Someone in a neighborhood near mine is growing Castor Bean plants in their front yard. I had always thought of Castor Beans as a waste plant that grew up, unwanted, in disturbed areas. Owing to its toxic nature I thought it a strange choice for a carefully planted yard. Are castor beans more common in landscaping than I thought?
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posted by anonymous
on May 22, 2013 -
21 answers
Last Fall, we bought an awesome house. Now we want a pool, hot tub and new landscaping. Who is the correct professional to help us design a multi-year project that involves some construction, a lot of landscaping (both hard and soft) and a pool?
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posted by 26.2
on May 6, 2013 -
9 answers
What's a good bush to plant next to the front door? This is in coastal Massachusetts.
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posted by Miko
on Apr 28, 2013 -
17 answers
I have a large silver maple in my front yard, and I'm having trouble finding plants to grow under it. (I've been told it's because of the tree's shallow root system, but I'm no tree expert.) I live in central Illinois, and
periwinkle grows in the shade all over the place here, but I haven't had any luck with it. Suggestions for a nice groundcover that would work well in this situation? Plants that are fast growing / invasive are totally okay.
posted by storminator7
on Mar 13, 2013 -
13 answers
I would like to landscape using these empty beer bottles. Basically, I want to set the bottles end down into the ground and have a patio floor of the glass bottle bottoms. Can I do this? Have you ever done this or seen this?
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posted by J0
on Mar 1, 2013 -
20 answers
We live in a rural New England house on a wooded lot and we don't actually know a whole lot about taking care of trees. Other than 'you should call someone and learn about taking care of trees' what will be useful for us to know?
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posted by A Terrible Llama
on Feb 6, 2013 -
14 answers
We would like to install a gravel path in the front yard of our house from our concrete entryway to the street (a distance of about 35 feet not including curves), and have received conflicting advice about the need to dig a trench for the path. We were told by a nursery that we could use 4" metal edging, bury 2" of it (leaving 2'' above ground), add landscape fabric (after clearing the grass and weeds, though it's mostly dirt), then fill it in with 1.5" of gravel sitting above the ground, with no need for a trench. Everything we've read online says that you need to dig a trench, then bury the edge flush with the surface of the ground. On one side of the path will be gravel xeriscaping, but most of the path will be surrounded by the level yard. Will edging that sticks out 2 inches above the ground look bad or weird?
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posted by odayoday
on Feb 3, 2013 -
12 answers
What sorts of things can I plant in my back yard that won't be ruined by Western red cedar needles?
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posted by pdb
on Nov 12, 2012 -
5 answers
What's the best way to install a patio on the cheap? I've been checking out big box stores, but I feel like I'm doing it wrong. I'm in Southwest Louisiana.
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posted by ashtabula to opelika
on Oct 21, 2012 -
7 answers
What did I do that was inappropriate in my consultation with this gardener/ landscape designer?
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posted by steinwald
on Sep 22, 2012 -
30 answers
You live in the Seattle area and can recommend an awesome landscape architect or other landscaping professional who can transform a small, city front yard into something that looks awesome and requires not much maintenance.
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posted by MoonOrb
on Aug 3, 2012 -
4 answers
I have mature and well established
Boston Ivy (not
English Ivy) growing on the side and front of my stucco house. I am worried about damage to the stucco, but I am finding conflicting information about whether I should remove it. Does anyone have any clear guidance on this? More details inside.
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posted by neksys
on Aug 1, 2012 -
2 answers
Why can't I hire a landscaper? I know how to find one. I know how to show what I want done and how to ask for bids. Why can't I get one of them to accept the job?
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posted by caryatid
on Jul 31, 2012 -
20 answers
I have a house that needs creative landscaping—but I'm in over my head. Can you recommend inspiring photos or magazines or websites, or some guides to getting started choosing ground cover, hedges, flowers, etc, for a landscaping newb?
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posted by deern the headlice
on Jun 7, 2012 -
12 answers
Resources and recommendations for xeriscaping my front lawn in California's Central Valley?
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posted by DakotaPaul
on Mar 5, 2012 -
6 answers
Previous homeowners built concrete retaining walls around trees in the backyard, creating large tree pits. How do we fix this?
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posted by Maarika
on Mar 3, 2012 -
8 answers
Day of the Dead---In desperate need for front landscaping makeover but want to DIY. Where do I start?
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posted by stormpooper
on Jan 17, 2012 -
6 answers
[AzaleaFilter]We have a beautiful azalea plant in front of our front porch. It has amazing blossoms for about two weeks, which have now all fallen off. Best way to prune this bush (special snowflake details inside)...
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posted by kuanes
on May 22, 2011 -
7 answers
I have some guys coming in two weeks to pull the shrubs in the flowerbed in front of our house and replace them with others. The problem is that I am very undecided on what types to put in, or how to arrange them. Is there an online application (free) where I can mock up ideas to see what they would look like? Preferably one that allows head-on views more than from-above views.
Thanks.
posted by atm
on Mar 26, 2011 -
3 answers
I can't seem to grow grass in my front yard. Is there a kind of grass seed that is foolproof? I don't care what kind of grass it is, I just need it to grow!
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posted by rglass
on Mar 21, 2011 -
13 answers
We just had two 150-year-old oak trees felled. My landscaper is telling me that we need to pay $1100 to essentially take them to the dump.
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posted by thebazilist
on Mar 15, 2011 -
36 answers
Suggestions needed for mid-to-low maintenance, ornamental, native plants that I can grow in D.C.
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posted by ryanshepard
on Aug 1, 2010 -
5 answers
Are there people who specialize in landscaping / horticultural arts for architectural and residential photoshoots? In NYC?
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posted by MaddyRex
on Jun 9, 2010 -
4 answers
We have some huge overgrown Holly bushes out back that we want to replace with something more manageable. Help us find something that won't kill our dog!
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posted by RobotNinja
on May 5, 2010 -
2 answers
How do I transform my patchy, lumpy and weedy Texas yard into a more pleasant space that requires little maintenance and not too much water?
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posted by theexpgen
on May 3, 2010 -
14 answers
Can someone help me choose a landscape design/consultation service in Portland, Oregon? I have option paralysis! I'm looking for plant selection, placement and care advice. Do you have any good, bad, or indifferent experiences to share? If it matters, I live in North Portland. I know about
Joy Creek Nursery. Any others?
posted by That's Numberwang!
on Apr 18, 2010 -
2 answers
What kind of tree can I plant in southern California that will provide shade (please!) and not annoy my landlord?
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posted by arnicae
on Feb 16, 2010 -
9 answers
Fruit trees are very pretty when trained or pruned to a trellis; photos often show these espalier trees up against a wall. Why don't the roots knock the wall down?
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posted by aimedwander
on Jan 18, 2010 -
4 answers
I am thinking about starting a landscaping business. I don't really have direct experience in the field. Looking for resources.
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posted by Sentus
on Nov 4, 2009 -
10 answers
I'm planning a whole lot of work for the back patio and yard, and I could use some advice about planning how it should go down.
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posted by tomwheeler
on Aug 3, 2009 -
3 answers
