A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Shrubs and Trees Ahhhhhhhhh!

We've done very little to the foundation plantings that were here when we bought the house 14 years ago, aside from pruning them and watering. This year, I've decided that the leggy bushes have got to go!

Today's area had some creeping junipers under a bush that were soooooo leggy that the branches were several feet away from where the green tips were growing. I wanted to get rid of the ones that lined the front walk, but left the ones that were growing below on the edge of the driveway.

Before...




after... before I cleaned up...


more in next post so I don't bog down dial-ups...

Well it does look cleaner for sure!! Are you going to plant something under it?

Ok - here are all the branches that I cut off - I could have gone further, but then it would have taken out the long branches that are the front growth ends.



And the final happy area with the free mulch spread around the bottom.
I also lifted up a few dead branches on the upright bush - it feels so good now!


I'm hoping I can plant a few things underneath, but can't decide what - am thinking maybe hostas? Not sure if I can get down into the root system of the branches that are still under the mulch though...

Looking great!!!

Wow, sure opens up the area. Good job. I agree, hostas would be nice.

Wow, what a difference! Those old roots could be a problem with planting. How about some large pots with colorful annuals, at different heights? Or a bird bath? A large sculpture or gnome?

All great ideas, Wrennie!

I do have a bird bath, and some nice pots - will have to think about it - I'm not great about watering the annuals in pots out front unfortunately...

I think periwinkle would look good under there, or raise the bed a little and plant impatiens

I think a nice boulder with some periwinkle and maybe some dwarf dianthis (well, whatever they're called, they're more poofy mounds of pretty)

Lynne; what did you ever decide to do with the base of this tree that you pruned??--perhaps a rock/gnomb/dwarf dianthis garden??

anxious to see---