Lanscaping my front yard! Help!

Taipans

Hey guys, I finally got around to doing something with my front yard. I put in some cedar mulch beds in front of the house and one around the tree. I mentioned in another thread that I didn't put down plastic as I have heard pro's and con's but of course one of the "pro's" is biting me in the ass now. I have grass growing up through the 3 inches of mulch. So I took a gallon of roundup yesterday and soaked the entire area. I am hoping it kills it!

Anyways my wife and I are no landscape experts and we are trying to tidy things up ourselves to save money. We dont want the bed cramped full of plants but would like a few varietys along with a small tree inside the bed on right side. One thing I didn't do is take a more aerial view so its hard to see the depth. The right area is expecially large, can't remember the length but its around 6 foot deep. So there is plenty of room.

If you guys could suggest some plants and where to place them I would appreciate it.

http://i31.tinypic.com/2s1ak40.jpg

http://i25.tinypic.com/qysl5h.jpg

Randell Tarin

You didn't say which exposure this was on your house. How many hours a day of full sun does this area get? That will make a difference as to what you can put there. What are your temperature extremes?

I would suggest that you check online with the Agricultural Extension Agency for Missouri. They should have a listing of plants that will grow well in your area. From that list you can build your own planting list.

When building your beds, think of layers: tall in the back, medium height in middle and low growing in the front. I would suggest keeping it simple until you get a feel for what you like and what works for you.

KNOW PLANT HEIGHTS! Don't make the mistake of putting in plants that will be too big for the spot you want them. Otherwise you'll be forever cutting them back.

Choose disease resistant and drought tolerant plants for easier maintenance.

If you want to add some color you could plant flowers in the front. The same rules apply here though: height, and resistance to disease and fungus.

Taipans

Ok thanks for the tips. I was going to try out one of those landscape programs that allow you to import your picture. Just trying to get a feel for what things could look like.

The house faces the West, and the front gets a lot of sun during the day.

I also live in Missouri.

Randell Tarin

Your planting zone is either 5b (- 15 to -10 F) or 6a (-10 to -5 F) depending on which part of the state you live. The Western exposure is the warmest and so plants on that side of the house may require extra watering. I'm in Texas, so I'm not really how sure how warm it gets where you are.

The University of Missouri's extension service offers these documents:
http://extension.missouri.edu/explor...es/hort/#Trees

# G6800, Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees
# G6805, Selecting Landscape Plants: Flowering Trees
# G6810, Selecting Landscape Plants: Uncommon Trees for Specimen Plantings
# G6815, Selecting Landscape Plants: Needled Evergreeens
# G6820, Selecting Landscape Plants: Broad-Leaved Evergreens
# G6825, Growing Azaleas and Rhododendrons
# G6830, Selecting Landscape Plants: Deciduous Shrubs
# G6835, Selected Ground Covers for Missouri
# G6840, Selecting Landscape Plants: Ornamental Vines

Taipans

Thanks Randell!

It gets near 100 here in the summer, mostly always in the 90s from late June to September. Then teens to single digits in the winter. It sucks we have major swings of seasons. Wish it would just stay in the 70s all year!

Randell Tarin

You'll most definitely want plants that are drought tolerant then. They can be had, but you'll have to look for those that meet all your other criteria.

Good Luck!