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June 7, 2010

Keeps Getting Better and Better!

It’s a front yard transformation update!

If you’re not familiar with the metamorphosis our yard has experienced so far, you really MUST check it out here!!

The last time I shared news about our yard I was getting ready to plant some rhododendron ramapos, nest spruces, ornamental grasses called Elijah Blue and a couple Eunonymus, a variegated leafy plant, all around the path lighting at the front of our walk.

Here’s the before…

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And the after!

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I love the different colours and textures of the plants recommended by our landscape consultant Andre – and it’ll be fantastic when the rhododendron’s flower next spring!

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And can you see how lush and green our grass looks? It’s so hard to imagine that, just a little over a month ago, it looked like this!

DSCF0471This blue-green mulch all over our yard was the result of a process called Hydroseeding. Let me tell you… it may look like an alien invasion, but it’s the coolest stuff! We now have a beautifully green and lush lawn! There are a few sections that need a little nurturing, but as the lawn matures these sections will fill out wonderfully.

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And then there’s this ugly wall of cedar trunks that sit on our neighbour’s yard. Blech!

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In past posts I shared with our DesignTies readers that we planned on installing a cedar fence along this section of our yard… but when we had a couple fence contractors come out to quote on the job all we heard were cha chings. We knew it would be expensive, and we were just about to splurge when Andre (our landscape consultant and nursery owner) showed us some scrumptious yews.

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I loved the soft feel of the needles on the branches, and the new growth was a lovely pale green contrasting with the deep green of the rest of the shrub. Best of all, Andre told us that yews grow wonderfully in high-shade areas. Oh… that AND they would be way less expensive then a cedar fence!

They’re just wee little things right now… and they’ll take a few years to grow up and fill out enough to cover the hideous trunks… but isn’t the fun of a garden all about seeing things grow and mature? That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway!!

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I’ve been asking Brian to support my idea of hanging 3 trellis panels – horizontally and painted in a slate grey – across the face of some of the trunks but he’s put his foot down with a firm NO :-(  He admits that it may look good, but he’s the money guy and he rightfully tells me that we have more important things to spend our money on. Darn!

So that’s where we’re at right now… lots of progress, but still a long way to go!! What do we have left to do? We still need plants for the 2 terraces!

Butterfly I’m sharing this yard progress post with the readers dropping in to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday’s blog party! Thanks for dropping by DesignTies… now make your way back to Between Naps on the Porch to see the other transformations shared on this week’s Met Monday party!!

sigv

17 comments:

Kat said...

Wow Victoria, this looks amazing! The transformation is incredible. Isn't hydromulch (that's what they call it here) the strangest stuff? The first time I saw it I couldn't believe it would actually turn into a lawn. I love the plantings around the lights, and that yew "fence" is going to be beautiful. You have done a beautiful job here, pat yourselves on the back (if the backs aren't too sore) Kathy

A Room For Everyone said...

Oh, I love you..you've just given me wonderful inspiration for our driveway. I've been wondering what I can plant there. Your garden is looking fab now, imagine when it's matured! Rachaelxx

Razmataz said...

Victoria, It continues to get better and better. The arrangement of greenery looks great with the blue grasses and yellowy greens. The yews also make huge difference over at that cedar hedge(trunks). They don't look half as bad now and when they grow, they will really fill in the trunky gaps. You have quite a large space to fil with those terraces.......

Carolyn said...

Wow! You have done an amazing job-I went back yo see what it looked like when you moved there.
The yews will look good soon and you are right it is nice to watch a garden evolve.

Enjoy!

Carolyn

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Looks great Victoria! The lawn is so lush and love the combination of the plants and the symmetry in the gardens at the foot of the walk.

Barbara Matson said...

It looks fantastic! Too bad your money guy poo-pooed the trellis idea, I liked it!
I guess ALL this RAIN we are having is helping as well!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It looks great, Victoria! I love those little beds you did by the outdoor lights. What a welcoming entrance. It's amazing how landscaping adds up but everything you're putting in should be around for years to come, so it is money well spent.

qerat said...

Would WOW be enough?
what a great job
It does keep getting better

the cape on the corner said...

love your lush green lawn, and may i ask, how does one get a landscape consultant? is there a fee, or if you just have someone from a nursery come out and you buy from them, that's it? looks great!

seanymph said...

I was reading along wondering what you did with the cedar posts since I commented on the fence blog. And as I read I thought why not some nice bushes that would soften those trunks......and bam.....there...you did it! I think they will fill in fast enough tho. While I understand about wanted to cover it now with teh trellis', I think this is good enough for now. Your front yard is looking awesome!

Marcus Design said...

It looks so awesome Victoria, you guys have done a fab job. I love the idea of the hedge by your neighbours yard, I think when it grows it's going to look even better than a cedar fence!! Great work, I really love it :)
Nancy

Donna @ Paisley and Perspective said...

Looks amazing Victoria! It must be so satisfying to watch all of this come together!

What a great selection of plants you have used - you do have a gem in Andre!

Please keep us updated on all these great additions :)

traci zeller designs said...

Looks fab!!!

Marcus Design said...

Victoria I would totally come help out!! Ha ha, I DO want a front row seat! I think it's cause we just finished our landscaping and I know how hard and long winded it can be :) But seriously, any time you want a helping hand call me up, I like to get my hands dirty!
Nancy

Gayle said...

It looks great! It's amazing what a big difference the landscaping makes.

Emma said...

What a transformation - good work! I'll be coming back for more inspiration as we tackle our front yard this summer.

Linda @ theLENNOXX said...

Don't beat me up for saying this, but I really like the bare tree trunks =) They are very "lively" and animated, almost human. But then again, what looks goon in a photo might not look the same in reality?!

I love following your garden transformation, that green goo must have been amazing stuff, can't believe your lawn looks so lush already =D And love your creative way of downplaying the path lamps.

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