Landscaping, Shade Trees and Shrubs

Weeping Trees and Shrubs

Landscaping with weeping trees and shrubs should always be considered. Since they will attract the attention of the viewer, they should be planted in the background with other plants around them.

The picture of the full-grown weeping willow next to a pond always comes to mind. Just do not forget the many different evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs you can use in your back or front yard. Cultivars range from a foot tall to over 60 feet with different textures, colors, and shapes.

For instance, a weeping river birch in the center of the backyard surrounded with yellow foliage barberries and perennials brings out the peach-colored bark since this tree does not cast a lot of shade. For willows try hostas which will take more shade.

If you want the tree to be the focal point, just create a rock garden around the trunk. Fewer weeds! A weeping tree always reminds me of water, so you can place a little garden fountain or pond next to it. Maybe add a bench underneath as a place to unwind after a hard day.

Landscaping, Landscaping decor

Putting in a Rock Garden

Putting in a rock garden is fairly easy especially after the first few steps. The garden can be as big or small as you want and be placed anywhere in the landscape where you want it. Maybe in a dull corner of the yard.

First, take a hose and use it as an outline of what you want the outer edge of the rock garden to look like. The till or spade the grass or weeds under (you can use a Roundup type of herbicide to kill the plants before tilling up). Place good soil on top giving the rock garden an elevation to it, maybe a few inches. There is a layering method by placing old newspaper on the ground before adding soil to smother the grass.

You can also lay down landscape fabric after mounding with soil to keep the weed seeds from growing or making them easy to pull out. Just cut an X in the fabric to plant your desirable plants.

Now for the rocks, feel free to be creative with the texture and color of the stones. Make sure you have enough to cover the area. This is where a rock specimen like rose quartz or a stone-looking fountain adds interest drawing your attention toward the area.

Now add your plants. Tough low growing perennials like creeping phlox or sedums do well in these areas. Keep away from annuals that need planting every year.

Gardening & Landscape, Landscaping decor

Homemade Water Fountains

Homemade water fountains make a statement in any yard, from the visual and sound of flowing water to creating a mini nature preserve for dragonflies and butterflies. All you need is a close basin for the water to collect in, a fountain pump (which you can order online), plastic tubing, and imagination.

To keep very simple, they have solar-powered water pumps that need no tubing. You can create a fountain out of a birdbath and the birds will love you for this.

Many fountain ideas are easy and cheap for a do-it-yourself project. Just make sure your basin (the structure that collects the water) is large enough where you do not have to refill it every day.