Jeff and Amy's
Backyard Landscape and Design

This is the backyard landscape and design that I created for my brother and his wife, Jeff and Amy, for the front yard of their cozy bungalow.

I created this design utilizing the program Smart Draw (opens new window). Thanks to this program, I was able to create this backyard landscaping design in less than one hour!

Below follows a description of each of the landscaping plants that I utilized to complete this plan. I think they will work out quite well in this area, and will be very low maintenance! This is something that was a definite "must" for Jeff and Amy.

1. Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Red Maple (Acer Palmatum Dissectum): This is the landscaping tree on the left side of the house. While I don't often care about the botanical name of a plant I'm using, it may be difficult for you to locate on the web or elsewhere if you don't have that name as well. This is a tree that displays beautiful shades of red throughout the growing season. It grows to a mature height of about 10 feet, and is best used as a specimen plant. It is one of the Japanese Maples better known for it's disease resistance, and once it is established, it is fairly easy to maintain. I believe that every backyard landscape and design should include at least one accent plant, and this is the accent plant that I have chosen for Jeff and Amy.

2. Pyramidal Yew: This is the landscaping bush on the right side of the house. This Yew is a dense evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum height of 10-15 feet tall, and 4-5 feet wide. It was one of the few Yews available at the local garden supply store when I did my shopping after Labor Day. (Which means that although I didn't get my first choice - the Japanese Yew, I DID get this Yew at about 40% off the original purchase price. Not a bad deal!) This hedge has a natural pyramid shape to it, and while it can be pruned, it may not need it with a mature height of only 10-15 feet. This bush is located next to the neighbor's house, and will provide some privacy for Jeff and Amy when they are in the front yard with their kids. When completing your own backyard landscape and design, be sure to consider how you will utilize the space once the project is complete. This landscaping plant guide will help you decide which will work best.

3. Golden Globe Arborvitae: This is a compact, round, evergreen shrub that bears a gold color throughout the winter. It can be pruned for a formal look, or left alone to create an informal look. It grows to approximately 4 feet both tall and wide, although this bush may be trimmed in Jeff and Amy's landscape if needed. I designed this backyard landscape and design for 3 of these landscaping bushes on each side of the front door, but changed my mind because I thought that would be too crowded as the plants mature. Also, I intended to plant only the Golden Globe, but when I got to the nursery, I decided instead to pair the Golden Globe with the Dwarf Eastern Arborvitae. The Dwarf Eastern Arborvitae grows to approximately 3-4 feet both tall and wide, and has a deep green foliage, which I thought would offset the golden color nicely.

4. Blue Fescue: This is a perennial grass with a blue-silvery hue to it, that grows to be about one foot tall and wide. It is a mound-type grass that works very well in a border garden, and requires little maintenance. I'm going to stagger 5 Blue Fescue plants on either side of their entryway. Staggering plants in this fashion creates a more dramatic and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

5. Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper: This is a ground hugging evergreen that radiates from the center to form a dense ground cover. Other Junipers tend to form a thick, uniform ground cover that serves their purpose nicely, however I was particularly found of the spreading habit of this ground cover, and the artistic look of the branches as they spread over the area. As a ground cover, it does well to prevent weed growth. This is something that Jeff and Amy are currently struggling with, and I want to use this plant under the Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Red Maple, as well as the Japanese Yew. It may not be as necessary with the Yew, but the Laceleaf will definitely need the protection from weeds in the future. I will try to prevent much pruning of this plant as it looks it's best when left unsheared.

Photo courtesy of audreyjm529

6. Stella D'Oro Hybrid Daylily: I had originally planned on planting Hosta along the South side of the house, but I was concerned that the Hosta would not do well with the amount of sun it would get in this location. I was also concerned about how it would handle the dry summer months. The Stella D'Oro Daylily is a long-lived bloomer, and an easy, adaptable perennial. It requires little, if any, maintenance, loves sunny locations, and has the ability to adapt to different soil conditions. Because this is a low growing plant, Jeff and Amy should not have difficulty with it lopping onto the driveway and getting run over.

Need more information on any of the plants listed? Search here:

So that's it! Interested in how this backyard landscape and design came to life? See the pictures here on landscaping small yards. You'll notice that the finished backyard landscape and design pictured above does not mirror the home landscape plan that was actually created for Jeff and Amy. I left it this way on purpose. I wanted you to see that while it is important to have a plan in place when completing do it yourself landscaping, it is also a good idea to be flexible with the finished product and go with what looks best.

Jeff and Amy are really very happy with their backyard landscape and design, and have received lots of compliments on it! (Actually, I received a compliment from one of their neighbors one day as I was watering the plants! You can imagine how happy that made me :) Next spring I'll start planting hosta along the North side of the house (currently they have grass growing up to the house which requires regularly trimming...yuck!) and I'll also try and convince them to let me replace their mostly dead lilac bush in the back.

Until then...good luck to you in your backyard landscape and design efforts!

Remember, even in the winter months it's a good idea to start planning for spring planting. If you aren't interested in creating your own design, check out Online Landscape Design (opens new window) to have a home landscape plan completed for you. There's nothing quite like having an expert complete this project the right way.

Enjoy!

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