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Shady daze - help revive my front yard

11 years ago

The front yard has finally made it to the top of the 'To Do List' and I need some help, please! I'm far more at home in the veggie patch, I could probably get by if the yard was sunny, but it is very shady and so I could really use some plant suggestions.

I'm in the Hunter Valley, the soil is good, but quite sandy. The photos show the yard with maximum sun, as the trees don't have leaves.

Featured Answer

telperien

11 years ago

Ajugas and cyclamens make pretty flowers, don't seem to mind the shade. Some bulbs will do well when they get winter sun.

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Comments (84)

goneon
11 years ago
Oh heck you have more sense than us, we don't want to move again but are on 70 acres, I am making a house garden out of the fields .Its too stoney to grow much, vines work but hard to get in, too dry unless we run the bore, but pretty idilic........maybe B&B when the boys leave :)
User
11 years ago
b&B sounds like a great idea.
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After staring at your pics a few times I think I've figured out what's bothering me. The garden bed sticks forward. If you need it for the size of plants in the ground it might work but if you're only going to have pots you can line the edge up with the wall of the house I think? What is the depth of the garden bed? Colour and placement of the pots. The pots look terracotta and the brickwork looks more reddish, is that right? It doesn't look like it goes together. Maybe you can use those pots somewhere else where they aren't right beside the brickwork and get some pots for that location which are either darker and match the trims of the house or are lighter and contrast with the house more. I think the pots need to somehow relate to the windows. If that room could use some privacy or shade you could put two pots in front of the windows. If you want to preserve the view out then you could put three pots against the brickwork. The mulch. It looks too low for the edging. (What is the edging?) The colour, like with the pots, doesn't look like it goes with the rest. I'd go black pebbles or something light in a similar hue to the stone foundation feature. Or maybe scoria?
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goneon
11 years ago
Well design of the new bit leaves two bedrooms, one bathroom and a really big lounge separated from the main bit, by a lockable door..........................bedrooms both doubles, lounge 10 by 10,ish oh and a study nook with internet. I could put a mini kitchen back if the boys ever need to move home was my main thought, but I could let it or have carers live in the options are all good, Piggy still crindging!
User
11 years ago
Are you just as confused as I am, as to which thread we are on?
goneon
11 years ago
Yes, but I will keep trying it is important..or if FiFis happy we can take it home? what do yo think FiFi
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm happy as long as you don't call me FiFi, one Fi only as I'm not a French poodle!!!
goneon
11 years ago
Also my niece and a pet lamb I had eons ago...I will be good..(I like the shape though:) the sky is grey today..hoping for a little rain for my garden, wishing I had a nice verandah like yours...........Wisteria hung maybe one go the newer ones with white flower................
User
11 years ago
One Fi, it is, Fiona.
User
11 years ago
If put Wisteria, needs a very strong support.
goneon
11 years ago
Its all your fault Fiona, I spent a very small fortune on plants this morning...............and have an afternoon of work to get them all it.....I could be ironing the shirts instead!
User
11 years ago
Don't forget compost in the hole.
goneon
11 years ago
that would be the hole I pulled the rock out of?
User
11 years ago
The hole down to China, no, the planting holes.
goneon
11 years ago
I really have to build up a mound of soil and plant into that , having said that as this was a sheep farm field the soil there is, is rich and full of "sheep" so I top dress as the season goes on I top dress with the good stuff..........it seems to work most stuff goes gang busters
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
You're so lucky, free rocks and" free " fertiliser!
goneon
11 years ago
good things come to she who waits...............still not sure about the rocks!
User
11 years ago
Rocks look expensive, so enjoy!
User
11 years ago
Smiffy, open that general gardening thread, post a link on the chat thread.
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
If I have kept you away from the ironing my work here could be done! Make those boys iron their own shirts!
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
I made myself stay inside today and work on the spare room, as I realised that my sister is coming to stay in two weeks and I have heaps to do still.
telperien
11 years ago
Ewwwww, chookie, you need a warning before you post something like that! I suddenly feel all queasy....
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
Eeeek take it elsewhere chook!
goneon
11 years ago
Good God! cover it up!
goneon
11 years ago
dressed like that I am hoping there is no spill
User
11 years ago
Lollollollollollollollol.
User
11 years ago
What? Our beloved Prime Minister is an Iron Man!
User
11 years ago
Lollol, not any more

https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/aussie-chat-thread-is-koala-the-new-grey-dsvw-vd~3337730?n=468
User
11 years ago
Curb appeal

https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/ideas-for-curb-appeal-dsvw-vd~3400788
User
11 years ago
What have you done in the front yard? Is sis been and gone?
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
Work has currently ground to a halt, while i have been busy inside. My sister and nephew arrive today, so I'd best go and put up the blinds, put up the bed and make it.
User
11 years ago
Have a very happy visit!
telperien
11 years ago
If sister and nephew get bored, can always suggest a working bee in the yard!
Fiona
Original Author
11 years ago
To quote "yeah, wrong" was the response!
User
10 years ago
Any progress?
Fiona
Original Author
10 years ago
Progress is slow and steady. The rotten creeper has eaten up a lot of time. I do now have white cyclamen under the magnolia on the opposite side to the rotten cycad, which I still haven't managed to rehome.
I also picked up some small azalea plants at 3 for $10, love a bargain!
User
10 years ago
Yay! Sounds lovely, what colour are the azaleas?
Fiona
Original Author
10 years ago
White, pink and a gorgeous double deep pink. I'll get some pics tomorrow
User
10 years ago
I bought a couple of azarias at Woolworths, that radiant orchid colour of the year type colour. (Last year).
how2girl
10 years ago
@chookchook2 Chamberlains??
User
10 years ago
Do you mean the variety? It's dark out, I can look tomorrow. Or do you mean Royal servants? I'm only a royal PITA, not Queen!
User
10 years ago
Or was it a misprint? Did you mean chamberpots? Ok if you kept the water up to them I guess.
User
10 years ago
Could not find an azaria, only a Geronimo
how2girl
10 years ago
Alice Springs
User
10 years ago
No American Indians in Alice.
User
10 years ago
Jaj, I'm just joshing with you, mate. I got it, not immediately, but midway. Good one!
goneon
10 years ago
Fine guzunder you have there chookie! Now behave you 2
Fiona
Original Author
10 years ago
No dingoes or babies were hurt in the making of this garden but a blue-tongue was slightly damaged
User
10 years ago
Oh no!
Fiona
Original Author
10 years ago
Although there have been no BTL sightings in the last week or so Coby Dog is convinced it is still in residence under the carport slab.
User
10 years ago
Well dogs can smell things we can't.

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