A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 Newbie In need of MUCH help

Hello,
I'm a newbie to this forum and have LOTS of questions so please bear with me. We recently pruchased 26 acres, lots of pine trees, wetlands with 2 large ponds appx 60x60' each. Two areas have been cleared so far so I have shady and sunny areas. NO color but the green grass and pine trees. We are building the main house appx 1800 feet from the front of the property so I have this long driveway with NO color.

I know NOTHING about gardening but would like also to have a flower and vegetable garden. PLEASE HELP. I have attached a link with pictures.

Thanks


http://groups.msn.com/theglassonion01/property.msnw?albumlist=2

Wow! You have a lot of space to fill!

Do you have a general idea of what you would like for it to look like? Any colors you would like to see lots of? Any colors you would like to keep to a minimum?

Where would you like to start?

I don't care much for reds. SInce the driveway is so long, I don't want to line it with the same types of blooms, I'd like different little sights off of the driveway. What do you think?

That makes sense to me! I also am not fond of the reds and oranges, but some mixed in looks great!

Now, for the driveway, how are you planning on watering whatever you plant there? That will make a big difference on WHAT to plant...

Watering won't be a problem at all because I will have a pump off of the pond which is off of the driveway too.

Good plan!

What about doing some raised beds, with trees in between them?

glass onion, since your driveway is so long, what i would do (and can't, mine don't get enough sun) is put different kinds of jessaine (or honeysuckle) in one area to grow up into the pine trees. most jessamine grows different shades of yellow/cream (although there are other varieties available. if you have an area that gets good sun, i would put some wisteria on a couple of pines. that is one of the most beautiful sites, wisteria blooming in the top of pine trees! (the wisteria is a purply/white plant that the blooms look a lot like pods of grapes). azaleas are another good one, but i would go for the white instead of the pinks, since you aren't too fond of red. the beauty of a tree lined drive is that it can give you privacy when unknown folks drive in it or turn around in it. that is why i like mine! i am going to turn one side (what will be the front yard eventually) into a private space defined by pine trees, azaleas, and different vines. ok, got the weezies... ) sorry bout that, don't go on me!

Glassonion what's your zone?

tamara, glass onion is in the same zone as me. we are in neighboring towns!

I like the Azaleas and the Wisteria. I also thought a huge snowball bush near the front. THe entrance will have a double wrought iron gate with rock/stone columns, so I need really nice tree/bush, bloom to compliment the entrance

What are your feelings on rose bushes?


Mine bloom for a LONG time...it's a good way to have color for the summer...

I'm not really a rose fan. I'd like something unique and nontraditional. Any suggestions?

Hmmm, how about butterfly bush?

Wow! I just looked these up, PRETTY!!! What do you think about a snowball bush? Do you know if they come in different colors? I'd like something other than white but I love the bloom.

I LOVE snowball bushes! If I remember right, they even have a slight fragrance...

My only complaint about trhem is they do not bloom for long.

I'm not sure if they have different colors, but I'm sure some one here can answer that question...

Hey, Barley!

Is it true that Oregon is an optimal place for growing roses? You do get a lot of rainfall, correct? We're PA and in the summer it gets very hot and humid, does that have an effect on the roses?

Thanks!

Portland, Oregon is known as the City of roses. They have a unique micro-climate that is perfect for growing roses and they have an International Test Garden to show them off. But you don't need to live in Portland to have pretty roses. All you need is some sun. We are very hot and dry here in the summer and our roses are gorgeous. Of course we have to con them into going dormant in winter which you wouldn't need to do. I think roses are easy to grow, I've had good luck with them and I am by no means an expert.

It really doesn't rain all that much during the summer...I had to water every few days. I was really impressed with my rose bushes last summer, though...they bloomed their little heads off!!!

Of course, they hadn't been treated well in a few years, and I came in and weeded, and fed them lots of organic goodies....