Summer Landscaping

We have really focused our efforts this summer on the backyard landscaping. Our project goals were: adding plants that will fill in, keep weeds out, attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and make our backyard a fun place to hang out.

My mom (garden master) has been a HUGE help giving us tips on plants and helping us with every project. We started with the far back bed where very old heather plants had taken over. 

BEFORE - old heather plants in the back of our yard

Replaced heather in the back with new shrubs, flowers, and grasses

Then we moved onto the terraced beds below our deck. There were lots of spring bulbs, and old lavender bushes,  but not much else. As we started clearing away old plants and vines, we realized that there was a large space below the deck where Luna or other animals could roam. We also found some old concrete half round dividers that we re-purposed in the terraces. Because of the opening beneath the deck, we added lattice and my Aunt Nancy helped with this project when she was in Portland visiting.

BEFORE - terraced area below deck with bulbs and OLD lavender

Terrace in progress...

Terrace Lattice under deck done!

New lavender plants on first tier with one of the re-purposed concrete dividers

New verbena, crawling rosemary, and lupine on second tier

New wooden trellis and ground cover to keep weeds at bay

We have a large landscape bed on the side of our house but it was mostly filled with spring blooming bulbs. In the summer it was barren and ended up full of weeds. My mom had the idea of adding height with a birdhouse and then using spreading shrubs, grasses, and perennial flowers to add life year round. 

Casting the 4x4 post in the ground for the birdhouse

New birdhouse with climbing clematis

New side yard plantings 

I also wanted a path to incorporate a "dry river" in our landscaping and a path in the back to add depth. We found beautiful green rocks and my mom and Aunt built the path using large slate tiles.

Our last project was to add a border between the pebbles and the lawn. Kyle was always shooting rocks when he mowed the lawn, so it was time to separate these two areas. Back to the rock store where we found long green/gray stones that gave the border a natural look. We dug a trench, added sand for leveling, and set the stones.  

It has been a fun summer of outdoor projects!