Time to quit being bashful

[Broke Down Ranch]

Hi desertcat! I pretty much grew up south of you in Lubbock (shhhhh, I try not to admit that! )

I like your fountain! My DH is much like yours - I can see in my mind EXACTLY what I want to do but can never explain it. Then he sees what I was shooting for and is like "hey, that's cool!"

Anyway, welcome aboard!:bouquet

Hey Ron, you left out the part where the wind will howl at 40-50 MPH right before a thunderstorm then when the rain DOES finally fall, it may as well be raining mud because of all the dirt in the air.

 

[simple life]

Glad to have you here!

 

[desertcat]

My darling made it home and got the pics on the computer for me, so as promised

the front yard

a view of the part we want to redecorate

apricot trees and my barn

 

[chills]

awesome, glad you got over being bashful!

 

[Greensage45]

Wow,

That looks quite normal! Not at all what I expected. LOL

I was just joking because all those trees seem quite normal in growth!

It looks very well established with big trees! A plus as far as soil composition!

Ron

 

[obsessed]

you need flowers... I say grow something really pretty and sparkly...

 

[desertcat]

Totally agree on the flowers. I am trying to map out where I have the most sun since stuff that is really showy seems to like it. First time in my life I feel like I have too much shade.

Any suggestions for super-tough flowers? Have to take heat, cold, high winds and dry conditions. I do have some protected spots in the shade.

 

[obsessed]

I got nothing..... I can't even get panies to grow...

 

[desertcat]

I should add that I've been busy planting daffodils like a mad woman. Can't get a tulip to grow to save my life, but daffys are a whole nuther story. I've got a couple of peonies coming and a bunch of Asiatic lilies.

I'd like to line the chain link fence by the barn with dayliles, but I seem to growing impaired where they are concerned, too.

 

[Greensage45]

That is some yard you have there desertcat!

You can just leave it as it is and just do seasonal mowing, but you can also continue to landscape it.

A full mature landscape has many textures across the field of view, the use of leaf and color can dramatically paint a wonderful picture. We have all seen stuff like this:

yeah this is a real picture!

or this:

LOL, well it is achievable, it only takes a very long time and some guidance!

From the looks of it your yard is the perfect "bones" to planting some excellent specimens. Here is one I would like to introduce you to.

Austrian Copper

Austrian Copper is considered, by me, a rambler. I identify this as a rambler because it grows 10 foot canes and then stops. It does this over and over and over repeatedly creating a cascading fountain of color on itself.

This is a rose that rarely needs pruning except to clear dead and dying branches or the off one that happens to do something odd. It is one that should be allowed to grow bigger and bigger over the years adding to itself!

This rose has a unique color, but it also has a unique habit too. This one likes to throw 'Sports', which can really liven a garden up.

Here let's look.

First the color:

and here is a part throwing a sport!

The shape a rambler makes can range too; here are some various shapes (although the Austrian in this picture is very young compared to that bight pink rambler)

The use of roses for color and effect does not have to mean constant maintenance. Even the massive amount of hips this plant makes can display the landscape.

Well, I hope this little delicate rose made an impression. This one does a massive color display in the Early Summer and then will periodically throw blooms. It has a delicate soft leaf that is very aromatic when touched; however, when in bloom the odor of pollen can be quite strong to some; this is where the larger landscape arena is more suited!

The ideas are unlimited really!
Ron