Welcome!
NJBob said:Your location would help . And watch out for the English Ivy in no time it will over run the whole garden.
I want to stress the importance of what NJBob said about needing your location (in general, not your street address) and about the ivy. Get that ivy out NOW before it's too late. It won't just take over your garden but will take over your oak. My brother's house has a brick wall that ivy keeps clinging to. I bet there are some pictures somewhere that show what that innocent looking plant can do.
I'm a firm believer (a convert actually) in using native plants. Can't recommend any without knowing where you are. But what you've done looks very nice.
Oh, dear. I just reread your post and looked at the picture of the oak and the hydrangea again. That oak doesn't want to have anything growing with it. And I hate to tell you this because I'm sure that you worked so hard, but you probably need to remove some of the soil that you added there. It's better for the tree to leave its root flares exposed. It looks like a wonderful oak and I would encourage you to keep its health first and foremost in your mind. I have 2 red oaks that are at least 75 years old and I'm very protective of them.
Anyway, we will be happy to give you some hand holding.
