Dayna's Landscaping

This photo shows an existing landscape with several little fountain grasses planted and wrapping around the birch tree on the right.  This was too much to maintain every season.  I dug and divided them once which was quite a chore!  They were probably never divided.  I knew this area needed a change. This second photo displays the little fountain grasses reduced to five.  I added a taller feather reed grass behind them for a backdrop because the composition wasn't right.  This should be a little easier now.

The photos show attempts at getting something to grow in this difficult site.  It is cool and shady in the morning and blistering hot in the afternoon.  It is sandy soil.  South and west winds cause problems, too. Trees were planted in sand, and too close to the foundation of the building.  The trees eventually grew into the overhang, had wind damage, and started to die because of the soil conditions.  I didn't want to remove them, but felt they would not survive the location.  So, I took one tree out at a time after they deteriorated. After the trees were removed, I tried three nine bark shrubs.  I added some better soil, but not enough.  Ninebarks didn't like the hot, afternoon sun as their leaves turned into potato chips.  This area is watered with a garden hose because there is no water system. I planted five, donated Inkberry Holly shrubs next.  Evergreens would be nice for the entrance.  I added more soil again.  These shrubs were not fit for this area.  They slowly died