We could, but it's quite expensive, not something we're willing to do right now because there are more pressing matters to spend the money on right now.

Lee-Roy - Definitely looks a lot better than the original wall. I agree with Debra, but I also agree that this is not the time to do anymore to it. You might decide to add some outdoor furniture or plants in front of that wall that will look nice.

Glad to see that you are back at it working on getting this huge renovation done!

BTW - Your lawn is gorgeous! Wow! Looks like golf course greens!

beckygardener said:Lee-Roy - Definitely looks a lot better than the original wall. I agree with Debra, but I also agree that this is not the time to do anymore to it. You might decide to add some outdoor furniture or plants in front of that wall that will look nice.

Glad to see that you are back at it working on getting this huge renovation done!

BTW - Your lawn is gorgeous! Wow! Looks like golf course greens!

Haha thanks. That's the look I want from a lawn, but it's deteriorating already; no wonder with two dogs constantly uriniating on it and clay soil....I think it'll be gone once the garden is 'finished' and replaced with either gravel and beds and maybe fake lawn (just a tiny bit :p )

As for the wall: the large shed wall is the ugliest of 'm all. I think I'll just plant some giant evergreen bamboo against it and to hide the stil brown underside maybe a low box/yew hedge.

A non-spreading bamboo would certainly work! I have actually thought of that myself to give me some privacy from my neighbors.

Sorry to hear that beautiful lawn may be a thing of the past. I, personally, don't care much for lawn except small amounts. I think dirt in the ground means all kinds of plants, not lawn.

Interesting project, and a very nice result indeed. I personally do not think it looks amateurish at all. I am a firm believer that gardening/landscaping is a great way to solve various kinds of problems. Vines on walls, tall plants, and so forth can hide things while looking very attractive. It is great to watch this in progress!

So finally all the walls regarding raised beds etc are done and DONE! (until I find somewhere else to put one down haha). Here's the result of the last few days. (please don't mind the mess)

Wow! It's really coming together very, very nicely! What are you planning to plant in those garden beds?

beckygardener said:Wow! It's really coming together very, very nicely! What are you planning to plant in those garden beds?

Second and third photo look messier 'cus it's been raining days on end now and I HATE IT!!!

Nevertheless Becky, here's a pic of the plants I ordered and how I want to arrange them. Doubt they'll all fit though...



I'm not sure about the Hyacinthoides though...bluebells are invasive I've heard.

Well, it's going to look very professional with those plants! You did a lot of thought and research to find (hopefully) the perfect plants! I love everything you've done!

Outstanding work!
Truly an inspiration Le-Roy

Fabulous! I cannot wait to see it when planted!

LeeRoy, I just found this thread and have spent most of my morning enjoying your journey- WONDERFUL! You and your partner are an inspiration, thanks so much for sharing! I look forward to seeing your continuing progress.

Thanks Neal!

Been moving soil past two days. The excavated part will be backfilled with compost, leaf mould, sharp sand and some grit and mixed with the clay for drainage and texture improvement. Stil gotta dig out the lowest bed :S And finally the sun has come out ^^

That is a serious job of removing, hauling, and refilling dirt! ugh! Your job is NOT for wimps! I bet you are exhausted by the end of the day! Whew!!!

Looks great!!!

Some more shots. I love how the calla lilies at the back have grown, they're MASSIVE!







And here some of the plants to plant the two lower beds with. Not even half of what I ordered. 40 more pots arriving any day now

OH MY!!! I can't believe the size of your calla lilies!!! I didn't know they got that big! WOW!!! IMPRESSIVE!!!

It's looking absolutely awesome! What are all these new babies you will be planting? 40 more coming???? Do you have room for all of them?

beckygardener said:OH MY!!! I can't believe the size of your calla lilies!!! I didn't know they got that big! WOW!!! IMPRESSIVE!!!

It's looking absolutely awesome! What are all these new babies you will be planting? 40 more coming???? Do you have room for all of them?

What do you mean with 'big' Becky? :p In the pot there are 3 rhizomes and next to the palm another 4. but they get quite tall indeed.

I got a picture up above (paint drawing) with what I intend to plant in these two beds. This first batch consists of: 5x Asplenium scolopendrium, 7x Cornus canadensis, 3x Hosta plantaginea grandiflora, 4x Polystichum aculeatum and 4x Lirope muscari 'Monroe White'. Rest will arrive tomorrow. Apart from the Hyacinthoides I intend to plant them all yes :)

Here it is again:

Lee-Roy - By "big", I meant tall. Mine .... when I "attempted" to grow them.... were puny. Yours look really, really nice, full, and tall!

Oh dear, excuse me .... I forgot about the drawing lay-out for your garden further up in the thread. Sorry you had to post it again for me to remember. Those beds are going to be lush with growth once the plants get settled and start putting on a show! I can't wait to see how it looks when it is all done. What a terrific job! Nice choice of plants. Where did you get your planting ideas from, to know which plants to use?

Here I am dealing with a gradual slope in my backyard trying to fill some in with dirt. I wished I had terraces like yours! That would sure be the ultimate solution to my eroding backyard. Instead I am building up the soil line to add a raised bed. But it certainly won't look anywhere as nice as what you and your partners have built! Just old folks living in my house and I basically do all the work myself .... which is getting harder the older I get.

beckygardener said:Lee-Roy - By "big", I meant tall. Mine .... when I "attempted" to grow them.... were puny. Yours look really, really nice, full, and tall!

Oh dear, excuse me .... I forgot about the drawing lay-out for your garden further up in the thread. Sorry you had to post it again for me to remember. Those beds are going to be lush with growth once the plants get settled and start putting on a show! I can't wait to see how it looks when it is all done. What a terrific job! Nice choice of plants. Where did you get your planting ideas from, to know which plants to use?

Here I am dealing with a gradual slope in my backyard trying to fill some in with dirt. I wished I had terraces like yours! That would sure be the ultimate solution to my eroding backyard. Instead I am building up the soil line to add a raised bed. But it certainly won't look anywhere as nice as what you and your partners have built! Just old folks living in my house and I basically do all the work myself .... which is getting harder the older I get.

I LOVE my calla lilies. They're exactly what they promised to be ^^ What mine really like is full sun, rich soil and ALOT of water. And no worries we all forget things sometimes :p

As for the arrangement...I don't know...Just looking at garden/plant arrangements I like and sort of try to 'copy' the effect by reading which plant goes where (here it's shade most of the day) and adding texture with different shades of green, leaf forms and sizes. Also repetition is what I think balances a garden or a border and odd numbers if it really stands out.

Well you've seen what it was before we began :S Sure alot of hard work has gone into it, but in the end it's all worth it. But then again we have the physical ability to still do so, can't imagine taking on a project like this at an older age. Why not try a contracter?