Re: New shade garden

Hello Martha,
    I feel you will be getting quite a bit of assistance on your project. Several of the list members have tackled similar projects in the past and have asked questions on how to approach their new gardens.
    I get the impression you very much want to maintain your privacy. That I would keep in mind. Next comes the planning to maintain the privacy. I would walk through every square foot of the place and map it out on paper. Keep an open mind and eye as you go through. Where are the major feature? What will you want to use to your advantage that already exists? No sense in reinventing the wheel.
    I would then plan my paths. Lots of twists and turns with stopping places for rest or contemplation. Benches, manmade features such as statues, birdbaths, etc. Pick a theme or feeling from the beginning and stay with it.
    Your planting can begin as you clear the ivy. It does make a good groundcover but will choke out the smaller woodland plants. And... it is not east to get rid of. Probably will be the hardest part of your project. I would take the project one step at a time and complete one part before moving on to the next. Keep it fun and don't let it overwhelm you.
    There is no shortage of wonderful plants to perform in your woodland garden. From our natives to their relatives from around the temperate world. Good gardening to you,
PS: good fences make good neighbors.....
Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
g*@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: m*@madbbs.com
To: perennials@mallorn.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 1999 1:21 AM
Subject: New shade garden

Hello there experts!  Maybe you can help me decide what to do about my new plan.
I have shaded lot which has total groundcover of ivy, lots of small trees, 3 old tall trees, ferns, viburnum bushes and is virtually a small wooded lot.  It is 45' wide by 95' deep.  My neighbors love to strip the perimeter of its growt h  and expose the property —that being the north side of house and northwest or back side near my screened porch.  (My property is virtually the only one on street with some privacy left unfortunately. Maybe that's the fascination with my next door neighbors trying to open it up! )

There are giant hemlocks close to back  NW corner of house but are old and the lower branches are gone.  My goal is to keep the northside perimeter thick and maintain privacy.  Short of expensive fencing, I thought of a berm for the lot line, although that would entail alot of work and I'm not sure what would survive with the existing tall trees creating deep shade. I have deferred developing inner lot but now I am anxious to, without waiting to resolve the outer perimeter issues.

Therefore, in the meantime, I want to create a  shade garden in the lot and frankly
don't  know where to start.  What work could I do now and what should wait for spring?  I want to place paths and some showy hostas and other flowering perennials. Do have I have to be careful in my choices?    Any suggestions on what I should try? Additionally, the lots' east side is facing street with tall full hemlock border. I know I should begin with a small area but don't want to make any mistakes.  Your ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Martha
SW NY Zone 5
 

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