Quaint Pink Property - A L'il Bit of Everything

Quaint Pink Property - After

I truly didn't know this house is pink. The first time I visited it was a clear and sunny day and I was right up on it most of the time. I thought it was a cream color or something similar. It's more like pink chiffon.

Regardless, there was plenty to do with the landscape, which primarily meant a good looking-over and some attention to detail.

The owner and I broke this into two projects. This goes along with the Every Little Step We Take concept we use on certain properties, for various reasons.

Pergola Before

One part of the first project was taking care of this mess, which was a pergola covered in confederate jasmine. But, beyond all the vining, twining and wrapping which takes place in such a situation, a few aggressive (go figure) lady banks roses had decided to get in on the fun - a true mess.

I pruned several lady banks other than the intruders and also removed a dead confederate jasmine. The remaining jasmine is and will provide ample cover.

Pergola After

I also pruned jasmine back from the underside of the pergola and reduced the length of overhanging vines.

There also was some pruning of a tea olive and a dogwood.

Next was the left side beds and those wrapping around the foundation.

The beds had lost any definition of the borders and there was a plethora of unwanted ground growth.

Left Bed - During

Also, before laying new straw, we redistributed a fair amount of pine straw which was quite deep, particularly around the forward pine tree and the front of the left bed.

The borders were re-established with hand tools to allow for better mulch retention, definition and easier maintenance of the edge.

I also pruned the azaleas which are in pretty good health and are just about the right height for where they were placed.

Left Beds - After

The next project was to re-work the right bed along the property line.

The bed was almost void of any plants, but not ivy and weeds. The neighbor had recently removed several ill or dying cypress trees, leaving no screen whatsoever.

The customer and I decided on plum loropetalums after looking at several options. To reduce initial cost we went with younger plants, but fast growers.

These loropetalums are fairly small right now and provide no screen; however, with the amount of sun this bed receives, along with some adequate watering, it won't be long before these begin to show off in height and width. Oh, with those gorgeous leaves and flowers, as well.

Right Plant Bed - During

The canopies can be raised over time for a different look or they can be left low-to-the-ground.

The two nandinas were transplanted to the left bed. I am not a fan of nandinas, but I don't hate them. They can get out of hand if not attended to occasionally, but I have seen some gorgeous individual plants and clusters.

Right Plant Bed - Before