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  • Landscape Makeover: The Great Outdoors
    		•
    Old shrubs and damaged fencing are history in an outdoorsman's front yard.
    From "Desperate Landscapes"
    episode DDSL-210


    (Continued from page 1)

    Project No. 2: Repair the fence

    Craig's fence is falling down due in part to termite damage. Termite damage can be diagnosed from the tunnels in the wood (figure D). Wood rot caused by moisture lacks the telltale tunnels (figure E).

    Photo

    Figure D
    		Photo

    Figure E

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    PHOTO

    Figure F
    Jason replaces the rotten posts with pressure-treated 4x4s that have been cut to size. He levels the posts and buries them in the dirt, and then uses a nail gun to reattach rails (figure F)

    Project No. 3: Add a planter to the porch

    Jason chose to use a container for Craig's porch.

    Here's how to choose the right container:

  • Consider location. Craig's porch is long but not wide. A long, narrow container makes sense for his location.

    PHOTO

    Figure G

  • Consider the look, weight and material of the container. Jason chose a Cotto-Lite container, a synthetic container made to look like terra cotta. It's lightweight but looks natural. Cotto-Lite containers are designed to be frost-resistant, but Jason recommends bringing it inside during the coldest months to prevent cracking.

  • Choose a mix of plants, including ones that will drape over the edge and ones that stand tall. Among the plants in this container (figure G) are iris, mondo grass, deutzia 'Chardonnay Pearls' and mums.

    Craig's Plants

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

    PHOTO

    'Chicago Luster' viburnum
    'Chicago Lustre' viburnum
    Viburnum dentatum 'Chicago Lustre' (also called 'Synnestvedt')

    This deciduous shrub has creamy white flowers in spring followed by metallic-blue fruits that then turn black. It can grow eight to 10 feet tall and almost as wide over 10 years.

  • The berries attract songbirds.
  • The fall foliage is a golden yellow.
  • It does well in full sun to part shade.
  • USDA Zones 3-7
  • Cost: $77

    PHOTO

    'Karen' azalea
    'Karen' azalea
    Azalea 'Karen'

    This evergreen azalea has lavender flowers in May.

  • Mature size: four feet tall and five feet wide.
  • It's considered one of the hardiest azaleas available (hardy to USDA Zone 4).
  • Maintenance tip: Feed with an acid fertilizer after it blooms.
  • Cost: $460 for 8


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  • RELATED PROJECTS:
  		• Landscape Makeover: Reclaiming a Forgotten Yard
  		• Desperate Landscape: A Landscaping Primer for Primer Court
  		• 10 Things You Must Know: Painting a House Exterior
  		• Lightweight Concrete Planters
  		• Recycled Planters
  		• Planters--on the Cheap

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  		• Landscape Makeover: The Great Outdoors
    		•