DIY Network

The Dilts Family: Their Plans, Costs and Products From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-210

Meet Kathrine and Bob Dilts. Kathrine is a TV morning-show host and new mother, to Elizabeth. She and her husband, Bob, recently moved into a ranch home they have gutted and redone. It has an incredible view.

It took a lot of work, but the interior projects are almost finished. Unfortunately, however, the landscaping stinks, which is bad news since Kathrine loves to garden. Much of the area is a blank slate, but there are also plenty of things, such as roses, that need to be moved around. Kathrine and Bob are looking for ideas and want three- to four-season color.

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Gardening Challenge

Required Project Time

The Year-Round Color project took one day to complete.

Project Details

• The old crabapple and lilac were removed after some "discussion" by the couple.

• Shrubs, perennials and bulbs were chosen to offer three- to-four season color. Some of the sensible selections include holly and sedum for year-round evergreen foliage; flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and muscari along with an ornamental flowering cherry and spirea to add spring color.

• The hollies were also planted with the idea that they would mask the utility boxes.

• Roses were pruned to rejuvenate them.

• Some iris and peonies were pulled out and replanted.

Dollars and Sense

We used six types of bulbs and 13 plants in Hardiness Zone 6.

• The most expensive items were the new tree and the hollies.

• Five hollies cost $225.

• The single Yoshino cherry tree cost $200. To protect your new tree investment, the new tree should be placed three to four feet away from the old tree’s trunk to prevent root competition issues.

• The least expensive plants were the bulbs, at less than $1 apiece.

• Plant prices may vary by zone.

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