The Home Ownership Thread

[bicycleradical]

grass doesn't require pollinators but pollinators def collect grass pollen

grass does not provide nectar for the pollinators.

 

[double00]

grass does not provide nectar for the pollinators.

Grass Flowers are Something to Buzz About : USDA ARS

 

[Piobaire]

Fun fact: in Hawaii "pears" refer to avocadoes.

 

[bicycleradical]

Grass Flowers are Something to Buzz About : USDA ARS

that makes sense however how many people have these grasses on their lawns and let them flower? from my experience, very few.

few people are actually providing the habitat.

 

[Omega Male]

Grass Flowers are Something to Buzz About : USDA ARS

that makes sense however how many people have these grasses on their lawns and let them flower? from my experience, very few.

few people are actually providing the habitat.

We've finally found it -- the lowest-stakes disagreement on SF.

 

[Mujib]

Got a water feature and fire pit put in with the landscaping job. Uneven edges of fire pit are bugging me, but I think painting it will help.

Vines and shrubs are supposed to cover wall eventually. I need another small tree or shrub in front of those boxes.

 

[Mujib]

Front of house:





This was supposed to be a Japanese style yard. What should I do to make it that?

The four Icee Blue in the front are going to be cut down to be kept as shrubs. Theres juniper for ground cover, and rose and sage bushes. The scrawny thing on the left is a forrest pansy tree.

 

[double00]

This was supposed to be a Japanese style yard. What should I do to make it that?

I don't really do genre but when I was studying site design we spent a ton of time in japantown ( in LA ) and visited the huntington etc .

japanese gardens are contemplative . they often interpret nature rather than recreate it . they are preoccupied with the passage of time and season .

so far as materials water and stone feature in Japanese gardens . also those beautiful fences with the castles to keep deer out ( these are very popular in my deer-infested neighborhood , I love the vibe ) .

looking here canopy is a consideration . I'd def consider the entry to the house very carefully and look to play that up in a significant way along with the pathways around the house . i'd think about relief in the ground plane . I believe the good work that you've done in the backyard might inform a counterpoint in the front , you've got a shadier more private spot back there so do you embrace the sunniness of the front or ? do you want privacy or community ? up to you .

once you've worked out your preferences of use I'm sure you will be able to find solutions of a japonesque mode

 

[ValidusLA]

Where are you located?
Definitly seems rigid for a Japanese style.
As @double00 says, Japanese garden is about thoughtfulness. Seasonality. Use of materials and plants.

Rock, sand, moss, and water are all parts.

I generally don't ascribe to the idea that you can only use Japanese or Asian plants, but roses do not seem to fit they bill. They are severe and meant to be trimmed back.

A Coral Bark Japanese maple is a great example of a seasonal plant perfect for a Japanese garden. Bright green leaves in spring turn bright yellow in fall, and then rich red bark in winter.

Pine. Nandina. Gingko. Camellia. Azalea. Wisteria. Mondo grass. Barberry. Even some yews.

 

[Mujib]

Thanks, gentlemen.

I'm in OC, Cali. I agree the lines and layout are too structured for a Japanese garden. Maybe some stones and hakone grass to break up the lines? We have a maple in the back, and I wanted a small one in the front to hide the transformer and sprinkler box, but I was told it wouldn't do well in the sun out front.

We have a large planter in the side yard/walkway with camellia vines. There's enough shade there for them to do well.

What should I replace some of the roses with? Azaleas?

 

[ValidusLA]

Thanks, gentlemen.

I'm in OC, Cali. I agree the lines and layout are too structured for a Japanese garden. Maybe some stones and hakone grass to break up the lines? We have a maple in the back, and I wanted a small one in the front to hide the transformer and sprinkler box, but I was told it wouldn't do well in the sun out front.

We have a large planter in the side yard/walkway with camellia vines. There's enough shade there for them to do well.

What should I replace some of the roses with? Azaleas?

Not sure what's down there but could visit the Huntington or Storrier Stearns Japanese gardens in Pasadena for inspiration.

I think you definitly need a pine somewhere.

I'm always a fan of azaleas. Nuccios Nursery in Altadena is world famous and has 100s of varieties. Not long for this world unfortunately, so avail yourself while you can.

 

[jbarwick]

I like the look of Azaleas but we couldn't keep them alive when we tried growing them at our last house.

Our Texas Shoal Creek Vitex has some issues during a deep free a few years back and large mature branches died. Trying to trim it back this year and reshape the regrowth so hoping for a positive outcome.

 

[sugarbutch]

I am not involved in the gardening, but the ranunculus and poppies my wife planted are in full bloom right now. And the artichoke plant has finally produced after a couple of years of faking the funk.

 

[double00]

Not sure what's down there but could visit the Huntington or Storrier Stearns Japanese gardens in Pasadena for inspiration.

Noguchi garden , Costa Mesa . more of an art installation but still a Japanese garden

I think you definitly need a pine somewhere.

I'm always a fan of azaleas. Nuccios Nursery in Altadena is world famous and has 100s of varieties. Not long for this world unfortunately, so avail yourself while you can.

azaleas are a pita . I'd go with something like camelia sasanqua instead . manzanitas are another good substitute . native rhodies are another option .

 

[venividivicibj]

Not sure what's down there but could visit the Huntington or Storrier Stearns Japanese gardens in Pasadena for inspiration.

Japanese Garden at LB State might be a lot closer too