Landscaping - who to call?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Also, which side?  If west, then you will always have problems with anything near the house (closer than about 6 - 10 feet) just because of the heat of the day through summer.  Very hard on plants.

Tulsa Community College has a horticultural program, too. 

OSU Extension (Master Gardener's on 15th street at fairgrounds.)

[HoneySuckle]

It's the west side of the house, and they were not Azaleas but some kind of holly with leaves that looked as if they had a thorn and small berries.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Bufordi holly.
Those died??  Whew!  That is one tough shrub!  Did you put too much water on them?  They don't need much - soil should not stay moist around them all the time.

West side is very tough in Oklahoma, especially if there is no shade in late afternoon.  Whatever, move it a little further from house.  Maybe a lattice structure to break up the afternoon sun?

[HoneySuckle]

Yes, it's a very tough plant and had it for years. Probably more than 12!  I believe it had something to do with the window install.  They had to go through that to install the window downstairs, and also used some kind of foam stuff and other "chemically" related stuff to seal windows.  It was shortly after we saw the shrubs dying.  Then I figured it was best to uproot (no easy task!) and be done with the whole thing.

Still waiting for a landscaping company that sounds legit.  Ever heard of Horizon landscape?  They were recommended to me by a tree company but I haven't heard back from the them yet. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

They could have compacted the soil around the plants enough to hurt them, too.
Dirt is very complex stuff.  (Broken record moment;  check with OSU extension for tons of great information!)

[HoneySuckle]

I called OU extension, so no more broken record.  The problem is that the work to remove all those dreadful roots from tree next door, work on the erosion, find a way to reroute the water from downspouts and of course, come up with something that's better than what I had.  Anyway, I have been interviewing landscape people and getting lots of ideas.

[HoneySuckle]

I wanted to add that the landscape company I linked earlier in this thread told me that planting any type of grass in the area where we have soil erosion, and barely any sun thanks to my neighbour's tree, would not grow and will cost me more in water, time and patience to even attempt it so they recommended that I go for a rock garden with plants that grow well in this area. 

I don't have any experience with rock type gardens, but it sure beats what I have now. 

[Red Arrow]

I don't have any experience with rock type gardens, but it sure beats what I have now. 

Rocks grow slowly so start with a good supply of what you want.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Couple things about shade.  How big is the area?  Just a 3 foot strip along the house or is it a 30 foot wide band?
Is it a walk way?

There are some great ground covers that would fill the shady area, but most are not very rugged to foot traffic.  If a path is needed, maybe use some big walk stones or concrete walk pads to make the path and then let the ground cover grow between them. 

If it isn't totally dark cover, you might - maybe - be able to get some zoysia to grow.  It needs sun, but can stand quite a bit more shade than Bermuda grass.

English Ivy would probably work - sorry, just kidding - it is pretty intrusive so you probably don't want that.  (It probably would work, though.)

[HoneySuckle]

Gosh, I haven't actually measured the area, but it is really not anywhere near a path, just a the one side of the house on the front.  Will try to measure this weekend and/or take a pic so you can see what I am talking about.

There is a part down toward the corner of the fence where that silly tree has totally covered it so nada grows there really, not even weeds.  I will try English Ivy though in the hope that it will eventually go toward the tree   Even the landscaping guy said that it was an ugly tree, is native to the area, and is actually like five in one spot, with one of them like a siamese twin.  Seriously, it's fugly.

Anyway, I hope to get three quotes, but since this is not a big job, I don't see them trying to give me a drawing of some sort to visualise what they are talking about.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Don't jump into English Ivy just yet...let me see if can get a better one for you.  English Ivy is extremely intrusive - I was just kidding about it - and I would hate to see you have to deal with it three or four years from now.

Problem is that just about any good ground cover is going to try to take over the world.
Could try for a "shade garden".

False spirea maybe.
Wild ginger?  Needs water.

Stay away from Shamrocks!  (wood sorrel)


Check with extension about how intrusive.

[HoneySuckle]

My husband said the area is no bigger than about 100 sq ft.

Got my first "real" quote today    Good Lord.

The area is NOT all that big!  $3,285.00 + for a tiny area on the right side of the driveway $765!

The tiny area he says can have 2 5' Crape Myrtle, 9 (1) gallon daylilly, 2 flats pansy flowers, 15' steel edge and 4 bags cedar mulch.  Seriously, I don't see how that is 15', but okay.  And 4 bags cedar mulch? 

The other area that is about 100 sq ft.

3 (5') oakleaf holly
3 (3) gallon hydrangea
7 (3) gal compact nandina?
1 3' dwarf alberta spruce
10 (1) gal hasta
40 ft steel edge
bed prep.
15 bags cedar mulch
7 flats pansy flowers

Am still in shock!


I really don't see how all of these plants will fit the area, but he has chosen plants that will do well in shade and are best for Oklahoma!!!

[Conan71]

Who did you call?

I can't really say that's asinine.  I'm assuming this is a reputable designer/contractor.  You are paying for their design skill and knowledge of what will work in given lighting and space.

[HoneySuckle]

I called Horizon Landscape based on a recomendation by the tree company I used.

Wright Tree co.

I suppose you're right.  I had no idea what landscaping from scratch would cost.  Maybe we could tweak it a bit to and not have as many plants to start off?  I maybe ask them to leave the annual planting to us.

Might have to call that Collins guy after all.  Probably should get at least 3 quotes.  One company refused to give a drawing so I could see how the design would look. They're being scratched off the list! 

[Red Arrow]

Quotes may be free to the potential customer but still cost the vendor time and possibly some materials even if they don't get the job.  My wallet is pretty squeaky but I occasionally force myself to accept reality.