Whimsical design

There is not a lot of lawn management in our front yard. It stays in the shade most of the day. Early on, we had to decide on a manicured lawn or tall trees. We opted for the latter. So one could describe our yard a whimsical. 

On one side, there is an ancient dogwood. Closer to the road is a sweet shrub we planted earlier in the year and a second holly tree. The lawn around that is mixed with red clay, scrub grass, tiny privets that fruitlessly aspire to be tall. That won't happen because I routinely smite them.

On one side of the drive, I hauled flat rocks from the creek in the hollow and made an impromptu wall.  On top of that wall, we planted irises, gardenias, sweet shrubs, and honeysuckle vines. It creates a vibe rarely recommended by landscape architects, but it works for us.

On the other side of the yard down close to the mailbox, I built a retaining wall from the creek rocks. Behind the wall, we planted daylilies. They get the morning sun for several hours, which seems to suit them.

The daylilies are blooming now, and the bees are giddy. I must say they make me smile too.