Owner needs help updating an older home
We really would like to spruce up our patio, which we haven't touched since buying our house three years ago. Landscaping would go a long way, too, and we'd be grateful for any help!
Design by Land Escapes Inc.
Expert: Dean Strom, landescapesinc.com
Budget: $3,000
My thoughts on this back patio are twofold. Add some plants to make it more inviting and some screening for the sides. Start by creating a bed from one side of the patio along the back and tie into the other bed by the driveway. I would suggest smaller shrubs and perennials along the back to keep the view of the beautiful backyard.
Suggestions
• Install a few ornamental grasses by the air conditioner to reduce the noise and make it less visible. I really like Miscanthus Purpurascens; it has a compact habit, gets around 4 feet and turns red in the fall.
• For the corner of the patio I would like to see a taller shrub for some height and some screening from the neighbor's backyard. I like a compact burning bush Tures. It makes a nice shrub with the benefit of great fall color.
• Along the back and east side of the patio, my thought would be to use perennials. You don't want the feeling of being enclosed while sitting on the patio. A few groupings of three to five perennials looks better than a single mass or one of 10 different plants. Some of my favorites are, Astilbe Chinensis Vision in Red, Brunnera macrophylla Jack Frost, Heuchera Plum Pudding paired with a variegated hosta Gold Standard or Guacamole. Some of the plants names make me hungry!
• On the side of the patio, some screening again would help block the neighbor's windows that face the patio. Use two or three arborvitae, either Emerald or Technito; they're a narrow variety that will not get overgrown for the site. Position the arborvitae close to the fence to provide privacy. Make sure to install a thick, 3-inch layer of mulch to help the plants retain moisture and slow down the growth of weeds.