I need gardening help!

My front yard is basically a blank slate. Last summer (our first in the house) we basically ripped out all of the landscaping, except for two dwarf spruce that are on either side of our front door. We had a fairly big area to plant in (about 25 ft long, and it goes from 10 feet deep to 4 feet deep) and then an area between the front door and the garage which is right outside our kitchen window. I would love some type of small flowering tree in front of this window, but everything I have seen grows to over 15 ft. tall.

I have no idea how to start planting. I am assuming I need to start with foundation shrubs-I have been to Blooming Haus and Cheap Sams. I get so overwhelmed, I can't make a decision and there is never anyone there to really help. I would like some color in my yard this summer but we are low on funds and I don't want to plant too many perennials before we get the shrubs in.

I wish we could just hire someone to do this for us, but we just can't afford it.

Can anyone point me in the right direction-suggest shrubs and perennials that might work. I wish I could put pics of the house to show everyone but I don't know how to get the pictures on here!

Sorry this is so long winded-I am so overwhelmed!

Re: I need gardening help!

I hear you!
I don't have a green thumb, but....


impatiens are so easy to plant, cheap, add color, and spread like fire!

maybe a rose bush?

you can also get cheap shepard hooks (like 8 bucks at walmart) and buy some cheap hanging flowers...spruces up your yard instantly with no work!

Re: I need gardening help!

I do have some of those hooks that someone gave me, I think that is a great idea. I might do that tomorrow.

I was all set to buy impatiens, but when I went to Blooming Haus today, the impatiens said they were for shade, most of my area is full sun of course so that's out of the question!

Thanks for your reply!

Re: I need gardening help!

Try going to Martin Viette on Northern Blvd. They have a service you can hire to come to your home to recommend what to get for your house. It is $$$. As for what I would do, I would decide how formal or informal a garden you want.
Do you want hedges? Box woods are nice.
Do you want a more natural look?
Do you want something to come up every year or do you want to do a new planting every year?
What kind of gravel or filler do you want? Do you have rain issues? How is the foundation of your home? I personally like the rubber mulch because it lasts longer than the cedar mulch. For the past 5 years I put down the cedar but this year I did rubber mulch. We will see how it goes.
I hope some of these questions help give you a direction and lead you to see what you want for your garden.

Re: I need gardening help!

My front flower bed gets partial sun but I have seen these grow well in full sun as well. This is what I have planted.

Various bulbs for early spring bloom.

Azalea that blooms early spring




Euonymous gaiety that's green all year




Barberry that has it's leaves from spring to fall




Hydranga that blooms all summer (I think into fall)




Creeping phlox that blooms in spring






Dianthus that blooms spring into summer





Astilbe that blooms in summer




Asters that bloom summer into fall (I think)



and some red leafy plant that I can't remember the name of

These are all perennials so maybe this will give you some ideas.

Message edited 5/15/2010 11:33:35 PM.

Re: I need gardening help!

My cousin Danny owns Stables Garden Center in East Moriches. It's a family run business, and if you bring photos of your home with measurements, I'm sure he will help you.

If you do go, tell him his cousin, Kathy, sent you.

Stables
80 Montauk Hwy.
East Moriches, NY 11940

Phone 631-878-1418
Fax 631-244-2590

Here is his website:

http://www.stablesgardencenter.com/home.html

Re: I need gardening help!

Check out my Gardening Album I have the names of the plants with the pics. I get sun from about noon until the sun sets, so that I believe is considered Full Sun plants and all of these do really well. And the Daylilies come back each year and expand the following year (become more full in size) They bloom all summer long. I went to Garden Depot in Commack on Rt 112. They were helpful to us. Bring pics and they helped us pick out the plants that way. GL!