Help me plan this space!

[slewi]

Hello all!

Here's the front of my house I'll be working on. Need some ideas, we'd like to keep the burning bush in the background, beautiful color in autumn. The fake rock in the foreground covers a pipe sticking up. This faces northeast and gets morning sun. What do you think?

 

[slewi]

Ugh. Why is my image upside down? It is correct on my computer?

 

[marlingardener]

Can't help with the upside-down photo, but a bit more information would help us give suggestions.
Where in the USA are you, and your zone, if you know it?
What do you want--greenery like evergreens, or color like flowers and flowering shrubs (annuals and perennials), or a mix?
Can you tell us the approximate square footage you are working with? I'd hate to recommend something that will take up all your space and then some!

 

[slewi]

I'm in Northeast PA, which is zone 6a, and would like a mix. Maybe a small tree in the middle? Not sure of the square footage, will figure that out when I get home later. Thanks for the reply!

 

[JBtheExplorer]

If it's a sunny area, add Asclepias tuberosa. Definitely an outstanding plant, my favorite plant, and coincidentally, the 2017 Perennial Plant of the Year.

When in doubt, just ask yourself "What would Charlie Brown do?"

 

[CrazyConure]

I'm in Northeast PA, which is zone 6a, and would like a mix. Maybe a small tree in the middle? Not sure of the square footage, will figure that out when I get home later. Thanks for the reply!

How would some vegetable or herb plants be for you?

 

[Daren]

Its always better up the right way! That ground looks vary well drained so stay away from anything that needs a lot of water for a start

 

[Buckeye303]

It depends on what look you're going for! I'd take the bush out and plant some hollyhocks in the back to add a vertical aspect. Maybe border the garden with some glitz euphorbias or alyssums? I love the euphorbias because they'll eventually hang over the edge of the garden. Now that you have a decent border you can get creative with the middle.

 

[DeborahJane]

I like the advice you have given Daren, Buckeye. I have a hollyhock which was being overcrowded so i moved it. It's leaning over and not looking great. It has been suggesyed i should cut it right back but when i googled it it said to collect the seeds first and pot them up. Do you know if this is necessary. I do like the he idea of just cutting it back and hope it seeds all by itself.

 

[Daren]

Thanks Deborah,
Hollyhocks (one of my favourites) I'm a little worried about yours as its Never a good to move hollyhock's in summer, the Best time to try such a task is in winter. They normally die if dug when in flower Hope I' proved wrong and we can save it Just give it plenty of water & hope you get seed out of it.. Then when you have harvested the seed Cut it back. but I have to say If its been moved while in flower Its going to be a job to save. I'f you spot any baby Hocks just make a note of where you see them and wait till winter then dig them up and transplant but get as much earth with them as you can they often grow and seed them selves but tend to pop up in the path or drive lol rather than the well dug and feed flower beds

 

[DeborahJane]

Thanks Daren. My friend was horrified that I moved it too. It was so squashed i thought I was helping . I'll try to muscle my way in to where it was to check out for baby hocks and also in it's new spot. It isn't looking tne best I must say. I'll try to take photo tomorrow to show you......... I've actually had a 10 minute wait in the middle of this post. My tablet asked to be updated and i agreed not knowing I'd be shut out . I was most anxious. As I explained to my husband, I was having a very important conversation with you about saving my hollyhock. (Doesn't every couple sit up in bed in the dark at 5am with their tablets)

 

[Daren]

Good luck with the Hock! and Deborah... try not to look at tablets at 5am .................Unless your up a mountain and your name is Moses its bound to go wrong .....Its a strange world I can't keep up with all this Tec, Almost all kids are addicted to Tablets be careful

 

[DeborahJane]

Good luck with the Hock! and Deborah... try not to look at tablets at 5am .................Unless your up a mountain and your name is Moses its bound to go wrong .....Its a strange world I can't keep up with all this Tec, Almost all kids are addicted to Tablets be careful

I think my "addictions" is a bit due to insomnia. . And when I wonder aboit something I decide to look it up rather than just wonder. Plus it's when you guys are awake so we can talk.