DIY Network

Diseases & Weeds
Flowers
Fruits & Vegetables
General Information
Container Gardening
Insects & Pests
Kids Gardening
Lawns & Landscaping

Landscaping, Arranging & Mulching
Raised Beds
Structures, Walls & Walkways
Other

Plants & Foliage
Public Gardens
Seasons & Zones
Services & Associations
Shrubs & Trees
Soil & Water
Structures & Ornaments
Tools
Water Gardening
Wildlife

SPONSOR LINKS

Desperate Landscape: Cleanup on Carolina Avenue

Overhauling the landscape and sprucing up the entryway make a big difference in the curb appeal of this home.

From "Desperate Landscapes"
episode DDSL-204

(Continued from page 2)

Landscape plants

Here are the plants, plus a summary of their characteristics and care, that were chosen for Bob's landscape:

Mohawk viburnum
Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Mohawk'

The Mohawk viburnum is a low-maintenance and disease-resistant shrub that has flowers in spring and brilliant reddish-orange foliage in fall. For this project, Jason chose a Mohawk viburnum for its ease of use and also to hide the views of the driveway and backyard.

Flowers in spring smell like cloves.

Its mature height is usually about 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
-

It prefers full sun to light shade.

It does well in USDA Zones 5-8.

Cost: $115

Dianthus
Dianthus sp.

Dianthus can be a perennial or an annual, and the varieties come in shades of white, pink, lavender and red. For this project, Jason chose annual dianthus because it has a longer bloom period, flowering from spring to fall. The dianthus will need to be replaced the next spring.

Dianthus grows 6 to 18 inches tall and should be spaced six inches apart.

Remove spent flowers to promote flowering.

For continued blooming, feed lightly every six to eight weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.

'Lavender Lady' hostas
Hosta 'Lavender Lady'

Hostas are low-maintenance perennials that are great for beginners. All are shade lovers. This variety of hosta is appreciated for its dark green leaves with bright white bands.

This variety performs well in USDA Zones 3-8.

Cost: $13 each

'Green Mountain' boxwood
Buxus 'Green Mountain'

Boxwoods are a low-maintenance shrub that can provide structure to a landscape plan. Here, Jason used boxwoods to flank each side of the steps to create a formal entrance. This variety is a moderate grower, reaching about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, but it can be kept smaller with pruning.

It prefers full sun to part shade.

USDA Zones 4-9

Cost: $101 each

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum

These fall-blooming plants are great for spicing up the end of the growing season. There are hundreds of varieties of mums in various sizes and colors. Some are perennials and some are annuals.

Plant in full sun.

They can be planted in all zones.

Planting mums near street lights and landscape lighting can throw off their bloom cycle.

Web Extra: More cool plants

Tardiva hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva'

A great option for late-season color, this hydrangea produces showy white flowers that turn purplish pink as they grow older. Jason chose this hydrangea to block the view of the neighbor's yard.

Blooms in late summer

Tardiva can be trained as a tree, but it looks best if it’s kept as a shrub pruned to about 6-10 feet tall.

It's one of the most cold-hardy hydrangeas.

Cost: $69

Tardiva blooms on current season's growth, so prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins

Inkberry holly
Ilex glabra

This evergreen holly is tolerant of a wide variety of soils, from sun to shade. Jason chose this holly for its year-round interest and to help hide the walkway.

Its black berries form in the fall and persist through the winter.

Bees make a flavorful, amber-colored honey from the white spring flowers.

USDA Zones 4-9

Cost: $138 for four hollies