Three years later than planned, we finally have updated our home’s curb appeal; replacing the front pad, sidewalk, and significantly rejuvenating the landscaping.
Like many things, the pandemic threw a wrench in our plans. During the summer of 2020, no one was vaccinated, and we were mostly staying home and social isolating. The following spring and fall, we tried to work with contractors and nurseries to even come and bid on the cement and landscape projects.
Last year, the service providers we had “hired” failed to show up — mostly due to a shortage of workers. It was extremely frustrating! We had saved for the home improvements for some time and were ready to go. It didn’t help that there was a cement shortage and costs had risen on everything.
Last January, we were able to secure and schedule a cement contractor to replace our 38-year old home’s original front pad. He also replaced the Omni Stone walk — weed control had become a relentless chore. Happily, the crew showed in April, as planned. It was just days after we returned from nephew’s Charleston wedding, and Netherland’s vacation to see the Tulip Fields.
A few weeks later, I noticed a landscaper at my neighbor’s. I walked across the street and asked for an estimate. We hired him on the spot, and the work was completed in late June. We are delighted with the results, and have been watering ever since lol! Come take a look at our improved front curb appeal.
First Time Homeowners
For frame of reference, we live in a leafy suburb of Pittsburgh, PA; awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA. Also designated a Main Street USA, the town is known for it’s walkability, with beautiful tree and sidewalk-lined streets. Although the USDA says the area is Zone 6B, we frequently experience difficult Zone 5 winters. Like last year, which killed many Boxwoods throughout the community — including three in my backyard.
When we built our home, nearly forty years ago, the plan was one of the community’s last new developments. On the day we signed for the cul-de-sac lot, a bulldozer was only starting to clear the land. We moved in January, so the paved driveway wasn’t installed until warmer weather in the spring.
Matching black urns flank the front door. This year, they are planted with pairs of Grape Soda Coral Bells, Scopia Gulliver White Bacopa, and Lyscimachia FanciFillers Sunburst. Come fall, the Coral Bell perennials will be transplanted into the landscape.
Hubby and I were still newlyweds when construction of our home began. A brand new home meant we needed everything — from mailbox, to fireplace screen and tools, window treatments, lawn mower, washer/dryer, and furnishings. That left little money for plantings. Landscaping 1.0 was modest and performed by Mr. Buzz.
Landscape 2.0
Examining plum trees to replace a diseased plant located on a front corner of the house.
About five years later — after the boys were born — we hired a professional from a local nursery to install Landscape 2.0. Since then, hubby has replaced some shrubs that had died or were diseased. But most plants are nearly 35 years old. Many became overgrown, misshaped, or were struggling near the end of their lifespan.
Landscape 3.0
Two of the three healthy Barberry were kept, along with a Golden Thread Cypress (to the far left).
For Landscape 3.0 we kept several mature trees and bushes, but had most of the other plants removed. Here’s a look of the redone corner, which significantly improved the home’s curb appeal.
A relatively tall Thundercloud Plum Tree ($270), Blue Globe Spruce ($135), pair of Blanket Flower perennials ($16 each), and one of five rocks (about $150 in total) added to the corner landscape.
Removing the front Barberry and enlarging the bed somewhat, allows room for the new plum tree to grow and mature to about 20 feet— without blocking the upstairs window. An existing Burning Bush was also aggressively pruned for access to the gas meter on the side of the house.
Note: 35 plus years later and the Barberry and Burning Bush are now considered invasive and are being banned for new sales and planting in PA. Is the same true in your area? We tore out about half of the Barbary and trimmed back the Burning Bush. Do you have any in your landscape?
Other than slightly enlarging the one bed, we didn’t change the location or shape of the others. Additionally, we elected to go with black mulch to coordinate with the house’s black shutters and front door.
Adding interest at the base of the plum tree, is a Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea ($45). Several of our neighbors have them. I love how the bloom for months and brighten the landscape.
In the background, you can see a Bradford Pear Tree hubby planted about 30 years ago. It was his Father’s Day gift! Last year, we had it significantly thinned and pruned — part of a pricey, but necessary tree maintenance project performed by two different companies.
Beware of Falling Trees
Bradford Pear’s beautiful fall foliage, before it was significantly pruned. In the spring it is loaded with white flowers.
These days, Bradford Pears are discouraged or banned in our community, due to their tendency to damage homes in storms. Because they lose their leaves so late in the fall, heavy wet snow can also cause large sections to split and fall.
Several years ago, the last of the Wild Cherry Trees in the woods came down. Days of heavy rain caused the root ball to lift out of the ground; leaving an eight-foot round hole in the ground. Hubby used a chainsaw to cut the tree into sections. A neighbor helped to push the root ball back into place. Since it was spring 2020, there were no contractors to do the work.
Last year’s tree project also included the tricky removal of two dead and dying, four-story trees from the “woods” behind our house. Over the decades, most of the trees that made up the wooded area have now either had to be removed, or come down in storms.
Eight contractors came to examine the feasibility of removing the two dead trees, precariously leaning against each other. Two months later, we finally found a company with the staff expertise and equipment to safely bring the trees down, without causing a domino effect with our neighbor’s healthy trees.
Costs for Labor, Materials & Plants
Removing the sunken front pad and Omni Stone walkway, and replacing them with poured cement cost about $4,800. The project was completed in two days. They also sloped the pad to meet the walk. That keeps water from collecting against the house, and meant we didn’t need to add and awkward step.
After the cement and landscaping projects, I refurbished the weathered and worn Butterfly & Bee Theme Wreath.
Updating the curb appeal included replacing the original contractor-grade lights. Hubby installed the pair of black lantern fixtures (Pottery Barn, about $275 each) with Edison-style bulbs.
For reference, I have tried to name all the plants and what we paid. The landscaper charged another roughly $5,000 for all the labor and materials (rocks, soil, mulch). That included planting a tall Bald Cypress ($250) over the hill. It’s our initial attempt to “reseed” the now decimated woodland area. And, a striking Dappled Willow ($65), to fill the hole left in the back landscape were the fallen cherry tree damaged a mature Hemlock.
In total we spent under $2,500 on new trees, bushes, plants and perennials. The majority came from one local nursery — Woehler’s. They extended a 15% discount to the landscaper, and had a gorgeous collection of larger, more mature specimens that were healthy and vigorous.
All the Landscape 3.0 curb appeal project was completed in a single day by a hard-working crew of seven. Because the contractor primarily did hardscape work, he had permanent workers available to do the physical labor. We found that local nurseries simply did not have the summer help needed for large landscaping projects, beyond trimming and mulching.
With input from hubby, that left it on me to do most of the landscape design. That included a lot of research into choosing the plantings; based on suitability for the climate, sun/shade requirements, deer and disease resistance, mature size, rate of growth, seasonal blooms, color and texture. You’ll notice a lot of blue and crimson color shades that I love, and pops of greenish yellow for Mr. Buzz.
Heave Ho!
To start, the crew began with the hardest party of the job —removing overgrown shrubs with decades deep root balls. I’m a little embarrassed to show you how shabby our landscaping and curb appeal had become lol!
Overgrown gold threaded cypress and struggling knockout rose bushes (where once a 20-foot tall blue spruce had stood). They sat along the driveway and retaining wall that Mr. Buzz built shortly after we moved into our home.
On the opposite side of the front yard, they began by cutting down much of the overgrown shrubbery that blocked the living room windows.
But it took chaining the base of one shrub to the front of a truck to pull out one large root ball.
Good thing we did finally find a landscaper to do the work. Frustrated by our inability to find a contractor, dear hubby was “threatening” to tackle the project himself. He may be a twice weekly Habitat for Humanity volunteer, but I’m sure glad that didn’t happen! It would have been back-breaking work, especially without all that heavy-duty equipment.
Prepping Beds for New Plantings
Before adding fresh topsoil, the crew cleaned out the front beds of debris, root balls and branches.
They also enlarged and edged the bed on the opposite side; to balance the left and right beds for added curb appeal.
We kept both Japanese Red Leaf Maple Trees. Several landscapers estimated that a plant the size of the one next to the front door would cost about $2,000! Wide-spreading and shallow roots make the trees nearly impossible to transplant safely.
The dimensions and shape of the new cement pad took those roots into consideration. Happily the tree continues to flourish. Although, we did have to cut back several large branches that were overhanging the walk. We may remove a large lower outgrowth in the fall — when it’s cooler.
Boulders on either side of the front walk are banked by pairs of Tricolor Stonecrop Sedum ($16 each). Next spring, I plan to fill more of the landscape with the color and texture of additional ground covers and flowering perennials. While needing to space plants for room to mature, I don’t want the black mulch to dominate the curb appeal for years.
A large Blue Globe Spruce ($350) provides some counterbalance to the Japanese Red Maple on the opposite side of the front pad.
To create some consistency to the newly landscaped beds, the back row of plants on either side mirror each other. Between the lanterns and window on either side is a Dee Runk Boxwood ($175 each). They were a real deal! It’s an upright cultivar that grows up to 10 feet tall. With some pruning, it should maintain a tight conical shape.
Three sets of smaller holly varieties also shouldn’t grow to block the front windows. Holly have done well in that spot, but became enormous and misshapen. Adding year-round color to the curb appeal are Osmanthus Variegated Holly ($45 each) bushes — a unique find.
Between each of the variegated holly is an upright Chesapeake Japanese Holly ($45 each).
New Walkway & Replanted Beds
Prior to the new cement walk being poured, Mr. Buzz moved the lamppost to the opposite side. He also cleaned, rewired and replaced internal electrical hardware. There are many advantages to being married to a retired engineer lol!
Only a more recently planted Dense Spreading Yew was kept in the area to the right of the walkway.
Because snow shoveled off the walk and driveway tend to pile up in this area, we took that into consideration when choosing plants. Behind the boulder is a Tropical Toucan Ajuga ($16), which will provide year-round, colorful ground cover.
After the landscaping was installed, I had Mr. Buzz add six flowering ground covers; including a pair of Balloon Flower Pop Star Blue ($9 each) perennials.
Behind the boulder to the right is a Cream Ball Sawara Cypress ($55), a smaller version of a plant that has done well in our landscape for decades — until they grew too large! To the left are two Wine and Roses Weigela ($45 each). They should fill that area in nicely with dark foliage and crimson flowers. Like all the plants we chose, it’s considered deer resistant.
Providing vertical and sculptural interest to the landscape is a Weeping Blue Spruce ($280). Slow growing, it can reach 20-feet tall — just like the plum on the opposite end.
To the right a Bird’s Nest Norway Spruce ($45) has a lovely yellow green hue. Added along the retaining wall, are a pair of whitish-blue groundcover called, Silver Mound Artemisia ($24 each). I like the feathery texture and color that serves to under light the spruce against the black mulch.
Not Bambi
Deer are always an issue, regularly mowing down my Hosta plants and tulips. Although they mostly habitat the “woods,” the deer drive our Scottie dogs nuts. Although he’d bark like crazy, Fibber McGee was intimidated by them. He’d immediately come running inside if deer left the woods and were in the yard.
Whiskey had zero fear and would stand his ground; barking like the Russians had invaded! Fortunately, he wouldn’t leave our yard and stayed within the Invisible Fence boundary. Hubby and/or I would have to come outside to coax or herd him in. The barking continued as long as he could see deer out the windows.
About a month and a half ago, a doe gave birth in the ferns under the newly planted cedar. Initially, we were awed by it; witnessing the fawn nursing and taking first steps. That, however, was the last tender Bambi deer moment.
Several days later, we found Whiskey and the deer facing off; only several feet apart in the backyard. Have you ever heard a deer snorting and “screaming?” The large, angry animal certainly intimidated us! Momma was so protective of the newborn living behind our house, she decided Whiskey needed to be eliminated.
While we were trying to get Whiskey to come inside, the deer charged forward and kicked him! He turned and ran towards the street. She pursued, caught up with him, placed her head under his belly and tossed him in the air! I waved my arms and screamed at the deer, scooped up Whiskey, and brought him into the house. He didn’t seem to be physically injured, but was terrified and shaking.
Then he started throwing up bile every morning — always on the new family room carpet! The vet wanted to examine him and make sure the kick didn’t do any internal damage. She decided it was likely anxiety and stress, causing an acid build up whenever Whiskey’s belly was empty for long periods. First we tried Pepcid twice daily. Then we added splitting two daily meals into four. When he continued to throw up, the vet switched him to a prescription diet.
During that time, the deer continued to “patrol” our backyard at all periods of the day. Anytime Whiskey came out to potty, she’d come charging from the woods. Once, she was lying in wait, standing under our deck! He refused to go outside unless we first banged pots to scare her off. Even then, he’d only go out the front door on a leash, quickly do his business, and go running back into the house. We felt under siege!
I also bought the air horn Animal Control recommended and warned all my neighbors. They’ve all been very supportive.
Six weeks later and the deer and her fawn have mostly moved on. Whiskey is back to near normal routines of going out to potty, hanging out on the deck, and playing in the yard — and barking if he sees or smells her. We’ve weaned him off the antacids, and I just started slowly putting him back on his regular kibble. Fingers crossed!
Okay, back to the landscaping and opposite side of the walk. Sorry, I needed to vent lol!
Updated Beds
Many years ago, the existing crimson Tricolor Beech had swallowed up the lamppost! One of my favorite trees, it was looking more like a giant hedge.
After the landscaper trimmed off the lower branches, the tree provides partial shade for new, blue-flowering Silver Heart Brunnera perennials ($16 each), Blue Rug Junipers ($45 each), P.J.M Rhododendron ($45), and crimson-flowering Astilbe perennials ($20).
The same nursery bed hugs the driveway and continues along the front of the house and public sidewalk.
Like the front beds, many of the mature shrubs were overgrown. In preparation for new plants, the landscaper removed some scrappy-looking Blue Rug Junipers and two overgrown Golden Thread Cypress that were spilling into the yard, driveway and sidewalk.
We kept the second mature Japanese Red Leaf Maples in the landscape. In the picture above you can see it and the recently trimmed Tricolor Beech in the background. Also kept (but trimmed) are a Burning Bush and two pink Spiraea.
Replacing the overgrown cypress is another miniature version, which tolerate snow dumped on them for days. Two Georgia Blue Speedwell ($24 each) wide spreading, low- growing perennials are now planted underneath the red maple. Their reddish green spring foliage turns deep green in the summer, and bronze come fall. Tiny round blue flowers bloom in late spring.
Sorry, but I don’t seem to have a picture of the finished street side bed, and I’m out of time to get this post published lol. Trust me when I tell you it improved our home’s curb appeal from the street!
Because we live on a cul-de-sac, we have a wide yard that gently slopes to the front door. That street side bed helps provide a level of privacy. There’s also a screen and shade provided by crimson-flowering Cherry Tree (Mother’s Day gift hubby planted 35 years ago) in the front lawn. Community-installed, mature Sweet Gum trees line the entire street and center island.
Get Me to the Church on Time!
As you can see, it’s been a busy and hectic spring and summer tackling these large curb appeal projects, taking care of Whiskey, and preparing for eldest son’s destination wedding in Highlands, NC. This morning I picked up my gown with under two weeks to go, whew! It’s been stressful.
I hope you have a wonderful end of summer and Labor Day weekend. See you in September with, Easy DIY Champagne Cork Wedding Party Figures.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Your yard looks just lovely! That story about Whiskey and the deer is so scary; your poor dog! What a traumatic event. Glad he’s doing better now.
Thanks for taking the tour Joanne! I’m pretty the sure the deer has moved on, and transitioning back to his regular food slowly is going well. Gotta get Whiskey back on track before I have to board him while we’re away for our son’s destination wedding.
You know I loved every bit of this landscape update, Debbee. Let me just say you got a fabulous deal on the dee runk boxwood! I have one that sustained winter damage and back in April their pricing was more than double yours, so I carefully pruned and am nursing mine back to health. I like the stones mixed in your landscape, as well as the curved lines. The weeping Norway spruce and Japanese maples are favorites of mine. Did you guys powerwash your drive to match the beautiful new pad and walkway? It all looks very nice. And wow to what that mama deer did to Whiskey! I am not a fan of deer, squirrels or anything other than the birds and bees which frequent my landscape naturally. When we removed our pin oak it almost completely rid us of squirrels, even though they run rampant elsewhere in the neighborhood. You have a great new look, mixing established and new plantings in your 3.0 landscape!
Happy you took the time to visit Rita! It was a deal! We found one’s half the height for twice the cost. Hope yours are coming back. We’re going to see how our boxwoods in the backyard look next spring, but I’m afraid they’ll need replaced. We kept the same bed outlines, just enlarged the one to accommodate the plum tree. Planning to power wash the driveway in Oct — same time we’ll do the back porch to prepare for winter when we put away the furniture. I had wanted to line the pad and walk with brick to match the house, but the cost nearly tripled! Plus, the contractors warned us it’d would be more prone to cracking. Yeah, not a fan of deer, or squirrels which still hang out in the Bradford Pear and our next door neighbor’s Pin Oak.
P.S> Wanted you to know I immediately responded to the fall hop invite, that I’d miss it because of the wedding. It bounced back. I tried emailing you directly two other times and same issue! Not sure why? Hope this response to your comment goes through?
Debbie, Your sidewalk and landscaping look great. It’s funny, but we are doing the exact same thing. We had our new sidewalk and front pad poured yesterday, replacing the omni stone sidewalk. We cut down all our front bushes about a month ago, so getting some great ideas from you for some new bushes/plants to put in. Hope all is well with you and B.
Wow, what a coincidence! Glad you like the end results and hope you find some ideas that will work for you. You’re more than welcome to come by and see it in person. Would love to get together sometime. Did your omni stone get all weedy too? Are you and Bruce planning to do the planting etc. yourselves? Maybe enlisting your kids and their spouses?
We’re both great, and looking forward to R’s wedding next weekend. Also to having our families gather all together, including my now 87 year old mom! She tore up the dance floor at B’s son’s wedding Easter weekend. Hoping next summer’s project will we get a nursery ready for our first grandchild lol! Would love to see you
My goodness, I am so sorry for Whiskey! Deer seem so nice from afar, but they can get very aggressive. This happened to someone I know, two deer charged him and rammed him into a corner, then repeatedly charged him. I like them from afar, but not up close! I do feel bad for them since we seem to be encroaching their homes with all of the building. I am so glad Whisky is doing better! Our pup is our child so I imagine you are the same Debbee. Your landscaping looks lovely, Covid sure has caused all sorts of issues for folks from work on homes, to illness. It’s a shame things cost as much as they do. We are beginning a bathroom remodel, looks like we are 3 months out before it will begin. I am glad this project worked out for you! I bet you smile from ear to ear every time you come home.
Thanks Cara, Whiskey is pretty much back to his tough little self. OMG, I can’t believe what those deer did to your friend though! Our community hires professionals to cull the deer herd here every Feb-Mar (do reduce the high number of car collisions). I’m planning to recommend the woods in our neighborhood. Also appreciate your kind remarks about the landscaping. And yes, I linger and smile everytime I retrieve the mail, walk the dog, etc. lol!
Covid continues to disrupt lives. My sister and her husband came down with it two days before they were to leave for an Alaskan cruise. It was a year in the planning and a gift to all their children, spouses and granddaughter. Crushed when the couldn’t go. Unfortunately, they got pretty severe symptoms (even though both had it previously and got vacs 5 times!), and Paxlovid hasn’t seemed to help much either. They’ve finally turned a corner, but now we’re concerned about them being symptom free for our son’s wedding next weekend.
Exciting to get a bathroom remodel! Hopefully they’ll be done by the holidays!
There is something refreshing about cutting back away from the house and letting her breathe ! Looks lovely!
It’s a big improvement for sure. A couple plants are struggling, but I think we may only lose one. Happily mama deer and company are not only leaving the plants alone, but Whiskey too! Rabbits, however, mowed down the willow bush. We put netting around it and it’s recovered. Afraid though they might just attack it again next year. Might not have been a good choice for the spot?
Debbee, this looks fantastic! Oh my gosh, what a lot of work though. I hear you about Covid and contractors – it took two years to find someone to come and remove some dead shrubs and trees in our yard and they will come in the next several weeks. Finally. We too are embarking on a face lift here, although not nearly as large as you project. It must feel sooo good to have it done! That is a pretty scary story about Whiskey and the deer – I never knew they were so aggressive. Whiskey must have been absolutely traumatized. I’m so glad to hear he’s back to his usual self. Enjoy your son’s wedding and take care over there!
Oh gee, thanks Kim! Sounds like we could commiserate? It feels fabulous to be done, and for the plants to be established enough to go without daily monitoring and regularly watering while we’re gone at the wedding. Good like with your own maintenance and update — hope they show up! It was scary with Whiskey, and I grew quite aggressive myself towards that giant mean deer lol! Have a great end of summer.
Great post! We are slowly adding and subtracting growth in our yard, your listing of plants and prices as well as color and growth patterns is very helpful.
I’m blown away by the story of Whiskey and the deer. We have a large array of wildlife in our yard and our Scotties have to “police” their fenced portion on a regular patrol. Arnie, our newest pup, runs back onto the porch through the doggy door every time Lily announces the deer. A few weeks ago, I saw a doe walking calmly through the side yard and cutting through a break in the bushes to the neighbor’s yard. The dogs and I were on the screened porch, and they never saw or heard her. I was quite surprised to see her in broad daylight. My hubby has said repeatedly that if the dogs got near the deer, they would be kicked. Your story has now made me a believer and we will be more warry of what could happen. Hugs to Whiskey
Thanks Kay, hope our research and results prove helpful. Of course, a lot is dependent on what zone you live in.
Do be careful with Arnie and Lily. Scotties all have a little “Braveheart” in them and might be naïve about how a deer would respond. I think Whiskey’s barking just yards away from her fawn set protective instincts into overdrive. But they became “murderous” Plus, you don’t want deer taking up permanent “residence” in the backyard. Animal Control’s air horn has worked wonders in getting her to go elsewhere.
Debbie, Wow ! It’s beautiful. What a difference. I am exhausted reading about the process. I have raccoons and they can be vicious. They tore my screen on the porch looking for cat food. I think it was a opossum that made its way through the tear and attacked the cat. During the last hurricane, a younger oak tree fell on my neighbor’s fence. It was so expensive to take down and in the rear, they left the root ball. Slowly, I am cutting it apart. Homeownership is expensive these days. Now I need a new AC and carpet.
Can’t wait to hear about the wedding.
Thanks Myrna! Although, it’s hard to go from full and lush to lots and lots of mulch lol! Was indeed very time-consuming and frustrating process. We very rarely see raccoons, but lots of rabbits, nesting birds, and occasional chipmunks, moles and groundhogs. My son lives in downtown Philly with a back deck but no yard — very urban. He has an opossum we think that lives under his porch. A bit surprised because of his huge lab mix out there all the time. It’s scary looking. I guess attracted by trash cans? Sorry about the damage to your porch and poor kitty! Hope he wasn’t hurt too badly? Trees can certainly be financial busters! It’s always something with home maintenance isn’t it. Warned our son that when he bought a redeveloped 100-year old row house. Next year, we’ll be replacing all of our home’s siding.
Gotta head to the hair dressers and pack for the wedding. Catch up with you next month!
Your landscaping looks great, but poor Whiskey. Glad you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful wedding in glorious Highlands, NC (one of our very favorite places to spend down time). Hugs!
Ahh thanks Bobbi. Whiskey will be thrilled to go to “camp” during the wedding and playing all day with other dogs. Weather in Highlands looks to be good, but worried for all our family in Charleston as it will still be a category 1 storm and Sistah B lives on the water. Sister A is coming from Florida and was supposed to head out this morning to make a few stops on the way. Now, won’t likely be able to leave until Friday. Fingers crossed!
Wonderful post Debbee. Love the new landscaping. Your house looks so regal.
What a difference landscaping can make. Love your choices the potted plants on your porch are lovely. Poor Whiskey, how scary for him. I have never seen a deer snort or scream. We have plenty around here. 3acres is fenced, so we don’t see any deer inside our fence. I am also married to a retired engineer. I am pleased to feature your updated landscaping at love Your Creativity.
Thank you Linda for your kind remarks and for the feature! We are just returned from my son’s wedding in Highlands NC and it was glorious! I’m still floating around on a cloud of happiness. Whiskey had fun at “camp” while we were gone and his tummy/anxiety issues seem back to normal. Wow, that’s a lot of fencing! Didn’t realize our husbands were both engineers!
Wow, what a wonderful transformation! I love all of the details. The black mulch really sets it all off so beautifully. Poor Whiskey! I didn’t realize deer would get so aggressive. We have a lot of them that come up out of the woods in back of our house. I’m happy to tell you that I’ll be featuring this post today at Thursday Favorite Things. 🙂
Thanks Pam, it certainly took more time than we intended though! I didn’t realize deer could be so aggressive either. Since Whiskey was attacked I’ve learned from followers, my vet and groomer of dogs that died or had to be put down after a deer attack. Thanks so much for the feature, I hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to a wonderful fall.
Oh my goodness those planters are STUNNING! I Pinned the picture for next year – gonna do it!
Thanks Katie! I just transferred the coral bells into the landscape and replaced them with burgundy mums in the planters. I really love the trailing greenery and hope I can find it again next year.
I really enjoyed following your project, Debbie. We have to do some serious landscaping at our home, too. Yours turned out beautifully. I loved the way it opened up the front of your home while still providing texture and color to your landscape. Great choice on plants. They should give you pleasure for years to come. I did not realize that deer would attack a dog like that and so close to a home in a development. Poor Whiskey! Happy he’s doing better. thanks so much for sharing your journey.
Lynne
Thanks so much Lynne! I’m glad people didn’t feel I overshared too many details on costs and plants. Hubby was right about opening things up, as I was concerned it would look too barren. I think we got a good balance of keeping some of the more mature trees and bushes. Only two plants are struggling a bit, but we think they’ll bounce back next spring. After 38 years of living here with deer and 14 with a Scottie, I was shocked by the aggressive behavior! Now, I find from my vet, groomer and boarding kennel that they all know of multiple dogs that have died after being attacked by a deer. Keeping my air horn handy on the back porch now! Whiskey is about to go to “camp” where he’ll love all the play time with other dogs. He’ll miss us while we’re away, but they take excellent, loving care of him. Good luck with your own landscaping project. Be sure to share on your blog!