I need some advice. I had planned on putting in new plants in this area this year. When I moved in last year, the spot was empty. As spring arrived, things started to grow! Lots of things. I really want to put a hydrangea, and made some sort of ornamental grass. Can I do that? I probably won't be living in this house for too many years, so I was hoping to enjoy it while I was here. Thank you!

Hi, you can certainly put in what you want.
I think the grey furry thing is 'lamb's ear' or Lychnia 'rose campion' the rest may be weeds but I'm not sure with a little lack of focus.
I could see digging those plants out, salvage what seems promising in a pot of elsewhere or give it away, and put in a hydrangea and grass. Remember that they will grow, so best not to plant TOO close to the driveway. I think a common hydrangea can be expected to need about a minimum 2 foot square space.
And don't chop the underground drain

sallyg said: Hi, you can certainly put in what you want.
I think the grey furry thing is 'lamb's ear' or Lychnia 'rose campion' the rest may be weeds but I'm not sure with a little lack of focus.
I could see digging those plants out, salvage what seems promising in a pot of elsewhere or give it away, and put in a hydrangea and grass. Remember that they will grow, so best not to plant TOO close to the driveway. I think a common hydrangea can be expected to need about a minimum 2 foot square space.
And don't chop the underground drain

Thank you, Sally! I guess I was just worried about all of these plants coming back. Is there anything I should do to lower the chance of that happening? What do you mean a minimum of a 2 foot space? Like the roots? I also plan to plant a tidbit hydrangea. 😃

It depends on exactly what plants they are, but if you can pull and the roots come with, they are not (much) coming back. (By not much, I mean there can be seeds, but I assume you will mulch the dug areas and that stops them growing.)

Ah, nice
https://www.provenwinners.com/...

Notice they say it matures to 3 foot spread. That means if you plant it 18 inches away from the driveway, it won't stick out over it (much if at all). If you center it a foot from house and 18 inches from the driveway, seems just right to me. Or that's what I have in mind. If your new plant looks too tiny that way, you may like to put a few annual flowers around it.
What sort of grass? Again, be careful with that drain. I have no idea how deep those are set.

sallyg said: It depends on exactly what plants they are, but if you can pull and the roots come with, they are not (much) coming back. (By not much, I mean there can be seeds, but I assume you will mulch the dug areas and that stops them growing.)

Ah, nice
https://www.provenwinners.com/...

Notice they say it matures to 3 foot spread. That means if you plant it 18 inches away from the driveway, it won't stick out over it (much if at all). If you center it a foot from house and 18 inches from the driveway, seems just right to me. Or that's what I have in mind. If your new plant looks too tiny that way, you may like to put a few annual flowers around it.
What sort of grass? Again, be careful with that drain. I have no idea how deep those are set.

Thank you! I understand now. That makes sense! I don't know what type of grass yet, I just know they are beautiful, and that I want something to block the trash cans. Any recommendations? Are you saying that the roots could damage the drain? I'm pretty sure the entire thing is only a few inches deep, but I will make sure.

Don't call it weeds...
I see lactuca... Which is edible... I eat the plant tops... The chickens eat the rest...
I think I see a beautiful patch of violets...
And yes, lamb's ear.

You can transplant the lamb's ear to another section of garden... I'd probably transplant the violets too...

I'm not a fan of hydrangea... Or those huge architectural grasses... But... whatever.

No reason not to plant if that's what you think you want... I'd actually encourage you to plant some nice blueberries instead...

stone said: Don't call it weeds...
I see lactuca... Which is edible... I eat the plant tops... The chickens eat the rest...
I think I see a beautiful patch of violets...
And yes, lamb's ear.

You can transplant the lamb's ear to another section of garden... I'd probably transplant the violets too...

I'm not a fan of hydrangea... Or those huge architectural grasses... But... whatever.

No reason not to plant if that's what you think you want... I'd actually encourage you to plant some nice blueberries instead...

Thank you, Stone! That's all very great to know! I definitely plan to transplant those or give them away. I would definitely like to have some blueberry shrubs. I picked the hydrangeas because I think they are beautiful, but rabbits leave them alone. We have a lot of rabbits here!

I'd imagine that rabbits eat hydrangea... Bambi loves some hydrangea and they usually eat the same stuff.
I can think of several locally native shrubs that look good next to the house, and are ignored by deer and rabbits, but I doubt they'd be hardy up there.
A plant I always wanted to try... Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)... For some reason... not appreciated up there where it's locally native...
Zones 5b - 6b...
Just checked a couple of my faves... nope... none for you...