When we finished the patio last year it looked great, especially up close. But with the landscaping left to fend for itself, the area behind the patio began to decline. Over time it went from tidy to overgrown and, frankly, rather messy.
The patio itself still looks excellent and remains weed-free thanks to a careful jointing method we used, but the garden bed behind it had become an eyesore. We learned from Katherine, a certified landscape designer who recently visited, that a couple of small trees were diseased and dying and that a large rhododendron was completely dead. That explained why parts of the bed had looked so sad for so long.
Katherine gave very straightforward advice: prune back what needed it, keep the healthy plants, and remove any dead or diseased material so the remaining plants would have a better chance to thrive. Following that plan, we removed the two failing trees and the dead rhododendron, then raked up a huge pile of leaves so the layout could be seen clearly.
The immediate improvement was dramatic. Opening up the area made the patio feel less crowded and gave a much cleaner sightline when you step outside. The space is lighter and more inviting now that overgrowth isn’t pressing in on the edge of the patio.
Even after that cleanup we still had work to do: several clumps of liriope needed removing and there were many bare spots begging for new plantings. Rather than buying everything new, Katherine suggested we transplant some existing shrubs to create more intentional groupings. Transplanting let us reuse healthy plants and build a more cohesive look without spending a lot of money.
We dug up three overcrowded nandina plants from one area and moved them into a group near the hydrangeas in the corner, where another nandina was already thriving. Grouping like plants creates a cleaner, more intentional appearance than scattering mismatched species all over the bed. Ideally we might have aimed for an odd-numbered grouping of five, but working with what we had still made a noticeable difference. The cluster already looks more finished and will continue to fill in as the season progresses.
To supplement the transplanting, we purchased three hydrangeas from a local nursery that matched the variety already doing well in the corner. After comparing prices we chose healthy specimens with a reasonable warranty. They’re the same cultivar as our established hydrangeas, so we’re optimistic they’ll grow big and bloom reliably in future seasons.
We planted everything, watered thoroughly, and then mulched the bed. Mulch both improves the look and helps retain moisture while suppressing new weeds. Between recent rains and water from our rain barrel, the new and transplanted plants have had a good start. The rain barrel has been especially handy during dry stretches.
On a lighter note, our daughter Clara loved the planting days. She was delighted to discover worms while digging and announced she even dreamed about them the next night. Her enthusiasm made the project feel more like family time than hard labor.
There are still areas left to tackle, including the corner by the rain barrel and a narrow bed near the house that could use smaller-scale greenery to better tie everything together. We’re planning what to do in those spots, so it’s only a matter of time before they get the same attention.
The whole process has been rewarding because landscaping provides such a visible before-and-after. One weekend of work turned a leaf-strewn mess into a tidy, green area with defined plantings and open sightlines. The trees are now in bloom, which makes the space feel especially cheerful and refreshed.
Below the patio the difference is especially clear: areas that looked crowded and unkempt only a week before are now neat, mulched, and planted. Mulch helped hold everything in place and keep the weeds down, so the results look polished even at this early stage.
If you’re working on a similar project, consider removing diseased plants, transplanting what can be reused, and grouping like species for a cohesive look. Simple steps like mulching and regular watering will keep new plantings healthy while you finish the remaining details. For us, the next round of improvements will finish out the corner near the rain barrel, and after that we’ll enjoy the gradual fill-in as the new plants establish themselves.
What are you planting this season? We’re learning that hydrangeas aren’t as intimidating as we once thought—after more than a year of success with our existing plants we felt confident adding more. Nandina has also proven to be low-maintenance and reliable for our climate. We’d love to hear what’s thriving in your garden or on your porch.