The retaining wall and dirt removal was so BIG yesterday, I don't know if these progress shots seem as much. However, a lot of work was done. The bottom deck is filling in. Will be trimmed to match the edge of the concrete curve.
The far end by the fence will have 4 steps that lead to the upper deck where we will attempt to put together shade or lath house. The upper deck will be smaller, about 5 x 7. This area gets morning sun, then is shaded by the cypress and Arbutus unedo for the remainder of the day. There is about 2' of planting space between the stairs and the fence. ANY IDEAS? I NEED PRIVACY in that area. Honestly the nice neighbor on that side (that is her unattached garage which she doesn't use) doesn't go into her backyard at all. I just want the feeling of green and to block the neighbor behind us.
Bamboo? Cannomois grandis? Arundo donax? PLEASE SHARE ANY IDEAS!!! Help!I'm being a little dramatic, but can't stop thinking about what to put there. And it is a great time of year to plant something, in our climate.
He very much likes when they leave, and he can go sniff and play around up there.
I went out to do a quick water, it's going to be almost 90° tomorrow. Feels nice tho, with the cool mornings and evenings.
Looking fresh after the wash.
Cheery little Gazania. These were from seed, full sun and have been little troopers through the heat.
Can I tell you how happy I am that 2 of the 3 Phylicas I planted in the Spring have survived the summer scorch?! New growth is showing, knock on wood they handle the winter.
Day 3 and 4 to follow! Please offer any advice on a screening plant if you'd like, I'd appreciate any advice. 😀
So much progress in just two days!
ReplyDeleteI love Cannomois grandis but it might be a bit too squished in the space available. How about a tall and narrow shrub/tree like Callistemon 'Slim'?
Ok, thank you for your advice. I love Callistemon, I'll obsess about that now. *I'm amazed at the work these 2 guys knock out.
DeleteI just looked it up, 10' tall, not too wide & those gorgeous furry blooms, this may be "the one"
DeleteHoover Boo has several. Check her blog, Piece of Eden.
DeleteI have not heard or read the term lath house for a long time, I guess since I was a teenager. My dad was a grower and talked about the lath house, which gave me a bit of a laugh because that is what it sounded like. In fact, come to think of it, that was probably how he said it with his inherited British dialect that seemed to turn th into f.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha, this made me laugh!
DeleteNice to see the feather bush again! I've got a whole back wall now that's privacy challenged so I feel for your concern. I know from experience that Arundo donax is an almost ineradicable spreader, here in zone 10 anyway, but maybe in that tight spot would be okay. 'Golden Chain' is really beautiful. Very exciting progress!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know the Arundo is a bad guest. I definitely don't want to deal with that! As much as I'm anxious to get that filled in, I need to make a good choice.
DeleteI could use a laugh house right now! Seriously, seeing as my total gardening experience is in zones 5 and 6, and I grow my succulents indoors in little pots, you would find my advice less than useless. But I enjoyed your pictures, especially the Gazania, which I grew this summer. They have such a lovely variety of flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely being renamed as The Laugh House! Gazania are great, and such a small footprint for a big flower.
DeleteYou're making great progress, Tracy! I was going to suggest one of the taller Leucadendrons but they 're all probably too fat for the space. Gerhard's suggestion of Callistemon 'Slim' is probably better as long as the seasonal floral debris doesn't bother you. I bet Dr Feelgood is going to love the space.
ReplyDeleteThey are really working hard, it's nice to feel like you hired the right people. Leucadendron would be great because of the color year-round. *Good point on the debris, the Arbutus leaves enough mess as it is. Hmmm. I'm really stumped on this one. Dr. Feelgood is perturbed at them being in his space and making noise, but gets very lively when they're gone and checks out the work!
DeleteIt's looking great! Thanks for sharing the progress; it's so fascinating to observe. Your climate seems perfect this time of year. I love the succulents and the Gazanias.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth :)
DeleteThat's coming out nice. I have no ideas what to plant there, so I hope you got other advice. It'll be a nice little area to explore when it's done.
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun to take over this unused area.
DeleteOkay, to completely change the subject... What on earth is that peacock-looking thing off to the left of the palm tree in the second photo? It's driving me nuts! And, yeah, I hear you on blocking the neighbors. It is all well and good while they are well-behaved, but you never know what the future holds. Block the view out now while you've got the chance! I've been throwing everything and the kitchen sink at a miserable view next door. Wish I hadn't waited so long and planted something 16 years ago when it wasn't so urgent. Now, it's just frustrating waiting for things to grow and thrive.
ReplyDeleteThe peacock thing? Oh, it's a peacock. Ha ha ha ha ha, and I think it got damaged so you probably won't be driven crazy by it in the future. The first thing I should've done was plant along the fence line ALL the way Around. It's hard to find just the right plant that is fast growing, not invasive, not a mess, blah blah etc.,
DeleteI am going backwards in catching up with you... but this is fun. :-)
ReplyDelete