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Apr 1, 2015 7:59 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
If you have an ugly &/or boring yard, you can change it! Getting started can seem intimidating & it is, but is so satisfying even after the first few little changes. We moved back into a house we own after renting it out, and wow, what a mess the back yard had.

A year ago, after removing some of the piles of trash, and trying to smooth the ground back after some plumbing work:
Thumb of 2015-04-01/purpleinopp/220e8a

Current:
Thumb of 2015-04-01/purpleinopp/ac728d
Thumb of 2015-04-01/purpleinopp/db2fe0
Thumb of 2015-04-01/purpleinopp/16452c

Some of the 'stuff' hasn't been purposed yet, but will. That metal pipe - DH said it's just going to have to be part of the landscape. Any imaginative ideas welcome!

A friend didn't want the landscape bricks, that was an unusual stroke of luck, so not a dime has been spent. The ground does slope a bit, but after stacking them, there was a huge gap behind them. We filled it with broken bricks gathered when the dilapidated house next door was torn down, (so that finally makes sense if anyone has been watching,) then added tons of leaves. Also been adding the grass I've been digging up from the front yard & will continue to add whatever organic matter we can gather.

Eventually I'd like to put some kind of patio or pavers down in the area between the house and the little brick walls.

Next year, these "beds" should be ready to be home to some plants. I've begun propagating stuff from my Mom's yard for this purpose. The white thing on the ground is killing more grass, I don't have the energy to dig up all of the grass I want gone but am trying to keep fugly smothers in the back, one old door or baby pool or discarded piece of sheet metal-spot at a time. I think this is the 8th house where I have started new gardens.
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
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Apr 2, 2015 6:22 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
Wow Tiffany you are going to have your brain and imagination working overtime,..but enjoying it at the same time,..lots to do there!,..when you mentioned the pipe,..i went what pipe?,..found it lol,..interesting it being sort of corkscrew shaped,..you could have a winding array of hanging plants secured along the pipe,..purplish please,..don't over work yourself.
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Apr 3, 2015 7:14 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
TY & LOL! Yes, there was nothing but potential.

Here's one side of the house a year ago:
Thumb of 2015-04-03/purpleinopp/d7b73c

I've added banana plants, Lycoris bulbs, and this year, it's mostly my "house plants" that will be decorating this area. Today:
Thumb of 2015-04-03/purpleinopp/cf2a90

Started on this out front. Eventually I want to get rid of all of the grass out there. There's 2 Gardenias I propagated, a Buddleia cutting that might not make it, a Geranium (Pelargonium.) Need to find some organic matter to mulch this.
Thumb of 2015-04-03/purpleinopp/90642a
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Apr 3, 2015 9:14 AM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
I can see the progress!,..the picture of the house taken a year ago shows a nicer looking house than when viewed at the start,..before the tidy up,..great to see the flower bed,..are those Banana Plants the Ensele ventricosum,'Red Banana',..i had one of the one mentioned and it grew very big,..but beautiful leaves,..sadly it had to be taken indoors here and was too much in the way,..swapped it for some other plants with a friend who has a conservatory.
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Apr 3, 2015 9:55 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
TY! For something I'm not spending on, I'm happy so far. And I've always got my Mom's huge yard to putter around in when I get bored here. She needs help with most of it at this point.

The bananas are a mystery. DH got a couple as a "tip" doing some work at someone's house, and I picked up 2 from a guy selling them on the side of the road (along with tomatoes and a Crinum bulb. He's the only plant store when I drive through that tiny town, LOL!) From what I can tell from reading, w/o knowing what kind they are, I don't think it's possible to get actual bananas here unless we have a winter w/o frost. There doesn't seem to be any that can maintain foliage in a frost, & they definitely turned to mush overnight when we had the 1st frost this past fall.

I decided to put them there because they are deciduous & between the wall of the house & where I drive out of the carport, it's only about 5-6 ft. wide. It's a south wall that should benefit from the shade during summer, hot sunshine is welcome when they're dormant. Won't scratch my car if they really get going exuberantly.

This house is from 1901. It's not easy to fix/maintain things as fast as they need attention.
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Apr 3, 2015 6:39 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
Wow,..gardening wise your DH received a good tip and then you picking some up from that guy on the side of the road was a bonus,..i remember mine was not cheap at all when it was about 12 inches high,..when October arrived i could either leave mine outside well under cover or take it indoors,..i did the latter,..below is a shot of it just before i took it inside,..stunning leaves,..so i hope yours turn out likewise,..if you have any after the winter,..oh your house should have character being 1901 vintage alas repairs take time and we all strive to do it quick as if there were important visits arriving lol.
Thumb of 2015-04-04/glengarry23/f94da0
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Apr 6, 2015 8:59 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
Oh that's pretty! That answers the question if they are the same or not though. Ours all have plain green leaves. And LOL, character - yeah, that describes the house!

Here's something I'm working on at Mom's house. The timbers were in her back yard, around a shade bed & just keep getting buried by leaves, not really needed anymore. Pulled them out front, now to find a TON of cardboard, so nobody has to dig up all of that grass, then will cover with the never-ending supply of leaves.
Thumb of 2015-04-06/purpleinopp/e3b0d7
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
May 31, 2015 6:53 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
I've been adding some plants to this area. Nothing perennial for this spot yet, but it should be full of wild color soon, until frost. Oops, got anxious & took the pic before the trimming was done.
Thumb of 2015-05-31/purpleinopp/f2f31e

This area is in the back, where my potting workbench is. The baby pool (that I use to mix up "dirt") helped me kill some grass, then I moved it back some, to kill the rest of the spot. Laid down the bricks & added some "house plants" for temporary summer vacation, some basil & moss roses that are not big enough to see well yet. The white thing (a broken folding door thing) is supposed to be killing some grass too, but it's not working, too much light is shining through. So little time (and energy)... so much grass to kill!
Thumb of 2015-05-31/purpleinopp/cdde45
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
May 31, 2015 4:52 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
I don't envy you all the work you have ahead of you,.. though it sure is enjoyable planning how everything should turn out how you see it in your mind,..like a painting one starts.
Image
Jun 15, 2015 3:45 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
Some things happen more quickly than others. I don't really have a plan, except a vague one, to get rid of all mowed areas that aren't walkways or the dog's part of the yard. Too much wasted time & money on mowing all that which isn't pretty or edible. I got rid of the white thing in the above pic & put cardboard instead ('cuz I happened upon some great sheets of it!) As I dig up grass, I'm putting the chunks here in the back. Next spring, it should be ready to use, full of "good dirt."
Thumb of 2015-06-15/purpleinopp/b6b186

I keep digging it up from the front, as I have the gumption (and plants to put there.)
Thumb of 2015-06-15/purpleinopp/363967
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Last edited by purpleinopp Jun 15, 2015 3:46 PM Icon for preview
Image
Jun 15, 2015 4:14 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Tiffany, I might have missed it, but the metal pipe you referred to in the first post--is that the curvy one to the right? I see metal dragonflies on it.

Looking really nice. Lots of hard work.
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
Image
Jun 15, 2015 6:15 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
Hi Tiffany,..as Debra mentioned lots of hard work done and more ahead of you,..it will be nice when you have flowers within the stone surroundings,..do you still have pictures of your previous garden,..i remember all those nice purple plants,..your trade mark as i remember.
Image
Jun 16, 2015 7:25 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
TYVM, Debra & Philip!

Debra, I've seen cardinals perching on that pole to sing in the morning. How perfect & sweet!

Philip, yes, I have tons of pics. Everyone should take pics of gardens often, IMVHO. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow! I brought most of the good plants with me, or at least pieces of them. A lot are still in my Mom's yard at this point.
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Jul 12, 2015 6:42 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
Some update pics of the first area I started on...
Thumb of 2015-07-12/purpleinopp/7348b5
Thumb of 2015-07-12/purpleinopp/137c98
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Jul 12, 2015 6:47 AM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Hurray! Hurray! I tip my hat to you. I tip my hat to you.
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
Image
Jul 15, 2015 6:41 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
Wow that is some change,..the Banana Trees have reached a great height and i can see they are a different species from the one i had,..but nice!,..lots of color in there as well and your favorite color can well be seen,..well done Tiffany Thumbs up
Image
Jul 16, 2015 8:12 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
TY, TY!
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Jul 20, 2015 10:15 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL @--`--,----- 🌹 (Zone 8b)
Region: United States of America Houseplants Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Sages Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Organic Gardener Composter Miniature Gardening Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Tender Perennials Butterflies
Update on the little bed out front, full of free Portulaca amilis, found in lawn.
Thumb of 2015-07-20/purpleinopp/f71d22

Instead of trying to trim grass around 1 side of the fence, I included this part of it in flower bed.
Thumb of 2015-07-20/purpleinopp/799b1d
The golden rule: Do to others only that which you would have done to you.
👀😁😂 - SMILE! -☺😎☻☮👌✌∞☯
The only way to succeed is to try!
🐣🐦🐔🍯🐾🌺🌻🌸🌼🌹
The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now. (-Unknown)
👒🎄👣🏡🍃🍂🌾🌿🍁❦❧🍁🍂🌽❀☀ ☕👓🐝
Try to be more valuable than a bad example.
Image
Jul 20, 2015 11:01 AM CST
Name: JoJo
Texas (Zone 8b)
Bee Lover Region: Texas Enjoys or suffers hot summers Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Native Plants and Wildflowers Irises
Hibiscus Garden Art Frogs and Toads Dragonflies Dog Lover Daylilies
Wow, your hard work is really paying off, I love your beds Hurray!
Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them.
You're always learning !
Helen Mirren
Image
Jul 28, 2015 6:07 PM CST
Name: Philip
Ireland,.The Midlands. (Zone 8a)
Amaryllis Roses Lilies Hostas Dog Lover Dahlias
Cottage Gardener Clematis Cat Lover Garden Photography Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter
The Portulaca amilis looks great when grouped in one place,..and for free is a bonus Thumbs up

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