants we'll need, so soon as ya'll identify em' LMK so I can race like the wind to order seeds. I'm collecting milk jugs from EVERYWHERE to have enough, because my WS plan was for my spring VEGGIES, not Lolita's flowerbed. However, "what Lolita wants -- Lolita gets!"

Why will that come back to haunt me??? ^:-):-):-)^

Linda


This message was edited Nov 19, 2009 5:05 PM

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 19, 2009 11:57 PM

 The stonework is beautiful, GymGirl. You can call me smiley for short, or Julie. I occasionally answer to that!

I have to go now, can't work on this computer and dinner is ready! All have a good night, not sure if I can make it back tonight.

I like the idea of something else besides that green border, too.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 12:38 AM

 THe stone work is lovely, but before anything else, We need to see how the house, beds and yard all present themselves both to the sun and to the street....Orientation is important and solid ideas/planning keep you from moving things around over and over. We also need some in put from Lolita, otherwise we are designing for ourselves....grin

Missouri City is south of Houston, so pretty sure zone 9a for hardiness.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 20, 2009 12:52 AM

 winter sow! Gymgirl we're not magicians! LOL well Moon is, but the rest of us are mere mortals.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 12:59 AM

 Not a magician, Lynnie....just a low level garden deity......Every one spit coffee on the monitor.....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 02:32 AM

 I just think you guys R wonderful!

Nia3
NE, TX
(Zone 8a)

November 20, 2009 02:56 PM

 Hello! I am a frequent visitor and have learned so much from reading the discussion threads.

Just noticed something that made me want to throw in my two cents- the purple shrubs may be chinese fringeflower (loropetalum chinese). There are dwarf varieties of these, otherwise they will need to be moved as they may reach 6-10 ft. The one on the corner might be able to stay.. hmmm. Anyway, just my two cents.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 03:09 PM

 Hi Nia. I think they are loropetalum also, and hopefully the dwarf variety. More than likely most of the plant material will be reshuffled. We want to create a unique look that still blends with the architecture of the home and the tone of the neighborhood.

Another question, Linda. Does Lolita's subdivision have restrictions on plantings? Is there a Homeowner's Association to consider?

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 03:32 PM

 Now that I am not on the laptop, and looking at larger pics, I think the two really upright shrubs may be some type of Juniper or other slender growing conifer....Linda...humor a blind old bat and take a close up of those please....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 04:07 PM

 Ok Moon! I might venture out there sometime tomorrow if she can't get out today and send more pics of the front. We're having terrible rainstorms in Houston today, so pic taking conditions are not optimum.

Hi Nia3! Welcome aboard. Throwing your two cents in with everyone else's ensures that well make it to a DOLLAR at some point! Then she can frame it when we're done!
So keep all that change coming, ya'll!

Linda

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 04:13 PM

 Hey Linda...no way you can tease that rain into going south or back to the west instead of east is there? It is supposed to visit us tomorrow and my son's GF has a surprise B'day BBQ planned for him....ah well, who cares if the ribs and brisket are a bit damp....grin

There is no rush, just when she takes the other pics, get her to do close ups of the plants that are already growing there. Rome wasn't built in a day, so guess we have a little time to work on this...grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 20, 2009 10:54 PM

 Ok. Evidently, "Lolita got what Lolita wanted!"

Here's the house!

Thumbnail by GymgirlView Larger ImageView Larger

jjsgramma
Woodhull, IL
(Zone 5a)

November 21, 2009 12:35 AM

 Wow! can I hire her to get me what I want. LOL

Really nice house!!

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 21, 2009 01:03 AM

 Hi GymGirl! Nice to meet ya, I happen to be the leader of the Gypsi's and any Gardening question you have feel free to direct them to me. I have the most knowledge and experience and the rest of them are full of grass seed lol

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 01:07 AM

 and we sprout up everywhere....lol

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 03:24 AM

 excuse me, pardon me....ahem...elbowing my way in....
ok let's not scare Linda off before we even get started, let's pretend we're not crazy till we lull her into a feeling of security....then we show up at her house for dinner!
Kidding! I'm full right now.

Ok, serious question, that tan line going across the front, is that trim? That yard looks huge. Makes me want to hide my head under a pillow...looks like mine when we got our house.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 03:45 AM

 Ok, ya'll play nice! I'm gonna like working with you gypsies!

Ok. I spoke with Princess Lolita (she's not old enough to be a queen yet. Just turned 30 -- PhD Pharmacist at 24 -- only filled prescriptions for about 6 months in her entire career), who answered some of our questions:

The house only sits on 1 acre -- not 1-1/2 acres...
The front door faces NORTH and the back door faces, guess what? (Oh the places those veggies will grow!)
The tan line looks like it is brick
In the backyard, there is a mountain of the same type stone as below that tan line -- but it's all stuck together. Evidently a stone-worker type owned this house...
There's a construction crew about to put stucco?? over the front door and the windows, so they'll be all over that flowerbed.
Do we need to do something with the existing flora BEFORE the crew tramples all over it? Like dig them up and put em in buckets for safekeeping?

Hope this provides some insight to where we're heading!

Linda

More pics tomorrow. Closeups of the flora for identification. I like the sound of Japanese Maple....oooooooooooooooooooh how about a willow tree? With all that front, I'm seeing more than one Japanese Maple, yah think?

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 21, 2009 04:12 AM

 Gmygirl, Japanese Maples are really nice and don't get as tall as most trees. I personally like Crepe Mrytles. They don't get too tall but can get them in different colors and they really dress up a place in late summer. I was teasing about being the leader and knew the girls would pick up on that one. Good luck on your project and I will throw my two cents in when I find em lol. PS Be careful with weeping willows as they break eaisly in ice storms and follow water sources for miles such as septic tanks. They do better on creek banks. But thats my opinion.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 04:59 AM

 Hey, Flowers!
Great to know who's the leader of the pack! I was just namedropping on the trees. Remember -- I know NOTHING about flowers and landscaping. I do know crepe myrtles, and I love the ones at my house. The do add color at just the right time too!

Don't go too far away either! We need your leadership AND your two cents!

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 05:02 AM

 They're gonna need a riding mower....

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 11:37 AM

 Lolita needs (god I love that name) some big trees out front, like crimson king maples, at least 30 feet from the house. I suggest crimson kings because they have a beautiful burgundy color all summer. Closer to the house use the smaller trees, crape myrtles (I can't grow them here so I like to pretend they don't exist) Japanese maples, crabtrees, etc. I'd get the big trees in first.
Flowers is right about the weeping willows, not good around septic or close to pipes...my grandfather had a big beautiful weeping willow in his tiny back yard, it had to be cut down. Heartbreaking for the kid who liked to swing on the branches. I digress.

Also let's not forget some evergreens. Ask Lolita what colors she likes, too.
Also, if those stones out back are bothering her she can send them to me :)

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 02:35 PM

 Hey, Linda...YES before the stucco guys get in there, everything needs to come out. We want to try to salvage and re-use as much plant material as possible. The rains should make removal a bit easier. Stick the stuff in pots and put it where it is protected from the hottest sun so we don't shock them further. That will also make cleaning and prepping the bed areas easier. We can get positive IDs on it all also...grin

SO, STEP ONE: Remove existing plantings.♠♠♠♠ (wow. don't know where the little spades came from, I dropped the mouse and there they are...coincidence that you need spades to complete step one...LOL)

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 02:48 PM

 Moon's magic flies again! hey Moon you got 4 of a kind.
*grin*
Moon is very practical, me rush rush get the big trees in, they need time to grow hurry! If they don't grow fast enough stand & glare at them with your hands on your hips, that's very effective, makes you forget about housework.

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

November 21, 2009 02:57 PM

 I stare at my plants too. Glad to hear it's not just me :-)

Moon ~ your mouse must have hit the alt key and the 6 key (on the number pad) at the same time. That's how you get little thingies. ☺ ♥

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 02:59 PM

 LOL Lynn. If I wanted or needed those little icons I would have NO way of finding them....grin

I am with you, but I stomp my foot and threaten with "I put you there and if you don't grow I can take you out!" Of course the plants just laugh at me cuz they know how much they cost....lol

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 03:03 PM

 Too cool Smiley.. There is a number key pad right next to the mouse pad, but the alt key must be magically linked...grin♠♠

Wow, that worked but I guess all I can do is spades....LOL

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 21, 2009 03:04 PM

 ♠B♠♠♠♠♠♠ To heck with the trees I'm shootin for a straight Lynnie lol

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 03:08 PM

 Go Flowers! Just remember there is no such thing as a straight in plant placement....grin

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 21, 2009 03:20 PM

 no worries about that here Moon, I couldn't plant a straight line with a 10 ft ruler lol See how easily we get sidetracked GymGirl lol

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 03:39 PM

 How many Gypsies do you know that travel the straight and narrow? GRIN

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 03:40 PM

 need some height to break up that tan line.....it's stern looking.
that alt key trick ain't working for me..........

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 03:42 PM

 ladies! try to stay on topic! do you want to get kicked out of the beginner's (scroll up to see where I am) landscaping forum?? you KNOW people hate gypsy camps popping up in respectable threads! And take off those bangles and scarves!

This message was edited Nov 21, 2009 10:42 AM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 03:55 PM

 Hide the wagons and the tarot cards....we are on a respectable thread here....grin


Yeah, that "tan line' bugs me too....grin

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 11:16 PM

 Gymgirl, here's a link to evergreens for zone 9

http://www.naturehills.com/catalog/Trees/Evergreen_Trees.asp...

and a nice pic of a crimson king maple, mine is this color all summer but mine is still kind of small.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http://image...

This message was edited Nov 21, 2009 6:27 PM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 11:22 PM

 I was thinking maybe something like these to break up the height...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.greenset.c...

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 11:28 PM

 those are nice Moon! I am still on the "big tree further from the house" kick *grin*

I do like that weeping cypress, though, I love weeping forms.

This message was edited Nov 21, 2009 6:29 PM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 21, 2009 11:43 PM

 I am thinking tree/shrub wise that the reds and blues would look great in contrast to the brick/stone work.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 21, 2009 11:49 PM

 yes, me too! I was thinking boy wouldn't a colorado blue spruce look NICE with a JM or a crimson king...then saw they aren't hardy to zone 9. Oh well. I'll put one in my yard to make me feel better *grin*

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 12:02 AM

 LOL...yeah, we are way too warm here for a lot of the conifers. This is one I was thinking about.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/M/meta_gly.cfm

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 22, 2009 12:23 AM

 nice! I think there's a weeping form, too, isn't there?

oh the weeping and the yellow forms are both dwarf.....

This message was edited Nov 21, 2009 7:25 PM

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 12:27 AM

 Of the Sequoia, but not the metasequoia. Unfortunately, the giant weeping Sequoia doesn't like our heat either.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/82320/

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 22, 2009 12:30 AM

 there's one down the road from me, I'm thinking if it can live down the road.......what a cool tree.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 12:34 AM

 Oh, yeah, it could live at your house for sure....grin Lynnie's forest. weekly tours available...grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 01:25 AM

 That Metasequoia is awesome! And that Crimson King Maple is to die for!

I email the pics to Lo. Her husband is concerned about such a large tree on the front sending out roots that will "bust up everything." What do we tell him? I like that giant Metasequoia!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 01:39 AM

 Most of the trees that we would consider should not be a problem as they would not (the large ones) be close to the foundation, drive or walkway.

The metasequoia is slow growing, and their children may one day wonder if it could cause a problem....grin

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 22, 2009 01:49 AM

 I have the maple, I keep it mulched around the drip line, no problems...I think ash trees cause more problems with roots being very surface, I know somebody tripped on one & sprained their ankle. I have ash trees, also, and they're mulched the same way, and I haven't had that problem. Anyway, that's why the big trees are at least 30 feet from the house.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 22, 2009 02:48 AM

 Moon I have a long way to go before I have a forest!
I mulch around the trees also so hubby doesn't hit them with the mower.

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 02:55 AM

 Guys, those trees are absolutely beautiful!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 22, 2009 03:04 AM

 Linda, every yard that can support it needs trees....just need to be the right kind....gotta match trees to gardeners/homeowners to work out what will work best. This site has good info about threes and their needs.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/Garden/02926.html

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 30, 2009 07:08 AM

 Hey GMygirl, hows the makeover going? Figure it out yet?

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 30, 2009 12:16 PM

 maybe she'll have pictures of the whole front yard for us.

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 01:59 PM

 I think we may have lost our first "job" grin

Hey Linda...hope Thanksgiving was good for you.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 30, 2009 02:10 PM

 she can't fire us we're volunteers! lol
shoot she must have got word about what a newbie I am *grin*

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 02:12 PM

 Either that or we just flat overwhelmed Lolita's DH and he hired a pro....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 03:37 PM

 Naw,
I've just been busy with a house full of seniors to take care of during this past week, and did turkeys for 25 people for Thanksgiving pot luck at my house. I was up late nights and did not sleep in any day I was off. I didn't even make it over to Lolita's to take additional pictures. I'll get over there this weekend, if she doesn't take some for us. We're having rainy weather today, and dropping temps tonight.

P.S. There's a house nearby with a stand of those sky pencil hollies, perfectly straight and mature. I see what the original landscaper was aiming for, and I think they might just work against the house. But, she'll need to replace those cause they're not growing straight enough, I don't believe. I can't get that mega tree and that purple tree outta my mind. Totally Awesome!

My New Orleans Saints are 10-0 and play the Baltimore Colts (10-0 too!) tonight. Somebody's going down....

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 03:40 PM

 May be the best game of the season, Linda.

There is no major rush here, just a good idea to get trees planted by mid February to allow them to settle before the heat is on. Get some rest....we are just teasing you....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 03:42 PM

 "Who 'dat say de gonna beat 'dem Saints??!!"
"Who 'dat??!!"
"Who 'dat??!!"

I am an official "Who Dat!"

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 30, 2009 03:43 PM

 we're really just making fun of ourselves *grin* plus clearly we're obsessed and need to keep gardening one way or another through winter.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

November 30, 2009 03:44 PM

 good luck, I'll be thinkin' of ya at game time! :)

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 03:45 PM

 They are certainly earning their keep this season....good thing LA folk are patient...grin An awful lot of money has been poured into this team, nice to see it was not a waste. Finally....grin

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 03:46 PM

 And we are very good at poking fun at ourselves....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 09:08 PM

 Well, just so you know I'm in this for the long haul, "LilBabyLo" just got a 1-year gift subscription to Dave's Garden, compliments of her Auntie Linda!

We'll be seein' ya'll soon!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 09:26 PM

 Way to go, Linda. Warn her that we don't bite, and everything for the gypsies is centered around good times and gardening.....grin Wouldn't want to scare her...lol

flowers_delight
Leicester, NC
(Zone 8a)

November 30, 2009 09:29 PM

 Yea and I love poking fun at them Gymgirl cause we know I'm the one with the answers lol Get rested and don't forget us got dat?

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

November 30, 2009 09:47 PM

 LOL Flowers....getting good at barking at us....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 8, 2009 09:51 PM

 Guess who just came to visit me at my office? And guess who sat at my computer reading the posts on HER thread?

And guess who went to the Saints-Falcons game in NOLA on a forgotten paycheck from the year 2000?

Yep...LilBabyLo!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

December 8, 2009 10:02 PM

 Sounds like Lo is a lucky girl....grin. Doggone, came all the way to La and right passed the house....didn't even stop for coffee....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 8, 2009 10:13 PM

 Send me your addy. THAT won't happen again!

You know, cher, coffee drinking in Louisiana is as much a national sport as the Saints are right now. People are shocked and amazed and ready to call CPS cause I tell them I've been drinking coffee since I was six years old. Of course, back then, it truly was Cafe Au Lait. Mostly milk in a deep little bowl, with enough coffee for color and hot and sweet. And PLEASE do not forget to butter that slice of hot French Bread and float it on top!

People here do not understand the concept of dipping your buttered French Bread in your hot, sweet cup of coffee...

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

December 8, 2009 10:20 PM

 Shame on 'em Cher.. I am in the addy list, so y'all c'mon...may even manage a beignet or two....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:18 PM

 Honey, now you talkin'. You can't BUY a decent beignet in New Orleans anymore. I was told that Cafe du Monde has been sold to a foreign owner....I picked up on the diff when I was home last and commented on how bad the beignets tasted...then I found out why...

I'll bring the powdered sugar, heah?

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:22 PM

 Sure thing...got the Community DR and planny of Lou-Ana for fryin em up....LOL

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:26 PM

 Girl, you are truly from Louisiana! DR! Now THAT'S my cup 'o coffee!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:38 PM

 I have lived here for over 50 years....grew up in Lower Lafourche Parish, about 40 miles up da bayou from Grand Isle....what else ya gonna drink...CDM?

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:45 PM

 Community...CDM...RT...when I moved to Texas, I had to learn to drink coffee without chickory...

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

December 9, 2009 04:57 PM

 I always found the chicory to be a bit bitter, so it is DR for us....when my folks moved back up north that used to be the regular thing to bring when we visited....15 lbs of Community every year....as they got older, Mom would mix in a bit of Folgers so they didn't have to use the Community so sparingly...grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

December 31, 2009 04:21 PM

 Hey Guys,
Shifting gears for a minute, until LilBabyLo decides on what types of flowers she wants in those flowerbeds. She LIKED the Mega?tree, and understood the logic of it growing that tall in 20-30 years. Unlike the DH who expected a full grown tree on his lawn next week, duh!

Anyway, I'm over in the Winter Sowing forum, and have made preparations to sow some of the flower seeds beginning TOMORROW. I'll be using gallon milk jugs and potting mix and shoving them off into a nice corner so they can do their thing and I won't end up broke from buying flats come springtime.

Here's the gearshift: My sister's homefront needs help desperately, and I've wanted to outfit her flowerbeds for years now. Well, she had a mini-stroke episode last week (nothing too serious, but it's a warning!), and I need to put the petal to the metal this Spring. I'd like to start WSing some flowers for her beds too, and I need some advice on what types of flowers to start for semi-shady beds.

When you walk up to her front door, the two beds are on either side of that walkway, with walls behind each of them, and the roof overhang. She says the front faces west, and the bright sunshine hits those beds around 1:00-3:00p.

She has planted marigolds before. Also, there's monkey grass which has overrun both beds now.

I'll be doing some modified lasagna improvement to the beds, too, cause I know the soil needs some conditioning. I'll basically compost in place over this winter, with layers of cardboard, shredder paper, coffee grinds, and veggie peels, and some Black Kow composted manure mixed in with her existing soil.

Ok. So those are the details! Any advice on nice color would be appreciated. I've been considering some begonias and ponytail ferns. The beds are small enough that any freezes she would get could easily be handled with a coupla sheets thrown on top. Plus they're sorta protected because of the walls on either side.

The whole area is a 3-sided box shape.

Thanks!

Happy New Year!

smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)

January 8, 2010 11:03 AM

 off topic but...

Happy Birthday Gymgirl !!

may you have a wonderful day.

Lynnie6868

(Zone 5b)

January 8, 2010 11:27 AM

 oh happy birthday gymgirl!

themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)

January 8, 2010 02:49 PM

 Happy Birthday Linda. Too cold to think past birthday cake....grin

Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)

January 8, 2010 06:03 PM

 Thanks, ya'll! I'll be back on track with this landscaping project just as soon as I get my Spring veggies winter sown this weekend!

Hugs and Crosses to you all!
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