Landscaping advice for a beginner?

Hi:

I am a landscaper and designer and also live in zone seven. There are many options for you and also a large variety of low maintenance evergreen shrubs.

You should first go through the process of planning - prepping and planting. I will link you to the plan - prep -plant page of my website. This is an easy method to do any style garden or landscape.

I would recommend if you have a local nursery or garden center near by, to visit them. Look through their plant selections and ask for advice on putting different plant specimens together. Here are a few suggestions and I will also link you to the gallery of plants section, as well as a variety of more plants. There are many photos and brief descriptions. Many of these specimens will work in your zone.

Chinese Pizazz or Lorpetalum

Mop Cypress

Ornamental Grass

Golden Euonymus

Indian Hawthorn

Variegated Boxwood

Jasmine

These are just a few. I think you will be able to get some ideas from the photos. I will also link you to the site map, as this page has everything on the website. There are many articles, tips and techniques that may come in handy to you. One sections is also examples of landscape designs. These are hand drawn designs, but you may get more ideas from them. Good luck to you and have a great day!

Kimberly

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/plan.ht...

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Gallery...

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Variety...

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Site.ht...

If you're considering using any of the space for wildflowers, herbs, or vegetables, check out the "Going Green" series at

http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com./

An ornamental cherry or dogwood would probably be wonderful in the place you tried to plant the Japanese maple. The key to getting a tree to do well is to dig a hole that is twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball. You can backfill into the bottom of the hole until the base of your tree is exactly even with the ground. Before you place the tree, though, fill the hole with water and let it seep into the ground. That way, after you plant the tree and water again, the roots will know to go deeper to find water.

Also, there is something called a "root waterer". It is a long spike with a hole in the bottom and a canister at the top for tree fertilizer. You stick the spike in the ground along the drip line of the tree (straight down from the widest branches -- where rain drips down) and hook the other end to your hose. It puts the water and food down at the plant's roots, where your tree can use it. If you surface-water a new tree, the tree will send its roots up to the surface for a drink. Heat will burn them out and cold will kill them as well.

Good luck!

EDIT - For color in your flower bed without a lot of maintenance, try butterfly bush or bee balm. Black eyed Susans are strong growers and don't require a lot of maintenance. For the best advice, go to a good local nursery and ask them about plants that are native to your area. They are sure to be able to recommend something nice and showy and perfectly suited to your climate.

And, remember that an unhealthy plant, whether it's from a nursery or hardware store, is going to have a rough time making the transition to your garden. Look for one that is almost in bloom, not blooming profusely. Too many blossoms can be a sign of stress, meaning a plant that isn't being watered enough or is too big for it's pot.

Finally, think about mixing in potting soil that has time-released plant food in it. It will give your plants a little nutrition every time they're watered, and that will help them develop good roots. :)

Enjoy your garden!

First, the mulch will fade, but there are some varieties available that will hold their color for longer. Scot ts Premium Mulch is one such type.

You could plant any variety of perennial with great success. With some luck and planning you could have season long color and never have to replant. What I have done is plant a few perennials each year and interspersed them with annuals for color.

You have to go to collage for four years to learn all about landscaping. But I will try to give you a short coarse here. You are in a good growing zone but you still need plants for your zone. you need to test your soil and amend it as needed . Good drainage. Pay attention to how much sunlight you have in each location. Large plants in the back and at the corners. Not to much color just enough. Pick a variety of different texture. Better to use all perennials for less maintenance. Small plants in front. Always plant large plants in odd numbers. Good luck There are books at Home Depot and Lowes.

Here are some basic tips.As for your mulch discoloration it's normal,take a fork and turn it to reveal what's not bleached out.

Good Luck