How to Re-design Your Landscape

Spring is here in Texas. 

We have done quite a few improvements in the front yard, since we started trying to fix the problem with our grass.

Read about it here.

Our house is 20 years old and mature trees and shrubs abound.

I had a row of boring, huge, overgrown Boxwoods in front of my house.

Boxwood shrubs should not top out half way up the window. We tried trimming them to no avail. 

Nothing would grow in front of them. The flowers you see in the picture below are hanging basket sized plants just stuck in holes. 

They never grew any bigger than they were when I bought them.   

Every year I had to dig up hundreds of tiny little roots that were grown all over right under the top of the soil.

Mr. Bill decided the shrubs had to go. 

Usually I am the one who wants to make changes, but this time he set the ball in motion and I resisted.

I didn't want to proceed until we had a plan in place. 

I have heard about people getting a landscape company to draw up plans for them. I really didn't want to do that.

We have a fabulous nursery with native Texas plants and thought that we could at least draw a plan ourselves.

We drove around looking at homes that had new landscapes.

New landscaping doesn't have a row of all the same shrub. 

There is a layering and a mix of sizes, shapes and colors.

We wanted a mix of flowering and non-flowering hardy, xeriscape shrubs. We would add in color with annuals and perennials. 

We were in the midst of a horrible drought and we didn't want to be irresponsible during the drought and after. Our desire is to be as free from watering as possible. I sat down and pulled out my native Texas gardening books and listed shrubs that would be good for our zone. 

We are right on the line between 7a and 8b.

Here.

A local nursery will know your zone or you can google it.

I listed plants that I liked and read about sizes. One of the big mistakes in my neighborhood has been the size of the shrubbery. Our builder planted too many shrubs that grew too big.

I checked the maximum height of my plantings to ensure I won't have stuff topping out over my window sills again.

I wanted to keep my Hydrangea, Crepe Myrtle and Asian Star Jasmine.

We planned a taller plant for the corner opposite the Crepe Myrtle, and several dwarf varieties in the middle under the windows.  

I drew my plan and we headed to the nursery.

We chose a local garden shop that uses all organic fertilizers and pesticides.They were a great help and let us "try" out our landscape there under the trees.It looked great but small compared to our giant boxwoods.

We got a Cherry Laurel for the corner.

Abelia

Pittosporum 

I filled in the rest with Liriope, Daylilies, and Begonias.

The Begonias can finally be planted in the ground.

I pulled this child sized park bench out of someone's trash on my way to work.

I also pulled this darling adirondack chair out of the neighbors trash. I knew it would be cute holding a plant. 

We are finishing up the last few feet of a rock walkway. 

I'll show you it when it's all finished. 

Oh! Apparently Rebekah wasn't finished either if the updated plans are any indication. 

I am just not sure where we are going to get a the stuff to make the unicorn topiary and the koi pond.

I found the updated plans much, much later. I never noticed that she had added to the plan.

I hope you are blessed to have children with a sense of humor. 

They make life so much fun!

These plans are a keeper.

Sprinkled with new shrubs,
Katie 

Linking with,
Between Naps on the Porch  
Savvy Southern Style  
French Country Cottage

Heartsease

Heartsease.

You may call it Viola, Pansy or Johnny Jump Up.

The Pansy is the cultivated variety of this once wildflower.    

This little flower is reported to have medicinal properties.

It was nicknamed by the Victorians who had a language of flowers.

They would speak secret messages to one another through the gift of blossoms.

This little posey sent the message that someone was thought of.

I've been smitten with Heartsease this spring. 

I hadn't realized how drawn to the motif I was, until I started sprinkling it about.

I have spent a little time this week thinking about the easing of my heart.

Time is a great healer.

  What seemed so sudden and devastating has a way of easing with time.

About some things, I even wonder why I was so upset?  

 I realized a few years ago that I needed to stop running around "fixing" everything.

 Of course some things are not fixable and I need to let a power greater than myself handle things.
 My daughter, is who is wise beyond her years, reminded me that I need to come to terms with the things I cannot change.

  I even think that if I "move over" the Lord can get to work.

 I'm sending a few warm thoughts out today - the anniversary of my little brother's devastating stroke. 
Read about it here.
He has come a long way in three years. 
Time and a Higher Power have a way of healing things. 

I just love this little flower.

Sprinkled with Heartsease,
Katie
Feathered Nest Friday  
The Scoop

Bunny Trail

I think I have shared with you the quirk in my personality that can't do something the same way every year. I want to, but just can't.

I have been putting out a few Easter items. Last year I didn't really put too much out because we had a huge hole in our kitchen ceiling and I knew we wouldn't be hosting Easter lunch.

This year we are excited to be hosting again.   

I was in love with the white bunnies in the Pottery Barn Catalogue. Tuesday Morning had some for a fraction of the price. 

I like to tuck my seasonal items in the midst of my regular decor. Then I don't have to pack stuff away. 

I bought the shelf sitter last Easter thinking it was mine. 

I was certain Bill had donated the wrong bin to the thrift store and had given away all my Easter decor.

Turns out my bin of decorations was safe at home, so now I have two of these cuties.

This bunny with the cart is a new favorite. I found it at Tuesday Morning.

My favorite Easter piece is the calendar plate from 1911.

102 years old!! 

I found the Peter Rabbit figurine on e-bay a few years ago. I think these are predominantly nursery figures but he is too cute. 

The sunroom got a few touches as well.

I'll plant the Grape Hyacinths in the yard when they are finished blooming. Hopefully they will bloom next spring.

The bunny planter is vintage. I found it a few years ago at an antique store. 

I have had an enjoyable few days just puttering around the house.

I thought I might take on a project for spring break, instead I have been organizing my music in I Tunes and working in the yard. 

The front yard got a few Easter touches. I will show you those in my next post.

Sprinkled with bunnies,

Katie

Linking with,

Feathered Nest Friday  

The Brambleberry Cottage 

Between Naps on the Porch 

It's a Spring Thing Link Party   

The Scoop   

Savvy Southern Style