This picture was taken back in January, so there are no leaves or grass. I guess I should take a more recent one because now the trees are leafed-out, the lilies are up, and the grass is growing.
I've been devouring my Garden Gate issues and the internet, trying to come up with a decent landscaping plan for around the shed. And not coming up with anything that I like; I guess I'm just not very creative. We have azaleas for the southern end, which gets a lot of good morning sun, as well as a red twig dogwood for some winter color. A hydrangea for either side of the deck steps, which are already planted. I'm putting daffodils and probably some hosta around the trees with coral bells. Plenty of hosta at the northern end, which is pretty much shaded all the time. With a bit of coral bells and astilbe in front of the hosta.
The big problem for me is the 10 x 8 foot area at the western end of the shed, directly north of the deck. This gets dappled shade throughout the afternoon with a wee bit of direct sun in the very late afternoon and evening. I'm thinking of flowering shrubs, with just a few perennials and some annuals here and there. What kind? Haven't a clue. In the purple, pink, and white shades.
Next week, weather permitting, I'm staining the deck. It will be in a two-tone grey, with some of the deck a lighter shade and other areas a bit darker. I need to hit Lowes for some solar lighting for the steps to the deck. I already bought both stains. Rick will powerwash the deck, we'll let it dry, and then I can start. The big problem is all the droppings from the trees. I swear I can sweep the deck every morning, and, by lunch time, it's covered by a good inch of tree needles, pine cones, and the like. And bird poop.
I'm thinking flagstone for the path from the driveway over to the shed, with some grass and some creeping thyme planted around the stones. It's easy and we can mow it with the push mower, at least for now.
Deck furniture? Nothing exotic. Plantation rocking chairs or Adirondack chairs? I like them both. Not sure of the color. I was hoping to get out to some yard sales or public sales for some kind of small tables or something, but the virus screwed that up.
The people from Sheds Unlimited emailed me. They still want to do the video shoot and promise to use face masks and such while they're here. I need to get started! I didn't get much because we aren't really going out that often to buy much of anything. Guess I'd better get going!
Ideas are welcomed!