Seven years after buying their new home, Kathy and Dennis
Shay decided they needed to practice the Green Garden
principles she helped write. They reduced about 30% of
their turf, chose all native and adapted plants, and now
they are reaping the benefits!
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Before:
The landscaping was totally symmetrical and offered little
to no seasonal color. Not wanting to destroy the well
established evergreens, they chose instead to keep those
for winter structure and color and placed a mixture of
new, colorful plants with various textures in front. They
kept the invasive ligustrums but trim them back before
they produce berries.
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They tore out much of the turf and added
good quality soil to help retain water on the property
and provide a healthy basis for the new plants. The hardscape
went in next and to counteract the symmetrical look, there
is now not a straight line in the landscape (except the
original sidewalk).
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After!
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| Results: |
Mowing now takes
20 minutes for both the front and back yards and most of
the maintenance is trimming the prolific Nearly Wild roses
and adding mulch every springtime. Dennis and Kathy can
now sit on the porch and enjoy the very colorful and diverse
landscape. |
