Nice link Frillylily.
Marilyn something like that would be beautiful in the area you are dealing with. Simplistic, with lovely green plants that might have blooms for a short time. Then two or three large containers that would give beautiful color for the rest of the growing season. Simple, calming and lovely.

Love the BIG pots idea too.
Thanks for those possibilities... I would definitely need help getting something like that moved into place.

Have to watch the fountain concept as we are often under water restrictions which limit/eliminate use of them.

You don't need to make it a water feature, just a vocal point. The summer planting can make the color statement in the big container/containers.

https://www.google.com/search?...
here is a link to images of large planters-no water.

A bench would look nice in the area too and take up some space.

Have you considered a faux shrub? Look great, need no care or water, won't be choked out by roots or weeds, with the shade you have they won't sun fade. Just bring them in during the winter. Some of them look so real you'd practically have to touch them to tell they weren't.
https://www.google.com/search?...

https://www.google.com/search?...
here is a link for images using birdbaths as planters, some of them are really creative.

Love this one from your link Frillylily.
http://www.homeandbackyard.com...

That is nice! I was also thinking a gazing ball might be nice or a wagon wheel or one of those cool metal wind spinners?
I would pick only one 'gadgety' item to put in the area, something to add some fun or movement, but substantial enough that it doesn't look dinky.

https://www.google.com/search?...

I agree.

More and more good ideas, I am putting all these things into my Landscape folder so I will be able to refer to it easily.
thanks again.

No wagon wheels, I am trying to do something simple and fairly clean.
But I could use a few ideas on what to do to mask the backflow valve if I remove the faux rock --- I like it at first now I don't--- LS designer suggested a tripod affair with a vine, honeysuckle, Clematis etc. Lawn maintenance crew has to be able to get to it in Spring and Fall to blow out the sprinkler systems.

Weather is moderating for a few days, but am sure we will get more snow, but I am anxious to get the area cleaned up so I can begin to visualize a new front entry.

Using clematises on a tripod to hide the backflow valve isn't a good idea since they'd have to lift the tripod, thereby disturbing the clematis, in fall and spring. A Class 3 clematis, which gets cut to the earth in spring and very late fall might work but those clematises get huge and could easily obscure your new planting area.

It's the word "debris" that really bothers me. Every time I see this thread come up I want to chastise the one who said it to you.

This is a (class 3) Jackmanii clematis - you can see how big it gets.

Not sure if your spot has enough sun for a clem to flower.
I was thinking you could set a pot over it, and then the pot could be lifted up. is this utility thingy flush with the ground-like with a lid/cap? or does it stand up? Maybe a pot upside down and then a decorative pot on top of that? I would be careful with vines there, because the area doesn't appear to be that big and a vine like honeysuckle could easily take over and will probably look scragly there. Not to mention if the maple is shading that, most vines like sun and so will look sparse and leggy maybe. If your fake rock is still in good condition, I would be inclined to continue using it-sort of the if it aint broke don't fix it- thing. Maybe you could get a vine of some kind to grow in a pot close to the rock and let it vine over the rock? Depending on what your rock is made of, you might could cut it to make it shorter if that will still cover your thingy. well I guess I'm not much help!

This was the original back flow valve which I did cover with a large 18inch pretty pot


Here in 2007 is the newer backflow valve and the "rock" was the smallest I could find that would fit the height and width of this thing.


I have been thinking a green or brown normal backflow box cover might be easier to deal with?

The debris comment in context, perhaps I assumed the semps were included in the debris since she had indicated they were not suited for this site.

Whoa, I didn't realize the new valve was that big Marilyn.

It is big but we can all keep thinking about a way to solve the problem. Do you have the actual height and width of the whole thing?

It's the word "debris", used to describe anything any of us poured our heart and soul into, that bugs me. They have to find terminology that doesn't wound the gardener. Somehow it reminds me of the written report of an MRI I had long ago that showed, "A normal aging female...unremarkable brain" - all normal words in the medical field but I felt so unremarkable after reading it!

I don't know for sure, but I think, about 20-22X30"
And they wrap it up in a layer of insulation too so that takes a bit more room.

I will measure when the snow melts out there.

Arlene, you are so right words make a difference, and our mindset as emphasis to things not meant that way.

That's a large unit. Any chance of having them change the location?

I've eliminated the thought of anything requiring a mason since it would require digging and could easily end up looking like a monument instead of something you'd prefer to be hidden. For the same reason I've eliminated commercial solutions like mini trellises or even any kind of tuteur or obelisk, etc.

How about a trio of the begonias that get huge, like Skaugum? They'd be in pots to surround the pipes and if they got too big you could move a pot elsewhere. Something like this but definitely smaller pots: https://www.google.com/search?...

Words can hurt even when they aren't meant to do so.

BR (before rock) I had it with a trio of sego (?) palms I use a lot of the dragon wing around that area and it grows really big. I could think about the Begonia or perhaps a custom 3 sided planter box with hanging plants

I think I may have mentioned that getting the HOA to move it would be a federal case .. and really there is not a good central location but it is something I intend to ask.

I was trying to think of ways to hide the AC unit and finally just planted Baptisia around it but that's in a corner and not prominent, like yours. Lowe's had short trellises that might work and you could plant climbing annuals that would die at the end of the season anyhow.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_315211...

What about some sort of grass? Then you could just cut it back in the fall? I don't think Pampas grass is hardy where you are, but there are other grasses that get tall enough to hide your meter and they are probably tough enough to compete w the maple's roots. Of course the down side is-there would be nothing there in the winter.

I think it does need to be hidden in winter (copper thefts are a problem here),

now trying to find a low green box which could maybe used as a cover, and be less obtrusive than what is there plus a plant could be put on top, lifted off for service.