Sleepless Sunday

[BarbaraRose]

Lyn, who's the pretty kitty in your lap???

[cnq50b]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone.

While artificial grass would be low maintenance & would look good all the time, since it's plastic its supposed to get very hot when in direct sun & that area gets alot of sun & yes, it will take 1000 years to decompose plus it's the most expensive option.

At the moment I'm aiming towards putting rocks around the perimeter with pavers in the center area - possibly with some smaller rocks between them just to break it up a bit. Sandi, I like the idea of various sizes of planters. I won't change them out much but I'm sure the varying sizes will look nice. And while I could plant a tree or plants in the ground, I am concerned about things getting too big so large pots might help to keep them under control.

I really appreciate your thoughts on this. When I get it done, I'll post pics - just don't hold your breathe. I move slowly when I don't know what I'm doing.

[monik7]

Catherine, I think if you got some type of wrought iron stands (or even disguised/hidden boxes or cement blocks) for the pots to be on so they would be at various heights would look nice. Larger pots could be on the pavers and medium and small ones on stands at different heights. Changing seasonal small plants for color is easy and inexpensive when you buy small six-packs. A fountain doesn’t have to be large. I’ve seen some that were very reasonable in price and would really look nice and sound wonderful situated amongst your variously sized pots. If you don’t feel a tree would work, an umbrella would accomplish the same in terms of shade. I have a 6’ umbrella on my small deck and it makes it possible to have plants that like shade plus making it cool and a wonderful place to sit and read. Good luck. I’m sure what you some up with will make a nice retreat for you in your yard.
Sandi

[BarbaraRose]

You could also get a nice swing with a canopy to put out there to enjoy the back yard once you get it done! Lattice with vines would be pretty too! A dwarf fruit tree wouldn't get very big and would be fun to have.

I forgot about how hot the artificial grass gets in the sun. The area I am putting that in is along the driveway and am not planning on walking along there at all, just looking at it. I want to put lattice up along the back retaining wall too. And maybe a small pond/fountain. I need to get electricity hooked up out there first tho.

Will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with!